Chapter 19
V pressed the red square on the remote hidden beneath the table controlling the camera sitting across the table while red drapes hung in the background. His fingers tightened into tight fists before stretching to their full length. He continued to sit lost in thought as he stared at the camera. It was another day closer to November fifth and each day filled him with a heaviness in his heart. This was everything that he worked for all these years and it was finally coming to fruition. He should be elated and relieved that he would finally have his well deserved rest soon, but it was that part specifically that brought the most heaviness. Whenever he thought about his death all he could see was Evey's face. He saw the flood of tears. He envisioned the hurt and betrayal in her chocolate eyes as she watched parliament being blown to pieces along with his body. After all she has sacrificed and is willing to sacrifice not only for him but for what he stands for it would be dishonorable to deceive her in such a way. V stood and unplugged the camera from a small laptop. After checking to ensure that the recording was completed as planned he ejected the CD from the laptop and shut down the equipment. V stored the disk safely away in a locked drawer in his bedroom.
He thought about secluding himself in the training room but chose to enjoy a movie instead. His eyes skimmed through his collection but it was unnecessary he had the collection committed to memory. He found a film that he wished to show to Evey knowing she would love it. It was getting late and Evey would be coming to the Shadow Gallery in a few hours so V chose another movie instead. As the movie played on V could not seem to pay attention as he kept track of the time. Evelyn should have arrived at the Shadow Gallery by now.
All of the lights in Evey's home were switched off. Her house sat on the perfect corner just beyond the reach of the street lights. Dressed in all black, her hair pulled on top of her head, a cut up toboggan over her face, and her back pressed firmly against a wall Evey eyed the shadowed streets. A dark unmarked car sat across the street, which she noticed pull up after she arrived home from work.
8 Mississippi
9 Mississippi
...
Evey continued counting silently as she stepped back from the window a small step. There was no way The Nose could know she was working with V but it was better not to take any chances. Evey began analyzing everything she did and said since meeting V and she still could not piece together an answer. No. She was only being paranoid. She sat for over an hour timing the laps of The Ear as well as watching out to see if anyone was creeping around her house. They didn't expect her to just walk out the front door, did they? Idiots.
24 Mississippi
25 Mississippi
A small smile pulled at her full lips when as she watched a black van with the satellite dish slowly cruise past her house. Evey pushed the sleeve of her shirt up and eyed the time on her watch waiting precisely three minutes before creeping downstairs to her back door. As Evey maneuvered down the shadowed streets she could not help but wonder what V was up to tonight. Oh well, she would have to ask him another time because tonight Evelyn Dunas was not sneaking down to the Shadow Gallery.
Evey huffed slightly before leaning up against a brick wall of a church and rubbing her ankles tiredly. The walk was much longer and very difficult seeing that she couldn't just stroll down the empty streets. Speaking of the streets they seemed to be incredibly silent and a shiver shot down Evey's spine. Her brother always warned her to listen to her gut and now her gut was telling her that she should be worried and cautious, even more so than usual. Evey shrugged the thoughts away. She didn't need this right now. She needed to focus. Evey's eyes narrowed taking in the stoic architecture of St. Adam, one of The Churches of Justice. The Churches of Justice were what Chancellor Sutler named the new court system. St. Adam was named after the all so benevolent and just Chancellor Adam Sutler. In case you forgot there were two tapestries spanning from the top of the Church to the ground that sat on either sides of the main entrance. Sentencing of heinous criminals were always held in this building and typically lead to public executions. Also, it was rumored that Sutler met with his circus monkeys to discuss issues of national security however St. Adam was much more than a judicial building. According to her sources, well more like Gordon's sources that he passed along to her discretely, it was rumored that information about Larkhill could be held in this building.
I know it sounded completely bonkers for her to risk her life and identity on a hunch but this LarkHill project was kept extremely hush hush. It seemed that even Creedy had no idea what LarkHill was but as shallow as the information appeared it was incredibly expensive to obtain. If all went according to plan she would meet with her contact inside the Church and he would let her into the vault. Once inside she would only have around five minutes to find what she was looking for after that the guard would pretend he did not know her and even kill her if he had to to preserve his cover. Although the number was incredibly small there were people willing to risk not only their lives but the lives of their family to see Sutler dethroned. Getting inside would not be much of a problem that was if her information was correct.
Evey's eyes were locked onto the entrance patiently waiting for the change of the guard where the guards would have tunnel vision imagining their teleys and couches and a cold beer waiting for them at their homes. They would be slack and impatient. Quietly Evey made it to the side of the Church a mere few yards from the unsuspecting guards. Grabbing a hold of the large cube like bricks she silently began to scale the wall climbing higher nearing the second floor. Evey stretched her hand out to grab another brick when she heard male voices directly below her making her freeze in place as her breath caught in her throat. Remaining perfectly still she gazed below her to see two guards quietly making conversation as the beams of their flashlights swept through the short trimmed bushes and surrounding areas.
Once they were gone Evey gave a deep sigh of relief and continued free climbing when she came to the unlocked window. So far everything was going according to plan. Quickly Evey eyed the small office the window lead to before pulling herself inside and closing the window.
V gazed down at his watch watching the minute hand slowly tick away until the quiet sound of a black van with matching windows slowly creeped by with a receiver dish spinning on its roof. V locked in the time in his head, fifteen minutes, that was do able. The streets were empty. Unlike the heavily populated heart of London there were no apartment buildings in this neighborhood. The wealthy suburban houses were of ample size and spread apart from one another. V casually strolled across the street and easily spotted an open window. Although the window was located on the second floor V scaled the wall under a minute before landing silently in a small bedroom. A woman was sleeping soundly beneath the covers never the wiser that her home had been invaded. Her chest continued to rise and fall in a slow rhythm. V stood by her bedside watching the woman for a moment until he pulled a hypodermic needle from his cape along with a small vial. Drawing some of the fluid into the needle he turned his attention back to the sleeping woman. Keeping in mind not to spill any of the liquid he delicately pushed the tip of the needle below her skin and emptied the contents directly into her veins. Putting the vial and needle back where they came he sat, watched and waited. It was not long before the all too familiar woman stirred awake.
Although it would appear she received an adequate amount of sleep deep blue-gray bags rested beneath her crystal blue eyes that failed to shine as brightly as they once had. Her pale and slightly sallow skin added to her exhausted appearance. Her blue eyes swept to V sitting silently in a chair close by.
"It's you isn't it? You've come to kill me?"
"Yes" V asked simply.
"Thank God" She sighed with a melancholy smile.
"After what happened. After what they did I thought about killing myself. I knew that one day you would come for me" The woman said as if lost in painful memories.
"I didn't know what they were going to do. I swear to you. Read my journal" She added in an attempt to sway the ominous figure a few feet away.
"What they did was only possible because of you" V stated gently but firmly.
"Openhyme was able to change more than the course of a war. It changed the course of human history. Is it wrong to hold onto that kind of hope?" The woman asked painfully.
"I have not come for what you hoped to do. I've come for what you did" V replied walking closer to the bed.
"It's funny, I was given one of your roses today. I wasn't sure you were the terrorist until I saw it. What a strange coincidence that I should be given one today" The woman said a slight shake of her head at the irony of it all.
"There are no coincidences Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence" V confirmed pulling a rose from what seemed like mid air.
"I have another rose and this one is for you"
V tilted the rose offering it to the older woman laying in her bed. She gingerly took the rose being careful of the thorns.
"You're going to kill me now?" She questioned mustering her best attempt at a brave face willing to accept whatever came her way.
"I killed you ten minutes ago while you slept" V exclaimed showing her the emptied hypodermic needle as proof.
"Is there any pain?" The woman asked. Voice cracking with emotion.
"No"
"Thank you. Is it meaningless to apologize?" She questioned slightly elated over the news that she would not die as violently as her ex colleagues.
"Never" V whispered feeling his chest tighten with emotion. Never had he dreamed that he would hear an apology from any of the people responsible for the atrocities done to him.
"I'm so sorry" The woman urged as one lone tear escaped her crystal blue irises.
V's body stiffened at the words. There was no way any amount of words could take away all the pain, rage and turmoil he experienced not to mention the damage done within his mind. The monster they created inside his mind. No. Actions were the only hope of some form of vengeance for the crimes done to him, Valerie and countless others. Still he felt a sting of what he could only describe as what he imagined peace would feel like.
The woman's eyes stayed locked onto his form until her body began to rock gently while the dead weight of her hand fell to her lap continuing to clutch the rose. V waited until the soft red petals landed on the light colored bed spread before he made his exit sparing one last look as her lids closed never to open again. V escaped into the night his feet quickening in the direction of his home. The others had been so easy to kill. They were not sorry, far from it in fact. If given the opportunity they would not have hesitated to repeat their crimes if it meant it would line their wallets. V could not find it in himself to mourn over what the doctor had done but rather mournful that she could not have seen the goodness within herself sooner and stood up for what was right. Either way it was not something V was going to lose sleep over not when a heavier scenario weighed on his mind.
The final steps of his plans were falling into place smoothly. V did not take his ordinary route to the Gallery and came to a wooden door hidden within the tunnels. Throwing a few bags of fertilizer over his shoulder he quietly disappeared further into the tunnels until he came to his destination, an old subway car. Stacks of fertilizer nearly filled the car to capacity however in the center lay a metal table outlined in roses. V eyed his soon to be final resting place as he stacked the last of the fertilizer and checked to make sure the wiring was correct. Manually closing the doors he continued to stand on the platform as plans and words swarmed his head like a hive of bees echoing loudly off the corners of his mind.
Swiftly turning on his heels he slowly returned to his Shadow Gallery stripping out of his soiled clothing for a much needed shower in hopes it would help him gather his nerve. An hour later V was clothed with a bright pink, rose patterned apron and glove less. He hummed with the sizzling of cooking meat in the background. He heard the sound of the front door slam as footsteps attacked the flooring viciously.
"Stupid mother...five freakin' hundred pounds...if I ever see that..." Evey grumbled before growling in frustration making it impossible for her to finish her train of thought.
V's brow creased from the verbal assault although he did not believe it was directed towards him however he still wondered who upset his Evey in such a way.
"Evey?" V's voice called gently cutting through her anger.
Evey's head turned in the direction with a sigh as her left hand grasped her right arm tightly.
"Hi V" Evey smiled.
"You are hurt" V said taking a step towards her in concern.
"Just a scratch. No big deal" Evey said releasing her injured arm to try and soothe V's worry.
"I'm fine" Evey smiled again taking in the sight of V in his signature black ensemble with such a...contrasting apron.
"New apron?" Evey asked placing a kiss to the cheek of his mask.
"Yes. What happened? Were you attacked" V continued to press.
Should she say yes? I mean technically she was attacked but she knew that would not be enough to satisfy the curious man before her and he would pull the entire truth from her easily.
"Yeah...kind of..."
V's eyes quickly swept over her although his mask did not budge.
"Were you patrolling on your own?" V's voice darkened hoping he would not hear the answer he felt was coming.
"No. I was not patrolling" Evey answered carefully.
V spun away from her flying over to the stove to turn the burners off and remove the food from burning. He returned in front of Evey causing her head to spin from the sudden and unearthly speed.
"Do not lie to me" V nearly growled feeling his anger grow. This was not the direction the evening was suppose to go but he learned rather early that when it came Evey things did not always go according to plan. That only made him love her more although she could frustrate him bringing his monster to the edge of the surface.
"I am not lying" Evey eased placing a palm to his chest. "I promise my love"
The warmth of her hand and soothing words tamed the monster for now. Evey witnessed his shoulders lower as he placed his hands on either side of her waist. Lowering his head ever so slightly so her forehead brushed the forehead of his mask. Evey sighed giving in.
"I paid for information about something but I didn't find what I was looking for. In fact I was suppose to have help from a guard who was the son of a man that served in the rebellion my parent's started but..." Evey's eyes appeared to be focused on V although they were miles away.
V's textured skin delicately grasped Evey's chin tilting her head.
"Evey" V whispered gently trying to bring the woman he loved back to him.
"Sorry. I'm ok" Evey blinked rapidly before smiling up at the Guy Fawkes mask.
"We do not have to discuss it if you do not wish it. As long as you are alright" V said.
"No. No more secrets. I hate keeping things from you anyway"
Evey sighed trying to find the words to say.
"I went looking for files about LarkHill, please don't be angry with me" Evey pleaded.
V stood silently although he continued holding Evey by the waist.
"V? Say something" Evey pleaded in a soft whisper.
"Why?" V answered sounding like he was still lost in thought and shock.
"I just wanted to understand" Evey said.
That being the only explanation that came to mind about trying to explain why she went.
V remained in place but his hands dropped from her waist to take her hands in his own.
"Evey...would you join me for dinner?" V questioned.
Evey sighed not sure if it was from frustration or relief.
"Of course I will" Evey answered dropping one of his hands and grasping the other tightly as V lead her to the small dinner table in the kitchen.
Grabbing a lighter V lit a few candles he placed around the kitchen.
Evey watched him intrigued as he moved around assuring her that he would handle everything and although her help was always appreciated it was unnecessary at this time. The lights dimmed within the entire Shadow Gallery. Evey looked around even more confused although with the burning candle and freshly cooked dinner it was all entirely romantic. Evey smirked.
"What are you up to V?" Evey asked. V strolled up to her extending his hand.
"Would you be so kind as to accompany me for a time?"
Evey answered his question with placing her hand confidently in his outstretched palm. V lead the both of them to the couch located in the living room. As they sank into the cushions V grabbed a hold of Evey's open hand so that he held both of her hands once again. The feel of her smooth hands, which was surprising since she wielded weapons, against his textured skin nearly caused V to moan in bliss.
"I...I wanted to thank you for everything you have done. Everything you will do" V dropped her hands as he stood leaving Evey briefly and returning with a wooden box.
Looking down on the box he continued.
"I wish I could tell you of my past and my times as a boy but those memories were stolen from me. I do not know of anything before the LarkHill Detention Facility. I was a part of a group that was sent to LarkHill. The public was told it was a rehabilitation center but that was far from the truth. It was a prison. Worse than a prison it was the birthplace of unspeakable horrors that not only came from the experimentation. We were stripped on arrival and our heads shaved completely bald. Next we were hosed down with scalding hot water that peeled through layers of the skin. We were starved majority of our imprisonment. Thousands died maybe more. We were not seen as people. We were not even seen as cattle we were simply a means to an end. Things for them to experiment and use as they pleased" V growled balling his fists into tight fists. Evey moved closer to V gently placing her hands over his fists. V's head jerked upward.
"My cell was cell five. The cells were old and made from the foundation of a building that once stood before. A brick on the wall dividing me from the next cell was loose and able to be removed. One day I heard a noise but I assumed it was a rat. I was unbearably hungry and reached for it. That is when I discovered something within the hole." V explained handing the box over to Evey.
Evey carefully opened the lid of the box to find what looked like a piece of dried toilet tissue with words written on it. Evey did not want to risk damaging the already fragile paper so she read the paper from the box.
I know there is no way I can convince you that this is not one of their tricks but I don't care I am me. My name is Valerie I don't think I will live much longer and I wanted to tell someone about my life. This is the only autobiography I will ever write and God I'm writing it on toilet paper. I was born in Nottingham in 1985. I don't remember much of those early years but I do remember the rain. My grandmother owned a farm in Tottlebrick and she used to tell me God was in the rain. I passed my eleven class and went to girl's grammar it was at that I met my first girlfriend her name was Sarah. It was her wrists they were beautiful. I thought we would love each other forever. I remember our teacher telling us that it was an adolescent phase that people outgrew. Sarah did, I didn't. In 2002 I fell in love with a girl named Christina. That year I came out to my parents I couldn't have done it without Chris holding my hand. My father wouldn't look at me he told me to go and never come back. My mother said nothing but I had only told them the truth, was that so selfish? Our integrity sells for so little but it is all we really have. It is the very last inch of us but within that inch we are free. I'd always known what I wanted to do with my life and in 2015 I starred in my first film, The Salt Flatts. It was the most important role in my life not because of my career but because that was how I met Ruth. The first time we kissed I knew that I never wanted to kiss any other lips but hers again. We moved to a small flat in London together she grew Scarlet Carsons for me in our window box and our place always smelled of roses. Those were the best years of my life, but America's war grew worse and worse and eventually came to London. After that there were no roses anymore. I remember how the meaning of words began to change. How unfamiliar words like collateral and rendition became frightening while words like Norsefire and The Article of Allegiance became powerful. I remember how different became dangerous. I still don't understand it, why they hate us so much. They took Ruth while she was out buying food. I've never cried so hard in my life. Wasn't long till they came for me. It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses and apologized to no one. I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish, every inch but one. An inch it is small and it is fragile and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are you escape this place. I hope that the world turns and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you or kiss you I love you with all my heart. I love you.
Valerie
Tears cascaded down Evelyn's cheeks as she closed the box careful not to get the paper wet. Evelyn's chest heaved up and down as she wiped the flood of tears. V took the box from her lap and placed it on the coffee table.
"A part of me forgot that feeling Evelyn. Even though my Vendetta is not only in Valerie's name but for all the Valeries that perished by the hands of Sutler and his accomplices, I forgot. Valerie loved me and we never met, yet here is a beautiful woman before me willing to sacrifice everything and I can not show her that same love if not more. I was afraid, I still am, that you would not love what you saw. I want to free London Evey but there is also something dark inside of me. I was so afraid of harming you. I could not bare...I do not have much to give you Evelyn and it is certainly not the illusion of the white picket fence on the hill. However, what I do have to give I give freely to you. No more secrets"
Slowly V's hands went behind his head unclasping the securing mechanism behind his wig that kept the mask firmly in place. Removing the mask with one hand while the other tugged at the wig. V thought he would fall over and die at that very moment as he felt his heart threatening to tear through his rib cage.
Evey continued drying her never ending tears trying to keep her vision somewhat clear as she watched in awe as V sat baring his soul to her. Slowly her eyes took in the textured and melted skin. His eyes could not seem to focus on her at first but she easily noticed the unnatural blend of silver and gold that resembled a hawk in their acuteness. His lips were partially melted to his face but still appeared on the fuller side. Evey's hand reached out brushing over the areas as she noticed them with her finger tips softening her touch when she came to his lips. V kissed her fingertips as they floated by and smirked when he heard a satisfied sigh. Evey closed what little amount of distance remained between the two of them brushing the back of her hand against his cheek bones which were still prominent. His skin was clearly not smooth like the average persons but his handsomeness was far from effected by the fire.
"My V" Evey cried full of emotion.
V cradled the base of her neck drawing her closer.
"I love you Evelyn Hammond" V said before daring to place a kiss upon her lips.
Evey responded enthusiastically wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you too V" Evelyn happily exclaimed trying to draw breaths before attacking his lips once again. Dinner long forgotten for the moment.
