The sound of fabric, metal, and footwear scraping across the floor filled Eve's ears as consciousness returned to her. Peering through dirty glasses she looked down at a gray porcelain floor which passed her by in a hurry. Her body stiff, she flexed and squirmed. The hands, gripping her biceps and pulling her down the hall didn't respond kindly to her restlessness.
Saying something imperceptible the two masked men shook her aggressively.
Eve stopped writhing. Right now she couldn't fight back.
Still struggling against grogginess, Eve slowly realized her wrists and ankles had been bound behind her back. Her head pounding she raised her eyes and winced in pain. Bright sterile office lights running down the length of the hall stabbed into her retinas. Her vision now a hazy blur, colors became the only discernable features. Her head lolling back and forth the only colors she encountered – aside from the whites, blacks, and grays – was a vibrant patch of orange, purple and blue. Eve tried to groan to the blotch, but the thundering of double doors opening drowned out her noise.
Her escorts hastening their pace Eve's knees bashed and bounced on the floor until she was forced to kneel in the middle of large half-circle room. A large, concaving window obscured by the night sky made up the forward wall and half of the large, dim, gray suite she found herself in. Eve, vision clearing, swept her head around and was equally relieved and mortified to confirm she was indeed accompanied. On her left were Ty and Petunia; each held captive by their own set of goons. Glancing between them frantically she found Ty was both gagged and unconscious, while Petunia bore harsh bruises and scarlet cuts and gashes all across her face.
"Well," An unamused voice rang out. "This is an interesting development, to say the least."
Eve drew in a sharp breath and turned to face the large window. Leaning against the glass, Baula scowled at the three, his arms crossed. Rolling from his heel to his toe he slowly took a few steps forward, his boots thumping loudly on the tile as he walked. His eyes jolted between the three and stopped abruptly upon Ty. "Why is Inuhoozuki unconscious?"
"My apologies," The cold voice of Rouge sounded out as she strutted up behind Eve. Her battle-axe resting against her shoulder she sauntered up on Eve's right. Blood and powdered debris was cemented on her gown and skin. A grimace on her, she stood a few feet from Eve and glared down at Ty. "It was difficult to restrain the boy. He fought us the entire time; nearly bit the nose off of a guard."
"That explains the gag." A third cold voice gruffly quipped. Heavy footsteps echoing throughout the room Eve swept her head to the farleft and saw Arsenic standing near Ty. Standing with his hands in his pockets his helmet was aimed down at Ty. And behind him, Automne and Sienaerde stood in silence.
Eve stared at Automne. His eyes were fixed on the ground, his face was a ghostly pale, and he appeared as if he were concealing a severe need to vomit. Turning to Sienaerde, Eve only saw a stern, calm face offset by twitchy watery eyes that stared through the far wall.
Baula panned his gaze across the captives and his cohorts who flanked them once more before turning. Waving dismissively he said, "Guards, leave."
Not a second later the masked goons holding onto Eve released her, and along with Ty's and Petunia's, they promptly exited the room. The doors slammed with another thunderous bang before the room was left in abject silence.
Baula with his back to the small congregation, stared out into the night. Taking a deep breath, his hands clenched behind him, he slowly exhaled. "Rouge, would you care to explain what happened tonight?"
Rouge let loose a single chuckle. "I think it's quite obvious that these three-"
"Reports from survivors, state that you opened fire." Baula turns and leers at Rouge. "So, would you care to explain why you thought it reasonable to turn an otherwise peaceful negotiation into a bloodbath?"
Her face, otherwise attractive, slowly twisted into a disgusted scowl. "The leeches were demanding more from us."
"And that was grounds to sever all ties and massacre the local law enforcement?"
"Oh don't give me that tone." Rouge snaps, "You know I'm the one who pulls in all our funds. From day one, I've been the one bankrolling this little venture. I pay for the weapons, the buildings, the vehicles, the surveillance equipment, and the hired hands; and on top of all that I somehow manage to balance the scant funds we have left while keeping the politicians in our pockets. So, when the mongrels come to my door demanding more don't dare call me greedy. I'm the one running this operation, and you should all thank me for my generosity and tact." Arsenic let's a muttering slip, drawing Rouge's ire to him. "Care to add something?"
"Pfeh," Arsenic scoffs "Being an accountant doesn't mean you run this operation. I'm the one who commands the Phantoms; without me and my men you'd have nothing but a few rinky-dink clubs and drug dens."
"Oh don't make me laugh. Your thugs are nothing more than a bunch of trigger happy cavemen. Even with all their supposed training they act like nothing more than a bunch of slack-jawed, mindless, gangbangers!"
"My gangbangers are the ones on the front lines!"
"Enough!" Baula stomps the ground and points at Rouge. "Because of your actions we've lost what little support we had from the local law enforcement. Now resistance will only be worsened when we launch our assault."
"We're still set to commence within the next few days." Rouge rebuts, standing her ground. "Law enforcement won't be able to stop us or pose any more of a threat than they are now. The plan is still going along just as smoothly as before."
"Won't be for long!" Petunia shouts. Her hateful glare aimed at Rouge, she rears up on her knees like a King Taijitu. "Soon as I get outta these zip ties, I'm gonna kick your ass up and down the street, and burn your pathetic little gang to ground!"
"My apologies, but I won't bother wasting breath on the dead." Rouge snarls, her hand tightening around her axe's handle.
"Hate to correct you, but these kids ain't dead." Arsenic hisses calmly. His hands swaying beside him, he calmly he walks over to Petunia and crouches less than a foot before her. "They're supposed to be, but they're not. So, why don't you tell me what happened? Why aren't your corpses being eaten by all the little fish in the bay?" He asked in what could be confused for a genial tone.
Petunia paused for a moment before replying. The pause was mainly to dreg up as much mucus as possible from her larynx before she spat on his helmet. "Fuck off,"
Viscous spit slowly dripped down Arsenic's helmet as he silently rose and walked over to Eve.
Eve's stomach lurched upon the murderer's approach. Without her consent her heart began to pulse quicker and her breathing lost its rhythm. Softly panicking she tried to steady her mind. But rationality was beginning to slip as a murderer closed in on her.
For some reason she looked to Automne, and it just so happened that their eyes met.
His head was hung and he was only glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. He broke the connection as soon as she noticed him. Despite the brevity, her terror was displaced. Eve slowly turned to look back at Arsenic who was calmly crouching before her, still as a gargoyle.
"Eve Howlite, that's your name right?" Arsenic's voice lightly swayed the worn cloth tacked in front of his mouth. He paused for Eve to respond, but she remained silent so he continued. "I read your file. You're a good kid. Above-average fighter; exemplary student; and a near spotless record. Your parents must be so proud of you."
Eve's skin crawled. His dry voice violated her ears.
"Do you wanna go back to that nice mundane little life? You're tired from all of this big, dark, serious bullshit; I can tell. And you know what? I'm tired too. We're all tired of this big, serious, heap of bullshit. So, why don't you help me out? Tell me how you survived that night, and tell me if anyone else knows about our little operation. If you do that I'll let you go."
Eve stared at the helmet, her breathing shaken. Stale air drying her tongue she looked down and licked her lips. Nervous she filled her lungs and said, "You're lying."
Arsenic stared at her, still stiff as stone. With a haunting jerk he tilted his head to the side and continued to stare at her. "I still want to know. Now," The geniality beginning to dissipate. "Get your head up, and look at me when I'm talking to you, bitch."
"Arsenic," Baula said, turning to Automne. His honey eyes on Automne he bid the boy forward. "Stand down. You're not even barking up the right tree, hound dog." As Automne stepped forward Baula opened his coat to exhibit the large revolver on his belt. "Mr. Noire, do you know why those three are still alive?"
Eve looked up at Automne. Arsenic, now noticeably rigid, stood and circled behind Automne, fingers clenching and easing.
Automne simply stared at Baula's boots and choked on his words. Struggling to swallow something, sweat building on his skin, he slowly began to speak. "I- I don't know, General Baula."
"Sure you do."
Automne froze. Raising his eyes, his face flushed. The sight of Baula smirking stole his breathlessness. "W… what?"
"Don't insult my intelligence, Mr. Noire." Baula staring straight into Automne, he slid the strap off his revolver. "Tell me, why are they still alive?"
Automne's eyes dart around. "I- G-General, I-"
"Mr. Noire, why are they-"
"I-it was my fault, General."
Baula's eyes flitted from Automne to Sienaerde. He stared at her silently.
Sienaerde stepped forward, her head high and her pale face stricken with anguish. "I- I failed to channel enough of my semblance into my weapon that night, High General, and as a result Noire was unable to kill the three. I had my suspicions that they could have survived, but I kept it to myself."
Rouge rolled her eyes at Sienaerde's explanation, while Arsenic stared at her, his body telegraphing his shock. Beginning to circle around her, Arsenic never broke from her eyes. His shoulders squared like a brawler's and his leather fingers folding into fists he stood fuming.
"Ms. Tänzerin, are you telling me you were fully aware of a possible detriment to the operation and, for some reason, you felt it was best to keep it to yourself?" Baula glaring at Sienaerde, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Yes, High General." Sienaerde's reply almost instantaneous. "I feared I may have been subject to severe repercussions or punishments if I came forward."
Arsenic scoffed loudly and marched to Baula. "Ms. Tänzerin, step out of the room. Baula, a word."
"No, Ms. Tänzerin, stay." Baula said coolly, blatantly ignoring Arsenic. Baula's glare stood fixed upon Sienaerde. "Due to your baseless, selfish actions you have jeopardized our entire operation. Rest assured, you can expect harsh punishments in the near future."
Arsenic, whipped his head from Baula to Sienaerde and back to the man he called High General. Seething he walked straight up to him and hissed loud enough for all to hear. "She is lying and you know it."
"Prove it," Baula rebutted, his tone collected as he looked into Arsenic's mask with placid eyes. "She says she is responsible. I have no reason to doubt her."
Arsenic's hand darted to his helmet and ripped away the fabric just so he may scowl at Baula. "You know she is covering for Noire, you dense map-maker."
"And why would she do that?" Baula casually strode over to Sienaerde. "Ms. Tänzerin values what we're doing here far more than the well-being of Mr. Noire. Ms. Tänzerin is completely devoted to our mission." Baula slyly pushes his revolver into her hands. Looming before her he stabs Sienaerde with a stern look and with little reluctance she hides the gun behind her back. Smirking, Baula turned back to Arsenic. "You're delusional."
There was a moment of pause. Eve, still observing from the sidelines, breathed shallow breaths. Her eyes darting between everyone she waited for the response. But the next sound to stir in her ear, chilled her soul.
Like an icy wind, a cold unsettling chuckle breezed past Arsenic's lips. "Do you not know who I am?" Arsenic held his head up proudly and broadened his armored chest. "You act like I'm some lowly grunt whom you can just push around, and make a fool of. I'm the head of Vale's most notorious and well run gang. I own the streets and I'm the one who commands Vale's underworld. You're just some smartass map-maker who I've allowed to come in and prattle on about taking over the Kingdom. But I'm done with this shit! I'm taking the rest of my city without you!" Arsenic reached over his back and drew his war cleaver.
Baula shook his head and gave a soft sigh. "You truly are delusional." In a flash, he snatched his revolver from Sienaerde and fired into Arsenic's knee. Blood, bones, and muscles exploded out the back of his knee; the remaining portion immediately collapsed under the weight of his body. Screaming, Arsenic fell down to the ground, a moment later the wrist of his sword hand was blown into mush.
As Arsenic rolled onto his back screaming in agony, everyone staring at the horrific display, Baula nonchalantly said, "Mr. Noire, you're dismissed."
Eve turned to stare at Automne. The boy, with slack jaw and ghostly pallor stood with mouth agape, looking down at the mangled body of Arsenic. Trembling he glanced at Eve fearfully.
"Noire, I said you're dismissed." Baula striding to Arsenic, his revolver swaying in his hand.
Panicked breaths flew past Automne's lips as he stared at Eve. Tears budding he glance over his friends one last time before turning and hurriedly leaving.
Her ears still ringing Eve turned back to see Automne scramble through the double doors before he disappeared. Sucking in air Eve could slowly feel a daze closing in on her.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!" Arsenic screamed. Turning back to the atrocity, Eve saw Baula stand beside Arsenic, towering over him like a monolith.
"You already attempted once; that didn't turn out very well." Baula chided looking down at Arsenic with a malicious grin.
"Fuck you!" Arsenic whipped his helmet around to face Rouge. Standing silently with her axe resting against her shoulder he called out, "Rouge! Help me! Help me! Don't just stand there, you stupid bitch!"
Rouge furrowed her brow, but remained rooted.
"Arsenic," Baula stated, calmly stomping on the man's destroyed forearm. Arsenic, wailing started to fruitlessly punch at Baula's leg. Baula ground his boot down on the limb and flicked back the barrel of his revolver. The barrel and cylinder now pointing up a segment of blade shot out. Expanding from the thickest segment, like the unfurling of a telescope, the blade took its full length. "I have grown tired of you."
"No!" Arsenic yelled. Writhing, he shouted at the top of his lungs, his grainy voice shooting off the walls. "I'm the head of the Phantom Clan! I run this city! I command this army!"
"Not anymore," Drawing his arm up across his chest, the cutlass gleaming under office lights, Baula gave a swift downward slash. Whisking through the air the steel tore through Arsenic's neck and completely severed his head. Gaining a bit of air, Arsenic's head – along with his helmet – bounced on the floor a couple of times, rolled a few feet, and then stopped with a sharp scraping sound.
Eve stared at the head of Arsenic. It was a clean slice. The neck's flesh and meat were leaking. The body, crumbling to the ground, twitched. With an easy flow, blood pooled around the helmet, repainting tile. Eve's eyes darted to the executioner who was calmly wiping blood, the blood of Arsenic, from his blade. "Sienaerde," He started. "I want you, and a couple of guards, to take those three to the gutted bathroom a few floors down and execute them. They've overstayed their welcome."
He looked stoic, unfazed. Her stomach sinking in defeat Eve turned to her executioner. Standing with her arms down at her sides Sienaerde stared at the head of Arsenic. In spite of tears swelling her eyes Eve discerned her executioner's face. Haze engulfing the periphery she stared at her. Furious slurs and threats erupted from Petunia, but Sienaerde stood solemn. If Eve could enunciate a single syllable she'd cry; and if she could withdraw more she'd scream; and if more she plead. She'd plead specifically to Sienaerde, whose lower lip struggled to be firm.
She couldn't muster anything however, she lost her voice at some point. So, when guards grabbed her by the forearms, Eve kept her eyes upon Sienaerde's teary windows. And as she was pulled back by the man-handlers, her eyes snagged upon two things. The first was Petunia and an awoken Ty, fighting death with head-butts and gnashing teeth. The second was a frostbitten glare, Sienaerde's. A hurricane of emotions laid behind her eyes as well.
Tears rolling down her face Eve prepared to die.
Automne shoved in the door. The slam boomed through his room. Teeth barred, he ripped his sword from its sheath and threw it. Growling, his throat scraping his rage, he swept forward, seized his bed frame, and flipped it.
The steel frame clattered back, banging against the floor, the beams and bars shaking. Teeth grinding against each other Automne swiveled and kicked over his footlocker. Pain shot up his shin and burned in his leg as tears came to his eyes. Roaring he spun and punched the wall. Pounding with full force of his angst, the fragile surface caved in under the blows. Pain shot and popped in his hands, punches weakening he let loose bitter screams.
Tremors rolled across his back. Blood coursing through his ears, his breathing gradually grew more labored as his rage gave way. Tremors intensifying, delayed pain crept down through his legs and into his feet. Palms pressed against the wall, tears welled and overflowed. Growling turning to groaning he staggered around and pressed his back to the broken wall.
Choking on air he slid down onto his scrawny ass. Starting to cry he hid his face in his throbbing hands. His weak pitiful whimpers barely rose over the sound of droning fluorescent bulbs. Tears clouding his eyes he gripped his greasy hair and stared at the ground. Muttering incoherent curses against himself he plucked his handgun from his belt with a shaky hand.
The long barrel made its way to his temple. Metal pressed to skin he began to mull over his heinous crimes and his utter stupidity. Through his blind optimism and willful ignorance he had damned thousands. And all of this; the espionage, the fighting, the lying, the betrayals, was so he could make amends to his mom. He choked on his grief as he thought of her. He lowered the gun and pressed fingers against his bloodshot eyes.
'Eve was right. Mom wouldn't have wanted any of this.'
The mist finally lifting from his obscene guilt his heavy labored breathes gained urgency. Three vibrant people were about to die because of him, and after them many more. And here he was crying over his dead mother and his own blindness.
His eyes quickly swept to the adjacent wall. Dawn Tranquility stood embedded in the drywall, the blade glowing under fluorescent light. There was a momentary pause as Automne stared down the blade.
Barring his teeth, he clambered to his feet and marched to his short sword. Clear eyes fixed upon it, he gripped it, and pulled it from the wall.
Hey everybody, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Only two chapters remain, and I'm honestly super excited. I love hearing from all of you, and the reviews over the past few months helped me break through the writer's block holding me back. Favorite, Follow, and Review if you'd like to or if you haven't already. I am open to criticism, I read all reviews they help me immensely and hey, I may even respond to you.
Also, once this story is complete I am going to be moving Chapter 14 over to The Mix Tape. I will replace Chapter 14 with a brand new chapter, but right now I'm focusing on completing the final two chapters of The (Un)Forgettable Team TAPE. Thank you all so much for staying with me on this journey.
Until next time, peace out.
-CS