Six stepped through the door of the General Store. The floor was littered with merchandise. Something broke under his foot causing the Shop Keep's florid face to turn his way. Casey had left destruction in her wake. It would be a good while before they figured out what she had taken. Everything was tipped over, smashed or spilled. She had left nothing untouched. It was more than cover, she had vented her rage against the Village.

Two stood admits the carnage, cold as a pillar. His eyes were on Six. "What's she playing at?"

Six kicked a can of Village Soup farther into the mess and said nothing.

Scowling, Two turned sharply on the Shop Keep. "Can you tell if anything is missing?"

"In this," he waved a chubby hand, "disaster? I will have to clean it up and take a full inventory."

"Well, don't just stand there, man." Two raged. "Get on with it. I have to know what she has at her disposal."

The Shop Keep began picking things up and piling them on the counter in a futile attempt to appease Two.

Six walked out ignoring Two's bark. The street was full of men awaiting orders. They regarded him with open hostility. The bothered sounds of the Shop Keep fussing round his store and the search were the only indications all was not well in the Village.

Clouds were pushing in across the ocean. More rain for their special friend, lest she escape their clutches. He looked to the mountains. If she had what she needed she may retreat to higher ground and prepare a new assault. Properly equipped, he had little doubt she could survive. For a time.

Number Two exited the shop as the PA again sent out the call for curfew. There were still a few people on the street, trying to get a look through the shop door.

Two glared at them. "Nothing to see here." He snapped. "Go back about your business."

Six watched them walk by, eyes front, eager to obey least they feel the bite of the whip. They had come to life for a moment. But that moment was already fading. They belonged to the Village.

Number Two addressed the waiting men. "I want all guards mobilized. They are to be armed." He looked now at Number Six. "If Number Seven resist, their orders are, shoot to kill."

The guards departed quickly to carry out those terrible orders.

"That isn't necessary." Six nearly shouted. "She can be taken alive."

Number Two wheeled on him. Blood lust burned in his eyes. "I decide what is necessary."

They were alone, save the hungry eyes of the watchers. The urge to tear into his enemy consumed Six. "You could have avoided this." He made no effort to temper the violence of his thoughts.

"You've been warned," Two said. "I won't suffer any more insolence from you."

"You thought you could manipulate me through the girl." The fingers of his right hand balled themselves into a fist. "That was a mistake."

"I've made no mistakes, Number Six." Two said wickedly. "But you have made a great many."

"Have I?"

"You've been a fool." Two goaded, taking pleasure in prodding at a wound. "You were given the opportunity to protect an innocent life, but you chose instead to turn her against us."

"The only opportunity I was given," Six countered, the anger rising with each word, "was to participate in my own destruction."

"Your destruction?" Two said mockingly. "We have simply asked for information. Your stubborn refusal to give it to us, forces our hand."

"You have no right!"

The rebuke incensed Number Two. His face flushed with anger, barley repressed. "Your secrets come at a high price." His voice rose with self righteous indignation. "When that girl dies the blame will rest on you."

"You will not lay your evils on my conscious. This atrocity is your doing, not mine."

Number Two's face contorted with the rage of a tyrant exposed. In a savage lunge he struck out. Six granted him the luxury. He would not land another blow in a fair exchange. It caught him across the cheek, moving his head less than half an inch. Number Two was not an experienced fighter. He required some schooling.

Six took a short step and hit Number Two with a hard right cross, sending him sprawling backwards to the ground. He reveled in the terror in the man's face as he reached for him. It more than compensated for whatever pain this cost him. As his hands closed on the front of Two's jacket powerful hands grabbed him from behind, yanking him away. He'd almost forgotten his keepers.

Two men held him while a third kept just out of his line of sight, menacing him with an ugly presents.

Number Two made his feet. Blood seeped lazily from the corner of his mouth. His face was white with shock. He felt it with a shaking hand as if he expected to find some of it missing. He wasn't accustom to getting what was coming to him.

Six grunted as the grip on his arms tightened. The unseen man now stepped in front of him. He was big and dull eyed. He looked to be very good at hitting. With practiced ease he settled himself solidly, preparing to punish Six for his transgression.

Six struck out with both feet. It was like kicking a wall. The big man rocked back gently on his heels as he took it, then leaned in with a sick smile and he sank a fist into Six's stomach. He folded up around it. If not for the men holding him he would have gone to hi knees. He pulled for air that wouldn't come. Big fingers twisted into his hair and lifted his head until he was looking up at the cruel, leering face.

"Not so tough, now." The man said and batted him across the face with an open hand. It didn't quite take his head off.

"Wait!" Number Two yelped. He came forward still unsteady but he had himself in hand again.

The big man obeyed, stepping aside like a disappointed pit bull.

Number Two took his place in front of Six. He was making a business of regaining his dignity as he took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at the blood on his mouth.

"That was very foolish." He folded his bloody handkerchief carefully and slipped in his pocket. "There will be consequences."

Air was getting back in, filling his lungs, chocking him. But it cleared his head and gave him enough strength to get his feet back under him. He braced himself between his handlers. If he had to take a beating he preferred it at the hands of an armature.

"You won't get off so easily, my dear fellow." Number Two said. "You will pay for this in more than mere physical pain." He gave the men busy bruising Six's arms a nod. "Release him."

Six stepped out of easy reach and spun to face them. They all three gave him nasty looks. Violence had been denied them and they were none to happy about it.

"Get back to your post." Two said.

The men went. Six allowed himself to feel some relief. Though it was short lived. Whatever Number Two had in mind was no doubt more diabolical than the punishment of fist. He sank down on the street and rubbed at the hurt in his belly. His lungs would only take air in short painful gasp. But he wouldn't die. Number Two was watching him in quiet disdain. He was tired of the man's presents. He wanted to be left in peace to think.

The sound of an approaching siren caught his attention. A car was coming. He hoisted himself up stiffly and stood half bent over as it approached. The young man at the wheel stopped hard and waved Number Two over. Six watched distantly. Breathing was becoming something he could almost do without conscious thought.

Number Two tuned his way and ordered him over with a waggle of his finger. "Number Seven has been spotted." Two told him. "Near the hospital. They have her trapped in the woods."

Time, it seemed, had run out for poor little Casey. Six leaned on the car suddenly feeling old and worn.

"Get in." Two opened the car door, "I want you to see how we maintain discipline."

"It's not discipline you're after." Six said. "It's an execution."

"Your estimation of us is most unbecoming."

"My estimation of you is indeed most unbecoming."

"It really doesn't matter what you think, Number Six." Two said almost benevolently. "We do as we see fit."