Paradisus

A teenage girl struggles in a world of crime and subterfuge. Between working underground and battling the local gangs she must discover the truth behind her past. While, discovering betrayals and alliances she will battle herself to fin who she truly is.

Introduction

Night is the daytime of Paradisus. It is when the city’s shows its colors against the darkness, the darkness of hunger and despair. Not the hunger that one feels when they haven’t eaten, the hunger for blood and power. The darkness is only pierced by the bright red color of blood shed. The people of Paradisus always kill for the same reasons: honor, glory, respect, revenge, and pleasure. Words like mercy, courage and loyalty do not exist.

Paradisus is run on corruption, governed by money, and defended by bloodshed. The imperialist live in the heart of the city; they live high up in their sky mansions overlooking their broken kingdom. A kingdom of never escaping slaves, there is no chance of honest work, education, or freedom. The system is preset against the lower class. The cops work for the highest bidder extorting and tormenting women and children and turning a blind eye to whatever work their bosses do. The gangs run the segments of the city each area belonging to a different one and funded by the royalist. They are the royalist armies. A way to ensure no one gets out or tries to rise up to challenge them.

Memories

Midnight is Paradisus hour. The gangs have each made there first kill by now. The painted women have served their first clients. Children have snuck out to join the trouble not realizing that it may be there last night here. The cops have already shaken down at least a handful of women a piece. The royalists are in there penthouses greedily indulging in parties, wine, and women.

I stand by, watching from my grime covered window.  My emerald eyes can barely pierce they glass. I wait a little longer before I make my entrance into the city. My chocolate hair is pulled back tight so I am not ever blinded by it, like the many people who choose not to see the city for what it really is. From my window I see the city. I see the oppression, the starvation, and the pain. I remove the safety from my gun and place it in the holster at my side. I am ready for the city now. I leave my tiny room and walk down to the street.

From the time one enters the street to the time they return home they are marked for death. They are being watched from every angle and there is no where to run. There is no one you can trust and no one who will help you. The gangs always run in numbers. The cops are always favored in justice and the elites have thugs and gang bangers to do their dirty work. For this the people of Paradisus fear. There are no regular men or boys. The women walk the streets, enslaved or in gangs. The children run the streets pick pocketing, throwing rocks and waiting for an opportunity to join the ranks of the gangs, police, and prostitutes.

By now you must wonder where I fit into the city. My name is Elizabeth. I have lived in Paradisus my whole life and it is my home. My parents died when I was 6 in a hit and run accident at least that’s what the police said. My parents were members of the Hell Dragons, that gang was dissolves and sectioned off to other groups the night my parents died leaving me alone. I tried to stay with friends but it was like I had some plague that scared everyone away from even looking at me.

Eventually I found refuge with the Red Bandits. They gave me a room to stay in and food when it was around. In exchange, when I turned thirteen I started helping them control the streets tagging and marking property as well as fighting with the gang when they needed me to. I have managed to fly under the radar since then; it will not stay that way. The leader of the Red Bandits was my father’s best friend. I have been working on finding what happened to my parents for the past 3 years, I have recently discovered that he was the one who had my parents killed.  I do not know why but, when I find out, and I will bring him to justice.

After walking 5 blocks I am here now at the Hell’s Fury Night Club, the center of Red Bandit territory. My father used to own part of the club with his best friend Rick. The same man who had him killed. At night, when I’m not out tagging and fighting I act as a cocktail waitress in the club. Tonight I’m working in the VIP room. It will be a good night for getting information. The upper members of the Red Bandits typically talk business in the VIP room giving me the perfect opportunity to listen in.

I go in through the back door. There are four bouncers on duty back there tonight. There must be some new faces in the VIP room. I go right up to the VIP room on the 14^th floor. It has a separate bar up there for getting drinks. Normally, Rick likes to have the room attended to by the hookers but, tonight he needs me up there to make sure everything runs smooth. Tall model-type girls are pretty but that’s all they are.  Before I can go into the room I have to pass through a series of security checks. I check my gun and knife in a locker and go in.

Rick is sitting in the center of the room with his main girl Sam, poised on his lap. To his left is a new guy. He appears to be an imperialist investor or lawyer.  On Rick’s right is his second in command John Collins and next to him is John’s wing man Ryan Samson, Ryan and John were a couple of up and coming young hot shots who Rick thinks of like sons. A few other upper members of the gang are sitting with Rick too but, their not as important as they make themselves out to be. They are merely Rick’s entourage easy to manipulate and quick to cooperate.

I go over to the bar to get my tray. Michelangelo is bartending tonight. When Rick took me in, Michael became my good friend. Were basically brother and sister minus the blood but, I’ve never thought you needed blood to be related to someone.

“So who’s the new guy on Rick’s right?” I ask coolly.

“He’s an imperialist investor named Luther Ludlow. Rick’s hoping he’ll invest in his underground arms deal. He thinks it will help keep the other gangs away from our turf if we can move in more supplies.” He replied as he handed me my tray.

“All it’s going to do is get more people killed” I snorted and turned away and walked over to where Rick and his crew are sitting, and begin serving the drinks

“So I hear you have an arms deal going for you Rick” said Ludlow as he took a sip of his martini. His large course hands looked as if they were about to break the fragile martini glass neck.

“…and I hear you may be interested in funding our operation. Perhaps in exchange for some new territory on the east side?” tried Rick. As Sam stroked his dark hair and kissed his neck. He beckoned her and everyone else away.

“You hear correctly. However, if we are going to be in business together I will need a closer look at your operation” replied Ludlow. His dark suit was tailored to fit his oversize middle and bulky physique.

“Of course,” Rick nodded “Our next shipment comes in on Thursday evening you can see it then. Of course with proper funding it will become a much larger operation.” Unlike Ludlow Rick had a tall athletic build, and was only in his mid-twenties.

“Will security be an issue if the operation is expanded?”

“No, no, we’ll just have to hire a few more cops and hands to move the supplies, and secure the area that’s all.”

Now that I had collected all the empty glasses and trash, I had to tend to the rest of the room and couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation but, judging by the hand shake and the invitation of everyone else to join I don’t think I missed much. After collecting the empty glasses from the room I returned to the bar for another set of drinks. This process continued for another couple of hours, as the group continued to party. By 4:00 most of the group had gone off to separate rooms to engage in private acts and continue there partying, including Rick and Mr. Ludlow. Michelangelo was closing up the bar and I was collecting the last of the glasses.

“Michael, what do you think will happen if Rick gets the funding for his operation?” I asked as I handed him the last tray. At least the morning crew would clean up the rest of the room.

“I don’t know why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious. Do you reckon we’ll have more interaction with the imperialist?” I said as Michael put away his keys and came out from behind the bar.

“I doubt it Imperialist don’t typically associate with the people who work for them they just send there people to talk. The only thing that is likely to change is the city territories. Now come on I’ll walk with you to the elevator.” Michael had a room in the club so he didn’t have to walk home at night. “You ought to get a room here you know. You’re old enough now too…”

“I’m not going become a hooker, a server, or any other of those names you guys use. You’re just changing the subject anyways. Anytime there’s a territory change the city gets worse. More people die and wars break out.” I snapped, as I got my things out of my locker.

“Probably, but it’s an opportunity for people to work their way up on the food chain. New fighters rise, new bosses take control, everyone has a chance at a rep. It’s a chance to fight for better.” He commented as we stepped into the elevator.

“There is no better! How can you say that? Don’t you see? There is the wealthy royalist and the rest of us. We have nothing. We work and work for nothing. The only reason we work is because we fear death. There isn’t even anymore hope that things will change.” I shouted “At least when my parents were alive…”

“Your parents aren’t alive!”

“You’re right they died. This place killed them and with them hope died. At least when they were alive there was a chance at things getting better. At least then things were corrupt in business but the innocents could walk home safely to a hot meal and kids could go to school and maybe get an education and get out. Now that is gone!”

Ding! The elevator doors opened as I finished my rant. Michael starred at me in shock. I turned and stormed into the still crowded club. I pushed my way past people and out the back door still high on adrenaline from my rant. As soon as I got out the back door and into the alley I saw that the bouncers had left there post to beat up on some clubbers.

“Probably, a couple of drunks talking smack to the bouncers” I thought to myself but, when I looked over it was two girls less than my age. Blood rushed to my face and in a flight of fury I ran towards them. I didn’t bother telling them to stop I knew they wouldn’t listen to a girl a third of there size. Instead I went behind the first one and hit him in his lower back nerve paralyzing him.

Now the other three were coming at me, I had to think quickly. I barely dodged the first ones blow. I couldn’t beat them in a power fight. I would have to use there size against them. When the next one came at me I lunged on the ground and grabbed his arm while giving him a slight push in the direction he was going. He lost his balance, flipped over, and fell on his head leaving him unconscious.  Two down two to go. I was just getting started and my adrenaline was coursing through me.

“Enough!” a voice behind me shouted. Both men stopped dead in their tracks as I spun around.

Now in front of me was Ryan Samson. His blonde hair was messy and the rest of him was soaked in sweat, probably a result of his promiscuous actions at the club. His blue eyes met mine in a stern gaze. He looked at me then the bouncers. By now the girls had run off and there was no chance at him seeing there wrongful action.

“One of you should take your colleagues over to the med center, while the other one of you gets back to work.” He directed to the bouncers. “Elizabeth, come with me.”

Ryan and I had never done more than make small talk but he had seen me around enough to remember my name. I walk towards him and followed him down the alley. As Rick’s potential successor he had more authority over me. We exited the alley and began walking down the street in the direction of my house.

“You live in the district?” he muttered with his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah, just past the 21^st street diner.” I replied trying to keep my cool.

“So why does a 100 pound girl decide go psycho on the club security.”

“They were beating up on two girls, younger than me. In my opinion four 200 pound bouncers on two prepubescent girls is just wrong. Anyways, what are you doing out here anyway don’t you sleep at the club?” I tried changing the subject.

“Just cause I live there, doesn’t mean it’s my prison. So playing hero must be tiring, or is that a part time gig?” he mocked. “…and quit changing the subject.”

“I don’t play a hero. I usually just walk by but, tonight I was on an adrenaline rush. So does this mean I’m in trouble or something?” as we walked we could hear the noisy city, loud cars in the distance, domestic disputes in homes and fights in the alleyways.

“Nah, if the bouncers say anything to Rick I’ll clear it up.” He said as he walked on. Ryan was at least a half a foot taller than me. No one would ever guess that he was only two years older than me.

“Thanks, mind if I ask why?” I asked as I pushed a stray piece of hair of my face.

“No reason. It’s no big deal anyways. So what was the adrenaline rush from?”

“Fight with a friend, nothing really big. It just hit me in the wrong spot.” We were now at the 21^st street diner and the adrenaline had worn off, I was now back to myself.

“You want to grab a bite to eat?” he nodded towards the diner.

“Ha. No thanks, I know what happens when girls agree to have a bite to eat with you.” I said in a sassy tone despite the fact that I was going home on an empty stomach to an empty refrigerator.

“Oh really, fill me in then what happens to girls who have a bite to eat with me?” he smirked.

“Then end up going back to your place or theirs to have…dessert.” I said sternly as I raised my eyebrow and stared him down. He looked rather amused that I wasn’t intimidated by him. Then again I was intimidated by very few people.

“…and what’s so bad about having a little desert?” Ryan asked as he closed the distance between us and a smug smile moved across his face. “After all desert can be very fun if you get it from the right person.”

“Don’t you mean people? After all you have reputation for being incorrigible when it comes to desert.” I questioned as I raised an eyebrow.

“Come on… its just dinner unless you want dessert” he used his baby-blue eyes as a desperate attempt to look cute and innocent.

“I haven’t ever eaten dessert with another and I’m not going to start now.” I said defensively.

“What?!” his face was shock stricken. “Is that even possible? Here in Paradisus, there’s no such thing as a…”

“What…a virgin? Yeah there is, and it’s going to stay that way. Now if you want some company for dinner then let’s go otherwise I’m going to get some sleep.” I stood my ground. When you’re a girl in Paradisus you always have to have your guard up let it down for a second and guys take it the wrong way.

“Dinner it is.” Ryan said still in shock as he opened the door to the diner and beckoned me to enter first.

We sat at the bar since all the tables were near the windows. Drive-bys were a daily matter in Paradisus. We placed our order and waited for it to be ready.

“So how does such a pretty thing like you manage to keep her skin?” he asked as he tried to use his eyes to make himself more attractive. In truth it was sort of working.

“By, taking out two-hundred pound bouncers in front of her suitors” I eyed “So that they understand I’m not on to mess with.” I added a smile as I hardened myself back up.

“Order up!” shouted the waitress in a thick Jersey accent as she handed us our orders. A few minutes later we had finished our meal. Dinner in Paradisus was never really a big deal and if you were lucky enough to have food in front of you, you ate it. Although Ryan offered to pay for dinner I refused. I never want to give a guy an excuse for me to pay him back in other ways.

“So how come you don’t stay at the club?”

“I don’t want to be a harlot girl and I can’t move up in the gang unless I start killing more.”

“Oh so you’re a virgin and a saint?”

“I’m not a saint I just don’t like killing unless I have to.”

“Well from what I hear you’re a pretty good killer.” My blood rose fast. I had to get out of there. I knew exactly what he meant. I knew if I didn’t leave that second I would do something regrettable. I flung myself out of the door and ran home.

Once I got inside I quickly locked the door and collapsed on the floor. Choking back the tears I began to remember the event that made me a killer. After being in the bandits for a year I got summoned up to a meeting with Rick. I had never gotten an order straight from the top so I knew that this must be important. A competing gang had been stirring up trouble so Rick needed me to retrieve some sort of data that would help him take down this gang. The gang was known as the Eagles.

The job was to retrieve the laptop of a man named Julius Parker. Everything had gone according to plan that night. I entered into the apartment building where the Eagles had their base. I was able to get passed all there guards and men and get up to the 25^th floor. When I got to the apartment with the laptop in it I used the key that one of the bandits had obtained for me the week before.

Once I got into the apartment the laptop was not hard to find. The laptop had a failsafe system that I needed to get passed in order to unplug it without frying the computer. My mom had been an expert in computers and any kind of machine. She taught me what she could before she died. The failsafe system was easy enough. I got the laptop but, before I could leave the apartment Julius Parker showed up. He immediately spotted me. I tried to get to the door but he grabbed me.

I continued to fight him. I didn’t realize it then but, he wasn’t trying to kill me just trying to stop me. When it appeared as though he had won I pulled a gun on him and shot him in the heart. He immediately fell back, and began gushing blood everywhere. The gun hadn’t been silenced and security rushed into the apartment. The last thing I remember was jumping off of the balcony. I have always told people that I had fallen but, the truth was I was so horrified at what I had done that I jumped before security could get a hold of me. I woke up six weeks later in the hospital. The doctor’s couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. There were no injuries and no sign of sickness. According to them I had just fallen into a coma.

I was told that I had stumbled into the club after killing Julius Parker. I had managed to retrieve the lap top although it was encrypted and unusable. I passed out from the shock of what I had done and went into a coma. When I woke up I was a hero to the gang for defeating Julius. After Rick was done with the lap top and concluded that it had nothing of interest I took it for myself. I managed to decode the laptop and from it I learned that I had killed the last of my parent’s allies, which were trying to continue my parent’s legacy. I used the laptop to establish connections outside of the bandits. Although Rick and the bandits said they had killed the remainder of the eagles there allies remained. I don’t think I will ever come to terms with what I have done. The bandits may have split the blood of eagles but I am the one who killed them.

Rick knew that the laptop was useless and he knew that Julius would never kill me. He knew that if push came to shove I would act on instinct and eventually kill Julius Parker. Now, I work in secret plotting, and planning, for the day that I will have my revenge for what Rick manipulated me into doing and, for the day that I will avenge my parents for what he did to them.

*

            I watch her for a few minutes from her window. I wait for her to stop crying. She doesn’t cry for just any reason. The man she was with must have hurt her; he must have brought up that night, the night she was used for a dark cause. How can anyone use her for that? I will get vengeance for what they did to her. I will keep her safe and make sure nothing like that happens again. As for the creep that made her cry, well I can’t guarantee their safety either.

            For years, I’ve watched over her and tried to keep her safe. After her parents died I swore to myself that I would take care of her the best I could without getting to close. My father had worked with her parents. He was the head of their security. He was killed the same night as her parents. She probably doesn’t remember this but, I saved her life that night. I was at Elizabeth’s house that night. My mother was the Banaterrio’s personal chef and, had to bring me to work with her that evening. While her parent’s were out a group of assassins came in through the kitchen and began searching for her. My mother hid Elizabeth and me in a secret passage under the stairwell.

            When my mother wouldn’t tell the men were Elizabeth was and, they killed her. It wasn’t a quick death either. Through a peephole in the stairs I watched my mother tortured for two hours while the men searched the house. When they finished searching they killed her. Before they left they set the house on fire. I managed to get Elizabeth and myself out of there in one piece. She was so terrified she could barely move. I walked through fire that night, and didn’t burn. I couldn’t explain it then but some how I was immune to the fire.

            My father was in the hospital unconscious for three days before he died. He was driving the car that Mr. and Mrs. Banaterrio were in before they died. On the third day before he died my father woke up. Upon hearing of Mr. and Mrs. Banaterrio’s death he told me the location of a laptop and made me swear to protect it under all costs. On my 13^th birthday I was to put a password into the laptop and I would know what to do from there. I was eight at the time and didn’t understand much about what was going on but, I did as my father told me anyways. I also continued his legacy by protecting and watching over Elizabeth from afar.

            She has stopped crying. She is in a deep sleep now. It is one that is too deep for her to dream in. She will wake up and be fine. I can always tell when she isn’t dreaming. When she is dreaming she always shows facial expression and murmurs little words or phrases. Luckily, she is not having nightmares either, otherwise she would be tossing and turning and breaking out in sweat. Tonight will be a motionless and quiet night, a night for her mind and body to rest up for tomorrow. I don’t need to watch over her tonight, looks like it will be a night of defending women and children from the darkness of night.

A New Era

            The sun starts pouring into my room around noon. I must have fallen asleep in my clothes last night. I don’t feel anything from last night; a good night sleep cured it. I have a couple of hours to study up before I have to get to work. First though, I gather up a fresh set of clothes and go shower. The icy cold water is enough to wake me up. After I dress I clean up my room and start studying. I can get an average day or school done in a couple of hours. Some people find it odd that I actual study since, no one in Paradisus studies. However, before my parents died they were set on sending to college, so I figure this is the least I can do for them.

            I got my high school diploma a few years ago. Rather than going to school I’ve always been allowed to test out of my classes however, the city could care less if kids go to school or not. Now I try to study whatever college material I can get my hands in. I guess the fact that I’m smart helps keep me alive in this city. Anyone can shoot a gun, but it takes a genius to hack into computers or do anything else involving a brain. To me fighting is typically an instinct however, however, how you fight can set you above the beast of the city. Showing restraint is something a beast does not have, being selective, or rational in a fight is not an instinct. This is something I have tried to teach myself with a little success. After a few hours of studying I pull my hair back into a braid, gather my things, and head out.

            Daytime is when the beast of Paradisus sleeps. It is when women and children can attempt to get around. There are still cops out so one must be careful; this is the time when the imperialist do their business. They hold their meeting up in the tall business buildings and they tour the city to check in with street operations. This is when drug deals go down and when loan sharks collect. There are also clothing stores open during the day, and other stores that don’t stay open 24 hours a day.

I work at one of these stores. I work at a grocery shop a few blocks away. It’s one of the few jobs in the city where your boss doesn’t try to pimp you out and the costumers are more respectful and violence is minimal. The psychology behind this is simple. Everyone needs food. If you steal food then the cops will actually arrest you. If they let people run free than they don’t get fed. It you can afford to pay the cops to look away then you can afford food. You don’t disrespect the people who work at the food stores since you get banned from that store. If you’re banned then the next time you show up in the store the cashiers refuse you service. You pull a gun on them or rough them up and the cops shoot you. This keeps the cashiers from stonewalling the cops.

I always get to work a few minutes early so that I don’t get fired. I wait till 3:00 to punch in so that my manager doesn’t get angry at me taking over time. I take the few minutes to get my workers smock and name card out of my locker and put my gun away. Once I clock in I set up at my register and work my shift. Day in and day out this job always stays the same, the same foods, the same pay, the same hours, and the same faces.

“So do you always rush off after dinner or you just playing hard to get?” smiled Ryan, as he put his purchase on the conveyor belt.

“I rush off when stupid boys start thinking they can charm me by calling me a killer.” I smiled and put up my shield without hesitation. He looked awe stricken.

            “Well then let me make it up to you.” He had a conniving look on his face, one that I would not fall for.

            “Let me guess, another dinner?” I sassed. “Only this time it will be at some nice restaurant in a fastidious dress that you just bought two sizes to small that I’ll end up paying for with sex.” I mouthed boldly.

            “Fastidious? Well if that means sexy and expensive then sounds like a plan.” He smirked.

            “That’s exactly what it means and I’m not interested.” I handed him his recipe and started ringing up the next customer.

            “Oh, come on Pretty Lizzy, you know I’m only joking. How about a casual dinner after you get off of work?” He gave his baby face smile and leaned in close to me. He actually smelled quite nice. The armor was slowly slipping away.

            “She said she wasn’t interested.” The declarative voice startled me. It was the next customer in line. He was a regular at the store. He always had me keep the change which was usually at least $20.

            “I wasn’t talking to you.” Ryan raised his chest and got defensive. “Now stay out of it.” Ryan was taller than my regular but; my regular had a lot more muscle to him. It was like looking at opposites, different eyes, hair color, and attitudes, different everything.

            “It is my concern when predators like you start harassing young girls in there work place, especially after they say no.” The regular had a more subtle attitude and kept his cool as I rang up his purchase.

            “She’s not that young, she’s sixteen, that’s hardly a girl, besides were good friends.” Ryan took a step closer. When he puffed up his chest his white beater got even tighter on his fit chest.

            “She may be hardly a girl and not that young but, she is not old enough and she is still a girl.” The regular was starting to lose his cool. I started to hand him his change. “Keep the change.” He gave me a look that I couldn’t interpret then walked out. It was as if he knew me. He seemed so familiar.

            “Friend of yours?” pried Ryan.

            “No, he’s just a regular here.” I said as my mind began to wander I was now in a daze.

            “Whatever. So, how about dinner tonight?”

            “Sure.” I sighed as I thought about the regular not, realizing what I had just agreed to.

            “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

            I went through the rest of the shift like a zombie doing my work. I kept trying to think of how I knew my regular. I would have to get his name since ‘My Regular’ would never do. He was always such a gentleman. I don’t know why I couldn’t get him out of my head. Maybe it was him defending me. Maybe it was just boredom trying to find something to put into my mind. Whatever it was I kind of enjoyed it. Thinking about My Regular…no! I had to come up with another thing to call him. What was he exactly, A gentleman, A giver, A protector, A guardian. Yes that is what he is a guardian. He protected me from Ryan and he watches over me financially in a way. Actually, he gave me enough change for dinner and food tomorrow, nice guy.

*

            As I walked down the street I tried to get my cool back. What is he thinking? It wasn’t enough that he made her cry last night but, now he has to go and harass her at work. Does he really think he deserves her? I can’t believe she was stupid enough to say yes, I can’t believe he went and gloated to his friends after he got her to say yes. He thinks he’s going to get some from her. Guys like him just piss me off. I’ll have to do something to take care of him.

            I guess this means I’m going to have to chaperon this little date of hers from a far. Just to make sure he doesn’t try anything and, to make sure she doesn’t make another stupid decision. She gets off of work at seven then she has to be to the club by, 11. It’s an early night for her tonight since, she’s working on the main floor. That means I’ll only have to watch chaperon her for two hours. If she gets off of work at 8:00pm then I have a few hours before then to meet with The Sector.

            The sector is what is left of the Banaterrio’s resistance and some new blood. The contents of my father’s laptop revealed this information to me. When I turned 13 I joined them and there fight against corruption. They don’t mind me watching over Elizabeth there only condition is that I don’t get too attached to her. They hope that one of these days she’ll rejoin her parents cause, until then they don’t care for her, but don’t want any harm to come to her. They don’t realize that she is already continuing her parents cause and has tracked down through a secret informant. I know because I am her informant.

            For three years, I have left her a trail of bread crumbs leading her to her parent’s killer. I just hope when the time is come she will take vengeance and make her parents proud. She is the one who can lead us out of this time of darkness. She is the one who can end the suffering. I just wish she knew this. I wish that she believed this. Instead she keeps her head low and flies under the radar afraid to take on the city. The fact of the matter is though if she were to rise many would come out from underground and join. She would be a symbol and a leader of a revolution.

*

            Its eight o’clock now and I punch out. I get my things from my locker and head out the door. Ryan is already outside waiting for me. Normally, I might have felt underdressed having dinner with someone in jeans and a t-shirt. However, Ryan was wearing his usual baggy jeans and white beater. He had a red sweat band around his head which meant he was part of the bandits. Bandits wore red bands or sashes. If you had a leather jacket depending on your rank you had a red bands stitched around the arm of your coat.

            “You ready?” he asked coolly. He was playing the chilling but, cool card.

            “Yeah, I’m ready.” And I called, “Let’s go.” then raised him by pulling my hair out of its ponytail and giving it a flip. My long chocolate waves fell halfway down my back.

            “Alright,” He said as he broke a smile but continued to play it cool. He offered me his arm and we set off down the street. “It’s just a few blocks from here.”

            I found myself wondering why he didn’t bring his car. It was just a few blocks but after standing all day it was a bit of a nuisance. Our walk was quiet. As we were walking I realized as he nodded to other members of the bandits that we passed that he was showing me off. He was treating me like a trophy. My cheeks began to turn red as, we turned into a little restaurant on a corner. It wasn’t half bad kind of dark but, the food looked edible. We took a seat and the waitress took our order.

            “So how was work?” Ryan asked.

            “It was fine.”

            “Get anymore pesky customers trying to control you?” He smirked.

            “If your referring to that guy earlier then the answer is no, and he wasn’t trying to control me he was just looking out for me.”

            “Is that why he gave you a $20 tip? He is just a good Samaritan?” Ryan mocked.

            “Yes, he is. He always lets me keep the change even though we don’t even know each others names, and he has never shown any interest in me that is out of the ordinary, and if you continue to insult him I will storm out again.”

            “Jeez, don’t get yourself all worked up. For, a guy you don’t know your awfully quick to defend him. Especially, for a girl that doesn’t trust anyone. Although I have to admit your lack of trust and tough girl attitude sets you apart from most girls in Paradisus.” He took my hand in his and gave me a bedroom eyed look.

            “I’m sure you say something like that to all the girls you try to pick-up.” I grabbed my hand away.

            “Whoa. Calm down, killer. I was just…”

            “I am not a killer.” My cheeks flushed as I screamed at him. I don’t know what was happening but, the words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I told you not to call me that!”  I finished as I ran out of the restaurant. My feet seemed like they weren’t even touching the ground everything was blurry as I continued to run home. It was as if I was flying. It was a familiar feeling. Somehow I triggered a memory in me as I raced up the stairs of my building and into the apartment. I collapsed as I remembered.

            Finally, I began to remember what happened to me the night I killed Julius Parker. When I jumped out of the window, something unexplainable happened to me. It was as if I was flying. I remembered wings but, that couldn’t be possible. Yet, this memory seemed so real. I could feel the wind on my face as I ascend towards the ground. Then I turned up and began gliding toward the club. This couldn’t be possible. It wasn’t possible my mind must be playing a trick on me but, it was the truth it was undeniably what happened. It was why Rick treated me so differently after the incident.

            I dragged myself onto my bed and fell into a light sleep as memories rushed back to me. People always told stories about my parents having special powers. Now, I believed them. I once remembered one seeing my mother throw a men back without even touching him and, I remembered how her eyes would change colors when she went into trances. I remembered my dad lighting cigarettes without using a lighter. I remembered other little thing they used to do that weren’t normal. Some people must have put those little things together but, since there weren’t any big or obvious incidents they were dismissed and told as stories.

            I must have inherited my power from my parents. My parents don’t seem to be the type that would leave me clueless as to what to do. They must have left me something to guide me. They were always prepared for the worst. Then again they didn’t exactly have a plan for me if they died. Or did they? I always found it odd that they left nothing behind.  Unfortunately I can only remember part of what happened the night I found my powers as, well as the night they died. If I could only remember those nights, why can’t I remember before they died?

            Like knives cutting against my skin I used to torment myself trying to remember and I will begin again. I will find a way to remember. I will not let this blindness haunt me any more. No matter how painful remembering may be and no matter what is in my mind I will remember. My eyes are now tearing and I am falling farther into sleep.

As I go deeper I see her. I remember her and, I know who she is. Her name is Lucy. She is the demon inside me, my darker side. I fear her. I fear what happens when she takes over. She is a killer, a monster; she is an angel of darkness. She was there the night I killed Julius, she is there every time I fight. She is the one who annihilates her enemies. Whenever I have a bad thought, she is the one that acts on it. When it comes time to kill Rick, she will be the one who helps me.  I will not have a choice, nor do I want it. I want him to pay for what he did but, I can not go through it on my own. She is the stronger of us. What I fear most about her, is being powerless and out of control.

“Hello Elizabeth.”

“Lucy.” I whisper as my eyes begin to tear.

“Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” She smiles her evil and conniving smile. I wish I could slap it off her face. Her eyes and face look the same as mine but, when you look into it she is cold, and dark.

“The last time you helped me, the last link I had to my parents, was killed!” I choked.

“You were doing your job. He was not going to help you. If he was going to help you then why did he let you join the bandits and get mixed up with them? He was just like all of your parents so called friends. Am I wrong?”

“Your, your…”I choked. I believed her. Everything she said was like poison. “Your’re right” I finally took a breathe. The descent into the darkest corner of my mind was finished. I found myself embracing her as I always do. I was giving into her. “How do you mean to help me this time?”

“I can help you remember. I will take you deeper. We are the same soul you and I. We have been split apart by, traumatic events. You could not handle the pain of the past so I took it. I have hidden here and helped you when you needed it. I will help you remember and then we will be one again.”

“I will never be one with you. You are a monster. You kill people; you make me do horrible things!” I shouted as I began to fight the sleep.

“Do not fight this! Don’t you understand, together we can do great things!”

“Leave me alone! Let me go!” I begin suffocating and everything goes black.

It has happened again. I have fallen into myself. I begin remembering what happened. My memories are rushing back. I can feel myself becoming closer to Lucy. I remember every detail about my childhood. I remember the night my parents died. I remember nearly burning but, being saved by a boy, the boy is so familiar but, I can’t figure out how. I remember my parents arranging for me to inherit everything of their’s. They had given me a key to there secret sanctum. It was a link to understanding my powers. It had countless information on them. I know its location. I will go to it when I wake. Slowly I willingly embrace my memories. Like ocean waves they rush over me. I am not drowning, but I am not swimming either. I am taking it all in. The night I got my powers, I lost control of my flight over an enemy territory. I fell a short distance but, I was hurt. I forced myself to run but, as I ran I was rescued, by a stranger I don’t remember much about him. I didn’t see his face. I know he made my pain go away. Then, he was gone. It feels like I have been in my mind for years, but I know this is not so. I am beginning to wake up. I will be alright Lucy and I, are now rejoined. I will have to face her at some point. We will have to find a balance but, we will be one.

*

She is shaking and sweating. The nightmares have returned. Something deep in her mind tortures her. She can’t fight the sleep so she must face this demon but, she is not strong enough to face it. I have seen this many times. There is nothing I can do to help her. This isn’t a physical sickness it is mental, perhaps even spiritual. She is trapped with no way out suffocating, dying. Now she is screaming. I must do something.

I force open the window and go to her. The screaming has stopped and so has the shaking. He eyes are open but, she is not awake. She is in a deep trance. Her eyes aren’t green they are black. They are filled with blue stars and I know that she has fallen into herself again. The only thing I can do now is keep her fever down and hope that she can make it through. The last time this happened she had just discovered her powers. I couldn’t go near her because, the bandits had her. I can only hope she did not remember what happened in her mind.

I put my hands on her head and begin to feel her pain. I can’t see what is causing her hurt but, I can feel it, like being torn apart piece by piece, slowly being tormented until death. I have often carried her pain for her but, when she is like this my powers will not do much. When she is hurt after a fight I can put her to sleep, and heal her but, this mental sickness I can not cure. I hold her close like I have done many times. Hoping and praying that she will wake up.

For three days I take care of her. No one notices that she left. I have to get some IVs to keep her hydrated and fed. I wash the sweat off her and, do what little I can for her. Something is different about her this time. On the third day she changes. Her blue stars turn green. This is not her being trapped in her mind she is embracing it. She is putting together the puzzle of her mind. She will be alright. She is still asleep but, her fever breaks. She sleeps for another day before coming out off the deep sleep.

Once she is near consciousness I must leave her. As much as I want to continue caring for her, I cannot get close to her. I take out the IVs and clean up her room. She is tucked into bed. She won’t remember how she left things. I tuck her into bed a kiss her sweet head. Of course this kiss is forbidden and of course it means nothing. It is just a sentimental way of remembering the past.

Before, she wakes I go out outside of her window. In an hour she wakes. Now, I may leave. A weight is lifted from me as I see her rise. Something is different about her. I can’t quite put my finger on it but, I know it is good. Maybe this time it will be the last time. Usually I lie to myself about this, but not this time. She is walking towards the window, now I must go.

*

            I open up the window and let in the light. I look at my cell phone and see that I have been asleep for a while. I’ll have to put in a call to the gang to let them no I’m alright. They probably think I went A-wall on them. I hope I won’t lose my job at the store over this. Chances are I will. I am surprised to find out that I haven’t lost much weight and I’m surprisingly clean. I don’t recall leaving my room so clean. I must have slight amnesia from being asleep so long. I take a shower and get dressed then head over to the market to salvage any chances of a job I have left.

            On the way over I put in a call to Michelangelo to let him know what’s going on. He tells me to come over to his place later. That some important things, happened these past couple of days and that we need to talk. I enter the market and find my manager. Apparently, while I was gone someone shot up the store. One of the cashiers quit so there was a position open. As bad as it sounded I was happy to have a job still despite the circumstances. I didn’t have to work for another couple of hours so I bought some groceries and headed home. After putting away the groceries I headed over to Michelangelo’s.

            When I got to the club I noticed the same bouncers that I beat up there. I laughed in my mind as I went in. It was daytime so the club floors where being cleaned up and the bars restocked, and the music equipment was being checked. I noticed that everyone was wearing there red stripes. This means we were probably at war. This must be what Michelangelo wants to talk to me about. I get in the elevator and go up to his floor. Halfway there the elevator stops and Ryan, John, and Rick get in. They seem somewhat surprised to see me.

            “Well look what the cat dragged in.” piped John. He and Ryan could be twins if they didn’t have different colored hair. Even there clothes were the same.  

            “Where have you been?” commanded Rick

            “I’ve been sick.”

            “So sick, she ran off again and didn’t bother to tell anyone.” Ryan was pissed.

            “Yes, I was that sick and, it wasn’t the reason I ran out.” I used a mean tone with him. I really didn’t care if I hurt his feeling or not.

            “That’s enough all of you,” commanded Rick. “She’s here now; we have to get down to business. We have a meeting up in the VIP lounge that includes you Elizabeth.” The door opened on Michelangelo’s floor and he got in.

            The meetings in the VIP lounge were only for uppers in the gang. I wasn’t one so I was unsure of what was going on. I tried to tell from Michael’s face but everyone was expressionless. The doors opened on the top floor. We got out. I went to go through the security check but, Rick stopped me. This meant that I was now and upper. I don’t know what I had done but, now I was in Rick’s graces. This meant I was getting closer to vengeance. I could feel Lucy uncurling inside me.

Once in the room Ryan pulled a jacket out of the closet and tossed it to me. It had two stripes on it. This meant I was now an upper in the gang. I was at the bottom of the uppers but, I was above everyone outside of that room. There were about 50 people in the room. They were all wearing there jackets and some of them were wearing red sashes and other bands. Almost all of the members had a personalized insignia on the back of there jacket. It is the equivalent of nights shield during the medieval times.

“Are you going to stare at or put it on?” asked Ryan with an annoyed tone.

I slid the jacket on slowly. This jacket stood for everything my parents fought against. I felt a twinge of sorrow, I knew they would be disappointed but, I also knew this was only a mask. Since, I got my memory back I was set on taking down not only Rick but, all the corruption in the city. I would use my position as a mask until the time is right. I would continue my parents work and, I would make them proud.

“Tonight as part of a new era in the city, were going to take the Necromancers territory” Announced Rick. The room fell silent.”

“They stand in the way of biggie enemies. The territory they hold has always been an issue with us. We are at least five times there size. In these envelops are the positions and jobs each of you will have. They are not to leave this room.” He glared at each one of us. Many people looked intimidated. I glared back and our eyes met. “The basic idea is to surround their territory and begin working our way in. Get rid of anything in your path. I want them to know that we mean business. Forget about keeping things clean there’s no way this will stay contained. Anyone have questions?”

Everyone opened up there envelops and began reading. After a few minutes of no questions Rick began to make his way to his office. I wondered if all meeting were this short. I read through my instructions. I would be responsible for a group of ten people and was suppose to make my way into the heart of the territory and seize any information I deemed valuable I was also suppose to take hostages if I felt they were a value to the group. I was beginning to feel like a spy. Now that I had my memory back, I could recollect movies I had watched with my parents. This was like them. A spy is given a top secret file containing there mission that they are to complete with the utmost precision and seriousness.

“Elizabeth.” Called Rick from his office. “I want to see you, now.”

I wonder if this is the part where he tells me what is going on up now or if this is the part where he adds extra importance to my mission. Tells me how the fate of the group rest in my hands. I laughed in my mind then went into his office. It was dark in there and not very big, and it was very simple and minimalistic.

“Have a seat” said Rick, as he sat down at his desk. “Where have been for the past three days? I want the truth, Elizabeth.”

“I was sick.”

“Then why didn’t you call for help?”

“I was to sick for that. I went home after work then passed out for a few days. I only woke up enough to keep myself hydrated.”

“I see. Then this has nothing to do with your current relations with Ryan?” He looked at me sternly.

“What exactly are my current relations with Ryan?” I stared back. I should have seen this coming. No wonder I got the promotion. Ryan has told people that we are together.

“My sources tell me that you two have been seeing each other socially. As you may know this would put you both in an excellent position in the gang. To have you two running things would be an excellent combination.

“Sorry to disappoint you but, were not together. So I suggest you slow down on your little arranged marriage scenario. Ryan has nothing to offer me, not even a position in the gang.” I mouthed confidently.

“That’s a disappointment. I’ve always had high hopes for you. You have the makings of a good leader…”

“It comes from my parents” I interrupted “You know the ones who were more set on stopping violence than starting wars.” I was infuriated at this point I could feel my cheeks getting hot.

“After your parents died many things changed…”

“Yeah you took over everything they built and began to disgrace it.”

“I have done no such thing!” He shouted as he slammed his hand on his desk. “The last time I checked I honored them by taking you in. I could have left you on the street like everyone else. You should remember your place!”

“My place is not of your choosing. I am not a killer or a pawn you can manipulate anymore. I remember everything now!” Once more words were coming out faster than I could stop them. “I remember the night they died and the night I killed Julius Parks. I know why you keep me around and believe me it won’t last long!”

“That is enough!” I felt his hand fly across my face with such power it knocked me to the ground. “You forget were you are, in my territory, in Paradisus. Here you have nothing but, what I give you and are nothing. What I make you now, I am going to do you a favor and blame you tantrum on you still being sick but, if you act out like this again I will have to put a strict punishment in place. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”

I rose to my feet and stormed out. He called Ryan in after me. Most girls wouldn’t have dared go where I went they wouldn’t have stood there ground and they would have coward away but, I kept my head up high. I knew I was right and I was going to make is so I would never have to rely on anyone else for anything. I wouldn’t need anything he gave or offered me. I would get my own place, my own group, and my own freedom! I would be the one to bring a new era to the city, not Rick.

I went home and thought about what the folder had told me to do. I only had to read it once to have it memorized. It was a power I got from my mother. She had the ability to look at something, analyze it, and remember it. She could also see the past, present, and in some cases the future. I began to let my memories wander and process the better until it was nine o’clock, then someone knocked on the door. I didn’t have a peep hole so I had to open it. It was Ryan.

 “What do you want.” I rolled my eyes.

“I need to talk to you.” He pushed past me into my room and closed the door behind himself. If I wasn’t so tired from the past days I would have thrown him out.

“This had better be important.”

“Rick has assigned me to be your handler. I’m supposed to watch you tonight and on all other assignments.”

“What makes you think I’m going tonight?” I crossed my arms.

“Since, you need to get back in Rick’s graces after your little tantrum and, yes he told me about that.”

            “I’m also supposed to help you get your things and move them over to the club. You have an apartment over there now.” He went on.

            “Girls don’t get rooms over at the club unless there w****s or strippers.” I started to raise my voice.

            “All uppers get rooms over at the club, girl or not.” He was starting to get annoyed with me.

            “I also have to get you acquainted with your charges before tonight. So get your things together and let’s go.”  He tried to be firm but, it wasn’t working. He put me in this position by, running his mouth and showing me off like a trophy I wasn’t about to let that go.

            “Let’s not and say we did. So how do you feel about his little match making scheme? Seeing as you’re the one that started it.”

            “Now, I can see why he got so short tempered with you. I’d say that slap mark across your face is evidence. As far as me setting you up, I did no such thing. It was only a matter of time before we got together. You destined to be an upper in the gang, and I am competing to one day take it over. I find it hard to believe that a girl like you can’t see the potential in that.”

            “Let’s get one thing straight, the only reason I became an upper is because you, decided I was you girlfriend all of a sudden. Clearly getting stormed out on twice was a hint to the contrary. As far as him getting tempered with me it is none of you business and goes deeper than you will ever know.” I scolded.

            “Well that doesn’t matter does it? You are in a bad position now. To correct that you need to do what your told which includes, moving into the club, completing your assignment tonight, and warming up to me.” He said as he grabbed a duffle bag from on top of my dresser and began shoving my clothes into it.

            “I wouldn’t warm up to you if it kept me from freezing to death!”

            SLAP another mark across my face. This time it was from Ryan. You need to learn when to hold your tongue. This one hurt more than the first but, I wasn’t about to let it get the better of me. I didn’t have any more physical strength to fight the past few days had taken that from me. By the time I had to do my job tonight I would have just enough energy to complete it. I finally started to gather my things and quiet down. At least being in the club would put me closer to my goal.

            We loaded my things into his trunk and drove over to the club. Outside of the club my chargers were waiting for me. I was surprised to see a girl in my group. Girls rarely fought in the gang they had other ways of showing their support. I could tell she was a tough girl. Leather jacket and matching boots, tight ponytail, she had a serious attitude surrounding her. She made her presence known and seemed to keep everyone at a bay. Her name was Jen Cassision. The rest of the group just sort of passed me by, but this one stuck out. The reason was because, I knew her.

            I don’t know if she remembers me we only met once when we were little. Her mother was a friend of my parents. The fought together and she was a big supporter of the cause. After my parents died, she disappeared. She was probably wiped out with the rest of the gang.  I felt like I could relate to her somehow. Maybe, if she remembered she could fit into my goal. I’m sure she would help me if I could just get to her but, I couldn’t be too hasty.

            My charges went to get ready for the night all except Jen, she was already set. She helped me take my stuff up to my new apartment what I didn’t know is that I was sharing it with her. It was already 11:00 so I didn’t have much time to settle in but, it didn’t take long anyways. The apartment was small but, it had a nice balcony. I figured if I started trying to fly again it could be useful. After settling in I went down to the armaments room in the basement that I was now allowed into. Down, there I had a locker with customized equipment to fit my needs. I suited up, briefed my team upstairs and at quarter to midnight, I set out with them.

Home

            Its quarter to midnight she should be leaving any minute now. I look into her window and see an empty room. I rack my brain for a few minutes to try and figure things out. I risk opening the window and go into her room. Her stuff is all gone. Even if the bandits killed her they wouldn’t have emptied out her room that fast. If she left in a hurry she wouldn’t have taken all her stuff just, the bare minimum. They must have moved her. I have to find her. The bandits are supposed to be doing a big operation tonight and if Elizabeth is involved it could be very dangerous for her.

The operation is suppose to be going down in Necromancer territory, the people I work for told me to watch for civilians in that area. I can kill two birds with one stone and look for her there. If I put in a call to the company they’ll refuse to help and think I’ve turned. I have to be quick and invisible. Necromancer territory is at least five miles away, I have to drive fast. By the time I get there it’s midnight.

Most people can here police siren’s coming. I can hear police radios. Everything there saying is clear as day to me. I inherited it from my father’s side of the family, there known for being demons and having super senses and super strength. There are bandit citings everywhere and police have already found numerous murder and assault victims. These victims have all been necromancers so far but, once the adrenaline kicks in even women and children won’t be safe.

If I start moving people out of there homes to safety it will cause more damage but, I can’t just stand by and watch them all be tortured and killed. If I call the company I could put Elizabeth in danger, but if I don’t then this place will turn into a blood bath. Then again if I get to Elizabeth first, then I don’t have to worry. Although it might hurt her I make the call. Back-up will arrive in an hour. I have that much time to find Elizabeth.

*

It is midnight when we get into the heart of necromancer territory. We stay uncover and from a distance. Although the bandits outnumber the necromancers, they haven’t made it in to our location yet so were still swarmed. We make our way up onto one of the nearby buildings in order to breach their headquarters. There is construction near there so a team below will move a crane holding a large bridge over to us. From there we can get onto the building of there roof and enter in from there.

The bridge came up and steadied itself. It was hanging in midair, so we would have to pass over one at a time and be very careful. It was just close enough for us to jump on. Then depending on your style u would either walk across the top as if you were on a balance beam, go hand or hand like monkey bars on the bottom, or you would crawl through the middle of it. Jen and I took the top. Then the guys in my group divided up between the bottom and middle routes. At the end the person on top would have to jump to the other side and the people on the bottom or middle would need to climb up and jump from there.

Once we were on the other side we had to get rid of the two centuries guarding the door. Jen did that in an instant with her two guns. Before the guys could sneak up on them she had already pulled them out and shot them. Then we passed through the roof access door, and down many flights of stairs to get to our floor. On the way my team took out the security. Jenny and two of the guys took care of the guards and the other dealt with the security cameras and alarms.  Things were moving quickly.

Once we were on our floor we were ready for a fight. Once we were through the door everyone had there guns out and silenced and began taking out the numerous number of necromancers. A half hour later they have been taken out. It will take us five minutes to download the information from the computers. With the fifteen minutes it took us to get in we will have ten minutes to get out before the bandits start using explosives, which could inevitably kill everyone in the building.

*

I’ve done a quick search of the outer shell of Necromancer territory but, I have a feeling that if Elizabeth is here at the heart of it all. If she is here she is most likely to be putting here computer skills to work gathering information. Here it is the Necromancer’s headquarters, a tall building at the center of it all. It’s difficult to here the radios or words people are saying with all this gun fire. I have a slim chance of finding here and only ten minutes left.

I scan the exterior of the building to search for any sign of her. Aside from the broken windows and the smoke pouring out of the now enflamed building there is no sign of anyone on the outside. I turn to go search else when through all the noise and chaos I hear a very distinct and familiar sound, Elizabeth’s scream. For some reason whenever she screams I can here her within a mile radius. She must be close since it was so clear over all this noise. It came from the back of the building. I quickly rush over there.

*

Once outside of the building my team and I are ambushed by trigger-happy necromancers and a few large assailants. Two of my team members are killed in an instant. A few manage to take cover and begin exchanging the gun fire while, Jen and I are left to deal with the assailants. Together, we are able to take out a few guys with some quick thinking and knife play before we are separated. In the meantime the few who took cover manage to flee the scene and Jen is fought back out of site. Now, I am on my own.

The Necromancer’s quickly surround me, most gangs will just shoot you and get it over with but necromancer’s like to take there time. They will take a hostage just so that they can take their time with the kill. They enjoy slowly peeling off people faces or watching them bleed to death in anguish. Sometimes I hear they even inject people with painful chemicals so that they can listen to them screaming. However, I am not intimidated. Necromancer’s get a lot of power by intimidation they also get off on it. I stand my ground and square my shoulders. My hand is on my knife set which is wrapped around my thigh. There are five necromancers and five knives.

Unfortunately, before I can grab at them another jump down from above right next to me and grab me from behind. This escalates the situation as the necromancers are known for there uses of cheapskate tactics in hand on hand combat. I don’t enjoy drawing blood but, in this case I must. My hand is just close enough for me to grab one of my knives as I plunge it into his leg. It pierces an artery mortally wounding him. He lets go and I am left to deal with the other six. I take five of them down with throwing knives as planned.

The last one grabs me from behind like his comrade. The only difference is this time I am out of weapons. The only thing I have is my hand on hand combat skills. My wits will not be able to get me out of this mess. He has my arms restrained but, my feet are still free. Necromancers take pride in bloody and brutal killings. He smashes me into a nearby wall where I hit my head. He does this several more times until; I am able to get in a few hits to his legs. I can feel blood trickling down my neck from my hair. I am beginning to feel dizzy from the hit. Just as he is about to hit me again someone comes up from nearby and stops him. I slowly start to loose consciousness before I can see who the other person is.

*

“Looks like someone passed out again…” Lucy cackled

“Where am I?” Elizabeth groaned as she stood up. She wasn’t bleeding anymore and had no marks on her.

“In your head of course.” She beamed. Her long black hair was pulled back and she was wearing a torn black dress. Meanwhile, Elizabeth had long brown curls going down her back and a white dress. “Don’t worry I’m not here to torment your slumber again. It is just time for a little walk down memory lane again.”

“I have my memory back again I don’t need another walk.”

“You have the memories that you yourself experienced. However, your powers allow you to go further. They allow you to see the things that went on around you, even if you weren’t conscious of it. You could have memories of things that happened in the next room or down the hall, or it could be a memory your family chose to pass down to you. Such memories cannot be revealed by simply downloading them back into your conscious they need to be reignited. You need to experience them first-hand again.”

“Why, are we dressed so opposite?” Elizabeth probed. “I thought you were my subconscious not my doppelganger.”

“We are both part of each others subconscious that’s how a doppelganger works. You subconsciously guide me on endeavors like these and I do the same for you. When we wake up we don’t even remember guiding one another and, in for the most part we are opposites.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn’t, but your curiosity can’t help it. You’re dying to see what it is that I want to show you.”

Lucy’s beady eyes gave Elizabeth a conniving look. She was right Elizabeth was dying to see what secret Lucy was waiting to unlock. What skeleton she would learn of. Perhaps, something more that would help her on her mission. Lucy’s Persuasion did not get the better of her. Intrigue however, did.

“Fine. Show me.” Elizabeth said.

“I knew you’d come around. Now open your eyes and no matter what happened do not under any circumstances panic.”

A sudden rush hit Elizabeth as she opened her eyes. She woke up or perhaps dreamt she woke up in a long corridor. Down the corridor she heard people speaking softly. She moved closer to the door where the voices where coming from. She recognized this corridor it led to her parent’s office in there home.

“…If you refuse to go underground at least send the child away. Katherine please…” pleaded a voice “will you be reasonable?”

“I will not send my daughter to be raised by strangers! She needs her mother” shouted a familiar voice.

Elizabeth knew the voice well. Usually the voice was much softer, warmer, and more loving. Emotions flowed as she realized that this voice was that of her mothers. She tried to push the door open but it would not move. She realized that this was not real. It was only a memory.

“Michael reason with her, if you two stay you will all be killed.” The voice began to tremble.

“I will not bury my head in the sand and let this city crumble. Not even if there is the slightest chance of hope that it will one day be restored to glory.” Elizabeth recognized this as the voice of her father.

“Those days are long gone. Those days could not even be recalled by your father and perhaps not even by his father before him. Think of your family Michael.”

“I am thinking of my family if I split them apart how can I protect them? The only reason I would wish for them to be sent away would be if something were to happen to me.” He sighed. “Even if that did they would be better of with the protection of the company.”

“The company would not protect us!” interjected Katherine. “They would place me right back on the field and try to send Elizabeth away.” She glared.

Elizabeth was now able to peek into the room. She could see here mother’s fiery eyes alight; they were the same as her own. Her long chocolate curls were a match as well. Elizabeth could now see the comparison very few people dared to make.

“If something happens to you then I will have no choice but, to return to the patronizing glares, and confining customs of my alleged home.” She chocked coldly. “I can’t even bare the thought of bringing Elizabeth there.”

“What are you saying Katherine?” concerned Michael.

“I am saying perhaps we should allow Mendel to take Elizabeth to his school. She can be safe there never know of this place or my family. She can grow up away from the corruption and then, if something happens to us she will have already adopted a new home. She won’t have to face the perils of the streets on her own.”

Elizabeth began to choke. Her mother was speaking of sending her away. Away from her family, she was speaking of another family that Elizabeth had never heard of. Her mind began to spin, who was this family? Was her mother really going to send her away?

“Enough!” shouted her father. At least someone was being reasonable. “I will not send my daughter away from her family, and away from her roots. I want my daughter to remember where she comes from and have pride in that fact. This place may be dangerous. She won’t remember that she went to a school that made her think like everyone else in the world, she will remember that she has her own mind and is free to use it, and because of that she will fight for that right and the right of others to have it.”

“Michael, how can you call this freedom, what can she learn here? All there is here is violence and corruption.” Mendel stated.

“This place has violence because of the corruption. Our job here is to drive that away. I want my daughter to learn what comes from this madness to see the truth of this world not a narrow sugar-coated version taught by some prep school.”

“But…” Mendel tried to say

“…We will not send her away. Besides, while you are here Mendel you can teach her what she would learn in school. The company has you stationed here for at least a year and she can learn more in that time period than, most of your students can learn in a lifetime.” Katherine said calmly, as she returned to her senses.

“Very well milady.” Mendel sighed. “I will teach Elizabeth everything I can in a year however, when that year is up I urge you to reconsider what I have suggested.”

“Thank you Mendel. If you are going to stay however we must lay down some ground rules. One, please refrain from any formal titles such as Milady, or any titles my bloodline may have bestowed upon me. Two, if something happens to Michael and I you will not under any circumstances allow, my family to gain custody of Elizabeth. She is to be put in the care of her Godfather Ayden do you understand?”

“Yes mil…Katherine, I understand.”

“…and last but, not least you must never tell anyone about our families supernatural abilities. Not even under torture, or pain of death. If anyone were to know we would certainly be killed…or worse.”

The words “or worse” echoes in Elizabeth’s mind as she felt herself being pulled out of the memory. She began to feel her head bleeding again and the extent of her injuries. She was unsure of where she was. It felt like she was still in the street as she opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry and she could the wet pavement beneath her. She thought perhaps she had gone death by the lack of sound but, finally she could hear cop cars in the distance. This meant the fight was over and dawn was approaching.

Her vision was slowly coming back to her as she tried to look around. She was left wondering who had saved her and where they had gone. With dawn approaching she needed to return to the club or else, she would be marked as treasonous after her actions at the meeting the night before. In the back of her mind she wished she could find another home but, after being in with the Bandits no other gang would take her and without protection she was hopeless.

*

By the time I was able to get back to the scene where I had left her she was gone. I only wished I could have put her in a safe place last night. With all the fighting going on I could not risk being seen. I could kill myself for not being better to her. Instead of taking her away from this fighting once and for all like I should have, I left her lying in an ally bleeding and bruised from a fight.

For all I know she could have been picked up by some pervert or any enemy gang. I must try and find her and be sure she is alright. I scan the ally way one last time. Lucky for me, she left a blood trail. If she is still bleeding she won’t be moving to quickly. I begin to travel in the direction she went and within a few minutes I can see her. She is bruised and bloody like the night before. Her jacket must have been lost in the fight and her clothes are covered in grim from the streets. On the streets she runs into another comrade and they begin to help her to safety.

I follow them the rest of the way to make sure she gets there. When I see her inside the building I take my leave. I will return later this evening and try to locate her new home.

Independence

“You look like s**t.” Jen said as she helped me lean on her.

“I feel like s**t.” I groaned as the blood began to trickle down my head again. “What’s last night’s fall out.”

“Who knows? Rick and the Uppers have been in his office since this morning.”

“Marshalla Depew overheard Ryan trying to convince Rick that you didn’t abandon. Frankly, I don’t think he gives a damn.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Word on the street is, you’re a rebellious handful, especially when it comes to killing.”

“I don’t like to kill unless I have to.” Elizabeth said quietly.

“It’s a good philosophy. Better than your virtuous attitude that Ryan claims he’s about to change.” She smirked “He’s kind of a cocky b*****d what do you see in him anyways?”

“I see nothing in him. He seems to have everyone persuaded that we’re together, including Rick. In fact, both times I went to dinner with him I ended up storming out enraged”

“I’m surprised he got that far. Marsh says you tend to shut guys down before they can get a word in.”

“That’s twice in five minutes you mentioned Marsh you two must be close.”

“She’s like a big sis to me. She brought me into the Red Bandits and took me under her wing, taught me the ropes and all that.”

“How long you been with the Bandits?”

“…Bout six months.” Her defensive yet cocky tone was very familiar to my own. “So, what’s your story? How does the daughter of the most powerful gang leader in the history of Paradisus end up taking orders from a guy like Rick?”

“I was born into the Hell Dragons my father used to own the club. Way back when Rick and my dad were best friends, so when my parents died he took me in. By the time I was thirteen I was a regular part of the gang. So how bout you, if my memory serves your mom was a hell dragon too?” I said as we neared the club

“My mom was a courtesan in the gang back then. After the downfall, she got caught up with a local Madame. After a few years in the business myself I decided to get the hell out of there.”

We had arrived in the club and headed up to the Medical floor. When the club was originally built my mother made my father put it in. I can remember him complaining about how insistent she was about dressing every single little cut. My mom didn’t let it get to her she was naturally like that but, when she would go out for a fight she had a reputation for being one of the fiercest fighters. I imagine this is what brought her and my father together.

As we entered the floor, the halls are crowded with people from stab victims to gun shot wounds. Realizing I was not going to get anywhere with just a head wound Jen sits me down on a chair.

“Wait here.” She says, and returned several minutes later with some bandages and medical supplies, and helped me up again. “We’ll go back down to our apartment and get you fixed up. Then when things clear up you can have them check you out.”

“Thanks.” We enter the elevator again to find John and Ryan on there way upstairs. Unfortunately, this is the way we are going too.

“What happened to you?” John smirked “Looks like you got your a*s kicked pretty hard.”

“You should see the other guy.” Jen snapped. “You don’t look so hot yourself” Jen said in reference to the stitches above John’s brow.

“It was a cheap shot. I hear you’re pretty cheap yourself honey.” he said as he tried to make a grab at Jen.

WHAM. I hit John hard in the Jaw. This time I was the one sticking up for Jen. It seemed like we were becoming home girls real fast. A second later Ryan grabs me from behind me and has me restrained. John was still making grabs at Jen while, I struggled with Ryan.

DING the doors opened revealing none other than Rick himself. Upon seeing the scene and John’s bloody jaw his face turned enraged.

“Go to my office. Now.” He ordered. He was waiting to yell and discipline upstairs where subordinates wouldn’t see.

*

“You’re back late, or should I say early seeing as it’s already morning, little brother. Were you off stalking your mystery girl again?” Harley said.

“I don’t stalk her I guard her there is a big difference.” An annoyed Erin replied “It was a long night with the war breaking out.”

Harley is my half sister; we share the same biological mother. Years after my mother died I discovered that I was actually her sister’s child, the result of a liaison my father had had with her. This was probably due to the fact that my parent’s married for political reasons. Despite losing my mother I have always considered myself to be from her and not from my biological mother Lilith. Harley doesn’t talk to her much either, that’s probably because Lilith runs her own gang on the outskirts of town with a reputation for doing things thought low even by the worst scum.

“Oh so you were playing rescue the damsel in distress again where you? Did you actually let her see you this time or just run away?” Harley mocked

“I didn’t have much choice I had to go deal with other matters. If I could have I would brought her home with me.”

“Erin!” she said in shock “You know better than that!”

“I don’t care.”

“Think about what you’re saying. Bringing her here could endanger both of you.”

“It’d be less dangerous for her here then there.” He said quietly

“Listen to me Erin” she said as she sat next to him and looked him straight in the eyes “If you bring her here it will ruin everything we have worked for, her time will come but, its not now. This is the very reason the superiors didn’t want you looking after her, they were afraid you’d get too attached.”

“I don’t care. I’m not going to let them do this to her. I won’t let her be used again. She barely recovered from the last time some one manipulated her, and that ended up coasting us.” His head rested in his hands.

“Erin that was different, what were trying to do is….”

“It’s no different! What were doing is going to destroy her. Everyone seems to think there killing two birds with one stone, feeding her the path to vengeance, all it will do is destroy her soul. It’ll take her down a path with no return, and I’ll be damned if I let that happen!” shouted Erin

            Harley sat there motionless in shock.

            “Do me a favor and tell the superiors if they want to use Elizabeth, they’ll have to go through me because, I am finished with this.” He declared.

            Harley stared as Erin turned his back and left. She feared for her brother’s choice and the impact it would have on the city. Her only hope was that somehow his charge would find a way to turn the table. For a girl that was so easily controlled, she held so many cards in the game of Paradisus’ future.

*

            Back at Rick’s office Elizabeth, Jen, Ryan, and John stood before Rick’s desk waiting for him to say something. He simple looked at each one of them, standing there at attention. Elizabeth found herself wondering why they were all so obedient. She knew in her case it wasn’t respect, perhaps it was fear for the loss of security. Perhaps the loss of the gang, however when one left the gang they didn’t just leave they had to jump out. This required being beaten by your comrades to the point of death or in some cases to death. Perhaps it was death they all feared.

            “You four want to tell me what the hell that display was all about.”

            “It was a disagreement between us. John and I acted out of line it won’t happen again.” Ryan was the first to open his mouth.

            “Is that what you call it?” Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

            “You got something to say Liz?” John said as he got into my face.

            “Yeah, keep your f*****g hands of me and my home girl or I’m going to kick your a*s.”

            “Excuse me.” John’s mouth dropped.

            “You heard her loud and clear.” Jen defended

            “Enough all four of you, I cannot have people running around going at each other while the city is at war, especially the three of you. It’s your job to help keep things in line here. If I see something like this happen again some more measures will be taken to insure that it ends and, I don’t think any of you want that.”

            “Now, Ryan take Elizabeth down to the medical floor and get her cleaned up, Jen go down to the club floor and get ready for this evenings opening. I don’t want to hear it just go Jen” he said as she opened her mouth to object. “John I need a word with you.”

            Elizabeth didn’t have the energy to fight anymore so she simply went with Ryan back down to the still crowded medical floor.

            “I don’t see why you insist on causing so much trouble” said Ryan while we waited for medical attention.

            “I cause trouble? John was the one who started it.” I said offended

“Your really naïve if you think John starts any trouble.” Ryan said sarcastically.

At first I was offended then I realized his Joke. I guessed that he must be trying to get on my good side but, it wasn’t working. Even with his sparkling baby blues trying to work there magic. Even if I am a sucker for the eyes I have to remember what’s passed them, absolutely nothing. He is all beauty and no brains.

“So what’s the deal with you two anyways, for some one so set on taking Rick’s place you sure don’t seem to mind him favoring John.” I was trying to figure him out, trying to see his goals and desires; a person never knows when these things will come in handy.

“John’s all about the politics. He can have Rick’s Job but, when it comes to leading the gang well…” he smirked “Let’s just say there a little more than politics involved.” He gave a crooked smile and moved closer. “It takes a killer instinct, and a more brute-force attitude with an aggressive nature.” He was getting closer with every word until he was whispering in my ear.

“You seem pretty certain of this” I stated as I tried to keep my cool but, I could feel my heart beating faster and face flushing, there was something intoxicating about his words.

“Well when you know what you want,” He smiled again as he brushed back a strand of my hair. “You should take it.”

“Elizabeth.” Called one of the medical attendants as, they looked through the hall for her.

“I’m right here.” I said as stood up but, I suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell over. Ryan grabbed my arm and guided me into one of the rooms.

When I woke up it must have been a few hours later. Since the chaos in the infirmary had calmed down. I had expected my head to be pounding but, the IV in my arm was probably a morphine drip or something. My chest felt heavy as I began to sit up. I felt a hand on my back helping me up. When I turned to see who it was, I was surprised to find that Ryan was sitting next to my bed.

“Nice to see you’re awake.” He said softly. I was surprised by his tone for the first time ever he seemed caring and sincere.

“How long have I been out?” I groaned.

“A few hours, you passed out from blood loss. Now that your all patched up you should be fine.”

“What did I miss while I was out?” I sighed.

“Not much. The counts are in most of our people returned, quite a few were wounded, a few deserters, and the rest dead. Rick has been waiting for you to wake up to announce more news.”

 “Ah, I see you’re here on one of his little petty assignments.” My attitude was quickly returning.

“No, he wanted to send some one else, I volunteered.” he scoffed

“Oh, I’m sorry did I hurt your feelings? God forbid I should suspect your insincerity given our past encounters.” I mocked.

“Maybe if you weren’t so busy putting up a tough girl front and placing me in a box labeled, playboy you would realize I really like you.” He alleged.

“If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…” I smirked

“….Perhaps one is so accustomed to seeing ducks that any bird with wings presents itself so.” His voice was beginning to rise.

“In Paradisus, there is nothing but ducks and vultures; there are no doves no amongst the city. You are only looking for one thing from me.”

“No I am not; if I only wanted one thing then I could have gone to any common w***e in Paradisus.”

“The common w****s of Paradisus aren’t untouched. All I am is unclaimed territory to you, a chance for you to earn a reputation amongst your friends.” I was not about to let my guard down, especially with the intoxicating charm he had used earlier. “Here comes Ryan, he can get any girl in Paradisus to go legs in the air for him, the w****s beg on there knees for him, and girls beg him to be their first.” I laughed in a sarcastic and tough tone. The nurse had already come in and taken out my IV so I could leave.

“Please, if that was the case I would have had you long ago.” He retorted.

“You arrogant, self-righteous, prick, you really believe you are irresistible.” I laughed as I walked away. “By the way you can tell Rick I will be up shortly.” I turned.

I walked to the elevator in a fast paced commanding walk. I used to see my mom use this walk when she was getting ready for something big. This was exactly what I was getting ready for. The doors opened revealing Jen and Marshalla. They looked surprised to see me as I slammed the button to shut the door and hit my floor.

“We were just on our way to see you. Are you alright?” said Marshalla

“Yeah, just got some stuff to take care of after I get cleaned up.” We got out on the same floor and headed to me and Jen’s apartment. After I got cleaned up and Marsh checked me out, we sat in the living room.

“Alright, what is on your mind?” said Marsh who was also an upper in the gang. “What are you planning?”

“…to take control.” I said very seriously.

“What do you mean by control?”

“I’m not going to put up with any of this anymore, I won’t let my life be controlled, and I will not let Rick continue to keep what is rightfully mine and, I don’t care if you or anyone else tries to stop me.”

“Alright.” Marshalla said. “We will help you.” She nodded to Jen.

“After you meeting with Rick, meet us at 1st street and Park.”

“If you set me up, I will kill you.” Elizabeth narrowed.

“Believe it or not, you’re not the only one who wants this.” Marsh looked as if she were about to start tearing. “Your not the only one he’s hurt”

I turned and left the room. I went to the elevator and headed up to the VIP room. This time I had confidence. I would not back down and I would not let anyone put a chain around me. I entered the room where Rick and everyone where gathered in there usual spot, celebrating. I removed my jacket and threw it at Rick’s feet. Everything ceased immediately.

“What is this?” he asked offended.

“I will not wear your colors nor, will I fight for your corrupt and low cause.” Several mouths dropped open.

“Who are you to say what you will do?” he raised his voice “I own you, I took you in when you were living on the streets. I gave you food, shelter, a family, and protection” he was now within an inch of my face but, I was not going to back down.

“You do not own me. Everything you claim to have given me has come with a price.” I chocked. “I traded food for blood and death and, have you forgotten whose club this is?” I shouted “It is certainly not yours; it is my father’s and therefore mine.” As I was saying this I realized that I had nothing to live for therefore I did not need to fear. The only reason I lived was to fight for what I wanted.

“Enough!” he attempted to slap me once more but, this time I blocked it and threw him on the floor. In the same instance, everyone’s guns were drawn on me including mine, and it was pointed straight at Rick.

“Go ahead pull the triggers first one to go will be Rick. As for me, the only people I lived for are dead at your hands.” I shouted as I pointed at Rick. The faces in the room quickly began to change.

“I am leaving, and when I return I will have what is due to me.” I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Anyone who tries to follow or stop me will be killed and the blood will be on my hands.” I declared as I turned and left.

Waiting and Offering

“What the hell do you mean he left!” slammed Aloysius

“I mean he is done and threw with your plans for him.” Harley said. “He doesn’t want to hurt the girl.”

“I knew it was a mistake to let him guard her but, no he insisted. What the hell is your brother thinking?” Aloysius pushed back his gray hair.

“Perhaps he has a plan; Erin never does rash things without a good reason.” Harley assured. She was somewhat intimidated by Aloysius’ tall and muscular stature. His presence filled the room.

“…A good reason? What possible good reason could there be for abandoning something we’ve worked towards for years now! Did I make myself unclear in my expectations of him?”

“No you weren’t unclear but, perhaps in your quest to get what you wanted you didn’t see what it was your son wanted. Maybe, if you had told him you were alive…”

“He must not know I am alive! This plan has been set in place since my death I cannot compromise it now. Not when we are so close to our goal.”

“Yes sir.”

“Now, I want you to find out where he is, so that we can bring him back in.” Aloysius schemed. “Wait, find the girl. He’s obviously attached to her; if we can get to her we can find him.”

“There is a problem with that Sir. Elizabeth has gone missing, her apartment was abandoned and our inside sources said that she has abandoned the Night Dragon.”

“What?” Aloysius screamed so loud it shook his office. “Do you have any idea what this does to our plans? How did this happen?” his face turned beat red

 “I want them found, both of them.” He stared into Harley’s fear stricken eyes. “So help me, if our plans crumble I will hold you personally responsible.”

“Yes sir.” She practically ran out of the room.

“Oh and Harley….”

“Yes sir?”

“Don’t think that your mother can protect you if Erin doesn’t show up.”

“I wouldn’t turn to my mother for help if she was the last person on earth.” Harley stated, “I have broken all ties with her.” as she closed the door behind her.

*

            Before I can search for Elizabeth I need to make sure I need to make sure I am protected. I am now down in the slums of the city. Not even the fiercest of gangs dare come down here. It’s filled with sickness, starvation, filth; it has the cheapest girls, and the strongest hangovers. It’s known as the Hole, its nothing but emptiness with a promise of no return. The probability of contracting an STD is higher than anywhere in the world, which is why the royalist and the sector never bother to come here. It will be a safe place to lay low for a while until, I can figure out where to go from here.

            Typically, I only come to this part of town to indulge in its pleasures, in order to get a break from the sector. Despite, my hatred towards Lilith I also went to her in order to learn how to use my powers. She has taught me all I need to know about the art of Demons and there fire power. That is what I am and that is what my parents are. Part of the secrets the Hell Dragons had locked away was that many of them had powers as well, including Elizabeth’s parents. Her father was a demon as well and her mother was an enchantress.

            Now, the only thing to deal with is a place to stay. My only option is Venom. It’s a night club and the center of all action that goes on in the Hole. This is because the mastermind and plebian queen of The Hole resides there. Her name is Lilith; she has a reputation for being cut throat and ill-tempered. She also happens to be my biological mother. I enter through the backdoor and head up to her VIP room. If I attempt to go unnoticed it will only cause trouble for me, and as much as my pride hates this, I need her help.

            “Well, look who decided to pay me a visit.” Lilith smiled maliciously. Her dark eyes were piercing and matched her black hair. It was only countered by her fare complexion.

            “I think your lost boy, the p***y pageant is uptown.” Bruno laughed. He was Lilith jar head body guard, not that she needed one.

            “Didn’t you hear? There waiting on you to lead the parade.” I smirked. I didn’t bother getting heated up in fact, Bruno’s comment was rather amusing.

            “So, what brings you to The Hole kid?” Lilith quizzed. “Shouldn’t you be at home doing as your master’s tell you?”

            “Not anymore. I quit.”

            “Oh?” Lilith’s eyebrow rose in hopes of making me one of her assets.

            “I don’t suppose this has anything to do with your little virgin, does it?” said an all too familiar voice behind me.

            “Hello Megumi.” My jaw clenched, Megumi was…well is, my call girl. She was nearly, Elizabeth’s opposite. She has an extra six inches on Elizabeth’s short stature and her hair is much darker and straighter as a result of her Asian heritage. Aside, from the physical differences Megumi is a promiscuous leech who latched onto anyone who could give her what she wanted. She has no morals whatsoever, whereas, Elizabeth is pure, and independent.

            “Hey handsome, miss me?” she began to grind from behind me.

            “Not really.” I pushed her off of me.

            “Ah. Is the virgin got you at her beck and call again?” she pouted in a disdainful fashion.

            “Sounds like you finally got tired of waiting for them to kill her. Decided to take things into your hands for a change?” Lilith smiled with approval as she beckoned me to sit down.

            “Something like that.”

            “Sounds like a reason to drink to me.” She snapped at the bar key. Who began pouring everyone absinthe. If there was one thing my mother was good at, it was getting people obliterated with good drinks. “So you need a place to stay?”

            “Yes, I figure it will take a while before Harley figures out to come here and look for me. As far as she knows we haven’t ever spoken.”

            “How is she? Still trying to escape her heritage and hide her powers? I swear she will never learn that no matter what she does, the Sector will only see me when they look at her.”

*

            After I walk out of the club I know that I have to make a run for it. The second I walked out the call went out to bring me back in or kill me. I’m not sure which of the two it is but, I’m not sticking around to find out. A few of the lowers are already running after me. Running is one thing that I can do without hesitation, without fear, and without any control. I continue running for an hour until I am sure that I have lost anyone that may be following me. From here I try to stay out of sight so no one tries to mess with me until, I see Marshalla and Jennifer waiting at 1^st street and Park as promised.

            “Nice to see you made it.” Marshalla nodded.

            “Not without putting my name at the top of Rick’s hit list, unfortunately.”

            “Eh. Thing’s could be worse.” Jen smirked. “Besides, now that he doesn’t control you, and you’ve cut all ties with him, you have the upper hand”

            “So, how is it you intend to help me?” I examined.

            “…By bringing you into our gang.” Marshalla then pressed a button on what looked like a car alarm and the sewer bellow us opened up. Jennifer and she proceeded down. “Are you coming or not?”

            I proceeded down behind them. Normally it was against my better judgment to crawl down into deep dark places without protection and with people I barely know but, I really had nothing to loose by taking a chance. When I got down the ladder I realized this was not a sewer at all. It was actually underground catacombs and had a walkway leading to multiple rooms; it was like an underground maze.

            “This way.” Marshalla beckoned. “By the way like it or not were sisters now, blood or no blood.”

            “That’s means you can call us Marsh and Jen though.” Jennifer offered.

            “Sounds fair, if the offer you’ve made me is genuine.”

            “Our gang isn’t about bargains and what’s fair, it’s about what’s right.” Marsh snapped as she opened a door revealing a large white office with many desks and workers.

            “You can hardly call us a gang really. We work with a company known as Sanderson and we don’t do unnecessary harm. Were really more like a crew”

            “Sanderson Company eh?” My eyebrow rose. I was beginning to realize that this ‘crew’ was legit however; I now needed to determine its motive. “So what is this place anyways?”

            “It’s where we run out operations.”

            “So what are these operations what is your goal?”

            “Sanderson will explain that in the communications room through here.” Jen unlocked a door with a key card revealing small room, it was covered in brick walls but, it was covered in sleek new communications devices and computers; it was the equivalent to a literally underground conference room. I was enjoying the rustic yet clean feel the place had. The door closed behind us and we took our seats.

            “Welcome home girls.” A voice announced from a speaker at the end of the room mounted next to a large screen.

            “Good evening, Sanderson.” Both girls beamed. Their voices only made the situation seem like a Charlie’s angels rerun.

            “Good evening and welcome Elizabeth. I’ve been expecting you.”

            “Really…?” I narrowed.

            “For the past few months I’ve asked my operatives to keep a watchful eye over you. I am very interested in making you one of our assets; you have some very amazing abilities.”

            “What do you mean by amazing abilities?” I was growing more suspicious of the company’s motives by the minute.

            “I mean your ability to fly. Your parents had abilities as well if I’m not mistaken.”

            “How do you know this? What is this place?” I demanded as questions began to fill my head.

            “I know this from watching and observing you, and this is a place where people like you, and the two ladies next to you can use your powers without fear.”

            “You two have powers as well?” I said in shock and awe.

            “Yep, I’m a Pyro and Marsh is an Ice Queen.” Jen gleamed with satisfaction and a hint of attitude.

            “How long have you had your powers?” I couldn’t get over my amazement; I was finally amongst people like me.

            “Almost all powers manifest at puberty but, some really powerful and special people like you can show signs at a very young age. I’m guessing a traumatic experience caused your powers to bury themselves, and then when put into another traumatic event they were brought out again.” Marsh explained.

            “The answers you’ve been looking for are all here, all you have to do is join our cause. Help us to drive the corruption and violence from Paradisus.” Sanderson pleaded.

            “If you mean taking out Rick and his cronies then I’m in.” I smirked

            “It’s not just Rick were after! There is so much more to this, it goes deeper than a petty gang!” Jen shouted. “You have a chance to restore the city, to finish what your parents started!”

            “Alright, I’ll help you and your cause on one condition.” I said. “When it comes time to take care of Rick, I want to be the one that does the job.” My eyes were dead serious. I wanted to follow in my parents footsteps but, I wasn’t about to end my steps where theirs stopped.

            “Then, we have an agreement.” Sanderson decreed. “However, the first thing we will have to do is get you back in with the Red Bandits.”

            “I don’t mind going back but, I’m not going back with my tail between my legs.”

            “That can be easily arranged. It appears that you have already greatly damaged Rick’s plans and his ego.”

            “You will stay here for two weeks and get acquainted with our crew and policies, then we will put you into the field, during your time there you will take time to check in here and continue to learn from the crew?”

            “When do I start?” I smirked.

 

*

            After a few weeks of hanging out in Venom I wake up next to Megumi. Every so often I take a break from watching Elizabeth and indulge in the night life, unfortunately Megumi always manages to be part of that scene. Now I am trapped with the world’s lightest sleeper wrapped around me. With any luck she’ll be too tired from last night to wake up. I slowly ease her arm from around me as I try to slide out of the bed.

            “Good morning, sexy.” Megumi moaned as she tried to kiss me.

            “Knock it off Meg.” I shrug her off of me and get my clothes on.

            “Come on Erin….That wasn’t the attitude you had last night.” She advanced towards me.

            “These past weeks meant nothing, don’t make the mistake of thinking they ever will.” I closed the door behind me and set out for the city.

            Now, it was time to search for Elizabeth. Knowing her she’ll need to come out of the club eventually. She’s one of those people that need constant change, although I’ve never understood why. She’s one of those people that rearranges furniture every week or spontaneously paint the walls. If she’s cooped up in the club she’s going to need to get out for a change of pace. All I have to do is wait for her to need change. It shouldn’t be long since I’ve been gone for two weeks.

Chapter 6

After two weeks of running with the crew I had turned into a fighting machine. Not only had I become a top notch fighter but, I had learned how to think and use intelligence rather than just having that animal instinct. I could control myself and use my rage for more productive things. I am now down in there armory getting hooked up with the latest gear. I’ve spent a good chunk of time down here learning the latest technology and applying my computer skills.

“How you doing today, Sexy?” mused Tex as he leaned back on his chair.

“I’m fine hot stuff.” I cooed sarcastically as I knock over his chair.

“I figured you’d be in an unpleasant mood today, seeing as your going back to Hell’s Fury tonight.” Tex recovered as he pushed his glasses up on his face.

“Jen says your going to get me all supped up before I leave. So what do you got for me?” I blow a bubble with my gum. Thanks to Jen’s influence I’m hooked.

“First up we have a cell phone; only this one straps to your arm and is more like a mini computer. Aside, from email, phone calls, IM, and your typical computer programs it can also get you in touch with us and utilizes Sanderson’s Satellites for real time imagining and GPS coordinates. As well as play mini disks about half the regular size that we use to keep our files on.”

“Not bad.” I strap it to my arm and it instantly disappears. “Whoa! How did it do that?”

“Holographic technology allows it to mimic and blend in with the area around it so no one even sees that it’s on you. For covert purposes naturally.” He tossed me a set of earrings “Those are the sound. Don’t worry you’re the only one that can hear them.”

            “How about some cavalry?” I said as I picked up a gun and examined it.

            “Your holding it.” Tex handed me a matching gun. “This is the Manga 500. 10 rounds….”

            “.45 ACP ballistics caliber. It can be loaded with either stun darts or regular bullets.” I spouted off the facts without even thinking. “They are standard issue for entry level agents and one of Jen’s personal favorites.”

            “Not bad, now for your pack.” He pulled out what looked like a laptop bag “It comes with a Sanderson Standard Laptop, Laser scanner and printer both the size of a small textbook, and standard field support such as, cameras, binoculars with a 100,000 yard field of view and night vision as well as, listening devices and other stealth equipment for recon inside of Hell’s Fury and other missions.”

            “Cool, that everything?”

            “For now, during your weekly check-ins you will receive more equipment on an as need basis.”

            “Once Jen and Marsh get here I’ll be covering your briefing. In the meantime get acquainted with your equipment….” Marsh and Jen then walked in before he could finish.

 “Hi Tex,” Jen chimed as she sat on his desk. “So, I hear your briefing us on the operation.”

“That’s right, babe.”

“Let’s get started then.” Marsh cut to the point as she pulled up the mission file on the screen.

“The mission is to take out the Bandit’s from the inside by using covert tactics. In order to accomplish this where going to use each of your statuses in order to infiltrate each of the top three levels of the gang. Jen is responsible for the lower level fighters and the working girls. Marsh is responsible for all the support branches like armory and the support commando fighters. Elizabeth is responsible for the top level including Rick and the lieutenants.”

Tex continued by going over the specifics of who we were meant to infiltrate. Our objectives were to gather intelligence and establish a firm position and allies in the gang. Later we would be instructed on how to eliminate and neutralize our assigned areas. As, far as tonight’s plan went I would be making a surprise entrance into the club. I would present Boss with the legal and legitimate will to the club which, Sanderson has apparently had for some time. It states that my father’s portion of the club is mine as of my sixteenth birthday which was last December.

I am set to leave within the hour to make my entrance. During the past weeks Jen and Marsh have gathered me support and I will enter with this support surrounding me, as well as a few new additions from Sanderson. A public entrance announces power and confidence versus a covert entrance. If Boss refuses to hand power over to me and allows me what is mine then I have full permission to kill him and take the power by force. If I do this and die the chaos that is left behind will be enough for Sanderson to take over still. If I kill him then power is automatically handed over to them and it is one less area of the city to worry about however, if I can obtain power without a fight then I can use the position to infiltrate other gangs as well as the Royalist.

*

“What the hell do you mean he’s not here?” shouted Harley

“I mean he is not here, he left earlier. I have no idea where he is now.” Lilith replied.

“Where the hell else would he go?” Harley slammed her first.

“You could try asking Megumi, she was the one who saw him last.”

“If you think I’m going to trust a word out of that w***e’s mouth you’re cracked in the head.”

“According to our last conversation you already think I am.” Lilith stated calmly and coolly as she continued looking through the papers on her desk.

“If you recall, there was a reason for it being our last conversation.”

“Harley,” Lilith looked up from her papers “I know you don’t agree with what I do but, I would not let that affect the safety of my only son. Now, if you wish to search for him go ahead and look but, leave your minions out of it.”

Harley looked at her in a half pouting half angry mood. She stomped out of the room slamming the door behind her. Lilith sighed and began to wonder. How was it that the child who had every reason to hate her was the one that still came to her for help when he needed it, and the other who never had a reason to doubt her mother’s trust was full of such spite for her? Lilith had raised Harley herself, and although it was not the most traditional upbringing she did the best she could for her unlike Erin, whom she let be raised by his Father, a strict and heartless man who only saw in black and white.

“At least, the time will turn soon. Events will unfold and all truths will be revealed as the falsehoods and deceptions that have been hidden by the corrupt and cruel are brought to light by the just and the pure.” Lilith thought to herself. “As the Archangel Michael drives evil from heaven, evil will be driven from Paradisus.”

*

I am at the club now, ready to make my entrance. I have pulled in an armored car. In case, something should go wrong before I get into the club. I don’t arrive alone. I have the crew with me. They will be going under cover as well. Guns blazing and head high we enter through the front door marching past the club security. Heads turn and a path clears as we make our way through the main floor to the elevators. I walk in front leading the group and taking charge. The elevator immediately clears; I stop the doors from closing as Ryan and John rush over.

“I suggest you find the fastest was upstairs to tell boss I’m coming.” I say not masking my confidence “and you tell him if he wants to walk out of here alive he better put down the heat”

“…and what are you going to do if he doesn’t?” John laughed.

“You tell him if that’s the case I’m not bringing heat, I’m bringing the god damn fire.”

As the doors close I catch a glimpse of Ryan and John’s mouths drop as they rush to catch another elevator.  Silently, I am pleased. Our ascension is nearly complete we ready our guns in case of any fighting. The doors open. Rick and the uppers are waiting with guns poised.

“So I hear your finally bringing some God damn fire.” Smirked boss “It’s about time you came out of your shell”.

“I want my half of the club”

“You mean this?” Boss handed her a copy of her father’s will. “Done, it’s yours.”

“…Just like that?” I raise my eyebrow.

“The only reason I didn’t give it to you in the first place was because, you were so set on wasting it away with your do-gooder attitude.” He motioned for his crew to lower their guns as I beckoned my crew forward. “Your father wanted to build an empire so to speak, a place were the strong could survive.”

“My father wanted to rebuild Paradisus alright but, he wanted it to be a place where everyone had an opportunity and where the strong did not prey on the weak.” I spat as I pointed my gun at his head.

“Well your certainly not the same girl who left here.” He smiled “the old Elizabeth could have never pulled the trigger, she would never kill her family.”

“You mean the family you killed? Of course not…” I cocked my gun. “But, if you think for one second that I consider you family, well then that’s your misfortune.”

Crash! Something flew through the window and in the next, second guns were going off left and right. At the same time Rick, had evaded my gun and moved out of the way. The next thing I knew I was in hand to hand combat with Ryan after we had knocked each others guns from our hands. As chaos erupted, I found myself shoved onto the ground.

“Stay down.” A voice hissed.

In less than a minute the room was quiet. I didn’t have time to think. The guns stopped. I was almost too paralyzed to move. It was all stopping to sudden. Suddenly I felt the same hand that pushed me down picking me up of the floor. As it lifted me I realized that everyone in the room was motionless and most likely dead. Grasping what had happened I tried to escape the hand but, its grip was too tight. I did the only thing I could. I screamed.

“Knock it off, they’re not all dead but, if I don’t get you out of here soon you will be”. As soon as he said that the elevator doors opened; before I could see who was in them I was flying through the window with the hand still grasping me. Soon, I was in a warm and familiar embrace. It was my guardian and, he was shielding me from whatever harm may come. As our descent neared the ground my wings took action and we slowly drifted the rest of the way. Before my feet could hit the ground my wings disappeared and my guardian was swiftly carrying me down the alleyway.

“Where are you taking me?” I demanded.

“Some place safe.” He replied almost whispering

“…and where exactly is this someplace safe?”

“That’s not important right now.”

“Then what is important?” I pried

“You ask too many questions, you should stop now.” Erin was becoming annoyed

“Not a chance, Erin.” I accented his name carefully to get his attention.

“You really should be more careful.” He looked into my eyes as he set me down.

Suddenly, I realized he has placed me on top of motorcycle, a gleaming chrome machine. Before I could process this he was in front of me starting the machine.

“Hold on.” he instructed as if he was sincerely concerned for my safety.

I took hold of his waist and in the next moment we were off. I held on tightly and leaned into his muscular stature. A million thoughts were running through my head by somehow they all seemed blurry. As the wind raced through my hair I somehow felt calm and at ease. The noise from the bike somehow drowned out the sounds around me, the gunshots, the screaming, everything. Even with everything drowned out I still felt alive, not the numb feeling of quiet I had expected.

We moved out of the city and into the outskirts of town. Although I could barely make out my surroundings I knew this place, and I knew its reputation. We were nearing the city slums. We pass what looks like the last of the Necromancers they seem to have fallen in with these outcasts, these creatures of the unknown. There reputation is undisputed. They are merciless scum. They do the worst deeds and make gangs like the Red Bandits look like rainbows and sunny days.

We drive through some back alleys and stop in one of them. Erin killed the engine and helped me off the bike. I was a bit wobbly at first; I guess that much power between your legs must have that effect. He put a protective arm around me and led me through a steel door in the alleyway. Inside was surprisingly loud, we’d moved into what seemed to be a night club. It was nothing like Hell’s Fury, the people weren’t hyped up and aggressive they were laid back kept to themselves. The dance floor wasn’t a bunch of stick-like girl’s doing porn star dances they’d rehearsed all week in there rooms. These women had figures, real figures, and they really knew what they were doing, even if it was more than a little down and dirty.

Just as we were about to head down a hallway away from the crowd a hand grabbed my arm and without meaning to I let out a loud gasp. Erin turned quickly as anger flashed across his face.

“Take your hands off of her Bruno, she’s with me”

“I don’t think so, Lilith wants to see you.” He smiled mischievously

“Then I will go and see her after I get, Elizabeth settled.” Erin’s teeth began to grind as his jaw clenched.

“She wants to see you now, I’ll watch your friend here while you two chat.” He tried to pull me towards him, and away from Erin.

“Over my dead body” Erin snapped Bruno’s arm off of me and in a moment, Bruno was pinned against a wall.

“That’s enough!” said a quick sharp voice behind us. “Erin, let go of him now.” The voice growled. Everyone turned to see a tall, assertive women standing there. Her midnight eyes narrowed at Erin and Bruno, as Erin’s grip loosed some.

“There are plenty of women in here to satisfy him without Elizabeth.”

“I agree but, I still told you to let him go” her pastel face turned mischievous as her rose lips twisted into a smile.

            “Fine” Erin seemed to understand the women was getting at something different now but, still seemed uneasy.

            The women walked closer to him. Each time she advanced everyone stepped aside. As soon as she had spoken the club had become silent. She was now standing face to face with Bruno, she leaned in close as if she was about to kiss him. Convinced he’d won Bruno let out a smirk and glanced over at Erin. As soon as his face returned to the women it turned to shock and despair. He feel backward and began bleeding out. The women had stabbed him. No one would move near him it was quite clear that he would bleed to death. A few minutes later it was all over and the body was taken away.

            This was unlike anything I had ever seen. Sure, I knew people got killed in Paradisus but, I had never watched someone die. I’d never stood there watching the blood spill out from them. I had never seen there skin turn pallid or the life in there eyes fade. The few moment before were the hardest to watch. When life leaves the body that persons last words and wishes are shown in some unwritten and unspoken language. You can see that person fight at first but, it’s when they realize their fate that all movement stops and the process ends. I wondered if all death was like this or if some could be more peaceful, I decided that anyone in Paradisus didn’t go peacefully everyone had blood on there hands and even though everyone knows death could happen at any moment no one is ever ready to accept it.

            “Any one else want to start trouble tonight?” declared the women. She glanced around seeing those around her in submission she smiled. Her dominance didn’t soften but, her mood did. “Well than how about another round of drinks?” everything resumed at it was as if the event never happened. She motioned to Erin and he took my arm and followed her into a nearby room.

            “So, did your sister follow you here, or can I relax and not worry about your dad’s company coming here and tearing up the place?” the women gracefully sat down on a couch as she took a drink in her hand.

            “We weren’t followed.” Erin was quiet and tense. He carried the same air of assertiveness as the women. They had the same eyes too. These eyes were dark but, not dead. It was like staring at the evening sky it was deep, immense, and mesmerizing. It suddenly dawned on me that this woman was probably his mother. Well, his biological one. I know when I was little there was a rumor of his father’s infidelity but, I was too little to really follow gossip.

            “How long do you think she’ll last here?” she chimed “I hope you have a better plan than whatever it is your doing now with your little Princess.” Her remark was rather snide.

            “I can last just fine.”

            “This won’t be an extended stay, Lilith” Erin cut me short “I’m hoping to be out of this place as soon as possible”.

            “Trying to get business with your virgin over and done with quickly then?” A voice sneered from behind Lilith. My cheeks went red with fury as I tensed up.

            “Stop it Megumi.” Erin’s jaw clenched again. I wasn’t sure whether or not to be mad at him; I would figure that out later for now though, this Megumi was were my attention was.

            “Relax; I’m only having a little fun.” She eyed me. She didn’t seem extremely pretty to me. She had a decent face, her body was unusually nice but, she was no rare jewel.

            “Well, if it’s fun you want come and get it.” I closed the distance between us and got right up in her face.

            “I would be careful if I were you, around here an attitude like that can get you in a lot of trouble.” Lilith gleamed as she beckoned Megumi aside. “It can even get you killed” she became catlike.

            “Well then I guess it’s a good thing I don’t fear death.” I challenged.

            “Perhaps you should stay a while Erin. I think your girl here could stand to learn a few things about what it really means to walk on the dark side.”

            “We won’t be staying.” Erin came between us and took my arm but, I had no intention of letting him guide me out of there.

            “What makes you so sure I need to learn anything?” I jerked my arm away from Erin and moved closer to Lilith challenging her.

            “Why is it the pretty city girls always seem to think there tough.” Lilith’s patience was fading. “When in actuality you’re the weakest of the bunch, you live off of your gangs and its boys and hide behind everyone else in the fight.” Her voice became raised clearly she didn’t like the challenge.

            “I don’t need a gang and I sure as hell don’t hide behind anyone.” I was getting ready to go at Lilith when Erin snapped and pulled me away. He had his arm around me keeping me back. My eyes met him in a fiery glaze.

            “That is enough.” He tried to get me to back down but, I wasn’t falling for it. I moved faster than he could and twisted his arm. For the next, few minutes we were locked in combat. I continued to use my agility and speed meanwhile; he used his brute strength to his advantage. Eventually we became trapped in a pose where neither of us could move without snapping the other’s bones or breaking something. Our eyes were locked and we were both breathing deep from the adrenaline rush.

            “Well, maybe your not such a little princess after all” Lilith smiled. “No spoiled city girl could of handled herself like you just did.

            Realizing I’d just gained some acceptance and approval I started to relax. Erin quickly did the same and we let go of each other. I couldn’t make out the odd look Erin had. It was if he couldn’t look at me. Was standing my ground really so bad when it won me some respect?

            “Well is someone going to get these two a drink?” Lilith resumed the party and walked away from us.

Erin handed me a drink. Still not looking at me he placed his hand gently on my arm. He was doing his best to motion me away without setting me off. His hand was so cautious and light. As if he was holding back. I could tell this because although his face was hidden, I knew his eyes had softened and become concerned.

He led me towards his originally intended course. We went up a set of stairs and through some twisting hallways, clearly this was the barracks or some form of sleeping quarters.  He stopped at one of the doors but, before he could open it a familiar and irritated voice came from behind us.

“Ah replacing me so soon Erin?” Meg taunted.

“No, I think he’s just lost interested in used goods.”

“Get out of here Megumi, you’ve tried to cause enough trouble already.” Erin pushed open the door and pushed me inside to avoid another confrontation. He closed the door behind him.

“So after stalking me for years, you decided it’s finally time to drag me off and kill me?” my guard was up, even if Erin saved me from an unknown enemy he still dragged me away from settling the score with Rick.

“I’m not going to kill you, even though a lot of powerful people want me too.” Why does she have to be so defensive Erin thought.

“Like who?” my curiosity was peaked.

“Have you heard of the company?” The thought of what the company wanted from Elizabeth stabbed Erin.

“I remember them from when I was little. There a sort of governmental group who wants to straighten up Paradisus. However, there methods are more for putting down for rebellion than it is for stopping the cause of them.” Elizabeth was beginning to see Erin’s intentions were noble, even if they did interfere with my plans.

“They think the best way to stop the upcoming revolution is to kill you. However, it won’t stop events that have been in motion for years.”

“What events?” Erin motioned her over to a lap top.

They spent the next several hours going through all of the files on the computer with Erin. They revealed the plans our families had for changing and creating a new Paradisus. Erin also showed me new detail he had gathered including root files into the Red Bandit’s database. On this laptop we had everything we needed to do what our parents had envisioned.

“So what now?” she asked, drained from all the reading.

“Now, I take you somewhere safe while, I deal with the company.”

“Absolutely not.” she laughed “I’m using this, to take down Rick and after that, anyone else who stands in the way of my parents…no my dream for Paradisus. Mark my words Paradisus will be safe for people to walk the streets. Even if it’s the last thing I do. I stood up and started towards the door. Erin stepped in front of me.

“Don’ go.” Erin’s face was so sincere. His look was the same one he gave me every time he walked out of the grocery store. The one he always wore when he was leaving me. As if he was afraid he was losing the world. “Please.”

“Why do you always look at me like I’m the only thing in the world that matters?” she was beginning to softened. “Like if you lose me your losing the world.” she thought.

“Because I am.” Erin replied.

Gasp.

“I’m sorry. Your so difficult to read. I couldn’t resist getting in your head.”

“You read my mind?” she exclaimed in shock.

“Yes.” Erin looked ashamed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have”

“So, what else did you see in my head?” she inhaled and tried to regain my composure.

“Your plan.” Erin looked back up at her. “How you want to repair Paradisus.”

“and…?” I pushed. I wanted to know if I could count him in or not.

“OK.” There is no winning with her Erin thought. At least her plan is actually quite good.

“Just OK?” she scoffed.

“No, OK I’m in. It’s a good plan.” Erin looked totally and absolutely serious. “I would however like to make a few changes and additions to it. That is, if it’s alright with you.”

Once more they both sat down, and into the morning hours put together a plan, to save Paradisus and finish what there parents never had the chance too. They would leave in a few days time. Erin would return to the company and begin setting them up. While Elizabeth began setting up the Bandits. The end result would be pitting the two against each other. They would throw some of the royalist into the mix too and see if they couldn’t take a few of them down while they were at it. This would get the message across all of Paradisus and let everyone know that they were coming, and they would stop at nothing.

Chapter 7

It must have been three in the afternoon when Elizabeth woke up. She had fallen asleep safe in Erin’s arms earlier that morning, as her and Erin solidified their plans for Paradisus. Normally, she couldn’t sleep during the day, nonetheless with someone else in the room but, Erin was different. She always felt safe with him nearby. Somehow, the years he spent watching over her made her feel at peace. Her eyes began to flutter open.

They opened up to Erin’s gaze. His now dark and mysterious eyes were watching her intently. As if she was the only thing in the world that existed and only she mattered. His gazed enchanted her. She couldn’t help but let the slightest smile creep across her face as she came into consciousness. She leaned up towards him and gave him a peck on the lips.

            “Good Morning”. She blushed.

            “Good Morning”. He seemed thrown off by her previous action.

            “Sorry.” She whispered as she moved away from him. What had come over her? What on earth had she been thinking?

            “No. I’m sorry.” He gently took her arm and pulled her close once more. Now she was the one whom looked confused.

Untangling the confusion Erin cupped her face in his hands and drew it near his own. There eyes met in an electrifying gaze. She was lost in his deep gaze and he would never find his way out of her emerald eyes. They savored this moment and finally after several minutes there lips met. To Elizabeth this first kiss was something out of a story book, she was a Princess who had just been whisked away by a gallant knight. To Erin, Elizabeth was unlike anything he had ever had before. She was good, and pure. Slowly there lips parted and each savored the sweet taste of the other. Suddenly Elizabeth jerked away.

“What’s wrong?” Erin was deeply concerned.

“This is crazy!” I don’t know what I’m thinking.” She panicked “I don’t even know you.”

“Perhaps we know each other better than you realize.” Erin whispered as he took her in his arms. He had done this countless times before; in the nights he sat by her bedside waiting for her night terrors to subside. Each time he feared it would be the last.

“But, I promised myself I wouldn’t…” Elizabeth cut herself off one look into Erin’s eyes banished all doubt, and all fear. She held him tighter and buried her head in his shoulder.

Although Elizabeth had only just formally met Erin she looked back on each time she had seen him in the grocery store. The look he gave her continued to flash in her mind, and the warm and tender feeling when there hands would occasionally touched. She almost thought that she had been in love with him all along but, on the contrary this felt like love at first site. She hard she had hidden and guarded her heart only to have the effort be in vain. There was no chance that she could ever resist Erin.

Erin had longed to feel Elizabeth return his embrace. He couldn’t remember at what point he had fallen in love with Elizabeth. He knew it had been long ago perhaps it was even from the moment he first saw her. Her small frail body fit perfectly in his embrace. Her delicate head rested on his shoulder, he felt tears beginning to stain his shirt, as the sweet aroma of her hair filled the air. So long he had told himself he couldn’t return or show any affection towards her. Now, there was no chance he could hide such emotion.

“How long until we have to go back?” Her red, tear stricken face looked up.

“Your due back at Hell’s Fury at midnight.”

“That’s 12 hours from now. 10 if you consider prep and transportation.”

“Have you decided what your going to tell everyone about your disappearance?” He pulled her back so that they were lying next to each other.

“I’ll tell them you were a free-lancer looking to pull a hit on the gang. I’ll say I followed him in order to find out who sent him but, he killed himself before I could get anything.” She nestled closer to him.

“How about you? How do you plan on explaining your rogue status to the company?”

“I plan to tell them it was necessary to gain your trust, so that I can carry out the order to kill you later on. Are you going to tell Sanderson about our plan?”
            “Yes. We need all the help we can get and I can’t think of anyone that would be more interested in helping than Sanderson.”

“You should probably get going soon then. You should probably get cleaned up and on your way then. That should give you the necessary time to brief them.”

“

 

Author's Note

Work still in progress.

Reviews

[Mz. Rosilyn Vanessa]

I enjoyed the story because this is so real. It hit close to home. Because, the situation that Elizabeth is in is happen to people in the world today. I feel that this will touch readers minds and heart because we can't run away from what is going on in the world. I'll give you an example, My aunt died St. Patricks' Day we buried her on Good Friday. So, you see we can't escape from what's going in the world.