[CENTER][SUB][I][COLOR=SILVER]We'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter. What you gon' do when there's…[/COLOR][/I][/SUB][hr][H3][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]B L O O D I N T H E W A T E R[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/CENTER] [hr] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B][I]Time of Day:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Night[/COLOR] [I]Weather:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Rain[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR] [INDENT][color=#999999]“Shut her up!”[/color] Rain poured down on the rooftops above the narrow alley as the overflow spilled over the rusted fire escapes that cast their long shadows on the ground below. Tightening his arm around the woman in question’s abdomen, Frankie ‘Beans’ Gomez placed his other hand over the woman’s mouth while Jorge turned back to the male he had firmly pinned against the stained concrete wall. His vice-like grip tightened around the man’s neck as hissed at the smaller male. [color=#999999]“I won’t repeat myself again, Cruz! Jewelry. Wallet. Keys.”[/color] Hernando Cruz’s lips curled in disgust before letting loose a wad of spit that hit Jorge square in the face as the other man recoiled before turning around, a small popping sound echoing in the alley the pale moonlight reflected off a sliver of metal held tightly in his hand. Thrusting his arm forward, not even Beans could contain the woman’s scream as Cruz gasped in pain, his knees buckling beneath his weight as Jorge withdrew the knife from the other man’s ribcage. [color=#b7b7b7]“You were to make it look like a mugging!”[/color] Beans hissed as Jorge turned his head to shoot him a look that could have leveled a building. [color=#999999]“Plan changed.”[/color] He retorted. [color=#999999]“Put her in the car.”[/color] Jorge motioned with his head, nodding towards the woman before turning back to Cruz’s body. [color=#999999]“Alright, fucker, let's see how tough you really are-”[/color] From behind him, Beans suddenly yelled out in pain as the woman bit down on his hand before lifting her knee as she drove her stiletto heel into his groin. Dropping to his knees winded, Jorge barely had time to duck before the woman pulled a revolver from her clutch. A gunshot rang out echoing through the alley as the bullet ricocheted off a nearby dumpster. Jorge froze as he watched the woman fire again before running, kicking off her heels as she did so. Car horns echoed from the street, drowning out the sounds of vehicles braking hard as they came to a sudden stop, swerving to avoid the hysterical woman. [color=#999999]“Get her!”[/color] Jorge yelled, turning his back to Cruz only for the wounded man to suddenly take the opportunity to fight back. The muzzle of the pearl-handled Beretta found its way to Jorge’s lower back before Cruz pulled the trigger. Jorge barely had time to register the muzzle before the bullet ripped through his spine and lower intestine. [color=#666666]“Tell le Ángel de la Muerte that Hernando de la Cruz says ‘hello’.”[/color] He muttered as he stood, gripping his side before firing at Beans as the other man crawled into the driver’s seat of the parked car, revving the engine before peeling out into the traffic. Pulling a cellphone from the pocket of his blazer, Cruz ran a bloodied hand through his soaked hair as he held the cell to his ear, holding his tongue until he heard the line connect. Not waiting for the person on the other end to talk, Cruz began to talk immediately, an air of authority emanating emphasizing his grave tone. [color=#666666]“I need pick up, first and concession, Juárez Locos just tried to make a hit on me.”[/color] He paused listening to the person on the other end of the line. [color=#666666]“No, send a crew, no one makes an attempt on my life and gets away with it.”[/color] Seeding through traffic, the lime green Baracuda swerved in and out of its lane as Beans tried to put as much distance between himself and the alley where the failed hit had taken place. Looking in his rearview mirror repeatedly as he drove, Beans expected his view to be filled with the notorious black vehicles of the Azteca Cartel at any second. Fumbling for his phone, Beans dialed a number only to look up as a horned blared prompting him to swerve back into his lane, dropping the phone on the floor of the passenger side. [color=#cccccc]“Hola, how’d it go?”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“We’re fucked hombré!”[/color] Beans screamed. [color=#b7b7b7]“Jorge’s dead, totally wasted. Cruz is still kicking no doubt calling the armies of hell down on me. I need back up!”[/color] [color=#cccccc]“You fucked it up, you’re on your own. Don’t come here or I’ll kill you myself.”[/color] The voice on the other side replied as the line went dead. Letting out an anguished scream, Beans barely had time to process his next move as his rear windshield was suddenly permeated with gunfire. Behind him, three black vehicles were quickly advancing as a man leaned out of the passenger side window and opened fire again. Ducking, Beans floored the gas pedal before suddenly the interior of his car was illuminated in red and blue. [color=#b7b7b7]“FUCK!”[/color][/INDENT] [sub][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B]Continued Here:[/B][/COLOR][/sub] [INDENT][sub][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4803422][color=silver][b]#1.01[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Bubblegum Pop[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4803438][color=silver][b]#1.02[/b][/color] [color=white][I]We Aren't Cowards[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4805502][color=silver][b]#1.03[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Freak Out[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4806390][color=silver][b]#1.04[/b][/color] [color=white][I]A Something[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809715][color=silver][b]#1.05[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Show Yourself, Animal[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4824741][color=silver][b]#1.06[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Enough People Have Died Today[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4824912][color=silver][b]#1.07[/b][/color] [color=white][I]We Are The One Who Delivers Justice[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4827940][color=silver][b]#1.08[/b][/color] [color=white][I]People Like Me[/I][/color][/URL][/SUB][/INDENT][/INDENT] [CENTER][SUp][I][COLOR=SILVER]I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun, I must confess that I feel like a...[/COLOR][/I][/SUp][hr][H3][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]M O N S T E R[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/CENTER] [hr] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B][I]Time of Day:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Dusk[/COLOR] [I]Weather:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Overcast[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR] [I][sub]One Night Ago…[/sub][/i] [INDENT]It could be said that no matter the species, the need to survive ties us together. If two people were placed in a room, it would only be a matter of time before the starvation caused them to turn on each other. Cannibalism is often looked at as one of the most heinous crimes, yet if one had to do it to survive would they surely not be given a free pass out of sympathy? Or so one might assume. Truth be told, humanity rarely has sympathy for those who betray their unwritten laws. History is told by the victor and so those who are condemned are doomed to forever be the loser. Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Lonnie David Franklin, Jr., names that will forever be reviled and spat upon. [color=#999999]“Excuse me.”[/color] Came the voice of a woman as the man was disturbed from his thoughts, looking up as the woman held a yellow umbrella over her head. [color=#b7b7b7]“No, it’s my fault. I was lost in my thoughts.”[/color] The man replied, a sheepish grin crossing his face. The woman nodded as a smile crossed her own. [color=#999999]“I suppose with all this rain, taking a walk would be as good for the thoughts as a shower is.”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“That’s one way to look at it.”[/color] The man replied with a chuckle. [color=#999999]“You wouldn’t happen to know where the closest diner is?”[/color] The woman asked as the man opened his mouth to leave. [color=#999999]“I flew in from the Philippines a week ago but I’m still not familiar with this part of the city, so if you happen to know any good restaurants, I’m starving and I’d very much appreciate the help.”[/color] The man paused, as he raised a hand to his chin instinctively while thinking. [color=#b7b7b7]“Actually, I happen to know a nice little ethnic spot that might soothe your home-sickness.”[/color] The man said as he motioned for the woman to follow him. [color=#b7b7b7]“How’d you end up in Santa Celia anyways?” [/color] [color=#999999]“Work, probably like anyone else. I was sent to negotiate a deal. But the negotiations haven’t gone well.”[/color] The woman replied. [color=#999999]“Not at all, in fact, I’ve been stuck living out of a hotel and I can’t stand to be cooped up in that room any longer.”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Yeah, can’t say that sounds fun at all.”[/color] The man responded as he stopped by an alley. [color=#b7b7b7]“This way is quicker.”[/color] He said, motioning for the woman to follow him. [color=#999999]“Are you sure?”[/color] She asked. [color=#b7b7b7]“Oh for sure.”[/color] He insisted as the pair began to walk into the dark alley. Suddenly the man, knocked the umbrella from the woman’s hand, pinning a wrist against the wall as he struggled for the other arm. [color=#b7b7b7]“You smell so good.”[/color] He whispered in her ear, nibbling her earlobe softly before he began to maneuver one of her hands towards his groin. [color=#999999]“Not as good as you’ll taste.”[/color] The woman hissed back as her skin suddenly went grey, her eyes turning jet black as her jaw extended. Rows of needle-like teeth lined her mouth as the woman’s head extended forward on a snake-like neck. The man screamed, only for the noise to be silenced as his throat was torn clean open as the woman’s head retracted. [color=#999999]“Delicious.”[/color] She hissed as the man fell to his knees, hands grasping at the bleeding throat. Opening her mouth again, the woman’s tongue shot forward, slithering between the man’s hands and into the body. A sickening slurp could be heard from the sidewalk before the woman re-emerged, wiping her lips as she continued on her way, the hunger that had afflicted her, no longer an issue.[/INDENT] [I][sub]The following day…[/sub][/i] [INDENT]Yellow tape surrounded the alleyway located in Central Santa Celia, the middle of the downtown no more than a block away from the Tír na nÓg. Police cruisers sat on either side of the mouth of the alley while the forensic team went to work. A small crowd had gathered to watch as yet another victim had been reported in this recent crime spree, his throat was ripped clean open, the body once again drained completely of blood. Amongst the crowd was none other than Riley Sheridan, a former C.S.I. to the S.C.P.D., currently a thorn in their side. [color=#7B906C]“Richards!”[/color] Riley’s voice called to the beat cop who had his back turned to the crowd. [color=#7B906C]“I know you can hear me Richards, c’mon! Be a good sport, just like old times.”[/color] The officer’s ear twitched but otherwise, he refused to acknowledge Riley’s presence. [color=#7B906C]“DICKS!”[/color] Riley suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs as Richards’ ear flushed red and the officer turned around to face his heckler. [color=#3c78d8]“What the damn hell do you want Sheridan?”[/color] He asked, patience clearly not one of his virtues. [color=#7B906C]“A look at the body would be nice, a full crime scene investigation would be even better,”[/color] Riley said, cracking a smile as he brushed a wet strand of hair back from his face while holding up his camera. [color=#3c78d8]“And I want a pony,”[/color] Richards replied dryly. [color=#3c78d8]“You’re a civilian now. You’re not getting on the crime scene.”[/color] [color=#7B906C]“Well Dicks, don’t say I didn’t ask nicely,”[/color] Riley said as Richards turned to him. [color=#3c78d8]“For the last damn time, stop callin-”[/color] The flash from Riley’s camera suddenly blinded Richards as the flash caught him off guard. Seeing stars, Richards didn’t notice Riley toss a drone over the yellow tape before slipping back into the crowd. Pulling out his phone, Riley flew the drone into the alley, hovering above the C.S.I.’s below. Zooming in on the lens, Riley could see the body. Like the others, the throat had been ripped out, so he felt safe to assume it was drained of blood. Based on looks alone, this seemed like a safe bet. The male victim marked the fourth body in a week. This was the third male victim, however, the prior victim had been female. In that case, a man had witnessed the attack, even survived it based on the scars on his neck. But the experience had been too much for the witness who had been identified as Oliver Whittle. Despite being cleared by the hospital, he was not in a safe state of mind and the State ordered Oliver handed over to the Murdoch Mental Hospital. The police were as convinced as ever that this serial killer was a human but Riley knew better. Whatever was attacking these people was in his book, the ancient journal he had gotten from Mayhew at the Grimoire, a large leather bond encyclopedia filled with hand-drawn images of various creatures and firsthand accounts beneath them. Riley intended to get to the bottom of the mystery, even if no one was going to help him stop whatever manner of hellspawn was stalking the streets of Santa Celia.[/INDENT] [sub][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B]Continued Here:[/B][/COLOR][/sub] [INDENT][sub][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4806116][color=silver][b]#2.01[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Couple of Tourists[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4806685][color=silver][b]#2.02[/b][/color] [color=white][I]An Unexpected Call[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4807150][color=silver][b]#2.03[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Subtle Enough[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4808191][color=silver][b]#2.04[/b][/color] [color=white][I]An Odd Meet Cute[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809088][color=silver][b]#2.05[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Sucky Sucky[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809666][color=silver][b]#2.06[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Activated[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809723][color=silver][b]#2.07[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Go Nuts[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4811776][color=silver][b]#2.08[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Riddles[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4811855][color=silver][b]#2.09[/b][/color] [color=white][I]New Alton Tourism Center[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4812902][color=silver][b]#2.10[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Interview With The Vampire[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4813115][color=silver][b]#2.11[/b][/color] [color=white][I]The Body Thief[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4813173][color=silver][b]#2.12[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Vertigo Draw[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4813808][color=silver][b]#2.13[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Stupid Humans[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4813871][color=silver][b]#2.14[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Call Me A Bitch[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4814361][color=silver][b]#2.15[/b][/color] [color=white][I]More Blood[/I][/color][/URL][/SUB][/INDENT][/INDENT] [CENTER][SUB][I][COLOR=SILVER]You better start running, when you hear the man coming, won't do you...[/COLOR][/I][/SUB][hr][H3][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]N O G O O D[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/CENTER] [hr] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B][I]Time of Day:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Night[/COLOR] [I]Weather:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Rain[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR] [INDENT]A wrapped hand burst through the glass pane as the shards flew to the floor below. Widening the hole, an arm reached through and unlocked the door before giving the handle a pull. The door slowly swung open as Andrew Smith stood in the doorway grinning like a fool while holding his ‘lock picking tools’. [color=#999999]“Look at that, ol’Drew actually did something right.”[/color] A loud smack echoed into the abandoned house as the man who spoke stepped around Andrew and began to wade through the flooded entrance way. [color=#b7b7b7]“Eh, he still ain’t worth much.”[/color] Came a second voice as he gave Drew a shove forward. [color=#999999]“Off ‘im then Monty”[/color] The first man replied with a cruel smile as Drew’s mouth opened only for the second man to put his hand in front of it and press a handgun to his ribcage. The shot echoed throughout the house as Drew dropped to the ground, blood splattering as the corpse collided with the tile floor beneath it. [color=#999999]“This house better have something good, the last couple just had a couple flatscreens. They aren’t worth as much as they used to be.” [/color]The man paused, seemingly thinking before he spoke again. [color=#999999]“I blame Costco, how’s an honest criminal s’pposed to make a livin’ around here if the corporations are selling them cheaper than we can?”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Oh and Walmart too.”[/color] Monty added beginning his own look around the house. [color=#999999]“Especially Walmart.”[/color] Agreed the first man as he walked up to a mantle. [color=#999999]“Well lookey here!”[/color] He said using the butt of his gun to smash open a glass display case.[color=#999999] “You think it’s real?”[/color] He asked lifting up a sword before drawing it from its scabbard. [color=#b7b7b7]“We can only hope. The others be makin’ out better than this. Where’s the gold? The cash stores? Ugh, people are too paranoid nowadays.”[/color] Monty muttered as he watched Vinnie climb the staircase to the upper level. From the upper level of a house, Vinnie began to tear apart the master bedroom apart, crying out triumphantly as he pulled a painting off of the wall. Rummaging through a hidden safe, [color=#b7b7b7]“Hey Monty, we’re going to have trouble. Looks like a neighborhood watch out for a stroll, you didn’t waste all your rounds shooting those pigeons two blocks ago did you?”[/color] Monty called from downstairs. [color=#999999]“Always carry a spare clip!”[/color] Vinnie said with a smile as he pocketed a bundle of hundreds and came over to the window. [color=#b7b7b7]“You do realize you look ridiculous with that on your hip right?”[/color] Monty said as he checked his own clip and motioned to the sword that Vinnie had begun sporting on his hip. [color=#999999]“Hey, maybe we can try it out. It don’t need bullets.”[/color] Vinnie said, pulling the antique weapon out and giving it a spin. [color=#b7b7b7]“You’ll likely cut your own damn head off,”[/color] Monty said as he gave Vinnie a slap to the back of the head before the two headed back downstairs.[/INDENT] [sub][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B]Continued Here:[/B][/COLOR][/sub] [INDENT][sub][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4801046][color=silver][b]#3.01[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Reptile Dysfunction[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4801090][color=silver][b]#3.02[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Don't Wanna Know[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4803228][color=silver][b]#3.03[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Heart of Hearts[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4803443][color=silver][b]#3.04[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Unorthodox[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4803616][color=silver][b]#3.05[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Special Order[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4805911][color=silver][b]#3.05[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Double Espresso[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4806069][color=silver][b]#3.06[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Late Night Caffeine[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4806463][color=silver][b]#3.07[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Show You Mine[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4807317][color=silver][b]#3.08[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Don't Know My Own Strength[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809022][color=silver][b]#3.09[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Sorry 'Bout Earlier[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809110][color=silver][b]#3.10[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Two Can Keep A Secret[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4809630][color=silver][b]#3.11[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Bleeding Heart Fool[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4810512][color=silver][b]#3.12[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Life In The City[/I][/color][/URL] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4816073][color=silver][b]#3.13[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Hard Came The Rain[/I][/color][/URL][/SUB][/INDENT][/INDENT]