The London Docks: As Thalken looked at the bodies, he would notice several things. One, all of them were young adults and teen agers. None of them were high born from the look of their clothing or hygiene. In fact he might have seen one of two of them running around the docks. None of them had been killed in a Soulless Manner it seemed. There was strangulation, stabbing, even one or two that were shot.
The interesting thing was the way the bodies were laid out. Each one seemed to have a purpose. Each pointing to the next until it got to the pile of bodies. It was odd but the more Thalken stared the more something was going to jump out to him. From his underworld dealings, each one was a known place where his father had conducted business before. Hyde Park, the Market at Cheapside, all the way to Almacks. The pile of bodies seemed to represent Almacks. The number of bodies in the pile matched the number of living that had died at Alamcks the night before. One body from Almacks pointed towards where if this was placed out on a map would be The Strand. Yet there wasn't a body at that location, just a puddle of blood.
Hyde Park Inn: The messenger took the letter and was quickly on his way. Thankfully it was just a hop, skip, and a jump through Green Park & St. James Park to get to the Westminster Hospital. While that many blocks normally would have taken a good hour to traverse with the crowds of London, with parks it was far easier to move. Less people and less congestion. Not to mention that this morning, the Gentry and the Peers between the Hyde Park Residents and Buckingham Palace were not out and about in droves for morning visits as they normally were. With the attack on Almack's the night before, most people that were out were messengers canceling visits for the day or announcements of funerals for those that had died. It was servants day it seemed when one looked around.
Within half an hour, the messenger was back - a bit winded - but back. Note in hand. Sir Kildragon. That is brilliant to hear. Please make your way over here post haste then. I have much to discuss with you and it is vital that I do before you make a visit to see the Wyndham Family. Please do hurry if you are able. I hope your family is well and I look forward to your visit. I will leave an escort for you at the front reception area. Dr. Graham. The messenger looked up at Fyror as he caught his breath. "Shall I take word back to the doctor, Sir?" he asked, wondering if he was about to make another trek through the parks. He had enjoyed the ride to the hospital on his horse but the doctor had made it clear this message needed to be delivered to Sir Kildragon as quickly as possible and he had triple timed it back, including running from the stables. "Or shall I prepare your horse Sir?"
"God damnit, James!" screamed Ash, his service pistol inches away from the other man's skull. Thana stood there just behind Ash watching the scene unfold, this wasn't right. Ash seemed to have lost it, a crazed look in his eye mixed with sorrow.
"Captain," she said in a calm voice but one of authority: not that she had any in this place but she was hoping just to get through to him. To have him hear something beyond his grief.
His voice got quieter, but not by much. "You're my best friend. I fucking love you, man." Ash's gun did not waver, though, aimed solidly and point blank at James's cranium as he knelt in the icy slush. Determination held in the Captain's face as his hand tensed to pull the trigger.
Reaching out Thana placed her hand on Ash's shoulder from behind as she stepped closer. Speaking in a soft caring voice. "Ash... Don't." The shot fired just after dawn in the small town in the morning of the fifteenth: the shot heard through Newnan.
Three Hours Earlier....
James roused himself as he slipped over sideways from his sitting position on the couch. Of course he would have slept on the couch. Made perfect sense. It's not like he had a perfectly serviceable bed just upstairs. But in fairness, it had been a long and somewhat trying day just a few hours ago, and it hadn't been the first time that a late nap turned into a long night's sleep.
The vintage image of Mickey Mouse, held captive behind the clear plastic faceplate of a wind-up timekeeping device, informed him in its own mute, contortionist's manner that the time was swiftly approaching 4:30 a.m. It was near enough to time for him to get up anyway, that trying to go back to sleep was pointless. Not too long from now his duties with pigs and farmland would require his attention; the people of Newnan needed to eat. The fact that he was mostly dressed just made getting ready a little easier. So, after pulling on his coat, boots, and hat, he grabbed his personal tools and stepped lightly out of his front door. The plan was simple - grab a little breakfast at the Mess Hall first, then book it to grab some equipment at Agriculture. Maybe they were in there right now making a huge bucket of Sweet Cream & Swine Ass. That would hit the spot. Only one way to find out.
James walked down Spring Street toward LaGrange, a slight bounce in his step. Today was indeed a new day with new possibilities. The first possibility was food. Always a good choice, in his opinion. As he rounded the corner to head toward Mess, he noticed a single piece of paper flapping in the cold, damp wind, held to the door of the "Reject's Housing" with a single piece of scotch tape. It was only a matter of time before the note pulled free of its adhesive anchor, and so quite the coincidence that it happened to do just that as James was passing by.
Ever the good neighbor (even to the people who lived here), James jogged up to the fleeing sheet of paper, even as it threatened to completely blow away. He snatched it up, unfolded the now useless tape as best he could, and returned to the home of Chloe, Richard, and Ryan. He could maybe slip the note under the door and be on his way. Or maybe there was a mail slot. However it went down, he was going to get the damn thing where it needed to go. James unfolded it to try to push it under the door, unintentionally skimming its contents in the process.
Richard, I just can't do this anymore. I thought I could but I can't. I thought if I gave you enough time things would even out but I saw the way you looked at her. It was the same way you look at me from time to time, all the time. You don't see me, you see her. They say time heals everything but I'm still waiting. I'm through with doubt. There's nothing left for me to figure out. I paid a price to be close to you and I can't keep paying it. I can't keep being battered inside and out every time you look at me and see her. I know you've said you'd get over it. It's turned my world around and I can't take it anymore. I lost everything I cared about but I hoped we could move on together. Leaving isn't an option. I will forever have what if in the back of my mind. What if I had waited just one more day. It's the same what if I have used as a crutch to stay near you all these months. I'll never be able to move on as long as there is a tomorrow. It's best if there is none.
Love, Sana
Then he began to run.
A very short time later found him at the home of Sana and Bryn, just outside of the Inner Wall. The previous occupants, Bridgette and Astrid, had constructed a crude log wall around their house a while ago, but unless there was an emergency the present occupants rarely kept the gate barred. This time, it was left fully open. James dashed around it and made his way to the back of the house; the girls almost never locked the back door. It swung open easily, like it always did, admitting the terror-stricken blackneck into a dark and quiet house. There was a sense of stillness that was undeniably offputting. Carefully but quickly, James made his way through the shadowy corridor to Sana's room, poised to knock respectfully on her door; only to find that the door was, like the gate outside, wide open. Respectful be damned, James reached his arm inside and flicked on the light. He immediately wished he hadn't.
Blood covered Sana's bed. It covered the dresser beside her bed, the floor; a knife lay in a pool of the sticky, drying fluid, obviously the offending tool that facilitated the explosion of crimson. The most troubling part of this was, despite the massive amount of blood everywhere, her body was nowhere in sight. James looked down. The blood was not just in a puddle, nor series of puddles. There was a trail of the awful stuff (that James actually had to walk through to get into the room) leading back out and down the hallway. In the direction of the other bedroom.
James drew his woodaxe from the tool loop on the side of his overalls. "No. Not Bryn." he said aloud, sprinting down to her room. The door was already open. There was almost as much blood in here as in Sana's room. But this one was occupied. The bled-white corpse of Sana knelt, hunched over the still not yet cold body of Agnes Brynja Johannsson. Her eyes were widened in pain and horror, half of the flesh from her neck and some from her face missing. The thing that used to be Sana Rouen had just chewed off another piece of skin, ripping back until it gave away to spring from Bryn's body and snap into her quite undead face, only to be taken into her mouth one mandible contraction at a time. James stood in mute horror, watching the scene unfold. Then the creature noticed him.
"I'm sorry, baby." he whispered, gathering his courage and driving the head of his axe deep into Sana's skull before she could fully regain her feet. Her corpse slumped to the floor, bereft of both life and the hideous unlife that plagued them. James walked to the other side of Bryn's bed and took a knee beside it, gazing into her eyes one last time. She was his friend. They both were, but she was slowly revealing herself to have an actual sense of humor. Bryn had opened up to him, made real social progress. And now she would make no more. He drew his hand over her face, closing bloodshot eyes. Hand still in place, James drew his knife and brought the blade into the base of her cranium. He gave it an extra shove and twist, just to make sure the job was done, and stood.
Lightheaded and emotionally compromised, James faltered two steps backward before tripping over his own feet and falling to the floor. He didn't bother to get up. So he just sat there, alone in the dim light, with the slain corpses of two of his friends. Numbness overtook him, insulating him from the horror he had just witnessed and taken part in. But it didn't last. He stayed right there for an indeterminate amount of time, staring at the floor in silence. Then he wept. Long and immersive; it felt like hours. Tears that had been kept from the light for a long time sprang up now, purging themselves from the man who was, up until recently, The Eternal Optimist.
Slowly, a realization dawned on him. Sana may have taken her own life, but there was someone who drove her to it with sadistic indifference. This directly led to his friend getting eaten by her risen corpse. It was he same moody, coward-child that only got to live because the person James cared most about in the world died protecting him. Alicia died for nothing. Less than nothing. She died so that a cancer could fester in Newnan, left untreated out of some stupid expectation that her sacrifice somehow made him worth it, that somehow that walking sack of monkey shit would screw himself together into someone useful, maybe with a grand destiny above spreading more pain and difficulty in an already painfully difficult time. But he wasn't worth the skin it took to keep his organs on the inside. And if he was allowed to remain, more people would die. Someone had to do something.
In the dark of the morning's small hours, the shadowy silhouette of an axe-wielding man wearing a stetson might be witnessed emerging from an otherwise uninhabited house on Spring St. He strode with undiverted purpose, a single word repeating over and over in his mind. As he entered the Inner Wall, the word growled quietly from him. It was only once, and he ceased making any sound following it.
"Richard..."
One Hour Earlier....
The sun had not yet risen but the first rays of the new day had arrived. The sky was clear that morning and the temperature was rising. It was a balmy forty degrees already and if the trend continued it would be well into the sixties by two that afternoon. The above freezing temperature had started the inevitable melt. A few drops at first but before long the gentle cascade of water from the roof's of the buildings created the soft sound of droplets along the windowsills and ground. The cool blue and gray light of predawn broke through the windows of Ash's home. The house lay silent, a vast change from the night before. The fire that had burned had turned to embers and there was a morning chill in the air. Beneath the covers of the Captains bed there was only one body sleeping. The other long vacated from the warmth of the sheets and shared body heat.
The room was still and other than Ash himself, empty. Clothing that had been tossed to the ground missing and there were no signs that anyone else had been there; save one item. A set of dog tags resting on the night stand besides two empty bottles of water. Through out the house, the rest of the signs of his guest were nearly gone as well. The dress she had worn to the wedding was hung up in its garment bag hanging on a mirror. The pack she had come with and the one she was given was gone as well. There were a few signs she had been though but was no longer there. In the kitchen the pot of coffee from the day before was minus one cup and was cold as the rest of the house. In the sink was a cleaned plate, her dinner from the night before finished and cleaned up. Other than that, it seemed she had departed sometime before sunrise, the cat with her: who was currently prowling around the repair shop.
Ash himself roused slowly to his otherwise empty bed and otherwise empty house. He sighed, giving a melancholy smile to the growing grey outside of his windows. From the look of things, Thana was gone. Whether it was just to look around or to leave Newnan entirely, he could not say. Still, his heart weighed heavily with the thought that she had left without at least giving a goodbye. For the first time in a great while, he had connected with someone. And immediately after, he was alone. He looked around his house, but the only trace of her seemed to be her dog tags, left in his bedroom. He picked them up and stared at them for a while, his tiny, sad smile returning as he thought of her.
He pocketed the tags and returned downstairs. Ash had a trying day ahead of him, having to deal with the aftermath of the drama from last night, rearranging the Leads of Newnan, and the managerial duties of keeping the community safe and fed. It was still too early to officially "clock in", as it were; generally he took this time to get a run in. The length of the Wall would suffice for today. Clear his head. He opened his front door and stepped outside into Newnan. "Wondered when you would finally wake up," Thana said from the front step as she turned around and glanced over her shoulder. Standing up she palmed an empty cup of coffee in one hand and the other rubbed her arm a bit to try to warm up. "Been stuck out here nearly an hour, damn door."
"Thana!" he said with some surprise. He had been so concerned with guarding his own emotions that he hadn't quite prepared for the possibility that she would be right outside of his door. His voice was half concern, half relief as he continued, "Come inside, come inside. Get warmed up." Yeah, he could definitely skip his run for the day. "I've got a little while before I'm expected. Oh!" he reached into his pocket and pulled out her dog tags, "I was hoping I'd run into you. I think you forgot these." He held out his hand to her, one foot in the doorway to prevent its closing.
Reaching out Thana chuckled and took the dog tags, letting her hand linger in his for a moment before pulling it away and slipping them back around her neck. Tucking them beneath her shirt she shook her head a bit as she stepped back inside. "Nah, didn't forget them. Just had... Other things on my mind," she said in a coy voice as she set the coffee cup down on a table. Glancing over to him out of the corner of her eyes she gave a soft smile. "Like you either need to A, assign me my own bunk or B." Her voice stopped as she turned to face him, her arms wrapping around herself as she rubbed them vigorously trying to warm herself up. "Give me a key to that damn door so this doesn't happen again." Seemed she had decided to stay. Her mind hadn't changed the night before, it wasn't until she woke up curled up next to him that it had.
A smile, broad and genuine, formed on Ash's face. He seemed to be making a habit out of it recently. She was staying. It seemed very strange, getting emotionally involved with someone after so short of a time, but he found he could not help himself. Nor did he even want to suppress what he was feeling. Thana had snuck past his defenses and left one hell of an impression. He stepped close to Thana, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently. "Thank you." he spoke with soft syllables.
Thana's arms slipped around his waist, pulling herself closer. The warmth he gave her was welcome; both physical and emotional. Her lips pulsing against his and a content sigh escaping them as she returned his gentle kiss. Though as he thanked her she looked a tad puzzled, even if only for a moment. Why was he thanking her? Figuring it was either for last night she pushed the quizzical expression away and simply nodded. Maybe she should have said your welcome? Or perhaps thank you as well? Either way, too late now.
But there was business that needed attending, as she had just pointed out. He pulled a key off of his personal keyring and lay it on the table next to her coffee cup. "It works for both the front and back door. We have a key grinder in Shop, across from the Courthouse. Beni should be by to open things up in about a half hour. Now..." he looked at Thana with a serious expression, "I'm not the easiest man to live with. Say the word at any time and I will make sure you have a townhome or an apartment to yourself. But my home is yours."
Watching him place the key on the table and then hearing his words she smirked. "Well, I figure as long as the bedroom comes along with this little arrangement, we should be just fine," she said in a sly voice as she leaned against him. Resting her head on his chest for a moment as she took comfort in his embrace and soaked up the warmth of the moment. The night before had been surreal on several levels, especially considering the connection she felt to him. It could all backfire and fall apart, sure that was a possibility but for now she needed him as much as he had told her that he needed her. That was enough.
Just Before Sunrise....
It was a little early. The machine Shop/Garage wasn't quite open yet, but a handful of minutes one way or another wouldn't matter too much. It wasn't like Ash would get in trouble for loitering. He pulled on the former Commanding Officer's flight jacket (as it was still fairly cold outside), and strode out into the slowly but steadily warming day. The ice was beginning to melt from the side and roof of his house, providing an irregular drumbeat of melting ice striking short banks of snow below. Peering down the street at their intended destination, he could have sworn he just saw that cat milling about down that way. Curious. Now was the time that he'd normally be around the Mess Hall, meowing for scraps or hunting mice.
Thana picked up the key from the table before slipping her coat back on, adjusting her collar as she stepped outside and pulled the door shut behind her. "Well won't get locked out this time," she said in passing as she flicked the key around in her fingers before pocketing it. Glancing around it looked like it would turn out to be a nice day but right then it was still around forty-degrees. She was glad she had her jacket this time. Stepping over to Ash her head followed his line of sight to see what she figured was the same furball that had been in the house the night before and had followed her out that morning. "Friend of yers?"
"Schrodinger." he responded simply. After a second, he followed up with, "Cat came in with a Russian guy, survivor that used to be with a circus. We didn't talk much, he actually died shortly after he was admitted in Newnan. Damnedest thing. Slipped and got an eyesocket full of tree limb. The cat... He just decided to stick around. People seem to like him. He's okay." Ash turned and began walking down LaGrange Street, motioning for Thana to join him. "Just down this way, about a block."
Thana perked a brow at Ash's little run down of what had happened to the previous owner of said cat. "Sounds like a bad acme cartoon," she mused as she glanced over to him. Slipping her hands into her jacket pockets she started to walk next to Ash as they headed towards the repair shop. "A'right."
They were passing the Courthouse, Newnan's main building, and had clear view of the shop. It was across a parking lot, the dominant feature of it being the massive piece of road beast known as The Hordebuster. A refitted, sleeper cab dump truck with a locomotive cow-catcher style plow on the front; Ash's best known contribution to the continued safety of his people that came with him from Virginia. He was about to point his mechanical juggernaut out to Thana when something even more interesting caught his eye. One of the garage doors to the Shop slid open, and a figure began shambling out. A figure wearing overalls and a cowboy hat.
Looking over at the vehicle Thana wondered just what in the hell kind of Redneck rig it was but the sound of the garage door opening for her attention. Slowing her walk, her eyes widened a bit at the sight before her. "Captain..." she said in a in a whisper. This was not what she had expected to see right then.
He had an axe buried into the back of someone's head, dragging the corpse behind him. It left a trail of fresh blood. "What the hell? James!" he called, before taking off at a run. Thana blinked as Ash darted off towards James, drawing her side arm from the pocket of her coat and chasing after him as she held the gun low. Flicking the safety off as she ran.
Ash bounded across the street and into the parking lot in front of them. Packed snow be damned, he was running full out. There came a close call or two as he very nearly lost his balance on the slippery terrain, but he crossed the distance in very short order. As James saw him approaching, he dropped the haft of his axe, letting the body hit the ground. He took a knee in front of the corpse, just waiting the last couple of seconds for the Captain to arrive. As soon as Ash stood before him, James reached into a pocket and held out a piece of paper; the same paper that he took from the "Reject's House" earlier.
Thana slowed her run as James dropped to a knee and reached into his pocket. Her hands coming up as she took low aim just in case. She didn't know what the hell was going on but it didn't matter. Her training and years in the service were kicking in, along with a hefty amount of aww hell naw in the back of her mind. She had just connected with someone, she'd be damn if he got dropped by some back woods hogger gone Deliverance. Taking a steadying breath she was ready to pull the trigger. That was until she spotted it was a sheet of paper. The mid squeeze of the trigger stopped and she lowered the weapon slowly but she stayed ready, just in case.
Taking the paper in one hand, Ash leaned his head to look at the body behind James. Confusion spread across his face as he skimmed the paper, bloody fingerprints and all. Maybe Sana had killed herself and Richard got bitten by her after? "Did he turn?"
"No, sir." His voice was respectful and sad.
Raising her brow, Thana kept her eye on James. If he hadn't turned why did he have an ax to his head? This didn't bode well. Had James murdered him? The thought alone made her finger rest back onto the trigger.
"Was he dead before you found him?"
"Naw, he wasn't dead sir."
Each question and answer was causing Thana to raise her gun just a little bit more. Slowly taking a step forward she kept to the side of Ash, making her way into his peripheral vision so he could see her without having to turn his head. If she had to fire she didn't want to be fired on, she wanted him to know where the shot came from.
Ash turned his head very slightly, taking note of Thana's movement. He wasn't completely comfortable with her having a gun on James, but it was slowly looking like that was exactly what was needed. He continued his game of twenty questions with James, becoming more irritated and fearful about what he would find. "Bit?"
Maybe James was anxious to end the prolonged questioning, too. Instead of responding to the direct question, he said in a weary voice, "When Sana changed, she got Bryn. They both dead, Boss. I had to put 'em down after, both'em."
Thana's lips thinned a bit at the last statement. She wasn't sure who these women were he was speaking about but it didn't matter. If they had lost people they had lost people. That was never an easy thing. "What about this one? Why does he have an axe in his cranium?" Thana asked, finally speaking up as she kept the gun trained low. She wasn't intent on killing him but if he moved to do the same to the Captain that he had Richard, well... God was a bit vague when it came to the subject of knee caps.
James's face became a vision of true sorrow. He looked like he wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. "I need to know, James." prodded Ash.
"I come to find you, Cap'n. Turn myself in. I know what it means, Ash. Do what you gotta." It was widely known in Newnan, killing one of your own meant execution. James had come to die, plain and simple. He even brought the evidence with him.
"James... You didn't..." Thana's voice cracked a bit as she spoke. Sure, James was a little back woods. Alright very back woods but she never figured he would murder someone in cold blood.
A gun was already in Ash's hand, drawn reflexively. By his own words, he had to kill James. There wasn't a lot of wiggle room on this. He had the body with him. He confessed. Blood, some fresh and some not, stained parts of his clothing. Ash had a witness with him, to confirm that this was an execution and not a murder. The stage was set... but this felt awful. James used the hesitation to speak. "He might as well've held the knife hisself, Boss. He hurt so many. People died 'cause of him. Died. An' he wasn't done yet. I don't want nobody else hurt 'cause of him. Now, only one more's got to die."
James removed his hat and bowed his head. There was no fear on his face as he accepted his coming death, but a profound sense of grief. Normally jovial, he did not wear sadness well. Slowly, he looked up at his friend standing over him and the gun pointed above one of his eyes. There were tears spilling down the Captain's face, his eyes red with sorrow.
Thana sighed deeply as she lowered her gun. So that was why he had done it. Granted she didn't know the details in all that they were but she knew enough. The look in Ash's eyes told her everything she needed to know. Placing the safety back on her side arm she shook her head slowly. She didn't know what to say so she kept quiet for the meantime. Part of her wanted to just comfort Ash if she could but now was not the time.
"You could have come to me, James. We could have worked this out." Tears colored Ash's voice. He chambered a round in his sidearm. James raised his eyes again, like a detached, traumatized child. "She died... for him. Baby girl died for him, Ash. We cared about her, and she's dead 'cause of him." There was utter, prideless honesty in his voice. In that second, Ash knew who James was talking about. Alicia gave her life to get Richard to Newnan. It was, in his opinion, the most profound waste in the history of human existence. "You'd do anything to protect these people, wouldn't you?" he asked James, his voice shaky and growing with frustration.
Holstering her side arm, Thana knew where this was going and it wasn't right. Yes the man had killed someone but she of all people knew that some times you had to take a life to save many more. Anyone in the military knew that sad fact. It seemed enough had died because of the man who rushed up on her when she first arrived. "Captain Holloway. Think you should lower yer weapon," she said in a calm quiet voice, trying not to trigger anything else.
Ash's mind was focused on James right then, to the exclusion of everything around him. This couldn't be hidden. Anger built up inside of him, at himself for not fixing this before more blood was shed, anger at James for taking drastic action without even talking to him about it. He was torn; James was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the community. He was willing to murder, and personally face the consequences of that act as an example for everyone else. He was a good man. And Ash had to kill him, or this experiment called Newnan might begin to unravel.
The clock stuck 7:23 A.M. - Sunrise. Hardly anyone was out of bed yet, the majority of people would not be scheduled to head to work or change shifts until after breakfast at 8:00 A.M. The streets were clear. Patrols limited to the wall itself at this hour, and the tower but they were now down one sniper and another looked to have a bullet put through his skull any moment.
"God damnit, James!" screamed Ash, his service pistol inches away from the other man's skull. Thana stood there just behind Ash watching the scene unfold, this wasn't right. Ash seemed to have lost it, a crazed look in his eye mixed with sorrow.
"Captain," she said in a calm voice but one of authority: not that she had any in this place but she was hoping just to get through to him. To have him hear something beyond his grief.
His voice got quieter, but not by much. "You're my best friend. I fucking love you, man." Ash's gun did not waver, though, aimed solidly and point blank at James's cranium as he knelt in the icy slush. Determination held in the Captain's face as his hand tensed to pull the trigger.
Reaching out Thana placed her hand on Ash's shoulder from behind as she stepped closer. Speaking in a soft caring voice. "Ash... Don't." The shot fired just after dawn in the small town in the morning of the fifteenth: the shot heard through Newnan.
...
James flinched just a little. No matter how ready to accept death one might be, facing down your own mortality by way of the bark of a heavy caliber pistol was a startling thing. It took him a few seconds to realize that, despite evidence building to the contrary, he was still alive. James looked up at Ash, the warm barrel of his sidearm pointed just to the side. Looking up at the Captain, his face was a blur of disappointment and gratitude. He opened his mouth to say something, but was immediately cut off by Ash, whose voice had become grim.
"You have one hour, James. One hour from when Security gets here. Take what you need from Newnan, and go."
Thana let out the breath she had been holding unknowingly. The bullet embedding into one side of Richard's skull, as if to drive the nail further in the coffin. Squeezing Ash's shoulder firmly, not to hurt but to let him actually feel that she was there for him. There was plenty to say but not here, not now. It could wait until they were behind closed doors. For now she gave Ash a simple nod as she watched him. Things would definitely be different come this evening than they had the night before, and not for the better.
Piedmont Hospital Newnan
The night at the hospital had been thankfully uneventful. The knocking continued behind a closed door in the ER but eventually died down as the night drug on. Other than that there were no noises until the sun started to rise in the east. Once it did and the temperature started to rise then the noise began. There was a steady trickle of water in on the upper floors to start. Melting snow leaking in from the aged and unkempt areas of the roof. It splattering on the floors below and echoing through the so thought empty building.
It didn't stop there, for as the water gathered in pools, it began leaking down to the floor below. The ground floor becoming wet as well here and there as the water trickled in. It wasn't as bad as on the second floor but it was obvious that the hospital had not been tended to or kept up over the years since the out break happened. Such things as roof patching were not of the concern of people that passed through only to raid its contents until it was bare and then move on.
It was just after the sun had risen that the echo of a gun shot rang out and into the hallways of Piedmont Hospital in Newnan. The sound was faint and because of the echo in the place one could not tell which direction it had come from but it was obvious that someone was out there, somewhere, within a few miles of the hospital. Just where? And did the two that were in there want to find out? Or would they find each other first? Only time would tell. One thing was for certain, now that there was light coming in through the windows one could actually look around a bit more than they could the night before. It was a start.
Tatiana Korvo
Location: Building F (The Newnan's Home) Interacting With: Jack
The light wasn't coming in the windows just yet for the Newnan's home but Tatiana found herself waking up slowly anyways. Yawning deeply as she curled closer to her husband before her eyes fluttered open. She glanced around at the dim room, only lit by a small night light in the corner. She couldn't help but smile as she thought back to the day before. It felt like a dream but feeling the wedding band on her finger she knew it wasn't. Everything had gone so perfectly that day and after they left, things had gone even better. Lifting her head from Jack's chest Tatiana sighed happily, content to watch her husband sleep. Her husband, she liked that.
But she knew if she stayed there she would just end up waking him up. Tatiana was never one that liked holding still. Figuring it was best to get up and let him get some much needed rest she slipped out of bed; careful not to wake him. They both would normally need to get ready for the day, having duties and job in Newnan but the Captain had granted them what he called a three day pass; their honeymoon. No work, no job to report, no duties. Just three whole days starting today to be Newly Weds. Tatiana's smile grew as she got dressed. Three whole days of just her and Jack. People in the town had been kind enough to stock their refrigerator with plenty of food. They wouldn't even have to leave the house if they didn't want to. Tatiana was very thankful for that, she doubted they would if they didn't have to. You know, marital stuff to do.
Slipping on some jeans and a shirt Tatiana ran a brush through her hair and headed into the kitchen. Agriculture had given what Tatiana thought was the best gift of all. A dozen eggs and half a pound of bacon. Miss Sally had gifted them some tea and a fresh loaf of bread; along with sneaking them a few table spoons of actual honest to god butter. Pulling everything out, Tatiana got to work. Placing a frilly little 1950's housewife apron around her waist for good measure. She knew that one of the things Jack enjoyed most was normalcy. Just having a home, a family, the daily grind. It made him happy.
This morning she wanted to give him the full hubby treatment. Breakfast in bed. Eggs, bacon, tea, and toast? What could be more normal than that? It was what all those images in old magazines showed for American life. Norman Rockwell at it's finest. So she got to work making breakfast. Though she had to admit it would probably be the last time she was allowed to lift a finger for the next months. Carrying their baby, Tatiana half expected Jack to be very over protective and not even let her tie her own shoe. The thought of him trying to put a crib together made her chuckle to herself as the bacon started to sizzle in the pan.
It didn't take long and the sun was fully up. Tatiana had finished making breakfast, the smell of it wafting through the house. Plates were set out on a tray for each of them. The only thing she had left was to get a couple of coffee cups from the cabinet and pour the tea. Pulling two out she turned to head back over to the counter when the shot rang out through Newnan. The sound made Tatiana jump, the coffee mugs falling from her hands and crashing to the floor in pieces.
“Ty che, blyad!” she yelled in Russian as ducked down instinctively. She was used to hearing shots from the wall but this was closer, much closer. She was frightened, where they under attack? "Jack!" she screamed as she rushed from the kitchen, hunched over to stay down; leaving a trail of blood on the kitchen floor. She hadn't even noticed she stepped on the broken glass and cut her foot as she made her way into the living room.
Ty che, blyad? - What the fuck!
Ryan O'Reliy
Location: Building B (Rejects House) Interacting With: Chloe
Ryan rolled over in bed and groaned a bit as hit alarm clock went off. Unlike Jack and Tatiana, he was on duty today. He had to check the medical garden after breakfast and then head off to run his hand to hand training course. He might not have liked the way Newnan was run but he had to give props to Ash for making sure everyone was trained to protect themselves. Sure the walls were great and kept them as safe as one could hope these days but you never knew when things would change and if everything went to hell in a hand basket you couldn't have people soft.
That didn't mean he was happy about having to get up and yesterdays thoughts had tormented his dreams. The sight of his brother Cyril plagued him. Rubbing his face he sat up slowly and yawned. Checking the time he grumbled before throwing the blankets off him and stumbling out of his room. Richards door was wide open and he peeked in. Seemed the man was already out for the day. Fine by him, he really didn't want to deal with Dick this morning. Just wanted breakfast, get his shit done, and hopefully grab a nap come the afternoon.
All bets were off though as the shot was fired. "Shit," Ryan exclaimed as he ducked down. That shot was damn close. Rushing through the house he burst into Chloe's room and rushed over to her bedside. "Chloe, you okay?" he asked concerned as he knelt down by her bed, ready to grab her and pull her down to the floor if need be. He looked worried as all get out as the suns rays lit up the room. He was already starting to check her for gunshot wounds even though in the back of his mind he knew the shot wasn't close enough to hit her but still, the sound was too damn close for his liking.
Gavin Comfort
Location: Building 2 (Mess Hall) Interacting With: His guard
Gavin had woken up early, long before the sun had risen. He smirked to himself as he noticed his boots were off. "He gonna make a great hubby one day to some man," he said quietly to himself before grabbing a shower and changing clothing. Grabbing his things he snuck out of the room and closed the door silently behind him. The two guards had changed out in the night and eyed him.
"Mornin' y'all," he said with a broad smile.
"Where are you going?" one of them asked.
"I's be leavin'. Problem?" he asked, wondering why it would matter. Miss Sally said they could leave whenever they wanted. Gavin had plans and he wanted to get out before Ravi could try to talk him out of it.
"Oh, okay. Want breakfast first?" the other one asked. Gavin cocked a brow and then nodded.
"Hells yeah, I be takin' some food," he said brightly.
"Okay, follow me. Mess hall is open, most won't be ready yet but Mike should have something," he said before motioning for Gavin to follow him. The other guard staying in place.
"Right, tell my hubby I'll see him one day," he said with a chuckle before following the guard out of the building and towards the Mess Hall. Once they were inside Gavin looked around, the smell of starch heavy in the air as Mike looked up from his work and spotted Gavin with his escort.
"Oh hey man, mornin. Your up early," he said, greeting the man he had met last night. It was obvious that Mike hadn't gotten much sleep, or maybe he hadn't even been to sleep yet. He had stayed to clean up everything from the reception and then had to be in early to start breakfast for the town. Chances were he said fuck it, got done with one and started the other without sleep. Knowing Mike he would crash once breakfast was served and Miss Sally came in to take over for lunch.
"Yeah, heading out buts couldn't leave without fillin me belly! Damn fine foods you gots here," Gavin said as he rubbed his hands together.
"Yeah, well last night was a rare thing. Today it's powdered eggs and grits."
"Aww hell! Grits?!?! Give me some!" Gavin said excitedly. Mike looked at him oddly but shrugged and filled a bowl for him, topping it with some of the scrambled powdered eggs. Gavin took it happily and plopped himself down at a table before starting to shovel it in. He really wasn't that hungry, still rather full from the night before but hell food was food. This would probably be the last warm meal he got for a long time.
Mike sat next to him, finally grabbing himself something to eat. The two talked and Mike took over guard duty while the actual guard grabbed some breakfast. The three of them just sat there, eating and trading stories. The place was empty besides them. No one was expected to show up until Breakfast time at eight.
The conversation came to a halt as the shot rang out and Gavin cocked a brow as he slowly pulled his spoon from his mouth. "What in tarnation? y'all doing target practice inside the walls?" he asked, seeming a lot more unphased than the guard or Mike were; both who jumped at the sound. "Take that as a no," he said as he stood up and headed towards the door nonchalantly.
"Where the hell are you going?" the guys asked in unison.
"See what the fuck that was."
"You aren't armed! Get back here!" Mike yelled.
"Shoot bro, I ain't worried about a little lead," Gavin chuckled as he pushed the door open and started walking towards the direction of the sound of the shot. His guard looking over towards Mike.
"If he gets me killed, tell Captain I quit!" he barked before rushing out after Gavin.
Why where they there? The Soulless, why had they chosen this venue on this evening for this attack? Why were they acting together? It went against so much that we thought we knew. Each Soulless kind kept to themselves, they wanted to fly under the radar. Even those that were the same kind avoided the other like a plague. There was not safety in numbers, it drew attention. Unwanted attention of those that wanted to eradicate them. It was safer to be alone. Yet there they were, at lest two that were different coming to the same location, together, in a group. One had already fallen from a direct result of the attacks, others were dying because of panic.
Their reason for being there was not clear... Yet. Another soul was falling at that moment, but we will get to that in a minute. There are some other matters going on that I am sure you want to know about first right? I mean a death is interesting but what about beauty? Freedom? Truth? Love? Oh, sorry slipped into the Moulin Rouge for a moment. Where were we? Oh yes, something other than death. Death can wait. No, no trust me. Death doesn't have a problem waiting, he took a number and is having an espresso with some biscotti right now. He's good. Let's get back to the scene at Almack's. Behind curtain number one, we have our dear traumatized Millicent. Let's see how she is holding up.
The world was white noise for the daughter of Benedict Wyndham, everything seemed blurred and muted around her as her eyes stung with tears she was trying to fight back as she watched her beloved mothers eyes close. So many questioning running through her mind but not one registering. The face of the woman that had brought her into the world lay there unceremoniously removed from its shoulders. The monstrous visage that had tried to rip her throat out was not seen in the eyes of her daughter. Just those soft features that used to smile at her, sing to her, look at her with pride. The memories of a child were strong, so much so she could almost hear dear Catherine's voice in her mind telling her how much she loved her. Those kind words that kept her going when Elizabeth would ridicule her and put her down.
Millicent's body trembled and her hands shook as she stared horrified at the vision before her. Was her heart racing in fear or stilled from heartbreak? She didn't know. The blood that clung to her was a mixture of her own and her dearly departed mothers. It was hard to tell which crimson belonged to who. They only tell tale features was the blood that continued to trickle from the gashes in her arms. The slit of her dress falling to the side, half to the cold concrete in which she knelt on, the other between her thighs. The once pale soft flesh of her thigh now marred with the slice of the dagger that lay on the ground a few feet from her. The cut was not long, only half a dozen centimeters. Was it deep? One could not tell at first glance but the blood flowed freely from it, creating sticky sanguine rivulets of liquid which ran down her thigh and stained her silk.
It took the scream from Fyror to cause Millicent to blink. At first, all she could say as he came before her was, "Pardon?" What had he said? Did he say something or was she just hearing things? Please, let it be a dream. Let this be a nightmare. Yet it was not and as the the sobs of her sister Emma came to her ears she knew this was nothing she could simply wake up from. "Fyror..." her voice said as her lips barely moved. The first time she had ever uttered just his name. No Sir Kildragon. Just Fyror. Perhaps it would have sounded sweet if it were not for the glossy appearance of her eyes from pain and shock and loss. Looking gradually over towards Fyror, it slowly dawned on her that he was concerned about her. That was what he said, he asked. Was she alright? She blinked a few times before she said anything.
"N...No, I am not hurt," she said. Was it a lie? She was bleeding, the sweat from the fight causing the make up to run and for the first time the bruise on her face was obvious in it's full horror. Her skin had been split, the imprint of Elizabeth's ring on the apple of her cheek. The bruise was dark, bloodied; purple and blue and black. It run out from that spot and covered her cheek, fading to sickening greens and yellows. A strike such as that must have left her cheek bone cracked. Yet she said she was not hurt. Millicent spoke truth, always. She must have not have thought she was hurt or perhaps her mind refused to acknowledge the pain? A safe guard to keep her from going mad? What poor child wouldn't have under the circumstances?
Swallowing the dry lump in her throat she slowly rose to her feet. A cold facade coming over her features. Had death touched her heart or madness touched her mind? One would not tell, yet legs that were gelatin locked and held her strong. The sound of folded steel dragging across the concrete as her fingers wrapped around the hilt of her sword. She gave Thalken a blank look, was she grateful for his aide or did she wish to decapitate him the way he had her mother? Nothing gave away her thoughts right then.
Elizabeth screamed in pain as Emma tried to push down on the area around the wound, not knowing what to do. "Help me," she said, her voice monotoned as she turned. Three long steps and she was by her step mother's side, setting the sword down next to her. Reaching under her dress, between the blood stained slit and grasping the delicate ivory fabric beneath. The sound of ripping cotton echoing out as she pulled the slip and tore it away. Tossing it towards Emma and hitting her in the face. "Hold that." Her voice was flat before she knelt down at Elizabeth's feet and grabbed them. Looking over to Fyror she gave a single request, or was it a demand? Perhaps an order? One couldn't tell from the flatness and lack of eye contact as the words came from her lips. "Lift her off the leg."
But what of the Soulless? They were there on the balcony yet they avoided the area where Millicent was, opting instead of crossing claws and swords with those that had just lead to the death of on and instead heading towards the many doors which lead to the ballroom. Other upstairs were pushing their way to the stairs to come down. The wide stairs only holding a few people who were running down and passed Virginia and Mosi in terror. There was the battle field. Two Soulless were now at the top of the stairs and eying the women with their axes. One with a face partially rotted away, another with fangs bared. They lunged.
In the Tea Room, more were working their way in from the other side of the gardens, the front door one couldn't tell. What about the rest of Almack's? Our valiant fighters did not know yet. What of the corridor? I can tell you more about that and now we can speak of death for where our Holy persons stand, one is about to fall. From the far right hallway between the corridor and the card room someone bolted. Running for his life and into the corridor. Fleeing for his life from the chaos that was unfolding in Almack's. The Arch Graveolase Buckingham.
His wild eyes falling on Elizaveta and Mary. "Protect me!" he bellowed. The man had once been the pinnacle of the trained, of those that fought the Soulless but being in a position of power had made him lazy and fat. It was clear by the look in Elizaveta's eyes he was the one that she was trying to get to. He was the head of the Graveolase, their appointed leader. The holy seventh in the council where all laws were ordained from. Laws the churches, the training centers, even the very crowns followed without question. Laws put into place by the Arch Graveolase held truer than the word of kings or God. He was the protector of the Soulled.
Yet, as Elizaveta gripped her sword the room got cold. From beneath his feet a chill ran up his spine and a scream of pure fear ripped from his vocals. A fog rolled about it and his eyes went white. "God protect us," Elizaveta whispered as the static charge caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end. Buckingham locked eyes with Mary.
"Defendat animabus illorum, Curatrix" his lips said before the life left his eyes and his bulbous body fell to the cold marbled floor. His words, the last line of the councils words to each Arch Graveolase when they were chosen. Protect their souls, Guardian. Why would he utter such words? Because, it was simple. When an Arch Graveolase died a new one would have to be appointed by the council. Until that time, an interim Arch Graveolase must take the seventh seat on the council. One not already a member of the council. One with training in one of the six seats of the council that was not retired. One of proper birth, with title. The highest ordained in the city of the Graveolase seat at the time. That could not pass to Millicent or Mosi or Thalken, they were gentry folk. It could not go to Virginia, for while she was the daughter of an Earl, it was a title she would never hold. Fyror was the son of a Baron, a Sir of the realm. Yet it would not pass to him. Elizaveta was of noble birth, a Grand Duchess of her Empire. Yet the Russians were not on the council, they were petitioning for acceptance. That was why Elizaveta was there, to try where others before her had failed. So it could not pass to her. So why Mary? Her family was of the realm, knights: a rare holding for a female. The church had granted her the title of Dame - which within it's laws placed her in a realm all of her own, sitting equal to the Earls of Kingdoms. At that moment, in the city of London where the Graveolase were seated, Dame Mary Hale had just inherited the title of Arch Graveolase, for now.
Elizaveta turned and looked at the young woman, sadness in her eyes and yet a fierce determination. "And I shall protect you."
Port Annan, Scotland - Teriny Inn
"It must be lass, the lord protects him, from himself mostly," Nigel laughed as the woman he had motioned to earlier brought over two large bowls filled to the brim with a robust lamb stew. It smelled heavenly. Thick root vegetables, soft pieces of seared meat, thick broth. On the plate where the bowls rested was a large chunk of Soda bread and slices of aged cheese. Nigel set a pot of tea next to the parson's plate and a pint of dark beer with a thick head on it next to Maeve's.
Calum looked over quizzically towards her, raising a brow. "Mary was a virgin, so even if we were you would be safe my dear lady," he said quickly before turning his attention to his tea. Nigel rolled his eyes and told his wife to go fetch a blanket and a pillow for Calum.
"You two eat up, there is plenty more of that were it came from. Or perhaps you would like to try one of my wife's braides? We were lucky enough to get some fresh raspberries in not long ago. The pastry is like sugared air, filled with almond's and topped with raspberries. A true treat. I normally save them just for me but my belt will need to let out if I eat anymore," he said patting his portly belly and chuckling.
"Oh sweets? Yes, yes, please! Her pastry's are divine, you must have one." Calum looked rather excited but he did have a sweet tooth and it was his one vice. He knew he shouldn't indulge but he could not refuse the offer. The last sweet treat he had had from Nigel's wife had been six months earlier, an apple tart that he swore would have tempted Jesus.
Wyndham Manor, London
Everett gave up arguing and went to his room, Cook nodding and going to fix tea and water for the constable and Gerard. Smith looked down at the flowers and then nodded. "You should put those in water before they loose more petals," he said before stepping back towards the house and into the back door that lead to the kitchen.
Looking around as Cook fixed tea and plated some scones. "You say nothing was taken?" he asked again but it was more that he was going through his head to check off questions he had already asked. "The intruder came in through the upstairs window? The study was ransacked? The room upstairs was the entry point?" he said to himself as Cook continued but did not look over to him. Figuring that Gerard had things covered.
Looking down at his notes. "Everett did not get a look at his attacker, the attacker left through the front door." More statements that could be taken as questions. Tucking his notes away he looked back over at Gerard. "Yes, the room please. Can you show it to me now?" he finally said after a few moments reflection. Looking over towards Gerard and motioning for him to lead the way. He would follow him as needed up to Millicent's room. He needed to look at the study as well but first he wanted to see the main point of entry for this break in. Why would someone come to a home and not take anything? Or perhaps they were looking for something they could not find.
The night had arrived and the moon was full, hanging low in the sky. A few wisps of clouds dotting the sky and swirling as the winds picked up. Inside Almack's things were starting to get interesting. Several were alerted to the feeling of Soulless in the building, or at least on the grounds but where exactly was anyone's guess at this point. Earlier in the day the Presence Guards had been tampered with, causing issue but had been repaired. So everything seemed well enough but now that was a different story and as the page turned... things changed.
Elizaveta stood watching as her slender fingers curled around the unguarded hilt of her blade. Giving Sir Kildragon a slight nod as he left. She wondered why he was leaving, from what she understood of the European world, very few were trained. She was right, there were only one in one thousand that were trained anymore. The military would be lucky to have one person per regiment and while she understood him going to warn his father, it was a family thing after all, there were few military folk there. This was a social event, not a crown event. He and his father were perhaps the only military folk there; perhaps a few others that were seated well enough in the ton but at most, there would be three dozen in the the over fifteen hundred people at Almack's right then. (And less than half would be under his fathers command.)
"Etiquette is one thing, judging is another. They are not interchangeable my dear. Courtesy is a vital part of our world. Such as being invited to an event that requires a certain dress, you should follov that when you accept the invitation no matter your vievs on it. Respect should not be expected if one does not give it," Elizaveta said to Mosi as she looked down at the pants she revealed and how the woman had had them hidden beneath a pull-away dress of sorts. "It is hypocritical," she added before turning her attention towards Mary. It was not that Elizaveta had a problem with women in trousers, she wore them herself from time to time but she had accepted an invite to this gathering, so she followed the rules of said gathering. One does not piss in a neighbors front lawn. It lowered her first impression of the woman.
"It is not I if that is the case. The Arch Graveolase Buckingham vas only informed of my arrival an hour before ve arrived. This appearance has been kept close within the highest rankings of the church, if it leaked, it was by your bishop. I do not think a man of god would have done such a thing," Elizaveta commented as her eyes scanned the room. Mary was right though, the place needed to be secured but things would not be that easy. Telling someone there were Soulless in an event like this would not go over well in her mind. Rutherford was a prime example.
"Perhaps we should spread out and search. Pairs seems to be the right notion. Miss Crane, Lady Crypt; you tvo seem to knov each other vell. Lady Hale and myself are of a different path." Elizaveta thought for a moment, trying to remember the lay out she had been instructed on about Almack's. (Something the others would know by heart by now since it is assumed this isn't their first event at Almack's)
The layout was as follows...Floor Plans Now these are not for Almack's, information on the exact floor plans is vague and even theones found are not accurate. We will be using these for out setting. Balcony's and patios surround the building on east, west, and north sides. Entrance is through the south into the building. There is a second story: it holds various studies, private meeting rooms, and so forth. The square footage of the second floor is much less since the main rooms of the buildings have high ceilings that are over 30 feet. There is also a basement where the kitchen, storage, boiler, and so forth is.
Currently everyone in the group is in the main ballroom on the ground floor. Lord Rutherford went through the doors and will be found in sitting room marked Card Room playing cards. Millicent went after Jane, who went through the doors at east marked Colonnade Sedan Chairs. No one knows where Mrs. Wyndham or Emma went currently. Last they were seen was in the ballroom but currently their location is unknown as people glance around: they will not be seen.
"Shall ve take the main floor so that you can secure it?" Elizaveta asked of Mary as she reached up and undid the broach on her cloak. Letting it fall away and handing it over to a passing servant. "Do be kind and check this form me if you vould. Then please, see to the safety of the staff," she asked kindly of the older man who smiled towards her in a worrisome sort of way before he nodded and scurried off.
Now that you all know the past happenings and set up, shall we proceed to the current. I do know your heart is waiting to see how lives and who survived the first set of rolls. Well, let us begin. Over in the Card Room, Lord Rutherford sits gambling with a broad smile on his face, as if nothing wrong has happened. He is playing poker with several others: including the Arch Graveolase. There are other faces there as well...
Lord Cunningham: Earl - owns a country estate adjacent to the Crypts. Kind hearted soul but naive. Usually spooked out by the Crypts but always polite to them. Understands James position as he became Earl when he was just 12 after his father died in a carriage accident.
Lord Galloway: Duke, owns half of Gretna Green but resides in Sussex where his families seat in the House of Lords is. Is on his sixth wife, who the most current is only sixteen years of age while he is in his fifties. No one knows what she looks like, she has not yet been presented to the court. He has yet to produce an heir.
Mr. Dubufe: Engineer of high standing with London Society. His father designed the Jericho Brigade and he has taken up the mantel, being responsible for most of the designs used these days to keep country estates secure from the Soulless.
So, I am very sorry but Rutherford has not perished yet. Mores the pity. Now, back to the others.... Where was I? Oh yes, the lovely Miss Millicent Wyndham. Poor thing, being coerced into wedding that horrid man Rutherford. Perhaps death would be welcome for her? There are some things worse than death, I believe being married to him would be one of them. Shall we peek in on Miss Milli? ~pulls back the curtains and cringes~ Oh my, that is a lot of blood....
What happened? Let me see if I can explain....
Things with the Soulless can happen quickly and without warning. Jane had stepped out to get a breath of fresh air and to calm herself but she found she could only weep into the silk her sister had passed her. This was not right in her mind, that Millicent should have to marry this man to give Emma and Jane more of a choice in who they married. Rutherford would have quickly snatched up any of the sisters and wanted Jane to start with but because Millicent was the eldest he had to settle. Such was the agreement. Emma would have married him willingly but Millicent could not bear the thought.
As Jane wept she did not take notice of her surroundings. While the building of Almack's was packed, those outside paid her no mind. They were in the middle of their tryst's: hiding in the shadows and walking the gardens. A single weeping woman was not uncommon at an event, so they paid her no nevermind. Yet two did take notice. Her mother and her sister Emma, who had slipped out to see if they could lay their eyes on a target for Emma. Jane looked over to them with reddened eyes, cheeks stained with tears.
"Oh stop your weeping, we will find you a husband soon enough," Mrs Wyndham said with a bright smile. Emma smirked a bit, knowing that wasn't the reason that Jane was crying but she felt no remorse for her step sister.
"Mother..." Jane wept, wishing the woman would understand. Emma rolled her eyes and leaned back against the stone side of the balcony, about to say something when as her lips parted she felt a cold touch on her shoulder. Jane's eyes widened as Emma was shoved forward by a pale hand from the shadows. Which sent Emma crashing into Mrs. Wyndham. The two spilling out on the ground. Mrs. Wyndham's side caught on the edge of one of the many tables, sending it toppling over and the iron stand which the glass top sat on pushed through her flesh and out the front of her. Blood splattering from her lips. The glass breaking and cutting Emma's arm.
Jane wanted to scream but the figure moved quickly and came to her, face to face. Nose to nose as his albino like eyes glinted in the moon light. The scream wanted to come but was cut short as long teeth pierced the side of her throat. The blood flowing freely as Jane's spine went rigid, her hands trying to grab the dagger Millicent had given her but the blood loss was so quick, she felt her strength vanish like a dream.
Millicent stepped out onto the balcony, her eyes darting around for her family only to be met with one of her worst nightmares. It was her nightmare. The pale skin as they eyes of the Ryne fed from Jane, her heart stopping as her sisters did just then. Millicent had fought Ryne before, battle was nothing but right then she froze. The dark hair the same chestnut color of Millicents cascading down and soaking up the blood that poured from the now deceased body of Jane.
"Mother..." she whimpered. Yet this woman was no longer the kind sweet woman who had loved her and brought her into this world. This was a Soulless. But seeing Catherine there, like that, taking the life of her sister... How could it be? Millicent felt her heart breaking. Stepping towards Catherine slowly, her sword spinning slightly in her hand. She knew what she had to do but could she really. Catherine dropping Jane's drained body to the ground as Emma cried out; not knowing what to do as her own mother lay there bleeding with iron holding her to her spot.
Catherine stalked Millicent and then rushed her. Millicent was frozen, no... This shouldn't be happening. But it was and that was made clear as the hand of her mother struck the side of her face. It sending Millicent stumbling to one side as the Ryne went for blood. Millicent couldn't find it in her to fight back and before she could catch herself or her breath her mother, dear Catherine was on top of her. The sound of Millicent's blade clanging against the ground. Millicent reached for it but could only grab the blade. Her fingers curling around it, cutting through the glove and thrusting it up as she fought to keep her mothers fangs from her neck. She could feel the broken glass cutting into her gown and skin, the nails of her mother digging into her arms, and the blade slicing into her hand as it pierced Catherine's chest. It would be at this time that Thalken would be able to finally make his way out onto the balcony where he had seen Millicent go.
The scream from the Ryne. That broke the silence. Like a banshee wailing. All within a block would hear it. Those outside who had been trying to find a moment were now in a panic, running for their lives as more Soulless started to show up. They came from the gardens. On the second floor the doors opened as Ryne and Hraew started to filter in. Downstairs in the basement, there was a sudden drop in temperature. Soulless, working together? The attack on Almack's was on.
Port Annan, Scotland - Teriny Inn
Nigel, well he smiled at his new guest and nodded with a laugh. "Oh my heavens yes lass. A dear man of god but he has two left feet. Lord blessed him with many talents, bein' surefooted was not one of them," Nigel chuckled as he cleaned off the bar top with a damp rag.
"You must have had a long travel to be portin' here in Annan. What can I get's fer the two of ya?" he asked as Calum finally found solid ground and made his way over to the bar.
"If you could, a meal and two rooms this evening," the parson said.
"I see, well I got one," Nigel snickered as he motioned to one of the ladies in the tavern and held up two fingers. She was not dressed like most tavern "ladies," much more reserved and she was older. Perhaps an eldest daughter of Nigel? Either way, it was clear that this was not an establishment for those wanting to find "company" for the evening.
Calum turned red and coughed slightly. "Surely there is something you can do?"
"I can give you an open stall in the barn," Nigel laughed, joking but Calum nodded.
"Please set the dear lady up in the room, can you secure me a blanket for the barn? I will make due with the hay loft," he said forcing a bit of a smile. Nigel's long haired brows rose but it was obvious that Calum was being as serious as the day was long.
"Um, alright... Anything to drink?"
"Tea."
Wyndham Manor, London
Constable Smith followed Gerard and took notes. "It is good that the ladies of the house were not at home though I am sorry that one was injured. Do I need to send for a surgeon?" he asked as they stepped into the house.
"Fuddle all that, I am fine," Everett chimed in as he came in from the sitting room, his head bandaged up.
"You go upstairs right now and rest!" Cook yelled as she waddled in from the kitchen carrying a tray with tea and scones on it. "Now!"
"Listen here," Everett started.
"Don't you listen here to me Ev, now go. Mrs. Wyndham will have a fit if she sees you like this, now go. Abby take this up, and make sure he gets in bed," Cook said as she handed off the tray to Abigail and the two started heading up the stairs. Wiping her hands off she turned her attention back towards the Constable and Gerard. "Would you two like anything?"
"Tea would be marvelous, thank you," Constable Smith said before looking over towards Gerard and nodding. "Let us take a look," he said before heading outside through the back door in the kitchen and examining the area where Gerard had spoken about.
"Yes, it looks like they climbed up here to get inside," he said. "Please show me the room where that window is," he added and waited for Gerard to lead the way. Constable Smith kept taking notes as he looked at things outside. Seeing a few brightly colored petals on the ground. "Wonder where these came from," he mused out loud as he picked up one of the petals and ran it between his fingers.
Well, let me add to your paranoia... These are the rolls for Almack's - Round 1. For those of you new to the system - 1 equals death. 2 equals nearly dead. 3 is gravely injured. 4 is hurt. And so forth until 20 is free and clear.
Now who is what number? Oh, you will just have to wait and see until the post.
Oh their fates were decided when the first post was made. The dice have been tossed and I hold the knowledge of their fates in my mind. You will learn their fates in due time, when the time is right. For now I sit and wait.
Yet the fate of the rest of you has yet to be determined, the dice will be tossed soon.
You know who I am, you know what I do... A roll of the dice, a flip of the coin, your fate is in my hands. Brace yourself. LLA has arrived.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">You know who I am, you know what I do... A roll of the dice, a flip of the coin, your fate is in my hands. Brace yourself. LLA has arrived.<br></div>
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