Different Paths (Part 2)

Vishous

Spreading my arms out and connecting my hands behind my neck, I stretch and crack the bunched up muscles in my back, throwing out a few grunts and groans as each bone pops back into place. My internal clocking was going off and I was gearing up, shit it was time to bail out before my solitaire prison beckoned me back to it with sunrise. Dropping my hands down the arms of the chair I get up and make tracks to the small standing shower that was just around the corner from the small kitchen. Swiftly pulling off the black shirt and dragging down my even blacker jeans, I stepped in under the small shower head and turned the spigot on,my hands worked quick with the soap and scrubbing of my hair, I was already mentally cussing myself out that I wasn’t ready and en route when the sun went down. Rinsing off I grabbed up the towel that I left laying on the sink from earlier and did even quicker work of drying off and grabbing up some clothes from the small closet in the bathroom. Taking a step out of the small enclosed bathroom, I was working the leathers up over my legs and my shirt was flopping around over my still damp shoulder when I finally reached the bed that sit but a few feet away from my makeshift table. Landing my ass on it after I zip and button up, I pull on my shitkickers and shirt, then fasten my shoulder holster in place and then with steps made of ease I head over to the steal foot tall safe and after placing my finger tips against the sensor pad, the door clicks. Opening it a genuine grin lands on my face and I with such care take out the one thing that has been true to me since the day I forged them. Holding each Black dagger in my palms I twisted my wrist some and test the feel and weight of them, even though I knew them as well as I knew each cursed ancient letter tattooed on my body. Sliding them in place, I shut the safe and grab up my old worn in leather, keys, I slide it on and load up in the SUV. With a thought of my mind the back door opens quietly and I back out and head towards town, location was mainly the same and I knew where the patrolling brothers were settling at tonight and damn it almost made me chuckle thinking how fucking close I would be to the ones that hunted me down. My hands tightened on the steering wheel and just as quick as the idea of chuckling came into play another thought chased that shit away, why the Brotherhood hunted me and why they wanted me dead. Well kudos for them for trying to right my wrongs but for some fucked up reason, death would not come my way, I had tried enough and each and every fucking time I healed and took another breath. Pulling safely a few streets away, I step out and throw up my Mhis, Shoving my keys into my jacket pocket, I scan the area. Even the cops pretty much stayed away from this part of town at night time, not many respectable humans would be out at this time of night around here, and the ones that were, were looking for something that only night time around here provided. Stepping into the opening of the alley, I walked down it at a not in a hurry pace, sniffing the air some as I go and each step I take pissing me off more when nothing in the air resembles that acrid sweet smell of those fuckers.

Growling in harsh frustration, I walked into the small bar and before taking a seat in the back, I scoped out the few inhabitants of the run down shit hole and only then did I pull out a chair and lean my back against the grimy wall. Tonight had been a bust, the few lessers that did make an appearance had quickly been dispatched of by the BrotherHood so that shit left nadda for me. Pulling the worn baseball down even lower over my eyes when the meagerly dressed waitress made her way over to the table, I could smell the anxiety/fear wafting off of her as she slowly approached the table, most likely she was trying to figure out how not to see the freak in the dark corner. Not wanting her any closer to the table, anymore then she wanted to be I spoke up loud enough for her to hear me. “Goose, and don’t let me go dry” She quickly turned on her grateful heals and scurried back to the bar. Shrugging my broad leather clad shoulders, not like she would have any fucking memory before I walked out of here in a few hours anyway, none of the drudges occupying a seat in here would. Leaning back in my too small chair, I stretched my long legs out in front of me, kicking one shitkicker on top of the other and being damn sure I keep my jacket in place covering my chest. It was nights like these that left me wacked in the head, and not jack to do and no release to be found, which meant the next fight coming I would take that shit out on them pale fuckers. When the glass and full bottle was seated in edge of the table I palmed the money from my wallet and slid it across the rough wooden top. Not waiting for her to walk away I poured a full glass and sit the bottle back down, looking over at the pool table, I almost laughed at the two guys standing over there casting side long glances in my direction, I knew they were trying to figure out if I was there to make trouble or if they should bail out before they found out that answer. Turning back to the drink in hand I looked at the bottom of the surprisingly clean glass, and drained the last drops. Grunting I did a refill and knew soon I was going to need to visit my Penthouse, one good reason, I needed to feed as much as I despised that part of this life, it was a fact that I couldn’t ignore and I sure as fuck never brought anyone to the warehouse and for two, the fighting lately had been less then satisfying and damn if I didn’t feel like I was about to blow the hell apart, this on edge stuff was more amped up and I couldn’t pinpoint why I was in the mode to rip flesh from bone right now.

Butch

-When I got to the scene Jose was sitting down with a very shaken young woman in the living room of a small, shabby apartment. The place was shittier than my own apartment but it was a hundred percent cleaner. The girl was receiving medical attention and I scanned her quickly. Bruises, scrapes, cuts but nothing that clothes won’t cover up. She had a bath robe on but that didn’t hide the fishnet stockings and hooker heals. If she wasn’t on the job, I’d eat my Sox cap. And I loved that thing. I nodded to Jose and took a walk around the place. I saw pictures on the walls of her and some guy. They seemed happy. Young, dumb and in love. I looked back at the tearful girl and huffed out a laugh. What a crock of shit. I walked toward the single bedroom and stopped right at the doorway. The crime scene pros where already here and doing their thing. Jesus Christ, I really was late if they beat me here. The guy from the pictures was laid out on the floor with a big ole kitchen knife sticking out of his chest. Classic… I had the investigator fill me in on the details and jotted a few things down on my notepad. So apparently the story was that the little thing in the room with Jose got tired of the abuse and stabbed the poor sob. Yeah okay… I never took anyone’s word for shit anymore. I poked my head into the room further and did a quick look-see before heading toward the kitchen. I’d wait till they got that mess cleaned up to go back to the room. They wouldn’t just ridden my ass to get out of their damn way anyway. I took out the handkerchief that I always had in my pocket and used it to open the fridge. It wasn’t loaded with food but it did have the left overs of a home cooked casserole and the basics. Most notably, not a damn drop of alcohol. That got my brow raising and I searched the rest of the area; opening cupboards and drawers. I spotted the knife block that was missing the one item that was presumably in the dude’s chest. The dishes were clean and put away. Counters wiped and tidy. The mail was sitting out and I pushed each letter aside to reveal bill after bill. A picture was starting to form in my mind of what really went down here but it was only instinct telling me things. Without any hard proof, this girl was going to pay for it. I’d seen all there was to see here, it was time to talk to the girl. I came back out and motioned to Jose that I was done. God bless him, he understood exactly what was doing right off the bat. It was one of the good things about having a decent partner for so damn long. He stood up and brought the woman to her feet. Turning her around and rambling off her rights while slapping the cuffs on her. She looked utterly defeated. Her head hung low and her make up was streaked from crying. I rested a light hand on the back of her neck and led the way, taking her from Jose.-Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go put your statement in writing and see what we can do for you. -I took her down two flights of stairs and out of the apartment building. As soon as we got outside she tensed up like a rod had just been shot up her back. I kept my head down but did a quick scan of area. Bingo, asshole. He wasn’t hard to spot despite the fact that he hung back in the shadows across the street. I casually put myself between him and her. Pretending to look at one of her bandages as I spoke lowly.- Are you going to let him get away with killing your man up there or are you going to testify against him? -Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. ‘He will kill me. He said he would.’ I bit my lip to keep from shaking the stupid out of her.- I’m guessing he’s your pimp. -Her reaction told me everything I needed to know.- I haven’t seen you around before though so you must be new. Stop me when I’m wrong. The bills stacked up and your man wasn’t pulling in enough to keep your head above water so you started doing this to make ends meet. -I tipped her chin up with a finger so that she would look at me and not hide her shame in her shoes.- Romeo found out and demanded you stop and that got the pimp at your doorstep. -I wished I could say it was a new story but it really wasn’t. If she was lucky the asshole hadn’t hooked her to drugs yet. She nodded timidly, her eyes full to burst again. The last thing I wanted was a crying chick on my hands when I needed to get that asshole.- If you testify, we can put him away. -I could see her rolling it around in her head for a long time before she finally agreed. I escorted her to back of a waiting ambulance and had a uni keep an eye on her. I made my way around the vehicle and peeked out from behind it to spot the douche bag again. He was eyeballing the girl something fierce. I was sure that he suspected something was up and I needed to move quickly or lose him. I ducked down an alley and hauled ass around a few buildings so that I could get behind him. I stuck my hand in my coat and flicked off the safety on my gun. I really should be getting Jose’s help here but I didn’t want to lose my chance. I crept right up behind him and leveled the gun.- Stay right where you are, dickwad. -The look on his face was priceless as he got a good look down the barrel of my gun. With my other hand I flipped out my badge and stuffed it back in my pocket.- Let’s see those hands. You and I are going to the station for a nice long chat. -And just like a dumbass, he turned tail and ran. He knocked over some garbage cans and beat feet down the sidewalk. I wasn’t about to run after this piece of shit, I just squeezed the trigger. The pimp screamed like a little girl and grabbed his shoulder with his good arm as he hit the ground with a thud.- I told you to stay where you were. -I tucked my gun away and put the cuffs on him. I was none to careful pulling him up from the pavement either. I knew his shoulder had to hurt like a bitch but I didn’t give a shit. I gave him his rights on the way to the back of a marked car and slammed the door shut.-