Chapter 9 –
Grand Finale
Lying on my back, I watched
as the rising sun drew lines across the blankets over me. A smile rested on my face, as I thought back
on the evening before: the party, the
successes of the festival, getting back my best friend, and Alicia.
I'd been so consumed of the
last two years with the business, that I hadn't even given love a fleeting
thought, course that was before the night I'd seen Tobey and Zack
together. That was when I remembered
that I had a space in my heart which was unfilled.
Now, a woman had entered my
life, and in a strange, convoluted way, filled that space. It felt so good, but I also knew that one
day, I was also going to have to explain something else: my alter-ego, but that
was for another day.
Today was the debut of JT's
major directorial effort, Becky's stellar performance in it, and the supposed
coming of the madman who wanted to kill me.
Strange how it all happened, but if I managed to stay alive for the next
few hours, I would take that time and give it to Alicia.
He watched his target lay
there like a sloth. Hours left in his
life's sands of time were slowly trickling away.
"Tobey...
Tobey..." I just lay there like a
slug. That is until the attack of the
water came and the giggling from the other side of the bed brought me to full
playfulness.
"Oh Zack you are
gonna get it!" In the ensuing
tickle fest I think I got the short end of the stick but being with the man I
love was definitely a slice of heaven. "Time to get ready for the big day, huh?
Tall, Light and gorgeous
helped me out of bed and we got ready for the day. He looked hot in his khakis and polos... Me in my black long sleeve crew and jeans... well
we both got lots of attention. After a
fun breakfast of French toast, Mike came in with Alicia and joined us.
"Morning, gents,"
I said, helping Alicia to her seat, then sitting down
myself, "Good night last night?"
I just heard Zack
chuckling under his breath. "Yeah
you could say that." The grin on my face told Mike more than he wanted to
know. "Alicia, my dear, are you ready for the fun and excitement we have planned for
the day? Have you gotten a chance to
meet everyone? Any stars you still want to see?"
"Yes actually, and
Mike was even kind enough to introduce me to Mr. Tepnapa, but we didn't get to
meet Ms. Wood. She had quite the crowd
around her last night."
"I bet Seth had his
hands full, didn't he Mike," Zack said.
"Certainly did, but he
enjoys assignments like this."
Mike just giggled. I smiled at Alicia. "Well how about this. I have to go check on Becky and make sure she
has everything. Why don't you walk over
with me?"
"I'd love to,"
she replied.
"Well, while you two
grab a bite to eat, I actually have work I have to do. Tobey, will you walk me to the front desk where
I shall begin slaving to the man?"
Mike snorted his OJ in mock outrage.
"BUT I'm the MAN!!!"
With a mischievous grin, we walked a way, Zack tossing over his
shoulder, "That's right sir - You da man!"
and we left them to their own devices
"They make a good
couple," I said.
"Yes they do,"
she replied, "So what is the agenda for the day?"
"Preparing for the
debut of JT's film tonight; it closes out the festival."
"Do you think that
Barnett will show?"
My eyes narrowed a bit, and my voice dropped to
a grate, "I hope not."
"But Mike he
must. It will be the most daring time
for him to do anything."
"I know," my
voice rose a bit, "But we have the police here in force and the Wolf Pack
is nearby as well. If he thinks he's
going to pull anything, he'll have to contend with them."
“You must know Sabrewolf pretty well,” she said.
“Not as well as The Graphic would like people to think that I do,” I replied.
“Still with having them here, you must know or have some idea of how to contact them.”
“What can I say? I don’t. I’ve met Sabrewolf a couple of times and asked him to help with security. I have no idea where he is or how to contact him.”
The morning ended up being
spent in preparation for tonight's Finale Gala: making sure equipment was in
order, the food, beverages, and entertainment for the post-screening
celebration were ready, and dropping into the Den to ensure that security was
in place. Despite the preoccupation, I
also took the time to share a laugh with our kids at a special screening of the
new comedy "Space Dogs" that Tobey and I arranged with JT. Even though I felt lighter than air,
something inside kept reminding me that the Fashionista was certain to appear
tonight. I knew it deep down in my
soul. One way or another, it would end
tonight.
I stepped out of the
shower, just as the first sings of dusk were settling on the bluffs flanking
the Raid's grounds. As I ran the
hairbrush through my hair, I couldn't help thinking about Alicia. We'd enjoyed lunch together, and I felt the mutual
attraction. At the same time, I had to
keep my mind on the task at hand. I
reached into my closet and pulled out my best tuxedo, pulling it on over my
uniform; the mask and gloves folded and slipped into my pants pocket. I straightened my antique cufflinks and
bowtie, and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. Lookin' good, I
thought. I sprayed on a little cologne
and headed for Becky's room.
Waiting in the green room
in my tux, I watched as JT put the final touches to the films
preparations. PA's scurried hither
thither and yon as the finale to what had been a spectacularly received film
festival loomed on the horizon.
My afternoon had been
spent watching over Becky and JT and having a quick bite to eat in the mid
afternoon with Zack. I couldn't wait to
get tonight over with so he and I could have a long talk.
I knocked on Becky's door,
to which she appeared a moment later, in an off-the shoulder, diaphanous, white
gown. Her hair fell to either side of
her shoulders, and a necklace of large diamonds encircled here neck. The scent of Chanel rose on the air. She said with a smile, "I'm ready to
go."
"Wonderful," I
replied. I offered a corsage with a red
and white rose and helped put it on her wrist.
After which, I offered her my arm to take her to the amphitheatre. She looked as not to have a care in the
world, which I hoped to keep that way.
The press was out in
droves, more so than the first night of the Fest. The intensity of the flashes nearly blinded
me, but I showed Becky to the private box and excused myself a moment to check
in.
My comm-link on my
gauntlet vibrated and I moved over to a quiet corner to take the call. "Go ahead."
"It's me," I
replied, "How’s things looking to you?"
“I’m just glad I never got into directing. JT looks like he is about to stroke out! Other than that everything seems to be the
choreographed chaos we expected. What
about your package?
"She's all right,
looks fabulous, and ready for the evening's festivities. Keep in touch."
“Will
do.” Seeing JT get up and straighten his tie, I
opened a link to the team. “All units, stand by. The
popcorn is buttered. Here we go.” Taking a deep breath I went over to my
vertically challenged friend. “You ready
JT? It’s time for your hard work to pay
off.” I said with a smile. His eyes seem to focus and he smiled back at
me. “Tobey, thank you
for this festival and having us.
It really means a lot
that you put this all together.”
Giving the director a
hug, I escorted him out the door and into Seth’s care. “Make sure Mr. Tepnapa is comfortable.” Seth nodded and followed JT to his seat in
the box with Becky and Mike.
I sat down next to Becky
and said, "I think you'll enjoy what we have planned for tonight."
"Really?" she
replied.
"Absolutely. You've done a
wonderful job in this film and you deserve this," I turned to JT,
"You do too. It's really something
to be proud of."
“Thanks Mike.”
The Director handed the three of them champagne. “So far everything has gone beautifully
thanks to you and your staff. And don’t
think I have forgotten your importance to the film itself.” Becky just giggled at the thought of numerous
times she had to tell Mike to pull up his britches during the film. “Yes my dears, this one will be one for
Mike’s posterior...ummm I mean prosperity!” she said
saluting her three handsome men.
The lights dimmed around the pavilion and the stragglers took their seats. The big moment was at hand!
I looked down at the stage,
where the spotlight was focusing as Tobey stepped on stage to introduce the
film. He looked calm, though I could
still tell he was nervous. I couldn't
blame him. I felt the same way, because
I was bracing for what was to come.
Becky looked over at
JT. "JT, dear. I think you should have Tobey in your next film. It would only be a trained thespian looking
that could tell he is nervous enough to evacuate building materials." JT and Mike both looked at the beauty between
them.
JT raised a questioning
eyebrow. "Becks what are you talking
about?" With an unlady
like snort, she answered. "Gents,
Tobey is about to shit bricks dears." she said giggling.
I replied, "Ah, he'll
be all right. He's always like this
before something big."
"So what do you two
have on tap for the next big project?"
I asked my companions.
"I'm not sure. I've gotten a couple of scripts that I'm
looking over," JT replied, "One's an historical drama, might be right
up your alley, Mike. The other's a big,
rousing action piece."
"Either looks
interesting," Becky said, "I know that JT will make a good decision
with whatever he chooses to go with.
He's showed me them, and I agree, they're good projects. So what comes after the Festival for you,
Mike, anything big?"
"Not really. Planned to take a few days rest and
relaxation and head right into whatever comes next."
JT started biting his
nails as the lights went down and Tobey was speared with the spot light. Now was the moment of truth.
"Here we go," I
said.
"LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN!!!"
I had no idea what I was
about to say except for the title of the film, but something clicked with a
reassuring smile from Lady Wood.
"Tonight we draw to
a climax and close the first annual GREAT WOLF FILM FESTIVAL here in (what was
the name of the town). For three days
and nights, we have seen the best and brightest from filmmakers around the
world and tonight will bring about an explosive ending."
From the grassy knoll amongst the crowds sitting on the lawn, he snorted at Tobey's words. Weren't they the truth!
Lets give a big hand to
all our participants in this year’s festival and we would like to announce that
this was such a success that we invite you all back NEXT YEAR!" With that the crowd erupted. From our staff members, I could see the pride
in a job well done. And many a happy faces on the studio execs.
I could feel myself
tingling with excitement. "AND NOW! Here it is the crown jewel in this year’s
festival. From Director JT Tepnapa and Areakt Studios, we bring you a tale of Jennette
Thompson and the deadly world of LIFE," I paused for effect. "Love!"
"And Intrigue in the dark journey of a rising starlet. Beauties and Beaus; Boys and Girls; YOUNG AND
OLD ALIKE!!!
THE RAID IS PROUD TO
PRESENT WHAT I HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED IS AN OSCAR CONTENDER FOR BEST
PICTURE!!!! BEAUTY TO
DIE FOR!!!!!!"
Over the roar of the
crowd, I managed to get off stage trembling and handed the mic
over to the ever present PA's and grabbed a bottle of water and a box of
popcorn to enjoy the first few minutes of the main event.
I glanced over at JT who
looked to be nearly in tears at Tobey's news.
Becky leaned over to give him a hug, while I flashed a wide grin. None of us could believe it. I started a large round of applause to which
the whole of the amphitheatre echoed.
The spot light went down and the screen flickered to life. The applause quieted as the movie began. The traditional studio credit came up and
then went right into the story line. I
was glad JT didn't put the credits at the beginning; it would have slowed the
story.
Becky certainly gave a
command performance as Jenette Thompson.
She deserved the Oscar for her performance as much as JT did for his
directing. She portrayed the struggling
actress so well, likely drawn out of real experiences.
The first quarter of the
movie was devoted to her personal and professional struggles, and I began to
sweat a bit, because I knew we were coming on the fateful scene. I closed my
eyes as it came up, watching it in my mind rather than on the screen...
"Again
with feeling!" JT called across
the soundstage, "You're doing awesome, but we haven't yet got the
intensity this scene requires. Take your
starting positions." Becky was in a
light blue blouse and jeans, her hair looking a little rumpled. I was costumed in gray coveralls, work boots,
and a Twins cap. We took our starting
marks and JT called out, "Action!"
A pause
and then a pounding on the door. Becky moved over to answer it, and Adam came
into the room, playing the part of the geek that Jenette dumped back in her
home town, before getting famous, who was truly in love with her.
"What're you doing
here?" Becky asked, her lines perfectly memorized.
"Jenette, I've come
to tell you that life isn't the same without you. The sky just isn't as blue as it once
was. I've come take you back with me." He said with a pleading face holding her
hand.
"I've moved on,"
she replied, flatly, "And so should you.
You have your career, I have mine.
You have to accept that, Chris."
'BUT WHAT GOOD IS BEING
AN LAW CLERK WITHOUT LOVE?!"
At this point I came into
the living room set from the adjacent kitchen set. I said, trying to make my line sound as
normal as possible, but also conveying the look JT wanted, "It's all
finished, Ms. Thompson. If you should
need anything else, give me a call."
Chris looked shocked that
Jenette had another man in her apartment.
"YOU BRAZEN HUSSY!!! WHO IS
THIS? THIS IS MY REPLACEMENT
ISN'T!" Whirling on Dave, Chris
advanced on him. "So how long have
you been seeing her? How long have you
made her cheat on me?"
"What're you talking
about?" I said, making Dave's words sincere, "I've never touched
her. I barely even know her."
In the hallway,
"LIAR!" "But Chris, it
is true!" Jenette broke in trying
to avert a crisis. "The only action I have had besides scene auditions has been that sleaze ball of an agent trying to
play casting couch with me!"
"Look, I should be
getting going. Let me know if you have
any further problems," Dave said. I
started for the door, but quickly found Chris blocking my path.
Blazing at the blatant
lies being told to him, Chris was having none of it. "I don't think so. You and I are gonna settle this mano e
mano." He had to defend his honor
and so he threw a right hook.
The choreographed punch was
supposed to miss me, but this one landed right in my face. Whether or not Adam planned it, I wasn't
expecting it, and shouted, "Hey, what the hell do you think you're
doing?!" The eyes that stared back
at me were malevolent, so unlike Adam, who I'd really come to know, both as a
person and actor.
"YOU CAN'T HAVE
HER!" Jenette's hands flew to her
mouth in shock
I raised my hands as I
might as Sabrewolf, defending himself, but knew I had to be careful. Whatever was going on here it wasn't part of
the script and I was praying hard that JT would call, "Cut!"
soon. He swung at me again, and I
managed to block the punch. I didn't
want to hurt my friend, but if this continued, I'd have no choice.
Tears looked to be
glistening in Becky's eyes, whether part of the performance or not, I couldn't
tell.
Jenette saw the shadow in
the hallway and took the opportunity to end what she sensed was something going
very bad. "
"I'm not even supposed
to be here!" I shouted, but the next thing I knew Adam crashed into me
sending both of us slamming into the floor.
The wind knocked out of me, I tried to shake him off, but his grip was
like a vice.
Taken completely by
surprise, Ryan Gossling was caught flat footed by his
costars actions. This was definitely not
in the script! With Mike shouting
"GET 'EM OFF!" and JT calling "CUT!" and shouting Adam's
name, Ryan hurried to the struggle and pulled the lithe actor away from his
victim. Adam continued to rant seemingly
oblivious to the scene stopping.
I got to my feet again,
dumbfounded. Adam hadn't subsided. He put a fist into the other actor's face and
lunged for me again. I managed to fend
him off, but the blows kept coming.
I managed to get a fist
into his stomach, hard, and that stopped him.
A couple of assistants came over and pulled Adam off the set. JT looked completely amazed at what just
happened. Becky had a scared look on her
face. I said, "I think we need a
break, JT." He agreed.
The Production Assistant’s
voice rang out over the sound stage "THAT'S LUNCH! ONE HOUR!" An hour and 15 minutes later Stage 8 would be
engulfed in flames.
JT apologized during lunch,
and asked if I was all right, to which I replied with an uneasy,
"Sure." How was I supposed to
know that what just happened wasn't over by a long shot?
We came back to the set,
ready to do the scene again, and hopefully do it right this time. It began as it had before, but this time
something seemed different.
"Chris, what're you
doing here?" Jenette answered the door bewildered.
Adam moved closer to
Becky and breathed his lines desperately.
"Jenette, I've come to tell you that life isn't the same without
you. The sky just isn't as blue as it
once was. I've come take you back with me." The grip of his hand almost forced a wince to
her face.
"I've moved
on," she replied, flatly, "And so should you. You have your career, I have mine. You have to accept that, Chris." Becky
couldn't find anything familiar but something almost sinister in his eyes.
'BUT WHAT GOOD IS BEING
AN LAW CLERK WITHOUT LOVE?!" He said casting her arm aside and striding
into the middle of the living room set.
I walked on and delivered
my line, "It's all finished, Ms. Thompson.
If you should need anything else, give me a call." I felt a little different this time, delivering
the line, trying to convey some honesty that wasn't coming through before.
Chris looked infuriated
that Jenette had another man in her apartment.
"YOU BRAZEN HUSSY!!! WHO IS
THIS? THIS IS MY REPLACEMENT
ISN'T!" Chris advanced on Dave.
"So how long have you been seeing her? How long have you made her cheat on me?"
The look in Adam's eyes
forced Mike back a few steps, but the cameramen were pros and kept them in
frame.
The honesty which crept
into my voice continued, making Dave's conviction stronger, "What're you
talking about? I've never touched her. I
barely even know her."
To Ryan who was standing
in the hallway awaiting his cue, he was impressed that the level of acting had
gone up since lunch.
At the top of his lungs,
Chris shouted "LIAR!"
Becky felt that bad vibe
go off again but continued like a trooper.
"But Chris, it is true!"
Jenette broke in trying to avert a crisis. "The only action I have
had besides scene auditions has been that sleaze ball
of an agent trying to play casting couch with me!"
"Look, I should be
getting going," I said this time, and somewhere deep inside of me, meant
it in reality. Something about this was
giving me a feeling of being sick to my stomach, but I continued, "Let me
know if you have any further problems."
Before Mike could take
another step, all hell broke loose.
"Oh it's too late for that.
You've already got further problems asswipe!" and then Adam lunged
for Mike.
I supposed I might've
deluded myself a little that something changed during lunch, but on seeing that
same look in Adam's eyes, I knew it hadn't.
He came at me, but this time I was ready for it, and nimbly dodged out
of the way.
The shocked expression on
Adam's face ad Mike's dodge turned to one of horror and the wall hanging he
crashed into came tumbling down and engulfed him and the set wall in
flames. In later counseling sessions,
the three other stars on set all recounted the look of terror on Adam's face
before the curtain fell on him.
From this point it was just
a jumble of loose memories, all bad.
Sifting through the wreck after the firefighters had put the blaze out,
not finding Adam's body, looking at hospitals for a week looking to see if he'd
been brought in with no luck, JT, Becky, and I holding each other for long
periods of time in tears, and thinking all the time that I could've done
something, anything to avoid this.
Entertainment experts had
thought the fire had sounded the death knell for the movie, but the studio had
put out a press release that the fire investigators had found evidence of arson
but could not pinpoint anything specific.
They had also proclaimed faith in the cast and crew of the movie and
their dedication to finish the film in Mr. Browne’s honor. Adam's part had been quietly rewritten so a
stand in could be rejected utterly and tossed out onto the street by the super
and Jenette mentioning a letter from home from Chris for an apology.
Three months later the
set construction was done and filming began again in a wild ride that
culminated in tonight.
I wiped the tears angrily
from my eyes as I opened them, trying to block the memories which had
resurfaced. Becky noticed the gesture
and said, "You okay?"
"I'm fine," I muttered, taking a large gulp of my pop.
Fifteen months since that
day, and here it was, the culmination of it all: finished film, my friends here
to share in its success, and Adam still alive.
Just not the same person we'd known and loved; now he was a madman, out
to kill us, or at least kill me. Still I
hoped, perhaps vainly, that something might happen or that I could do something
which might bring our friend back, release him from
:
The prison that the
Fashionista's persona had created to keep him cooped up in. It wasn't entirely hopeless, was it? I wanted to believe not.
:
I tried to focus back on
the movie, but the memories kept pervading.
At last I turned to my companions and said, "Be right back, I need
some air."
Knowing what the poor man
was going through, Becky touched him gently on the arm and reached for JT's
hand as Mike exited the booth
As the movie captivated
the audience, about 70 minutes in, Zack called me on my management radio.
"Tobey;
go ahead."
I smiled. "Hey studly, what do you
need." His voice came back
troubled. "T., I don't know why but
I am seeing a couple of the fireworks crew over by the Round Rock and they seem
to be setting up some rockets.
OH THIS WAS WAY BAD!
According tot he planning
meetings, there was to be a full fireworks show as JT's final scene where
Jenette is watching a screening of her movie with explosions going on around
her. But all the fireworks were supposed
to be taking off over the lake where we would drop the screen for the audience
to see. They weren't supposed to be
anywhere near the Round Rock.
I stepped out of the box
and walked outside the amphitheater. The
night air was cooler than the others had been, but refreshing. I took in a few breaths, trying to calm
myself, and saw a couple of figures in the shadows heading toward the
resort. They seemed to be running and
the sense pricked again. I took off at a
jog, after them.
Popping out of the
backstage area I picked the LZ just inside the Round Rock's front doors to
reappear. I had to see what was going on
but I didn't want to tip them off we were onto them. Thankfully it was easy enough to change into
my uniform enroute.
Fading into the night in
the shadows, I came up behind whispering Zack's name.
"Zack, how many did
you see?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe 5 or 6. I saw them moving around and figured I better
call you. And by the way, what should I
call you?" His handsome smile
shined in the moonlight. I gave him a peck
on the cheek. "When I am in
uniform, just call me Nightwolf or Night.
Now let's see what is happening."
And with that I rounded the far corner.
My beau in tow.
I hated it when my bad instincts came true and I was getting bad vibes from these shadows running a head of me. It wasn't hard to keep up with them, but trying to loosen the tuxedo, so I could change into Sabrewolf was harder. When they reached the bridge, I slipped under and pulled off the rest of the tux, slipping on my mask and gloves.
I saw the shadows run again
and took off after them. Unfortunately,
when they got into the lights of the resort, they disappeared in back of the
building. Cursing myself for taking too
long, I remembered something, Alicia was there, and safely stored against
temptation I hoped. Maybe she saw them? Couldn't hurt.
She didn't hesitate when I knocked on the door of Room 328, and when I asked she replied in the negative.
Not sure I could believe
her, I tried to see from her vantage, but saw nothing.
The moon shown from the
other side of the spa in all its radiant splendor. Unfortunately that caused annoying shadows to
be cast where I needed to see. But then
I remembered my handy dandy night vision wear. And saw the goons laboring to
plant something at intervals around the base of the spa. "Zack, Call Calley and tell her what
we're seeing here and then go into the Bar.
I need some eyes up in the garden area." He nodded and moved off. Hopefully he wouldn't realize I was taking
him out of the danger zone.
When he had made the
corner, I moved swiftly behind the two men trying to do something to my resort
and sent them into a pained slumber.
Examining the package I pulled from the ground, I let out a muttered
curse. "All units this is
Nightwolf. Be advised that we have
intruders on the grounds and they appear to have plenty of C-4 with them."
I heard Night's call and
made to dash to the grounds when I felt something pull my arm. Alicia was holding me. She said, a plea in her voice, "Please,
don't leave me." I replied, "I
have to."
"But they could be
coming to kill me," she pleaded.
"I assure you, you're
safe. I give you my word." I tried
to make my words sincere, but at the same time, tried to convey the urgency of
the situation.
Alicia wrapped herself
around Sabrewolf and held him.
"Please." She inhaled the
scent and felt herself attracted.
"Sir, promise me that I will be safe. Can you tell Mr. Slagenweit? Maybe he can send someone to watch over
me."
I closed my eyes, holding
her, savoring the moment, then opened them again. I whispered, "I promise." She looked up into my eyes, judging my
words. I wanted to keep like this, just
for a moment longer, but no, there was a job to be done. I released her, and said again, "I
promise."
A bit dejected, Alicia
bounced her head in agreement and watched Sabre walk out the door.
Under the mask, I smiled.
Heading for the ground floor, I checked in, "This is Sabre, and I’m in the resort. I'll check around here."
"Acknowledged
Sabre" Calley's voice came over the comm system. Her fingers danced over her console's
multiple keypads as teams reported in.
Kami and
"Calley,
would you also pull someone to watch the resort? To
watch over Alicia?"
As Ty's beckon showed him
rounding the boat house to approach the Round rock on the eastern perimeter,
she responded. "On
it. Two Socks please report to
room #328. Bluffhave
Police, please dispatch an officer to Room #328 of the main resort for
protection detail."
Lupe was moving from the amphitheater
along the main bridge access to the resort to assist Sabre. But the question is: how many packages and
where had the Fashionista's men left?
I headed outside, back into
the night air. Slipping around the
building, I looked for what might be suspicious "packages" which I figured
would be the Fashionista's modus operandi.
Sure enough, first one
right in the corner of the building tucked in a hedge.
I crouched down and pulled
the box from the brush.
It opened easily, but what
was contained inside was nothing like I expected: a note. One word: "Donkey." Damn it, I thought, this was a game, pin the
tail on the donkey and I was the jackass.
So where were the real bombs I wondered?
I flung the box on the ground and took running to continue my patrol.
"Calley, I have
found and removed 3 packs of explosive from around the Round Rock, can you
confirm if the other teams have found anything?"
Calley checked with the
other team reports. "Affirmative,
so far there were two explosives on the north side of the Resort and several dummy
packages. Hang on a sec. If you found them there and Sabre found them
at the resort, what are the chances that there are some over at the Amphitheater? Ty get over there and do a sweep."
"Acknowledged,"
Ty's deep voice rumbled.
A few moments later, he
came back, "It's clear, nothing. And no dummies either."
Good 'ol Ty, I thought. He
knew what he was doing. And wasn't about
to be fooled as I had been. If anything,
I was the dummy for allowing my guard to drop these last days. Despite this, I still don't think I'd have
traded them. Focus!
The knock brought Alicia
off the balcony watching the movie to answer the door. "Who is it?" Looking through the peek hole, she saw an
elderly woman with grey hair.
"It’s me Ms.
Kendrick, Two Socks. Mr. Slagenweit sent
me.
Alicia was starting to get
mad. She had asked for protection and
they had sent the 5 foot 2 head of housekeeping?!?! Opening the door, she stopped cold and about
laughed.
Two Socks entered the
room with a picnic basket and a thermos, a pleasant smile and an M-16 on her
back. "I thought you could you a
cup of tea dear to calm your nerves.
Tinkling around in the basket were four spare clips. Talk about service with a smile.
For fifteen minutes, the
teams moved around the buildings of the compound collecting explosives and
dummy packs.
Sabre had just finished
the third side of the Resort and was moving around the gazebo in the fountain
garden behind the building.
I had just finished half
of the backside of the spa when the Bombs started going off.
I heard the bomb go off and my first thoughts were either "F**k!" or "Jesus!" Can't really remember which, but so much the better. I took off running toward the sound, shouting into my comm-link, "Where? WHERE?!?"
Calley's voice boomed
over the comm system. "We have
multiple explosions over at the Old Mill.
"I'm on my way! Everybody converge! Move it!!"
I went back the way I had
come and rounded the building to see the old mill in flames and the wheel
floating in the southern lagoon
As fast as my feet would
carry me, I ran towards the Mill. I
would get them, make them pay for this outrage, I thought. I jumped down the bank to the lower ground
alongside the chapel, heading for the southern lagoon. My heart pounding in my chest;
my breath coming in ragged gulps.
Get there, get the creeps! Find
the Fashionista!
I met up with Sabre
heading for the Mill. Grabbing him, I
jumped us to with a few yards in time to see the Boat House go up. With luck we intercepted a quarter of intruders
and found an outlet for our anger.
"Sabre, you cleared
the resort correct?"
"Yeah. Got
‘em.
There were two of them and a few dummies to throw us off."
By now the men lay at our
feet out for the night. "I only got
half the spa perimeter searched."
We jumped as more explosions sounded behind us. Spinning, we both looked at each other when
we found the source. It was the ending segment
of JT's movie and the fireworks were about to begin.
"Sir, you really
went all out on the amphitheater sound system didn't you?" I said with a laugh.
"Only the best,"
I replied, with a small smile.
About the time my wrist
communicator came in with a call from Zack's phone.
"Tobey, are you
alright? I am up on the spa roof and I
see the Mill on fire. I called the fire
department but are you ok?"
"I'm fine
Zack," picturing his face.
It was at that second;
something like one of the bombs going off around the grounds went off in my
head. Like a massive ringing, but I
couldn't place it or identify it. It was
like shock of electricity and then...
I heard “oof" come
over the line. "You okay bud?"
I asked. "I'm fine. I just tripped over a duffle bag one of the
customers must have left."
I was rooted to the spot
and Mike's horror mirrored my own, but he moved quicker "MOVE!!! DROP THE
BA-" he yelled into my wrist. But
he never got to finish his sentence as an explosion erupted above the Round
Rock like a volcano and a silo-et rose and then fell. Immediately below it, another explosion
followed by a third.
I couldn't think. My mind
wouldn't register. I felt arms wrap
around me and someone yelled in my ear
I closed my eyes, the sight
of it all too painful; the explosions ringing in my ears, a poor requiem for a
hard working, intelligent, and caring young man. There was only one thing left. I grabbed Night and said, "Gazebo! Now!!"
Like being operated by
remote control, Sabre and I appeared inside the gazebo and I found myself
running and cradling Zack in my arms.
"No," I
whispered, "Dear God, no, don't let this be true."
Tears blinded me to the
torn and disfigured body of my friend and love.
I held him close to me, but I knew there was no getting him back
I felt wetness running down
my face, tears, I realized. Not just for
the friend I'd just lost; someone who was more than an employee. But more so for my friend who'd lost his true
love. It made me angry that I'd found it
at the expense of him losing it. Please
God, give me strength, and show me the way to help my friend.
The comm links crackled
with a voice I hadn't heard in a while this way. "Two Socks to the Wolves: we got bad
guys attempting to break in #328. I need
help here fast." Her voice was set
and I heard pounding in the background.
Gently laying Zack to the ground I stood up grabbing Sabre's bicep and
when we were erect, we looked in from Alicia's balcony as the door flew open
and the gun totting granny let fly.
I had no conscious
thought. I teleported from the balcony
to the hallway and saw gunfire cascade from the room and three men huddled on
the floor.
HIM! He was the cause. In ten minutes it wouldn't matter. Not worrying about the gun shots, I walked
between the bad guys and the two goons became corpses. I took a fist full of the back of Barnett's
shirt and yelled for Sabre and TS.
"STOP SHOOTING! I GOT HIM!" Silence filled the corridor except
for the sobbing from the man below me.
Mike came into the hallway.
"Hold him!" I
said, firmly, "We need him--" I never got the chance to finish my sentence. Night had teleported himself and Barnett.
"Calley!" I shouted into my comm-link, I need a location on Night,
now! He's got Barnett!"
"He hasn't shown
back up on the tracker yet."
"Find him,
dammit!" I said, then it hit me, "Wait! I
know where I'm going!" With that, I
took off running like a bat out of hell.
Lord knew, that's where Barnett would be headed
in a short time if I let Night have his way with him.
The night air, which had
been cool earlier, had warmed considerably with the heat of the fires, burning intensely
alongside the resort. Through the
comm-link I could hear the nonstop running of the others and the police getting
the guests to safety while the fire department was on its way. Again I jumped the back ledge, landing next
to the chapel, but heading for the other side of the lagoon. Right below the waterfall. That's where I would find them.
I was drenched from head
to toe. That can happen when you are
holding a murderer under water in the basin of a waterfall.
I was wet, I was cold,
but my mind acknowledged no feelings at all.
Zack was dead. How could I ever
feel again? Finally, I allowed the scum
to float to the surface for a gasp of air.
Hauling him bodily out of
the air he was screaming. "Who are
you? How did we get here?"
I silenced him with a
back hand
"I am the angel of
death a**hole." I snarled into his
petrified face. "I am the terror of
your nightmares. And as for how...well that is a little trick I can do. Like one minute we're here. The next - "with a pop we were in free
fall 3 miles up. I set myself into a
satisfied stance while Barnett flipped, spun and screamed. I let us go for about 30 seconds before I put
us back to the ground where he landed with a thud.
Barnett, white as a ghost,
scampered back against the rocks and cowered as I advanced on him.
I had Barnett's complete
attention. Squatting down in front of him, I grinned evilly like the demon he
thought I was.
"You know, if no one
had gotten hurt, you would be looking at a nice long life of a warm cot and 3
squares. But that ain't gonna happen. My
team was gonna reign me in and I was happy to hold myself back, but seeing as
it won't matter, I am gonna let you in on a little secret." He whimpered “no, no, no” over and over
again. "Shhhh.
There isn't any reason for that."
He relaxed a little.
"No reason at
all." I said in a soothing
voice. "You see," I grabbed
his tongue. "There ain't anyone
around to hear you." And concentrating, I popped a few feet away. He was writhing on the scree. Dropping his tongue to the ground, I walked
back over.
Taking his foot, I
wrenched it intent on breaking it but for effect I jumped a foot to my left and
tossed the lump into the woods. A nice meal for the local wildlife.
Grabbing him by the
throat, I slammed him back up against the stone. "Mr. Barnett, you ruined my life. I had
found true love and you killed him."
Terror caused him to tremble.
Shock caused him to convulse. I
took his right hand. "I was gonna
put on ring on this finger right here."
Barnett would have agreed but it was now in a field in
His other four fingers
were in
Becky saw Sabrewolf
running and caught up with him.
"What is it?" she
asked, breathless.
"Tobey's in trouble,
and about to do something terrible. I
need to stop him before he does." I replied.
"Well let's go! Lead the way!"
It took us a minute to work
our way around the remains of the boat house, but eventually we made it
through, running again as fast as we could, Becky looking like a ghost or an
angel amongst the darkness.
In the few minutes we had
spent together, the former evil doer had quite literally gone to pieces and it
only fueled my rage more.
Missing his lower extremities and hands, he was not having a good day.
"ZACK WAS MY BEST FRIEND!" In a rage spittle flew from my mouth as did
the words.
"Mr. Barnett, may I
call you Barney? You took my life and I
am gonna take yours. But before you do,
I want you to look into the face of the man who stopped you. The face" and
I ripped off my mask, "of the people you hurt and know you picked the
wrong person to mess with. For since you
have seen my face, you know my secret.
And we can't have that. You have
to go. But I want you to look into my
eyes for they are the last thing you will ever see." I reached for his face and his guttural moan
was joined by two other screams.
As we came up on the
waterfall, I screamed, "Night! No!!"
I loved the way Becky asked
that.
I stepped away from my
prisoner and Becky's light shade drained of color completely. "Is...He?" She asked a hand on her chest. Bouncing my head affirmatively, I walked to
them but they took a step back.
"Oh, God..." I
whispered.
The
fires from the resort shown through the trees providing light on Sabre's and
Becky's terrified faces. Their expressions and the weight of Zack's
death buckled my knees and I sank to the ground seeing images from the
Fashionista's hide out, Zack and the bomb blast and Barnett.
I stepped up to my friend,
placing my hand on his shoulder, willing some of my strength into him. Praying that he wouldn't do
something more destructive.
"I have a duty, Night,
to turn you in for this..." I said, my voice cracking, trying not to break
down in tears.
I knew he was right. I had taken another life. But I couldn't bring myself to look at
them. Becky's voice sounded in my ears
close by. "Sabrewolf, is that
really necessary? This is Tobey, your friend."
"I know, that's what makes this harder..." I said, but Becky
was right, I couldn't just throw him to the police without a shot at
redemption. I continued, "I can't
do it. Not just yet."
"Please, you got to
Mike."
Becky's eyes shot at me, a
look of wonder in them.
"Michael? Slagenweit?"
Becky was in awe
I pulled back my mask,
revealing my sweat streaked face. No
denying things now, she'd figured it out, smart woman that she was.
"I should have
guessed." She said self
satisfied. "With
Tobey being in the pack and with you around. I should have realized sooner."
"Well, now that you
know, I beg of you to keep my secret."
Becky agreed silently and
knelt down to her silent friend.
"But what are we
gonna do about Tobey?"
"I don't know, but one
thing's for certain, he can't stay here.
The police will be down here sooner or later."
"Sabre, Please I'm
begging you let me go. Please just let me go.”
“I can't do that Tobey. I
can't let you be alone right now. If not for any other reason
then your safety. I don't want you hurting yourself."
"PLEASE!!"
Becky's heart wrenching,
she stepped forward. "Sabre,"
She gently put her hand
on Sabre's arm. "Mike, let me stay with him. You're right. He shouldn't be
alone, but I know I will be safe with him. Allow me to take care of him.
Please" Her eyes shimmered with tears in the lights of the fires. Not
trusting his heart to speak, Sabre nodded and she knelt down beside Tobey.
I looked down at my friend,
looking so helpless there on the ground.
I closed my eyes a moment, then said, “Take care of him Becky and close your eyes."
Looking over at Tobey
squatted beside his friend.
"Tobey, Becky is
gonna go with you. All I ask is that you keep her with you and you check back
in once a day and Becky can do that."
He glanced at the new
guardian of one of the pack. She in turn nodded acceptance of the rules.
Standing he nodded his approval.
"Okay Tobey, go my
friend. Come ho-" his friends disappeared. And into the night he said
"Come home soon my friend."
Above me, in the midst of
the flames of the mill, I head someone laughing. I raised my eyes to the remains and saw the
Fashionista, standing there, a cigar held coyly in one hand, looking stunning
in a silk shirt. He shouted, over the
noise, “Look familiar, Michael? Just like that day?”
“This is between you and me;”
I shouted in reply, “Innocents didn’t have to die to settle our score.”
"Hmph, like I would
need innocents to settle the score with you dog boy." The Fashionista said with a sneer.
"This ends tonight,
Fashionista!" I shouted, anger rising in my voice.
"Bring it,
runt!"
I scrambled up the
embankment and lunged for the Fashionista, teeth bared as Fuzzy's might be if
he were here.
He dodged my attack nimbly,
but I spun around readying a second. It
was then that I noticed the gun in his hand pointed at my chest.
"So your really want
to end this tonight huh?"
"This isn't you,
Adam," I said. At the same time, I
reached out with my mind, trying to link with Adam's beneath the
Fashionista's. Slippery, come on, you're there Adam, I know you are! Take my hand...
The Fashionista's
hand massaged his temple but he shook the cobwebs loose. "But Mr. Slagenweit, it is me. I am only what you made." he cackled.
"Yes, I did, now give
me the chance to make amends for it.
Give yourself up." I reached
further. I can see you there, Adam. Don't let this monster keep you in
there! Here's my hand, reach out and
take it. This isn't who you are, you
don't want to hurt people, JT still loves you, and your friends still
care. Take my hand!
A bead of sweat rolled past
my ear, my concentration slipping, but I had to keep the Fashionista from doing
anything foolish before I brought Adam back to the surface.
"Mike?!”
"Yes..."
What was happening? This was my crowning moment? One pull of the trigger and I would finish
it. My revenge would be complete. Why couldn't I do it?
Yes, Adam! Reach for
me! You can do this! We're waiting for you. Reach!
Don't give in to the Fashionista!
Come on, Adam, reach!
Light was breaking
through. Pain stabbed through the Fashionista's skull and he dropped the gun
groaning.
"Mike, mike
help..."
Sweat poured down my face, just a little more! Yes there!
Fuzzy,
The Fashionista collapsed
into the ruble ripping his trendy outfit.
The wolf pack raced forward.
Fuzzy turned to me, Michael, what have you done?
What I needed to do all along, I said aloud, “
"JT, wait!" I
said, "Give me a moment; we've got to be sure!"
Being guided over by
Sabre, JT knelt down beside his friend and moved a lock of hair from his
forehead.
Adam began to awaken and
saw fuzzy shapes in front of him.
"Adam?" I asked. I locked eyes with him and looked into his mind once more.
Yes, yes, you've done it, Adam! Now stay with us!
"Michael? Where am
I? JT?"
"You're all right,
Adam. JT,
"All
right,"
You've done a good thing.
I know. I just hope
it lasts.
Ty will not approve.
The ends justify the means.
I resumed my mask for the
walk across the grounds to Tobey's apartment.
Inside I found Becky sitting beside Tobey in the bedroom. She saw me walk in and I removed my mask
again. I said, "It's over."
Tobey was lying on the
bed sobbing holding a teddy bear.
"Becky, would you give
us a moment?" I asked.
Her face was filled with emotion. "Sure Mike. I'll be outside if you need me." She pulled the door closed behind her.
I stepped forward,
"Tobey... Tobey, I'm sorry, I can't
know what you must be going through, but I wanted you to know, that I won't
turn you in. Whatever we will get
through this together..."
"He's gone Mike...
my best friend is gone. What am I gonna
do?" My world was a mass of tears.”
I felt the tears streaming
down my face, "I don't know... I..."
Tobey rose at my words and I just wrapped him in the biggest hug I'd
ever given anyone in my life.
I began to tell Mike
about the plans Zack and I had been making over the last few days. We were going to start making things more
permanent between us. I don't know how
long I rambled, but Becky came back in during it and my eyelids started to get
heavy.
All I could do was listen, but at the moment, listening was the easiest thing
to do.
Becky just rubbed Tobey's
back gently as he poured his heart out.
Finally he slumped exhausted into Mike's arms. Still suited up in the uniform that had seen
hell tonight and had the stains to prove it, they removed his boots and
carefully put him to bed, the bear never leaving his arms.
Fuzzy came in and got up on
the bed beside the defeated superhero.
Go now Michael. I
will watch over him tonight.
And with that they exited
the room turning off the lights.
I checked in on
Larentia said, "He's
exhausted and can't remember anything."
"I didn't expect it
right away, but some memory may resurface.
Be careful."
"Is there anything
we can do to make sure that it is Adam that wakes up and not the
Fashionista?"
"I know. And if it'd make you feel better, I'll send
Ty-Ohni up here and have him double check."
I left and headed for the amphitheatre,
I passed Lupe, who had come up to patrol with Ty. She smiled at me, to which I
returned, and walked on. Ty was on the
opposite side.
Calley's voice sounded
over the comm. "So what was the end
result of tonight?"
I brought up my comm-link,
"We've got Adam back. He is JT's suite;
Calley acknowledged and signed off.
Ty said, "You used
your mental abilities again, didn't you?"
I didn't bother to deny it.
“Michael, after tonight
we must create your training. You have a
gift and you used it well tonight."
"I needed to, Ty. In my captivity, I was in close proximity to
Adam, and knew that he was in there; I knew I must bring him out. You can make sure."
"There's another
problem though."
"What is it?"
"Tobey. He killed Barnett and I'm worried that,
well..."
"That is
troublesome. He will require
monitoring. As team lead it is up to you
as to his disposition with us."
"I'm just worried that
he may slip into something to which we might not be able to get him out
of."
"Sabrewolf, the
Nightwolf has touched the darkness before.
He will need his friends around him if he is to get through this."
"You're right as
always, old friend."
He placed his hand on my
shoulder and headed for JT's suite. It
was then that I heard the sound of applause breaking over the wall of the
amphitheatre. Judging from the loud
clapping and hollering, the film must've been a rousing success. I smiled, letting the warmth come through,
but despite it all, I still wondered if it was all worth it.