The Abyss Stares Back - 14
The darkened brick buildings of Kirkholm passed by as Sloan and Inspector Eldon rode up the sloped roads towards Anshoff.
“You think I’m unreasonable, don’t you.” Said Eldon.
Sloan pulled her gaze from the veiled alleyways and drowsing apartments outside of the carriage to look at her fellow passenger.
“You’re gonna have to be more specific, mate.” Replied Sloan. “Unreasonable about what?”
“How we treat you?” Explained Eldon. “You’ve trained your whole life to fight monsters and invisible forces that most people don’t understand and everyone treats you as a pariah. They look at you with fear and suspicion or even hatred but from your perspective you’re just doing the right thing.”
Sloan nodded thoughtfully. “That’s pretty astute, yeah. It can be frustrating but these feelings are not unfounded. Me and my fellow blackguards are fighting for a world we don’t fit into anymore. The darkness has been driven back far enough for people to have forgotten there ever was a darkness. But I don’t blame them.”
“You don’t?”
Sloan shrugged. “Not really. They haven’t seen what I’ve seen. They haven’t looked into the face of evil, true evil, not to mention fought for their lives against such entities. From their perspective I’m just a savage killer who has little restraint and maybe too much blood thirst.”
Eldon leaned in to speak in hushed tones. “And you aren’t?”
Sloan shot him an exasperated look. “All I do I do for the sake of regular people like you. But the things I have to do are usually awful because the things we deal with are so evil that we can’t even properly understand them. There is no quarter with them. No line they won’t cross and no crime that’s too great. And if I hesitate or allow myself to feel empathy for even a moment I run the risk of making a fatal mistake that won’t just claim my life but the lives of countless innocents.”
Eldon peered his eyes as he searched hers for truth.
“And that’s the fact of it.” Sloan continued as she looked back out the window. “If I have to be a devil to keep people safe, then so be it.”
Eldon nodded, thoughtfully before interjecting.
“Then let me ask you this one last question and let that be the end of it…”
Sloan turned to look at him again.
“Can you say you’ve only ever killed monsters or those irreversibly corrupted by monsters?”
The blackguard stared at him in silence. The inspector nodded before sitting back and looking out his own window.
“That’s what I feared.”
The carriage was choked with silence for the rest of the ride with both of its passengers watching the slumbering city roll on by.
“I’m just saying, I think this is a great opportunity if we manage to pull it off.” Said Hitch as he limped behind Ophelia on their way to the head offices of Addleworth Limited in Brumsfield.
“What are you on about?” asked Ophelia as she continued to keep an eye on their surroundings, suspecting someone might be following them.
So far, the streets had been almost entirely empty save for the occasional night owl.
“I mean if we thwart a demonic invasion or infestation or whatever she called it, that has great meaning for our future prospects here in Kirkholm.”
“Are you only doing this to further your own interests, Hitch?” Ophelia smirked as she continued to lead the way.
“Who isn’t?!” said Hitch, gripping a lamp post to steady himself as he turned a corner following Ophelia.
“Well I’m sure the inspector and the blackguard don’t really get any financial or political gain from this. Well, maybe the inspector but Sloan is mostly loathed for what she does.”
“Can’t really blame people for that.” Said Hitch. “That woman is an animal. Have you seen her move when she fights? Absolutely terrifying. I wouldn’t mind trying to harness that power to, you know…”
Ophelia Vandermeer stopped to stare at Mr Hitch incredulously.
“What? No, not like that!” said Hitch. “I mean to like get rid of competition.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes before continuing onward.
“You have such limited vision,” Hitch resumed. “Maybe it’s just not a talent you had to develop on account of you being of noble birth and such.”
“You think I’m of noble birth?”
“Yeah, of course you are. It’s written all over you.”
Ophelia scoffed. “How so.”
“It’s in the way you dress, the way you talk and carry yourself. You may have the others fooled but I don’t need your last name to know you’re imperial nobility.”
Ophelia stopped to look at her companion. Hitch lurched back, fearing she might hit him, but grinned when no such attack was granted.
“I’m right, ain’t I?”
“You’re very astute, Hitch.”
“Mr Hitch.”
“My apologies. Mr Hitch,” said Ophelia as she curtsied. “But you see I believe I have the measure of yourself as well.”
“Oh really?”
“Indeed.”
“Well?”
Ophelia began slowly walking around Hitch as she spoke. “You dress as well as you can, though your attire is on the affordable end of the spectrum. You understand the value of a presentable appearance. You associate with hoodlums, blackguards, imperial inspectors and nobility alike regardless of whether you fit in with them or not. Which tells me your both persistent and also opportunistic. And your limp and scars tell me you’ve been crossed before and have learned when to hold your tongue and when to flap it.”
Hitch stared at her resentfully for a moment. “Well, aren’t we an intuitive pair.”
“Quite.”
“But your wrong about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I was crossed, betrayed even, but it didn’t teach me when to hold my tongue. It taught me how to bide my time.” Hitch then fished a ring from his pocket. “But I am opportunistic. A man like me needs to know when to strike and when to cower in order to survive.”
Ophelia’s stern look softened a bit. “Then you are wise indeed.”
She then turned to resume their journey, and Hitch followed. “The limp is new though. Would you believe it if I told it’s because I got shot by our blackguard friend earlier to night.”
“Honestly, it tracks.”
Soon they rounded a corner and before them they found the tall and imposing office building of Addleworth Limited. Each window a dark portal into an umbral abyss contained within.
“Oh.” Said Hitch as he stumbled a bit at the sight. “That’s quite…uh…”
“Frightening.”
“Yeah.”
The two of them stood there for a moment, taking in the details of their destination.
“Maybe we should-uh-wait for the others, yeah?” Hitch muttered.
“You don’t have to be here.”
“Huh?”
Ophelia turned to look at him with a grave expression. “You don’t have to be here Mr Hitch. This is far beyond you, and it is as you said; you know when to strike and when to cower. Now is the time to cower. You haven’t seen what it’s like. You haven’t met someone afflicted by the influence.”
“I still think you all are using that term wrong.”
“Mr Hitch.”
There was conflict in his eyes, she could see it. On one hand he saw an opportunity to further advance his own status. But on the other was he willingly to go into the lion’s den? His expression betrayed his worries.
“I won’t judge you.” She said with the softest smile.
The large frame of Mr Marcus Hitch began to deflate a bit and the hardness in his eyes began to fade. The mask he had so carefully cultivated slipped and what she saw was a frightened man who was in way too deep.
“I…I-I-I can’t rightly abandon you now, can I?”
“I’ll be fine. Be smart. Know when to strike.”
The sorry husk of a man smiled sadly. He clearly wanted to make some excuse, wanted to say something that would reclaim his dignity and refasten the mask upon his visage. But he knew there was nothing he could say at this point. There was nothing left for him to reclaim.
So instead he just lightly put his hand on her shoulder, as if he was too afraid to dirty her clothes, and said; “Be careful, dear.”
Ophelia nodded. She then watched as Hitch turned on his heel and limped down the street. The further he got the surer his stride became. As if increased distance from the office building rebuilt his confidence with each step. And eventually he disappeared behind a corner, out of sight, out of mind.
The imperial arcanist looked upon at the office building and inhaled deeply.
This was for the better. This way she didn’t have to kill him.
Ophelia Vandermeer then turned to walk down the street, away from the Addleworth Limited head offices.
Behind her, lurking in the shadows, Mr Hitch’s eyes observed as she diverted and walked elsewhere. Puzzled he muttered to himself, “Now where are you going?”
The lights struggled to shine through the thick cigar smoke, plunging the entire pub into a hazy orange mess.
“Really?” asked one of the imperial inspectors at full volume. “What did you do then?”
“Heh, I simply stepped back, threw up my arms and said, ‘hey, buddy. I’m not that kinda watcher.’” Answered another as the entirety of the pub erupted in laughter.
Inspector Tiege sat on his stool, his handlebar moustache accentuating his scowl. The smoke from his cigar danced around his eyes and the sight of his half empty ale mug made his stomach turn.
“Why the long face, inspector?” asked Watch Captain Morrens, a tall yet gaunt human man with a sallow complexion and a sunken stare.
Tiege grimaced for a moment before forcing a crooked smile. “Nothin’, just thinking.”
“You thinking about that blackguard lady?” said one of the watchers.
“Bloody mess she made,” added another.
“Wouldn’t mind getting five minutes alone with her in the interrogation chamber.” Said one of the inspectors.
“Shut it.” Said Morrens. “You think that woman is a common criminal, all talk, no walk? You stupid idiots, that woman has been trained to kill her entire life and she’s been imbued with dark magic to make her an even more efficient killer.”
“She killed all those people and there’s nothing we can do about it.” Said Tiege, his jaw tightening as he mumbled.
“Inspector Eldon is looking into it.” Said Morrens. “He figured he could find something, anything, that we could pin on her.”
Tiege slowly turned to look at his superior. “Eldon is looking into the matter?”
Watch Captain Morrens shrugged as he put a mug of ale to his lips. “Is what he said.”
“Why is he doing that?”
The jealousy sparked a flame in Tiege’s gut that made him grind his teeth.
Morrens finished his drink before turning a dejected gaze to his halfling inspector.
“Probably because you’re in here getting sauced, I’d imagine.”
The other watchers didn’t laugh, nor did they dare to make eye contact with Tiege. The remark cut the inspector deep, deep enough to only make him angrier.
Inspector Tiege hopped down from his stool and put out his cigar with his boot before walking away, fuming with anger. At first he was just going out to take a leak in the alley but afterwards he didn’t feel like returning in there. He was too drunk to work now but also far too restless to continue drinking. Perhaps he should go home and take a shower, try to clear his head. The hour was late anyways, it was time to leave.
The halfling man waddled up the wide, well lit Anshoff streets until he took a short cut through an alleyway. However as he emerged upon the next street something caught his eye that made him dart back into the alley’s shadow.
What he had first seen were two humanoid shapes messing about the chain link fence of a depot yard. But as he peeked past the corner once more he saw something that truly shocked him. These weren’t just any figures. He knew these figures. One far better than the other.
Inspector Eldon and the blackguard, Sloan.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. Surely he must have drunk himself stupid. There was no way his colleague would be cavorting with their primary suspect. But the longer he looked and focused the clearer the image became.
Not only was he observing them sneaking around together but he quickly realized they were trying to covertly enter the depot yard.
He watched as the blackguard cut a hole in the fence and then slunk on through, followed by Inspector Eldon.
Tiege could feel the unbridled rage overwhelming his sense. He couldn’t let this stand. If the two of them were working together then they must being trying to get rid of any and all evidence to her crimes.
Without conscious thought or intent, Tiege’s hand slithered into his coat pocket where his fingers found the hilt of his revolver.
He had to act. He had to do…something…
Ophelia Vandermeer walked solemnly down the empty streets of Brumsfield until she found herself standing before a familiar building once more.
The decaying estate of her uncle Edilon and his branch of the family.
She walked up to the gate and conjured a bluish light of energy and then fired it into the lock. A loud fracture of metal shattered the evening stillness, but only for a moment. And then she walked on in. Her feet finding uneasy ground as the cobblestone pathway to the front door had fallen into disrepair, like everything else. She was halfway to the door when suddenly she stopped.
A wave of sadness washed over her as her mind raced through a series of agonizing questions. What if?
What if I had kept in touch?
What if I hadn’t broken off contact?
What if I had pressed my father to maintain closer relations with his brother. They are family after all, despite everything?
What if…
What…if…
The guilt of her neglect gripped a chokehold on her heart. As her eyes traced the crumbling walls, the boarded up windows, the overgrown grass and the shifting roof tiles, they slowly filled with tears.
“I…I’m sorry…” she whimpered softly. “I should have been here…”
“You’re here now.” Said a voice behind her.
She turned on her heel but was hit with a heavy blow to the back of the head as she did and suddenly she was on the ground.
As her vision slowly faded out she saw a dark figure standing over her
“Welcome home.” Said the figure as Ophelia was plunged into unconsciousness.
“Oh shit.” Whispered Hitch as he watched the dark figure pick up Ophelia’s unconscious body.
In his hand he held a revolver in a tight grip. He had used it before, against men and gutter scum. But never anything like this.
He had watched the dark being leap from the rooftop of the dilapidated mansion and land soundlessly behind Ophelia. Then, in one strike, knocked her out cold. Even in the all the darkness of night he could see its eyes like glowing embers of hatred that sent shivers down his spine.
He had seen evil, he thought. He had never seen anything like this.
And so his hand shook and refused to raise. His feet remained planted and his breath remained too short to move.
He was paralyzed with fear and could only watch as the figure effortlessly picked up Ophelia and then casually walked into the mansion. He was even certain the doors opened on their own and closed behind them.
She needed saving but he was no blackguard. He was nothing more than a coward.
Time was of the essence, and so Hitch did the only thing he knew how to.
He ran.
“Duck.” Inspector Eldon whispered.
“Where?” asked Sloan before being pulled down behind a stack of metal pipes.
The depot yard was filled with various industrial equipment that the Addleworth Limited company used in their daily business. Spools of wire, steel beams, blocks of bricks and bags of masonry. And pipe parts. Hundreds upon hundreds of pipe parts.
“What are you…” Sloan started before she saw Eldon putting his finger over his mouth.
He then pointed past the pipes where they took refuge. Sloan peeked past their cover where she saw what looked like a company guard standing around and swaying.
“He’s drunk.” Whispered Inspector Eldon. “We can make it past him if we’re quiet.”
Sloan furrowed her brow at the figure.
“I don’t think they’re drunk.”
“HANDS UP!” a voice suddenly commanded from behind them.
The inspector and the blackguard slowly turned to find Inspector Tiege standing by the hole they had cut in the fence. He was wearing a heavy green cloak with a service revolver in his hands. He had a deranged look about him.
“Tiege? What are you doing here?” asked Eldon, still shocked by his colleague’s sudden appearance.
“Shut up! Fucking traitor!” Tiege spat out.
“You need to keep it down.” Said Sloan.
“You too, whore.” Said Tiege as he aimed his revolver at her.
“Hold on.” Said Eldon as he placed himself between Tiege and Sloan. “Talk to me Tiege. You know me.”
“Do I?” asked Tiege, spittle trickling down his chin as he spoke.
His eyes were wide and his footing wasn’t so sure.
Sloan slowly reared her head to look past the pipes once more and was entirely unsurprised to find the the company guard was now gone. Her fingers gently rested upon the hilt of her blade in anticipation for what was to come.
“I thought we were supposed to be partners, Eldon! And now I find you cavorting with our primary suspect!? Are you getting rid of the evidence?!”
“I’m trying to avert disaster, Tiege!”
The manic rage suddenly dissipated in Tiege’s eyes as a frightening certainty took over.
“I’ll show you a disaster, traitor.”
He steadied his aim and tightened his grip.
“Nice evening, isn’t it.” Said a voice from the darkness.
Tiege turned to find a figure standing in the darkness, peering past the pipes. He was still too drunk to tell but from the look of it the figure seemed to be wearing a uniform.
“Identify yourself!” commanded Tiege as he now pointed his revolver at the figure.
“I know how to make it nicer.” Said the figure as they stepped out into the moonlight.
Tiege’s eyes widened with fear as he beheld the figure’s face. Frantic eyes and an impossibly wide smile as if invisible fingers had hooked the corners of their mouth and pulled them far past their limit. Their visage was so horrifying that Tiege almost didn’t notice that the figure was wielded a blood stained blade.
In a flash the demonic thrall rushed forward and swung its blade into Tiege’s arm. In reaction he pulled the trigger and the bullet hit the thrall straight in the chest.
The thrall stumbled back and looked at the red spot on its chest before laughing loudly. “Yes! Yes! Just like that inspector!”
The thrall rushed forward again as Tiege fell back screaming, emptying all his bullets into the twitching figure. Bursts of blood splattered his face as he beheld the figure, ignoring all pain, raising its blade to strike at him again.
A flash of light blinded him for but a moment, and then suddenly the thrall’s hand came off just below the elbow, arm and blade clattering to the ground.
The twisted figure turned its manic smile to Sloan, “I’ll decorate the yard with your guts, you fucking…”, and then the thrall collapsed after the blackguard had rapidly plunged her blade into its chest and head.
Tiege watched the body continue to thrash as its strength left it. “You’ll…all…die…you’ll…all…” it coughed up before it was finally dead.
The inspector looked up at the blood splattered blackguard woman who stared back at him with her dark eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
Inspector Tiege quickly pulled himself up, still aiming his empty revolver at her. “What the fuck was that?!”
“Not very good at that deduction thing you inspectors do for a living, are you?” she smirked at him.
Tiege looked at Eldon who seemed just as horrified by what had happened. The drunken inspector then looked down at the mangled humanoid figure lying at his feet. They were dressed as a company guard with the insignia of the Addleworth Limited company, but they were gaunt and haggard. Their fingernails had been pulled off and one of its ears had been ripped off a while ago.
“This…” he muttered.
“Yes?” said Sloan, waiting for him to piece things together.
“This is…”
“Yes??”
Tiege’s eyes darted back and forth until they widened with revelation.
“This is—!” and then an impact hit him in the back of the head and he fell down unconscious.
“Whoa!” said Hitch, holding up his revolver by the barrel, hilt forward. “He went down easier than I thought.”
“Aw, he almost pieced it together!” said Sloan.
“What are you doing here, Hitch?” asked Eldon in an exasperated tone. “You were supposed to hit the head offices with Ophelia.”
“Oh right! She sent me away and then she went elsewhere so I followed her.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Sloan.
“She didn’t go to the head officers.”
“Why did you leave her?” asked Eldon.
“I-uh-I don’t really…it was very complicated and we don’t have the time to go into it.”
“Where is she now?!” asked Sloan.
“She went to a mansions. A dilapidated one. And something jumped down from the roof, knocked her out and carried her in! I think it might be the thing that is behind all of this!”
Sloan’s eyes went blank as her mind raced to piece it all together. How had she not seen it before?
“Find the charm!” Sloan commanded as she rushed out of the hole and down the street.
“What do we do if we find more of these things?!” Eldon called out after her.
“Kill them!” they heard Sloan say before she disappeared out of view.
Inspector Eldon and criminal underboss Hitch stood in the depot yard looking down at Tiege and the dead thrall.
“Gross.” Said Hitch.
“You don’t even know the half of it.”
Sloan ran. She ran until her veins were about to burst and her legs threatened to fold under her weight. And then she ran some more.
Her footsteps echoed throughout the empty darkened streets of Kirkholm as she ran towards the Vandermeer estate. The shadows lengthened and the sky began to brighten.
Dawn was not far off.
Sloan ran, hoping against hope that Ophelia wasn’t dead. And knowing that she was now in the heart of darkness. The center of it all. The Vandermeer Estate.
That is where it all began.
That is where it would all end.
