Phthalo Blues

by Will Wallner

  Taz arrived at Big World Comics and hung his leather rucksack on the coat rack. He sat behind the counter and checked everything was where it should be.

  “Hey Steve, sorry I'm late.” Taz placed a baseball cap on his head bearing the logo ‘B.W.C’. It was a relatively large store, located down a small street, but always had customers. He flicked through some newly delivered comics and watched cartoons on a tiny television positioned behind the counter. Although it didn’t pay much, it was an easy job and Taz loved it.

  Later that day, while the store was empty, Taz got up to stretch his legs. He walked outside and leaned against the wall next to the entrance of the store. He looked up at the clear blue sky and thought about the last month living in Tech City. As far as Taz was concerned, he wanted to stay here forever. The city had so much energy and he made friends quickly with the kids who visited the store. Although he was fond of Valley Village and his Uncle, he always dreamt of leaving someday. He thought about how he must be the coolest kid ever to be living in Tech City. The other orphans and more importantly, Sister Mary, would never believe that he had a job in the biggest city on Middle Continent. He took off his cap and looked at the logo for the comic store. Then he saw someone approaching in the corner of his eye.

  “I was wondering what time you’d show up. Did you have a nice date?” Taz asked.

  “It wasn’t a date. She’s just someone I met at the piano bar. I’m going to take look around.” Hunter entered the store and started looking at the different comics on the shelves. He saw a bin full of various posters. One, in particular, caught his eye.

  “Taz, come check this out. This is the blueprints for the construction plans of Tech City, pretty cool isn’t it.”

  “Hahaha, Hunter you’re a genius.”

  “What do you mean?” Hunter didn’t understand.

  “You don’t see it? Like I said, you have to wait for the right conditions in order for the solution to present itself. Look at the numbers up the side of the poster.”

  “Wait a second…They’re the same as the keyring! The numbers must be coordinates on this map! I’ve got to go back to the hotel to get the key. I can’t believe we didn’t figure this out sooner.” As Hunter took the poster and went to leave the store.

  "Um Hunter, aren't you forgetting something? It's twenty woolongs for the poster." Taz said.

  "Right, sorry, here you go Taz. I'll let you know what I find." Hunter handed him the money

  “Ok, keep me posted. You’re welcome by the way.” Taz watched Hunter, as he hastily left the store. He took off his cap again and brushed his hand through his hair. He grinned arrogantly, as he thought about how awesome he was. He picked up a comic off the shelf and walked back behind the counter.

  Back at the Dolphin Inn, Hunter looked at the keyring and laughed to himself. The numbers pointed to a location on the map that wasn’t far from the hotel and not very far from where Michael Paris had been murdered. He drove to the area, which was an empty construction plot, next to a large factory. After walking to the exact location, he looked at the ground and started digging with his hands. There had to be something there.

  He looked around to see if anyone else was nearby, then felt something solid in the dirt. He tried to remove it, but it was stuck firmly in the ground. He brushed away the earth to reveal a metallic object with a lock, almost like a safe, built into the ground. As he inserted the key, he felt the anticipation of finally discovering a new clue to his investigation. When the key turned, the front face of the metallic object lifted open. The contents had been vacuum sealed. When the seal was broken, steam blew out and revealed a small cavity. Inside was a folder, which was labeled:

  Project Overlord - Classified under orders of President Chakotay of Capitol City

  He took the file back to the car and sat in the driver’s seat, reading the documents in the folder. One by one, he placed them on the dashboard. He was dumbfounded by what he was discovering. With each new piece of information, his outrage grew stronger. When he had finished reading every document, he placed them all back in the folder and laid it on the passenger seat. He was in complete shock. He hung his head on the steering wheel and clenched his fists in anger. Phthalo Blue energy pulsated around him. After a short moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a mobile telephone. He dialed the only number saved in the phone’s history and tried to speak calmly.

  “Katrin, It’s me, I know what happened to your son. He was kidnapped by a gang who operate secretly out of the Tech City Piano Bar. They have taken many children over the past six months. All of the others were homeless war orphans living on the streets. Your son was taken by mistake. They probably mistook him as an orphan, while he was walking home from the comic book store. I don’t know what has happened to these children, but I’m going to find out. This whole thing is very well organized. It’s called Project Overlord. Michael Paris was hired directly by the President of Capitol City, to investigate all the reports of missing children in Tech City. You need to call the police and tell them everything. I’ll come to your apartment very soon to give you all the evidence I have collected. You should give it to the police. Then I’m going to the piano bar to get your son back.”

  Hunter drove towards the Katrin Fielder's apartment building. Along the way the way he called the comic book store and explained everything to Taz.

  “Taz listen, this is a dangerous situation. If I’m not back by tomorrow, take all of the money and buy a bus ticket back to Berlin. Don’t tell anyone where you are going and don’t say goodbye to any of your friends. Just take Moja and get out of the city as quickly as you can. From Berlin, take the first boat back to Lyme Cove.”

  “Hunter, if this is so dangerous, why not let the police handle it?” Taz asked.

  “Because now I know for certain, this is why we were meant to come to Tech City. This is what the man in black wanted us to find. I’ll be alright Taz. There’s something that I’ve been keeping secret from you for some time now. I don’t know how to explain it, but trust me, I'm not in any danger. If anyone should be scared, it’s them.”

  Hunter pulled up to the apartment building, but something was wrong. There was a police car parked outside and the entrance to the building had been forced open. Hunter ran inside, then took the elevator up to the thirtieth floor. As the elevator moved up the building, Hunter began clenching his fists. As the elevator doors opened, he was shocked to see Katrin Fielder lying dead on the carpet. There was a police officer standing over her body.

  “What happened?” Yelled Hunter. The officer looked at him, but didn’t reply.

  “He’s here,” the officer spoke into his radio. Hunter was confused as to what was going on. Then Jake stepped out of Katrin's apartment, with a cast on his arm and another officer at his side.

  “What is going on here?!? Officers, this man is a murderer, arrest him.” Hunter pointed at Jake.

  “You fool, don’t you know? We own the police.” Jake pulled a silver baton from his pocket and started walking towards Hunter. “Guys, keep your guns pointed at him at all times. He’s a tricky one. I just want you to know, we wouldn’t have had to kill her if you hadn’t been looking where you weren’t supposed to be. We thought when we killed Mr. Paris that would be the end of it, but then you showed up. You’re a hard man to track down. But like a moth to a flame, you’ve come to us. We’ve had her phone tapped ever since we discovered we accidentally took her kid.” Jake pushed a button on the baton, which made it electrify. “I brought this just in case you try any of your tricks. I’m going to enjoy making you suffer, you freak!”

  Hunter looked at Jake and the police officers who were now pointing their guns directly at him.

  “What have you done with Max, and the other children?” Hunter spoke with authority.

  “You’re never going to find out.” Jake said, as he raised the baton above his head, preparing to strike. Hunter looked Jake in the eyes and exploded with rage as Phthalo Blue energy engulfed his bod
y. “Die, freak!” Jake swung the baton as hard as he could, but before it made contact, Hunter grabbed Jake’s wrist with one hand. He put his other hand around Jakes’ neck and lifted him off the ground by the throat. Hunter looked him in the eyes as he squeezed tightly, choking him to death.

  “You’ll never hurt another child ever again, Jake!” Bullets from the officers ricocheted around Hunter. Jake couldn’t breathe. He tried to get the officers to help, but their bullets couldn’t penetrate the Phthalo Blue energy barrier, which protected Hunter. As a final effort, Jake thrust his electronic baton into Hunter’s face. For a brief moment, Hunter was stunned. Unfortunately for Jake, Hunter soon regained control, and continued to squeeze Jakes throat harder, and harder, until the life left his body. When Jake was dead, Hunter let go and watched his body fall to the floor. He couldn’t believe he had just killed a man. Hunter turned to the police officers, who were terrified.

  “I don’t want to kill you, but I will if you don’t put an end to Project Overlord. This has to stop.” Blue energy pulsated from his body, as the officers ran away as quickly as they could. Hunter left the apartment building and headed straight to confront Alex at the piano bar.

  Hunter drove straight down the alley and stopped right in front of the bar. At the entrance, a different bouncer sat on a stool smoking a cigarette.

  “Hey pal, you can’t leave your car there. You’ll need to park it on the street around the corner.”

  “I don’t have time for that, let me in,” Hunter stepped out from the car.

  “Wow kid, you’re really desperate to get some action tonight. Seriously, move the damn car!”

  “I have a better idea.” Hunter walked up to the bouncer who took a defensive stance. He tried to punch Hunter, but ended up with his fist clamped in Hunter’s grip. He cried out in pain as his hand broke. Then Hunter pushed him to the side.

  Hunter walked down the stairs, then entered the bar. Nakita was playing piano and the bar almost full.

  “You must have a death wish to come back here,” Simon signaled to the back. “Why don’t you make this easy, we don’t want to make a scene in front of our guests.” He grinned nervously.

  “Get out of my way you fat piece of shit.” Hunter shoved him back and walked across the bar. He engaged any bouncer that got in his way. Several converged on his position and everyone in the lounge watched the situation unfold. Nakita stopped playing. She sat at the piano and watched Hunter incapacitate each bouncer. When there was no one left to fight him, he went back and grabbed Simon. Hunter dragged him across the bar, then slammed him onto a table.

  “Take me to your boss, now!” Hunter aggressively asked.

  “I can’t, he’s not here.” Simon was panting and scared for his life.

  “I’m not leaving until I see him, I’ll break every bone in your body!” Hunter leaned on him hard. Simon cried out in pain, then Hunter released his grip and turned to face Nakita. Simon crawled under the table, cowering in fear. “Nakita, where’s Alex?!”

  “Right here!” A door behind one of the curtains flew open and Alex stepped out with several armed guards. Alex stood dressed in an expensive suit. His curly red hair was tied back in a ponytail. “Before you get any crazier, why don’t we talk about this calmly upstairs, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” Hunter looked at him. After a short pause, he nodded. “Good, we’re making progress. Simon, come out from under there. Why do you have to be such a pussy? Nakita, you come as well, I want you to hear this. Everyone else, get back to work.” The guards escorted Hunter through to the back.

  “Everything you need to know is up here.” Alex pushed a button for the elevator. When the doors opened, the interior was covered in gold and marble. “You know, we’ve been looking for you for some time. I have every resource at my disposal and we couldn’t even find out your name. Just to satisfy my curiosity, who are you?”

  “My name is…Hunter.”

  “Well Hunter, I’m Alex, nice to meet you.” He smiled as he tried to engage Hunter in small talk during the long elevator ride to the top of the building. “Too bad about Jake, he was a good worker. I guess I’ll be looking for a replacement.” When the doors opened, Hunter was surprised to see they were on top of a very large skyscraper. They stepped out and assembled on the rooftop.

  “Look at that view. Tech City, isn’t it magnificent?”

  “I didn’t come here to look at the city, where are the children Alex?” Hunter stared directly at him.

  “Patience, Hunter. You have some very impressive abilities. My men didn’t stand a chance against you. Poor Jake. But do you know what the most powerful weapon of all is? Fear. You see all these people? They do what I tell them, not because I pay them, but because they fear me. Simon fears me and Nakita fears me, don’t you darling? Nakita tells me everything. Just like she told me about your little meeting at the café. She told me, because she knows if she kept any secrets from me, I’d kill her. That’s the power of fear and before the end of this night, Hunter, you will fear me as well.”

  The night sky was silent, except for the sound of Alex’s voice, as he gave his speech. A small breeze agitated the air high up on top of the building.

  “So you want to know about the children? First, why don’t I introduce our other guest.” Alex clicked his fingers. One of his guards came to the roof, dragging Taz, who was bound and tied. “Don’t get any ideas, Hunter. I wouldn’t want to have to kill him. I would rather use him for the project. He looks about the right age. He’ll be a valuable specimen. Can you believe he came right to us? I get a phone call from one of my men, saying some kid is trying to sneak into the bar. Nakita told us you had a little friend. It wasn’t hard to figure out he was with you.” Hunter looked at Taz, and then back at Alex, and Nakita. He was very nervous about the situation. Alex smiled as he knew he was in control. “Now you’re going to do exactly what I tell you, or my men will throw the little guy off the roof.” Alex walked over to Taz and roughly grabbed him by his hair. “Are you scared, kid? I think you fear me already, don’t you?”

  “Alex, he’s just a boy,” Nakita pleaded.

  “Shut up, bitch!” Alex walked back over to her side and looked at Hunter. “Simon told me how you like to watch her playing the piano. Pathetic, do you really think she would ever be interested in you, you’re nobody. I’m the most powerful man in Tech City. I own the cops. I own the streets. I can have anything, or anyone I want. I am the Overlord!” Hunter looked at him and then spoke calmly and confidently.

  “You might be the overlord, but I am the Hunter and you are my prey.” Hunter closed his eyes and gripped his fists. Blue energy shot out towards the guard holding Taz, like a bolt of lightning. The energy engulfed the man, who fell to the ground writhing in pain.

  “Taz run!” Hunter yelled, then he proceeded to eliminate the armed guards. For some, he used his fists to smash their bodies, for the others, he used lightning bolts of energy. He quickly decimated Alex’s forces and left bodies scattered across the roof of the skyscraper. All that remained standing were Alex, Nakita, Simon, and Taz, who hid behind Hunter.

  “Hunter, help me get these things off!” Taz untied the ropes which bound his arms. “You’re not so tough anymore are you?!” He started kicking the guard who had been holding him.

  “Taz, hold on, we need to finish this.” Hunter walked over to Alex and Nakita.

  “That…that’s not possible?!?!?” Alex stood in shock, looking at the bodies of his men. “You’re not human. You can’t be.”

  “It doesn’t matter what I am, where are the children?” Hunter firmly grabbed Alex by his suit. Alex said nothing. “Start talking or I’ll throw you off the roof!”

  “They’re gone. Listen, this wasn’t my idea. I’m just a guy they hired. They said they needed children for some experiment. It’s called Project Overlord. I just did what they told me to.”

  “Who told you?” Hunter tightened his grip.

  “The Government! Some politician in
Capitol City hired us.” Alex squirmed.

  “Was it the President?” Hunter was trying to understand the situation.