by Jack Hammond
“Take a seat, Edward.” He said gesturing to the chair opposite him. “We need to talk about…” he paused as Edward sat down. “Martin Hampton.”
Edward wasn’t aware of his second name, but he wondered if they had read his thoughts. Had they realised he was unhappy with Maximus’ replacement? “I wanted to talk to you about him,” Edward replied candidly.
“Really, you’ve heard already?” the man asked. His eyes were wide behind the thick glasses.
“Heard what?”
He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, “Tell me what you wanted to say about him.” It wasn’t a request, Edward knew that.
“I don’t feel he is exactly what this role requires,” Edward said. “Compared with his predecessor, he is a square peg, in a round hole.”
“Yes, yes,” the man replied. It stunned Edward visibly, his head cocking slightly to one side. “I had my issues with him, long ago.” He continued honestly, “But due to unavoidable circumstances we needed a thug.”
Edward nodded, he had guessed as much. But the straight forward responses were disconcerting. Plain and simple was not how things were usually done, plus people like him were not informed or kept in the loop.
“Unfortunately, with the arrival of the child, then finding the new matured boy, things have gotten.” He bit his bottom lip, “Murky.”
Edward stroked his chin with his hand. He tussled with asking another question. With the frank nature of the meeting, he wondered if he would get an answer, “Can I ask,” he began “how is it possible for the boy, not to have been seen?”
“We wondered the same thing. At first we believed it was a freak accident. A technical error if you will.”
Edward leaned in, “But now?”
“It was no error, he has been shielded from the Associates,” he explained.
Edward moved back. His astounded reaction caused by the fact he had two answers from one question, the Associates were not all seeing and this man was just another pawn.
“The choice of Martin Hampton was because of his aggressive nature.” He continued, “We needed someone to follow the boy. Someone we believed would be able to defend himself because we suspected he was being protected.”
“And he was?” Edward knew he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.
“Mr Hampton was left unconscious, beaten with a fire extinguisher.” The man explained.
Edward swallowed down the enjoyment of hearing the news, karma was a wonderful thing, “A fire extinguisher?”
“Yes, it was a messy altercation.” The man confirmed.
Edward asked, “Do we know who or what is responsible?”
“Sadly, it appears whoever is behind it, also uses,” Opening out his hands, “individuals such as ourselves.”
Edward removed his hat. He had never considered himself an ‘individual’. He was just like everyone else, he had a job that slowly ground him down, a non-existent social life, just like millions of other people.
“A warning was given,” the man continued.
His attention returned to the man, Edward was intrigued, “A warning.” He repeated, not questioning. Who would dare warn the Associates? Who would cross them, let alone warn them in advance?
“Yes before Martin Hampton was knocked out, he said anyone who follows the boy will be killed.”
Edward asked, “Any idea who the pawn is?”
The ‘individual’ looked at him, a flicker of resentment in his eyes. It was obvious he did not like being referred to as a pawn, unfortunately for him Edward wasn’t bothered now, he realised he was nothing more than a peg, just like him. “The ‘pawn’, as you put it,” he unfolded his arms, “is a previous acquaintance of yours.”
Edward furrowed his brow, “Who?”
“Max Carter.”
The painkillers still hadn’t kicked in yet, holding the bag of frozen peas he had wrapped in an old T-shirt on his face. Martin sank into his chair. The black chequered, three-piece sofa was positioned in the corners of the room, the fourth corner led into the hallway. A black wooden table stood in the centre, covered in newspapers, magazines and takeaway cartons. Martin put his feet up on the edge, the pain thudding remorselessly in his head.
Before he had a chance to curse Max again, a sudden knock on the front door disrupted him. Three slow, measured bangs on the door left Martin with no qualms as to who it was.
“Come in!” he yelled, wincing at the sound of his own voice.
A moment later he heard the door close and Edward stood in the living room. Martin peered at him with his right eye, but made no attempt to stand up.
“Hello, Martin.” Edward smiled, allowing a diminutive amount of satisfaction to show. “I take it the assignment wasn’t a ‘good one’?”
Martin sat up, annoyed at his remarks, “Ha-ha-ha, funny.”
“So it was Maximus then?” he continued, ignoring Martin’s sarcasm. He granted him that, for the time being anyway.
“Yeah, he’s not dead.”
“Evidently,” he replied.
Martin removed the makeshift cold compress from his face, the full extent of his injuries were now on show. A severe gash across the top of his nose, the force of which had caused his eyes to bruise a deep blue and purple that matched the large bump on his forehead.
“Looks nasty,” Edward remarked, holding in a laugh he desperately wanted to let out.
“It feels worse.”
“Yes, I assume it would,” Edward allowed himself a grin. “Where did this take place?”
“At the castle, I watched the boys for a good few hours…” he was interrupted.
“What boys? I was told you were only to observe one boy.”
“Yes, I did. But the two lads looked alike. I had to follow them both I couldn’t choose between them,” he retorted angrily. “It’s not like I had a photo.”
“Continue,” Edward said with a nod.
“Anyway, they stopped off at the cafeteria. I noticed a man by the counter, shaved head, tracksuit,” he looked away for a second and then continued, “he noticed me, then I recognised him.”
Edward furrowed his brow, “How, exactly?”
“His voice, he called me by name. I followed him into the toilets, and then...” he slapped his hand against the compress, “he got me.” He finished.
Edward looked at the chequered seat to his right, “May I?” he asked politely.
“Yeah, sure, sit down.”
He removed his hat, ran his fingers through his hair and sat. “The warning?” he continued.
“He said and I quote, ‘tell Edward, the boy is off limits.’.”
“He told you to tell me, not the Associates?”
“You, he obviously thinks you’re higher up the food chain than you make out.” He tipped his head back, applying the compress again, “I can see why he would think that.”
“You believe his threat?” Edward asked.
“Oh, I believe him. The way he slammed that fire extinguisher into my face,” he removed the peas. “I wasn’t sure he hadn’t finished me off there and then.”
Edward looked around the room, taking in the pictures that hung on the walls, framed movie posters from classic films, The Godfather, Scar Face, Good Fellas and Carlito’s Way. He noticed they were all gangster movies, did he think he was some kind of enforcer for the mob? Was that why he was such an aggressive man, Edward pondered.
“Who’s he work for?” Martin asked.
“How do you know he’s working for anyone?” Edward enquired.
“Max knew I would be there, he knew the kids were too, he'd been told. So, if it didn’t come from you or the Associates, it came from his new bosses.”
“Hmmm,” Edward remarked. “How do you know he wasn’t following you?”
“The fire extinguisher he hit me with was in the toilet.” Martin began. “He had put it in there before I even arrived. Add to the fact he told me the boy was off limits and not boys.”
My, my, my Edward thoug
ht. Perhaps the bang on the head had knocked some sense into him. “Yes, you’re correct.” Edward conceded. “It would appear there are other parties interested in our asset.”
“Who though? Who’s got that kind of power?”
“We will have to see, Martin.”
“I won’t.” Martin laughed, “I’m out of it.”
“Martin, you are never out of it.” Edward informed him. “There is no out. Only if the Associates allow it, are you allowed to be out.”
Martin tossed the bag of peas on the floor forcefully. He clenched his fists and rocked back and forth in his seat. “This is bull, what am I supposed to do?” he snapped angrily.
“Find Maximus and the boy.” Edward said plainly, he didn’t fear Martin. He could understand his frustrations, but he didn’t care. Like him, he had made a choice, now he needed to live with it.
“And how exactly do I do that?” Martin sarcastically asked.
Edward sighed. The bang didn’t knock as much sense into him as he had hoped, “The boy.”
“What about him? Don’t forget my last stint ‘observing’ him didn’t end well for me,” Martin’s sarcasm still rife. “Plus I’ve been warned off.”
“You do not heed his warnings, there are powers at work here, greater than Maximus.”
“Yes, Edward. And he works for them,” Martin tersely answered.
“You’ve seen what the Associates have done and you doubt them?” Edward enquired.
“No, I just don’t understand how they didn’t see this happening.”
Edward laughed out loud, a belly laugh. He couldn’t hold it in any longer, he’d wanted so much to laugh the minute he heard about his altercation. “You idiot,” he said. “You utter fool.”
Martin rose from his chair, “You what?!” he snapped.
“Who said they didn’t see the events clearly?” Edward asked, “My boy, you are expendable. If the Associates decide they want you to take a beating, you take it. It is not for you to question.”
“You mean they knew I would get a kicking?” he asked obtusely.
“Perhaps they wanted to see if there was another player? Thanks to you, they know.” Edward still smiled broadly at Martin as he retook his seat, calmer but still full of rage.
“Okay, so what do I do now?”
“Find Maximus,” he repeated.
Martin questioned, “How?”
“I’m sure yours, the boys and Maximus’ paths will cross again, sooner or later.” Edward remarked taking out an envelope.
Martin recoiled slightly at the sight as Edward placed it on top of an empty pizza box. “Take tonight off. Read the assignment tomorrow before midday.” Edward stood up, placing his black fedora on his head. “I will be in touch.”
“Okay.” Martin replied, watching him disappear into his hallway, the door clicked shut a moment later. He applied the compress once again, “I hate this job,” he muttered under his breath.
Chapter Four
The darkness greeted Wesley like an old friend. The black shadowed void seemed to talk to him, not coherently, more a melodic whisper. As if it was complementing him in a foreign language, pleasant to hear, just lost in translation. Without fear he took a step, the colosseum appearing before him as it had the night before. The howling wind outside of the expanse was already being drowned out by the rapturous applause from within the heart of the battleground. Wesley’s anticipation and eagerness to enter had turned his tentative first steps into a fast paced stride.
The doorman was the same, his blue robes covering everything but his pale white hands. Another time he may have wondered how he looked under the garment, disfigured, demonic or human, but not tonight, he just wanted to go inside.
The question was the same, as was the emotionless voice, “Contender or observer?”
“Observer,” Wesley excitedly replied.
Like before, the door rumbled open. The cheering was louder than ever as Wesley ascended the steps and entered the arena once more.
Wesley moved down, forcing his way through the bodies. He wanted to have the best view of the colosseum floor. Although the noise seemed louder, it didn’t affect Wes as much as it had the first time, less of a deafening racket, more enjoyable now. He looked over the tier and was astounded by the sight that met him.
The golden sand was untouched, no blemishes at all, it was pristine. Even the magnificent columns were undamaged from the scorching heat of the dragons rage. Wesley looked eagerly from one end to the other waiting to see what would enter. The Corinthian pillars in the centre of the amphitheatre which created the private box, was empty. No shadows sat in the place they had the other night, would they even appear? Wesley questioned. The dream wasn’t guaranteed to be the same. He had never had such a lucid one before, to recreate that alone, was an amazing achievement.
“Wesley!” a voice called out.
Turning to face the crowd, Wesley furrowed his brow as he tried frantically to pick out a face he recognised.
“Over here!” the voice was female, he couldn’t place it.
Sadie Kirk waved grabbing Wesley’s attention as she pushed between two kids.
“Oh, my God,” he laughed looking to the heavens. He couldn’t believe he’d started dreaming about her now!
“I knew I’d seen you here.” She said. “Glad you have clothes this time.”
Wesley looked down. He had fallen to sleep with his jeans and T-shirt on, looking back at her he smiled. “Damn, you look so real.” He said out loud.
Sadie looked perplexed, “Of course I do.” She replied, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“You sound just like her as well. Everything, it’s uncanny.” Wesley continued talking to himself, ignoring the young girl before him.
“Are you stupid or something? This is real!” she snapped sharply.
“Yes, sure it is.” He laughed, “A magic colosseum, in my dreams.”
Sadie smiled at Wesley’s sarcastic comments. It hadn’t been that long ago since she was in his position and needed convincing. “I can’t stay long, I have a clash tonight.”
“You do!” Wesley said continuing his sarcasm. “I hope you win, I’ll cheer you on.”
“Wesley, I know you don’t believe me.” She said, “Meet me outside school tomorrow. I’ll explain everything to you, you have to fight. It’s the best.”
He looked over at the golden sand, “Fight! Yeah, I’ll fight a massive dragon made of stone!” he laughed loudly.
“Okay. Wesley, meet me at school, first thing in the morning,” she told him.
“It’s Saturday tomorrow! Anyway I’m going out, sorry.” He replied with a grin.
“Okay, then two in the afternoon.”
“Sure.” He said dragging out the word slowly.
“Wesley!” she barked. “Do it, meet me tomorrow!”
Wesley stopped laughing, the grin vanishing from his face. “Okay, I’ll meet you at two.”
“Good.” She smiled again before moving back into the heavy heat of the crowd.
Wesley leaned on the tier wall, wiping the beads of sweat from his brow. Only he would dream a conversation that insane between him and the hottest girl at school. “Meet me tomorrow,” he said to himself, louder than a whisper but still no one could hear over the noise level. He peered over the edge and saw they had appeared. The shadows and Overseer returned to where they had been previously. Wesley observed a sudden shift in atmosphere as the crowd fell silent and still.
The voice filled his head again. “Attention, the clash between the echelon four and the echelon five, will take place in two minutes.” The voice informed the crowds in the colosseum. “Prepare yourselves.”
A cheer erupted, and the colosseum readied itself for the next battle, Wesley included. If Sadie really was going to be fighting next, she would be beaten easily if she was pitted against that Champion. He thought about what she said, ‘you have to fight. It’s the best’. If only he could, he would love nothing more than to jump into that aren
a and battle against huge dragons and ninjas. Sadly he'd be killed instantly, the dream being so realistic he didn’t doubt it for a moment.
Wesley waited impatiently, looking at the far end of the arena for the arrival of Sadie if she was going to fight. Who knows what he could imagine tonight. Then he shook his head in disbelief, sure enough he caught sight of her. Her brunette hair and cheerful smile clearly visible through the bustling beneath the crowds, Wesley’s anticipation was growing, and then she stepped out onto the golden sand.
Stood alone at the far end of the colosseum, Sadie looked small and insignificant. Then out of nowhere a stream of energy swirled around her body and flickered. A pink vortex engulfed the girl, spinning furiously before it began to subside. Sadie vanished, replaced by a tall woman. Long pink hair cascaded down the long black leather coat, the exuberant contrast only topped by the two enormous glowing pink swords she carried in her hands. The long curved blades pulsated with pink flames. Like a video game vixen on his bedroom wall Sadie was transformed.
Awestruck Wesley gawped at the woman, his eyes following the long coat down, before stopping on the blades. The incredible transformation had turned the young schoolgirl into a seriously dangerous looking fighter. Wesley really wanted to congratulate himself on an amazing addition to his dream, but he wasn’t given the time to pat himself on the back. The next fighter entered, moving his eyes to the other side Wesley watched the youngster’s alteration with great interest.
In his early teens the boy switched from a dark green pyjama ensemble, into a whirling golden vortex. As it slowed, he had been changed completely into giant sand monster; standing tall it reached fifty feet high. Its massive bulging arms, legs and torso were made purely from fine gold grains of sand. The ground rumbled as he pounded his fists into the sand, the reverberations echoed around the arena. The boy tried to psych out his opponent, the woman with the pink hair casually blew him a kiss, unfazed by the tantrum.
Wesley found himself laughing at her reaction before cheering on his fellow student. “Come on Sadie!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.
The Overseer rose to his feet, his voice filling Wesley’s head.
