by Joshua
"As miniscule as you are, you still posed a threat to those people out there. You were a boogeyman, scaring them when there was nothing to be scared of. You drove them further into my arms each time." he smirked. “Sure, they berated me for not stopping you, but that small amount of adversity was enough to keep them on my side. You were a tool, nothing more.”
"Hmmm, maybe so, but that won't change things now," said The Magpie, while waving out over the city. "This city is transforming, and there's nothing you can do about it."
"We'll see," Alpha said, taking another step. The Magpie held up the device and pressed the button again. The sound hit Alpha, knocking him down again. He started chuckling this time, and looked up at the thief.
"Those devices have an inherent flaw," he said, rising from the ground. "Well, two actually. First, they burn through the batteries after one use, and second, you can build up a tolerance to them."
He was on The Magpie before he could run. He held the fighting man by both shoulders as he kicked and fought to escape. The Magpie squirmed in a final burst of desperation, but Alpha held fast.
"You fucking loser!" The Magpie screamed. "Look at you, you're a fucking joke. Those punks have shown the world just how useless you are."
Alpha’s lips went tight, and his eyes small.
"You're just a big stupid brute who can't think for himself! A fucking tool for the cops to use! How does it feel? How does it feel to be as useful as a goddamned gun?"
Alpha started breathing hard, and his grasp tightened until The Magpie was screaming out in pain.
"You are nothing!" The Magpie screamed.
Alpha brought his hands together, crushing the man beneath. His bones popped, and his belly burst open, spilling hot blood upon the ground. The organs that plopped out landed on the hero’s boots. Alpha tore the man's mask off, and looked at the horror of his face. The cloth dripped with thick fluid as he gazed upon The Magpie's wretched face. His white eyes were bulging red as crimson ran from every orifice in steady streams. The man's shoulders touched where his chest had caved in and his tongue hung down to his chin.
Alpha dropped the corpse and stepped back, his face awash with shock and horror. He looked at the blood on his gloves; the red sliding off the white resistant surface. It dripped from each finger without leaving a stain. They finally dropped and he saw The Magpie again. Lost in that moment, he stood there, looking at the lifeless body. It wasn’t until the sun began to come up over the city that he started cleaning up the mess.
*****
"Drop him right here," said Xavier, pointing to the concrete in front of the dais. Al's knees crumbled beneath him as they let go and he dropped to the ground. His head was too heavy to lift, and his ears rang with a numbing pitch that drowned out the world around him. Sniffling, he wiped the snot from his nose and continued to sob.
Ivy ran her arms around him, cradling his head against her chest. It wasn't until he heard the slow clap that he stopped crying and looked up.
"You did good today," Eddy said, looking down on them both from his seat. "You did real good."
He got up, approached the edge of the dais, and knelt down. "It wasn't a complete victory, but you survived, and we got one over on them. I call that a fucking success, and a good reason to celebrate. Have you seen the news?" He pointed at the television set. "They are going ape shit, and it's all thanks to you my friend."
"You knew," Al said. He moved Ivy aside, and got up. "You knew when you sent me out there."
"Sure, I did," Eddy said. "But I couldn't tell you."
"You said it wasn't time!" Al said, shaking.
"It wasn't then," Eddy said. He hopped down from the platform and approached Al.
"Stay away from me!" Al said, stumbling backwards.
"Al, buddy, it's OK," Eddy said.
"No, it's not! You sent me out there knowing I couldn't control myself. I trusted you, and you just used me. You're worse than he is!"
"Don't you dare say that to me!" Eddy screamed, stepping closer. "He took everything from me; from us. While I do everything I can to help his victims."
"You do it all for revenge," Al said. "Ivy's right, you can't be trusted."
Eddy looked over at Ivy, glaring with furious eyes. "Did you say that? Have you been poisoning him against me? Answer me!" he said, storming up to her. Ivy shrank against the wall as he got closer, but Eddy smacked into an invisible barrier a few feet from her. He grabbed his nose and turned to Al. "Fuck you!"
"All this time, you've just been gearing me up to be your weapon," Al said, and the held his hand out. Panic flashed across Eddy’s face as he lifted into the air. Ivy covered her mouth as she gasped. Xavier and his men tried to take a step forward, but their feet wouldn't move.
"You don't understand," Eddy said, pleading with his face. "I'm sorry, I needed you to help us."
"No, you needed a weapon to do your dirty work," Al said, his lip curling up. "It's nice to know why I'm angry."
"Look, we can work this out," Eddy said. "You're right, I used you, and I'm sorry. Just put me down, and we'll sort this out."
Al held there, his eyes meeting Eddy’s as he floated, suspended in the air. Sweat made the boys exposed skin glean with moisture. "Look man, we can work through this, OK?"
"No, we can't," Al said, closing his fist. Eddy let out a loud scream that ended in an abrupt silence. The people in the room gasped from horror and looked away from the wretched sight. Ivy stared straight at the jumbled body, unable to divert her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat; a lost scream.
Al opened his fist and the bloody mess splashed to the ground. He exhaled and stepped up to the dais and sat down.
"I feel better now," he said, looking around the room. “You want this city? I’ll give you this city.”
Part Three.
Lillian sat on small couch, staring up at the television, giggling. Herschel Kirkman, the bald patient next to her leaned in close, and whispered in her ear. He was so close, she could feel the prickle of his snow white beard on her ear.
"Saving up your pills again?" he asked.
She smiled, held up one finger to her lips, and went back to watching the television.
"What's on," he asked, sitting back in the couch. He looked up at the screen and leaned close to her. "If they catch you watching this Alpha Male shit again, you're gonna be in trouble."
"Eh, I don't know if I care anymore," she said.
The TV was turned down low, forcing them both to pay close attention. The channel showed a man standing against a green screen with words and a video superimposed behind him. "The Magpie", was written across the top.
"I've seen this one before," Herschel said.
"The Magpie is Alpha Male's only foe to never be caught," the host said. "Some consider this a failure on Alpha Male's part, but others see it quite differently. They see it as a testament to The Magpie's skill as a master thief."
"They've been playing it all week, you'd think the guy was dead or something," he said again, but she shushed him. He made a face and went back to watching it.
"I hope he is," she said. "He's done nothing but cause trouble for Alpha."
"So, When you leaving?" he asked.
"Soon," she said. “They say…Well, Dr Snyder says I'm a danger to myself. He says, I'm obsessed and will probably endanger myself again; that I shouldn't leave. It's safe here. Things are getting worse in the city. Plus, there's free food, and all that, you know?"
The TV came back from commercial, and the man stood there again, talking. "The Magpie has been active for many years, and has always alluded capture, but what makes him exceptional beyond this, is his persona. You'd hesitate to label him a super villain, but he has most of the qualifications. From his signature mask, to his flair for the thematic, The Magpie is only a special ability away from the super villain moniker. He's especially popular among the youthful counter culture, with a large following of fans, often seen wearing
merchandise with symbols modeled after his very costume."
"What's wrong with kids these days?" Herschel asked.
"They’re going to show him…Right here," she said, as Alpha Male came swooping on to the screen.
"We've often tried get a statement from Alpha Male about The Magpie, but he still refuses questioning. Maybe one day, he'll help us squash this pest, and tear open one of the greatest mysteries of this city. I'm Pat Walker, and this has been another episode of Alpha Male, unmasked.”
Chapter Twenty-Four.
"It’s going to be fine," Reedy's wife said as they rode the hospital elevator. With her arm wrapped in his, she patted his bicep with the other. He turned his head towards her, and she gave him a warm, compassionate smile. The flash of her white teeth set him at ease.
"I love you," he said, staring into her vibrant brown eyes.
"I love you too," she replied, feeling his sadness. Her hand tightened around his arm. "Stay strong; for him."
The elevator chimed and the door opened. Together, they stepped out onto the hospital floor and made their way down the hall until they came to an opened door. The number 300 was stamped onto a plastic placard just above the paper tag that read "Vaughn."
Reedy knocked on the open door and poked his head into the small room. "Hello?" he asked in a quiet voice. He saw Vaughn's wife get up from the chair and turn towards him. She smiled as she approached and gave him a big hug.
"This is Hope," Reedy said, stepping out of the way.
"It's so nice to meet you.” Hope gave the woman a tight hug.
"Vaughn's told me so much about you," she said. "I hate that we haven't met sooner."
"How is he?" Reedy asked, leaning in to get a better look of the room, but the end of the hospital bed was all he could see.
"He's asleep," she whispered. "But, he's doing so much better."
"Ellen, who's here?" Vaughn asked from the bed.
"Come on in," she said, waving them into the room. "It's Reedy and his wife, honey."
"Send his wife in, and tell him to stay outside. I've seen enough of his ugly ass for one lifetime."
"Language!" Ellen said, rolling her eyes.
"Har har," Reedy said as he came around the corner. "Too bad they couldn't amputate that awful sense of humor."
"Yeah, yeah," Vaughn said, sitting up in his bed. He looked pale, and thin, with big bags under his eyes. "I saw the flowers you sent. We gonna make out now?"
"Whoa, you are on a roll today," Reedy said, while Ellen sneered. Vaughn flashed them both a mischievous grin.
"Honey, I need something to drink. Will you go get me a soda from the machine?" Vaughn asked his wife just as she knelt to sit in her chair.
She exhaled hard, then stood up. "What would you like?"
"Anything’s fine," he said, looking up at Reedy. "You want anything?"
"Nah, I'm good," Reedy said, waving off his request.
"I think I'm gonna go with her," Hope said. "We probably need to catch up since you two have kept us apart for so long."
The two women left, but the men didn't speak until the door latched closed.
"How are you?" Reedy asked.
"I'm fine," Vaughn said. "The shrapnel tore up some nerves, so I've got some therapy coming, but doc said I should make a pretty decent recovery. I might have a slight limp, nothing major."
"That's good," Reedy said. "When you coming back to work?"
Vaughn scoffed, and looked away. "I'm not."
"You sure?" Reedy asked.
"Even if I wasn't injured, I'm done. The things we saw that night, that's not for me anymore."
"Yeah," Reedy said with a sigh. "People are scared. I think half the city has evacuated. It's like a goddamned natural disaster hit."
Vaughn turned to him with deep concern in his eyes. "What would you call that? The bastard can tear down buildings with his mind. That's a fucking natural disaster if I've ever seen one!"
"Yeah," Reedy said, lowering his head. "God, you should meet the lady they've teamed me up with. She is…hardcore uptight."
"Oh yeah?" Vaughn asked with a crooked grin.
"Oh man, it’s like working with a damn ice sculpture."
"Not better than me, of course?" Vaughn asked.
"Pssh, no way," Reedy said. "Hope doesn't like her. I think it’s because she's…attractive."
"I knew you had a thing for detectives the day we met," Vaughn said, grinning. Reedy started laughing.
"I'm glad you're OK," Reedy said.
"Me too," Vaughn replied, lying back. "Me too."
*****
"Leave this area immediately!" Rose yelled into the megaphone. She stood behind a row of polycarbonate shields held up by police officers in armored riot gear. She’d been yelling for almost ten minutes, and her throat was so raw that each word threatened to disappear before she could speak. Despite her efforts, the angry mob of downtrodden citizens continued their approach.
They held pipes and bats for weapons, and seemed to move as one, scurrying like rats towards their goal. They chanted incoherent babble and threw rocks every chance they got. One hit the shield in front of her, and bounced over her head. She ducked just in time to keep it from striking her in the face.
"Is it time?" Mac asked, turning to her. The man wore the suit with pride, but he didn't wear it well. It was a size too small in all the wrong places and the helmet caused the fat of his face to protrude around the straps.
"Not yet!" she said. "They are just scared."
"Your call," he said, turning back to the wave that was approaching.
"Do not force us to attack!" she screamed, but it was too late. Mac bent his knees, bracing for the assault, as two teenagers charged him at full force. Pushing forward, they tried to get through him, but Mac shoved the shield forward. They stumbled back, but it didn't take them long to regain their footing. The entire police force struggled against the might of the disgruntled citizens. The dull thud was all anyone could hear as the cheap melee weapons pounded against the sturdy shields.
"Now?" Mac screamed.
"Now!" Rose responded.
Everything went quiet. Stunned by the sudden change, Rose spun around and saw Alpha Male floating just off the ground behind her. He landed without a sound and stood there with his arms crossed.
"Let them through, Rose," he said.
"No!" Rose yelled. "We can handle this."
"I know," he said. "But they want me. Give them what they want."
Her shoulders sank as his words sank in. She was lost for a moment, contemplating what he meant and then looked up at her men. "Let ‘em through."
Mac started to say something, but didn't. Instead, he made a hand gesture in the air and the wall of police officers split. The flood of people was immediate, pouring through the gap. They charged the hero with new found vigor, as their cries grew louder than before. They surrounded him and began attacking. Alpha Male stood there, stoic and unmoving as the angry mob tried to tear him apart. They pounded and beat on the unflinching man until their stamina began to falter. No matter how hard they hit, his gaze never left Rose, who winced each time a blow would land.
It wasn't long before they stopped. Out of breath, and covered in sweat, they pulled away from the hero without a word. They backed off, watching him with cautious eyes until they were far enough away to run. The group dispersed in all directions. Mac signaled to the men to stop the fleeing citizens but Rose stopped him.
"It’s fine," she said. "Let ‘em go. We've got more important things to worry about."
*****
Al sat upon the dais, alone in the dark of the large chamber. He stared into shadows, lost in thoughts weighed down by sorrow. His gaze was fixed on one spot, but his eyes couldn't see it. They stared through the blackness, and into the mirror of his heart. He didn't blink until the rapping sound of someone knocking broke his concentration. He looked up, and saw Ivy at the entrance. A rough smil
e slipped across his unshaven face.
"Hi," he said, getting up. "Please, come in."
"How are you today?" she asked, carrying a tray of food. Steam lifted off the bowl of noodle soup. The bowl was little more than broth, and some spaghetti.
"I'm better," he said, dropping to the main level to meet her face to face. She placed the tray on the dais and took a step back. He bent over the tray and began to devour its contents.
"We need you," she said. "We’re running out of food."
He stopped eating and turned his head towards her. "But I—"
"It doesn't matter," she said. "You're the only one who can. Xavier has been trying, but with the way things are now, he's only getting a few things here and there."
It was then that he noticed how thin she'd become. It was only a few pounds, but it was noticeable in her face. Her cheeks had lost their curve, and her eyes had dark bags beneath them.
"I scare them," he said, looking away.
"So did Eddy," she said, stepping up to him. "But he’s gone. Do you blame yourself, or Alpha Male for what happened to him?"
"I…I don't know," he said, his fist tight, his knuckles white. "You should have seen his eyes, his smug smile. He was enjoying it."
"You can't control your anger when you’re around him, and that showed itself with Eddy. You were mad at Eddy for what he did to you. Nobody blames you for that. He shouldn't have used you like that."
She took another step closer and grabbed his hand. "Please, help us."
He stared at the ground for a moment as her thumbs ran over his hand. His eyes glanced at her fingernails and saw the grit and grime beneath them. "Please," she said. He looked up and caught her eyes in his gaze.
"Ok," he said. "I'll help."
Chapter Twenty-Five.
Reedy looked over at his new partner, Irene. With both hands on the steering wheel, she was focused on the traffic ahead of them and didn't notice his quick glance. Her straight blond hair hung just over her shoulders, outlining her sharp attractive features.
"It's so weird looking at you," he said.
"Perhaps you should focus on the folder in your lap," she replied. His eyes went wide with surprise.
