by T. R. Hamby
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. She cringed a little--Izzie, her older sister.
She flopped on her bed and held the phone to her ear. “Hey, sis.”
“Hi there,” Izzie’s voice greeted all the way from California. “I called you this morning.”
Nora took a deep breath, trying to stay patient. “Yeah, I was working. Remember, I start at seven?”
“You could have called me on your break,” she replied, in a sort of disappointed tone that Nora knew was insincere.
She ignored this. “What’s up?”
“Just wondering how things are going.”
Nora hesitated. Izzie never called for idle chit chat. “Things are great. Opening Night is in a couple months. The director’s happy with my part. No drama.”
“Really? You’re taking your medication?” Izzie asked incredulously.
Nora felt the first stirrings of impatience. That was a low blow. “Of course I’m taking it,” she whispered so Bezi wouldn’t hear.
“Just checking. You know I have to check,” Izzie said, even though that wasn’t true. “Any news on your love life?”
Nora sat up, infuriated; the conversation was about to end. “Nope. Yours?” she asked pointedly.
“Hubby and I are still married, of course, with the kids,” Izzie replied, “just like everyone else.”
“Congratulations,” Nora hissed.
“What?” she asked innocently.
Her phone buzzed, mercifully. It was a text from Carmen Garcia. Nora frowned; they had exchanged numbers a long time ago, but had never messaged each other. She said a short goodbye to Izzie, who sounded genuinely disappointed this time, and ended the call.
Nora took the phone from her ear and groaned, putting a pillow over her face. Izzie had always been like this, always controlling, always competitive. There were so many times when a little sweetness broke through, a little genuine kindness. She had been there for Nora more than anyone else when their dad died, and Nora had needed it.
Otherwise, though, Nora was a punching bag to her. She knew Izzie was just waiting for the day Nora would call, asking for a place to stay, having failed at a career in opera. No talent, no husband, no kids.
Bitch.
She finally emerged from beneath the pillow and checked her phone.
Carmen had texted, Are you free for coffee?
Nora frowned. She wondered why out of all this time Carmen wanted to meet now, but she was sure it had something to do with her sudden resignation.
She typed out a quick “yes,” and got out of bed.
She went to the bathroom to wash up, and gazed at herself in the mirror. She was the feminine version of her father: tanned skin, round brown eyes, and dark curly hair. She was little, shorter than her sister. Her mother had apparently been her height, though Nora couldn’t remember her.
She fixed her makeup, threw on a sweatshirt, and went out to the cafe on the next street.
Carmen was already at a table, tucked away in the corner of the shop. Nora waved, ordered a cappuccino, and sat down across from her.
She couldn’t help but stare, concerned. Carmen looked horrible. She had deep circles under her eyes, her skin was pale, and her hair hung limply around her face. She was hunched over her coffee, hugging herself, and looking around almost...fearfully.
She managed a small smile. “Ciao, Nora.”
“Hola,” Nora replied, frowning. “How are you?”
Carmen gave a weak shrug. “I’m sorry to text you out of the blue...I just...I wanted to talk to you.”
Nora nodded reassuringly, struck by her tone. “Okay.”
She took a shaky breath. “It’s about Leo.”
Leo? Nora stared at her, bewildered. “Leo? What happened? Was he an ass to you?”
She shivered, and her eyes filled with tears. It took her a long time to speak again.
“He hurt me,” she whispered, staring down at her cup.
Nora sat in stunned silence. She knew exactly what Carmen meant by that, and it made her insides sicken.
No. It couldn’t be. This couldn’t have happened. Not to Carmen, and not by Leo.
She shook her head slowly. “God,” she breathed. She didn’t know what else to say.
Carmen let out a little sob, and brushed at her eyes. “Last week...he called me into his office...I thought to discuss the show. But--he was flirting,” she said, tears slipping down her cheeks, “and I turned him down...and then he...he got angry...and he…”
She trailed off, quietly crying, her shoulders shaking. Nora reached out and held her hand.
“He told me not to come back,” Carmen moaned. “So I didn’t.”
“Jesus,” Nora whispered, shaking her head. “We have to tell the police. I’ll go with you--”
“No,” she cried, shaking her head wildly. “No, no--please. I only told you to warn you. I know you’ll let the others know.”
“But Carmen--someone will tell--”
“He’ll kill me,” she moaned desperately. “I know he will. Please, Nora...just don’t.”
She wiped at her eyes, regaining some composure. “I’m moving back to Argentina. I just...I need to be home. With my family.”
Nora nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Carmen was an amazing singer--the lead soprano in the production. She was already getting recognized by the community--and now it was all over. All over...because of Leo.
She felt her hands shake. “I’ll kill him,” she hissed.
Carmen shook her head. “He’ll hurt you,” she warned. “Please, Nora, be careful. You don’t know what he can do.”
Her words rang in Nora’s ears as she walked Carmen home. Carmen was so small--so defeated. When Nora went to hug her she cringed, cowering. It took all of Nora’s strength not to burst into tears in front of her.
Anger rose within her, and she decided to walk instead of take a cab. Night had descended on the city, but she didn’t care. Let some man try and fuck with her. She’d make sure he couldn’t walk straight for weeks.
Leo. Her hands balled into fists. That asshole. What he did was evil, sickening, repulsive. He deserved to rot in prison. Before he could hurt anyone else…
Her feet turned the corner, taking her to the theater instead of her place. She knew Leo would be there--he always worked late. She also knew what she was doing was stupid, but she didn’t care. Anger overwhelmed reason. She just had to look at him...just had to wrap her fingers around his throat…
Carmen, sobbing in the cafe, played over and over in her mind. The way she shrank from Nora’s touch, the fear in her voice, the pain. Fury rose like bile, and she was nearly running down the pavement, the theater in sight.
The back door was unlocked. She let herself in, slipping through the break room, towards his office…
There were voices. Nora halted, standing in the dimly lit hallway, Leo’s office right before her.
“Please...I’m so sorry...I’ll never do it again...I promise...please…”
It was Leo, and he sounded terrified.
“No, you won’t,” a familiar voice, low and guttural, replied.
There was something about that voice that made Nora’s knees shake. Still, she stumbled to the door, her heart pounding. She had to see…
She pushed it open, and discovered Leo, pushed up against the wall, white as a sheet and sweating, staring at Mel King, who was holding him by the shirt. Mel’s back was to Nora.
Nora’s breath hitched, and her legs gave out. She caught herself on the floor, overwhelmed by fear. Fear was everywhere...her heart was icy cold, hurling itself against her chest. She could hardly breathe...the room spun violently, and her skin became moist with sweat.
God, what was happening?
“Do you know what it’s like down there?” Mel was whispering, while Leo shook before him. “It’s very, very cold...and very, very dark...what you’re feeling now is nothing compared to Hell…”
“No...please...please…”
Leo was weak, his struggling lessening. Nora watched, unable to take her eyes off the pair. She was shaking violently, as if she had a terrible flu. Fear continued to paralyze her, and all she wanted was for it to end...please, please…
Mel shook Leo, cocking his head. “Look at me, Leonardo Ricci.”
Leo stared, eyes wide as saucers, his mouth opening in horror. There was a moment where everything seemed to freeze--Leo, the air, Nora’s heart. Then Leo’s hands dropped, his head slumped, and his knees gave way. Mel let go of him, and his body crumpled into a heap on the floor.
Nora moaned, and Mel spun around.
“Fuck,” he breathed.
Nora lowered herself the rest of the way onto the floor, breathing heavily. Thankfully, her fear was softening, and the room suddenly felt warm again. She still shook, though, and her hair was damp with sweat.
Mel was suddenly at her side, scooping her up and taking her from the room. Nora clung to him, dazed, as he walked a ways, before settling her on the couch in the break room. He disappeared for a moment, and then returned with a glass of water.
“Drink this,” he said in Italian, and that dark voice had become soothing and gentle.
Nora shakily took the glass and drained it. She glanced at Mel; he was still wearing his clothes from earlier, but his hair was tousled, and his brow was furrowed as he studied her worriedly.
“You’ll feel better in a few minutes,” he murmured, kneeling beside her.
Nora shook her head, staring at him. That didn’t just happen...did it?
“What was that?” she breathed, in English.
He cocked his head. “What are you doing here?” His English was also impeccable.
She let out a breath, casting around, trying to remember what had happened in the last half hour.
“Carmen Garcia,” she said, “she told me what Leo did to her...he--he hurt her. So I came to confront him.”
Mel raised an eyebrow. “That wasn’t wise. He could have killed you.”
“Did you kill him?” she cried loudly, and he shushed her.
“Breathe,” he said, and she took a few deep breaths. He was studying her cautiously. “Now...I think you hit your head...what you saw--”
“Oh, don’t give me that bullshit,” she snapped, anger suddenly clearing her mind. “I know what I saw. Don’t you dare lie to me.”
Mel looked surprised for a moment. Finally he sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing at his brow.
“All right,” he sighed. He looked at her again, his blue eyes striking, studying her carefully.
“I killed him,” he said.
The statement hung in the air, while Nora studied him. He had just admitted it.
“How?” she asked.
He frowned. “You’re not concerned that I just committed murder?”
She frowned too--but after a small moment, shook her head. “I might have done the same thing,” she murmured.
Her heart was slowing, though she still felt weak and clammy. Leo’s face was on her mind, pale and terrified. She had really witnessed a murder...that was bad, wasn’t it? But she thought of Carmen, and there wasn’t an ounce of pity for Leo in her body.
She looked at Mel and shook her head. “What was that? Was that like--some sort of hypnosis?”
Mel sighed again. He looked rather tired, and he got up and sat next to her on the couch. “You wouldn’t believe me,” he said, staring at his hands.
“Try me.”
The ghost of a smile appeared on his face. He looked at her and shrugged.
“I’m an Angel,” he said quietly. “One of the first Created, and a long time ago I was cast out of my World. Now I live here, and I send bad people to Hell.”
Nora stared at him for a long moment, trying to see if he was joking or not. He had a slight smile on his face, and she scoffed.
“Whatever,” she muttered, looking away.
“See. I told you you wouldn’t believe me.”
“That’s because it’s horseshit.”
He shrugged, seemingly unmoved by her incredulity. He ran a hand through his hair. “I need to get you home. Can you walk?”
She got to her feet. She was a little shaky, but she could walk fine.
“I can walk alone,” she said, but he simply gave her a look before following her out the back door.
The cool air brought her around. Everything began to sink in--Leo was dead. Nora had truly watched him die, and she had no idea how. His killer walked beside her, completely calm, as if nothing had happened.
A swell of panic began to rise within her, but she pushed it down, taking shaky breaths.
She could feel Mel’s eyes on her. “Are you okay?”
She avoided his gaze. Just stay calm, she told herself, still taking measured breaths. Just stay calm for now. Don’t let him see.
“How did you do that?” she whispered as they rounded the corner.
He was quiet for a moment. Then, “It wasn’t a party trick.”
Breathe, breathe.
“Some Angel superpower?” she scoffed.
Mel was looking at her again, and she glanced in time to see a slight smirk on his face.
“You don’t like me much, do you?” he asked, his tone light.
She snorted. “Well, I just saw you murder my boss.”
Her voice nearly broke, and she focused on her breathing again. It was a long way to her place, and she had to keep her composure.
“You weren’t feeling very warmly to him either,” he pointed out calmly. “What he did to those women was unthinkable.”
Nora frowned, and looked around at him. “There were more?”
He looked grave, his blue eyes darkening. “Yes.”
“But--how do you know?”
“I do my research--before I do it.”
She stopped short and stared at him. She wasn’t sure whether to feel suspicious or awed, but for the moment she was distracted, and her panic lessened.
“So you…” She hesitated, then said slowly, “you go around killing men who hurt women?”
“I kill whoever needs killing,” he replied quietly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Murderers, rapists, abusers...men, women, neither.”
Nora stared at him. He was being perfectly serious. Leo’s frightened face flashed before her eyes again, and she shook her head, resuming their walk and staring bewildered at the sidewalk. This guy couldn’t be real.
“But how?” she heard herself whispering.
“You already asked that,” Mel replied.
Fury rose within her, and she glowered at him. “Well, Angel superpowers isn’t a good enough answer.”
“Neither is hypnosis,” he said, infuriatingly calm.
Nora let out an exasperated huff and stomped on. “God, this is actually my life right now. I mean, where did you even come from? Everything was fine until you showed up.”
“Everything was fine until Leonardo Ricci decided to rape those women,” he said coolly.
A chill ran down her spine. Her head spun a little, and that familiar panic began to rise.
“Will we get in trouble?” she wondered aloud.
“No,” he said. “He died of a blood clot. Probably to the lung, although sometimes it’s a stroke. There won’t be suspicion.”
“How do you know that?” she asked, glancing at him.
His head twitched again, as if he was trying to shake something off.
“My Angel superpowers, as you call them, frighten people to death. Makes the blood run cold...and form clots. That’s how it works.”
Nora stared at him. She had no idea why he was keeping up this charade. But she also couldn’t figure out how he had managed to kill Leo. All he had been doing was staring at him, holding him flush against the wall.
Mel caught her eye. His eyes were striking in the light cast by the streetlights.
“You’ll find out soon,” he said, and there was almost reassurance in his voice.
They finally arrived at her
building. Mel looked wary, studying her as she fumbled with her keys.
“Maybe I should--”
“No, you shouldn’t,” she said shakily, cutting him a sharp look.
“Fine,” he replied, shrugging, though he still looked worried. “I’ll see you around.”
Nora looked at him wildly. “No, you won’t,” she snapped, incensed.
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I will. I’m a patron. The production will stop until Antonia can find another director. She’ll ask me for money to fund the setback. So you’ll see me in and out of her office here and there.”
Nora absorbed this, her heart racing. Great. Now she had to keep seeing him, this--this--whatever he was.
Panic was roiling within her, coming nearly to the surface. She shook her head jerkily, staring at her hands, and then turned away, letting herself into the building without saying goodbye. She couldn’t be around him anymore.
She managed to get up the stairs and into her apartment before collapsing inside, breathing raggedly, her heart hammering in her chest. Fear and dread overwhelmed her, and she began to cry in the darkness. She fought to keep quiet--she couldn’t have Bezi knowing she was having a panic attack. Then there would be questions.
It took a while, but finally some of the feelings began to subside. Nora took deep breaths, then stumbled to the bathroom and took a Xanax. She kept the lights off as she changed, partly to keep Bezi sleeping, and partly to avoid any more stimuli.
When she was undressed she slipped into bed. Her heart was still racing, but it was a tad slower now, and she didn’t feel as afraid. But Leo’s face was burned in her mind like a brand, and it made her whole body shake. The horror he must have felt...all because of Mel King.
She knew now she had had good reason to feel suspicious of Mel King. But she still, after all that, didn’t know why.
Mel
He could still hear Leo Ricci’s pleas, as he walked the streets to his building. He could hear the fear, the desperation. But he still felt no pity.
No. Not for a man like that.
Mel thought about Nora Rossi. She was a spitfire, that was for sure. She was doing much better than the last person who had seen him kill, though he was sure she was in for a rough night. Humans usually didn’t respond well to death.
