The Light, the Dark and the Ugly

by Bryan Cohen

  Vott’s voice bellowed from the hallway. “It’s over, Erica. We’ve got you cornered. Throw down your weapons.”

  Erica looked over at Redican. He nodded and she tossed the gun toward Vott’s voice. She backed away and stood beside her former English teacher. While Vott's men looked bedraggled and beaten, he seemed no worse for the wear despite his drenched suit.

  “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.” Vott led the pack with his weapon drawn. “And I assumed that if I did, I’d be the one coming for you.”

  Erica put up her hands. “At Kable’s beck and call.”

  Vott twitched at that. “I don’t know what you–"

  “That’s why Redican can’t touch you. Kable’s got you under his control.”

  Vott growled. “I make my own decisions.”

  Redican let out a chuckle. “Denial really is the first stage. It's better to just admit you have a problem.”

  Vott clicked a bullet into the chamber. He stepped forward, the two elevator doors flanking him on either side. His lips curled into a snarl. “You think I’m not in control. I’m in control!”

  Redican grinned from ear to ear. “Just keep telling yourself that.” He snapped his fingers.

  Just then, both elevator doors opened up and a crowd of two dozen people swarmed the middle of the room. In his surprise, Vott shot off his weapon. The bullet zipped between Erica and Redican and slammed into the glass behind them. The windowpane shattered, and beyond the sound of the growing elevator crowd, a propeller could be heard.

  Redican gestured to the shattered window. “Go first, I insist.”

  Erica raised her eyebrows. “Mind before kind?”

  Just then, Vott emerged from the pack and pointed his weapon directly at them. Without hesitation, the two fugitives took off at top speed. Bullets rained at their feet, but they were one step ahead. Erica took hold of Redican’s waist at the last second and leapt from the building.

  The wind felt cool against her skin as the helicopter rose to meet them. They landed just inside the open door, their legs skidding to a stop against the base of the craft. The mind-controlled pilot jerked the copter to the side. Erica slid until she a got hold of some cargo netting. She slammed the open door shut as the helicopter lifted up and away from the DHS headquarters.

  Redican shook his head. “I can’t believe we pulled that off. Do you think they’ll come after us?”

  Erica opened up her backpack and took out the two pieces of broken staff. “No. Kable won’t want to call that much attention to this. I’d be surprised if we were even on the news.” As she brought the two halves of the weapon together, Erica could feel something ancient course through her. “We’re halfway there.” She looked out through the front of the helicopter and into the pale blue sky. “Let’s see what the others can do.”

  Chapter 15

  The last two weeks hadn't made Dhiraj feel like much of a high school student, but all of that changed when Beth and Winny sauntered into the lair. Despite the chilly fall conditions that left frost along the tips of the suburban lawns, the two popularity queens wore short skirts and low-cut tops. Dhiraj pushed aside thoughts of how much better his dolled-up peers could spend their time and went back to wondering what the heck they were doing there.

  He attempted to smile through his confusion. "Elizabeth. Winifred. Welcome to the–"

  Winny blew past him like he was a camera-free red light. Beth followed closely behind with a similar lack of acknowledgement.

  Yup. Just like high school.

  Winny's high heels hammered against the ground as she propelled herself to Jennifer and the sheriff. "Oh my gosh, cuz. I'm so glad you're okay."

  Jennifer seemed as confused as Dhiraj was. "Thanks. What an... interesting surprise."

  Winny moved on to the seated sheriff. "Uncle Mike." She sniffled. "When we heard you were shot." Her voice caught in her throat. "Mom and I didn't know…."

  Dhiraj supposed he shouldn't be surprised that Sheriff Norris was the one comforting his niece. She buried her face in his shoulder and left a lipstick stain on his neck.

  Beth, whose top bordered on criminal, hugged Jennifer and then took a long look at Travis from top to bottom.

  She whistled. "Hot damn. There really is nothing like a sweaty man late at night."

  Winny pulled away from her uncle and joined her friend's side. "If I'm not mistaken, there are biceps on top of those biceps." She raised her eyes to his. "Hey Trav. Good to see you again."

  It was tough to tell, as Travis had been flushed from his assault on the punching bag, but his cheeks seemed to turn a few shades darker.

  He squinted in their direction. "What the hell are you doing here?"

  Beth walked toward him. "Ooh, testy." She licked her lips. "But I recall you being pretty testy last year at that party. Didn't we have fun, Trav?"

  Travis gave Beth a wide birth and retreated across the room to the front door. Dhiraj suppressed a laugh as Travis stood behind him. As much as he wanted to ask Natalie's boyfriend what happened at this party, there was a more pressing matter.

  Dhiraj cleared his throat. "As much as we're happy to see two friendly, painted faces, we'd love to know how you found out about this place."

  Winny looked at Jennifer and rolled her eyes. "Oh, moneybags. Such a worrier." She beamed. "Erica told us, of course."

  Dhiraj gave Jennifer a questioning look. His girlfriend simply shrugged.

  She wrinkled her nose. "But you two weren't followed, right?"

  Winny gave a fake gasp. "Followed? We're pros, cuz. Enough nights sneaking out to drink will do that to you." Her eyes grew wide as she looked over at the sheriff. "Uncle Mike. I meant, drinking in the great works of literature at the librar–"

  The sheriff stood up. "Enough, ladies. I suppose Erica sent you here to help?"

  Beth posed. "We don't just get dressed up for anyone."

  While Dhiraj questioned the truth of that statement, having two allies who could walk around in public might be helpful. If they could be trusted.

  He chewed on his lip. "Could you ladies give us a second?"

  Winny smirked at Travis. "As long as Mr. Muscles agrees to give us a tour later." She winked. "That party really was fun."

  Travis nodded and moved further behind Dhiraj. The girls clacked off to the training area as the four fugitives gathered in a circle.

  Dhiraj cracked a smile. "What was that all about, Trav?"

  Travis shook his head. "Look, we made out at a party last year. No big deal."

  Jennifer gave him a sidelong glance. "With both of them?"

  His cheeks grew even redder. "Not at the same time."

  The sheriff coughed. "We need to focus." He gripped his daughter's shoulder. "Can we trust them?"

  The team looked over and saw Beth holding Winny's legs as the latter tried to do pull-ups.

  Jennifer sighed. "I certainly hope so."

  That's when the plan began to form in Dhiraj's mind. He hadn't been sure how they'd infiltrate the sheriff's old office, but Beth and Winny might've been the puzzle pieces that would complete the picture.

  Dhiraj gripped Jennifer's hand. "I've got a little play in mind for our friends." He met her glance. "Think you can help me with the script?"

  She grinned. "With pleasure."

  An hour after Beth and Winny had entered the lair, Dhiraj and the gang put their plan into action. The nondescript van was parked just outside the lot beside a chain link fence covered with brush. It didn't take long for Dhiraj to tap into the Sheriff Department security feed using the equipment from the rally. It was warmer in the van with four people than it'd been with two, but the sheriff said they should stick together in case things go south.

  Dhiraj turned his head to the side. "What could possibly go wrong?"

  Sheriff pointed to Beth and Winny, who were trying to take a selfie when Jennifer smacked the phone out of their hands.

  Dhiraj nodded. "Okay. We'll stick together."

  Th
e two short-skirted secret agents were in position by the side of the building. Jennifer sat in the chair beside Dhiraj, while Travis nervously paced using the little room he had available. Sheriff Norris sat in the front seat in case they needed to make a quick getaway. All of them were tapped into the same radio feed.

  With everything in place, including microphones hidden under the shirts of their two spies, Winny walked barefoot into the Sheriff's Department. She stumbled right by a DHS agent, one of two such sentries who were posted at the building all day long. The man didn't even flinch, as he was there for one purpose alone: to catch Erica, Dhiraj or any of the other fugitives who tried to come back home. Winny walked right up to the main reception area and leaned her elbows on the desk. The officer on duty shook himself awake and tended to his station.

  "Can I help you, Miss?"

  Winny let out an audible groan. "Yes! I'd like to report a theft." She pointed downward. "Somebody stole my shoes!"

  Dhiraj laughed and looked at Jennifer. "Really?"

  Jen stared straight into the monitor. "It's not the first time this has happened."

  The officer sighed. "Fine. Whatever." He pulled out a piece of paper from below the desk. "Fill out this form and bring it back up here."

  Winny lifted her chin high. "Thank you, fine sir. You'll get a medal for this."

  Dhiraj whispered into his headset. "Overselling it, Winny."

  Winny nodded to the air and snatched a pen before sitting down in the lobby. The one other person waiting beside her scooted a few chairs over before eventually crossing to the other side of the room.

  Dhiraj nodded. "This could actually work." He took in a deep breath. "Let's start the second act. Beth, it's time to shine."

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  Dhiraj's stomach squeezed. "Beth?"

  He could hear her lips form into a smile through the mic. "I think Travis should wish me good luck first."

  All the eyes in the van turned toward him. Travis shook his head. "Come on, guys."

  Jennifer huffed. "Just do it."

  "I don't want to!"

  Dhiraj poked him. "For the good of the team?"

  Travis grumbled. He walked over to the mic and flipped on the switch. "Good luck, Beth."

  Beth sighed happily and strode toward the front door of the building. With the first step she took inside, Beth fell face first to the ground right in front of the DHS agent.

  Dhiraj grimaced, until he heard her out-of-control giggling. When the DHS agent helped her to her feet, she wrapped her arm around his.

  "Hey, big boy." She thrust out her chest. "Is this where the party's at?"

  While Dhiraj couldn't tell if the agent looked down at her cleavage, he'd be surprised if the man hadn't. The agent said nothing as he led Beth toward the front desk. She started laughing again for no reason at all.

  Dhiraj's mouth hung upon. "She's really good."

  Jennifer chuckled. "She's had the practice. Winny, wait until all eyes are on Beth."

  Before Beth could reach the desk, she tripped and fell to the ground again. This time she refused help from the agent.

  "No. Let me rest down here." She smiled dreamily. "Unless you want to lie down here with me. That could be real nice."

  The officer from behind the desk and the other DHS agent convened by Beth's side. The girl laughed loudly, and Winny took that as her cue to move. The camera feed showed Jennifer's cousin slip down the vacant hallway and into the sheriff's office. As she closed the door behind her, Dhiraj switched to the feed for that room. He watched as Winny removed the painting from behind the sheriff's desk to reveal the wall safe.

  She began to enter the combination. "I feel like a sexy cat burglar. Do I look like a sexy cat burglar, Travis?"

  Travis didn't hesitate this time. He leaned into the mic. "Yes, you look very cat-like."

  As she opened the safe, Dhiraj watched one of the DHS agents get up from Beth's side and look around the room.

  "Hey! Where'd the other girl go?"

  Dhiraj's throat closed up. "Beth, go big or go home!"

  With that, Beth began to scream. The agent withdrew his question and knelt back by the girl's side.

  Beth breathed heavily. "Oh my gosh. I think the baby's coming!"

  Dhiraj threw up his hands. "I didn't mean go off script!" He huffed. "You've got about 30 seconds, Winny."

  He watched on the screen as Winny gathered the books and the sword into a bag she'd snuck in. She shut the safe with a thunk, and Dhiraj could see the agent's ears perk up immediately after. He stood up and tried to leave, but Beth grabbed his ankle.

  "Wait! Could you help me raise him?"

  Dhiraj's face twitched. "Winny, get out of there!"

  Winny put the painting back in place, opened the window and hopped down to the grass below. By the time the agents and the officer got to the room, there was no trace left of her. When they got back to the hallway, the collapsed drunk girl was gone as well.

  Dhiraj and the gang said their goodbyes to Beth and Winny the next morning, just outside the town limits. Everyone was in good spirits, and even Travis gave them a hug. They all ignored Beth lingering far too long with her hands around his waist.

  Jennifer was all smiles. "You guys were amazing last night."

  Winny smirked. "That's what he said." She took her cousin's hand. "If there's anything else we can do, we'd be happy to help. That's what family's for."

  Jennifer hugged Winny one last time before they hopped back in the van and headed to the farm.

  Dhiraj held Jennifer's hand in his as he looked back at the "Now Leaving Treasure" sign. They had the books, and he was sure that Erica would retrieve the staff. If all went well, maybe the next time they crossed the city limits, everything would be back to normal.

  Chapter 16

  Over an hour passed before Ted was taken from the ship. Even though he knew he was surrounded by dark souls, he did his best to reach Natalie's mind with his words. He wasn't sure how much she'd heard, if anything at all. That didn't stop him from trying, even when a half dozen guards shrouded in black surrounded him on the way down the ship's ramp. The armor underneath their capes made a sound like a chain-link fence with every step.

  The castle was ancient and magical. There was something about it that made him think of the nerdy medieval video games he'd played as a kid. He'd even played a few with the old Erica before she'd moved on to popularity. The guards stopped in front of an ornate golden door. It opened with a sound that rattled the hallway. They ushered him inside and shut the door behind him. For a moment, he thought he might be alone, but two more guards stood in front of a much taller door. Its height was on the verge of ridiculous. Ted looked up at the decorations on the wall. The jewels that covered the shields and staffs above reminded him of the markings on the side of the ancient sword he'd used to dispatch Nigel and the Torellos. He wondered how his weapon and the items above could be connected, when the guards each slammed their staffs to the ground in unison.

  He pursed his lips together. "I haven't exactly studied the dark soul handbook, but I assume you want me to come over?"

  The dark souls guarding the chamber didn't respond, but Ted took their silence for a yes. He approached and stood in front of the second massive doorway. Ted thought back to what the soldiers had said when he and Natalie were taken from the village alley. They'd mentioned the General wanted a word with them. Was that the person behind these oversized doors? Ted swallowed as they opened.

  He supposed he shouldn't be shocked by how long the room was, given how much castle they'd spied from the ship, but he was surprised anyway. He crossed at least 50 feet of red carpet before the throne at the end came into view. The walls on either side were carved with the faces of creatures he hoped he'd never see. The artwork was stunning and grotesque. Ted turned his attention toward the bronze throne. Cloaked in shadow, a man sat on the edge of the seat.

  No. Not a man. A boy.

  "I've been w
aiting a long time to meet you."

  Ted hadn't spoken, but it sounded as if he had. It took a moment to realize the voice had come from the boy sitting before him. He was dressed similarly as the guards, though everything he wore seemed a little more ornate. His armor was more like crystal than chain mail. It made his midsection look like a diamond, which continued to draw attention away from his shadowy face. The boy hopped off the throne and walked into the light.

  Ted couldn't believe his eyes. The boy was a carbon copy of Ted from the top to the bottom. The same height. The same dark hair and bone structure. If it weren't for the difference in clothing, then Ted might've thought he was looking in a mirror.

  Ted put his hand on his chin. "How?"

  The General smiled. "It's a mystery to us, too. When people told me there was a resemblance, I didn't realize it'd be so exact."

  Ted leafed through his brain for words, but none came. Despite the lack of speech, he did remember himself enough to bow in front of the most important man on this side of the planet.

  The General took him by the shoulders and lifted him up. "Come, come. We're like brothers. There's no need for that. I'd like to show you something."

  The General walked toward a side door Ted hadn't previously seen. Ted caught up and the guards in the room followed close behind them.

  Butterflies bounced like cannonballs in his stomach. "How'd you know we were here?"

  The General stared straight ahead. "This is my planet. The more I don't know, the more likely I am to lose everything." He knocked on the door and it opened from the outside. Light came streaming in, causing both of them to blink. "So stuffy in there. Follow me."

  The General continued to walk at a breathtaking pace, and Ted struggled to keep up. The cool air whipped past his face. From their vantage point, Ted could see that this was one of the highest points of the entire castle. Below them, he could make out the tops of other towers and several banners he didn't recognize. Even the castle from his Redican-inspired dream earlier that year paled in comparison to the reality before him.

  The General laughed. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were excited to be here."