Poisonous: A Visit To Earth (DC Angels Book 2)

by Chas Funderburg

  Poisonous laughed. “They only seem to learn the hard way that when they make themselves amenable to our influence, the consequences aren’t always fun and games.”

  “Indeed. This is a business, and any human who works for me must abide by strict rules. Non-compliance results in their elimination.” A dark scowl covered his face. “Such a waste. Bah…they are only flesh, and flesh must be used for my purposes.”

  “Couldn’t agree more. Well, I need to get back to D.C. I have my own business to attend to.”

  Arriving back in D.C. a few moments later, she ruminated on the conversation with Vile Destruction. Flesh must be used for my purposes. …business to attend to… Hmm. This is an interesting idea. Why don’t I do the same thing? I must look into this, and soon. She headed back for the condo, went to her room, and pondered the possibilities.

  * * *

  Tyrell stood in the lobby of the “K” building. As she came within earshot, she said, “Let’s not bother with minutiae; let’s get right down to business.”

  “You’ve got my attention,” said Tyrell. They were in his apartment within minutes. The evening with Tyrell delivered as promised. The big man pleased her in every way, which added icing to the perfect day. She purred softly in his ear. “You are an eleven on a scale of ten. Meet me tomorrow for lunch?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “And dessert?”

  “Of course.”

  The smile stayed pasted on her face the whole way home.

  * * *

  As Dan sat in the Command Room of the Strategic Information Operations center, he pored over the video tape obtained by warrant from the Metro System. After forty-five minutes of reviewing footage, he finally came upon one in which Samantha appeared to be in the frame. To make sure, he compared the image in the video tapes to the picture of Samantha he had gotten from Steve and Sarah Boyle. She appeared to be sitting by herself in the last car, staring at nothing in particular. Towards the end of the tape, a woman approached her, and had a conversation with her. Although the sound faded in and out, the gist of the conversation seemed to be the woman encouraging Samantha to run away to a place where she could be free from the rules set by her parents—and society, for that matter.

  “This woman needs to be looked into. Problem is, I can’s see her face.” He did, however extrapolate her height to be about five feet, six inches. She had long, dark hair, but she never looked at the camera. “Drat! This isn’t much to go on. I’ll have to give this to computer forensics. Maybe they can make some sense of this.”

  * * *

  Wednesday, July 9th

  The morning bode well for her day’s agenda. Before her outside activities got under way, Poisonous thought about her conversation with Oily Lies, and decided this was worth looking into. Once again visiting the dark web, she found many ads where the owner of the ad needed young girls to join their business. She decided to put in an ad. ‘In need of marketing agents to expedite the acquiring young women and men to be used to sell sex for their pimps.’

  Almost immediately, she got a hit.

  ‘For fifteen thousand, I can supply you with whatever form of humanity you need.’

  She answered with,

  ‘Fifteen thousand dollars is a bit steep. I need to make a profit, you know.’

  ‘Take it or leave it. I’m in business to make a profit too.’

  ‘I’ll have to get back to you…thanks.’

  After doing a great deal of searching, she found someone who would take seventy-five hundred dollars for each person obtained.

  ‘It’s a deal,’ she typed. I will need someone within the next forty-eight hours. Can you handle that?’

  ‘You’ll get your delivery. Just tell me where they need to be dropped off.’

  ‘That will be no problem. Just contact me when the asset is ready for delivery.’

  ‘Will do. Good bye.’

  Satisfied, she anticipated another girl or boy like Samantha: young, pretty or handsome, and angry; trying to escape from the rigors of everyday life. Luckily, there were many such young people, and she would make the best of selling them to unscrupulous purveyors of human flesh. Having saved herself fifty percent from the original offer, she smiled with satisfaction. “Nothing like doing profitable business.” Her asking price for every asset offered would be twice what she paid for it. “Oh yes, this is going to be interesting.”

  * * *

  Her previous experience with Tyrell had her eagerly anticipating more. She wasted no time in contacting him before getting out of the condo. His number showed up in the ‘Previous Calls’ section of her smart phone, so she pressed the entry, and heard his deep bass voice on the other end of the line.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, handsome. What does a girl have to do to see her baby boy for lunch?”

  “I’d say you just got your lunch on. What do you think of Italian?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Okay, baby. Just meet me at Ristorante Tosca. It’s right near the Metro Center subway stop.”

  The heat had made her perspiration a gooey mess. Mascara, blush, and other war paint now looked smudged and leathery. A beeline to the womens bathroom, and she quickly re-arranged her makeup.

  “Yes. That looks much better.”

  Her business finished in the bathroom at Metro Center, she walked towards the exit. A black woman stood right in front of her, deliberately blocking her way.

  “Are you Perri?”

  “Yes. And you?”

  “I’m Shanice. Tyrell’s girlfriend.” Shanice’s eyes squinted, and her neck snapped from one side to the other like a viper hypnotizing its prey, while the index finger on her right hand resembled a gun waving back and forth, pointed skyward. “You’d best keep your hands off my man, skank heffa...”

  Poisonous walked closer. She held her rings up in the light, admiring them. “I’m sorry... I don’t believe I heard you correctly.”

  “You heard me, ho.”

  She grabbed Shanice, spun her around, then grabbed her by her hands, put them behind her back, and pushed her into the wall with superhuman strength. Shanice cursed and yelled, but was no match for Poisonous’ pure fury and abilities as a spirit being.

  “Let’s just see who’s the ho, here.”

  Assured no one else was there, Poisonous changed back to a demon, spun Shanice around again, took her tentacles and beat Shanice so fast, and so hard, her hands were a blur. Shanice’s eyes swelled closed from pain and fear, succumbing to the blows to them, and making her unaware of the demon attacking her. Miniature purple spots covered Shanice’s face where Poisonous’ rings had landed. She knocked her to the ground, using her tentacles to hold her hands and feet still to keep Shanice from moving.

  Very hard, sharp nails tore across Shanice’s face.

  Shanice howled, holding up her hands to deflect the razors at the end of Poisonous’ talons, but to no avail. Hands with claws tore into her face until Shanice pulled them away, with great effort, and gasping in pain.

  The sharp claws continued maiming Shanice’s chest and belly, shredding through her blouse and bra and tearing deep into the underlying skin.

  Shanice’s thighs and groin received the same savage punishment. Shanice wailed in pain. She stopped for a second to assess the damage.

  “Please...don’t hurt me anymore.” Shanice cried. “Please...”

  Poisonous said nothing. She tore into Shanice’s legs, and all the way down to her feet. More bloody gouges dug deep into Shanice’s body, and Shanice screamed all the louder.

  The fury subsided, and Poisonous got up, changing back to Perri.

  Shanice sobbed and held herself, bleeding profusely.

  With a cold, expressionless stare, she said, “Anything you want to add…ho?”

  Shanice moaned, on the verge of losing consciousness, only able to slowly whisper the words, “Oh my God it hurts...”

  She walked up to the sink and washed her hands, paying careful attention t
o her nails, then left to join Tyrell for lunch.

  * * *

  VD stood watching the whole thing, aghast, shaking her head, sadly. “I would have expected you to encourage humans to commit acts of immorality, but this is almost as bad as the Anger and Murder demons.” Tears filled her eyes. “This is not at all like, you, Poisonous. I have never known you to do anything so gruesome.”

  Shanice fell quiet. Her head dropped to one side, and she lay there, motionless. Now in human form, VD called out to her. “Shanice! Are you all right?” No answer. “She’s probably in shock.” VD didn’t have a cell phone on her or any change, so she crossed the border between time and the realm of the spirit. Evie would be home from work right about now, so she appeared at her apartment.

  “Evie!”

  Evie jumped. “My goodness, you scared me. What is it, VD?”

  “There’s no time to explain—I’ll do that on the way. Just grab your cell phone, and call 9-1-1.” She grabbed Evie’s hand, pulled her across the temporal divide, and into the bathroom at Metro Center.

  Seeing Shanice, Evie had to turn away for a moment, holding her hands across her mouth. “Oh-h-h-h,” she moaned. “I think I’m going to be ill...” and ran into the stall and threw up.

  “I know this is hard to look at, but you must be strong, Evie. This poor girl may die if help doesn’t come soon.”

  “I’ll be out in a minute. The image of her bloody body is still fresh in my mind.” She groaned, and within a few seconds, she threw up again. “I’m sorry, VD. You may have to take on human form, and explain to the EMT’s what happened. I can’t stomach seeing her. No offense. Sorry sweetie.”

  “It’s okay, Evie. I understand.” She picked up Evie’s phone and dialed the emergency line. “Yes, sir: in the women’s bathroom, near the 11th and G exit of the Metro Center station on the Red line.”

  VD changed to human form, looking like a young Latina woman. In a couple of minutes, the piercing sounds of the sirens wailed loudly on the surface above the stations. The emergency techs ran in, and rushed to administer aid to Shanice. They quickly gave her a shot of adrenaline to revive her. She began screaming again. “No-o-o-o! Don’t let her hurt me anymore.” Her arms flailed wildly, trying to push them away.

  The male emergency tech, held her still as the female tech put her fingers on her carotid artery, and held it there for approximately fifteen seconds. “Her pulse and pressure are very elevated. We need to get her to GW quickly. The female tech rattled off her request quickly, conditioned by frequently dealing with life or death situations. “Bill. She needs 1200 cc’s of Lorazepam, stat.” Bill complied, feeding the tranquilizer to Shanice through an intravenous drip. Shanice slowly fell asleep. They both put Shanice on a stretcher, and hauled her up the stairs to the emergency vehicle outside.

  A female officer walked up to VD. “Are you acquainted with the victim?”

  “No, ma’am. I just happened to come in here, and saw her lying there, unconscious. My friend...” She looked in Evie’s direction. “…knows her attacker.”

  Evie poked her head out of the stall. “Is she still there?”

  VD smiled self-consciously at the officer. “She’s a little queasy.” She turned back to Evie, and said, “No she’s not. You can come out now.”

  * * *

  Thursday, July 10th

  The Conquests magazine covered her eyes as she lay upon her bed. Putting the magazine where she could better see it, she re-read the blog article in her favorite forum, which she had just submitted.

  “What techniques do you use to attract someone?”

  PoisonousPerri said:

  You know, ladies: being on the prowl for handsome men means you can’t limit yourself as though you were looking for ‘Mr. Right.’ If you’re looking to find a nice man, get married and have children, you shouldn’t be reading this magazine.

  Now, I have met two men, and am seeing them both simultaneously. One of them is even my partner in the great dating adventure. I am looking forward to making my first beau not only spend time alone with me, but wining and dining me as well. Who says you can’t make a pleasant experience of the hunt? It makes making a man pursue youa very enjoyable experience.

  Her cell phone rang, and Poisonous picked it up. “Hello?”

  “Well, hello! Now there’s a voice I could listen to any time.”

  “Roger! Good to hear from you again. It’s been two whole days...”

  “Mea culpa. Work has been crazy, and well... I’m a busy man.”

  “My, sweetie, you are the ambitious one, aren’t you? So what’s up?”

  “Well... I’m having a little soirée chez moi tomorrow. I was wondering if your gorgeous self might make an appearance.”

  “Oh. Well, let me see... hmm. My calendar says I might be able to fit you in.”

  “Oh please do. It would be dreadful without my sparring partner. There would be no challenge to get my blood pumping. You know?”

  “What? You don’t want to see me because I’m such a delightful person, and a great conversationalist? I’m hurt... deeply.” She smirked.

  “I somehow have a feeling you’ll get over it. And if I’m not mistaken, you love the hunt as much as I do.”

  “Touché, darling. You know me all too well.”

  “And you love me for it. I’ll pick you up around seven-thirty?”

  “Goodness. I even get an escort. I must be high on someone’s list.” She stifled a giggle, and lay down on her back, putting a pillow beneath her head.

  “You are. I’ll be there with bells and whistles, my lady.”

  Sighing contentedly, she added, “Ah-h-h-h-h... you spoil me sweetie. I’ll be expecting this kind of treatment all the time, if you keep this up.”

  “I could think of worse things to do.”

  “Well, darling, would it impose on your time if we, say, met for a drinkie-poo tonight?”

  “Well let me check my calendar... you know, I think I can fit you in.”

  “You, sir, are incorrigible.”

  “All part of my charm.”

  She laughed. “Really Roger, you’re such a hoot.” I’ll meet you at Au Jus de Pamplemousse. You’re buying, of course. You won’t disappoint me, will you?”

  “I wouldn’t dare...”

  “No, you wouldn’t. Pick me up at six-thirty?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Bye.”

  She pressed ‘END’ and smiled at the ceiling. “You’re right about the hunt; and tonight, you’re my prey... sweetie.”

  * * *

  Her fork returned to the table as she polished off the last morsel of lobster, and drank down the remainder of her Cabernet Blanc. “I just adored that lobster. So, sweet and succulent.” She gave Roger an appreciative look. “You outdid yourself. That was exquisite.”

  “I try. Is milady sated, or is there something else she desires?” His eyes always twinkled with mischief and made her weak in the knees, fanning the flames of her desire.

  “Well there’s always the matter of dessert.”

  “Well. Why don’t you tell me what suits your fancy?”

  “Well, I like my dessert spicy and hot. It would involve both you and I enjoying it together.” She looked him right in the eye, opening her mouth slightly. “I think pleasure should be shared. Don’t you?”

  “I think that can be arranged. Now, was there something you wanted on the menu?”

  The game of cat and mouse pushed up the flow of adrenaline in her blood, which also increased her appetite. “Well, the Death by Chocolate sounds positively decadent. Mmm.”

  “That can be arranged.” Roger flagged down the server, and soon she tore voraciously into her desert. “Oh, my... I believe I’m addicted to this already.”

  “I have to fatten you up before I make you a sin offering.”

  She put on her best pout. “Oh, I don’t want to be fat. I say we work this off with a little exercise.”

  “Nothing like keeping in shape. Perhaps
after a brisk walk back to my condo, we can reward ourselves with some of that dessert you mentioned.”

  “Now am I an offering for sin... or to sin?”

  “You, young lady, would lead the most devout man astray.”

  “I say we a-stray on over to your condo.”

  “Like lambs to the slaughter.”

  * * *

  Friday, July 11th

  As she walked up the street towards Roger’s condo, Poisonous smiled at all the men who stared appreciatively at her form beneath the skimpy dress. The image reflected in the mirror in the lobby got her approval. The elevator took them up to the second floor. Her hunting skills in hyperdrive, she took in all the partygoers in the room. Regarding several prospects, her pulse quickened. However, she put off stalking her prey right away, and walked over to Roger first, out of deference to her host. “Hi... how’s my sparring partner?”

  “Good, but by the looks of that outfit, and the menace behind your smile, I’d say I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you if I wanted to.”

  “I’m glad you’re able to see when you’re outdone. I like anyone who defers to their superiors.” The faintest trace of a grin underlined her challenge. Someone caught her attention in the corner of her eye, and her instincts told her to move in, and fast. Her newly found prize stood with a drink in her hand across the room. Her prey deliciously appealed to her, as she walked away. “Excuse me, sweetie. I believe I’ve found something worth pursuing,” she said, not looking back at Roger

  “Good hunting.”

  “Thanks,” she called back.

  Poisonous lay in a state of quiescence, satisfied. She propped herself up on one arm, and turned to her latest find. “That was delicious! You’re very creative. In fact, I’m like thinking about it.” She broke out her trademark wicked grin. “In fact, I believe I’m going to return the favor.”