Dead End Chronicles (Book 1): Dead End Journal

by Alex San Lyra

  “It’s time, Bibi,” I informed her.

  “Off to the firing squad, huh?” she joked.

  I brought her out and escorted her to the council. All the faction leaders were there. Mr. Harper sat at the middle of the table. He didn’t seem very happy though, didn’t even look our way. The guards took Bibi and sat her down in a chair, in the middle of the room. She glanced back at us and waved happily, as if being there was no big deal. I wasn’t too surprised to see that Captain Godric was personally going to build the case against her. He greeted everyone and then started going on and on about how she had always been a bad apple in our midst. He was a good speaker. It kind of reminded me of Flavian, only Captain Godric looked smarter, less prone to tantrums.

  “While in the force,” he said, “Berenice Black had always demonstrated disrespect for the chain of command. On several occasions we’ve had to reprimand her. We hoped she’d eventually learn, but it seems we were wrong.”

  Unfortunately, it was true. She had been called in to explain herself a few times. She got into a few fights, with the others guards. It was mostly just her standing up for herself, not taking any bullshit from the men. Of course, Godric played that part down. Also, a few times, she had been caught wandering instead of guarding, probably to check up on her stashes or contacts. The trouble with Bibi was that she really did do a lot of stupid shit. I always knew it was going to come around to bite her in the ass someday. And she was lucky Godric didn’t know the half of it, cuz if he did, he’d have had her hanged already. As it was, he was having to pull out all the stops to make her look bad.

  When it was finally Stone’s turn, he stood up confidently and spoke calmly, “Mr. Harper, members of the council, hello. Let me start by saying that we are here today to see justice brought upon Berenice Black. Justice. A word none of us should take lightly. Nothing that Captain Godric has said so far really points to a criminal act. Even if it’s true that Berenice wasn’t the most disciplined guard, as Captain Godric claims, she hasn’t committed any crimes against the community. As for her alleged transgressions as a guard, she’s already paid for that several times over. They’ve taken her gun, stripped her of her title, humiliated her... In short, she’s been kicked from the force. And for what? Standing up for herself when bullied? Coming in late? At the very least, it’s already an overly harsh punishment. Now, Captain Godric has been repeating himself, time and again, trying to show you how terrible a person she is. But let’s not forget, he has offered no incriminating proof so far of her guilt regarding the storing of illegal goods. She is innocent until proven otherwise. Furthermore, this so called accusation has been brought forth by one of the very men that conspired to trap, rape and kill not only Berenice, but also Daniela Brightman and Lexa Donofrio. The truth is, my friends, Berenice Black is nothing short of a hero.” He paused and then added, “As a matter of fact, I’m requesting the charges be dropped, effective immediately, due to lack of incriminating evidence. Arresting Berenice without submitting any real proof of a crime, is nothing short of an abuse of power on behalf of the guards.”

  After a short moment of silence, everyone in the room burst into murmuring, some were amazed, others revolted. I had never seen Stone speak so well before. I never really thought of him as a great public speaker, but either I was terribly wrong, or he was just exceptionally motivated. Bibi clapped at him, overly impressed. The council members all looked down on her gesture, unimpressed. It seemed she was determined to show everyone that she couldn’t care less about the whole thing. Godric just smirked at her. Mr. Harper had to call everyone out, asking for silence. He called Stone and Godric over for a private talk.

  Then Mr. Harper announced, “The accusers have half an hour to bring forth the requested evidence. If they fail to produce it, the charges will be dropped. We’ll meet back here in thirty minutes.”

  Captain Godric went to consult with his men, probably discussing how best to get a rise out of Bibi. That was all he needed to condemn her. I was sitting right behind Stone’s speaker seat.

  Waving him over, I said, “What the fuck is Bibi doing? Stone, she needs to behave. She keeps this up, she’ll be digging her own grave. Did you see Godric’s face? He’s going to use her attitude against her. He’s not joking around.”

  “I know, and you’re right,” he agreed, “But it’s better if YOU talk with her.”

  “Will they allow that?” I asked unsure.

  “I don’t see why not,” he answered, “Give me a minute, I’ll talk with the council.” Stone went to speak with Mr. Harper again and then called me over.

  Bibi grinned and joked, “Hey! If it isn’t my two favorite dwarves, Happy and Grumpy.”

  “How you holding up, Beebs?” Stone started.

  “Pfff, get serious,” she scoffed, ”These fuckers ain’t got nothin’ on me. Nice speech back there, by the way. I never fuckin’ knew you had it in you, old man. Kudos!”

  I cut into the conversation angrily, “Maybe you’re impressed, but the council isn’t. Do you WANT to be found guilty, Bibi? What is it with this stupid attitude?”

  “What fuckin’ attitude?” she asked defensively, “I’m just being myself, Doll. Give me a fuckin’ break.”

  Crossing my arms, I glared at her and spoke between my teeth, “Stop acting so cool, you moron. You’re going to end up at the end of a fucking rope. Can’t you see that?”

  She studied my face, then glanced at Stone and whispered very seriously, “Listen, maybe you both haven’t noticed it yet, but this trial isn’t going to end well. Just look at old man Harper, he’s fuckin’ out of it. He’s probably choosing his battles against Godric, and this ain’t one of them. Harper’s looking ahead to the election, saving his energies. I’m fuckin’ telling you, it won’t matter what you say, Godric is going to have his way this time around. So, forget this trial, you better fuckin’ come up with a plan to bust me out of this town. I’ll take my chances on the outside. Cuz in here, I’m already at the end of a rope.”

  I thought it through, looking at Mr. Harper for a moment. He was looking down at some papers or something, he really was out of it, but...

  “Bibi,” I argued unsure, “supposing you’re right, and supposing we find a way of getting you out of town... What then? You’re just gonna leave? Live alone out there?”

  “I’ve done it before,” she reminded me, “You could come with me, Doll. We’re not welcome here anymore anyway. It’ll be like old times...”

  “Stop it!” I urged her, “I can’t just leave, I have to think about my brother and... and...” I didn’t know what else to say, so I looked up at Stone.

  He gave me an apologetic look and repeated what he had said earlier, “We have to try it by the book first...”

  It wasn’t very reassuring, I frowned at him.

  Bibi sighed, “Whatever, just be sure to have a fuckin’ plan B when the shit hits the fan, okay? I’m not looking forwards to being executed in front of these fuckin’ asswipes. And don’t fuckin’ ask me to sit still, while you pretend like I have a God damn chance either.”

  Stone walked back to his chair and I went back to the bench, behind him. Bibi put her good arm over the back of her chair and watched us.

  “I’m scared, Stone,” I whispered to him, “You know Bibi’s usually right about these things. I think we better actually come up with a plan B... just in case. We can’t just let them kill her.”

  I felt like crying as I spoke. If she was right... it was... goodbye... I couldn’t even begin to think what it would be like, living without Bibi. Stone didn’t say it, but I could tell he felt the same way. I looked at Bibi and she shrugged at me. It was no wonder she had flipped out at the hospital, she had probably already figured out that Godric would find a way of getting rid of her.

  A few minutes later, Mr. Harper finally restarted the trial, calling Godric up to show us his evidence. His men brought out a case, very similar to Bibi’s treasure chest. It wasn’t the same one though, it was shaped differ
ently and it didn’t have handles on the sides. Then they brought out Laurie. Godric explained how Laurie had described Bibi’s chest and how they had found it in the alleys, where he had been tied up. The fucking bastard didn’t even bother to find the real thing, but that wasn’t all of it. The captain also went on to say that our story was a lie. Laurie was going to testify to it. And so, there it was, the rumors becoming officially recognized evidence. All the while, I watched Mr. Harper, he hardly even looked up from his desk. Bibi was right, she didn’t stand a chance.

  As accuser, Godric had the right to call the first witness. Laurence Shortt, a.k.a. Laurie. Godric started asking him simple questions, how long he had been in Harptown, how long he had served the community. He made Laurie look like a model citizen. Then the captain got into the more specific questions, about the night of the shooting. Laurie described in detail everything he had seen that night, Bibi’s illegal stash, her death threats, everything. Laurie didn’t look very good himself. It made me wonder if he had been threatened, or maybe even beaten up. More than anything, he seemed to be terrified of Godric.

  Finally, the captain asked, “So, tell us Laurence, what were you doing the night of the shooting, calling on Ms. Brightman?”

  Laurie sounded like he was repeating something someone had recited to him, “Bibi and Da... I mean, Berenice and Daniela called us, saying there had been a break in at the hut. I realized there was something strange going on and questioned them about it. That’s when Berenice held me up. She took my gun, forced me to that courtyard at gunpoint and tied me down. I told her she was making a big mistake, but she just said she’d kill me if I didn't do as she told me. She was crazy.”

  “So,” Godric interrupted, “you’re saying it was Berenice who called you to the hut, not the other way around?”

  “That’s right,” he confirmed.

  Godric glanced at Bibi and then asked Laurie, “Where did Bibi get the rope to tie you up?”

  Laurie went on, “Daniela kept my own gun pointed at me, as Berenice uncovered that box.” He pointed at the fake stash box Godric’s men had brought in. “She took out some rope and duct tape and tied me down.”

  From there on in, I stopped paying attention and started thinking up a plan B. It was a long afternoon, Stone briefed all his witnesses, called them in and asked them about Bibi. They all spoke very highly of her. Singer and Lexa both told the council how Flavian had called them over to the hut. Eventually, my turn came up. We went over the story together one last time and then Stone took me to the witnesses chair.

  Stone asked me, “Daniela, please tell us, in your own words, everything that Mario Flavian did, leading up to his death at the hut showdown.”

  Taking a deep breath, I started telling them all about how Flavian had harassed me for months before the shooting. It was painstaking, I took the time to tell them every single little detail, all over again... the threats, the formal complaint... Then I told them how Flavian had died, how Bibi had a gun on him and he thought he could shoot her down first. I told them we had no intention of killing anyone, which was true... at least in my case. Maybe Bibi just wanted to kill them, but I would have been happy to see him arrested... I think... that’s what I told them anyway. Looking back, I’m convinced death was the only thing that would have stopped Flavian.

  When it was Godric’s turn to ask me questions he inquired, “Ms. Brightman, one thing I’ve been asking myself is how Flavian got his wounds. He was shot in the chest, as you told us, but he had a second bullet wound, between his eyes. How do you account for that?”

  “I don’t,” I replied calmly, “When it was all over, I could hardly bear to look at the dead men. It was all so horrible. If I had to guess, I’d say maybe a stray bullet hit Flavian. There was so much shooting that night... but I really couldn’t say for sure.” Thankfully, I had rehearsed that bit of the story with Stone.

  Godric had no more questions for me, so I was dismissed. I didn’t bother to stay for the rest of the trial, I gave Bibi one last look and then told Stone I had to go out to get some fresh air. There had to be a way of getting Bibi out of there... but how? I stood there, in the middle of the street, at a total loss. It wasn’t just that I didn’t know how to save my best friend, my sister... I didn’t even know how I’d survive without her. Ranger came out to me, as I racked my brain over it.

  “Hey,” he greeted me fondly, “So, how do you think this trial is going so far? Stone seems to be building quite a strong case, huh?”

  I stared at him, realizing I had just made a decision, one that would forever change my life. “Ranger,” I said weakly, “I’m leaving Harptown.”

  - - - - -

  This might just end up being my last entry. Tomorrow, we’ll all either be on the road... or dead. Either way, this is my last night in this town.

  Entry 16

  March 28th, 47

  No looking back

  Well, I’m not dead, so... here’s another entry...

  Yesterday, after telling Ranger I planned on leaving town, I went home and wrote in my journal. I thought it might be the last time I had that kind of luxury and I wanted to register everything that had led to that realization. When I was done, I headed back to the council. Stone was still doing his best, speaking for Bibi. During one of the half hour recesses, and without letting the guards notice it, I told Stone, Lexa, Singer and Ranger that I had an important announcement to make. I left Buba, Nelly and Mimi out of it. They're too young to be a part of such a meeting. As for the new bowhunters... I don't really know them that well. I stuck to the people I trust. The only place we have any privacy is the hut, so that’s where I instructed them to meet me when the trial was adjourned.

  - - - - -

  There was still about an hour before dinner, the guards escorted us home. Bibi was exhausted. She would never admit it, but recovering from her injury was draining her energy and she needed to rest. Unfortunately, we could hear our neighbors through the walls again. They were laughing loudly at something or other and it sounded like they were moving chairs around again. Resting was a challenge all on its own. Bibi laid on the mattress and played with my brother, tickling him. He loved it.

  “Don’t jump on her, Baby,” I warned Xandy, “Remember, aunt Bibi’s arm is still hurt.”

  “I’m fine,” she complained, rolling her eyes, “I don’t need a fucking babysitter, Doll.”

  But she winced once or twice, as they played, so I got her the painkillers.

  “Here,” I said, offering her the pills.

  She took them and then commented, “You know, I don’t remember it being this painful the last time I got shot. Memo to me, never get shot in the shoulder again.”

  “How about, never get shot at all again,” I suggested.

  “Bitch, will you get off my case?“ she barked, “It’s not like I fuckin’ wanted to get shot, you know.”

  “Hey!” I countered angrily, “Don’t you snap at me! I’m the one who got you out of that hospital, remember? And I’m the one who's taking care of you... It’s time to clean that wound, by the way.”

  She frowned at me, but remained quiet, as I undid her patches and got to work on her shoulder. It looked like it was healing up nicely, no infections or anything.

  As I started patching her up again, she grinned at me and asked, “So... not to be too pushy, but... have you come up with that plan B yet?”

  “There. All done,“ I announced. Then I looked up at her and said, “Bibi, I love you. You know that, right?”

  She made a funny embarrassed face. “What the fuck brought that up?” she asked.

  I elaborated, “Actually, you brought it up. Do you really think I’d just let you leave town alone like that?”

  Her eyes widened and a wicked smile slowly bloomed on her face. “You little bitch!” she cried, “You DO have a plan, don’t you?”

  “Keep it down, you lunatic,” I warned her, “the guards are right outside, remember? It’s a good thing our new neighbors are so n
oisy, or we’d be screwed right about now.” But then I smirked at her and whispered, “We’re busting out of here TONIGHT, guns blazing, Bibi style!”

  “I fuckin’ love you too, Doll,” she declared, hugging me with her good arm, “So, what’s the plan? What about Stone? He’s fuckin’ coming with us, right? He has to!”

  “Haven’t spoken to him yet,” I admitted, “and I don’t quite have a plan yet either, but I’ve called Stone and the others to a small meeting. We’ll figure something out.”

  “That’s so typical of you, Doll,” she commented, “You do whatever you have to do. Just remember, we can’t take the whole town with us.”

  “I know,” I replied, “I’m just going to give them the option... they can either come with us or say goodbye... It’s up to them. I better get going. I’ll be back for dinner.”

  She hugged me again and then sat back down on the bed. In the hallway, the guards both looked at me, with unwelcoming expressions. I ignored them and went outside. I walked fast, eager to get to the hut. Everyone was already there when I arrived.

  “Hi,” I greeted them nervously.

  Ranger was the only one who already knew what I was going to say. I opened the door and let everyone in, first Stone, then Ranger, then Singer and then Lexa.

  “Well,” I started, “There’s not much time, so I’ll get right to it. I’m leaving Harptown.” I gave everyone the time to absorb it and then added, “Tonight, in fact.”

  “You’re leaving?” Singer asked fearfully, “Why?”

  I looked at him and explained slowly, “I have reason to believe that Bibi’s trial is not going to be a fair one. Captain Godric has already condemned her in his mind. For him, it’s just a matter of making it look legit. And Mr. Harper isn't invested in the trial at all... I won’t let them hurt Bibi... I have to get her out of town. On top of that, life here has been made exceedingly harder every day for me... for all of us. Personally, I just don’t feel at home anymore, or safe even. The truth is, I’d rather take my chances out in the world with Bibi, than stay here another day.” I paused and then finalized, “I didn’t exactly call you all here just to say goodbye. I’m sorry for the short notice, but... if any of you want to come with me...”