Noting the girl’s hands were bound and her eyes covered, he watched two of the men flank her and haul her up the few steps into the farm house. Swallowing, he wondered if Karma had said anything else he had missed that would explain why they were holding the girl.
“We need to check in,” Dante spat, leaping onto the veranda and peering into the front through the dirty windows. Smiling broadly, his voice grew lighter, “Oh, there you are.” Realizing Charlie couldn’t hear her, he tapped the glass before them, and an image of Karma in her pristine red suit became visible.
“Thanks, babe,” she smiled at him over the connection.
“You didn’t tell me your new toy was squeamish,” Dante laughed loudly.
“I’m not squeamish,” Charlie bit back, moving so he could see their leader more clearly. “That’s a neat trick; does it work on any glass?”
“Pretty much,” Karma agreed. “I’ll have to teach you that one when you get back to Purgatory. For now, are you ready to take care of these guys?”
“It’s not just our targets,” Dante informed her bluntly. “A few of them showed up a few minutes ago with a girl; bound and blind folded.”
“Cut her loose before you act,” Karma grimaced, closing her eyes for a moment. When they reopened, a glimmer of pain flickered across them for an instant.
“What’s wrong?” Charlie demanded, genuinely concerned.
“Nothing,” the woman shot back quickly. “Charlie, you go inside and set her free as soon as they leave her alone. Make sure none of them see you do it. Then you two can finish the plan and get out of there.”
“What if they don’t leave her alone?” Dante demanded.
“They will,” Karma exhaled loudly. “You may have to wait a few days before you get your chance; until then, find out everything you can to set up for the show.”
“The show,” Charlie repeated quietly, a sick feeling in his gut.
“Yes ma’am,” Dante agreed, tapping the glass to remove the image. “You go on in and see what’s going on with the girl. I’m going to have a better look around the barn and the shed; figure out exactly what we’re going to do with these guys.” Strutting across the planks as if he fully expected the younger man to carry out his orders, he trotted down the steps and through the weed-filled yard once more.
Swallowing hard, Charlie watched until Dante disappeared into the barn as he thought about what he might find on the other side of the wall. Cautiously moving to the door, he drew a deep breath, then passed through the frame. His sneakers squeaked on the hard wood of the floor, his heart pounding in his ears.
Inside, a large living area stretched out before him. The furniture sparse and ratty in appearance, he couldn’t imagine anyone actually sitting on any of it. Straight through the front room, he could see a door he surmised led to the kitchen and dining area. Becoming aware of the rhythmical groan that a bed makes when a couple is on it, he turned his attention to the stairs that descended from above, forming a landing to his left.
His eyes tracing the steps slowly, he could make out the grunts of a man, and the girl squealed loudly. The sound of a slap on bare skin caused him to jump when a sharp scream followed before it became muffled. Holy shit. His gaze on the top of the stairs, he knew the young woman was up there somewhere, and he felt helpless.
Karma said to wait until she’s alone, he reminded himself while clenching his fists. But the idea of what the men were doing to her tore at him, and he felt nauseous. Leaving the entrance, he stomped towards the kitchen, only to discover the noises from directly below the bedroom had not improved.
Hearing the distinct sound of a headboard smacking against a wall, he pressed his palms over his ears and hummed to block it out. Spying another exit, leading out to the field of weeds and wildflowers beyond, he darted through it and skipped down the steps; determined to wait at a distance.
“What are you doing out here?” Dante demanded when he discovered the boy sitting, leaned against a tree a short time later. “You’re supposed to be inside, waiting to get her out of there!”
“I can’t,” Charlie stammered, his face drawn. “I’ll go back in when they come out, but I can’t stay in there and listen to them…. abuse her.”
Only then picking up on his meaning, the leader of their duo paused, his mouth open for a moment before he snapped it shut. “Disgusting bastards,” he fumed.
“Yeah, they’re a real bunch o’ savages. Wha’s the plan for dealing with them?” Charlie changed the subject.
Dropping onto the ground next to him, Dante indicated the barn. “The guys out there are definitely building explosives. I’m thinking I can set them off and blow this whole place up around them.” Glancing over at his comrade, he could see the paleness of his flesh. “You ok?”
“No,” Charlie shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the window and the men moving around inside. “The last time I felt like this,” he hesitated, shaking his head slightly, “I killed someone,” he concluded.
Nodding, Dante didn’t push, and merely agreed, “Well, they deserve it.”
“Who are they, exactly?” Charlie pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin on the top, still eyeing their targets.
“They’re some kind of hate group is all I can guess,” Dante’s voice grew softer, taking on a comforting tone. “Karma said they’ve been helping the Dark Angels. I’m sure that’s the reason she sent us.”
“To punish them,” Charlie deduced. “Karma loves her revenge.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Dante shrugged. “But I’m sure it’s more focused on Fate and his minions than these guys.”
“What do you mean?” the younger man tilted his head so that he stared at him instead.
“I mean, she punishes humans from time to time, but her real focus is on her own kind; squaring things with them.” He shifted uncomfortably after he spoke, then tacked on, “You know, Karma’s family has treated her pretty badly. They deserve it as well.”
Charlie’s brow furrowed as he considered his cohort’s words. “She said that she and Keeper made the twins; like their children.”
“Yeah, she told me the same thing,” Dante agreed, getting to his feet.
“So, what else did she tell you?” Charlie insisted, also standing.
“Not really anything. Mostly, she taught me how to use my gifts, same as you,” the taller man glanced away, taking in the top of the ridge that ran behind them. “I think we should have a peek from the top before the sun sets; see what else is around here.”
Following him into the line of trees, the pair came out of the grove and into a clearing at the crest. Peering around, they could see no evidence of people anywhere near them, save the winding dirt road that led back to the gathering of buildings they were waiting to destroy.
Watching the sun sink low from that vantage point, Dante picked up their earlier dialogue; “You should be careful.”
“I should? Why?” Charlie shifted his weight anxiously.
“Karma’s been looking for you for a long time,” his comrade informed him quietly. “I had really begun to doubt that you really existed, but obviously you do.” Turning to face him, he blinked a few times. “I don’t really like sharing her,” he said more forcefully.
“Hey, look man,” Charlie held up his hands in self-defense, “I’m not here for Karma. I really don’t care about her, ok? Not like that.”
“What do you care about?” Dante challenged, taking a seat in the dirt and watching the men moving around below them.
Staring at the horizon, Charlie could feel his chest grow tight. “I had a girl,” he confessed quietly. “A Summer Angel. She’s the love of my life.” He looked down to see that his companion stared up at him, and their eyes locked on one another. “I want her back.”
“So that’s how she owns you,” Dante broke the connection. “She owns all of us. Promises and punishments; that’s how she keeps everyone in line.”
“I’ve gathered that,”
Charlie took a seat on a large rock a few feet away. “The Forgotten Angels follow her, but not all of them are happy about it.” He thought of Phil, and his hatred of their benefactor, even though he obviously enjoyed rewarding the worthy. No wonder he tried to warn me to stay away from her.
“Forgotten Angels,” Dante snorted, “That name’s pretty slick, by the way. Karma said you thought of it,” he grinned at his companion. “Appropriate in so many ways.”
“How so?”
“Karma’s the red-headed stepchild in their world; no one really thinks about her, or cares about her. She helped to set everything up for Keeper and the twins, but...” he paused, giving a small nod, “They left her alone for too long.”
“But Keeper’s her husband, or mate, or something like that.”
“No, not really. They were partners, and as soon as he had what he wanted, Keeper discarded her. Dropped her like a bad habit, and she’s pretty bent out of shape about it.”
A glimmer of understanding ignited in the back of Charlie’s mind. Seeing the men all entering the house, he grunted. “Guess we’re down for the night. I could go for a meal.”
“Yeah, let’s pop back to civilization and grab some dinner. These guys aren’t going anywhere; at least not at the moment, and we can pick up here again in the morning,” Dante suggested.
Following without argument, the pair vanished from the top of the hill and traveled to an all-night truck stop to eat and wait for the chance to execute their plan.
Karma’s Good Side
Transporting instantly to a diner, the pair waited outside for a few minutes, checking out their surroundings. A large parking lot lay behind the structure, filled with trucks, most with their windows darkened. The visible light around a few edges indicated they were occupied with drivers who were down for the night.
“I think we’re good,” Dante informed him, crossing the plane so they could go inside.
Following his lead, Charlie made the move as well and they entered through the pair of glass doors in the front. Taking a booth along the exterior wall, he sighed loudly as he slid onto the cushioned seat. Through the glass, he could see the total black of the dark sky in the distance, and imagined the stars that were obscured by the lights of the town.
“I’m curious where they came from,” he admitted softly after giving the waitress their order, observing a blue and green bruise on her jawline that she had tried to hide with her makeup.
“I used to be,” Dante agreed, raising one shoulder with a shrug. Turning a palm to the ceiling, he sneered, “Would it do you any good if you knew?”
“I don’ know,” Charlie’s eyes remained fixed on the girl.
Twisting in his seat, Dante followed his line of sight. “Yeah, he beats her.”
Startled, Charlie hissed, “You know what I’m thinking?”
“I can’t read you, if that’s what you mean; but I can read her. And I’ve noticed you have a soft spot for girls in trouble,” he grinned at his companion slyly. “Any reason why?”
Turning back to the darkness, Charlie thought about his life; the one he had lived before he discovered the existence of angels. Eating their food when it arrived in silence, he formulated his reply.
When his burgers and fries were gone, he spoke softly, telling his companion about Tabs. “My best friend growing up was a girl named Tabitha. Her old man was a real piece o’ crap; drunken wife-beater. I don’ think he took much out on her, but it messed her an’ her life up. She’s the one Karma threatened to hurt if I didn’ cooperate when she brought me t’ Purgatory.”
Dante leaned his head back, looking down his nose at the man across from him. “So you take a woman getting knocked around, or whatever, a bit personally.”
“Yeah,” Charlie nodded, his eyes back on the girl whose behavior had shifted to anxious. She dropped a fork and balanced her load of dirty dishes to kneel down and retrieve it. Delving into her mind, he could feel the terror. Blocking it out, he searched, locating the source of her pain. “You mind if we make a quick detour?”
“You thinking about a side job?”
“Wouldn’t take long,” Charlie tapped the table nervously. “Would Karma care if we moved against an unassigned target?”
“Naw,” Dante pursed his lips, shaking his head slightly. Charlie had only been with the group a few months. The fact that he took his role seriously and had sought out a deserving individual would actually win him brownie points with their leader. “As long as you only give out what they have coming, she’d be pleased,” he admitted deviously. He had wanted to get rid of his nemesis, and wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to do so.
Charlie’s smile spread slow across his face. “I’m not really into pleasing her,” he chuckled, “But I think that girl’s boyfriend could use a little payback.”
Having located her address and then his whereabouts, Charlie abandoned his search of her personal space and stood. Dropping a tip on the table, he demanded tartly, “You coming?”
“Sure,” Dante grinned broadly, eager to see what the rookie would do. “I’m not going to help, but I can’t wait to see you handle this guy.”
Outside, Charlie transported them across town to a local dive as soon as they had crossed the plane and were no longer visible to ordinary humans. Arriving in a smoke-filled room, music thumped loudly around them. “This is where he’ll be,” he informed his cohort. “While she works, he’s here hangin’ out with his friends.”
Locating the man easily, Charlie watched him for a few minutes. Seeing that this might take a while, Dante found a stool. He had sensed Karma watching them, and knew the younger man had trod onto dangerous ground. Where he could earn respect by taking his job to heart, he could also get himself into trouble. The key would always be to stay on Karma’s good side, and he briefly considered that his opportunity to get rid of him could be at hand.
Moving through the rowdy patrons, Charlie studied his target and the men around him. Playing a game of pool, they were laying a folded bill on the table at the start of each game, wagering on the outcome. His eyes shifted from dark brown to the color of honey, taking on a green hue.
Two of the men at the table next to him immediately took an interest in his target’s game. “That’s it,” Charlie mumbled, his lips curling when one of the observers finally took a swing with his wooden cue. The fight escalated quickly, engulfing a few others, who used chairs and glass bottles to inflict their disgruntled blows.
His eyes bright, Charlie could feel the elation in his chest. Watching the waitress’ boyfriend take a beating, he thought about the morning he had used a napkin holder to crush a man’s skull; an act he still felt guilt over. But in the end, we all get what we deserve.
Locating Dante, he turned his back on the ruckus. “We can go,” he stated with a deep sigh. “I did what I came here to do.”
Seeing that the bar-backs and bouncers had put an end to the brawl, Dante agreed. Surveying the damage, he could tell the guy would be in need of a few stitches, in the least, if not worse. “Nice work,” he complemented, his stiff finger indicating the blood dripping from their victim’s face.
“Yeah,” Charlie clipped, not willing to voice his pleasure at the deed; however, he didn’t have to. The satisfaction he felt at being the judge, jury and executioner of men radiated from every ounce of his being.
All in a Day's Work
Arriving back at the barn well after midnight, Charlie and Dante had decided they would set up the very bombs one of the bald men had been constructing to destroy them. Taking a few of the devices, one was placed in the small shed, ready to detonate. They positioned a few others around the base of the house. Prepared to make their move, the pair curled up in the loft of the barn, which hardly qualified as comfortable, and drifted off to sleep.
Awakened some hours later by the sound of voices, Charlie peered out of the upper level to see about a dozen men moving around below him. “Hey,” he called to his partner, “I think they’re up t’ s
omethin’.”
“Oh yeah?” Dante stretched and got to his feet. “Well, get over to the house and take care of that girl, then. We need to get this done before they can pack up and get out of here.”
Quick to obey, Charlie teleported to the top of the stairs inside the house. Surveying the living area below him, he saw no sign of any of the men. Looking into the bedrooms as he came to them, he found them deserted, until he reached the last one. The floor creaked as he entered, and he thought about the kitchen below for an instant before he saw the mass of dark hair and the naked lump of flesh tied to the bed.
“Jesus,” he muttered, moving further in to see if she were truly alone. Studying her, he noted the shallow breaths and felt relieved that they hadn’t killed her. How am I gonna get her out of here? he pondered for a moment. Deciding it would be better to act as a man rather than a spirit, he quickly crossed the plane and began untying her bonds.
Regaining consciousness, the girl’s soft blue eyes stared up at him. “Who the hell are you?” she croaked, pulling her newly freed hand down and lightly touching the bruised and oozing flesh that covered her ribs.
“I’m here to help you,” he whispered back. “We gotta hurry. Put your clothes on, and let’s get out o’ here.”
Obediently tugging on her jeans, the girl’s face crinkled in pain. Her top had been badly ripped, but she donned the remaining rags. “Where’d they go?” she stammered, pulling the cloth to cover her breasts.
“They’re outside. I have a friend with me, an’ he’s got a little surprise for them, but we can’t be in here when it goes off,” Charlie handed her shoes over. Watching the curve of flesh escaping from her destroyed tee, he removed his own shirt and gave her that as well.
The Karma Set - Summer Spirit Novellas 4 - 6 Page 8
