Reign Of Darkness

by E R Landron

  “He’ll know either way. That's why he's the captain.”, I say with a smile.

  “So you'll get your wish and fly solo for a while. The only one not too happy about this is Lucy, who has to carry my ass for a while.”

  I chuckle covering my mouth.

  “Seriously play me a dollah in the lotto thing.”

  “Will do. So what Lucy… what did she said?”

  “You haven't seen her? The woman wants me out of the force yet is weird managing "normal life". And I'm off like five years to receive my full pension.”

  The intercom beeps, and the voice of a woman comes out: “Tony, the nurses are coming your way in five, to prepare you for surgery.” “I ain't going nowhere!”, Tony snaps. He makes a gesture like "can't you believe that". I smile gently and grab his hand tight.

  “Take care, Tony. I will see if I try the "normal life thing" too.”

  “You take care too kiddo. And play me the lotto I got a good feeling that things are going to be better for you and me.”

  I hope good things go better for both of us. I let go of his hand and walk away.

  Day – Bistro, 11:49 AM

  On a little table, Diane sips on a cup of coffee and has an appetizer from a chic bistro. She is looking down the street across from the main one that looks a little more peaceful. She has some round sunglasses, a black tank top, a chain of a cross on her neck and a couple of different armbands that accent her polished black nails. Some cyclists pass with their dogs in a basket — a couple runs with their heartbeat monitors. Diane is by herself. I don’t think I remember the last time we had a sister bonding time except for the occasional, Good mornings and Good Evenings. My heartbeat rises. I sneak behind Diane.

  “Started without me?”

  Diane gets up quickly amaze and hugs me. I missed her warmth.

  “Oh my God... the world is ending for real.”, she takes her sunglasses off.

  “C’mon give me a break.”, I say grabbing the back of my head.

  Diane waives to a waiter to bring another of what she's having.

  “So dead people are on vaca, feds not bothering you anymore, government, criminals are on a picnic day?”, she says with a smirk.

  “Not really.”

  “It’s crazy we have done this less than a handful of times since you arrived... months ago now.”

  “I know, it's crazy.”, I force a smile.

  “So you won a compulsory off day raffle that you didn't participate in?”, she keeps her smirk up.

  “Heh... We got attacked last night, and Tony was injured…”

  “Wait, what...? Did you get attacked? Why didn't you tell me? Are you ok?”, she pressed her palms on the table and elevated her posture.

  Diane spilled some of her coffee in the table and quickly grabbed a napkin to clean it up. I tried to brush the news as if it was nothing.

  “No biggie. Anyways, seeing Tony on the hospital reminded me bout dad and mom, I was asked to take it slow a little bit.”

  “Really? Slow? That’s an understatement!”

  “This city is crazy, and since I've been here, it all reminds me bout dad and mom. Mostly dad, I feel like in a way or another solving case can get me a clue about what happened to him.”

  “Yeah, but you could have stayed with the feds to look that up, you decided to come here.”, she snaps.

  “Well... I decided that you are more important.”, I try to sound convincing.

  “Yet, I'm grown. I'm independent. And we haven't spent that much time together.”

  “You’re right.”

  I try digging my head into my shoulders and sigh.

  “Hey, sis. You are an inspiration to a lot of people. You've overcome a lot professionally, and you are not even old. Don't worry about me. Do you. But take care of yourself too.”

  “Heh, thanks.”, I smile.

  “I don't know… get yourself a man or girl or whatever you are into...”

  Oh my God. I must look like a tomato. My cheeks are burning.

  “Hey! I don't have time for my little sis, what time I'll have for romance at the moment.”, I try to brush that last sentence off.

  “Don’t wait too much. I love you Mieke.”

  Diane extends her hand. I grab it and grip it.

  “Me too.”

  “I’m going to church early. Wanna go?”, Diane says raising her eyebrow.

  “I… I don't know.”

  “I understand. But what happened to dad isn't God's fault.”

  I force a smile as the waiter interrupts by bringing two sets of vegetarian sandwiches with fruit. Thank you, waiter. I do not want to enter on religious arguments. We both dive into our sandwiches. I force a smile with half a lettuce out of my mouth. Diane nods as if the food is good. I forgot Diane is full vegetarian now. It’s not bad but… think it’s chicken, think it’s chicken! I grabbed the glass of water and swallowed everything.

  “So what about you?”, I ask.

  “Me? Well, finishing some paintings, seeing if I can do an exhibit some months from now, working on small things that don’t take that much time to make some money and then do that… do the exhibit. Why I feel nervous about telling you my art stuff?”

  “Because you think I’ll go mad like some years ago for doodling my stuff?”

  “That being serious suits you very well.”

  “I miss it though. You should do something for me later… just not on my gun or my work cloth.”

  We shared a laugh and continue eating.

  Day – Near Church, 1:23 PM

  We get near the church. I kill the engine. Diane gets out of the car and waives as she walks to the entrance of the church. I swallow. I’m between the church and the attack of last night. I feel a sting on my stomach almost makes me gag. I walk around. Dry blood and broken glass still are scattered through the streets. I make a fist as I feel a chill run down my spine. Usually, my mind runs fast, and I remember everything like a picture. Yet the picture in my head looks fuzzy. What was the thug holding in his hand? Did I really defend myself with a flashlight? I know it is not a dream because I just saw Tony in the hospital bed. Maybe I had little sleep, and my brain is playing tricks on me.

  A noise breaks my thoughts, and a cat hisses running away from a homeless man with what it seems long hair and clothing on top of a washed up trench coat. Is it him? I jog taking my gun from its holster. The man picks up his pace.

  “Hey, you!”, I yell.

  He picks up his pace again. I don’t want to run. He is pushing a rusty shopping cart and is rattling all over.

  “Hey you, stop right there! Now!”

  The man turns shaking. Is not him. I frown and bite my bottom lip.

  “Waghh! ... I found the radio, I didn't know it was anyones.”, he says.

  I blinked a couple of times trying to gather my thoughts.

  “Erghh... I'll, let it slide this time... be good!”, I say.

  The man hands me the radio and runs away. The radio hits the bottom of a garbage can as it leaves my hands. I shake my head. A cat leans towards my boots. A smile appears in my face. Pretty cat. The buildings are stroked by the sun. I caress the cat's head with one hand.

  “It’s still daylight... I'll come back later.”

  I went to her car and kept staring at the horizon nothing in particular just taking a breather. I remember when Diane and myself were younger we used to go camping with dad. There was a park that took roughly four hours to get and was up high in the mountains with turns and turns of nauseating curves. Diane didn't like the outdoors much back then. Now she’ll take any excuse to ride her bike or get out of the house. We went to a camping site where there were other families already. I was thirteen and was becoming a lady so I was more self-conscious of my body and anyone that could stare. I never liked that term, becoming a lady, you get your period and your body prepares yourself to adulthood, plus there are older women that don't know how to behave like
a lady. Still, dad always thought us to treasure our bodies and, he had a little bit of a though time adjusting to the mood changes, rebel teen hormones and what not, yet he managed to stay calm and resolve each situation with a smile. As we were unpacking our tent, provisions and an old hammock my dad had a difficult time letting go, he noticed me staring at a family with a Winnebago that had an outside shower. A girl more or less of my age came out drying her hair. That Winnebago must have cost a fortune back then. He called me and asked me to help him with a new project. I was confused. Usually, we unpacked created a safe area to make a fire and for two to three days feel the breeze of mother nature and its super cold icy river. No matter what time of the year you came it managed to stay very cold as it was so high. Dad started handing me some materials from the bathroom he was fixing in our house, a flexible plumbing tube, some curtains, and the bar to set them, nails and duct tape. He took a small tool kit he always kept in his car. We set all the materials close to the nearest tree from where we were going to set the tent. He told Diane to do a circle with rocks she find nearby. So she did. In the middle of that circle. He put the curtain bar and hit it a couple of times with a small hammer. It made like a pole on the rocky circle. The upper part was touching a branch that dad could reach with ease. He duct-taped the upper part. He took the curtains and told me to arrange them across the flexible tube. So I did. When finished he grabbed it and took one part and duck taped it to the bar and branch turning it a few turns with the tape. He grabbed the opposite side of the taped tube and tailored it to the branch to create a steady shower curtain that didn't fall. "It isn't pretty," he said with a smile, "but you'll have some needed privacy. Just don't janck it too much, it won't hold much pressure. In my perspective it was perfect. My smile grew from ear to ear, and I gave my dad the biggest hug I think I have given him in my whole life. Diane didn't care much, she was doodling on the curtains with mud and color berries she found nearby. The Winnebago didn’t look that good afterward. After that day Diane always had a notebook to draw or paint, and I was looking for the new projects to do. I cherish that from him. I miss him. I miss him very much. I start the car and drive off.

  KOKOLITE Night - Church 7:35 PM

  A drop of saliva is doing its best to hang on to my mouth. I wipe it as I hear screams in my head. Knock. Knock. Somebody is hitting a door. I wipe my eyes. The leather of my gloves smell. Somebody enters the other room on the other side. A woman speaks, “Forgive me father, for I have sinned. I haven't been the best person, these past few days...”

  I squint in disgust. I step out of the confession booth. Where are you? Priest! I call him with my mind. The priest heads up towards me at a quick pace. I whisper to him.

  “Mrs. Johnson is cheating on her husband; she won't tell you it's with her daughters’ fiancée...”

  “Dear Lord...!”, the priest says astonished.

  “Dear Lord? I hope she tells you the nasty deed.”

  The priest brakes a smile and makes a cross to himself and to me. The Priest hands me a red pouch and enters the confession booth. I walk to the holy water. “By this holy water and Your Precious Blood, wash all my sin, Oh Lord. Amen.” I cross my forehead and arrange my hair. Ponytail it is. Easy. I need to wash these gloves. Leather helps with the wear and tear. The titanium plate close to knuckles and wrist is for blocking. I bow a bit seeing the cross of Jesus and whisper: "I hope one day you take me to them". I open the pouch with a mini straw and drink. Oh, Lord. This is divine. I don’t know why this has to be the preferred drink. Too many people drink coffee. Juice? Rum? Like the crazy pirate. I do look dirty, yet I don’t smell like a pirate. The priest lets me use his bathroom. It’s just the day to day stain. I’m glad to have a haven to sleep and someone to call a friend.

  MIEKE

  Three times in less than twenty-four hours. I must be a devoted Christian by now. I stare to all sides of the road and mirrors. This is stupid. Why would I wait for a homeless person? What answers can he give me? I sound like Tony. Sigh. The clock mocks me. It changes from minute to minute slowly. This reminds me of my first stakeout with dad. It was exciting, and boring at the same time, but between the moments dad thought we could talk some deep conversations, some work-related, even guy related as I was becoming a woman now. Still that almost workaholic part I got it from him. It may be harmful to social life, but I feel I'm in a better place with one less drunken, partying person and catching bad guys. Yet I came here for Diane, and I'm nowhere near of that, just drowning myself in more work. The church doors open. The homeless man walks out of the church. My eyes widened. There you are!

  I get out of the car quickly and head towards the him. He walks away from the church quite fast. I pick up my speed. Why everyone wants me to run? He turns to an alley. I turn to the same alley. He is just standing looking to the end of the alley.

  “Good evening Detective.”, he says calmly.

  My eyebrow rises. Deep breathes. I continue entering the alley.

  “How.... the...?”, confusion is noted in my voice.

  The alley looks isolated, dirty and humid. Some dumpsters on the side are the reason it does not smell that pleasant. A couple of lights that provide a very dark atmosphere with lots of shadows. Not the most recommended place to start a conversation.

  “It is not important. You are alive.”, he says.

  He turns around. His trench coat and gloves look dirty. Not a smelly hobo. Maybe his clothes are old. His long hair is tight in a ponytail, he looks pale with some caramel piercing eyes and facial hair that looked more like a hipster. Good looking too. If he is a hipster that will explain the homeless look.

  “I wanted to say thanks though.”, I continue.

  “No need. Just doing a good will.”

  “Last night...”

  “You were followed.”, he interrupts.

  “Eh, yeah but...”

  “Now... you've been followed!”

  “What?”, my heart rises.

  “Run detective.”

  “Run?”

  My adrenaline spikes. My hand trembles a bit to the sudden change. I grip my gun. He starts running into the alley and disappears in the darkness. I holster the gun out and turn a tiny flashlight on. Some footsteps get closer. He’s running my way.

  “Hold it up right there!”, I scream.

  The man takes out an extendable staff and a flashlight from his trench coat. I aim. He has a weapon!

  “Freeze!”, I scream.

  He unnaturally jumps over me. He speeds up, runs on a wall as if gravity didn't have an effect on him, he jumps from it towards the middle of the alley just behind me and slams his now open staff downwards, hitting a man slamming him to the floor. Two more men appear. They have suits like the thug from the other night in the same black, grey and white accents.

  “Defend yourself with light!”, screams the man.

  The two men shifted their hands into a shadow sword and a saw. The shadow men run to my way. It wasn't a dream, I'm still in the stupid nightmare!

  “Freeze now!”, I scream.

  They continue to run. I pulled the trigger. The bullet passes through them as if it was air.

  “Light 'em up!”, screams the man.

  I fire again this time with the flashlight pointing and hits one of the shadow men. He frowned in pain but quickly started attacking as if he wasn’t that affected by the piercing bullet. We fight the three shadow manipulators with our flashlights to stop some attacks. One blade goes to the homeless man. He lights it, changing it to a hand, but the other attack landing on the wall… it sounded like a scrapping metal. One hit and I'll be like Tony!

  Some tires screech close by. Door. Someone else is coming. One of the shadow men throws a punch at me but changes direction and kicks my ribs. The air leaves me momentarily. Too strong. I hit a wall. Now the pain is all over. The hobo reacts and tries to defend me and also gets hit and a shiny crystal ball falls from his trench coat as one of the thugs hits him again
. Who is that entering the alley? Is that? Officer Martinez sees the shiny object falling and opens his eyes as if he has found something he was looking for a long time. Martinez sprints towards the crystal ball. The hobo turns and sprints. He slams his staff at Martinez’ hands, stopping him just before grabbing the shiny orb. "Mine!" he shouts.

  Some shadow strikes make Martinez take steps backward. The orb rolls away. The hobocontinues fighting the shadows. I run towards the sphere and catch it and roll over. The orb shines in a white glow.

  Officer Martinez points his gun at me. I swallow. Panting. Hurt. Sweat dripping from my forehead. I rise slowly and carefully trying to read Martinez. He’s still aiming at me. We start to circle around the alley, looking, trying to anticipate each other’s next move. One more deep breath. Sweat drips to my boots. The hobo is still fighting all the shadow manipulators.

  “Give it to me!”, Martinez yells.

  “Martinez?”, I ask confused.

  “I said give it to me!”, he gets upset.

  “What are you doing?”

  “A job.”, he licks his bottom lip.

  “You’re not surprised by any of this?”

  “Heh, give me the fucking orb Meeks.”

  I grab the orb tightly. I hate that nickname. I look behind my shoulder. The exit of the alley. Martinez looks even creepier with the hollow background of the alley. Making shadowy eyebrows look like he is possessed. Some of his wavy greasy hair sparkles on the light hitting him just above his head.

  “You did this to Tony!”, I snap.

  My face is burning up. Nostrils opening up. My whole body tensing up. Martinez forces a smile, passes his finger through his upper lip and cocks his gun. I press my teeth. Grinding them. He has a gun. What’s the meaning for this sphere? I throw the sphere to his way. A gasp. I turn to see the homeless man surprised. He pushes all three thugs with his staff and starts running towards my direction.