“Vanishing Point”
The frigid wind cut through the desolate cityscape as Jamison lay prone on the rooftop, his eyes fixed on the target below. A veteran hitman, he had executed countless assignments with ruthless precision. Tonight was no exception; moving about within the confines of his luxurious apartment, his target, Adrian Mercer, a man of shadowy repute, stood unaware of the impending fate lurking above. A man of influence and power, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the sprawling city below. He held a crystal tumbler in one hand, the amber liquid within reflecting the city lights like liquid gold. Jamison observed from his concealed vantage point, the red dot of his scope trained on Mercer's head as he took deliberate sips, seemingly unaware of the imminent threat hanging in the frigid night air.
Jamison's gloved finger squeezed the trigger, sending a single, echoing shot through the night. The target crumpled to the ground. As the seasoned assassin prepared to confirm the kill through his high-powered scope, a chill crawled up his spine. The body lay still, but an unsettling doubt lingered in the air. Dialing the client's number, Jamison's breath hitched as he awaited confirmation. The voice on the other end was cool and composed, demanding verification. The payment hinged on his ability to confirm the kill in person. Stifling frustration, Jamison made his way to the nondescript hotel where the operation had taken place.
The hallway was silent as Jamison approached the room. His gloved hand produced a sleek electronic lock-picking device, and with practiced finesse, he overrode the security system. The door creaked open, revealing a scene that defied his professional expectations. The room was in disarray, the curtains billowing in the night breeze. Blood adorned the walls like a gruesome painting, and a pool of crimson stained the carpet. Jamison's trained eye scanned for a body, but the room held only the echoes of violence.
Confusion etched his features. He had meticulously aimed for a clean headshot, ensuring a swift demise. Yet, the absence of a corpse befuddled Jamison. No blood trail led elsewhere; the room seemed both a crime scene and an enigma. Approaching the window, he peered out, seeking answers in the city lights. It was then that a force seized him, pulling Jamison violently outside. Panic surged as he struggled against an unseen assailant. teetering on the edge of the precipice, his last coherent thought echoed the dissonance of his reality.
His descent into the abyss was swift. The city lights blurred as gravity claimed him. The wind roared in his ears, drowning out any semblance of reason. In those final moments, he wondered, "What the hell? He was supposed to be dead."
The shadows of the city swallowed Jamison's fate, leaving behind a room filled with unanswered questions. The client, indifferent to the chaos, received confirmation through the silence that followed. The city, indifferent to the machinations of men, continued its ceaseless dance of shadows and secrets.
Life After The Dark
BOOOOOOOM!
Carlton ducks for cover around the corner of another building. His ears won't stop ringing, but he can't bring himself to look at the aftermath until his hearing comes back.
Minutes pass and his ears stop ringing. He slowly makes his way onto the empty street. The small-town bar was barely standing, and smoke continued to billow through the windows. Unsure of what caused the explosion, Carlton treaded carefully as he investigated. No sound came from inside the building, so it couldn't have been a demon summoning. A demon could never be this quiet.
A soot covered figure makes its way to the doorway, letting out a cough as they walk through the smoke.
"Are you hurt?" inquires Carlton. The figure steps out into the fresh air and lets out a couple of huge coughs. They try to wipe the soot from their eyes, without much success. "Can you hear me?"
The figure successfully wipes their eyes and looks at Carlton. A shocked look crosses their face.
"Carlton?"
"Ace?" Carlton brings his hands to cup his boyfriends face. "How are you here? The portal closed behind you."
"I wish I could tell you. One minute I was being chased through a forest, the next minute here." Ace croaks. He coughs up some soot.
"Let's get you some water and a long shower. Before we go, I do have to ask what happened in the bar."
"I panicked. Didn't recognize it and threw a fireball. Unfortunately, I threw it right at the alcohol."
{Next Section} [Not Next Chapter]
"Every time I open my eyes I expect you to be gone and for everything to have been a dream."
Ace looks at Carlton with a sad look in his eyes. Carlton kneels on the bathroom floor in front of him, while Ace sits on the toilet. A pile of dirty wash clothes lays around him. Ace brings a hand up and runs it through Carlton's hair, brushing it behind his ear. Carlton leans into the touch desperately, having been deprived of it for months.
"I'm not leaving you ever again." Ace reassures.
"Not even to go to the bathroom?" jokes Carlton.
"Nope. We are gonna be attached at the hip forever." Ace says with a mock threatening laugh.
"I think I can live with that"
Ace shifts closer to Carlton and hesitantly leans into Carlton's space. Carlton welcomes him, and closes his eyes as he nuzzles his face into Ace's cheek. He makes no move to take it further; he just takes in Ace's presence. Ace gives a small little smile at this action and gives Carlton a quick kiss. He presses his forehead to Carlton's.
The two just hold each other close. Until Carlton breaks the silence.
"You're my entire world you know. The only thing that keeps my heart beating."
"And I don't feel complete unless I am with you." Carlton opens his eyes and smiles at this revelation from Ace.
"Please don't leave me again"
"Never." promises Ace.
Azir
What else was any rational person supposed to say?
What was there to cling onto, it was almost frustrating needing to tell the Mother-- whose other disappeared daughter had been much more disturbed-- the poor boy is most likely dead.
And that wasn't her fault.
So, there was no need to fear social services or the county. Not when the child for some reason, probably overdramatic or impertinent, simply ran away. To be swallowed by the streets, disavowing a kind, dutiful Mother.
Really, Ms. Antoinette was better off. To simply start over anew without such a horrible, ungrateful child.
--That child--
Who would give anything to return to his Mother. Would lob off his own right hand or better yet the nearest councilor who got too close! If they'd be stupid for one moment, just one, to give him access to a axe or halberd.
And then, he would apologize-- on bended knee-- for snooping, for looking into the girl who should have been raised with him. Since surely if her Mother had raised little Pandora up to adulthood if the loneliness got to be too much then she would adopt a surly teenager who constantly pursed his lip on a lemon only he could see.
Who knew better than to listen to small-minded, small town sorts when they went on their sanctimonious soap box.
He'd give his sister-- The Emperess-- that. To worship and commemorate the men who proudly burned and disgraced women at the pyre was dubious and suspect.
Only he had traced her steps that summer evening, hers not his for Azir it had been the dead of winter, to a little, dilapidated misery at the outskirts of the forest.
Followed a song sung for many, many years and many children, to lure them away. When their parents didn't care, when they-- at teachers' behest-- would get rid of them.
He was no such child! He never was. To any adult he was wholly normal, unremarkable, and best of all submissive to their whims and authority.
That sounded bad.
Then again, if Pandora was telling the truth, a truth even her Queen Consort repeated in their breakfast pavilion Azir may have been right on the head for once. His paranoia and disordered fight and flight being useful. For once.
Note the emphasis there.
What he would give to be in his school with all the awful, intolerant brats, sipping t a thick milkshake from the cafe, throwing pebbles at stupid parents in the park whispering about the Mother and son pair.
He wanted Mom's veterinary office where he fainted at the taxidermies and internal organs pictures. Images grotesque as they were chillingly curious and curiouser to his morbid little mind.
This grim realm with it's magic and his sister the Mad Empress, were the same sort of experience.
Disgustingly familiar as much as an iteration of Hell.
"You're supposed to be dead," Oh God Mom.
He hadn't wanted his wish granted quite like this.
BOOM!
He was supposed to die
They were on a hunting trip alone in the woods. They had told everyone they would be gone for 3 weeks. David had planned on taking over the family business but his brother Adam had other plans. Adam owned 50 acres in the mountains and thought of a plan to take over the business. Adam planned on inviting his brother to go hunting in order to make him disappear. David unaware of the danger accepted the offer and was looking forward to spend time with his brother and killing a big buck. Adam was patient with his plan waiting until the second week to put it into action. Halfway through the second week David asked Adam for help with a deer he killed. Adam saw his opportunity to kill David so he took his knife and stabbed David in his neck. David put his hand on his neck and then collapsed on the ground. Adam took his brother and hid his body and then he quickly left to go home and get rid of the evidence. Adam sped home and surprised his wife who asked why he was back so soon and where David was. Adam cautious to not arouse suspicion told her that David had to help with the family business. Meanwhile in the woods David woke up still bleeding. He quickly went to work on stopping the bleeding by using a piece of his shirt and some duct tape he had in his survival bag. David still injured and severely weak from blood loss attempted to hunt for food. However he could only eat berries due to his lack of energy and strength to hunt any game. David was completely lost in the woods, for three weeks he tried to find his way out. During those three weeks no one had seen him so he was announced missing. The police started questioning everyone he knew. Adam became nervous when the cops started asking him questions. He told them the last time he saw David was when he left the hunting trip early. The police thanked him and gave him their card and told him to call if he remembered anything else. All the while their parents where grieving but their dad had to make a choice to either sell the business or give it to Adam. Their dad John didn't know what to do so he thought about it for two weeks. After the two weeks he decided to pass the business on to Adam. The transfer was supposed to take place five weeks after David's disappearance. Adam was worried that if the cops looked on his land they would find David's body so he went to go bury it. However when he arrived at where he left his body he saw it was gone. Just then David came up behind him and stabbed him through the heart with a spear. Adam then fell lifeless to the ground. David then went back home and received a heros welcome.
Terra Verma Interruptus
He was supposed to be dead
That's what you naturally assumed
When you can't find the head
He was supposed to be buried
In the ground, interred, inhumed
And his rot in situ unhurried
He was supposed to be eaten by worms
At terra verma six feet consumed
But a murder of crows his death confirms
He was supposed to be returned to the earth
But was dug up, brought to the mall foodcourt room
For black Friday, offered for less than he's worth
Chop locally