A Victorian Love Story

Chapter 5: First Signs

Things began to change over the course of a few weeks. Tony had landed a small bar tending job in the inner part of the city, Arackniss had gone silent for a while doing his line of work, and Sir Pentious still did what he usually tried. However, Tony clocked into work, not knowing the sudden changes about to unfold.

While doing the usual shtick, a pair of unwanted souls dressed in all black appeared. The two walked straight up to Tony, who was turned around making a whisky Sour. One of the two coughed, gaining Tony's full attention. "Welcome to the Pen, how may I be of service today?" Tony asked in a calm tone. One of the men pulled out a picture of Arackniss and slid it over to Tony. "Do you know who this man is?" One of them said, emotionless. Tony nodded his head, "I met him a few weeks ago, he's surprisingly tough for such a little guy."  The two looked at each other and back at Tony. "We're gonna need you to take the day off. Now would be sufficient." The other said. Tony stopped wagging and straightened his posture. "Sir I can't do that I'll be fired. If you're gonna want my services outside this building either wait or take it up with the owner." He turned back around to finish the drink. As soon as he did, one of the men pistol whipped the back of his head, knocking him out cold.

Sir Pentious has just got done working on his Ray-gun prototype. An Egg-Boi rushed inside the underground laboratory under Pent's manor. "Mr. Bossman! Mr. Bossman!" Squealed the little egg tugging on Pent's suspenders on his work clothes. "Alright Alright! What isss it #45? If you're wanting ice cream thissss late, You're too late!" The egg-boi took off his Top-Hat and replied, "N-no sir, Tony hasn't arrived home, he's not answering his phone either.." Sir Pentious put his new Ray-Gun on the metal table next to him and looked at his watch. "We'll go see him ssssoon enough, and what do you mean by phone? We don't have a real cellular device in this place. Now, Bugger off, I'm busy with my own work." The Egg-Boi complied and Pent went back to work, testing his new gun.

Meanwhile, Tony awoke in a dim light room with blue LED lights on the corners of the ceiling. He tried getting up but a chain attached to his leg prevented him from doing so. "What the fuck? Where am I? Have I been kidnapped?! For fuckin what!!" Suddenly he got his answer as the door slowly opened. A pair of blood red eyes stared directly at his own, a shiver going through his spine. The figure walked into the light revealing a T.V. Headed man in an expensive business suit. His grin was enough for Tiny to understand that this man meant trouble. "Well, hello there sleepy head, I was starting to wonder if you were dead hahaha." Tony farrowed his brow and replied. "Funny, You certainly have an interesting way of inviting people over for a slumber party." The man chuckled in his deep auto tuned voice. He sat down across from Tony. Suddenly, the atmosphere grew darker.

The man showed the same photo on his screen and asked, "You said you knew him correct? Where is he?" Tony looked at the picture and sighed. "As of late I haven't heard a word from him, I've only knew him for three days before he had gone supposedly to work. Judging by my current predicament I think his line of work isn't exactly easy going." The man looked at Tony with a confused expression, he took off his hat and cleared his throat. "Listen, It's fun until you start to annoy me. If you're not gonna be useful, I might as well have you finished off for good. Understand me now?" Tony shut his maw and his ears narrowed.

The man revealed himself to be Vox, an overlord searching for greater power. Despite his small stature, he was smart enough to worry anyone about their tone and language. He was stinking rich and could get anyone killed by request. All Tony was, was a hellhound working at a cheap bar full of degenerates. What could this Vox want with me knowing that Tony couldn't be useful now. What if, maybe he could lure Tony in. Seemed plausible to Vox, maybe Tony could be useful after all. "Listen pup, Consider yourself lucky that you're not feeding my pet Vark. I have a job for you. Do as I say and I will pay you beyond your wildest dreams. However, double cross me, and I'll personally tear you limb from limb. How's that sound to ya?" Tony sat for a minute, would he sell out to an unpredictable overlord or die? Tony certainly didn't want to die again so early so he nodded. "Fine, But I better be paid or my leave will be more justified than your actions afterwards. I'm no puppet." Vox smiled and offered his hand, Tony shook on it and the deal was made.

Back at the manor, Pent had been trying to focus on his inventions. But Tony's sudden silence was more than loud in his head.  He sighed and stopped working, he was too mentally distracted. However, the snake was in for a hopeful sight. He dressed in his old attire and headed for the door. When he opened it, Arackniss's car pulled up onto the sidewalk. To say Sir Pentious was ecstatic was an understatement. He rushed over to Arackniss and squeezed him in a tight hug. Arackniss begged to breathe, Pent felt like he was going to burst with joy. "I can't believe you're back!! How have you been? Are you hungry? Let's get you sssome tea! Earl Grey of courssse!" Arackniss chuckled and pat down his suit. "Thanks Penny, We should probably get back inside before nightfall." Pent nodded and the two headed back inside, finally something to fill Pent's mind with something that wasn't worry.

Tony walked with Vox, to Tony it was like an important interview for his new position. Vox being the possible employer. "So tell me, what skills do you think I would be interested in. I don't hire amateurs." Tony looked around the halls and replied with a serious tone. "I have a good eye for detail. Fairly decent in one on one combat, and a good get away driver. When I was alive, I a druggie, but I was smart with it. We didn't have good job options in our town so I made money on the side doing odd jobs. Drive-by's, Robbery, and kidnapping was common to me." Vox listened in the whole time, learning about the wolf and his uses. When they arrived outside, a limo was parked in front. "I'll need to see more of this tomorrow. Come to the studio at 1:35 tomorrow and we'll continue with this interview. Oh and one last question, did you ever kill anyone?" Tony looked down and scratched his ear. "One." He replied coldly. Vox chuckled and got inside the limo. "I'll be sure to add it to the list. See you soon Tony." With that he was driven away. Tony sat on the bench across the street, looking at the blood red sky above. "What the hell am I doing..."

(That's it for chapter 5! Things are spicing up for the wolf boi! Pls have fun reading and have a great day!)