"There has to be a way, right?" Jake repeated.
Zoey bowed her head and fought against the burning tears that were trying to surface. She swept her tail around her front paws and took a few breaths to try and calm herself before responding. She didn't want her words to be tainted with the sound of weakness. Damn it. I'm such an idiot. A delusional idiot! I just... Someone give me one good clear cut sign that we have even half a chance!
Cool night wind circled through the alleyway, sending the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. The only sounds were the ones of distant gunshots and the ragged breaths of her teammates, struggling to find their second wave of energy.
Jake gave up on getting a response and put his head down on his arm.
Olivia couldn't stop pacing around.
Jitters was gnawing on the lip of an energy drink.
Rhinestone Cowgirl was still out like a light.
Mason was awake, pushing his back to the wall and struggling to get himself to his feet.
No sign came. No shooting star across the sky, no butterfly to land on her nose, no burst of fire nor voice from within. Nothing.
Come on. Nothing? But there has to be at least a sliver of a chance right?
There was no response. It was like speaking to an empty auditorium.
Fine! I'll make up my own freaking sign!
"Things look bleak," she said as she stood up. "Like a tornado made of fire heading straight for a straw-thatched village bleak."
"Great pep-talk!" Olivia snapped.
"Let me finish," Zoey replied. "As bad as things look, I think it's our responsibility as the heroes of Dusk Harbor to keep going. To get back out there and try again. We owe it to this city and the world."
"And how exactly, do you propose we do that?" Jake asked.
"I--" She paused as a dark silhouette descended to the ground at the outside of the alleyway.
A gust of wind gave the silhouette a sudden bell shape as if it had a cape. The bell shape split into tails. Its arms came out by its sides, and a raucous laugh echoed off the walls.
"By slaying the dragon, and leaving his royal highness to me," Total Chaos announced.
Jake scrambled up from the ground and spread out his wings, blocking Zoey's view.
"What are you getting at?" Jake growled.
"Lord Daemon and I had a deal," Total Chaos replied as he marched into the alleyway. "He broke zat deal. So now, I vant to kill him."
Zoey darted underneath Jake's left-wing and coiled every muscle in her shoulders. Lashed her tail to the side. Drew her lip up in a snarl. He took a step back.
"What deal was this, traitor?" She asked.
"He wasn't allowed to hurt her," he replied, pointing beyond Jake, to Rhinestone Cowgirl. "That vas my only stipulation. If he hurt her or got her killed, he knew ze deal vas off."
She ducked her head a little and started padding forward, her claws slipped out and scuffed against the ground.
"Give me one good reason why I should believe you after the stunt you pulled."
"I put her in a cage during ze attack on Cat's Haunt. Clearly, I did not vant her to be hurt," he said.
"Tell me, how many stitches did it take to close the wounds from my claws?" She asked. She drew her tongue across her teeth.
"Over seventy," he replied.
Haha. Glorious. I wish it'd been more! I think he's telling the truth. I can't see any signs that he's lying. But I know he's really good at being manipulative! Wait... is this our sign?
"Whaddaya say guys, should we trust him?" She asked without turning to look back at everyone.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes." Jitters responded with regret in her voice.
"That's one vote," Zoey said.
"I don't think so," Olivia replied.
"Strike one." Zoey snarled.
"Maybe... You know, we need all the help we can get." Jake pointed out.
"Sounds like two votes. Living Weapon?"
There was no response for a moment. She could hear him pushing against the wall. Then his footsteps, shuffling up behind her. An exhale of pain.
"I don't trust him," Mason said.
"Well, that's not enough votes now is it?" Tesla chuckled.
I want to shred him so bad.
"Hey!" A loud voice yelled from the back. "Don't I get a say?"
Zoey turned her head, and saw Rhinestone Cowgirl on her hands and knees, breathing hard, touching her forehead to the pavement.
Jake ran over to help her up. Put one arm around her and kept her steady while she regained her footing. Guided her over to the rest of the team. "I say," She started. "he's right. He did keep me out of the way. As much as I hate what he did, he was protecting me. And I know him, if he says he wants to hurt someone, he will."
Total Chaos nodded his head in agreement, looking excited and relieved to see his friend back on her feet. He clasped his hands together and looked at her expectantly.
Good grief. Some sign you sent me. I have to work with this... This.
"Well, let's go then."
YOU ARE READING
Dusk Harbor 1999
Science FictionYou've been out superheroing all night, and you just got your behind handed to you by a fellow hero who can't keep to his own territory. You come home to see that your beloved cat has brought in a business card, it's an invite to a secret meeting of...
