Heartbeat

Chapter 26- Clem

Clem had never felt such sustained fury in all her life. Regardless, she still felt ambivalent as she headed back to Granny's. Part of her hoped she was still unresponsive, unsure how she would react to being told all the news of what had occurred. Another aspect of her wanted Granny to be fully awake, to take over and let Clem take a back seat on the plan. She always felt most confident in chaos but had never had to fulfill one so focused on revenge. But That was Meg's world, not her's.

The rain was still falling as Clem walked quickly towards Zelver district. [Her eyes scanned the streets for any Widows, Razorgulls, or Mice who may be straying. She knew she could trust their intentions but not their behaviour. Kids their age don't join gangs because of their discipline or honesty. She could feel the tension in her back rising, trying to keep her worry at bay.

Clem made her way to the door. She pulled out her set of keys and unlocked all the locks, one at a time. She hesitated before opening the door, knowing someone was likely waiting on the other side. She pulled out a small pistol and flung the door open, pointing the gun around the room.

All she saw was the medik asleep in the chair in the sitting room. This didn't calm her at all. Clem rushed up the stairs and opened the door to Granny's room. One of Zelda's enforcers, Mila, sat in the chair next to her. Her feet rested on the window ledge as she smoked a jays. She dropped her feet onto the floor at the sight of Clem. Her hand went for the gun at her side.

"Easy, girl. Don't move another inch." Clem warned, keeping her pistol steady on her. Mila rolled her eyes.

"No one expects you to do shit, Mouse. You're not fooling anyone." She said, holding Clem's stare.

"Maybe I'm just coming back to keep grieving, Granny." She responded nonchalantly.

"You know it's funny, all of us true Widows thought I'd be sent here to off her. Zelda's right, though; if Granny goes, everyone will officially look to you. But the in-between is better for her, better for you too. So now you can scurry around, playing games with the other mice and doin' nothing."

Clem snarled as she heard Mila reveal the audacity of Zelda's planning. So shocked she would confide this insidiousness so openly.

Mila's hand quickly flew to her gun, and Clem fired her own. It hit Mila in the shoulder, and she reeled back in pain. Clem sprang at her opportunity, pulling out her knife and leaping towards Mila in one motion. Mila put out her hand to stop her, but Clem could reach around and stick her blade in Mila's neck. Mila's head snapped back in shock, and Clem dragged the knife around with as much force as she could, slitting half of her throat. Clem saw blood gush out of her neck and saw it fly toward her. She pulled her knife out from Mila, wiping it down on Mila's shirt and putting it away. Seeing the mess being made, Clem ripped off Mila's shirt and began tying it around her neck to staunch the flow before the room was covered in her blood. Clem dragged her body from the room when she turned and saw the medik. He looked alarmed.

"You never seen a body before? Do your job and monitor your patient; you'll get your pay. Now, keep your mouth shut."

Clem considered asking him for help, but he looked so horrified she was confident he would consider running to the Stadwatch. She also knew this medik was loyal only to Granny; he had been her medik for fifteen years. Clem had heard they had been sleeping together for several years to ensure his loyalty.

Clem struggled but could carry Mila's body down to the lavatory. She dumped the body in the tub and made a mental note to send someone to deal with it once they managed Zelda. Clem caught her own reflection in the mirror. She was covered in blood. She turned on the faucet and attempted to wash it off. She ended up primarily spreading it. She knew time was ticking and gave up, accepting blood-stained arms and neck. Clem marched back towards Granny's room.