Lady Of The Island

Dead As A Doornail

After we had loaded all of the supplies into the lorry, Ruth decided to drive it herself as she, in her own words, was 'the least likely to drive into oncoming traffic for a laugh'.

As Burnett and I drove out of the town, a thought came across me.

"So, where actually was that? It looked like-"

"A mess?" Burnett nodded. "Suddery hasn't been the same for a long while. Not since their Mayor went missing, though that's under wraps. All that the public knows is that he ditched them for a better life in Madison...and when I found him, he was in a state - not one across the sea."

To avoid much awkwardness, I remained silent for the remainder of the drive

When we returned to the workshop, we were met by an open door - and loud shouting from within.
We climbed out of the car and made our way towards the entrance, only to freeze as a familar elderly woman, dressed in blue, stormed out of the building. Her purse hung beside her waist. We exchanged glances, and she disappeared down the trail.

We cautiously wandered inside to see Ruth slouched over her desk, grunting something. Her hair was all over the place and she looked quite dishevelled. In her hand was a small red device, with an oval top.

"Ruth?" Burnett cocked his head. "Is that one of Boomer's..."

"No." She threw hair braids back and went back to her chill persona. "This is my creation, a device which is able to move things from a relatively decent distance. I've proposed it to The Fat Director and he's having me work on them to replace engine crews. A work from home kind of deal. I've been testing them out on several different things: trucks, lorries, even used it on Lady Jane's private transport."

"Is that why she was here?" I asked.

"Yes." She bluntly replied, before placing the object in a drawer. "So, what's the plan now?"

"We gear up, fill vans with Boomer's explosives, to hurl at the legs of course and get ready for one couragous last stand." Burnett smirked. "I can't wait to watch her die."

"And what about Tasha?" I asked again.

He turned to me, slightly regretfully.
"Kill her."

"I-I'm sorry?" I shook my head. "You want her..."

"Dead. Yes. Kill her. She's been dead to me for years. She's now harming people. I know it's not her fault, but it must be done. Before she attacks again." He picked up a stake. "I sense this is fitting. Take it, and kill her."

"Alright." I picked up the stake and placed it into my pocket. "How do you think I should get there?"

"Take my car." Ruth butted in, throwing keys at me. "It doesn't matter if it's damaged."

I nodded and left the workshop.
Ruth stared at Burnett, annoyed.

"You've sent him on a suicide mission."

"No, he'll do it. It'll give us time to mount this. Come on."

And with that, the pair disappeared into his car and drove off.

***

A strange darkness hung around Allcroft Studios, quite a normal feeling to me now. The air smelt damp and felt handsy, like it was attempting to drag me down into depths of hell, which likely stood behind the door infront of me.
A whisper seemed to carry through the air.
"Alice. Dead." It quipped.