Curly Fuse

Chapter 1 - Radicus - Don't Think So

     It was a warm day in New Hampshire Portsmouth, the sun shone brightly in the sky with only a few fluffy white clouds sitting here and there. Nothing that would result in rain or a thunder storm surely. But as usual, rain or sun, the streets were packed with busy tourists eager to see the legendary sights, where so many lusciously blessed islands connected. Large multi colored busses roared through the crowded streets carrying loads upon loads of anxious, sweaty, complaining sight seers that stared out blankly at the brightly colored array of side by side shops that lined the streets. The shops advertising everything from good food to outrageously expensive souvenirs. This was everything a tourist could want in cheerful little Portsmouth!
    However it was also everything you didn't want as an assassin on the job; eyes everywhere along with cameras, packed crowds with people of every size and shape walking around like a herd of deranged animals ready to spoil the perfect shot. Radicus swore every other child that passed by pressed his or her noses and grimy hands up against his windows trying to see what was inside his recently waxed and cleaned Hennessy Venom. Radicus growled angry tightening his grip on the steering wheel as yet another little dwarf pressed his chocolate smeared face up against the dark glass leaving yet another circular mark in the shape of his nose and mouth. Radicus took a deep breath letting it out ever so slowly, his muscles tensing and untensing as he did so. If only it weren't against the law to shoot people. But in a place like this, with people like these, you couldn't even point a finger gun at someone without getting prison for life. Which was exactly why he'd had the windows to his car tinted black the day he'd bought it. Otherwise, every single one of those kids would have had to of been blind to miss the selection of over thirty loaded handguns he had stashed in the passenger beside him. Yeah, a crowd of marshmallow tourists probably didn't need to see those.
    Sitting back against the smooth, leather interest that covered the seat, Radicus began tapping his finger against the wheel staring out across the bright street at the small brick cafe a neon blue sign above the clear glass door reading 'Sweeties' in swirly pink lettering. On each side of the door were large glass windows that allowed you to easily see inside of the cheery shop as if it were some kind of zoo exhibit. Groups sat at small designer tables talking, laughing, and eating sweets of every kind. But Radicus wasn't interested in any of the costumes, or even the food, though he was kind of craving a banana split, he was currently watching the tall, slim, redhead, with pale skin and freckles, no older than 17 maybe, as she serves an elder couple ice tea. Her thin lips curving up into a kind smile as they began talking to her, nodding at whatever it was they had said as she smoothed her black apron that said 'Have a good day!' In white lettering so big Radicus could read it loud and clear from inside of his dim car on the other side of the busy street. Pressing his lips together he continued to tap the steering wheel a few more time watching as the girl took another table's order nodding thoughtfully at each person's demand. Finally he reached into his leather jackets pocket and pulled out a dark green cellphone, pressing in a few numbers as he murmured in disbelief to himself, holding the phone up to his ear Radicus only had to wait about two rings before a voice crackled to life on the other side.
    "Hello?" A man asked.
    "Yeah, hey Cozzicoff, when you sent me all the way out here to, quote unquote, 'Deal with an insanely dangerous humanized weapon that may destroy me on sight.'" Radicus said, while now watching the redhead giggle playfully with another waitress about who knows what girl topic. He continued, "I was just wondering, were you out of your mind?!" He nearly yelled.
    After a few moments of silence on the other line the voice spoke again, "So you found her then?" He asked nonchalantly, completely ignoring his last comment. 
    Radicus didn't answer he was now watching the redhead crouch down to talk to a small child smiling cheerfully as she did so.
    "Dangerous." He grumbled in disbelief. She seemed anything but.
    "You're surprised that she acts like a normal human being?" The voice asked. "Were you expecting an alien?" He asked sarcastically.
    Radicus raised his eyebrows, "After the way you described her, yeah." He admitted.
    "I said, she may be dangerous." Cozzicoff emphasized. "Besides this is good for you, it's been so long since you've had to deal with normal people you're completely paralyzed at the sight of them."
    Radicus frowned. He had not called Cozzicoff to get life therapy on his outlook on others, he had called to ensure he wasn't about to waste his time and possibly ammo on a nobody. He had a check his his name on it once this deal was done. "So just to confirm, you are certain that the girl I'm looking for is in New Hampshire Portsmouth." He asked.
    "... No she in New York." Cozzicoff said sarcastically. "Yes, she in New Hampshire Portsmouth and if you're as good as I've heard you're probably looking right at her right now." He said, clearly annoyed. "Will that be all for now helpless Hannah?" He added mockingly.
    Radicus growled a little snapping the phone shut. Cozzicoff had more sarcasm than was good for him. But if he was so sure that the girl was here, this was definitely her. Taking a small printed photo off the dashboard he examined it one more time looking up at the girl to make sure every single facial feature matched perfectly. But not one was off, same slim nose, same softy squinty blue eyes, same arched eyebrows, and especially the same curly red hair. This had to be her. Looking down at the name printed with blue pen ink in the corner of the picture Radicus read it out loud for maybe the tenth time today, "Lillian."