The Time

Chapter fifteen

When I had originally left my squad, they had welcomed me back - along with Destiny - with open arms. They might not have been so complying, but they knew I was good for favours. It was my currency. I mean, there's no need for money anymore so instead I trade in ''What I can do for you''s.
That meant when I came back this time with the promise of even more favours, the squad were a little less stabby when it came to the subject of 'the car'.

"Didn't think you'd come back." Jeremy smiled, pulling me into a tight embrace.
God fucking dammit!
"If I returned the Crown Jewels, you should have enough faith in me to return the only working vehicle around for miles." I shot a smile at Wayne.
"So what are we helping you with this time?" Chuck asked, getting straight to the point.
"Velvet has Destiny." I stated, laying out the situation. "Lads, you need to help me get him back."
"And I take it you have a plan?" Charlie questioned.
"Of course I do!" I grinned, bullshitting my way through life.

What came next was what, in an action movie, would probably be a cool battle preparation montage.
ASDA was loaded with weapons.

Wayne and Charlie, who were textiles masters, managed to sort out or make outfits for those who weren't already combat ready. This included secret pockets for weapons, added maneuverability in tight clothing as well as other deadly accessories.

Chuck had dressed himself up in a burgundy jumper, a black trousers and knuckle dusters. His brightly dyed hair was tied into a top knot and his Nikes had James Bond style knives in the end. Also, he'd got some weird metal thing that covered his teeth so that he could inflict a lot of damage in biting someone. And he was a big fan of biting.

Ken had bound his knuckles and dressed in his finest outfit of a loose white top and skinny jeans. Concealed in this outfit was two machetes and a shotgun. He'd also put on his glasses with the pretty awesome bulletproof lenses and swiss army knife-like frames.

Tom was in skinny blue jeans, a long top and a big hoodie. He was less subtle with his unbelievably long straight hair, shining eyes and sniper rifle slung over one shoulder.

Charlie had made himself an impressive bright coloured suit hiding a grand total of 17 knives, stripes of eyeliner running across his face like war paint because, as he always said, life is a cat walk. Live it, love it, work it. Everyday.

Wayne had covered her body in guns and was more weapon than human by the time she was done, her belt full of bullets and her nails sharpened and coated in some kind of deadly venom.

Jeremy and Brenda hadn't been trusted with any such luxurious items, everyone knowing they were more likely to accidentally shoot themselves than a bad guy. They had then, instead, been appointed the official title of 'bag carrier', lugging sacks of ropes, knives, grenades, pistols, hand guns, rifles, shot guns, machetes food, water, scissors, cards, blankets and even a few swords.

And what did I look like?
The sleeves of my no longer white top had been rolled up to my elbows, knives slipped into them and my jeans had had many ornate hand guns attached at several places down my legs using elastic and silk. My hair was down and my eyeliner was particularly vicious behind my black rimmed glasses. Knife compartments had been added to my black trainers and my bulletproof vest was left behind. Along with Lion.
I was sad to be leaving her but knew she'd be safer there than with us. I didn't want to have to worry about her. If we didn't make it back though, Stitch would have to look after her - if he doesn't try and eat her first.

We took the car and headed out on the open road, prepared for anyone. Anything! Except for what we did come across...

The scream had come from somewhere to the left from a swimming pool complex called The Triangle I'd visited a few times as a child. From what I heard, after everything went to shit, all the water had been removed and the place was now essentially a blackmarket for all your darker needs.
Running from the building and through the car park, a woman suddenly stopped in front of us. Breaking hard, I almost hit her. Almost.
"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted, getting out the car like a driver with road rage.
"People- Chasing me-" She panted, looking up at me and giving me a huge sense of deja vu.
"Lads!" I called back to the squad, beckoning them to join me.
"You've got to help me." The girl pleaded.
She looked a lot like Destiny. Same blue eyes. Same blonde hair. Same pathetic tone. Except she was here and he wasn't.
"What's your name?" I asked her gently.
"Harmony Brooks." She told me as my friends joined us, her eyes darting left and right wildly.
"Well you're fine now you're with us." I said smoothly, looking back at the swimming complex. "I can't see anyone. How many of them were there?"
"15," She murmured before her features changed and I found her pointing a gun at my face. "Including me."
"Fuck." I swore loudly, turning to see 14 men and women surrounding us and the car.

We were taken inside - along with the vehicle - and saw that all rumours were true.
What had once been a variety of pools was now a sudden drop to a bunch of tables and stools covered in midnight black velvet tablecloths, each layed out with all the items your heart desires. There was jewellery and weapons, charms and organs, food and blood, drinks and machinery parts. Someone was even selling Ikea flat pack furniture and yellow pages.
We past all this though and came to a stop at the bottom of a flight of stairs which twisted up to the entrances of several dry water slides. It also led up to a jacuzzi which was actually working and had the body of a Jabba the Hutt looking man lounging in it.
"Ah, hello Donald!" I cooed as we were led up to him. "So what are you going to do with us, sell us or eat us? I'm joking- but you might want to lay off the burgers there mate. Your boobs are starting to look bigger than mine!"
With a nod from the man, I suddenly had my head pushed under the water. I wouldn't have really minded if I wasn't wearing eyeliner. It also didn't help that my hands were tied behind my head so I couldn't fight back. Why does this keep happening!?

Air bubbled out of my chest as I felt my self screaming. Not out of fear, out of anger. Then my lungs started to burn and I struggled harder, my human survival instinct kicking in.
And then I was pulled back up with a mighty gasp.
"I hope you didn't piss in that water." I spat at the guy through intakes of breath.
And then I was shoved back under. It wasn't for as long this time but it was long enough after not given long enough to fully catch my breath back; I passed out.

When I regained consciousness, I went to sit up but found my arms, wrists, ankles, legs and head tied down with leather straps to a metal table.
"If you're trying to reenact 50 Shades, you've already got the colour of the room wrong." I called out but received no reply.
Turning my head to the left as far as I could, I saw my friends. Most were unconscious but those that weren't, were terrified.
Looking to the other side of me, I saw why. There was a person in a surgical gown and mask, wearing plastic gloves and sensible white shoes. He also had an array of operating instruments and a scalpel in his hand.

It seemed that I was in the swimming pool's gym - though it had been converted into a surgery. Or an abattoir.

As I turned back to look at the ceiling, the man walked and leant over me, lowering his mask and stated with a non malicious smile "I'm going to kill you. It won't be fast and it won't be painless. I'd say I'm sorry, but they're just my orders. I would like to inform you you're going to be used as an organ donor and if you think about it, you won't really be dying; you'll live on through whoever you end up being a part of. I just though you ought to know." Pause. "You may want to shut your eyes."
He then pulled his mask up, lifted his scalpel and started at his work.
And as I screamed, all I could think of was the immense burning and pulsing pain and of how I'd failed Destiny.