Self Destructing Messenger

#12 - Hard Heist

"I think we should totally make out." The Man in Black took the basement stairs two at a time, jumping the last few and striking a pose with arms outstretched.

Azalea stared at him, upside down. Her intangibility powers had continued to betray her and for whatever cruel reason, one ankle had caught some traction in the ceiling which ended up suspending her in a most unpleasant manner.

"Go to hell," she said, trying to hide the panic. He was alone. Where was Cayce?

"Oh come on, princess," he replied, dancing the distance between them until they were face to face. "It'll be romantic, like that man spider movie."

"I am going to kill you. I haven't figured out how but it's happening." She twisted, trying to free her ankle but there was only slight movement. Her efforts fruitless, she became limp once more. "What did you do to Cayce?"

"Nothing yet."

She raised or lowered an eyebrow, depending on perspective. "What was it I said a moment ago? Oh yes. Go to hell."

"I know that's all the hate rushing to your head so I'll forgive you this time. Now to fix this..." He attempted to pull at her arm a few times, his fingers passing through her flesh with some resistance. Finally he manage to dislodge her from the ceiling. "This is tedious," he said and de-hexed her. Azalea fell suddenly but he was anticipating this and caught her mid-air. She was less than gracious as she braced his head in her hands and pulled her knee into his face. The man reeled but had fully recovered in time to see Azalea fly face first into a miscellaneous pile of boxes.

"I would suggest not running, if you die now all your anarchist's efforts will be in vain." He pulled her upright, but she shoved him away. The man smiled slyly. "I also suggest keeping a hand on me at all times. Your idol abilities don't really mix well with hexing. It's the only way I can protect you."

The floor began to eat away at the soles of her boots and she reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. It was necessary and she made no attempt to conceal her disgust. "Where. Is. Cayce?" She said, very deliberately.

"Easy, poppet." He purred. "How about I just take you to him?"

It sounded like a good idea but the manner in which he spoke the words made her weary. The uneasy feeling stayed with her as the Man in Black led her up the stairs and guided her through parts of the building she had not yet seen. Finally they came to the rear exit.

"You'll like this," he said. "Tonight we travel in style!" And with dramatic flare, he kicked the doors wide.

Azalea blinked and blinked but it was still there. Perhaps madness was catching but if not, there was a horse standing in the back lot.

Meanwhile Cayce paced impatiently, waiting for Gia to hurry up and get there already. He was about to start hoofing it when he spotted headlights and sure enough it was the spazz herself.

Gia ranted on and on as she strode up to Cayce outside of the factory. "This had better be important. It's well past midnight. I have to be up early oh and did I mention my mother is absolutely freaking out that I'm out this late?" While her disheveled appearance suggested that the teen had been sleeping, it was impossible to tell as the annoyance spilled from her mouth as energetically as anything else she ever said. "What the heck is this place?"

Cayce pretended not to hear. He met her halfway and snatched her keys. She yelled at him, then upon realizing he was going to leave her behind, she scrambled into the van.

"What is going on?!" She screamed as he peeled out.

"Guy killed my car." He stated and the car was indeed dead. As soon as he had started it, smoke had billowed from under the hood. Of course it was possible it was simply the car's time but it felt hexy. Cayce stared nervously in the rear view mirror. Nothing visible but he still felt the idol. It didn't help his nerves that he hadn't actually seen Azalea safe and sound before leaving.