The Clash, Book One

Chapter 10: Beauty, Part A

A "Happy Halloween" sign stood on the side of the sidewalk in Hyperion Heights. Costumed children ran around laughing and screaming playfully.

Detective Weaver held a paper bag as he walked toward a young blonde woman who was sitting on a bench. She was wearing a rabbit mask and playing with a Rubik's cube. He sat down and greeted, "Hey, Tilly."

Tilly pulled the mask up on her head before she spoke, "Ah, Detective. What brings you to my humble bench today?"

"Well, the deli mixed up my order again. They gave me orange marmalade instead of my Reuben," Weaver explained. He then produced a sandwich from the bag and handed it to Tilly as he told her, "Orange marmalade - your favorite."

Tilly tilted her head as she asked, "But how do I know it's my favorite?"

"Well, there's only one way to find out. Take a bite. Then maybe we can talk business," Weaver responded.

Tilly scoffed before she stated, "This "business" It have anything to do with Victoria Belfry? God, she's a wicked woman. Had an ex-girlfriend who worked for her once. Said Belfry'd rather scoop out her own eyes than do something nice for another human." Her voice slightly softened and she smiled a bit as she continued, "She's not like you. Why do you work for her?"

Weaver was beginning to get agitated as he pointed out, "I don't. And by the way, I'm the detective here. I ask the questions."

Tilly only laughed before the detective told her, "Take off the mask. You look ridiculous."

"But we're all wearing masks!" Tilly jovially began, receiving an odd look from Weaver before she spoke, "It's Halloween."

"Oh, is that why you're playing with that toy?" Weaver rhetorically asked her. He then took the Rubik's cube and exasperatedly continued, "Damn thing's broken. What's the point of an unsolvable puzzle?"

Tilly's reply was a cryptic one: "What's the point of a solvable one? Things are changing here, Detective. I've started noticing things. Bet you didn't know you're wearing a mask, too. But I'm not quite sure I like this one. Think I'd much rather see the man behind it."

The detective's patience had worn thin as he remarked, "Sandwich time is over. We're done." He then got up and walked off.

With a knowing smile, Tilly watched him leave before she replaced the mask and continued playing with her puzzle.

Just then, Alena walked by on her back from completing an errand for Belfry. A piece of paper then flew out from one of the folders that she was holding.

Tilly saw the paper and picked it up once it hit the ground. She then jogged up to Alena and told her, "You dropped this. I'm guessing it's pretty important."

"Oh! It is. Thank you," Alena replied with a smile when she had turned around.

Tilly planted her hands on her hips and tilted her head as she looked at the blonde in front of her. She then lifted the rabbit mask and stated, "You're familiar. We know each other, don't we?"

Alena's blue eyes widened before she furrowed her eyebrows. Was Alice awake? She wasn't entirely sure, but it couldn't hurt to see.

She then replied, "Yeah, we do know each other. We were good friends before..."

Tilly cut her off: "Before everyone started wearing masks." Alena tilted her head in confusion before Tilly continued, "You need yours, though. You have to protect everyone else."

Alena had never quite thought about that way, but Alice had a fair point. She then took a breath and determinedly spoke, "If I have anything to do with it, no one will be wearing their masks for long."