The Brotherhood of The Black Rats

4.32 Brunch

32| Brunch

A cold rain saturated the grisly city streets the following afternoon. It was the kind of day that never saw the noonday sun, as though the grey morning refused to give up its throne. The stubborn climate was felt most affluently by Kai, Thompkins and Isabelle as they took shelter at the Diner on thirteenth and Broadway, in perfect view of Spider’s penthouse apartment.

“This stuff is delicious,” stated Isabelle as she licked the frosting off her third cupcake. Her bright green hair was tucked under a grey stripped hoodie, yet still matched the dot of dyed sugar on her nose.

“You ought to try the cake part to you know,” said Thompkins taking his gaze away from the window for just a moment to admire her splotted face. He was back in his rather unassuming Glamour, as it made for the perfect Stake out outfit.

“At least she’s keeping us entertained,” said Kai taking a sip of his coffee as he watched the raindrops run along the glass outside. He was hiding his own features under a faded Mets cap. “Explain to me why we’re doing this again?”

“Because you and I were the only ones who weren’t there when the deal went sour,” replied The Troll “We won’t be recognized as easy as the others.”

“Except my face was Front Page news yesterday,” noted Kai.

“Well would you rather be stuck back with the others on Staten Island?” asked The Troll.

“And miss this one in action?” said Kai nodding to Isabelle. She’d taken to admiring her reflection in the curvature of her soup spoon.

“You should be watching for Spider, if he comes back as though nothing has happened we’ll know he was in on the take,” Said Thompkins pointing out the window with his fork If the Grey Guard or anyone else shows up, we’ll confirm what we already know…That we’re all in Deep Shit.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food at the hands of middle-aged waitress who had only really been half-attentive to them the entire time. The woman smiled as she laid a Reuben sandwich with fries in front Kai, and the same for Thompkins, followed by a Plate of Meatloaf, Chicken Tenders and Spinach Pie.

“Another Cupcake for you Sweetie?” she asked looking at Isabelle.

The Fairy nodded her hooded head up and down in response.

They stayed vigilant over brunch watching for any new arrivals at Spider’s domain. As the hour wore on and the day grew even darker Kai noticed Isabelle suddenly growing distraught.

“Hey,” he said to her, as she avoided his eye contact. “You alright?”

“I…” she began then stopped hanging her head in shame “I… don’t feel so great.”

“Oh dear,” said The Troll looking over to her and the table they were sitting at. “Iron, you’re still not adjusted to it, perhaps some fresh air is in order?”

“Yeah,” said Kai “I’m sure that will help.”

As Thompkins moved to let her out, Kai caught her eyes and saw the growing weakness within them. However there was something else there as well, an ageless strength itching to be unleashed.

“It’s alright,” said Kai helping her up “You’re still getting used to all this, we can head back if you want.”

“No,” she said to them both then “or at least not until I have another one of those little cake things.”

Thompkins and Kai both looked at each with a wave of relief given Isabelle’s response and her willingness to keep watch.

“She’s a creature of the Fae, surrounded by the very things that can destroy her.” Noted Thompkins as they watched her through the glass, “She can’t stay here, and the sooner she’s back among her own kind the better for us all.”

“Yeah,” agreed Kai. “You should have seen her on the bridge the other night, all that magic…”

“...Though she be but little, she is fierce,” added The Troll through a mouthful of Spinach and Filo dough.

She rejoined them sometime later as the waitress brought the check and one final cupcake. With the grey sky still looming overhead the three of them were faced with the uncertain fact that their afternoon had been in vain until Thompkins noticed something.

“Look,” said The Troll motioning with his eye out the window.

Spider was limping away from his apartment as the entrance to it closed behind him. Wherever he was going, he was doing in a hurry.

“He was there the whole time?” asked Kai confused “But that’s impossible.”

“That’s magic.” Thompkins retorted “But look…I doubt he was there all day,” added the Troll as they watched Spider limp onward into the Pharmacy just at the end of the block.

“He was dropped off,” observed Isabelle. “Come on, now’s our chance.”