Four Fangs

004 - Sink or Swim

My side throbbed right in the place where my kidney would be, if I was human.

The dark thread extending from Alexis' hand dissolved, and she rushed over to me. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to... sorry."

"I'm fine, it's no big deal." My wound tingled and went numb, the hole stitching itself up. "Just a major stab wound, nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?" Alexis said as she bent over, pulling in deep breaths between each word.

"I am. Don't worry, you'll get better at controlling it. It's like a muscle."

"Tired," she finally spat out.

"Yeah, it can be draining."

"Will this get better too?"

"Once you become more efficient, it will." I tugged up the hem of my shirt and wiped away the blood, exposing smooth, alabaster skin. "See? Good as new."

A paper bag from DcMonald's had fallen from Hleuco's hand, a few greasy, cardboard sticks commonly known as fries scattered around him like fallen soldiers. "Your guts is not what I wanted to see right before eating lunch." As he bent down, he scooped the burger and fry box back into the crinkly bag, leaving behind a few stragglers on the pavement. "Doesn't that hurt?"

"Nah, there's much worse than that."

I balanced two syringes in my palm, and I offered one to Hleuco. "In case she loses control again, jab her with this."

The other one, I handed to Alexis. "You may need this."

"And I might need it too," I said under my breath, knowing she would hear.

"What's this?" Hleuco examined the giant needle, the clear liquid inside shifting as he tilted it in his hand.

"A high powered tranquilizer, specifically formulated to knock us out quickly. Be careful with it, I don't have that many of them."

He fitted the tranq into a free spot in his utility belt. "Ever since the Halloween Riots, the people have been asking for a real witch trial out of you, Blank Face. If we don't put a stop to them in the next few days, the governor may send in the National Guard."

"So, what's the plan?" I asked.

"Temple Street, that's where it all started, the location of the first riot. That night, the police arrested members from nearly every single gang in the Eye. However, one gang in particular was not affected — and I strongly suspect that gang was behind it all."

Hleuco tossed a duffle bag to Blank Face. "A new costume, thought you might need it after what happened to the last one."

"Sorry, but I don't have one for you," he apologized.

I shrugged. "Don't need one, anyway."

"True. By the way, what should I call you?"

"Red Knight."

"Fitting."

I'd always been the type to call things like they were, so I never had felt the need for an elaborate title. Generally, I prefer not to have one at all, but this situation kinda required it.

"Which gang is it?" Blank Face asked.

"Styx. And through my investigation, I discovered they have a big shipment due tonight. Our job is to make sure that shipment never gets where it's supposed to go."

"How do you know this?" I asked.

"Let's just say I have connections in a wide variety of places, some of those places more savory than others."