Jeb started down the stairs with Alice hiding behind him. The place reeked of sweaty balls, bitchiness and booze. This certainly wasn't a place for kids, but he felt right at home. They got to the bottom of the stairs and started to get some nasty looks as they headed through the bar. He had seen some of these guys before, but most of them were all new faces to him. He got through the room filled with people and got up to the bartender. Sitting there drinking down some brown liquid was someone he recognized. He got the weirdest sense of deja vu as he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Sophia. I didn't die, and I didn't forget to bring the kid with me either. Sure hope you know what the fuck yer doin' bringin' me down here. If this turns out to be a setup, I'll blow your brains out on the floor myself."
Sophia raised an eyebrow as she felt the hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to face the person. "What the fuck d'you think you're- wait what?!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Jeb?! You're not supposed to be here, god dammit!" she quietly hissed at him.
The outlaw behind him raised an eyebrow. "You know this one, Fia?" he asked, pulling out his revolver.
"Who the hell else would come up to you and tell you they brought ya' yer kid? You keepin some kind of secret from me baby?" He nudged her playfully. "Now tell the dipshit to lower his gun before he gets hurt."
Sophia sighed and motioned for the Culebra to lower his weapon. Hopping off her stool, she silently cursed herself. "Just come with me." she gestured for Jeb to follow her into her quarters. "Don't dirty up the place, got it cleaned last week." she told him as they entered the room.
"No need to worry about me dirtying up the place, you do that just fine yourself." He mumbled under his breath as he followed her in, closing the door behind him.
Sophia crossed her arms. "Right. Number one - why the fuck are you here? I never called you."
"Uh, I got the kid and you told me to meet you here? What other reason would I have to come to this hole in the wall. When you left town you said to meet back here. Or maybe I just imagined that. I don't know. I'm here now. I've got the kid. You've got the book. I've got to waste some time while I figure out where the hell this next bounty is since Janet ate my ass about all the shit I've been breaking. It's all good."
"The b- You gave me a book?" Sophia seemed surprised.
"Jesus christ Sophia. Try and remember something every once and a while. It's like someone hit you in the head or something and made you forget a whole bunch of important shit."
"I remember you're a fucking asshole. That's enough for me." she hissed back at him.
"Oh ha ha. Well as long as you're forgetting things, maybe you could forget that one night in paradise you had with me the other day when I was passed out." He winked at her.
"You're fucking dea-" Sophia began, pulling out her gun. Suddenly, a muffled sob came from the corner of the room. The two turned their heads.
Alice was sitting on Sophia's bed, a large satchel at her side - the one that was on the horse Sophia was riding. She was holding what seemed to be a slightly scorched book, and holding back what seemed to be yet another emotional outburst.
Oh, not this shit again... Sophia thought to herself, biting her lip.
If she goes demon mode again in here, things are going to be bad...
"My sister..." tears welled up in her eyes and her face twisted between a frown and scowl. Her breathing deepened and she started shaking violently. "It's all my fault... if I had just let her out of the cellar... no... it's all your fault." She stared at Jeb and got up off the bed. She shuffled over to him, growing larger and getting angrier and angrier with every word she spoke.
Sophia took a step back.
Yeahhh, Sophia doesn't feature in this equation. Better keep it that way she thought.
"Now listen kid, I can explain." Jeb held his hands up in self defense.
"I don't want to hear any more out of y-" Alice stopped in her tracks and slumped over onto the fist that Jeb had put in her gut.
"That ought to keep her quiet for now. We can think of something later, for now we need to at least tie her up. She's just going to be trouble for now."
"What the fuck, Jeb?!" Sophia exclaimed, shoving him aside. "She'll fucking eleven!" She crouched down to check on Alice.
"It's not my fault. It's not like you were going to do anything about it. You just backed away and were going to let me get my face ripped off when she attacked me. You know what happens when her emotions get out of control so don't give me that crap." Jeb huffed and felt the neck of the girl. "She's still breathing, and her heart's still beating. She'll be fine."
Sophia sighed angrily, and walked up to her bedside where the book was. "Is that the book you were talking about? What is it, anyway?"
"It belonged to her sister. Before she died - before I left the opera house she gave it to me and told me to get it to Alice. Any means necessary. Crispy was a good kid after all." He wiped an invisible tear from his eye.
She picked up the book at turned to the front page. "Huh. Don't know what would piss her off on there though- oh hey, there's a message on the front."
On the front page of the book said:
I don't even know why I'm writing this. As far as I know, you could be dead. I guess being stuck in a burning hellhole makes a person mad. As I write this, I can feel a few tonnes of wood on my back - building must have collapsed already. Shield won't last long, either.
A few scratched-out words were beneath the first paragraph.
With me dead, you might as well be too. But there's still so much you should know - things you need to know. Maybe that just means that now you're ready to know the truth about dad.
The next few pages were burned and destroyed beyond comprehension, but Sophia couldn't tell whether it had been intentional or accidental.
This book used to be mine. Now that I'm about to leave, I think it best to officially pass it on to you. I don't know how much of it you'll be able to use, but I guess it's the thought that counts right? Anyways, I hope you live a good life. Regardless of how I've treated you in the past, I only want the best for you. All of those times when I beat you and called you names I was just trying to make you stronger. I hope you can forgive me some day. I love you Alice. I'll be watching over you from wherever I end up going.
Jeb sighed. "Yep, I figured that was probably what ticked her off. I mean, Crispy never said
not to read it. It is what it is."
Shit... No wonder the kid got really pissed... Sophia thought, flipping to the page which listed the spells. "Looks like there's some sort of 'rage' skill in that book. She must've activated it somehow back at the tavern."
"Well, seeing as it's labeled 'rage', I can only imagine. I mean, you don't have to have the book right in your hand when you cast spells and I had been upstairs for a few hours with the ladies-" he cut himself off, probably ought to not get into that with her around. She'd be liable to do something about it seeing as how she hasn't had any in a while if ever. Would probably make her mood better. He shook his head. "Anyways. I can only imagine how she managed to activate a 'rage' spell when she was enraged and her book was around."
"Anyway. You should've dropped the kid off at Janet's but since you're such a goddamn charismatic man you fucked up with her and brought her back here." Sophia said frustratingly, pocketing the book. "Now what am I supposed to-"
She was interrupted by a knock of the door. A voice came from outside. "Oi, lovebirds. You need to get out, now. Boss needs to speak to you, Fia."
"Shit. Now we've gotta go through all the trouble of getting these clothes back on when we just took them off. Can't you give us just a few more minutes? We're tryin' to teach the kid some stuff about life."
"You motherfucking-" Sophia began, grabbing the nearest object she could find - a small stool in this case - and furiously hurling it at Jeb.
He caught the stool and put it back on the ground. "Now now Sophy-poo. Just because you spent your last couple hundred on me and we got interrupted that doesn't mean you have to start throwing things. We can come back and finish this later, no extra charge." He blew her a kiss and opened the door.
One day, I'll fucking kill him. I will. Sophia thought to herself, exiting the room and attempting to shove Jeb away from her. "You stay with the kid, asshole."
"Sometimes I can' tell you two apart. You're both about the same height and both want me dead." He said as he rubbed past her and sat down smiling on the stool she had thrown at him. "Also, see if your buddy knows anything about a dog familiar thing. It stole my grandma's pocket watch."
---------
Sophia hesitated at the door, and knocked.
"Come in." Antonio's voice called from inside. Sophia took a deep breath and opened the door.
"You called, boss?" she asked.
"Yes, now close the door behind you." the leader of the Culebras urged. Sitting in front of his desk were three other Culebras, grouped around what seemed to be the watch Sophia had brought in earlier - Jack the Stutterer, the burly outlaw she had seen earlier known only by the name "Bear", and a hooded woman which Sophia did not recognize.
"Marzia Alesi, an assassin from our Silverston team, to answer any questions." Antonio told her. "Now take a seat. This isn't a laughing matter. I have called the best of you for a reason."
Sophia smiled, taking a seat.
You know it, darling superintendent.
"I'll keep it short. Over the past month, I have been tracking an item which some of you know as the 'second bible'. To those of you who aren't smart enough to know what that is-" Antonio glared at Bear. "-it is rumored to be the most powerful spellbook created to date. Spells from every element, and an ability no human would dream to possess - time manipulation."
The four outlaws looked at each other, each thinking the same thing.
"If we gain possession of the book, we could do great things. Possibly outnumber Rush's group. It's worth more than any bank in this filthy place, and it must be retrieved at all costs." Antonio continued.
Now comes the fun part. Sophia thought to herself, grinning.
"This pocketwatch you see before you is actually much more than a pocketwatch. It functions almost as a sort of compass for the location of the book - or what we assume is the book. And with the help of this-" He brushed aside the watch to display the map underneath. "-I've determined that the book is in the possession of someone in Wrench. The location hasn't moved much, so it's likely the owner does not realize they have it with them. The location, however, seems to be heavily guarded - which is where you come in. In addition to this, there will probably be other clans and gangs following us there - so you'll have to remain vigilant. Take down anyone in your way - although we'd prefer it to be quiet. Something which some of you seem to have...
trouble with." he said, glaring at Sophia.
Can't say he's lying.. Sophia thought to herself, turning her head away.
"How are we gonna get there?" Bear asked, taking in a large puff from his cigar and blowing it behind him.
"I have arranged a method of transport for you. You'll need to be much more discrete. Tonight, I have picked a cargo train leaves for Wrench from the other end of town. You will all boarding that train under the disguise of handymen. For you women, I've made arrangements. The trip could take a long time, but don't even dare to doze off - always remain vigilant. Once you reach there, a scout I have sent to Wrench will meet you, and the five of you. The scout has not sent me back information on the place yet, so he may or may not be dead - in that case, you'll have to act on your own. Whatever the costs, once you reach there, you
must come back with the book."
Sophia noticed Jack seemed a little fidgety. "Em, b-boss... W-what if we d-don't find the b-book...? I m-mean, it's only a rumour as far as w-we know, right?" he stuttered.
Antonio slammed his desk. "Are you calling me delusional, boy? You think this is a suicide mission?"
"N-not at all-"
"You come back with the book, you get filthy rich. If you don't..."
With a snap of his fingers, the large Komodo dragon emerged from underneath his desk, its gigantic tongue darting in and out of its mouth. Sophia felt Nico becoming tense, his grip on her shoulder tightening. She heard a hiss come out from under Marzia's hood.
Huh, so she's got a familiar too... Guess Antonio really did bring the best. Sophia thought, caressing Nico to calm him down.
Jack gulped as he saw the massive Komodo. "U-understood..."
Antonio sighed, and took off his spectacles. "You're dismissed." he muttered. As they all began getting up, he stopped them. "Except for Sophia, stay here."
Oh fucking boy, here comes another jolly good time of boss-outlaw bonding. the latter thought, gritting her teeth and sitting back down.
"Bear, bring me back the man and that girl who just came in, as well as the blithering idiot who let them in." Antonio called.
"Sure thing, boss."
---------------------------
"Do you like flowers?"
Jeb was sitting on Sophia's bed with Alice next to him. He was trying his best to bond with her since they were apparently going to be spending some more time together. However Alice more or less ignored him. His questions were answered with either a blank stare or a slight shake of the head.
"Ya know, my daughter always liked flowers. Every since she was just born. My wife had this amazing Lilac perfume that she would spray around the house. A spritz here, a spritz there, a spritz just about everywhere except for on herself. I honestly don't know what that was all about."
He looked over at the blank slate that was the girl's face.
"Oh come on, at least acknowledge that I exist! This is so unbearably painful. Where the hell is Sophia? It shouldn't take this long."
He started pacing around the room, shooting a glance to Alice every now and then. She had taken his leave as an opportunity and laid down on the bed. She curled up into the fetal position and clutched her sister's book to her chest so hard that her fingers began turning white.
"I-" Jeb had just started to make an attempt at reconciling with Alice when a knock came at the door.
"Knock knock. Housekeeping." The voice of a man came from behind the wall.
"Whaddya want? We're waitin' for Sof so I can give her this damn kid."
"Ain't got time for that. Let's go." The man went over to Alice and slung her over his shoulder.
"What do you-"
"Let's. Go." The man grabbed Jeb by the arm and pulled him out the door.
"Whatever you say. You don't have to be rough, I can walk." Jeb dusted himself off.
God damn, I just want to shoot this guy. Jeb cracked his neck and slid his hand down his chest to where his gun was holstered.
So tempting. But with all these people here... probably better not.
They left the room and walked in a straight line to the door ahead of them. Jeb saw a couple of shady looking rooms and thought to wander off, but as soon as he tried to leave the path Bear grabbed him by his hair and pulled him along. They got to the room and Bear opened the door, first throwing in Jeb and then dropping Alice into his lap.
"Boss wants to see you." And then he waddled away. Moments later, the door reopened, and the thin tall man Sophia had punched earlier was pushed inside. "Sorry, forgot about that one." Bear called. "See ya, boss."
Sophia gulped as she saw Jeb and Alice in the room. She knew the Culebras had a strict regulation on outsiders, and the penalty that followed.
"Stand up, you two." Antonio ordered. "I will make this quick. Who are you, how did you find this place and why are you here?"
Jeb stood up and brushed himself up. "Well. Sir, let me explain. First off, I'm Jebediah Sanders."
Sanders? Sounds like he's some reverend or something, hah. Sophia thought chuckling.
"This here is uh... Alice something or other. I rode into town after saving..." Jeb turned his head dramatically towards Sophia, "That one's ass. She dropped this kid on me and told me to bring her around here and that she would know the way. But she didn't because she's not been talking to me. So. I had to ask some old guy and he pointed me over here. So that's that."
"What the fuck are you on about?! I never told you to come back!" Sophia yelled back at him, violently standing up and stomping her foot.
Jeb gives Sophia a swift slap on the cheek meat. "I've had it with yer god damn lies. Every time. Every single time I say anything. 'No no no. I didn't do that. Blah blah blah.' And after everything I've done for you. So ungrateful."
Instantly, Sophia recovered from the hit, and lunged at Jeb, knocking him down of the floor. "You piece of fuckin-"
"I'll bite your tit off!" Jeb spat back opening his mouth and craning his neck towards her. "Let's see how you like me then short shit."
"Fuck you!" Sophia spat back, attempting to pummel him with punches. Instantly, Nico jumped off her shoulder onto Jeb's face, spitting out a large glob of poison right into his open mouth.
The poison falls into Jeb's gaping maw. A sour look comes across his face and he stops struggling against Sophia which causes her to fall in towards him. He rolls over on top of her and holds her mouth open, baby birding the leftover goop into her mouth. Then he pulls out Mr.Truth and shoves it into her ribcage. Pulls the hammer back and-
Bang.
Jeb jumps back, getting off of Sophia.
Oh shit. I didn't mean to... dammit why. Jeb went to turn his back and laid his face on the floor when the sound of a body hit the floor.
"A waste of my damn time." he heard Antonio's voice mutter, and the sound of a gun being put back into its holster.
He turned back around to see Sophia shaking on the ground and the tall lanky man on his knees with a bullet hole in his chest.
"That's about enough of that." Antonio proclaimed. He held out his hand, which was now glowing white. Both Sophia and Jeb were immediately raised off the ground, and their bruises and scratches disappeared. "I don't want to know any more of this mess you two have made up. I haven't heard your name before, and I hope for your sake I will never hear it again. Sophia will escort you and the girl out of here."
"Okay that's fine, but just hold on one moment. I see y'all got a nice 'lil business thing going on here and well, to be frank I'm tired of doin' small jobs like this bull shit escort work. Just doesn't pay the bills like I'd like for it to."
Antonio raised an eyebrow, mildly interested. "Go on."
"Well, I have a certain set of skills. Granted I'm not the most talented, I can still more than handle myself and a wagon or two should the need arise. From what I seen just from my short little walk around, you're not exactly employing professionals."
The Culebra leader sighed in frustration. "I hate to agree, but yes."
"Now, I been doin' escort work for a good few years. Mostly just small stuff, but nonetheless I had to be able to protect my targets from any danger that might present itself. So if you'd be so kind as to disregard our little lover's quarrel..."
Sophia's hand turned into a fist.
Lover's quarrel...? I swear to fucking god, Jeb one of these days... she thought to herself. If it wasn't at the risk of him telling the boss about the tatoo, she would have sold him out as a bounty hunter at the first moment.
"I'd like to re-present myself as a potential business partner." Jeb bowed as he finished speaking.
Antonio tapped his desk. "I hope you do realize, Mr. Sanders, that once you deal with the Culebras, you don't back away from it so easily. Those who have tried, unfortunately, cannot live to tell you the tale." he said, stroking the Komodo who had been pacing around his desk.
"Sir, please do not mock me. I am not so petty as to do such a thing. I am a man of honor and I know how to do business honorably. Whether that business be behind closed doors or out in the open."
Antonio sighed. "We might need your
services tonight, then. I will not reveal any more information to you other than that you will follow Sophia. I trust you for now, but I still cannot afford to give out important information."
"Understandable. Well then, it looks like the only thing left is the kid. Uhh... the small-er one."
"I have contacts in Wrench!" Alice suddenly called out.
Antonio's eyes grew wide. "How do you..."
The young girl let out a small cough. "I... have ways. Please, mister, you can't leave me here! I have contacts in Wrench that could help you find it. You wouldn't want the burden of a child on your shoulders, right?" she pleaded, putting on her most desperate face.
Antonio slammed his desk angrily. "God dammit! I can't have a child embark on a mission of utmost importance!" he cursed. He knew, however, that if the guide was dead as he presumed, the team he had sent could maybe never find the book. In addition to this, there was the chance that the girl could spill the information to anyone else.
Jeb started massaging his temples at the outburst of Alice.
Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me. This kid... I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm literally about to fucking snap. I haven't killed anything lately. That must be the problem. Haven't quenched my thirst for blood. Totally reasonable.
Antonio turned to Sophia, indirectly asking her for her opinion. She was surprised at Alice's outburst, particularly after her long period of silence. She gulped, hesitating. Despite the evident risks and dangers of having Alice join in, she could not bring herself to disagree. She nodded slightly at Antonio.
The latter put his spectacles back on. "Alright, this goes against every last ounce of good judgement I possess... You may be part of the trip. You will stay close to Sophia and Sanders, and in no case will you speak to anyone outside of the group coming with you. You will guide them through the town, and when you'll no longer be needed, we'll arrange for you to get back. You will not interfere with whatever the group is doing. Is that understood?"
"Yes, yes, perfectly! I'll be as unnoticeable as you need me to." Alice replied eagerly, smiling.
"Lets get this show on the road then. I can't stand tight places like this." Jeb walked to the door and pulled it open. "Now that all that is in order, it appears that our business is complete until we return."
Antonio sighed. "You'll be leaving soon. The train you'll be boarding will leave tonight. 'Til then, get ready. You're all dismissed." he told them. "And Sophia, call someone to get rid of this bloody corpse."
---------------------------
A few hours later, Other end of Larkin
"Blah blah blah," Jeb said angrily.
"Blah blah your ass." exclaimed Sophia.
"Why aren't you two saying actual words?" Alice asked inquiringly.
"To make you ask questions. That's why. We're almost to the station now. Be ready to get off as soon as we get there. We're cutting it a little close, but we should be on before the train leaves. Little miss prim and proper had to take a shower." Jeb scoffed.
"Well maybe if you weren't such a dick we would've gotten out of there earlier, asshole." Sophia hissed. Nico let out a small cough, as it was the closest the chameleon could give to a growl.
"Whatever, I'm done arguing about it. At least when we're in front of the kid we could try to act somewhat civilized. Anyways, we're here now. Hurry up and get off before the train leaves us."