Slaying demons, p.22
Slaying Demons, page 22
part #2 of Damsel Series
Alistair’s voice nearly screamed in her head, causing a sharp pain, right in the middle. It was enough she debated grabbing her hair and screaming, at first, instead she bolted to her feet, pulled her sidearm and looked around. Walking away from the fire. Toward the woods.
That got the two guards to do the same, and for some reason, they fanned out and turned, away from her, instead of shooting her, even if she was the one pulling a weapon first.
There was nothing to see for a moment, but then she heard a sound. A hollow thing that seemed oddly off. As if it wasn’t truly a noise at all. A thing that she’d heard before, on television. The source of that, a man called Phantasm, stepped out of the air, right in front of her. It wasn’t actually super speed or teleportation, as much as a weird sort of invisibility. At least she recalled that. It might have not been true, of course. She really only recalled the weird, highly eerie, sound. He could also, Hannah thought, walk through walls.
He was a hero, of course, so Terry was probably safe enough.
After ten seconds, a woman appeared, jumping over the trees, from the campground side. She was in a great costume, which was all but see-through across her incredibly massive and gravity defying breasts, the rest of it being in shining gold and deep red, complete with a tiny red skirt that threatened to show off her panties, if she sneezed too hard. The boots she was wearing were actually flats, so that part made sense, at least.
Then, more sedately, a man with a bow and arrow, in a bright red, yellow and green outfit, and a dorky little Robbin Hood hat, stepped out of the woods on the other side. He had it drawn, with an arrow nocked and ready to shoot. From the effort being made, that had to be hard to hold. Looking at them all, Hannah aimed at him. Mainly because the others were just standing there and, last she’d heard, it wasn’t illegal to talk about philanthropy, in the woods.
Still, she didn’t fire, and he wasn’t aiming at anyone in particular, so she smiled and took them all in. Then spoke in a cheery voice.
“Hello! Do you folks need something? Water? We have some food?” She was being serious, but had to figure that wouldn’t be their real goal.
On the good side, they might have just been trying to get some free press. A thing that really would probably work, given there was a reality show being filmed at the moment, in the middle of nowhere. The silver skinned bald man, who was wearing an odd salmon color that was also nearly flesh tone as well as metallic, all at the same time. Honestly, it was freaking cool to look at, Hannah had to think. His voice was hollow and filled with a strange tone. A sing song thing that wasn’t one. It was nearly as if he were trying to get them into bed, even though the words didn’t work for that.
“This man, Alexander Darius, is a criminal. We have come to prevent his latest plot! Whatever that may be.”
Hannah nearly laughed at the man, then rolled her eyes, still looking at the arrow guy, since he had a ranged weapon and she was pretty sure he wasn’t bulletproof. He had a half-healed scratch on the back of his left hand at least. The others didn’t. His clothing might have protected him, but she’d been practicing head shots, of late.
Shaking her own head, gun trained on the man’s bare face, under his mask, her body twisted a bit, since she was using a cradle stance, for stability, Hannah tried to think of what to say that didn’t start with fuck off.
“So, you’re against him helping people, poor people, get jobs and have food to eat, until they can get back on their feet? Because that’s the current plan here... Also, we’ll need you all to sign a waiver, so we can put you in the show. Life of Kate?”
The one in the see-through top, Tit Princess, at least to Hannah, since she hadn’t given a name yet and on second look had a tiara on her brow, got the idea first and looked at Kate. Then ran over, grabbed her and pulled her away. Fast, but not all that violently. Hannah still nearly shot her, but didn’t, not wanting to risk hitting her friend.
The female super hero called out at the same time.
“Get behind me, Kate! I’ll protect you!” She sounded a bit... Slow.
As in special needs. Not badly, but enough that Hannah got that she wasn’t going to be having an intellectual conversation with her that day. At least possibly. Still, she was standing back, holding Kate Sinclair behind her with her right hand, holding her left out, as if getting a power blast ready. Hannah could see the energy glowing from her open palm, which was aimed at Alex.
Hannah simply walked over and put herself between the man and the would-be hero of the day.
“Calm now, um, I don’t have a name for you? Any of you, really. I’m Hannah. This is Terry, Lara, Eric, Lewis, Tiffany, Darnel, Max and Alex.” She didn’t mention Connie, who had, wisely, snuck into the woods.
The two guards looked ready to shoot the see-through top woman in the head, with what seemed like fifty caliber handguns. They hadn’t been introduced at all, so she didn’t know what they might be called.
The strange man, in his weird, but interesting, clothing, spoke then.
“I, am the Phantasm! This young lady is Tittiana, and to the side we have the stalwart Robin Loxly.”
The whole set up was ridiculous, but Hannah looked at the situation, and put her sidearm away.
“Tittiana? Stop getting ready to hurt people, please. Gentlemen, I think we can safely place the weapons away. This is a misunderstanding, obviously. Now, you hate food banks? May I ask why? These lockdowns are really hurting the economy. People need help. I know, battling hunger might not be that glamourous, but fighting against it is kind of important right now.”
She was speaking for the camera, which Lewis seemed to be pointing at her. Eric had Tittiana, which was a great, if exploitive name for a woman who seemed slow, and Darnel was moving to the side, using a handy-cam, which had been pulled from a pocket. That was trained on Alex, who was looking calm, and still sitting on the ground. Getting his jeans dirty, but not seeming as if he were planning violence. He waved to his men, who seemed distrustful, but holstered their guns. Smoothly. A lot more so than she would have managed in a tense situation like that.
After that, Tittiana dropped her hand, the energy, an invisible thing that had been being summoned, vanishing instantly. Hannah didn’t let them off the hook, staring at Phantasm, who spoke in a voice that was more prissy than fantastical.
“If Darius is in on this, then it will have a dark and sinister plot at its core. We need to stop him and if you’re on his side, then we will stop you, as well!”
Terry went wide eyed, and Lara started to move toward one of the big guards, trying to get behind him. Kate was still being pushed back, but looked freaked. Probably because there was about to be a fight, if they weren’t really careful. Which there were too many factors for her to control at the moment. She couldn’t send the crew away, since they, having the cameras, were all that would stop people from simply attacking, in either anger or fear.
So she cleared her throat and gave the insane sounding man what she hoped was a wry look.
“You’re going to stop us from getting food to people, to feed their hungry children? I know that Alex has an alternative plan here. I gave the idea to him. He’s using this to improve his name and public image, after having had some legal troubles. Things that he’s served his time for. Instead of becoming bitter, he’s decided to serve humanity, and try to help them take responsibility for themselves. Right now, this is really just about a food bank, and then getting jobs for people. If we can make that happen. So... What are you three going to be doing to help with that?”
Robin Hood, slowly, let the bow de-stress. It had been shaking a bit anyway.
“What? We’re just trying to stop Darius from taking over the world. Someone has to do it! This thing, the Tri-D virus is him, we think. If not him, then he knows who’s behind it, and we’re going to make him talk...” He took a step forward, which had four people moving, in a way that spoke of a fight being about to happen.
Hannah, the two guards, and Max. That seemed to be about the firearm in his jacket pocket, instead of taking up a kickboxing stance.
Katie spoke then, her voice low. Not Wisp low, but soft and deep, for her. Like she was faking being a man.
“Stop. This isn’t going to happen. Hannah, draw, but aim at the ground. McCallister and Deans... cover Phantasm. Tittiana, you’re on our side now. Do you understand?”
The woman looked at her, seeming confused, which was mean of Kate to have done, but effective, in the moment. Hannah did as she was told, but cleared her throat, attracting attention. Keeping them off guard.
“Now, we’re being reasonable here, so... How about you folks do that too? You don’t seem like bad people. Weird, but that’s mainly your outfits, to be honest. Except for Tittiana. What you have on is awesome. Now, again, what are you three going to do to fight hunger in America?”
She was glared at for a while, and then, sounding annoyed, Phantasm sighed. It was a big thing, and not that well-earned, from her perspective. The man moved forward, toward her, but slowly. Enough so that the two men pointing their guns at him didn’t shoot.
“You want us to believe that Alexander Darius is some kind of good guy now? That seems unlikely, doesn’t it?”
She giggled, not meaning it, and rolled her eyes.
“Come on... You have to allow people to be better than you think they are. You aren’t the hero if you hold people down constantly, forcing them to be evil when they want to be good guys. Sure, Alex has some different ideas, but... Do you really care? He’s getting four times the food for people who need it, right now, than we had plans for last week. That’s all him, too, working on that on his own. He’s talking to important, wealthy people who make jobs, asking them to risk their fortunes, or even their safety, apparently, to help out people affected by this disease. Innocent people. Do you think that doing good, so that people will like him is all that different from what you’re doing? Except that, when I asked what you’re going to do about hunger, you didn’t even stammer. You’ve just said nothing. How about this... You three can cut a commercial for us, right here, today? To help people in need. Just as a start, I mean. Clearly you have powers, so can do a lot more than just that.”
They didn’t seem to love the idea, at first, but after fifteen minutes of pretending that they had a real plan, everyone more or less went along with it. The men were standing behind Tittiana, who was the one chosen to speak. She sounded a bit slow, but Kate and Hannah had come up with words for her to say and she’d memorized them perfectly after one recitation. She even made a few changes, which were actually better than what they’d come up with.
The woman spoke, her voice smooth. Almost sexy. It fit with her looks.
“In these difficult times, everyone can use a helping hand. The Life of Kate Foundation, in conjunction with Darius Corps and National Foods, as well as many others, are working each day to make the problems of the world a little bit easier to bear. To that end, they’ve put together a wonderful food bank system. Look at the list to see if there is one in your area. Remember, we’re here to help you, help yourself.”
Connie, who had come back, when death didn’t seem to be on the table, yelled then.
“Wrap. I want to get several different versions of that. You... We need a better name for you. Tittiana... That sounds like a stripper name, and you can do better than that. Anyway, let’s do it again. We also have some paperwork for all of you to sign. You’re part of a larger group? Will they be part of this? It isn’t going to pay anything, being charity, but people in colorful costumes can play well, from time to time. I’d like something like that from you, as well, Mr. Darius.”
That got a funny look from the man, but Hannah nodded at it.
“Do it. Really, we should get one with you three and him. Just to show people that you support people who have bad reputations... At least if they’re trying to change.”
She didn’t really know that was the case, but the older man didn’t balk after that. Phantasm did, but Robin came around, well enough. It was clear he wasn’t really happy with it. He still did it. He sucked up his dislike of the bald man and asked for people to help support their local food bank, if they had the means.
Even Phantasm did that, in the end. Overacting the whole time. Then, seeming as if they weren’t quite up on what was going on, they left. Robin held on to Phantasm’s hand, which was adorable, as Tittiana flew behind them, actually levitating over the ground, vanishing in some indescribable fashion. They all did. The weird hollow sound didn’t come this time however, though the effect was clearly the one Phantasm used.
Hannah sighed, but kept looking in the direction they were traveling. About five minutes later, she thought at Alistair.
~Al? Are they gone, do you think?~
~We’re good. They’re nearly fifty miles away from you. That was... Different. I’d figured it was going to be a fight. I’m glad it wasn’t one. You wouldn’t have won. The Defiant aren’t a top-level team, but they have people who could be. Robin Loxly has an innate sense of how combat works that... Well, he might have beaten you all, on his own. Instead, right now, he’s kind of wondering if you’re single.~
That was better than wondering if they needed a full-sized coffin for her, or could make due with a kid’s version, so Hannah took the win, which it was, after a fashion. She glanced at the others then and nodded.
“This should be fine, now. I mean, I need a shower and to change my shirt so the pit stains don’t show, but other than that, no problem.”
Alex chuckled a bit.
“No doubt! Still, that went better than some such things have in the past. Now, where were we?”
That, it turned out, wasn’t about more work on a food bank, or jobs program. It was, instead, going to be about her learning to set traps. Alex and his goons left, just in case anyone else knew they were there that day. It wasn’t likely, but to be safe and protect the cast and crew, they got in the limo and took off, to draw anyone interested in them off. That and to avoid the boring part with the traps.
Kate gave her a hug, even if she really could use that shower. They all probably could.
“So, that... Was kind of impressive. What are you going to do for an encore?”
Chapter fifteen
The big trick of the next night, ultimately, was that Terry couldn’t sleep. The pine boughs on the ground had gotten to her and the girl was about to start crying over it. Lewis had been set to watch the breakdown, as if her responding to a bit of fear and actual discomfort was a funny thing to show the world.
That meant Hannah was just about done with the whole television program idea. They were being actively mistreated because living off in the woods simply wasn’t interesting enough for the people trapped in their homes. Even turning the thing into an all-girl orgy wouldn’t be enough for them. Not for long. That might keep some people interested, for fifteen to twenty minutes, but not past that.
So, as soon as Lewis went away, Hannah moved out into the night, picking up Terry, first.
“Terry! Come on.” She whispered, which was heard by the others, in their own little sections.
Lara came out as well.
“What’s going on?” She honestly seemed a bit freaked out. “Did those... People come back for us?”
Kate spoke up then, staying low to the ground, the shelter at her back. Making her nearly invisible. Hannah realized that she was back lit, by the overcast sky. The moon was nearly blotted out, the fast-moving clouds above being sinister looking. The wind was picking up as well. Still, the star of the show made a soft sound, which was considering, instead of upset sounding.
“I doubt it. I think they work with us now. At least those three. Plus, they were here for Alex Darius, not any of us. Even if Hannah kind of... That was weird, you know that H? I’m pretty sure three super types showed up for a fight and you kind of owned them. You even got them to sign papers saying we can use them for the show. I was there and I’m not really certain how you managed that.”
She waved that away, since there hadn’t been a lot of choice in the matter.
No one could see her doing it, of course.
“They aren’t bad people. They just needed to be reminded of that. Now, we need to get cameras and too hassle the heck out of the crew. Watching Terry be miserable for two hours, hoping for a breakdown... What kind of B.S. is that?”
Lara actually snorted.
“Reality television bullshit? We all sort of expected that one. It’s the rest of this... I’ve never even been camping before this. They get to be in trailers, while we’re sleeping on the ground. Literally! I know I’m under contract, but are prisoners even treated like this?”
It was a real point, but Hannah shrugged and let her face curl into a grin.
“I don’t know? Still, we aren’t really sleeping too easily, and no one set up a watch, so here’s my plan. We get the night vision cams, then do that... Walk around with a light. Except that we work it in teams. One person throwing rocks and pebbles, and making noises. Tapping and that kind of thing, so we aren’t easily identified. Then, when the others run out, the guard runs over and claims that they didn’t see or hear anything. We need to bundle up, which... Yeah. I’ve gone through all my clean clothing, so this is going to be fun. It’s cold and I think it might rain.”
Really, given that, they should have all stayed inside, the shelter. Instead, she was planning on playing an epic prank, for no real reason. It probably wouldn’t make for great television, even. Not when they admitted they were the monsters or the Bigfeet, all along. Bigfoots... Hannah wasn’t certain what the plural was for that one. Still, she wasn’t going to sleep easily that night, herself.
Terry sighed.
“I’ll go first. I need a light. I’m getting my own, for next week. Are we doing this again, do you think?”
She didn’t know, but Katie sighed.
“No, it’s going to be different. A lot less fun, I hear. On the good side, we’ll have more people to watch us failing to survive in the wilds. Which won’t be that. We’re moving again, but only to the other side of the campgrounds here. So, more trailers, with us having to basically live without the comforts that we’ve had this week.”
