“You’re late!” The Word snapped pointing a long finger at her. “And I’m getting pretty tired of you calling me a fool still.” He sighed. The Word looked at Joe and Jessica. “Anita was here to; she saw what Harley’s mom did and that Dexter guy. Didn’t you?” He put a hand on Anita's shoulder his finger once again in her face. "We saw something not meant for normal eyes to see."
He put a hand on Anita's shoulder his finger once again in her face. "We saw something not meant for normal eyes to see." "Hello welcome to my personal space, how may I help you?" She says gently brushing words hand off her shoulder, satisfied that she had asserted her dislike for personal contact she added. "But I agree, Shep in the nude, certainly was not for normal eye's, or abnormal for that matter."
Lacey bit her tongue at Anita's comment and turned to study the mailbox on the other side of the street, built into the shape of a John Deere tractor. Don't say nothin'....don't say nothin'. She repeated mentally to herself. She didn't often defend Shep or always agree with how he handled certain situations. But he was her boyfriend and she had been with him intimately...many times, which made the insult strike her too. No matter how hard she tried to shove negativity out of her brain, it was personal and stung her already bruised heart. Badly. She couldn't speak out though, there was no reason to risk them finding out her relationship with him because of a careless remark. Lacey took another calming breath and cleared her throat, glancing back over at the group. "Now that the cop is gone and we've said our hellos, what do y'all think of paying Harley another visit?" she said. "It's her mom ya know. I told her about what we saw, but she didn't seem to believe me. She's a valuable part of this puzzle though and if ya want any information regarding her mom, she's the girl who's got it."
“I concur with Lacey.” Word nodded. “We should get to interrogating her. I've been practicing some government methods of torture on old stuffed animals of mine.” "We aren't torturing anyone." Gale sighed. "Most of all not a friend and last time you saw blood you nearly fainted." "Fine but we are gonna question me and Jessica, the rest of you just try and not to get us killed. Harley might not be Harley anymore." The Word said and Gale responded with a wave of his hand. "Just lets go." The group piled into the back of Lacey’s pickup truck with the exception of Jessica and Joe whom followed Lacey on the way to the trailer park. --- “Oh shit!” Gale snapped as Lacey began to slow approaching Harley’s trailer. “You were right there is a conspiracy going on. “The moon has crashed outside Harley’s.” He chuckled “Really?” The Word asked poking his head trying to get a good look at what Gale was observing but a moon it was not, but a woman who could easily been mistaken for one was moving around the outside in a wheel chair. Lacey and Jessica both came to a stop and everyone exited. "Anyone know who that lady is?" Word asked. "Never seen her around here before......think she's a spy?" "Look why don't we just go up and ask?" Gale looked around. "Anyone?"
I grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her back from the group. "Should we really be doing this? I mean one was even talking about torture, it's clear that guy has an extreme case of paranoia, probably some mental disorder." I whispered, glancing at the group from the back, I then peeked over at the huge woman in a wheelchair. "He'll probably assault that woman saying she's a reptilian alien that's going to lay eggs in our brains or something." I whispered, glancing at the others once more worried.
"For gods sake she's in a wheel chair you bunch of spineless weekend warriors." Anita scoffs. "I'll ask if nobody else will. Honestly..." Anita walks up casually to the lady. "Hey, ma'am. You need something or something?' She ends with a bored shrug. "You look lost."
Almost a week had passed since that chaotic event in which Shep was kidnapped by Tiffany Sugar. Primal rescued Shep's friend from the fire he created himself and for the moment took him to his place, one of his many places. Although he technically had access to a big mansion, he wasn't the kind of soul who would spend his time on a big place without excitements. Thus he had his own small house on the outsides of the town. The place though wasn't what you would call comfortable. The place was very deteriorated and had signs of having had a fire more than once. Inside, empty pizza's boxes and beer's can were randomly distributed in almost any point of the house. What could had been nice sofas were completely dirtied and torn. There was a constant fragance of chemistry around the place, mostly the experimental "weapons" that the boy loved to craft and some bad attempts to cook his own crystals. And a dirtied bed with torn sheets occupied the center of one of these many experimental rooms, weren't to have some big windows, the boy would have surely die poisoned on his own chemicals. Mikkish soon learned that the man who rescued him was a non stop talking machine. "Heey, were did ya met that Shep's guy?" "Are you good at cooking man? I totally loved his product!" "Sooo! I know I kicked the guy down the hills, but you gotta formally introduce him to me" "Forget about my sis, she's always fucking stuff. I'll tell ya, I'm on your side. I mean, damn, you guys are awesome!" Mikkish' eyes slowly and lazily opened due to the Primal's loud mouthed and relentless yapping. "Wha...what?" Mikkish quickly realized he was in someone else's house and bedroom, but most importantly, he was in an unfamiliar bedroom with a guy "Shit dude what the fuck happened? Dont tell me we did it." Mikkish said, angrily at the idea "Fuckin Sheps always getting me in fucked up situations...." "We did nothing of nothing, I'm not into that dude!" Exclaimed the young man. "Short version, My sis was pursuing this Shep guy, and then that woman Trisha Sugar was it? caught the man and was gonna kill him, but Dexter was there and I totally had to kill that asshole, so burned him and then Shep escaped rolling down the hills and all the hill burned and you fainted 'cause Vampire hit you" The man cracked a piece of crystal in a table and inhaled its contents. "Woooohooo!!!" exclaimed. "And I have to save you, 'cause, you know? This shit of yours is awesome. Sorry if I pickpocked it, but man, this is cool" Mikkish' eyes widened at what Primal was telling him. "Holy shit! Shep is alive? Ya know where he is?" "Last time I saw him he had my shoe on his face. Had to keep appearances with my three sis there, but well make sure he escaped. I mean... no one would worry 'bout seeking him when cops and firemen arrived the place" He then handed a can of beer to the boy. "Wanna?... Not really too cold as kinda broke the freezer last week, but cold enough." Mikkish' first incentive was to dash out and go look for Shep, but his attention shifted once Primal put a beer in his face. Mikkish actually completely forgot about Shep once he saw it, taking it from Primal. "Man, I gotta say, you're actually pretty cool." He said, taking a sip of beer "So who the fuck is this vampire bitch?" "Oh The Vampire is my sis. She is the older, then it's me, then it's The Dream who is just a little princess like bitch" said taking a sip of his own beer. "We're not like blood brothers or something. Me and the other two are adopter but The Dream is Mother's real daughter. She still took a bunch of kids before having her own real one, pretty neat isn't it?" "But hey, I asked first. What's up with you and Shep. I'm totally a fan of you two." "I do jobs for him. Pay is nice. Its really cool, but he is a pain in the ass sometimes." Mikkish finished up his beer "Hey man, mind if I have another one?" Not once after Mikkish got his hands on his beer did he think about anything else about getting drunk. "Take one if you want, they're in the fridge..." stated the boy. Both spend drinking and talking for the whole day. However it came the moment when Mikkish decided he had to look for Shep. "Alright, Alright man, good luck. Hey remember you have a friend here if ya need one. And you have to introduce me Shep man, like in the official way. If ya need me to burn or make explode something just call"
The Three Meth Dealers "Those stupid fuckers." He growled blinking away tears. "Where are they?" Mikkish gave a yawn as he stumbled in, slumped over in exhaustion. "So...Shep. Know who did this?" He said, caring much more about getting back in bed than Shep's meth house. As far as he was concerned, they would find a new one. "You tell that to poor fucking Rick." Shep snorted. "That crazy motherfucker loves this shit more then I do." He pointed at the house. "Speaking of him, where the hell is he? That's the problem with junkies always late. At least I'm a functional addict." Mikkish shrugged "I have no idea where he is, but for some reason I have a feeling he is about to conveniently appear out of nowhere." Rick had walked in at that moment. He was around 5'11, tanned from being out in the sun, he wasn't very fit, he had some muscle but he also had a large beer gut, his hair was short and black but white patches were definitely beginning to grow out from the cheap dye he used to cover them. He had brown bloodshot eyes and his attire was cheap, something fit for white trash, a wife beater, which ironically what he was before his wife died, torn up jeans and work boots, though he likely never did any heavy lifting himself. "What the fuck happened?!" He asked, completely outraged, he knew this is where Shep cooked his stuff and where he always got his fix. First his little shit of a son ran off and now this?! "You're late." Shep growled bawling his fist. "Why did you let this happen Rick? How could you?" He snorted. "How the fuck is this my fault? I'm not in charge of this! You're the one playing boss! Could have gotten someone to watch the place or somethin'! Probably your fault in the first place, probably pissed someone off!" He said outraged, already pissed off about losing his supply and having to deal with shit that he had his worthless son deal with. "Oh? What!?" Shep barred his teeth. "Wise guy huh?" Rick couldn't react before Shep jabbed two fingers into his eyes. "Don't get clever with me!" Rick cried out in pain and covered his eyes. "What the fuck man?!" He asked, he delivered a quick but painful jab to his stomach. Mikkish had his brass knuckles in his pocket, but decided not to use them. Instead, his hand shot out and pinched Rick's nose. Hard. "Why I oughta..." Mikkish growled. How dare this Rick guy attack his boss? “Enough!” Shep growled grabbing Mikkish’s and Rick’s head both by their hair and smashing their skulls together. “Stop fucking fighting and listen! Can you two do that, alright?” He said glaring at them. “Can you focus?” "Ouch!" Rick exclaimed, he wanted to retaliate but he knew that he was lucky getting away with that punch, he sighed. "Yes, we can focus." He said. Mikkish shrugged and dumbly said "Ok boss." "Now carefully." Shep said. "List all the people who want hate or want me dead that you can remember." "Billy May, Roy Stewart, Billy Ray, John Jacob, Billy Bob, Ronald McDonald..." Rick said beginning to rattle off all of the names that he could possibly think of, basically, anyone that wasn't working for him either hated him or wanted him dead, even people that didn't know him personally would want him dead for his line of work. "Michael Jackson, Bernie Mac, Cecil Sanders, and I'm pretty sure Gordon Levitt doesn't like you a lot either" And so Mikkish began listing the names of dead celebrities and even a few historical figures...as well as Gordon Levitt for good measure. Even people who died in ways completely unrelated to Shep hated Shep. "Right, right." Shep said waving his hand. "Then there are fourth Reich guys, other local gangs and Harley and Harley's family." Who knew murdering, dealing drugs and trying to hold people hostage over the years could have such a negative effect on how people viewed you? He was just trying to run a business. "Okay then.....who would you two idiots say is responsible?" "Dunno, I think even a girl scout would've done it in all honesty." Rick said tilting his head. Mikkish simply shrugged "Prolly just Gordon Levitt's revenge." Mikkish paused "...Yeah...Gordon Levitt's Revenge...starring Gordon Levitt. In theaters this month." He turned to Shep with a chuckle "Hey Shep, I should go into the filmmaking business huh?" "No, no its not that Levitt guy." Shep shook his head. "I smashed his head into the wall earlier and roughed him up. He's helping with that heist I told you about earlier." Shep pushed passed Mikkish and started walking away. "Its a good movie idea though, werent it?" Mikkish called after Shep, forgetting about the meth house. "Mikkish!" Shep snapped. "What are you doing still talking, were you raised in a fucking barn!?" He growled. "Clean my fucking meth house, I'm going to go meet someone and then kill someone, when I get back I better be able eat off it or I'm gonna make you jerk me off." "Well shit!" Mikkish said, shocked at Shep's ultimatum "I sure as fuck won't be jerking nobody off. I better get to it." And with that, Mikkish immediately started cleaning up the ruined meth lab.
A terrifying friendship...blooms (god help us all.) Doreen’s head turned her dark beady eyes meeting Anita’s. “Excuse me?” She snorted. "I don't get lost, I am staying here." She turned her wheel chair fully frontal to meet Anita. "Who are you?" "Does it matter?" Anita shrugs. "Sorry for bugging you with my peace and good will. Just never seen you here before, you know Harley or something?"Anita strokes her chin a moment, "She put you in that wheel chair?" "Harley?" Doreen snorted a chuckled. "My granddaughter wouldn't know how to find her way out of a paper back let alone how to properly cripple someone, I am in a mobile chair because I am an advanced eater." Doreen smirk. "You a friend of that brat?" "I don't make friends with brats, and pardon my blunt honesty. She is far worse then a brat. No offence to you of course." Anita responds. "I must say, I admire you're honesty." "The world needs more honesty." Doreen replied. "And its fine insulting that girl might actually make her want to grow some brain cells." Odd, I actually think I like this person. Anita looks back at the group of...well the group. then back to the old lady. Silently she begins to ponder. ... ... She chooses the old lady. "A fellow cynic, nice. You want to waste time talking about how much we hate everything? I'll start." A pause. "My dumb ass family." "My dumb ass family." She responded. "And the bastards who ruined me." "Well I've yet to be ruined, of course to be ruined I first have to become something more than my average looks, average grades, dull cloths, flat chest, and caged intellect. And honestly, I'm too fucking lazy for that; and not quiet desperate enough for botox." She looks up at her strange companion. "Who are the bastards who ruined you?" "Punks like that idiot Dexter Craftian and Laplace Damon and his club of flipping morons." Doreen gritted her teeth. "Used to have it all money and power and control, how old are you? Have you ever heard of the Vector Corporation its since changed its name but I used to own it." "17. And unlike most teenagers, I do my research." Anita replies proudly. "So yes I know of vector corp. Or at least what I could find on the deep web, fucked up shit that assuming it's true." Anita shrugs "Which I can't assume, because people lie, a lot. As you say, not enough honesty." ... "Fucking politicians." "I owned politicians." Doreen sighed. "But the things you read were rumors." Doreen let a nasty smile appear on her face. "I assure you." "Everything is a rumour until proven." Anita says monotone. "Even you're assurance, no offence, but I don't make a habit of trusting...well, anyone really. Accept for maybe word, but only because he's too stupid to be cunning." Anita smirks. "You can always trust stupid people, it's the smart ones you got to be weary of, but I'm certain you of all people should know that leader of vector corp. I can tell, you are after all, one of the smart ones." "Oh I like you girl." Doreen smiled. "But you certainly didn't come here for me." She gazed behind Anita. "I suppose they dragged you here, right? Some sort of trouble I assume. "Honestly, I'm just here in rebelion against my dumb ass family. They grounded me but." Anita shrugs, "Guess I have some brat in me after all. whatever, as for them I think there here for Harley. Going to ask her questions, I assume in order to give them a false sense of purpose and usefulness. So, mind if we steal her for a bit? Don't worry we'll give her back." Anita gives Doreen a teasing smirk. "I assure you." "Well then." Doreen said. "You're out of luck. Harley ran off a bit ago and I'm afraid only me, my daughter and my idiot daughter are here at the moment." "Huh...I'm almost disappointed...almost. where did she run to?" "In all honesty." She replied. "I haven't a clue." "Hey Anita!" The Word's voice ran out. "Where is she!? You're supposed to be getting Harley not having chit chat time!" "A friend of yours?" Doreen asked. "Him? he's one of the trust worthy ones." Anita says smirking. "As for my friend. I'm not sure..." She stands facing Word as he comes within hearing range and shrugs. "Gone she ran off and we don't know where. And if you're not happy with my chit chat time, then next time grow a pair and you talk to the crippled old lady." she chuckles. "Not crippled." Doreen growled. "I am an advanced eater." "Dammit." The Word cursed turning to everyone else. "She's not here."
"Don't worry, I'll go find her." Lacey said to the group. "It was nice talkin' to y'all. We'll meet up again real soon and I'll drag Harley with me. We'll get all this straightened out." Lacey waved goodbye and then started back to her truck. There were only a few places in Graves that she could be hiding. ~~~~~~ Therapy "Thought I'd find ya here." Lacey brushed her fingers through tall grass as she approached a swaying tire swing. She remembered the day they both had come to this very field at thirteen years old, dragging that stolen tire a whole mile to make the swing. Harley had insisted on climbing to the top of the highest branch to tie the rope and years later, it was still standing. The place they had picked was where they could hear the teenagers wreak havoc across the lake, while they dreamed up all kinds of pranks they could do to them. Even now, Lacey knew her other "friends" were already getting the party started. The faint sound of music filtered through the trees as she crouched low to the ground and lay flat on her back, gazing up at the Summer sky streaked orange and pink. After a minute of silence passed between them, Lacey cast a glance up at Harley. "Wanna talk about it?" Harley shrugged. Lacey knew what that meant. "What are ya gonna do?" she asked. "Avoid him forever?" "I haven't known him my whole life." Harley muttered, her gaze fixed on the maple leaves rustling in the breeze. "And, he thinks he can barge in? That's not how it works. You can't freaking abandon someone and then expect everything to be cool!" "Well, do you know exactly why he left?" Lacey asked. "Nope." "Do ya wanna know?" "Nope." "Liar!" Lacey sat up and brought her knees close to her chest. "Ain't you a little bit curious?" "My mom used to tell me stories about him." Harley said, kicking her shoe into the dirt. "Silly fairy tales, but I thought he'd be somebody....different, I don't know..." Harley sighed. "That guy isn't him." "Judgmental, much?" Lacey said. "You've hardly talked to your dad, how can you think that? Harley rested her chin on the tire. “I can think whatever I want." "Don't mean it's true." Lacey said. "Look, all I'm sayin' is there's always a reason for everything." "Did you take that from one of your dad's old sermons?" Harley scoffed. "Seriously, Lacey, I'm sure his reason sucks. Probably worse than Doc's." Lacey grimaced. "Not sure about that Harles, cheating is one of the worst..." "Like I don't know that." Harley rolled her eyes. "But my...that man, he left Mom, he left me. All that time, gone. He will never be able to fix that." "Maybe he can't, but it shouldn't stop you from tryin'. You got lots of years left…unless you go and do something stupid." Lacey said, a hint of a laugh in her voice. "If I were you, I'd take a risk. Find out what's really up. Get to know him. See this risk as a new start...I mean heck, y'all don't got a relationship now. There's nothin' you can lose, is there?" Harley pushed off the swing, landing on her feet. "I guess." "I'm serious Harley you gotta find out! I heard something today." Lacey said. "Word, Gale, and I were talkin' with a boy that goes to Minefield and that PI lady, the one that tried to arrest Marie. But then, POOF, Copperfield comes out of thin air." Harley groaned. "Ew, I hate that guy." "Gonna hate him more after what I'm about to tell ya." Lacey leaned closer, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "Said that your dad were a criminal that led a bunch of kids in a suicide mission years back. And...they killed people." Harley stared, unblinking. "The guy's an idiot." "Word thinks he's a spook." "Oh yeah, makes perfect sense." Harley shook her head and let her bangs fall into her face. "If he were a real professional, I'd be in juvi." "He did ask about you." Lacey said with a smug smile. "Knows you've been a bad girl, messin' with Shep." "Are you freaking kidding me? That's STILL news?!" Harley face palmed. "What is wrong with this town!" "Apparently, a lot..." Lacey said. "And you started it." "Nope. Your deadbrain boyfriend started it." "But...you're the one who made him mad!" "He. Started. It." Harley blew out a hot breath and leaned back against the tree. "Anyway, how much do I owe you?" Lacey brow furrowed. "Huh?" "You know, for the therapy session." Harley said sarcastically, shoving her friend's shoulder. Lacey’s glossy lips turned up in a smirk as she gained balance and swiftly sent a punch in return, but Harley dodged. As always. The two exchanged other acts of violence until Lacey raised her hands to the sky. “Since you owe me, let's have a race! I bet I can beat ya in a swim across the lake.” A malicious gleam appeared in Harley's eyes. “Deal! Lose this bet and I'll finally get those brownies you keep promising me.” “Hey, I thought this was my payment for your therapy!" Lacey said. “Well, it's not a true bet unless someone gets something out of it. Like myself." Harley coughed. “So, you in or not?” “Yep.” Lacey slipped out of her summer dress, revealing the floral bikini underneath. She flicked back her hair and grinned at her friend's dumbfounded expression. "Cute, right? I got it on sale!" “No fair.” Harley muttered. “Well, you could…you know..." She gestured at Harley’s grungy t-shirt and black skinny jeans. Harley’s face drained of color. “NO! Never gonna happen!” “Why not?” "They are over there! I'm keeping all my clothes on, thanks." “If they see you, so what? Harley, you're far from ugly." Lacey said. “They'll think you’ve got a sexy hot bod!” "Don't start sounding like my mom..." Lacey choked back a laugh. "Your mom says sexy hot bod?" "There's always someone she's wanting to set me up with." Harley sighed. "Last week at the grocery store, she literally made me drop a whole stack of frozen foods so that the guys working there would come to my rescue. She said men love the damsel in distress and all that crap." "Well, did they?" "Yeah, but I didn't stay to talk to them." "Harley!" "What? That's how a desperate girl gets a date and do I look desperate to you?" Harley pointed at herself and shrugged. "Besides, I'm not giving my mom the credit for my love life. She can go play matchmaker with somebody else." "At this rate, you're not gonna even have a love life. Be a little more open minded, Harles!" Lacey said, picking up her pace. The music had gotten louder and they could feel the tremor beneath their feet as they descended the grassy hill and reached the edge of the lake, its murky water smacking against rocks. Harley kicked off her shoes and dipped her toes into the cool water, a relief to the humid air around them. Lacey had already waded into the lake, the depth reaching her waist. "Come on, Miss Prude!" she said, splashing water in her direction. “Let’s do this!” “You better not cheat.” Harley said, swimming over to her. "Same goes for you." Lacey face grew serious as she peered out at the horizon. “Okay…on your mark…get set….GO!” They dunked their heads under water and kicked off, limbs flailing. The distance was longer than Lacey remembered and by the time she reached the middle of the lake, her muscles were aching. She fought through the pain and continued to tread water, forcing air into her lungs. The race lasted a total of five minutes, but when Lacey landed on the shoreline, she felt like it’d been close to ten as she gasped for breath, clutching her waist. When she opened her eyes, she felt wet droplets land on her cheek. Harley was hovering above her, shining a winning, very conceited, smile. "Ha, told you!" Lacey's fist hit the ground. "It's because you're short, that's why!" She grabbed hold of Harley's hand, getting back on her feet. They stood for a few minutes, their breathing ragged as they took note of the area. The smell of musky wood lingered in the air and when they crept closer to the loud teenagers nearby, a bonfire burned bright. "I'll go get us a drink, you can come if ya want." Lacey said, squeezing water from her hair. "They ain't all bad." "Suuuure. I can already hear the angry mob screaming, 'Let's burn her at the stake like how she burned our cars!'" Harley laughed. "Rich snobs. If Gale knew I was here, he'd be pissed." Lacey bit her lip as she looked over her shoulder. "Maybe it would be best if you stay put." "Yeah, go have fun with your snobs. I should head home anyway. Oh, but Lacey, one thing." Harley paused, her expression void of any emotion. "If I don't get my brownies, you're dead."
SECRETS Injuries re-healing after being agitated, stomach pumped and back in the hospital after he’d made such a daring leave a few days ago to organize meeting among his peers or well his fellow man. No daughter this time by his bedside either but that was to be expected, conversation might have helped with the pain though that was still magically still present. Drugs helped. But the pain never stops. He sighed pressing the nurse call button repeatedly, he might as well get some damn service in this place. The door opened revealing the red-headed Abigail. "You only have to press that once Mr. Craftian." She said, her tone slightly reprimanding. "Whatever, kids need more exercise in these times anyway." He muttered with a roll of his eyes. "Now sit down." "I don't have time to sit down." she replied slightly annoyed. "I have alot of work to do. now, if you don't need anything, i'm going to get back to my rounds. " "A patient is in need." Dexter said sternly. "And with that attitude you're cut out for being a nurse, a bunch of testy women don't ya know? Anyway sit down, I need to talk to someone and your uncle isn't around." Abby let out a deep sigh then sat down in a chair near Dexter. She was wearing long sleeves but one of them had rolled part way up her arm. Straight, thin, white scars marred her forearm. A few looked like fresh cuts. "Suppose I can take my break now." She said, folding her hands in her lap. "What do you need to talk about? How you're getting my uncle into a lot of trouble again? It took him years to recover last time. I can't believe you're involving him again, after all he's gone through." Dexter raised an eyebrow his eyes giving her a twice over, he needed a smoke but eh….things will kill you eventually or hell that might be already, maybe some of that nicotine gum would help? "I'll share if you share kid, what's up with you?" He nodded at her arm. She looked down, an embarrassed flush coming to her cheeks as she quickly pulled her sleeve down. "Not your business. You're the one who needs to be doing the talking. I think Tommy is starting to drink again, no doubt because you. So what have you've gotten him involved in?" Dexter flashed a nasty grin. "See we all got something to hide don’t we? Anyway I haven’t gotten him involved in anything that he can’t handle.” He sighed. "As for the drinking, if he wants to drink then let the man drink." His shoulders relax. "Better he drink now then have to hear anymore of those AA tools." Abby stood abruptly. "If you're a friend of any sort to Tommy, stop involving him. He was just getting his life back on track!" She crossed her arms huffing, the worry for her Uncle apparent in his eyes. "So if you didn't want to talk about Tommy, what did you want to talk about. Note, I only have a few minutes of break left." "You're right." He replied his eyes going distant at her. "Do you believe in God? I don't or at least if there is a God I think he's an asshole." He snorted. "What about you?" "I believe there is one, but its the people who are evil, not him. When God gave humans free will, we chose sin and death over obedience and life. Don't blame God for your troubles. You're the one who got yourself here." Dexter let out a painful laugh. "I don't blame God for anything." He chuckled. "I've never been the obedient type, nobody's dog. No point in having freewill if you just to hell for not being a good boy." Dexter held up his hand. “Too much blood to be good, to many bodies.” He put it down. "And so very tired." He shook his head. "You're not the only one." Abby replied, a pained look on her face as if a memory tormented her. "Some of suffer, no matter how hard we try to do what's right." She turned to the door, pulling it open. "My break is over. I'll come back and check on you near the end of my shift." Dexter waved. "Don't bother, go home and watch TV or go out or visit your uncle or something. I ain't going anywhere.....hell I can't." Abigail nodded. Checking her sleeves to make sure they still concealed her secret, she left to continue her shift.
The Word sighed. “Damn we missed her and her mom doesn’t seem to be present either.” He shoved his hands his pocket. Lacey was probably hiding her, knowing how close they are. “Best to retreat for now and resume tracking tomorrow.” The Word looked at the others. “Lacey and Harley don’t seem to be returning. I’m heading home.” His eyes narrowed on Doreen. “I need to take some protective measures.” And with that the group disbanded and went home. --- Late Night Sister Talk "I need to talk about stuff!" Trisha said as she slammed a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table. Eyes pleading, she shifted a glance at her sister lounging on the living room couch with her nose stuck in a book. Hamlet...again? Trisha cleared her throat, loudly. "Want to join me, Teanna?" “You do know I don’t drink, right?” Teanna said her face stoic as she calmly shut her book. Yet still she stood and joined her older sister at the table. "Yes, I imagine we have plenty of things to discuss considering..." "This week has been crazy!" Trisha finished, while she poured wine for herself. "It was quite the surprise that you and Mom dropped by without notice too." She took a light sip and smacked her lips together. "Good surprise, of course." "Somehow...." Teanna's voice trailed off. "I doubt that Trisha. Most of all when it comes to mother." "She doesn't bother me as much as she used to." Trisha said with a shrug. "I'm fourty six now, she ought to remember that." Teanna hummed. "Well neither of you are exactly in the positions you once were and it shows. You’re a mother now Trisha and our mother? She well….she….she’s bitter.” She sighed. "Though I don't blame you or her. I knew eventually that it would come to something like this, that's why I never went into company business and it is for the best for us all." "You're right Tea, but I don't regret what happened." A smile curled around the rim of her glass. "Not at all." Teanna swallowed at that comment. “No regrets, huh?” She said quietly. “For the people you hurt and the lives you ruined.” A frown touched her lip, her head shaking. "You enjoyed all the killing and manipulating mother had you do?" "It was more than just killing and manipulating." Trisha said, looking into her sister's dark eyes. "There was goal setting, hard work towards accomplishment, and then finally the beautiful thrill of success. I made it enjoyable, Tea. I loved that job. I loved those days...with him." She breathed a heavy sigh, watching the red liquid swirl around and around. "I wonder." she whispered. "I wonder, if he still loves me." "Oh...oh sister." Teanna's frown deepened, her eyes shifting away from that maniac stare. "As for him, he um left you with Harley....remember?" "Dexter is here now though." Trisha said slowly. "I know he came back about Harley, but...maybe something is still there between us." "Well." Teanna replied. "That's up for you to decide." She said in a matter of fact tone. "But I know you and based on what I know about him, you two are very bad for each other." "And, that is what makes our relationship different than any other. A challenge." Trisha downed the rest of her wine and the glass hit the table. "Yes, we've had our mistakes and disagreements...but we have changed some since then." Teanna stared. "You.....have?" "I have! I've gotten wiser. I've learned more by having Harley than any of my days in college. She's what changed my life." Trisha rested her chin in her palm and sighed. "I wish Dexter knew her like I do. After he recovers, I should get them to spend more time together!" She sat up straight. "Yeah! Wouldn't that be sweet?" Teanna's eyes narrowed at Trisha. "He didn't want to be in her life before, do you honestly think he'll change his mind?" "If he's around her more, he will! Dexter will see how amazing she really is." Trisha said. "I'm going to make that happen!" "Trisha." Teanna said sternly. "You haven't changed and neither has he, in my time writing I've learned nobody really ever changes." She stood from her seat. "I wish you the best of luck with it though but Harley deserves better then this ridiculousness." "How can you say that!" Trisha's shrill shout echoed through the trailer. "I'm only trying to give Harley a good life with the father she's always wanted! How is that wrong?" “Because he had his chance Trisha!” Teanna countered. “It’s bad enough she has to grow up in this family but I made the best of it.” She shrugged. "We just don't need another you or mom in the family." Trisha remained silent as she swiped the second glass and quickly filled it to the brim. Within seconds, she rose from her seat and Teanna's pretty head was covered in wine, red droplets trickling down her sputtering face. "Goodnight Tea." Trisha said and without another look, she turned sharply on her heel and walked away. --- Morning “Where the hell is Dexter?” Brice asked looking around the alley he’d just cut into, the morning sun shining bright and hot enough to fry eggs on the concrete. It was a damn heat wave. "And who is this?" Brice asked “You’re fucking late and Dexter is recovering in the hospital.” Shep said and nodded to the younger boy at his side. “Is my manslave Mikkish.” “This child is your man slave?” Brice blinked. “What the hell kinda back woods country ass crank dealer are you?” “Hey man don’t judge.” Shep replied. “You’re an afro American and shit, you know all about the good if ya know what I mean.” Brice looked around holding his hands up. “Wha…Wait….you mean slavery?” “Yeah, you’d like frolic free and happy in the fields singing songs, dancin’ and all that shit right?” Shep nodded. Brice rolled his eyes as Malcolm and The Vampire approached down the alley as well, they’d been contacted to by this maniac. Something about making a good impression on the last member of their little crew.....
"GOD, this guy watches a lot of porn. Big Blonde Booty Bitches Fuck Hard, Gregor the Anal King, Star Nuts! Star Nuts...AND HE ORDERED IT ON BLUERAY!" Eliza scrunched up her nose, as she browsed through Shepley's computer history. Eliza's qualms about invasive information died years ago, but this Shepley guy could be Exhibit A for why she barely left her apartment. With a sigh she ripped off a piece of licorice, and tapped a separate screen to look at Mikkish Callanhand and Lacey Sanders. The information collected on both of them was useful to an extent but it wasn't strong enough to screw over Shepley, or even blackmail him. Her eyes quickly zoomed over the file compilations in case she overlooked something, but nothing overtly incriminating screamed at him. She had a few other names that she had pulled from phone conversations but it would take time, and Brown was already anxious for information. Eliza groaned, rubbing her face as she stood up and chucked her mic onto the side of the desk. She made her way to her bedroom, trying to figure out if she was in the mood to masturbate or read about quantum physics.She jumped onto the large queen, and fell backwards against the silky navy blue comforter with a bored expression. Her thick braided hair fell beside her and the, "Sea Monkey" sweater she wore raised up to just over her belly button. A large poster of Joseph Gordon Levitt from the film Inception stared down at her and she spoke softly,"Oh don't look at me like that. I didn't mean to watch Gerard Butler last night, but it was 300, and those abs. OH MAMA!" She paused, crossing her arms as she spoke up in a conversational tone, "Look, it's just a movie. He doesn't have what we have." She placed her hand over her chest, "Joseph! Such thoughts..you are one naughty thing aren't you. Well to bad, you lost your chance. Quantum Physics it is." She arched her back up, trying to appeal sexy before awkwardly grabbing a book from one of her small side tables. She snatched it before righting herself against her pillows, "Shut Up, LEVITT!"
The Word’s fist impacted Anita’s door several times. He was currently sporting black military fatigues, black leather gloves with a pair of binoculars hanging around his neck. Where was she? He'd called her an hour ago.....eleven times in a row and no answer, did Big Brother get her or maybe the reptiles? "Hello!?' The Word called putting his ear up against the door. "Anyone?" Zyra opens the door, she wearing exotic but colorful silk cloths. Her hair wrapped in a bright blue and gold he-jab, her eye's a deep green. She crosses her arms at the sight of him giving him a slightly suspicious look. "And who are you?" The Word stared for several second his eyes narrowing at Zyra. “I am The Word and you are?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “You a human?” Sounding offended Zyra responds with a curt "What?" "Are you one of them." He asked. "I'll have you know if you killed Anita with whatever it is your kind, does that I've got the equipment to expose your true form." Zyra balks at him now more confused than angry, her eye's squint as if staring at a distant object. "...what?..." "Where is Anita?" The Word asked again this time peeking over Zyra's shoulder to get a better look into the house. "I can't trust if you haven't been brainwashed, you could be lying." He shook his head producing a notebook and scribbling down something. "Damn reptiles." Zyra's look turns from confusion to worry. "Why...are you looking for my sister? What is she to you?" “I’m her ….” The Word’s voice trailed off. “Associate I suppose, we are investigating the strange activities the government has been performing in town.” Word can here Zyra mutter (WTF) then in arabic she shouts something upstairs. Anita pokes her head out from the top of the stairs, she's in her pj's and her hair...an outrageous bundle of curls spring of as if fleeing from the force of gravity it's self. Anita says something back to her sister before noticing Word. and then doing a delicate face palm. "i'll be right there Word just...wait at the door." Zyra says something else, it sounds disproving, Anitas response is blunt and stubborn, it's sparks a brief but intense verbal argument between the two before Zyra closes the door. A few moments later Anita comes out in plain cloths hastily put on her hair is free this time, only slightly tamed by a unfortunate comb. "Hey, you do a really good job of creeping people out you know?" The Word hummed in response. “That’s pleasant to know, the people creepier find me then the more they keep their distance.” His eyes widened and before Anita could take any more steps towards him he flew backwards. "Who are you!?" "Word, are you high?" Anita says right put off, "Or was that supposed to be a joke...don't tell me you dragged me out here, to jest..." "Only slaves to THE MAN get high." The Word replied. "Since when does Anita not wear her head dress, huh? You expect me to believe that you are YOU?" "Oh my god..."Anita mutters as she places her hand on her for head. "Your such a fucking moron..." Taking a deep, Anita calmly explains. "My hi-jab, is at most, a cultural obligation, not a religious requirement I do not have to wear it if I don't feel like it. I am not defined by it, and if you can't recognize me with out one; then clearly you have not been paying much attention to my face. Which leads me to wonder... what parts of me do you pay attention to; when we're together?" She narrows her eyes accusingly, burning straight through him putting him on the edge. The Word swallowed holding up his hands. “Okay you’re Anita, only she can be that grumpy and yeah I recognized you but if a person behaves differently I have reason to inspect such things…..ya know?” He let out a nervous chuckle. "I probably try and pay most attention to your eyes." Anita holds him captive in her furious glare, then suddenly, she laughs. It's a soft rusty sort of laugh, like it hadn't been used in a long while. "Gotcha." She chuckles again turning to walk down the side walk. "You're passably cute when you're embarrassed, barely passable, but...passable." She adds not looking at him. "Shall we?" The Word’s face turned red and he ran a hand through his hair. “Eh….huh….um thanks.” He laughed turning and starting towards his car. "We are gonna be meeting with some of the others like yesterday." He sighed. "But we are gonna be following someone in secret." "Stalkers...that's a new low for me. Who is it and why are we stalking him? Reptilian over lord I assume?" "No....remember our target is Harley's mom." He replied getting in and starting up his junker car. "Tiffany or Trisha, whatever her real name is. We are gonna tail her for the day." "A morally questionable yet intriguing waste of time! What are we waiting for?!" Anita hops in with a false enthusiasm. But a genuine grin. --- Gale greeted both Anita and Word with a smile as they pulled up both Joe and Jesscia were already present. Both Lacey and of course Harley were absent for Word’s little stalking plan. “So you found her?” Word asked Gale nodded. “We watched her walk into Forever 21.” He paused for a moment. “I think.” “You said you knew!” Word snapped. “Don’t worry.” Gale responded. “She’s around here, I saw her we just have to keep our eyes peeled like you always say
"I feel completely betrayed..." mumbled a familiar voice behind The Word. The girl with the blue hair, Marie, stood there this time showing an orthopaedic boot on the feet that was wounded by Shep a week ago. "Seriously... not even a call?" asked the girl. "Thought we were friends, sort of..." and then sighed. She wasn't precisely in the best of moods. Not only she failed to catch Shep, but apparently such task was not even important for the family, she did send a bunch of goons to Shep's house last day yet they didn't even bothered to report which easily translaters to No results. "It sure was hard to find you guys, moving all over the city" She walked with difficulty toward them, a crutch to help her. The wound Shep made seemed to be superficial, yet according to her family's doctor, it was deep enough it could had severed the Achilles tendon not to mention the structures that were already damaged, such as certain ligaments. Two weeks with the boot, short time due to some sort of luck, still a royal pain for the girl. "So... what is it that you're plotting this time?" asked the girl with curiosity. Her attitude wasn't the usual self The Word was used to deal with, it wasn't the girl that althought prone to violence, had a cheerful and friendly attitude, packing some jokes. This one was different, as if a shadow of sorts were to had been casted upon her.
Anita gives Marie and odd look. Oh ya, this was the bimbo who struck her right? And what was that about feeling betrayed? Not being called? "That psycho you're S.O or something?" Anita asks curiously. Then casually, with a minor sting in her voice Anita adds " And if you want friends you can start by not assaulting people with metal pipes...bitch." She rubs her still bruised cheek, then crosses her arms letting her minor grudge show unashamed.
Shep trampled his way through the hallway of the apartment building they’d entered, his posse following him of course. “My partner says this lady we are meeting with is one of the best computer crooks in the game.” He said turning a corner and making his way up to the final floor. “Really?” Brice said. “Why do we need a hacker for this job?” “My boy says we need it, so he’s given me the money to hire her.” Shep stopped at the third door and gave several loud knocks at the door enough so that Brice visibly jumped at the banging. "Hellooooo!!!" Shep said. "Was told you specialized in computers or some shit!" Brice sighed looking at others. "This man does not know the meaning of stealth." He muttered quietly. "What if this is some sort of sting operation?" --- “You two break it up.” The Word looked between them. “We’ve got bigger fish to fry.” Well then again, in context bigger reptiles to roast actually, nonetheless there was no time for petty arguments like a bunch of grade kids. That's just what THEY would want isn't it? "We are going to follow around Harley's mom for the day." He said. "As soon as we say her we are all gonna split into a teams of two and keep tabs on her from a distance and see what she's hiding." Word nodded at Marie. His eyes nervous. Didn't want to make this one angry. "I apologize for not calling but it has been an intense few days, ya know? Besides you saw whats she did to Shep, she's clearly not ordinary."
Marie sighed. "Whatever... Put me in the game, been fucking bored all these days" said Marie. "Also...." and she turned to Anita. "I don't remember hitting you but whatever, don't care" This was actually convenient for her. Harley's mother is related to the one who ruined her life. Besides if things play in the right way, maybe she could give a hand to The Cain in his job.
Eliza jumped up at the noise and rushed to the door quickly. She did not want her neighbors to know about her work, so this dude had to shut up fast. She walked over yelling loudly, "I HEAR YOU...YOU DON't......." Her eyes widened as she opened the door, her skin turning pale as fear ran down her spine, her voice eased down, as she stared up at the man she had been spying on for days now, "H..h..have to shout...What, what do you want?" She looked past him, her hands beginning to shake as she looked at all of them. Her lip began to quiver so she bit into it lightly, moving her eyes back to Shep, as she waited for a shot to the head, or a beating..He might not know....WELL THEN WHY THE FUCK IS HE AND HIS BUDDIES HERE!?! WE ARE GOING TO FUCKING DIE...I WARNED BROWN! I FUCKING WARNED HIM...
"What ever...so, what are the teams?" Anita asks arms crossed. "Perhaps we should start looking for her first, where did you guys say you thought she was again?"
“Shut the fuck girl!” Shep snapped. “I’m trying to tell you.” Brice held up his hands. “We come in peace amiga or at least I do, I don’t know about Shep here or the kid or the shifty looking guy……or the creepy chick with the red eyes.” He flashed a smile. “But eh, at least I won’t hurt you.” Shep snorted. "Welllll...." His voice trailed. "Can we come the fuck in and shit, I was told you'd be available for hire." He growled his eyes narrowing. "Oh, what? You too good to let us in?” --- "Teams of three." The Word replied. "Me, Anita and Marie will begin walking down to Forever 21 and see if we can spot her coming out and if not we'll simply begin searching and waiting till she appears." He looked at Jessica and Joe. "You two and Gale will be the distance team." He tossed Joe the binoculars. "With two teams both following her from different angles we shouldn't miss a thing." He nodded. "Just make sure you stay close enough to see her movements and of course we all gotta be ninja like." "Ninja like?" Gale asked. "Us?" "Yeah, is that a problem?" Word asked "Considering Anita can never shut her mouth, you always are shouting about aliens and the government, Marie's violently loud, Jessica is a snoop who wanted to arrest Marie last I checked and Joe seems to be a bit of a cowards.....I don't think stealth is where we all shine at." He replied
Eliza winced as if he'd slap her then turned to Brice, listening quietly a slight blush forming on her cheeks, as she tried to hold back tears. Her head snapped back to Shep with a glare as he snorted, "F..F...first things first..I am not some little person you...you can boss around. If you want my help, you will treat me...with..some decorum. N..now you can come in..." She let go of the door and walked over to her computer, shutting down the monitors, and turning on the video recorder. Her eyes reached up to the two cameras then back at the group, "Would anyone like..ummm..a..lemonade? Or coke?" She gulped, playing with the edges of her sweater.
Anita chuckles "Gale, you seem to be under the impression this little mission had any chance of being a success in the first place. I say stop over thinking it and just do it, let what happens happens. besides the longer we dally the farther she's going to get away, best we hurry up then no?" With that she causally began walking in the direction of forever 21.
“A beer would be nice.” Shep said crashing down her couch. “Or well or….wait do you do prostitution as well?” Brice shook his head. "Lemonade would be fine." He nodded. "Thank you and Shep here says you're good at hacking." "Well she better be." She replied. "If not then coming here was a waste of all our times." --- The Word and Marie followed Anita along. The Word catching up beside her shoving his hands into his pockets. His eyes narrowed on the doors to Forever 21 various crowds entering, exiting or passing by. Where are? Come out, come out, come out, come out …… His heart a drum keeping pace with every mental word he muttered. Where are yoy!? "See anything?" He whispered to Anita. "Think we should pick a spot to hide out and wait for her?"
Marie sighed. Word you have no idea of how to spy on someone right? thought the girl. On that same moment her eye catched the figure of a woman... not any woman, Tiffany Sugar, leaving a toy story that was close by "Isn't that her? what was she doing in Toys R Us?" said mentally, or that's what she thought. Damn, said that loud didn't I? My chances of catching her alone are totally done .
