Apartment Building in Bad Part of Town

[fabledtales]

Dahlia was soaked by the time she made it inside. She unlocked her door and went inside, forgetting to lock the door, and undressed, throwing the money and guns on her bed. She went into the bathroom and turned the shower on hot, the steam floating up like a ghost's breath.

She stood under the water, the steaming hot water cascading down her body, turning it a fire red. Dahlia took the pain, the stinging feeling, trying to cleanse her soul with the heat and pain of the water. She closed her eyes and let the stench of the man from the job earlier fall down to the drain. It rejuvenated her, taking away the mood of the day, the long, cold stormy day.

She put on her pj's and put her money in a small backpack for tomorrow and got out fresh cigg's. She looked at her stash on her side table. She picked up the box, going to the toilet, and threw it out. Three days, she could make it a fourth, she had to. She desperately wanted to go to a real rehab, but she knew that would never happen. She went to the living room, stopping off at the kitchen grabbing a few beer, and turned on the tv. Anything to distract her. She looked in the direction of the bathroom and sighed. "I would give anything to be clean" she said softly. She didn't even know what she watching, and she didn't care, she just needed to get her thoughts on anything else. Her mind jumped back to the club, and shook her head. Did he know the real reason she constantly said no? She wasn't sure, and she didn't know how long her little games with him would last, she feared the day he would just take what he wanted. She took a long drag of her cig and touched the tattoo that was near her heart. "I miss you mom" she said softly. Her blue eyes stinged with tears as she looked out the window at the storm. "I miss you a lot" she said as a tear fell.

[Raven]

The door to the apartment received a sharp knock from the metal can as Daniel’s eyes lit up with a furry of ambition and his mouth crossed with a smirk that said he knew more then you did… “Where… oh where is our little rose… Dahlia… if your in… would you mind doing a quick request for me? You see I need these documents delivered to one of our men whom have infiltrated the Russians… and I can think of no one else who I can trust to get these to him” His gloved hands moved a folder from his coat. “-Do- not lose these… these are worth more then you and myself… multiplied together…” He said taking a short step to the side, his face was as if solid marble… smooth and untouched by time or emotion. “Make sure no one else hears about this. That is on Donn’s orders… if the Russians find out about these shipping manifests they could annihilated our entire drug empire.” He took a pause lighting a cigarette up… he had never taken to the offered drugs he however couldn’t help himself with these supposed death sticks… or so his doctor told him. “Now make sure he gets them before you go home. He’ll meet you in the Southside Benedict street apartment number 609.” He moved his hand up to his collar fixing his tie as his eyes bore into Dahlia with a certain level of creepy that even the most fearless of people couldn’t help but shiver.

“Now… I must be going… I have many things to do… and Donn seems to be even busier.” He walked back to the limo that was awaiting him. After closing the door he began to hum a sweet melody, how everything fell into place it was simply… beautiful… but before he acted to rashly he wished to destroy her… ravage her spirit until it was no more then threads of its former self. It was time she learned why no one… and he meant no one fucked with him… and she had unknowingly toyed with him for so long… and now she would learn… of all the monsters of this world… man was the most vile and dangerous… for after all monsters wore their villainy openly… monsters like himself… wore guile and spoke lies.

“In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen” He spoke these words that had been embedded into his head as he was growing up. Beaten into his skull by the mother… oh he hated that woman… even when he strangled her and he felt her breath stop… it didn’t help the burning hatred for her. Now… he had a new target for his aggression… he hated his hands getting dirty… but for her… for her he’d make an exception.

He couldn’t get that dam girl out of his mind… she was something special… he could feel it… many wouldn’t notice… many weren’t like Daniel they only saw what they perceived… what rational thought allowed them… but he could see it… as minuet and slight as it was… he could see it… she held sway over him… whether he wished to admit it her she knew it… it was there. As he thought more and more his mind came back to one conclusion… she was the true monster holding sway over two of the most powerful men in the city… oh… she definitely had to die… but first punishment was needed or else it would be no more then mercy and he would lend her none of that.

[fabledtales]

Dahlia had been half asleep when she heard the knock. The tv was monotone, the couch comfy, the blanket warming her core. "Its open" she yelled and looked over her shoulder. She got up, wrapping the blanket around her, as she was only in her pj's, and came over to the man. She didn't see him often, usually it was one of the guy's or Donn himself who called her about jobs. She looked at him suspicious, "I was just at the club, he didn't say anything to me". The man shrugged and handed her the envelope, leaving before she could ask any more questions. She bit her lip, looking at the envelope. Everything in her said something wasn't right, but she knew Donn would hit her if she questioned his orders. It was a risk, and she shook her head, "No risks tonight" she said softly. She went to her bedroom and called a number.

"Hello?" A man's voice answered. "Hey Kenny, has Donn got you doing anything tonight?" "No, what's up doll?" "Daniel came by, he gave me some envelope I have to deliver." There was a pause, then "What? He sent a suit to give you a job? I didn't even know the suits knew where you lived". Dahlia sighed, "Something doesn't feel right. Can you grab a smipe and watch my back?" "Yeah sure thing, I'll come swing by your place". "Thanks Ken".

Dahlia hung up and put down her phone, putting on fresh work clothes, ones that weren't soaked. They were black, like always, it was easier to hide in shadows that way. She put on her converse though, but sighed when she grabbed them. "I guess I need new sneaks tomorrow". She put them on, tucking in her pants into the hightops. She looked at the envelope, she wanted to know what was in it, but Donn would not be happy if she opened it. He gave her these jobs because he trusted her, and it took a lot of blood and sweat to earn his trust.

She grabbed her Kevlar vest out of the closet, she was wearing it for this one, something inside her told her to go to the club, to talk to Donn, but she knew what would happen if her instincts were wrong. She sighed, "Its just because your kicking Dahlia, you're paranoid from withdrawals" she cursed herself. She put her phone in a waterproof container, tied back her hair, and armed herself, heading downstairs to wait for Kenny.

(To Benedict street)

[sonata]

Rosemary’s Baby

Time: 7:35PM

Room 32B

Hue entered Jessica’s apartment with the sullen blonde quietly following. Four bags from a pit stop at Walmart were in his hand along with his weapons tucked safely in their slings and holsters. Jessica flipped the light switch as the ceiling lights bathed the apartment in yellow. Hue walked over to the dining room table and set all his things on top of it. He had needed to stock up on hygiene and even a late-night dinner for when he was finished cleansing his body of a week’s worth of filth.

“There’s an extra bedroom. Make yourself at home,” Jessica muttered as she closed the door behind and flipped its latches. She then retreated down the long hall to her bedroom, and that was the last Hue would see of her for hours.

Time: 8:15PM

After a hot shower, shave, and trim, Hue was feeling like a million bucks. He was sitting on the couch with his Mossberg in his lap and SIGs lying on the cushion to his right. The news was on and a crisply-dressed gentleman was reporting horrendous murders. They weren’t anything new to Hue, but to someone who hadn’t come across them, it might have seen frightening or absurd. He didn’t feel a field strip was necessary to clean the shotgun as he disassembled the barrel and sprayed Rem Oil into the chamber. With a cleaning cloth, he began to polish the weapon down as over his shoulder, the middle-aged man from before passed through the apartment door and went straight for the refrigerator.

Hue arched a brow when he heard the refrigerator door open and peered over his shoulder to see that the spiritual stranger was helping himself to a few things Hue had bought from Walmart. He was wise to assume that if Jessica lived alone, and if she hadn’t been to her apartment in days that everything in the fridge was going to be pretty spoiled. He had thrown milk, bread, and even meat away.

Jessica still hadn’t left her room. She hadn’t left to eat or to even use the bathroom, so he assumed she had a bathroom in her bedroom. There hadn’t been much he could do for her. They couldn’t go to the police because the man who had raped was already dead. Justice had been served or had it really? The assault still happened. That wasn’t going to ever just go away. The demon had left an atrocious stain on her conscience.

Hue reached forward to pick up a can of Heineken from the coffee table and gulped down a few spiced swallows. He wasn’t going to be up long.

Time: 11:52PM

About nine o’clock, Hue had crawled into bed, lying on his stomach with his arms wrapped about a pillow. The apartment was dark and silent. Every now and then, the sound of vehicles whispering by outside and shining their headlights through the windows would occur. A hand reached out across the side of Hue’s face and then two fingers tapped the side of his cheek.

Hue’s brows pinched in irritation as he lifted his shoulder to his ear, feeling the fingers upon his shoulder. He shrugged at them, and then a black twisted dagger came down upon his arm. The sudden nightmare made Hue gasp sharply as his eyes snapped open. He glanced about his room and then over his shoulder to see the middle-aged man standing there with the curved, black dagger he had seen in his dreams. He put the weapon away—its purpose fulfilled—and then he pointed to his bedroom door.

Hue rolled over onto his back to gaze at the door, and then back at the spirit. The brunet sighed in exasperation and sat up in a clean, cotton tank and striped boxers. He wiped the sleep from his eyes with his fingers and rose from his bed. As he started over to his bedroom door, he muttered sarcastically, “What? Did you stop the toilet up or somethin’?”

As soon as Hue opened his bedroom door, the man was standing before Jessica’s room, giving him a solemn look. Hue stared for a moment, and then got the hint. His brows lifted in worry as he quickly strode down the hall to her room door. He grasped the knob and felt it resist his turn. Locked. He knocked on the door and turned his ear to it as he asked, “Jessica?” He received no response and he banged upon the door with the side of his fist. He was beginning to feel paranoid. Maybe he was overreacting?

“Kick the door down,” the spirit told him.

It had been the first thing he’s said since he joined him and Jessica in the truck. Hue knew it was urgent now. He stepped back and then thrust his weight and foot into the door. He did it twice until finally the strikeplate tore free to thump across the carpet inside. Hue strode in and glanced to the bed. The blankets were disturbed, but Jessica wasn’t there. His eyes darted to his left where he saw the glowing outline of the bathroom door. He walked over to it and dropped to one knee, resting his hand along the bottom to feel the heat of the bathroom and vapor on his fingers. She must have been taking a bath.

Rising slowly, Hue turned his ear to the door as he gave it a light knock. “Jessica?-” Before he could say anything else, Jessica shrieked on a pained sob, “Don’t come in here!”

“I won’t. Is anything wrong?” he questioned.

“I said don’t fucking come in here!” she screamed. She then uttered a pained cry and wail that gave Hue the chills.

“I’m coming in!” he shouted.

“No!”

Using the same maneuver he had used on the previous door, he kicked the bathroom door in as the strikeplate clattered across the tiled floor. As soon as he strode up to the doorframe, Hue’s eyes became enlarged with horror at the sight he saw. Jessica was lying in a bathtub full of blood and water. Her belly was as round as the moon, and in her fingers was a razor that he could only assume she had every intention to use on herself.

Jessica was weeping, feeling embarrassed to have been seen in such a bloated state. “Get out!” she hollered.

Hue strode forth and grasped her wrist of the hand that held the razor as Jessica cried and thrashed in defiance. “No! Let me go!”

Her slippery arms slipped through his grip and with it slid the razor that was in her hand. It cut across his palm, causing Hue to bite back a hiss of pain, and then Jessica swung the razor at him to knick his forearm that had rose to block the attempt. Hue defensively stepped back, clutching his wounded forearm with his bleeding palm. Clinching his teeth against the painful sting, he saw her motion to press the razor against her wrist. Hue lunged again to grasp her wrist and jerked the razor away. He would keep a good grip on her this time through the stings of his palm and forearm.

“No! It’s ah-!” She was interrupted by a contraction. The water became darker as her stomach uttered a groan as it moved as though a great mound had just shifted within her. It was actually moving, crawling to escape as Jessica began to pant and her feet began pressing against the wall. Her chest popped in discomfort as though she was trying to rise out of the tub as Hue stared transfixed on the water between her legs that began to grow darker and darker. Jessica suddenly went still, slumping into the bloody water as her arms were no longer resisting Hue’s grip. They had become like rubber in his grasp. He finally snapped out of his petrified condition as he gazed at Jessica’s bulging eyes and pale face. The last expression she wore was as if she had seen a ghost.

“Jessica?” he called and shook her arms. No response. He released her arms and rested his index and middle finger against her carotid pulse, and just out of his right periphery, the water rippled as a crimson skull swelled from the water. Hue’s eyes slowly rolled in its direction as the head turned around to set eyes black like oil upon him. The sight of the demon child made Hue jump to his feet and back toward the gaping door. As he backed away, its small hands grasped the edge of the tub and it clawed out, dumping onto the fluffy rug.

The enfant looked up at Hue and giggled as its lips pursed into an impish smile and its brows folded diabolically. Its umbilical cord was still attached as he crawled across the rug, soon pressing its palms to the floor to rise to its two feet. The baby was growing quickly, flying through its developmental stages as its cord drained the essence from Jessica. It pumped like a gas tube, Jessica’s fluids; youth; everything was filling its round belly as it continued to grow in size. Hue slammed the door closed before it could get any closer and stole from Jessica’s bedroom to close the next door behind him.

Where were his guns? Hue fled down the corridor and into the living room where he had set his weapons to dry. He found his Mossberg and gave it a quick inspection, opening the chamber to check if there were any rounds in it. Thank God there were, but this would be the last time he got comfortable with hospitality. He was going to keep his shit in his room!

Hue knelt next to the couch and pointed the Mossberg down the hall, waiting for the demon child to emerge. Jessica’s room door opened, creaking on its hinges in an eerie manner, much like they always did in the movies. Hue could feel his heart drumming in his head as he breathed in and out as calmly as he could through his nostrils. He couldn’t let his nerves get the best of him.

What stepped out of Jessica’s room was far from the baby he had seen crawl from the bathtub. It was a full-grown adult male. In his left hand he clutched Jessica by the hair. Her body had shriveled up to that of a 90-years-old woman and she was long dead—perhaps having passed on the moment she gave birth. The man’s umbilical cord was still attached yet it was slowly shriveling and turning brown as there wasn’t much vitality left to drain from Jessica.

When the male faced Hue, the smile that twisted on his face was pure-white though it was as familiar as ever. His hair was damp and obscuring his brows and ears, and a neglected beard had flourished across his chin and hair on his throat.

“Hey; I remember you,” the demon spoke.

Hue was stunned to recognize the voice to be that of the man he had killed several hours ago. It was Hunter! Was this what demons were doing now? They plant their seeds in women so that if they were to ever be killed they would emerge again, like a snake shedding its skin.

“You ain’t gonna shoot me again, are ya? I just got back.”

Hue was silent as he gazed at the man and slowly lowered his gun. “No.”

Hunter chuckled, feeling that the man was too scared to shoot. “Well now, where were we then? You need ta’ answer muh question. Who-”

KAPOW!

Hunter’s eyes shined in shock as a hole was torn right through his stomach. He gazed at Hue in disdain as he released Jessica’s corpse and sank to his knees.

“None. KAPOW. Of. KAPOW. Your. KAPOW. Fuckin’. KAPOW. Business!” Hue roared as Hunter’s limbs blew apart and his skull exploded like a melon. His torso slumped over across the floor with the right leg still attached. Hue stood to his feet and walked over to the corpse, releasing one more shell to detach that stubborn right leg. “Try to come back now, you son of a bitch!”

“Matthew…”

Hue snapped a hazel eye over his shoulder to regard the one that had addressed him by his real name. It was the spirit. He was pointing towards the door of the apartment. It was time to leave. His shotgun had made enough frightening noise if Jessica’s screams hadn’t. The cops were going to be showing up in a few minutes. Hue turned from the corpse to gather his things. As he did so, the spirit walked through the house, lightly touching doorknobs and running his hand over the bed. He was cleaning up every trace of Hue ever being there, but he didn’t clean the gory mess that rested in the middle of the hall.

Still in his underwear, Hue packed the wrapped sandwiches that were in the fridge in his bag and a few bottled waters. As he walked out of the kitchen, the spirit entered the kitchen behind him, touching here and there. Hue stole out the door into the complex hallway, planning to return to the truck he had stolen off the rednecks demons.

“Don’t look back,” the spirit told him from behind.

Neighbors began opening their room doors to gaze down the hall and exclaim, “Look! There he goes!”

Hue had every nagging urge to turn his head to gaze at those who had seen him, but he kept straight on his path, descending the concrete steps out into the parking lot. He raced to the truck, lugging the heavy backpack, coat, and shotgun. The backpack was weighing on his shoulders, being heavier than it was before he went to Walmart. He opened the truck door and threw his backpack and coat to the foot of the passenger seat. He then slid the shotgun carefully into the seat despite the safety being on.

The spirit Hue would never see again. Maybe not never, but he wouldn’t see him for a long time since that incident. Hue cut on the truck and rode out of the parking lot onto the road. He didn’t drive too fast or he’d look suspicious, but as his eyes glanced up into the rear view mirror, he saw the renowned blue lights flashing behind him and the fading wails of sirens. Thank God he escaped.[/size][/font]

[fabledtales]

Dahlia was smoking her last cigarette when her eyes were assaulted with colors no hired gun wants to see. "Stop the car..omg stop the damned car". She jumped out. There were cops all over her apartment building. Kenny turned off the car and stood behind Dahlia as she came over to one of the people who lived in the building with her. "What's going on?" "Some old woman died" was all he said. "They can't explain the blood. They say it looks like a home birth but they found an old woman". Dahlia heard the scrape of the wheels as they brought out the body. She looked at Kenny and he knew that look in her eyes, it was just too much tonight, she was likely to relapse. "Let me call the gf" he said as he walked away.

Dahlia tried to get in the building but they blocked her and she cursed. She closed her eyes and sighed relief when it was on the floor below her. She felt Kenny's hand on her shoulder. "You're not relapsing tonight, I'm staying". She shook her head but Kenny gave her a look equal to Don's when the joking was over, "No. I want this time to count, you're too young to burn out". Dahlia let Kenny put his hands on her shoulders. Kenny still surprised her, a hired gun with a heart, there weren't too many assassins who cared about people, but perhaps that's why she hadn't yet lost her heart to the cold wrath of death, Kenny refused to let her burn out like a candle.

[pristorn]

Detective Anthony Burdock
Another Night in the City

Police lights broke the relative stillness of the evening as Tony pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. The area was forgetable, much like the dozens of other nameless housing districts that dotted the landscape of Angel Falls. The flashing illumination of the police crusiers lit upon the old brick walls of the complex, showing Tony a flashing glimpse of residents peering out of their windows, curious and afraid of what had transpired.

His SUV eased slowly into an open parking spot as Tony cut the engine and gathered his things. He absently checked the pistol in his shoulder holster, as well as his secondary strapped to his right ankle. Satisfied, Tony exited the vehicle, his usual cup of coffee in hand. It would be another long night it seemed. Like most nights.

Tony flashed the badge that hung from the chain about his neck as he ducked under the police tape, the perimeter officers offering solemn nods in return. Spying the officer in charge of the initial response, Tony stepped over to be briefed on the particulars.

"Hi there, Greg. What have we got?" Tony knew the Sergeant in charge only slightly, having worked with him on a few cases. The uniformed Sergeant offered a tired smile in response, shaking his head, "Tony, I got a mess in there is what I got...and a bunch of unanswered questions."

Greg continued as Tony sipped his coffee, listening, "Initial response was to screaming and shots fired. Residents thought it might be a domestic dispute gone wrong, but when we got here, we found a bloodbath. Two vics. First is an unidentified John Doe. Several shotgun rounds at mid to close range. They'll be cleaning the bastard up with a damn sponge. Second is an unknown female, residents think it could be the apartment's owner, woman by the name of Jessica Noirot. Cause of death is still unknown."

Tony raised a brow at the report, looking over to at the apartment in question. The door was still open as there was a steady stream of traffic back and forth, "You think it might be the owner? What's going on here, Greg? What's the problem?"

The Sergeant sighed, shaking his head, "You won't believe me even when you see it. The resident was a young woman. The vic found is some old lady, though the descriptions match somewhat. Besides that, the female vic has blood everywhere...especially the bathroom. The ME's are still checking, but they think it might have been some type of abortion or something gone bad."

Tony nearly spit his sip of coffee, coughing a moment. Had he heard that right?"You're telling me the vic you found was some geriatric with a possible baby? What the fuck are you saying, Greg?"

Greg threw up his hands in response, still shaking his head as if he didn't believe it himself had he not seen it, "I know what you're thinking. Go take a look for yourself, Tony. I'm telling you, we've stumbled upon some crazy shit tonight."

Tony eyed the Sergeant for a moment, then simply nodded. Turning to pace over to the doorway of 32B. Inside uniforms seemed to be everywhere, and from the entrance Tony could already pick up the sharp smell of blood. Making a grimace, he could feel a bad taste rising in his mouth. Casting a glance forlornly at his coffee, Tony tossed the cup into a trash bin before entering the apartment.

The small place buzzed with activity. Forensics was miling about here and there collecting samples, while several of the medical examiners seemed gathered at the beginning of the hallway, speaking amongst themselves.

"...need to bag each part individually...maybe luck out and pull some trace....Shit that's a lot of blood....Dude did you see the bathroom??....think I'm gonna be sick for a week..." Tony picked up bits of the converstaion as he advanced through the tide of uniforms before finally making it through to see the hallway for himself.

The scene was a massacre. The end of the hallway was sprayed in blood and vicera. The male vic, or more appropriately what was left of him, lay sprawled across the floor and back wall, centered in front of the bedroom door. Definately a shotgun. Close range for sure. About four or five shots. "Somebody wanted that guy dead..." Tony caught himself mumbling to himself. The ME's apparently had reached some type of decision because they had broken from their huddle and begun the process of collecting the evidence that once was a human being. Limbs and body parts going into smooth plastic biohazard bags. All meticulously tagged and labelled. Article 1: Male right arm. Article 2: Potential pieces of jaw. Article 5: miscellaneous tissue. Tony relied on his years of experience and training to fight the sudden urge to vomit.

Forcing himself to continue, he stepped carefully around the mess to get a better look at the female victim. She looked ancient and haggard. Her last expression appeared to be one of anguish and fear. Dark blood and tissue appeared to errupt from what was left of her lower body, as if something had tried to crawl its way out from within. failed abortion my ass.

Feeling nauseous and beginning to sweat, Tony continued into the bedroom, making note of the broken doors. The bed seemed disheveled but otherwise untouched. The initial confrontation had definately been in the bathroom.

The white tiled floor gave a horrifying contrast to the crimson stains and smears. The tub seemed a grissly ooze of tissue and fluids. A yellow fluffy bathrug lay kicked off to the side caked with dried blood. Tony held his breath due to the smell. Glancing about quickly, his eyes caught sight of the glint of metal. Noticing, Tony's eyes locked onto a lone razor which had been knocked aside, now resting almost behind the toilet. Blood pooled around the blade. Glancing between that and the tub, Tony's mind spun with ideas. Was this at first a suicide attempt? Or had one of the vics tried to defend themselves?

Gratefully withdrawing from the residence to the open air of the parking lot, Tony barked quick orders to one of the examiners, "Make sure they get samples of everything. Especially that razor behind the toilet, it could have blood from a possible attacker." Tony breathed deeply of the cold night air, trying to clear his nose of the stink of the scene and ease his stomach. Returning back to Greg, he felt tired and still a little sick, but was back to business, "Any witnesses?"

The Sergeant was filling out some papers on a clipboard, glancing up at Tony once he spoke, "I told you it was crazy in there, didn't I? I've been on the force ten years, and I ain't never seen shit like that." Greg shook his head once again, "Residence saw a male suspect fleeing the scene, but couldn't get an ID on him. He was up and out of there as soon as the shots were fired though. Left in some truck. No luck on plates, people say it happened so fast."

Tony sighed, somewhat defeated. So much for an easy close. He thought over the scene in his head, trying to make sense of it all, "Keep canvasing the area then, somebody had to have seen something useful..." Tony's mind focused once again of the forgotten razor, "And put an APB out for a male with possible injuries from a razorblade. Maybe we'll get lucky, and one of our vics got a piece of the guy before he left."

[fabledtales]

Dahlia heard Kenny clear his throat behind her and she sighed and handed him her pistols, which he quickly put into the suv. Dahlia waited in the lobby with several others who were waiting to go to their apartment. The elevator had been broken since long before she moved here so the only way up was the way the cops were blocking. She noticed a detective come down and she approached him. "I'm sorry, but some of us really would like to get to our apartment, how much longer you going to block us off?" She was agitated and Kenny looked at her like she was crazy. Dahlia just wanted to go inside and go to bed, but the cops told her she had to wait. Dahlia got a little pale as she saw some of the pieces that were being brought down and Kenny sighed, "I think its time for you to move" he muttered. She was soaked from waiting outside in the rain...again, and she felt sick from withdrawals, her body screamed at her to lay down.

[pristorn]

Tony listened to the woman's complaint, nodding absently. He hadn't been responsible for the setting up of the perimeter, but he could understand her agitation with having to wait.

"I apologize for the trouble ma'am. The officers are doing their best to deal with the situation as quickly as possible. I'll have someone escort you through to the stairs." Tony waved one of the watching uniforms over, motioning to the growing crowd.

"Try and get some of these people to their apartments would you? Be sure we have statements from everyone, and send them on their way. As for anyone near the crime scene, look into getting them somewhere if they need it. Who knows how long it'll take to get things situated."

Offering a tired smile to Dahlia, he offered for her to follow the police officer, "Again I apologize for the inconvience ma'am. This officer will take a quick statement and escort you. Please have a good night."

[fabledtales]

Kenny sighed with relief as they made their way up to the apartment. The copper began to ask her questions, writing them down, she answered them the best she could. "I've been out all night, my boss is a slave driver" she said with a grin that wasn't from happiness. "And what do you do, and for whom?" She sighed, what was the cover story? It wasn't like she was in the good part of town much to answer these questions much. "I'm a personal assistant for Viperanguise Corporation". The copper nodded and wrote it down. "Are we done?" she said as they made their way to the front door. The copper seemed to be looking at the pad, and said, "Yeah, I guess. What about him?" he said pointing to Kenny. "He's my bf, and if you don't mind, we kinda had a long day, looking forward to going to bed". The copper blushed and walked back towards the stairs. Dahlia went into the apartment with Kenny and closed and locked her door.

She sighed, happily kicking off her drenched sneaks and went into her bedroom and put her pj's back on. Kenny smiled, "Aww, is that penguins on your pajamas?" She rolled her eyes and ignored the question. She sat on the couch and Kenny sat next to her. "How much is he paying you on the books?" he asked. "5.25". Kenny coughed as he took a drink from his own water bottle. "Holy hell Doll, he pays me 12 on the books". She looked at him, "I'm filing a grievance, overworked and underpaid". Kenny grinned, "Don't forget sexual harassment, I hear girls get paid off in the millions for that". Dahlia half laughed and switched on an old movie, "Yeah, I can see that happening, I'll just go right down to the BBB tomorrow." Kenny smiled, "I'll drive you". Dahlia shook her head and laid down on the couch. She put her hands to her head and sighed. Kenny pat her leg gently, "It gets worse before better, but once you beat it you feel so much better". She felt like a gremlin was inside her head scraping at it, the need to use almost consumed her thoughts.

[Raven]

After the apartments had cooled down slightly a black plateless sedan squealed to a stop outside the apartment, facing it with its passenger side. Both windows rolled down the barrel of an AK-47 appearing from the passenger window while the long oddly shaped missile of a an RPG extended from the back window. A haunting silence filled the air before the night was broken as the RPG fired, its round swirling as it collided with Dahlia’s front window. The RPG recoiled replaced by a second AK-47 both of which began to unload on the apartment. The sunlight was pulled open as a Russian suit rose and lobbed a Molotov sending up deadly flames. “GO go go!” One of them shouted as the car speed away. Once more silence over took the night… all except fort he crackling of fire. //there was a good minuet pause when they stopped before they fired the RPG so it is possible that being a member of a gang you knew things were about to go to hell when a car sequels to a stop outside your house.//

The group of four ditched the car beneath a bridge leaving a very special present for any police who found it. They moved away quickly Changing before they entered a second car that was parked nearby. All was going according to their orders… their was clearly no way anyone could survive that… or the implications that came with it. //This for the record is how the Russians ‘burn’ bad informants.//


Daniel answered his phone shooing away one of the girls from the club whom was on his lap. “It is done? The message… was delivered?” He smirked “Good… very good. I will inform Donn once he returns of this tragedy.” He bowed his head making a cross over his heart. “Blessed is the Father…. The Son… and the Prince of Darkness…” He said with a chuckle as he inverted the motion. He motioned the girl back over after he had hung up. “Now… where were we sweetheart.”

[fabledtales]

Dahlia had fallen mercifully asleep. Kenny was stretched out, his feet on her coffee table, rubbing her leg gently, like a brother would to comfort a sister, and his touch gave Dahlia one of the dreamless sleeps she had in a long while. Kenny flipped the channels, yawning, thinking about sleeping seeing Dahlia peacefully. He was jerked violently awake as he heard the shattering of glass and the the feel of an explosion as both him and Dahlia were ejected from the couch.Dahlia and Kenny fell, Dahlia fell at a weird angle over her coffee table, hitting her head. Soon after bullets came flying into the apartment, nearly hitting Dahlia several times and Kenny came over, covering her. Dahlia's eyes were wide with confusion and fear. "What the frack, are Russians attacking in Donn's territory?" he cursed to her. She didn't get a time to respond as something was thrown into her apartment. It hit the window, bounced on the floor once, and conveniently rolled into the kitchen. The stove was far too old, and the wiring to the natural gas had been eaten away after a decade, and fire met its tango dancer, gas. It exploded, knocking the both of them flat. "Is there a fire alarm?" Kenny asked. Dahlia moaned, and then looked around, finally shaking her head. "I'm getting you the frack out, then I'll get the building." Kenny wrapped the blanket around her, turning the doorknob, burning his hand as it was already hot. He shoved her towards the stairs going down. "Get out now before I pick you up myself!" Kenny quickly rushed upstairs, knocking on everyone's door. Dahlia began going downstairs, screaming fire, the building becoming alive with action, as people were alerted. She half stumbled down the stairs, but finally the lobby came into view.
Dahlia sat down, feeling sick, as blood dripped down her face. She could hear screams, someone was trapped. She began to feel the sting of tears, but the screams stopped. She looked up and soon more people began pouring out from the fire escape, the stairs.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Kenny. Kenny picked up Dahlia and carried her to the car, getting in. He got in on the other side. He called Donn, "Fuck Donn, for once stop playing with the girls, answer your damn phone". He realized too late that the whole message was recorded. "For the love of god Donn, call me back, Dahlia was attacked in your territory, I'm taking her to the hospital, she hit her head". He hung up and leaned over Dahlia putting on her safety belt. He flipped the music on loud. "No, that hurts" she moaned. "Deal with it, you're not slipping into a coma". He turned on the car and drove a frightening speed to the hospital.

(To Hospital {Everywhere Else})

[pristorn]

Tony had been fruitlessly trying to sleep when his cellphone rang. WIth a low groan his hand shot out from under the covers, fishing about his nightstand for the source of the noise. Once in hand, Tony lifted it to his ear, his voice low and obviously tired, "This is Detective Burdock."

His eyes shot open at the response as Tony sat up quickly in bed, "What?? An explosion? Wait wait....slow down." He narrowed his eyes concentrating on the stream of information, "A fucking RPG? Was anyone hurt??"

By now Tony was on his feet, stumbling about in the darkness of his small apartment, trying impatiently to gather his clothing, "Yeah yeah...the same place as the bloodbath...that's too much shit in one night to be coincidence. Get me everything you can on the complex. Who owns it, their business dealings, the owner of the apartment attacked, everything. Let me get dressed and I'll be over there in twenty." Tossing the cell aside, Tony was now wide awake. Finding the light, he dressed quickly, gathered his things and was out the door in minutes. First a double homicide and now some kind of gang hit... This city is going to Hell quick.

With his driving and the flashing of his police lights and siren, Tony made it back to the apartment complex just under the twenty minutes prescribed. His SUV lurched to a quick stop as he opened the door to get a better look at the fiery blaze that was several apartments on the second level of the buildings. Fire fighters were already in a tough battle with the raging fire, trying desperately to quell the spread of flames. They seemed to be getting the incident under control, though the destruction was already apparent. Where once was apartments, now stood only a blackened and open maw belching a steady column of smoke. Halfway across lot, Tony could already feel some of the residual heat from the fire. Police were quickly working to establish yet another perimeter, this time holding back a growing crowd of residence who watched on numbly as the fire threatened their homes, while already destroying others. Afterward, Tony was sure many would find themselves without a place to live. He felt a pang of sadness for the unsuspecting citizens who had just awoken to find they now had nothing.

"What do we know so far?" Tony called to an officer standing back as he made his way into the blocked-off area. The uniformed man blinked a moment before replying, "Detective...so far it looks like some type of gang hit. We've confirmed use of an RPG. Residence also say they heard shots fired. Probably some kind of automatic weapons, maybe AKs. The apartment under attack was at the center of the damage..." The officer pointed to indicate the spot, now little more then debris and smoke.

Tony glanced about the area a moment, raising a brow, "Do we know who was in the place? Are they still alive?"

The officer nodded, but could only offer a shrug, "It belonged to that woman you asked to have escorted earlier this evening, during the homicide investigation. Residents haven't seen her or her friend, but the fire fighters haven't found any bodies as of yet."

Tony thought a moment, trying to remember the woman's face. She had been upset about the wait he recalled, "Alright, keep searching and let's try to find someplace to put these people. We can't have everyone just waiting out in the cold." Tony glanced around at the apartment residents, "And check with the hospitals about any injuries that could match with the attack. No one could get away from that without being hurt..."

The officer nodded and rushed off to carry out the orders, leaving Tony once more with his thoughts. Watching the scene before him, Tony ran a hand through his hair. His body ached tiredly though his head felt wide awake. What the hell was going on in the city? The sudden surge of violence offered little in the way of assurance.

With a sigh and a shake of his head, Tony pushed his thoughts aside for the moment, and went back to helping with coordination of the scene. He'd have plenty of time for questions later.

[Bogwoppit]

the stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

[/font]

Natasha had been sound asleep. She had slept right through the initial police presence, mainly because her father's and Christine's apartment was on the top floor, at the back of the building, but also because she was utterly exhausted from a full day on her feet.

Christine had, predictably, started in on her the moment she walked through the door... Her room was a mess (not true) and she hadn't taken the trash out (true) and Ryan was sulking because he hadn't been allowed to stay up late to see her when she got home from work...

Just how that was her fault Natasha had no idea. Christine knew she worked late on Fridays. Still, she knew from experience it did no good whatsoever to argue with her, so she had nodded absently and gone straight to her room.

When she heard the explosion she seemed to have been asleep for only five minutes, and she had been having the weirdest dream... something to do with feathers... She leapt out of bed and ran down the hall, meeting Christine coming out of her room on the way.

"What the hell was that?" Christine yelled, and Natasha winced. "Get your brother!"

Natasha did as she was told, slipping into the boy's room and shaking him awake. Together the three of them ran down the stairs and out into the cold night, blinking. Natasha had on only a thin vest and baggy PJ pants, with nothing to keep her warm. Ryan was at least wearing fleecy PJs, and anyway it was a known fact that boys didn't feel the cold.

Blue lights were already flashing lazily as police tried to organize people, and Natasha allowed herself, together with her brother and stepmother, to be herded like sheep to the other side of the courtyard, where she stood in a daze staring up at the big hole in the fourth floor wall.




you left me in the dark[/center]

[pristorn]

Hours past as the police effort organized and the fire fighters finally beat the inferno into submission. The gaping hole on the fourth floor continued to smolder absently, though the immediate fire and danger had been tended to. Investigations confirmed the cause of the fire to be some form of explosive. Combined with the reports from residents of sounds heard during the attack, the police were relatively certain that an RPG had indeed been used, coupled with AK-47 gunfire and a molotov. Faced with the new evidence, Tony felt certain that the incident had been some form of gang warfare.

Which begged the question, What did that woman have to do with it all?

Tony sorted through the various reports and paperwork as he finished his third cup of coffee. The gathering of information from the locals was an arduous process to be sure, but if it got them closer to knowing what really happened, it was worth it.

"Detective Burdock, we've finished gathering statements from all the residents. Everything seems to agree with the theory of organized gang violence. We've got a bus ready to take the folks out of here. Any other orders?" The officer speaking to him couldn't be older then 25. A rookie. This was probably his first big assignment. Burdock could sense the eager energy from the kid. Glancing to his nameplate, Tony noted the name, "M. Taylor"

"That should be good enough for now Taylor. Let's get those poor folks somewhere they can rest for what's left of the night. Make sure Forensics get's in there though. I want a full mock-up by mid-day. We've been given world from brass that overtime is authorized. Time to earn that pay."

Taylor beamed and nodded curtly at the instructions, running off to carry out his assignments quickly. Burdock watched his run off with a tired smile. It seemed only yesterday that he remembered his own beginning assignment. He had been just as anxious. Ready to save the world.

Glancing back up to the destruction of the fourth floor, Tony absently wondered, What kind of world was he trying to save?

[Raven]

A large SUV Pulled up its siren flashing. The letters C.I.S. painted on its sides. David stepped out straightening his vest and pulling on his sunglasses. He lit a cigarette idly putting it into his mouth moving it around with his teeth. He flashed one of the cups his CSI I.D. badge. “The scene secured? Or I’m I going to have to wait a while…” He brushed his hair back before fixing his shades. “Crime Scene Investigation De’Rei who here is in charge anyways…” Looking around for the person who looked the most self important. He walked over the SUV taking out several cases and bringing them over.