Dream City Ch. 08

The following morning I contacted Big Mo to pick up the cycle and have it ready for me. She wasn't too happy when I told her where I left it; fearing that it might get stolen and come out of my pay. At least the damn thing wasn't damaged. I sat by my living room window, looking out for any more surprises coming my way.

The subject was put aside once Sadie got out of bed, wearing my leather coat, and her eye patch back on. She sat on my lap, kissing my temple and putting her arms around me. My hand slowly caressed her smooth shaven thigh. Everything about her was smooth. Her soft breathing was soothing in my ear. My other hand slipped under my coat, getting a feel of her back. Slowly, I reached down her butt cheeks, admiring the soft touch under my fingertips. Sadie moaned quietly, letting me know she enjoyed what she felt. We could explore each other's bodies all day long if we wanted to, but I needed to focus on the mission at hand.

"They're still out there?" She asked.

"Yeah," I said, "they're still out there, planning their next move. I can feel it."

"What do we do now?"

I didn't enjoy the "we" part. I needed no partner in my line of work.

"We don't do anything," I told her, "they're chasing after me, remember? They started this fight and I'm gonna finish it."

"But I was the one who got you in this catastrophe."

"Doesn't matter."

Sadie rose from my lap in frustration, ready to start an argument. Unlike the other women in my life, Sadie was different from all the rest; not the type to whine and complain like a child.

"It does matter," she said. "Prude is still out there somewhere. This is my fight than it is yours."

"Sadie, best you can do is go home and lay low for awhile."

"You won't survive without me and you know it. For fuck's sake, what do you intend to do when another helo comes your way and I'm not there to save your ass?"

"Look, I'm grateful for you and Julio watching my back, but this is dangerous territory. Whoever is in charge is not going to stop until I'm out of the way. Those choppers were sent by someone with the power and the connections to pull off last night's hunt. There was something-."

I suddenly remembered something about those choppers. During the exchange of fire there was writing underneath each one. What it said I couldn't remember, so I was fucked.

"What?" Sadie asked.

"Writing. There was writing underneath the choppers, but I don't know what it was. It could be important and I don't fucking know what it was. Shit."

"Wait."

"What? Where are you going?"

Sadie picked up her coat, pulling out her cell phone. Quickly, she turned it on, showing me footage of us being chased in the cab. All of it in living color.

"You were recording that whole time?" I asked.

"You told me to keep my head down so I-."

I snatched the phone from her hands, playing the footage backwards and forwards, searching for the mysterious writing that popped in my head.

"Oy," said Sadie, "that's a new phone."

"Good, mind if I borrow it?"

I looked it over from beginning to end. The filming stopped when the chopper crashed in front of Julio before he charged right through it. I paused it and noticed the initials right under the chopper. I enhanced the picture, getting a better look at what appeared to be three letters.

"CPD," I said, "CPD?"

"What is it?" Sadie asked. "Does it mean anything?"

Before I said anything else, I figured out what each letter stood for.

"CPD. Creakton Police Department."

"The police?" Sadie said.

"Creakton. That's upstate, exactly where...Seagull Island is."

It was all starting to make better sense once the pieces of the puzzle came together.

"What is Seagull Island?" Sadie asked.

"Seagull Island Penitentiary," I said. "Located in Creakton County. It's where the assassin came from."

"The one who killed Frankie?"

"Exactly, and whoever is in charge of the operation arranged to have him released to take me down. Those choppers were all the way from upstate. The weapons, however, were military grade, and the one pilot I fought was a soldier."

"How do you know?"

"He used to have the same exact tattoo as I have. He had the same scar and same design on his arm."

"I don't understand. Why would soldiers fly police choppers armed with military weapons?"

"Flying military choppers in the middle of the city would raise a lot of questions. It's a smart move. The one in charge made it all happen from the moment you hired me."

"Who is in charge, and how can they know about you being hired by me to find Prude?"

"They probably have spies everywhere. For all I know your customers or your own people could be spies."

"Prude and the military? I don't believe it. It doesn't make any sense."

"Otto is also the key to all this, if I could find him. Are there any other hangouts I might find him at?"

"You mean besides Medusa Manor? No. I don't exactly keep tabs on that fucking twat."

"Damn. I'll worry about him later, but first things first, I'm taking you home."

"Johnny, don't shut me out."

"Get dressed."

We could have argued all day, but I wasn't in the mood nor did I have the time. After we finished dressing and stepped out in the hallway, we ran into Rita's date. He was young just as I thought; looked to be mid twenties and athletically built. Rita was in her late forties and still looked good for her age. There she stood by her door, wearing a silk robe and teddy, getting my full attention like only she knows how.

"Good morning, Johnny," she said.

"Morning, Rita," I answered. "I see you bagged yourself another toy to play with. He certainly knew how to make you scream."

"Oh, you heard that?"

"The whole world heard it."

"Well, I couldn't help myself. He's very...gifted."

"I'm sure."

"So, who's your friend?"

"Sadie, this is Rita. Rita, Sadie."

"Pleased to meet you," said Sadie.

"Pleased to meet you," said Rita. "She's beautiful. I love the eye patch. It makes you look tough and rugged, and Johnny loves that. He loves strong women."

"Really?"

"All right," I said, ending the conversation quickly. "We've wasted enough time already and we need to go. Goodbye, Rita."

"Bye, Johnny. Nice meeting you, Sadie."

"You too."

I rushed over to the elevator, punching on that up button as quickly as I did. Lucky for me my conversation with Rita ended before it even started. The woman has said nice things over the women I've brought over, most of the time saying too much on the subject of sex. I didn't need Sadie to receive advice from a sex fiend like Rita.

"She seems nice," said Sadie.

"Yeah," I said, "a real sweetheart."

"I still can't believe you haven't pulled her knickers down. She's quite attractive."

"Can we change the subject, please?"

"Oh, Johnny did I embarrass you?"

"Go ahead and laugh it up. Just get it out of your system so we can move on."

"Just saying."

"Yeah, I heard you. Come on, what's taking so long?"

Meaning I was complaining over the elevator's lack of timing. However, when the elevator doors did open up, a familiar face stepped out with weapons blazing. Another day with Mumbo Jumbo.

"Down!" I shouted, shoving Sadie to the floor.

I grabbed Anton's arms, forcing him to fire his gauntlets at the ceiling while he dragged me right smack into the wall. Bits of plaster and dust rained down upon us. Anton was more angry than before; no question he wanted payback on the embarrassment I caused him at Mulligan's Stew.

"Sup, bitch," he said. "I told you I had plenty of time to fuck your shit up."

"Sorry," I said, "you're not going to be handling my shit anytime soon."

One knee to the rib cage was enough to piss him off. One fist had my name on it, but I ducked out of way, getting him to hit the wall instead. With his hand hurting I charged at him, pulling a few punches into his rib cage. Anton struck back and we went at it. One punch after another, a block here, a block there, making each other bleed like two heavyweight fighters going at it. To him I was more like a lightweight.

Anton drove two fists into my shoulders, forcing me down on my knees. A knee to the face knocked me on my ass. I pulled out my shotgun until Anton kicked it right out of my hands. He put his size eleven foot on my chest, with his gauntlet aimed directly at me. I never pictured my life ending this way.

"I got you now, bitch," he said.

I was ready for my head to blow up from the blast of his gauntlet, until luck came my way unexpectedly. Sadie got up, delivering a kick to Anton's balls from behind. It felt like the air in his lungs got sucked out. The pain was so fierce he lost his focus on me, giving me the opportunity I needed. A spinning kick came his way and a couple of punches to the face sent him reeling. He took a swing at me and missed. I swung and connected, along with a swift kick to the back, sending him into the elevator. I pressed the number ten button, sending him on his way. He started firing his gauntlets but it was too late.

"You all right?" I asked Sadie.

"Never better," she said, wiping the dust off her coat.

"Thanks again. Let's go."

I picked up my shotgun and we both took the stairs. Sadie stayed right behind me while I took the lead, looking out for any more surprises.

"I'm guessing," said Sadie, "that was the assassin."

"You guess right," I said. "We need to get out of here. By now he's mad as hell and he'll probably tear the whole building apart just to get to me."

All was clear once we reached the lobby; not a soul around except us. Still, I remained in the lead keeping a close watch.

"Let's go," I said.

"Wait," said Sadie. "You don't have your air cycle. How are we going to get out of here?"

"Hopefully, we'll find another cab that will-."

I was interrupted by a large butcher knife that nearly tore my face in half. The owner of that knife belonged to another inmate from the island. This was the one guy I didn't want Sadie near.

"Run!" I shouted.

"Johnny," said Sadie.

"Go! Now!"

She did what I said. If I knew her she'd probably be waiting outside for me. First I needed to deal with the fucker who forced me to drop my weapon. I had a hold of his wrist, keeping his knife as far away from my face as possible.

"How you doing, Johnny?" He said. "Did ya missed me? I missed you very much. I thought about you since day one, and now I'm sending you to your maker."

His name was Zane Kowalski, AKA Zane Six. The press named him, "The Six Six Six Killer." The reason why was because he once said that he would wait six minutes, and six seconds to stab his victims six times, right after abducting them with chloroform. He had the numbers tattooed on his cheeks and forehead, letting his victims know who he was and what he planned to do to them.

He was the most vicious serial killer this city ever had. A twenty thousand dollar bounty was put on his head and I collected, right before beating the shit out of him after discovering his next victim was going to be a ten year old girl. His stay at the island was supposed to be permanent, but I guess the powers that be wanted to keep the hunt going by releasing the lowest form of life I ever dealt with.

"You too, Zane?" I asked. "You should be home in your cage."

"I'm back Johnny. In six minutes I'm going to open up your throat and piss down your larynx. As for that girl who ran past me, when I find her I'll do her in six seconds. This is my city, and I'm here to reclaim what's mine."

"Bullshit."

A couple of fists to the face stunned him, and I slammed him against the wall, forcing him to drop the knife. Zane wasn't much of a fighter or even a worthy opponent. An elbow to the back of the head knocked him down flat on his face. He struggled to get up but I stopped him by striking him down with the nearest waste basket I could grab. Twice I let him have it until he was out cold.

I picked up my weapon, rushed right outside to see if Sadie was all right. She was waiting for me, but someone else was there keeping her company. I was now face to face with inmate number three; another lowlife who loved inflicting pain on others.

"Hey, John boy," he said, "long time no see."

I aimed my weapon at the fucker but I had no shot of him, due to the fact he had his arm around Sadie's waist, using her body for a shield.

"Not another step, hero," he said, carrying a blowtorch aimed directly at her face. "You know what I can do to human flesh, especially, the pretty ones."

His name was Nicholas Stokes, AKA Nick Flame. The man loved playing with fire since he was a kid. A serial arsonist for hire. He burned down boats, schools, casinos, people, and anything that stood in his way. Sometimes people hired him for his services and other times he did it for the hell of it. All he cared about was destruction. Destruction by fire.

Once the bounty on his head popped up I made my move. One night he attempted to launch his Molotov cocktails onto a luxury liner set to sail the following morning. I caught him in the act, telling him to surrender. He was about to launch his cocktail at me until I fired, shattering the bottle, blanketing half his body in burning liquid.

He still had those burnt scars on the right side of his cheek, arm, and chest. I'm sure he still held a grudge after giving him a taste of his own medicine.

"You look tired, Johnny," he said, "I'm guessing Zane and Anton gave you a workout?"

"I needed the exercise anyway," I said.

"Same old Johnny. Still the smart ass with all the answers."

"You're too kind. Now let her go. This is between you and me."

"Oh, you got that right, but first I like to do some serious damage on doll face over here. You really caught yourself a looker, Johnny."

Nick took a whiff of Sadie's hair and neck, enjoying what he held in front of him. I'd known he hadn't been with a woman for so long, but this was embarrassing.

"You know what," he said, "I changed my mind. I think I'll keep her for myself. She smells so nice and I bet she's good enough to eat. What do you say, sweetie? How about you and I find us a nice, warm hideaway after I'm done with the soldier with no real name?"

"You got me confused," said Sadie, "for someone who gives a shit over your feelings."

"Feisty, huh? I love that in a woman."

"Then maybe you'll love this."

Sadie drove the heel of her go go boot into Nick's foot, loosening his grip on her. For good measure she headbutted his nose, using the back of her head. Sadie came to me in one piece, but old Nick was not a happy camper.

"You bitch!" He yelled. "You fucking bitch! You broke my nose!"

"Nice move," I told Sadie.

"You have a lot of interesting friends," she said.

"Give it up, Nicky. You don't have any cocktails on you, and that blowtorch is not going to help you."

"I came prepared, smart ass," he said.

A broken nose wasn't about to slow him down. He wanted my ass, and he had a big surprise saved up just for me. He rolled up his sleeves, showing me underneath he too wore a pair of gauntlets on his arms.

"Time to feel the heat," he said.

"Fuck me," I said.

Instead of lasers, hot flames came pouring out. Sadie and I made a run for it as Nick chased us down the street. still firing his brand new flamethrowers. These were also military grade; I had seen these in documentaries and the internet. Never in a million years have I thought I'd see them up close.

Sadie and I ran as far away from the flames as we did, but Nicky stayed right on us. With all the hot flames in the way I had no clear shot of him. My best bet was to wait until he ran out of steam. I didn't have the time. Sadie and I took cover around the corner, staying put until he came a little closer.

Nick decided to have a little fun with his new toys by burning up some cars, blanketing them all in orange flames. One by one they exploded, alerting the passersby. The man hadn't lost his touch; he still enjoyed burning things for the hell of it.

"Love the smell of fire in the morning," he said. "Where you going, Johnny? You can't hide from me. I'll find you and I'll fry you alive like I should have done in the first place. I'm going to enjoy seeing your flesh melt before my eyes, while I enjoy the fresh scent of your burnt carcass."

I waited for him to get closer, close enough for me to send one kick to his jaw, stunning him a bit. I dragged his half burned carcass, driving his head into the nearest car window I could find. I made him bleed but he fought back, almost knocking my head off with his gauntlet. A couple of kicks finally knocked him on his ass, but I wanted to have a talk with him about his early release.

"Johnny!" Sadie shouted, alerting me before Zane plunged his knife into me.

I grabbed his arm, driving a couple of knee shots to the abdomen.

"Thanks again," I told Sadie. "Let's move out."

Nick got back on his feet and continued the pursuit.. The hot flames just kept coming. A few passersby got in the way, lighting up like torches, filling up the streets with agony and fear. Seeing all this reminded me of the battlefield where many of my comrades fought on, while they were burning alive. A lone patrol car pulled over across the street. The two cops rushed right out with their weapons locked and loaded on Nick.

"Freeze!" One of them yelled. "Get your hands up right now!"

Nick did just that, but he had no intention of surrendering that easily. The two boys in blue were in deep shit.

"Fall back!" I yelled at them. "Fall back, you fucking idiots!"

Neither of them heard me and Nick put his hands down, pointing them straight towards his new targets. Both men were fried to a crisp and Nick stood there enjoying his work of art.

Sadie and I were able to catch the nearest cab, only this time I didn't need my weapon to slow it down.

"Where to?" The cabby asked.

"You're going home," I told Sadie.

"Absolutely not," she said.

"Sadie, I'm not going to argue with you. I got some unfinished business and I don't need the distraction."

"Is that what I am to you, a distraction? After I saved your ass more than once?"

"This is not open to discussion. You want to continue this argument? Save it for later, but right now I want you home, and you stay there until I get you, all right? Please."

Sadie gave in to my demands, giving the cabby the location to her place. Zane and Nick went searching for us, unaware we were long gone and out of reach. This was not how I pictured my day would turn out; fighting three of the worst criminals I ever put away, all with the urge to punish me severely. My assignment kept getting worse every time.

We finally arrived at her place but I wasn't planning on going inside. I only stayed to make sure she set foot in the lobby. I told the cabby to stay put and keep the meter running.

"Johnny," said Sadie.

"Listen," I said, "you stay put, all right? Now, you have my number. You call me for emergencies only, you got that?"

"All right, I heard you, but where are you going?"

"There's some people I need to talk to. They might have some valuable intell I'm gonna need. It shouldn't take long. I'll catch you later."

"Oy."

Sadie grabbed my hand, stopping me from going any further. She used her other hand to caress the back of mine.

"Watch your back, soldier boy," she said.

"I intend to."

I didn't leave until she was safely inside. Once the door closed and she left my sight I ran back inside the cab, heading for my next destination. Time to meet another old friend from the past.