Story: The Baroness Part 5

Monday; October 6th 2014: 2:26pm
Baron still sleeping in protest. Elisa walking up to Baron again. Pocketing her phone showing her the note. “Is that a threat?” Baron confused as to what Elisa means scratching her face puzzled. Looking at the bloody print on the paper. “It’s his blood. No. Not a threat. SKOR surely should know this?” Baron muttering to herself. Elisa confused. “So it’s not a threat what is it?”

 

Baron grinning. “It’s a friendly invitation.” Elisa looking at the blood print on the note. “An invitation?” Elisa thinking to herself. “He could’ve just signed his name…” Baron looking at the clock then looking back at Elisa suggesting that she has somewhere to be. Elisa gasping. “Shit. I’m late.” Elisa still holding the note. “I can’t go back to work… not when I’ve just got this.” Baron looking back at Elisa. “He isn’t coming back. Act normal Elisa or things will escalate.” Elisa pausing hearing out Baron’s advice. Nodding. Elisa pocketing the note grabbing her jacket begins to make her way outside the flat and back to her car. Still looking up at the open window. Thinking to herself. “I should have probably closed that.” Elisa shaking the thought from her head getting back into her car. Putting the key in the ignition.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 2:45pm
Elisa returning to work later than usual. Apologizing to Mark. “Sorry about that. The traffic was bad out there.” Mark smiling still behaving a lot quieter than usual around Elisa. Hiding Alex’s secret plan. “All for a sandwich. Huh?” Elisa scratching her head. “Yeah. Right?” Elisa continues on with work. Still thinking about Vincent and the break into her apartment. Nervous about seeing Vincent. Hopeful that he won’t try to take anyone else hostage this time.

 

Meanwhile The Agent and Michelle are outside the house they were investigating near Crawsons Street. The agent holds his hand out to Michelle apologizing as he goes around the back with his phone. Noticing something about the cadaver. He lifts the shirt which has an obvious blood stain seeping through. Looking back at Michelle confused. “He was cut. Pieces were cut out of him.” Michelle now confused. “Wait like a knife?” The Agent getting a closer look at the leg injuries that he once assumed were from a SKOR devouring them. Noticing a clean cut to the bones at the legs.

The agent putting on a white glove. Putting his hands inspecting the deceased man. Michelle turning away in disgust. Nearly about to throw up. Michelle gagging. “Oh good… how in the hell can you just so casually do that?” The Agent turning back to Michelle. “You see everything when cleaning up after a SKOR… not that I’m still used to it. It’s repulsive and mentally scarring but my stomach and nose just don’t react anymore.”

 

Michelle still turned away. Facing the wall as The Agent begins to look harder. Pulling the shirt back down again getting up to his feet removing the glove from his hand. “This is incredibly bizarre how this SKOR has removed parts from the man. The bone isn’t chopped cleanly but it’s enough to not be from the mouth of a SKOR. This must’ve been the work of Vincent… but I have to ask. What reasons could he possibly have for taking these body parts and where are they now?” Michelle still facing the wall trying to compose herself. “To eat later? How the hell should I know.” The Agent shrugging. “Why bother with that. SKOR just leave the carcass out to eat later.” Michelle shaking her head. “Maybe he thought we would find it so he took a piece for the road.” The Agent not convinced by her thinking.

The Agent now thinking about Baron hoping that she isn’t lying to him about hunting humans.

 

The agent bagging up the bloodied glove zipping it up and pocketing it. The Agent walking out. “I need to make a private call. Give me a sec. Alright” Michelle nodding. Walking out of the room towards the bathroom. The Agent phoning up Elisa as he walks outside.

 

Elisa back at Daleford Duty can feel the phone in her pocket buzzing. Turning to Mark. “I need to take this. Elisa running out of the warehouse towards the bathroom. Picking up the phone. “What is it?” Elisa snapping nervously. It’s the Agent on the other End.

The Agent: “Elisa. Baron. Where was she this morning.” Elisa responding assertively. “She was watching over me at work. Daleford Duty. She stayed in the same spot when I came to pick her up at lunch time. The telephone box.” Elisa sure of herself.

The Agent nodding. “Well… then that would mean your other friend has struck again near Crawsons Street this morning. Let that be a warning if you wish to meet him in future. He’ll likely want a piece of you as a trophy.”

 

Elisa swallowing nervously still on the phone. Now pausing quietly. Elisa suddenly thinking again. “Wait.” The Agent about to hang the phone up. Curious now. “What?” Elisa exclaiming. Then thinking again. “No… it’s nothing.” The agent hanging the phone up. Exhaling to himself. Unhappy that Elisa is still lying to him; but not as apparently bothered by it unlike before. The Agent pockets his phone. Noticing a white inconspicuous van pulling up outside. Agent walking up to the van. Someone from the clean up crew here to remove the body passing the Agent a plastic sheeting and a large rectangular box to inconspicuously move the body without anybody noticing. The Agent thanking the man as he helps him inside with the box.

 

Elisa back in Daleford Duty hanging up the phone pocketing it again. Slamming her hand against the sink. “What the hell?” Elisa understanding the importance of Vincent going down.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 7:15pm
Later after work Elisa is returning to the agreed site. Baron is hiding on the back seat underneath a large blanket. Baron’s muffled muttering from underneath. “You’ve gone through a lot of effort hiding me. We’ll see if it works.” Elisa stopping her car outside Crawsons Street Market. The wind blowing strong. The atmosphere similar to before. Elisa looking towards the pharmacy. Then looking back towards the decayed remains of the pizza shop.

 

Elisa catching site of a blood trail. Elisa following the trail of blood towards a fence. Elisa picking up a stick pushes the gate opening trying not to touch it with her hands. The courtyard behind the pharmacy. Behind is a small market fold-up table with a tablecloth and a baking tray

 

Elisa approaching the baking tray. Elisa picking the lid up of the baking tray. It’s a pie. Elisa putting the glass lid back on the tray. Elisa picking up the baking tray taking it back to her car. Elisa putting the pie on the front seat; drives further away from the Crawsons Street to a more populated area. Elisa parking the car up into a busy carpark. Her car hidden within other cars. Elisa picking up the baking tray passing it to Baron as she lifts up. Baron confused still hidden under the covers. Elisa exclaiming: “Come up but disguise.” Baron pushing the covers off of her. “What is that?” Baron confused. Elisa unsure. “I don’t know. I don’t trust it either…” Baron leaning over the seat Elisa lifting up the lid of the bakeware. Baron putting her claw into the pie sniffing it cautiously; Baron consuming the food. Baron turning her head to Elisa. “Human.” Elisa looking up at Baron. “You sure?” Baron nodding. Elisa putting the bakeware down on the seat disgusted by it.”Elisa thinking to herself. “Shit… who did he kill to make that?” Baron snarling. “It’s a gift.” Elisa cursing to herself. “What good is this?” Elisa noticing a small cut in the pie. Elisa pointing to it on the tray. “Is there something inside this?” Baron using her claws. Picking a laminated piece of paper. The paper has an address on it. “His address?” Elisa putting the address into the Sat-Nav.

 

Again. Close in proximity to Crawsons Street. Elisa turning back to the bakeware. “The Agent called me up earlier saying a SKOR had killed a man near Crawsons Street. I think that’s our guy.” Elisa muttering again: “You might want to hide.” Baron crawling back underneath the covers. Elisa seating herself again; putting the lid back on the bakeware driving towards the address listed on the Sat Nav.

 

Previously

Monday; October 6th 2014: 6:15pm
Mark is waiting at the bus stop. Alex promising to pick him up. After 2 minutes of waiting alex arrives in his car pushing the door open. Mark getting inside the car.

Alex wearing a black flat cap putting it down.

 

Mark curious as Alex begins to drive towards his house. Alex remaining quiet. Mark asking: “So… you want a surprise for Elisa? What’s the occasion.” Alex not speaking. His focus on other things. Mark “Hey. Alex?” Alex now refocused again on what Mark is saying. “What was that?” Mark again. “What are you planning?” Alex smiling. “Just a little surprise for you and Elisa. If she doesn’t get here in time though… I might have to pick her up. In the meantime we can have some fun.”

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 6:19pm
Meanwhile at HQ. The Agent; Michelle and Flynn are inspecting the pictures. Flynn curious: “You found that man near Crawsons Street? Close to where the last house was?”

The agent nodding. “I don’t think our friend went very far after we scared him the first time…” Michelle and Flynn agreeing.

 

The Agent thinking. Looking at the other name. Alex Gales of recent employees. “I still have this to follow up on…” Michelle curiously: “Oh? Want some back up.” The Agent shaking his head. Flynn holding his hand out. “Wait. Don’t you think we should go? If it is him me and Michelle can recognise him.” The agent going quiet. Nodding his head. Closing his eyes. “Fine; I can’t argue with that we’ll try and make it quick. In about an hour though. We go together. I’m still waiting on that call from Central. I’ve currently got some experts I’m expecting to retrieve the evidence”

Michelle and Flynn agreeing.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 6:23pm
Back at Alex’s house. Mark is checking out the console. “I’m not usually a console guy but…” Mark picking up a game box. “Oh. You’ve got the new one.” Alex not sure what Mark is talking about. The console is not his; he never brought it. Mark turning around. “I thought you said you didn’t play many games? You’ve got quite a nice collection here.” Alex smirking meekly. “Guess so.” Alex completely disinterested. Alex changing the subject. “Why don’t you have some fun with that and I’ll go make us something to eat.”

 

Mark excited: “Cool. Maybe we could do a round or something? You can’t have something new like this and just not play it man.”

Alex putting a beer on the table. Mark looking up at Alex. “Thanks mate!” Alex smiling. Walking back into the kitchen. Opening the drawer he pulls out a knife looking at it then looking out the window waiting patiently for Elisa to come by. On the side is a slice of meat. Picking up the meat he puts it on the pan salting it. Leaning against the cabinet he starts to watch it cook. Noticing a picture on the wall of a man he pulls it off the wall and throws it into the bin. Mark entering the kitchen. “What you cooking?” Alex jolting around. “What?” Alex realising turning to the pan. “Steak.”

Alex shrugging: “Not much.”

Alex getting inpatient. Mark exclaiming: “Elisa said she had something to do… so I mean she might be a little late today.” Alex nodding. “We can wait. There are some things I would like to show you.”

Alex bending down to a wooden cabinet. Opening the cabinet he pulls out a black metal lock case. Mark curiously. “What’s that?” Alex shaking his head: “Nothing much.” Alex muttering to himself. “That you need to know about.” Mark not catching what Alex just said. “What?” Alex responding: “For later. I need to find the key.”

 

Mark shrugging: “Fair enough. This secrecy is crazy though.” Alex smirking. “Life is good with surprises.” Alex returning to the kitchen. Plating the meat up. Picking up his FT Jacket taking a key out of the jacket. Looking at the key pocketing it.

Alex putting on his jacket walking upstairs to the bathroom. Mark is still playing on the console looking over at the old metal lockbox curious about it. Holding the controller on the table putting it down on the table.

Looking at the cold beer on the table. Mark wanting to open it not having a bottle opener. Mark going out into the kitchen looking for a bottle opener in the kitchen drawers. Vincent coming down the stairs. “Looking for something?” Mark turning to Vincent. “Bottle opener? Hey the hair. That’s a good look for you.” Vincent taking a bottle opener out from his pocket smirking. “Right… Completely forgot.” Vincent hands the bottle opener to Mark. Inviting him back in the living room to play.”

Vincent smiling: “To be honest I don’t play much of that I just picked it up from my aunt.” Mark chuckling: “Well you have a pretty cool aunt.” Mark going over to the collection of games. “I say this one. If you’re new I could probably teach you.” Vincent shrugging. Mark smiling it’s Co-op.” Mark passing Vincent a controller. Vincent taking the controller looking at it confused.

Vincent putting the controller down. “Wait there. Let me get the food.” Vincent putting the steaks on a plate. Taking a fork from the drawer he puts it on the plate. Going into the living room he passes it to Mark. Mark taking  the plate and the fork. Looking up at Mark. “Where is yours?” Vincent exclaiming: “I’m not hungry. Not right now anyway.” Mark nodding. “Right when I’m done eating then and no Beer for yourself either?” Vincent shaking his head. “I need my concentration.” Mark shrugging. Eating more of the steak.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 6:58pm
The two make conversation. Vincent turning to the box taking the key out of his pocket.

As Mark finishes his steak he picks up the controller. Vincent taking the key from his pocket looking at the clock. The time is close to 7:00pm. Vincent knowing exactly when Elisa is suspected to arrive.

Vincent getting up from the sofa. Grabbing the lock box opening it. Taking a small tranquilizer gun from the lock box. Mark is watching the TV playing the console. Not noticing Vincent. Vincent removing a dart from his pocket inserting it into the gun. A small dose of tranquilizer is in the dart. A dose enough to put him out but not enough to seriously kill. Vincent standing up with the tranquilizer gun in his hand. Turning around to Mark. Mark looking at Vincent. “What’s that? Airsoft? Are you taking us to shoot some airsoft?” Vincent turning around. “No mark. Vincent pointing the gun at mark. Mark laughing nervously. “Alright man… that’s cool can you not point that at me?” Vincent lowering the gun shoulder height at Mark. Mark is nervous again. “Alex?” Vincent pulling the trigger. The dart firing out of the pistol entering Mark’s arm. Mark seeing the dart enter his arm. Cursing as he passes out “What the-” Mark’s body going limp the controller dropping to the floor. Vincent pulling the tranquilizer dart from Mark’s arm throwing the dart into the bin. Lifting Mark up he puts his unconscious body on a chair.

 

Grabbing a large roll of carpet tape he begins to wrap it around Mark’s arms. Tying his legs and arms to the chair. Vincent walking over to the lockbox pulling out a machete from the lock box picking it up walking back over to Mark. Sitting behind him on the sofa.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 7:04pm
Mark begins to wake up. “What the…” Mark tries to move his arms up. He can’t. Mark looking down his arms taped to his seat. Mark attempting to move his legs. His legs aren’t moving.

Mark tries to move his body. He can’t move. Mark panicked. “What the.. Where the?”

Vincent in an emotionless voice from behind Mark. “Stay quiet. Or I’ll make you quiet.” Vincent putting the long Machete blade up to his throat. Marks’ eyes looking at the blade is face remaining stiff. Swallowing nervously. In a delusional and optimistic voice: “Alright Alex… this shit is funny. You’ve had your fun. Can we just stop and play some more?” Vincent silent. Putting the blade closer to his face. Mark quietly shrieking nervously shivering.

 

Vincent forcing his body. Growling behind Mark. Putting the Machete blade in front of Mark’s eyes. The reflection of Vincent’s ferocious face in clear view of Mark. His eyes widening. His breathing heavy and panicked. He is crying. Cursing under his breath. “Shit… please no. Shit. Fuck dear god please don’t kill me…” His eyes closing still praying under his breath. Vincent taking the blade away from Mark. Vincent leaning close muttering towards his ears. His hot breath against his neck. “Elisa will be joining us shortly… then the fun can start.” Patting his sharp claws on his back leaning in further turning his face to Mark’s face. “You live such an easy life… and you think you deserve to associate yourself with us? To see us? You’ve not lifted your hand once to help anyone but yourself. A pitty.” Mark silent his eyes still closed. Muttering out an apology in a whispered panicked voice. “S-sorry… I’m sorry…”

 

Vincent again. “I could careless for your sympathy. Your apology is meaningless. So many ignorant of us… so many blind of us. For good reason.” Vincent standing up holding his machete. He crouches in front of Mark. “What do I look like to you?” Mark not answering. Vincent going closer to Mark. “Go on… tell me. Be completely honest human.” Vincent putting his claw against Mark’s chin pushing his face ups. Mark opening his eyes looking into Vincent’s eyes.

 

A panicked gasp… “You- you look like my friend alright? I don’t care who you are come on man let me go. I won’t say anything.”

Vincent cackling. “Every time… Every time.” Mark crying confused. Vincent pushing his claw against his chin harder. Blood dropping. Vincent pulling his claw away from his face as he draws blood. Not intending to dig too deep. “I don’t believe you. You’re clearly pissing yourself just looking at me… if I turned my back on you and left you unbound with that Machete besides you… how long would it be before you pick it up and run it through me?”

Mark shaking still shaking his head. Mouthing. “I wouldn’t.”

 

Vincent slapping the bottle off the table. “You’re full of it.” Vincent now waiting for Elisa closing the living room door turning back to Mark as he closes the door. Opening a side drawer removing a holster and pistol. Placing the holster on he puts the pistol in the holster.

 

Monday; October 6th 2014: 7:25pm
Elisa is driving down the street. Her car quickly approaching the house. Elisa muttering to Baron. “Wait there. I have a plan if I need your help. Elisa taking her phone out. “I have an app on here that will play a very loud alarm sound. That will be your signal it should be loud enough for you to hear… at least I hope so. Alternatively. It will be a gunshot. If you see a Skornhold operative you shouldn’t proceed. It could get messy if I was followed again.” Baron agreeing returning underneath the covers await Elisa’s signal. Elisa taking the gun out of the glove compartment hiding it underneath her hoody. Elisa turning back to Baron. “Stay safe. Alright?” Elisa leaving the car the doors unlocked. Elisa pocketing the key running up the steps to the house. Elisa looking at the house. Muttering to herself: “Number 22.”

Elisa walking slowly up the front path nervously. Elisa can see the front door is open. Elisa putting her hand in her pocket. Holding onto a knife given to her by Flynn. Looking at the door using her free hand she pushes the door open with her finger. The door slowly swinging open. Elisa can smell the scent of cooked meat. Elisa slowly sneaking inside the house. Her feet tip toeing over the floor. Elisa can see a shadow on the wall from Vincent.

 

Elisa demanding. “Alright. Vincent. You can come out now.”

Vincent sniggering putting on a voice. “Please…” Elisa assertively: “You held that disguise for quite a while Alex. You fooled me long enough. So you’ve got to explain now why on earth did you choose me? What is your problem.”

 

Vincent laughing. Clapping at Elisa. “Well done. Perceptive and smart.” Vincent leaving cover. Elisa noticing the gun holstered around his waist. Vincent smiling noticing elisa is looking nervously at the gun. “That’s not for you.” Elisa backing up.

 

Vincent shrugging: “I’m a wanted man… I’ve got to protect myself you never know what might happen. I’ve been waiting to meet you Elisa. We have much to discuss.” Elisa just wanting to get to the point disinterested with Vincent’s melodrama.

Vincent looking at Elisa with an emotionless expression across his face. Folding his arms leaning back against the door. “I can do a lot of things. Look a SKOR in the face… kill a SKOR… but when it comes to meeting a pretty little thing for the first time… well I just fall to my knees.” Vincent joking. Becoming almost honest with his feelings for Elisa. Elisa looking her eyes away. “You’re older than me and I don’t dig SKOR that eat people. Sorry.” Elisa shrugging looking away.

 

Vincent shrugging: “You don’t need to eat people to be a SKOR. something Baron didn’t understand. Elisa you and I were always different.

If you know our history you’d probably realize we didn’t always eat people… but given our diets being trapped and tortured within the ‘safe haven’ of FT we didn’t really adjust well to other diets… we don’t particularly like eating people but when you’re faced with the choice of having your position being compromised and starving to death I think I know my options.”

Elisa not understanding his reasoning. “Obviously not. Look where you are now… nobody else has to die you can keep on living.”

 

Vincent shrugging: “Your standards are unrealistic. That mindless chore you call a job barely makes enough for this sorry ass to live; FT Daleford rejects are closing in and I’m no closer to finding David.”

Elisa nodding: “So you’re after David. My father for what. Revenge?” Vincent shrugging. “Of course not.” Elisa shrugging: “Then what?”

Vincent staring blankly at Elisa. “I can’t tell you that.” Elisa not liking his secrecy. “Why did you kill those people just to send me a message. Why did you try to poison me and… why try to expose me to Skornhold?” Vincent smirking. “I knew you’d get out of the mess and you did. I just had to make you see the hunters as a threat. Which they are. Flynn was only getting in my way.”

 

Elisa again: “You shot Baron.” Vincent responding: “I didn’t kill her.” Elisa shaking her head: “You tried to feed me… what was that?” Vincent shaking his head: “No caffeine or poison this time. I thought you’d appreciate it… was I wrong?” Elisa avoiding the question. Not trying to bring Baron into it.

Elisa shaking her head. Her hand still in her pocket. Vincent looking at Elisa’s hand. Her arm shaking. Vincent looking back towards Elisa’s face. Clearly nervous. “Scared?” Vincent remarking. Vincent sympathetically: “You don’t have to be scared around me. I don’t plan to hurt you. I’m just curious and… fascinated. I see a little bit of myself in you actually. You’re like me when I was a young kid. I’d vow vengeance against my own kind.”

 

Elisa swallowing nervously. Assertively asking: “Then what changed… why’d you turn on the humans?” Vincent’s eyes shifting. His tone becoming a lot darker and angrier. “They should’ve been my target from day one. The humans taught me to fight the SKOR. The SKOR us were the true enemies. Initially I was one such SKOR that killed my kind genuinely. I had no ill-intent towards FT Daleford… but it wasn’t long before it became apparent that I and the humans were just being used.

 

The humans just want us for our bodies… they’ll cut us open and pull out our insides just to benefit themselves. They have rules and guidelines and people just hate the idea of having their own cut into… so why not do it to another species far more powerful and successful? The sad thing is we must remain quiet. If we speak out we’ll be captured… the only way to cull them is from the inside.”

 

Elisa shaking her head. “And what do you have to go by? We SKOR kill and eat them… what choice do they have?” Vincent snapping. “Nonsense. We do it because we have too. Guess who hunted us down first?” Elisa shaking her head. “No. Killing people isn’t going to solve our problems. We need to prove that we don’t want to hurt anybody; by killing the humans we’d be no better than them.” Vincent eyes now glaring at Elisa. “And you think you’re better than us because you kill our kind?” Elisa shaking her head. “I killed… I don’t want to kill anymore. I don’t even want to kill you. Even after the trouble; I can’t…” Vincent looking away surprised. Elisa again: “I don’t want anybody to get hurt… not after knowing there are more SKOR out there like me. I thought I was the only one.”

 

Vincent laughing. “You think I was insulting you? Skourge need more Skor willing and able to assist us in taking down deadly SKOR. SKOR that threaten the balance. SKOR like Baron. Baron needed to be put down. I choose not to kill her that night because I want you to have that honour. I still want to see you do it. She is a danger to you; our kind and herself. She is sick but that’s enough of that… I have something to show you.” Vincent pushing himself away from the door opening it. Elisa taking the knife from her pocket as Vincent’s back is turned. Vincent turning around. Vincent in a cold voice. “Try anything and I will dispatch you. I can find your father through other means.” Elisa pocketing the knife again. Shaking. Vincent walking into the living room. Elisa catching sight of Mark tied to a chair his eyes closed red and a panic and sickly expression on his face. Elisa angry drawing the gun from her back trousers pointing it towards Vincent. In retaliation Vincent drawing his gun from his holster pointing it to Mark.

 

Vincent taunting. “This is stupid. Elisa. Can you not see this?” Vincent scoffing. “Try it and I’ll blow his brains. At this range I’m not missing. What about you?” Elisa lowering the gun. Vincent smiling. “Now drop it.” Elisa dropping the gun to the floor. Vincent with his other hand pointing to the sofa. “Sit down.” Vincent moving behind Elisa. Looking towards Elisa. The Gun never pointing away from Mark. Vincent exclaiming: “So how long do you think it would take before your friend turns on you?” Elisa certain: “He wouldn’t.”

Vincent’s left eyebrow raising. “Oh?” Vincent exclaiming: “what makes you say that? I forced in front of him and this pathetic excuse of a human started sulking. I could see his want and need to see my body bleeding on the floor.” Vincent laughing to himself. “He didn’t go hungry.” Elisa looking at the plate on the table looking back at Vincent. Elisa frustrated. “You disgusting son of a bitch.” Elisa already suspecting what was on that plate.

 

Vincent shrugging. “Come on… What’s the difference? He wants to be more like us he might as well get used to it. I’m totally find Elisa if you take pity in this little creature. We can keep him; feed him the scraps and he can live just like a normal healthy boy.” Elisa clenching her fists.

 

Mark listening in. His voice weak and dry. “What’s he talking about… Elisa?” Vincent hitting the barrel of the gun against Mark’s head. Mark yelping in pain. Vincent snapping: “Speak when you’re spoken too.” Elisa angry. “Leave him the hell alone!”

Vincent looking at Mark then back at Elisa.Vincent moving to the right side of Mark. Putting his free hand on Mark’s head turning his head forcibly around to face Elisa who is sitting watching Mark. The two looking at each other.

Vincent smirking. “Then… Mark. Watch this.” Elisa now concerned with Vincent’s new idea. “Elisa. You’re so confident the humans wouldn’t tell… why not just show your real face to the boy and spare him the trouble later?” Elisa’s mouth opening her eyes going wide. Elisa closing her eyes looking down to her lap nervously.

 

Vincent smirking: “Were you bullshitting me then?” Elisa shaking her head. “No; but…” Vincent snarling: “Then don’t be a damn hypocrite.” Elisa nodding slowly. Standing up. Mark muttering quietly. “It’s okay. Elisa… do it.” Vincent hitting Mark on the head again with the barrel of the pistol. Elisa exhaling. Removing her jacket she puts it on the sofa. Elisa closing her eyes tilting her head back.

Relaxing her body. Her claws begin to protract. Mark looking on as Elisa performs this unusual feat. Unexpected. His mouth opening wide. His eyes opening wider.

Elisa horns protract from her forehead. Her facial features and muscles sharper. Elisa stepping back looking down to the floor her eyes still closed.

Mark not saying a single word. Vincent is smiling. “Pristine… almost perfect. For a runt your physique is truly something.” Elisa angering with each complement. Her thoughts filled with revile for Vincent.

 

Elisa grabbing her jacket; Retracting her features; placing the jacket back on. Vincent disappointed: “Not going to stay? That’s a shame… you shouldn’t be so shy around me.” Elisa still frustrated by Vincent’s constant obsessive behaviour. Unnerved by it.

Elisa putting her hands into her pocket. Turning on her phone screen. Sliding it unlocked. Elisa looking at Vincent “Put the gun down… I don’t want Mark to get hurt… let’s talk some more.” Elisa trying to encourage Vincent to stop.

Vincent scoffing: “What made you change your mind all of a sudden?” Elisa lying: “I think you’re right. Mark doesn’t look at me like I thought he would… He is scared of me.” Vincent holding his gun up waving it around. “So… dead then?” Elisa assertively. “No. I mean it when I said I don’t want anyone dead.” Vincent smiling: “A pet then? It’s your choice.” Vincent getting excited: “If you start to see things my way… we can finally introduce you to my superior. The man would be delighted to meet you… I can’t wait to prove to him how wrong he was about you and I.”

Vincent clearly getting excited at the proposal. Mark is getting unnerved be Elisa. Believing that she genuinely is now interested in Vincent. His eyes closed he is crying again. Muttering under his breath. “Please… no please…”

Elisa walking up to Mark placing her head on his forehead. “He said stop talking. So stop alright?” Vincent approving of Elisa’s intimidation technique. Vincent laughing. “He’s so terrified of us….” Elisa’s eyes close to Marks. Marks eyes opening to Elisa’s eyes near his face. Elisa subtly winking to mark. Mark feeling a little safer. Elisa standing up. Looking towards Vincent. “Intimidation works best when you get close.” Vincent smiling. “Right… I suppose you’re used to scaring a few runts. Huh?” As vincent lowers the gun to his side Elisa grabs his arm and knees it out of his hand. Pushing him against the wall. Vincent pulling the machete from his belt attempting to hit Elisa away with the hilt. Elisa pushing his other hand against the wall. Vincent aggressively: “Are you that stupid? Throwing it all away? And what for this little human?” Elisa snarling: “No. Definitely not.” Vincent overpowering Elisa an attempt to headbutt her forcing her to back away. The gun lying on the floor. Vincent attempting to grab it.

 

Elisa snarling: “Baron was right about you. You are a coward.” Vincent turning back to Elisa. “That bitch said that?” Elisa nodding. Vincent scoffing: “What does that make her?” Elisa grabbing Vincent’s arms trying to pull him away from the pistol. His body forcing shaking Elisa off of him. His claws scratching against her arms and shoulder. Elisa retaliating by forcing scratching at his chest and arms. Eventually the two weaken and get off of each other. As Elisa backs up against the wall. Vincent reaching for the gun.

 

Elisa shifting back reaches into her pocket taking her phone; the screen now cracked.

Elisa sliding the screen. Hits the app button. A loud ear piercing screech emanates from the phone. The loud alarm screaming from inside the building. Baron’s ears from outside perking up. Vincent holding his ears as the alarm howls. Elisa shaking at the intense sound. Her eyes closed. Putting one arm over her ear drums.

Vincent mocking Elisa. “What on earth was the point of that?” Elisa growling: “It stopped you didn’t it?” Vincent shaking his head picking the pistol up with his claws. “Not quite.” Elisa holding her hands up. Backing up against the wall.

 

Vincent sighing: “I thought you and I could make a change… Do something good; but it’s clear you and I have different agendas. I suppose one of my greatest flaws is hoping to see something which isn’t there. I’d list this under my greatest mistakes. Had I listened to Razor when he warned me of you this would not have happened.

David got into deep. A pity. He has ruined a perfectly good being.” Vincent shrugging: “I suppose there are other uses for you though… I don’t have to kill you. I could make only part of you not work.” Elisa horrified by the insinuation.

Elisa shaking her head. “That’s messed up.” Elisa closing her eyes. Anticipating the bullet.

Vincent hearing creaking behind him. Baron grabbing Vincent from behind.

“Coward…”

 

Baron angry with Vincent. “Once a hunter coward always a hunter coward.” Vincent kicking Baron away quickly turning his gun on her. Baron ducking beneath Vincent using her arm she sweeps his legs. Vincent’s knee knocking back. Vincent kicking Baron back. Baron Kicking Vincent. Vincent falling back onto Mark. Elisa grabbing Vincent’s gun again. Vincent getting off of Mark elbowing Elisa in the face still holding the gun turning around to Elisa. Pointing the gun in her direction. Elisa pushing Mark down to the side. Dropping to the floor. The first shot missing Elisa. Elisa grabbing the machete from the floor.

Vincent now pointing the gun to Elisa as she is on the floor. Baron snarling at Vincent. “Come on coward. Fight with your hands.” Baron punching Vincent the gun dropping from his hands. Elisa’s focus on getting Mark out of danger whilst Vincent is busy now in a fist fight with Baron.

 

Elisa getting the flip FT knife from her pocket begins to cut away at the bindings. Baron is tiring quickly still very much affected by her previous injuries.

Vincent taunting Baron: “So come on… how did you end up with the very runt you swore you wouldn’t help? The one you thought was pathetic.” Baron hissing. “The hierarchy has changed… but as it turns out you’re still beneath me.” Baron using her horns gauging at Vincent as she rams him against the wall. Vincent and Baron both bleeding.

Vincent scoffing: “You’ve gone soft.. Runt.” Baron getting angry hissing at him. “I’m no Runt. Traitorous Coward.”

 

Elisa getting Mark free. Elisa whispering to mark. “Run… Run now.” Mark nodding his head. His legs still dead from the bindings. He begins to get up. Stumbling as he tries to walk. Desperately escaping from the house. Elisa looking towards the door. Flynn is entering the house. Elisa’s eyes open wide in delight as she catches sight of him. Elisa turning to Baron. “Baron. Skornhold it’s time to go.” Elisa grabbing the pistol off of the side. Baron is being held up against the wall now by Vincent. Baron kicking him back with her foot makes a made dash for the window. Baron smashing through the window leaps outside. Elisa pointing the gun towards Vincent. Elisa shouting. “Stop.” Elisa going closer to Vincent. Elisa shouting to Flynn. “The son of a bitch is in here.” Elisa out of breath. Blood on her arms and face. Flynn running into the room. Pointing his gun at Vincent. Michelle and the Agent following after him. Double checking the rest of the house.

 

Flynn standing beside the coffee table. “Piece of shit…” Flynn shooting vincent in the leg. Vincent snarling in pain his body already forced. The bullet lodging into his knee. Insuring his leg immobilized. Vincent holding his knee as it bleeds onto the grey carpet. Vincent tired and out of breath. Elisa turning to Flynn. “Do it. He needs to die.” Flynn with his other hand holding Elisa’s gun. Pointing it towards Vincent. Flynn looking towards Elisa. Elisa looking towards Flynn. Flynn nodding. Flynn’s hand on Elisa’s hand. Pointing the gun at Vincent's head.

Flynn pushing Elisa’s finger on the trigger. The bullet penetrating his head as Vincent attempts to speak. Vincent’s body crumpling to the floor. His body dropping like a sack of bricks. Elisa dropping the gun to the floor. Backing up in shock. Looking on at Vincent. Then looking up to Michelle and The Agent.

 

Elisa swallowing nervously. Tears of sadness; fear and joy. Elisa crying. Elisa begins to hug Flynn. Elisa thanking Flynn. Genuinely grateful for Skornholds presence. Flynn smiling and crying too. Flynn feels a large burden has been lifted. He feels justice has been attained. Flynn hugging Elisa tightly. Elisa to Flynn emotionally: “Thank you… thank you... “ Elisa repeating in a quiet muttered and exhausted gasp. Elisa looking up at Michelle and The Agent. “Thank you… thank you everyone.” Elisa knows that with Vincent gone it is likely that she is safe for the time being. Michelle is now sobbing tears of joy. Feeling heavily sympathetic for both Elisa and Flynn. Smiling back at The Agent. “I’ve never been too good when someone else starts crying it gets me started too.” The Agent nodding and smiling. Looking at Vincent.

The Agent looking at the floor muttering to Michelle: “Who wants to claim this bounty? You or me?” Michelle shaking her head pointing to Flynn. “Elisa still owes him for the car.” The Agent smirking. The agent mocking Flynn. “Cry baby. You’re up. Go deliver the good news and get yourself cleaned up.” The agent passing Flynn the phone. Flynn looking up at the Agent. Flynn embarrassed with himself. “I’m sorry.” The Agent shaking his head. “No. I completely understand. Take it easy alright? We can’t do it just yet… but we can send for another clean up crew and then just a few more answers from this one.” The agent looking judgingly at Elisa. Elisa swallowing nervously at The Agent. The Agent nodding: “In private.” Elisa looking down at the floor. Michelle pulling out her medical bag walking towards Elisa. Taking out some rubbing alcohol. The agent holding up his hands. “I’ll do it.” Michelle nodding. Passing the bag and the rubbing alcohol to The Agent. The Agent looking back at Flynn and Michelle. “Can you two go speak to the kid? He was in bits outside I’d like for him to not run off.” Michelle and Flynn looking to each other realising Mark fled. Michelle knowing Mark will likely calm down since he and him know each other. They walk outside to Mark who is sitting on the step wide eyed.

The Agent now left alone in the house with Elisa as he tends to her injuries. Elisa trying to stop him from inspecting the wounds. Thinking that one might be deep enough to expose her. The Agent muttering into Elisa’s ears. “I know what you are.”

END OF VINCENT VS BARON ARC