Shadows in Light

“You. Boy. Get them in here” a familiar sounding voice hissed at me to my left.

Looking left I could see a man stood there, a doorway having appeared in the concrete. Never one to pass up a golden opportunity to potentially not die, and having run out of options, I shoved the girls in and jumped in the door myself.

The doorway slid shut without a sound, as the man pushed some large metal bars across to seal it all up, before he placed his hand on the door and murmured a word. There was a sense of Power that hung in the air for the briefest of moments.

Then we waited holding our breath.

The man had his head against the door listening for an eternity before he gave a breath and whispered, “They’re going away.”

I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. I didn’t want to get shot again. I looked at our savior and realized after a long moment I knew him.

“Hey. You’re the guy with the gun.” I accused him.

He merely looked at me and shrugged, “Hey. You’re the guy I pointed a gun at. What’s your point? I didn’t shoot you.”

I frowned at him, but it didn’t faze him, and he simply stepped around us.

“If you’d all like to follow me?”

He led us along the concrete lined corridor. The walls, floor and ceiling were all made from concrete, and here and there I could see metal bars poking through. Except for the girls’ dull torch, I’d given them, there was no light either.

I glanced back at the girls. Much like me they seemed okay with being here, I felt safe here. We weren’t in any danger here, despite the almost tomb-like feel of it. I caught myself slipping the now empty revolver out of my pocket and put it into my bag. I paused in the process, trying to figure out why I did that without thinking about it, but in the end, I just decided to accept it.

And the fact I had three guns now.

The man stopped and placed his hands on a seemingly inconspicuous bit of wall and pushed on it. It gave way and a doorway opened in the concrete, revealing a flood of light that caused the girls to squeak in surprise. I was surprised by the sudden flare of light that streamed out of the doorway and for a moment I couldn’t see anything but a glare of white before things returned to normal as I blinked rapidly.

We were motioned through and I took the hand of each of the girls leading them through. I entered a large and surprisingly lavishly outfitted hall instead of the expected concrete. It was a wood paneled room, with seating arranged around a fire set against a wall. Here and there were shelves filled with vases, books and other expensive looking objects. A couple young looking men were sat not far from the door, watching some TV screens while drinking what smelt like coffee. They had a relaxed look about themselves, but something told me they were security.

The man entered behind us and the door slide shut with a soft thud, hiding in the wooden paneling around the room. The man saw me glancing at the door and held out his hands a little.

“Relax, I grant you all hospitality here as a guest, so long as you cause no harm here. Come stand in front of fire. You all must be cold. Bruno, could you get some clothing for the ladies please?”

One of the men at the desk nodded, rising and exited the room through a door. The girls moved straight to the fire and shuddered with joy at the warmth. In the light it was easier to see the dirt and filth that covered them from head to toe, occasionally showing a bruise and cut here and there.

The man looked at me “You can call me Dave” he said to me, offering his hand.

I shook it, but part of me was faintly annoyed with his wording, “What does everyone else call you?” causing him to laugh.

Looking at him without the gun and glasses, I could see bright blue eyes looking back at me. His beard still looking impressive on his lightly tanned face, he managed to keep it well trimmed and groomed despite the length. His jeans and shirt had been replaced by a pressed pair of trousers and a buttoned-up shirt, although he had no tie on.

He also now had a friendly feeling to him. Perhaps it was the lack of a gun now, but he felt like a good person overall. With the change of outfit, he felt like someone who was used to being in charge.

“Relax Ryan.” He gave me a pleasant look as my eyebrows raised, “Yes, I know your name. I try to keep up to date on everyone moving around. But really, relax. You’re safe here. I promise.”

“Cross your heart?” I asked him flippantly.

He nodded solemnly. “I take my promises very seriously. Take a seat. Can I get you a coffee? Food?”

I nodded taking a seat as the girls looked up at the idea of food and drink.

He looked cheerfully at them. “Of course, I’m going to get you both some too. You’re safe here okay? Just... please don’t sit down until Bruno comes back with some clothing?” The girls managed to look faintly embarrassed under all that filth, staying in front of the fire.

A few minutes later or so, the girls had some thick dressing gowns that didn’t exactly fit them well but were warmer than the dirt covered party clothes they had been wearing. And by a weird coincidence ensured that no dirt got on Dave’s furniture.

A mass of sandwiches and barely cool enough coffee to sip had appeared for us, and then promptly disappeared, and Bruno took them off to clean up, which they were happy to do.

Dave looked at me “So. What have you been doing?” he asked me, pulling out a cigar and lighting it as he sat on an armchair.

I took my time to consider the question. I didn’t know this guy’s real name that much was obvious. I was sure Dave was a name that perhaps only I knew at this point, even if he was hiding out under Seattle somewhere. But as he had helped me out, some repayment was due, even if I limited what I told him, and glossed over a few bits.

“I was looking into a missing friend of mine and found these girls in one of those shop buildings in the hidden underground streets. There was a fight, I won, and got the girls out.” I felt safe saying that much.

Dave frowned a little, “One of the underground streets had these girls? That’s unusual even for down here. They were lucky you came across them then.” He puffed on his cigar for a moment, then was silent, tapping his cigar on the ashtray as he looked at me critically

“Wait. You had a fight and won?” I nodded, “Did something weird happen?”

I paused. It’s not normally a question you get asked. But it wasn’t like there was a body, and I was saving the girls. And he was something special like me, which meant I wasn’t breaking any rules that I knew of.

“Yeah. I found the girls. Then this guy showed up and we scuffled. He used this Light to attack. I countered with Shadow. He ended up getting hit in the head by some falling masonry. He... burnt up I guess?”

He stared at me for several moments before he huffed out a breath.

“Then maybe you are equally as lucky as the girls are. Lucky, real dumb, or real strong, Ryan. Either way. Well done. You saved those girls’ lives. No matter what, focus on that. You did the right thing.”

I nodded a little, looking down at my hands. It was bothering me. I’d killed someone. I know he was a bad guy holding girls’ hostage and all, but still. Killing is killing. It still felt wrong to do.

“What was he? He burnt up and I got an impression of wings?”

He gave me a sad look “Sorry, Ryan. If you must ask, I can’t tell you. Everyone must work it out for themselves. It’s the way. Some people it takes decades ’cause they keep their head down. But you’ve gotten into something. And if I’m a good judge of character, you don’t seem like the type to leave it alone till you’re done. I’d guess before this is over, you’ll know what you are. Till then, don’t push it. And stop asking everyone. Good portion of us can tell just by looking at you.”

I opened my mouth to ask the obvious question, but he interrupted me before I could even ask. “It shows in your eyes. It’s why those who are knowledgeable and believe in these kinds of things won’t say in front of you. Some just never say it to be safe.”

I gave a huff of annoyance. Yet another person giving me the same story. I wanted to bang my head against a wall. I’ve gotta work this out before it drives me insane. Maybe he could tell me about some other things then.

“Joseph doesn’t believe in the eye thing, does he?”

Dave chuckled a little “No. No, he does not. Giving you trouble, is he?”

I nodded. “Lots of trouble when I visited him. Still no idea why.”

Dave merely shrugged a little, puffing on his cigar while I thought about things before, I finally asked, “Who is Eli?”

I don’t think I could have surprised him better any other way.

He jumped a little in his chair and leaned forward, staring at me with wide eyes “Eli? Grace? How do you know that name?”

“Guy attacked me in an alley. Stabbed me and shot me. Ended up in hospital for a couple of days.”

Dave looked even more surprised as his mouth gaped open looking at me. “You survived Eli?” He asked me in a tone of utter disbelief “How?”

“Well, I was lucky. Police came along and scared him off.” It wasn’t like I wanted to lie to him. The truth, sadly, wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. Guess I was lucky.

Dave rested back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face for a moment before he puffed on his cigar a few more times

“Still. Impressive. I’ve seen a lot of people go, and most are suspected as a result of crossing paths with him. He’s devious. And excellent at removing problems” He looked at me. “What have you done to get in his cross hairs?”

I shrugged. To my knowledge, I hadn’t done anything to get this level of attention. But Eli was trying to follow me. “I’ve got nothing, sorry. Just coming back from Malcolm’s after Joseph sent me there”

He drummed his fingers on the armchair, considering his options before he replied. “You need to tell Joseph. If you haven’t already. He needs to know Eli is around. But do me a favor? Don’t tell him you’ve been here or met me? He’s not fond of me. I’m just trying to stay out of his way. Telling him you’ve met me won’t do you any favors either.”

Guess Joseph isn’t that popular. Still, it was an easy request. And he had saved me from likely death. “Done. I’ve got no issue with you, and you helped me.”

Dave inclined his head graciously.

Before we had a chance to continue, Bruno came back with the girls, who looked much cleaner now, and smelt a lot better too. Both had bandages and plasters all over them. But they had a bright happy look about them as they saw us and came down to sit with us.

One of them was about my height, a bit stockier than most, but had a wonderfully sweet face when she looked at me. Her red hair was short and spiky after being washed, sticking up all over the place. Her gray eyes still looked tired but overall, she looked much better for being here. The other was taller, with visible cheekbones, but soft gray eyes that contrasted her blonde hair. Her hair was much longer and was tightly tied back behind her.

“Hi, I’m Ryan.” I said to them, standing as they came over. Dave looked amused out of the corner of my eye, but likewise stood.

The girls tried to look back cheerfully at us before the taller one spoke, “I’m Danielle, and this is Rachel.”

The shorter one gave a little wave and they both sat down. I joined them while Dave excused himself to sort us all out a fresh pot of coffee. Taking this chance, I leaned in and whispered “Was there a third girl with you? Alice?”

They nodded and Rachel leaned forward a little herself, swallowing quickly before she whispered back “Yes! She wasn’t there when we got there the first night, but arrived later... She said it was a day or so later. We’d been out clubbing with her and she disappeared from Essence.”

Danielle glanced around for a moment “What day is it now?”

It took me a moment to think and even then, I double-checked my phone. I also noticed the utter lack of signal here as I said, “Friday morning.”

She took that in for a moment before she looked at her hands “They fed us fairly regularly. We were taken after we got home. We’d left the club, looking for Alice, thinking she might have gone there. That would have been Sunday night or Monday morning? With feedings I would guess twice a day. That means we were there till Monday night before Alice turned up, and she was gone on Wednesday between feedings.”

Rachel shuddered and whispered, “It tasted horrible too!”

I gave her a sympathetic look, but I might not have carried it off so well. I was annoyed, if Eli hadn’t shot me, I might have found this place sooner and gotten them out. “You were taken from your home?”

Rachel nodded “Me and Danielle live together. Alice came up a couple of days ago for a job interview, staying with us. We’d taken some time off to party like we did in college. I remember getting home, but then I woke up cold in that place. And that guy was standing at the cage door asking us where it was. Then where Alice was.” Rachel went quiet, looking down at her.

Danielle said softly “When Alice showed up, they kept dragging her out of the cell. She’d come back crying. But she wouldn’t say what was going on.” She looked to me “Do you know?”

I honestly wish I did. At this point I was as confused as they were. Obviously, they were after something. And maybe they thought Alice had it. I didn’t know. Hell, until an hour or so ago, I hadn’t even known her real name.

Part of me just wanted to throw my hands in the air, give up and go home. Get on with my quiet little life. Before she showed up, I wasn’t getting shot at. Stabbed. Or running through underground streets. I didn’t like that part of me. And it wasn’t right to do so either. Someone needed help, and I could possibly help them. I pushed those thoughts away.

“No. I don’t. But I’m going to find out.”

Danielle and Rachel, to my utter surprise, seemed pleased by that. I wasn’t sure what to make of that, no one has looked that pleased by something I’ve said in a long time. Before I had a chance to over-think my reply though, Dave came back carrying a tray of coffee and some more sandwiches for everyone.

He sat down looking at the girls, introducing himself to them, and getting to know them. They repeated the story of their kidnapping, while Dave looked thoughtful before he settled back.

“Well ladies. I am not quite sure what is going on here. But my personal thought right now is, you’re safe here. If you want to stay here, you are more than welcome to.”

There was an inflection in his voice as he said the word ‘stay’. It almost felt like it was whispered directly into my ear somehow. For a moment, staying here seemed like an excellent idea. It was safe here. I didn’t need to go out, did I? That thought wound its way through my mind, and I almost spoke out in agreement before I felt it snap and the idea was gone.

Why do I want to stay here? I needed to find Alice. Find out what was going on. I promised, after all.

Rachel looked at Danielle, grabbing her hand and gave it a little squeeze. Clearly the idea was in her head too, and it sounded as amazing to her as it did to me for a moment. Danielle nodded enthusiastically too, ignoring the hand squeezing hers.

Dave looked at me for a moment, a faint amused look on his face. He had clearly done something to encourage that thought. Whispered in my ear somehow.

“Very well. I grant you all the benefits of staying here. Enjoy your time here ladies. Bruno will see you to your rooms.” he said focusing back on them.

They rose to leave, and I realized I needed something from them “Rachel, Danielle, I know this is vaguely stalker creepy-like but, well, what’s your address? I’d like to go look it over. See if I can see anything?”

They looked at each other for a moment, weighing the question silently between themselves before Rachel held out her hand and I passed over my phone. She typed her address into it before passing it back.

“There’s one of those hide-a-key stones around the corner. Or there was. Maybe that’s how they got in? It has a spare key.”

I nodded, giving my thanks before they left, and I sat back down with him thinking.

“Going to look into this then?” He asked, lighting up his cigar again.

I nodded. “Promised. Seems right to anyways.”

He chuckled at that, “Good. Always keep your word. A man’s word is worth a lot in my opinion.”

That drew a smirk from me. “Old school values?”

He chuckled a bit more. “Older than you think.”

We rested back in comfortable silence, him smoking his cigar, me drinking coffee and helping myself to the sandwiches that were left. It wasn’t like they were going to eat themselves now was it? And I was hungry.

I started eating my way through the remaining sandwiches, but after a couple Dave spoke up.

“You won’t fill up like that. You need to rest and recover. Live life a little. Maybe go spend some time around people having fun. Enjoying themselves. You won’t feel so hungry after that.”

“What is it?”

He waved a hand “You’re new. You pushed yourself past your normal limits, used up your energy. Those limits will grow if you keep pushing them. But you just need to fill yourself up again.”

His words reminded me, for some reason, of the hospital. That green stuff. Maybe he could tell me something about that?

I told him what I had seen, and he stared at his cigar. I thought he wasn’t going to tell me anything when he started talking.

“Let’s say there’s two groups in the world. One group that lives off, and gains power from, the life force of people. But they can’t absorb it from people that are living, so people must die. And a life has so much power in it, so much potential to do anything. Especially if someone dies early and young. This group works behind the scenes to ensure that people die by working to create chaos in the world, drugs, war, gang warfare, basically anything that shortens life spans in people. Now the second group in the world that knows what they’re doing. Tries to stop them as best as they can.”

I considered his words for a moment, then remembered what Joseph said, “This is about the war?”

He waved his hand dismissively, “Sure, there’s a war. It’s not an outright war anymore. These days it’s mostly secret assassinations, back-alley political fighting, with the occasional fights in the middle of nowhere. I’m talking about the groups themselves. The way they are. Their beliefs, how they live. Gain power and so forth. You saw the other side, gathering all the potential energy that was once in that person. A massive amount. The younger someone dies, the more given off. Of course, if everyone dies young, there’s no new ones to replace them. No expansion nor continuation of the species.” His expression darkened and he spat out, “Got to keep the herd growing.”

I’ve never heard people referred to as a herd by anyone. I didn’t like thinking of people that way, and it must have shown before Dave pointed his cigar at me. “Exactly! That’s it there. That’s how I, and most of us feel about it. We try to keep them from taking over, but... Well, it’s a hard fight. Perhaps because we’re the smaller group.”

He fiddled with his cigar, looking out the window for a moment before he looked back at me. “The end is two groups with two different beliefs and two different methods of life. What ended up as a direct conflict. That’s the war. You get that one as you’ve seen the other side doing it now. Everyone does at some point, it’s part of moving beyond a newborn. Next step is working out the groups. That bit is up to you. Just remember what you’ve seen, done, and learnt as you’ve gone along here OK?”

I nodded. It was interesting, and trusting my feelings on the matter, I felt that Dave was being truthful to me. What he said was true, even if he was hiding some facts from me.

“Do you want to stay here the remainder of the night?” He asked me after giving me a few moments to think things over. It was tempting, even without someone whispering in my ear. But I wanted to get back to my home.

“No. I think I’ll go home, and now is probably as good a time as any to head there.” I picked up my bag, patting it down to double check and make sure I wasn’t going to do anything dumb like leave my cell behind.

He led me over to the door, and out into a corridor of paneled walls. It took a minute or two of navigating the place before we got to a set of elevator doors. He stood there looking at it expectantly.

“Elevator will come down when it’s empty. Meanwhile have this.” He took out a card and handed it over. It was just a set of numbers, although not for a Seattle phone number.

“You need me, you call that. Just remember. You haven’t seen me OK?” he told me.

“I won’t tell anyone, relax.” I slipped the card into my bags’ front pocket as the elevator pinged open.

“Elevator will take you to the first floor. Take a right, straight out the doors that’ll be in front of you. Be safe, Ryan.” He shook my hand, and I got in the elevator, watching as the doors closed on him, and then we shuddered up to the first floor. While the elevator had a button for B, I doubted that was Dave’s floor.

I got outside and looked around, and then up at the building, realizing after a moment that I was standing under another of Seattle’s taller apartment complexes. He’d somehow managed to build himself a palatial mansion like place almost INTO the foundations of the building.

Who the hell was he? And how much money did he have?

Something to think about later. I should be getting my ass back to my place. Glancing at my phone, I saw the time to be close to two am.

Once again, my money took a dive as I gave in to my tiredness and took a cab back to near my area, using it to both get home and get out of Seattle City Center quickly. Twenty minutes, and many dollars later, I was home.

My place hadn’t changed despite my absence. Everything was exactly where I left it. Dropping my bag, I dragged myself into the bathroom and washed up in the cold water before I planted my phone in its charger and collapsed on my couch. Letting it eat me and pulled a comforter over me.

Still. At least I didn’t have a hospital bill.