Chapter 2
As she sat huddled behind the door a beam of light stabbed through the window of the bakery and swept back and forth. The beam suddenly stopped and there was a gleam of red eyes in the back of the bakery. Estherxeas heart almost stopped and she choked down her scream.
CRASH Glass was falling around her and a piece of it sliced her shoulder She tried to bolt but was jerked back by a black gloved hand twisted in her long auburn hair. why didnt I cut it Esthers mind screamed as her head smashed into the door she had been hiding behind. CRASH, CRASH more windows were breaking. think you could hide those pretty legs from me said a raspy voice above her head. CRASH, CRASH, CRZZZ, Buzz, Buzz.
***
Esther shot bolt upright. Another dream and she only had four hours to sleep anyway Estherxea thought as she collapsed back into the bed.
School had started this week and she was already exhausted, class in the morning, hand out job applications in the afternoon come home and crash and then go to that ghastly waitressing job she had been so excited about getting last week. Maybe I just wont go she thought rubbing grit from her eyes. The pink digital numbers on the overly fancy white clock read 7:00 she had an hour before her shift started.
Looking around the room Esther tried to remind herself why she should go to this crummy job. The paint was cracked and the drywall was peeling in several places. The fluffy pink and white bedspread looked out of place against the gray walls for that matter so did almost all of Esthers possessions and hand made furniture. As her eyes fell on the cherrywood jewelry box on her vanity Esther sighed and swung her feet out of bed. She had spent her last cent and hocked all of her jewelry and most of her mothers to pay for this semester, her radio and TV and most of her furniture had gone for this months rent. Esther shook her head wondering what would go this month. Esther slid her hand slowly under the bed and felt the clasp to the safe hidden in the frame. She wouldnt sell what was in there even if she did starve to death.
Cut it out Esther she scolded herself, thats what this job is for to pay that rent, and maybe the cooks will mess something up so you can get dinner tonight too.
Following a quick shower, Esther began dressing for work. At least the Super Lounge is sort of respectable she thought. Shuddering at the image of the strip joints she had walked in and out of without a second thought. Looking at her uniform she laughed. The Super was better but not much Esther thought ruefully. The black leather bustier with opaque slashes of some other material and the matching leather pants, of course with matching opaque slashes, were anything but modest. And they were at least a size too small, but Esther figured Marieco had done that on purpose, the little weasel. But they did earn tips and were part of the faux-superhero atmosphere in the restaurant. At least she didnt have to wear that metal bra and skirt thing Chelcia had been assigned, Esther thought with a grin as she slipped the thigh high red leather boots with steel stilettos over her shapely legs.
Most of the girls complained about the tall shoes that the owner of the SuperLounge made them work in, but Esther liked her boots and hoped Marieco would let her keep them. Her parents had, like most of her family, had her DNA altered and her leg and calf tendons surgically shortened and thickened when she was young in order to make her faster and able to jump higher, Esther remembered with a rueful shake of her head. They couldnt wait for there daughter to join them as Sentinels and for her powers to manifest. Sorry Mom and Dad she thought I didnt really want to be ordinary either. The one side effect of the operation, besides being really good at track and soccer in high school and college, was that high heals took the stress off her tendons and were thereby much more comfortable than normal flat shoes. So after wearing almost exclusively heels since she was seven Estherxea found her new red boots to be just about the best work shoes shed ever owned.
After putting the finishing touches on her makeup, and strapping on her wide leather V-dip belt, Esther stepped back and looked at herself in the vanity mirror. Well she thought its quite an effect. She might not pass as a real superhero, but she certainly looked good enough to make a few extra tips tonight. Glancing at the clock Esther gasped she only had 15 minutes to be at the restaurant in Atlas Park. She would have to run all the way to the train. Grabbing her purse and jacket Esther dashed out the door
***
I swear Frankie, I saw that girl from last month go into that apartment building last night. And she was hot man even looked like she might take money this time knee high boots and all man. No Carlos rasped a voice no one makes a fool of me. Were going to have fun with her on our terms. Show me this building.
***
As Esther walked up the entryway to her building she felt quite happy about her evening at work. If it wasnt 3 a.m. and she wasnt so tired she might have even whistled. She had made good tips, probably better than any other girl that night, and only one guy had managed to slap her bottom, and he would have a long night on the toilet tonight she smiled laughing softly to herself.
Esther jumped slightly as she heard a door by the stairs click shut. Sounded like Maritza from Perus room Esther thought wondering what the girl was doing up so late as her heels clicked up the hall. As she neared Cs door Esther felt a wave of malevolence wash over her and she paused. What was that? After a moment she shook it off and moved toward the stairway.
Without warning a skinny zit-faced young man stepped out from under the stairwell clicking a switchblade back and forth. Esther thought oh no the feeling was right again! She turned to flee towards the apartment building entrance but saw an average sized man moving towards her down the hallway. Somehow he was moving in a way that made him look very dangerous and Esther realized shed walked into a trap. You wont get away this time said the rasping voice that had haunted Esthers dreams for the last month. Esther filled her lungs to scream, not that anyone would come, but suddenly she was jerked off her feet. Her hair and scalp felt like it was being ripped form her head and before she could make a sound she was lying on the floor of Maritzas apartment staring at that ghastly orange ceiling trying in vain to breathe with a massive hand over her mouth and a knee in her stomach.
Esther thrashed under the big mans knee. She tried to hit his face with her fist or nails or anything she could reach. But the big man just caught her hands and held her in a vice like grip. Haul her to the couch Carlos said the raspy voiced man, Im going to take my time with this one. The big man, Carlos apparently, nodded at a fourth greasy and bearded man who had come in and shut the door behind the other three. The fourth man walked over with a syringe and shoved it into Estherxeas neck as the big man pulled her head to the side. Carlos then dragged Estherxea toward the olive green couch set against the blue wall lifting her by her arms and belt he plopped her unceremoniously on the smelly old couch. Esther tried to scream and tried to run but her mouth wouldnt form the words and her arms and legs merely flailed about with no seeming care as to what her mind was ordering them to do.
Hey Frankie go easy man said the skinny freckle faced man. At least give us a go at this one, besides shell bring us a bundle at the Tsoo parlors in Talos or a fortune in Brickstown at the whorehouses if shes clean. Crey might even take her if shes got whatever it is they are looking for. Shut up Kelly or Ill stick you good I know all that crap, I taught you didnt I? rasped Frankie. Sides that one wasnt worth the effort said Frankie twisting his head toward the apartments little kitchen as he began unbuckling his belt.
Esthers eyes made there way toward the kitchen and saw bare shoulders and a head covered with black hair and the neck twisted at an impossible right angle. She let out a massive but muffled sob as tears sprang to her eyes. NO! Esthers mind screamed she cant be dead, not poor Maritza who always smiled, and greeted her with an accented good morning. Not Maritza who always invited her for coffee and cookies. But the other part of Esthers mind knew there was no way that a person could live with there neck at such an angel.
Tears both of fear and of sadness began streaming from Estherxeas eyes as she tried desperately to make her mouth and body obey her mind. The pimply many laughed in a high-pitched voice and said keep trying honey it makes it more fun for us
it aint going to do you any good nohow. This little cocktail I just done give ya makes your esophagus squeeze your talk box so you cant do nothin but moan and the rest of it makes your body not obey ya at all.
That makes it all the better for us baby doll rasped Frankie stepping closer while further disrobing. Esther screamed silently please Lord this cant be happening. She tried to come up with a way to escape, there was a rope on the curtains by the window, a old microwave tilting on the counter, an old TV on the stand, and a knife stuck in the floor by the chair across the room that Maritza must have tried to use while attempting to defend herself. But all of that would be of as much use to Esther as it had been to Maritza with her body refusing to respond to her mind.
Esthers eyes began to roll in fear as pointy calloused fingers began to make there way from her neck down her torso. Esther tried to scream, tried to fight back, but it was useless the drug held her completely in its thrall. Frankie put one knee on the couch and suddenly grabbed the top of Esthers leather bustier and heaved.
Esther felt her body come all the way off the couch and flop back as Frankie lost his grip. He grabbed her pants and pulled hard sliding her down the couch, once again losing his grip on the skin tight leather. For the first time Estherxea genuinely blessed the owner of the SuperLounge oh thank you Marieco for making me wear leather that was way too small she thought.
Enraged Frankie grabbed her top again and tried in vain to get a good enough grip to rip it from her body. Failing once again he said Fine. Ill cut it from your body, this is even more entertaining then I thought it would be he smiled. Get that belt off her, he rasped.
Carlos flipped Esther over in one smooth motion and then unfastened her belt clasp. Flipping her back over he pulled it off and dropped the red leather to the floor. Frankie slipped a foot long blade from behind his back and slowly moved it toward Esthers heaving chest. The blade smoothly sliced through leather catching suddenly on the bustiers underwire support. Frankie grunted, grabbed the slit he had created and pulled. The leather and wire held. Frankie looked up grinning theres more then one way to skin a cat he said.
Esthers skin was crawling and she was nearly hysterical she tried to scream she tried to kick to punch but nothing would work. Frankie abandoned his work on her bustier and slid down the couch. He pulled up his knife and held it in front of Esthers eyes and said you boys dont think shes a virgin do ya he said panting. Couldnt be said the pimply one with a hint of envy in his voice.
Esther lost sight of the knife as Frankie moved it toward her pants. Esther shivered in fear as she felt cold hard mettle slide between her pants and skin. Too much metal to be the blade or the back of the knife Esther realized. Down, down, farther than she thought possible. With each centimeter Esther lost more and more control her fear taking over. Tears poured out of the corners of her eyes.
Watch this boys sneered Frankie one good pull and well have a show. Frankies arm muscles bunched and he twisted the blade. NO! Esthers mind screamed. DONT! Esther felt something rip from around Frankies body.
The pants held. The knife was tilted sideways and Frankie stood unmoving. As Esther stared into his eyes he appeared confused. His muscles bunched tighter. Sweat beaded on his brow. Frankies eyes began to look worried.
Esther noticed that he was encased in what appeared to be light rapidly spinning around him with a dark void between that and the light and the rest of the room. Esther saw him bunch his muscles for a last pull of the knife that would lay her bare before these monsters. NEVER!! her mind and her fear and rage focused pushing with all her might against the light that encased Frankie. Had she made the shadow and light she wondered.
Boss? rumbled Carlos. you ok? I cant move rasped Frankie. A second later I cant breath he whispered a rattling sound coming from his chest. get her, I dont care, just do her. That will teach her whatever she did he rasped.
Ok boss the tall greasy one climbed on top of Esther and took the knife from Frankies unmoving hand. No Esther thought again trying to form the light and grayness no light would come, but the graydid. Get off she screamed in her mind. The skinny man flew off of her. There was an awful smashing sound and plaster rained all around Esthers unmoving body. Then another crash as something landed behind her.
Things began to move in a blur. Carlos lightening fast grabbed Estherxeas neck and squeezed. She felt like her head would explode or pop off. She began to see stars floating around her hear head. She needed the light or the gray. Her mind felt for something anything pulling for the light and grayness she felt something and pulled. Before her eyes the microwave from the counter formed surrounded by the same light and grayish rings that still surrounded Frankie (who was beginning to turn a bit red.) Esther pushed against the light and the gray rings with all her might. And the microwave crashed into Carloss chest with ten times the force that Esther could have exerted with her own arms.
Carlos flew across the room and smashed into the wall leaving a two inch imprint in the drywall. The fourth one was coming for her. Esther tried all of what she had done before but couldnt seem to get anything. The light wouldnt come. The grey to throw him wouldnt come. It was as if her mind was exhausted. But there she felt something - just a little bit - she pulled the grey and placed it in his neck. Maybe that would be enough. The man stopped coming towards her and his eyes became huge and wheezing gurgling noises came from his mouth. But he could move still.
From nowhere he pulled a gun and raised it towards Esther, and something flashed.
If the gunman had not been choking she would have been dead immediately. But it was bad enough. Estherxea felt a searing, excruciating explosion of pain on the right side of her chest. She couldnt breath. Something was running down her side. She began to choke and for some reason saliva, she thought it was salvia, was running out of her mouth uncontrollably. It hurt so bad that it took her a moment to realize Ive been shot. They are going to win. Im dying
. Things began to appear colorless. The big man shed hit with the microwave was getting up as if in slow motion.
A window opened in the far side of the room and the man with the gun opened his mouth to scream in fear but nothing could come out. He dropped his gun and tried to flee until he felt his esophagus tearing as it remained in place while the rest of his body attempted to move. Blood flowed from the resulting rips, filling the gaps the grayness had not plugged. The man saw the burning eyes and the shadow enter the room and finally passed out drowning in his own blood.
****
NO Esther thought again reaching deep down to find whatever untapped energy remained. I will not let them win she thought and she felt a glow begin in her chest and move outward. Esther could feel her lungs in intimate detail. She could feel the gaping hole in her right side she could see every detail of the damage to her failing lungs. But somehow, even though she was no doctor, Esther knew what need to be moved and where to push the blood sitting in the lung to allow it to repair. She knew what tissues need to be repaired and somehow was able to force her cells to move into an acceptable position.
Esther lay on the couch stunned, what had she just done? She could tell the hole in her lungs was gone. There was no more fluid running down her mouth or side. Esther realized with a start that she must be covered in blood. She also realized that she could feel her body she knew that her stomach did not like the fish shed had that night at the club and that there were strange things that shouldnt be there attached to her nerves.
Slowly she also realized that she could feel the bodies of the others in the room. She realized that the man behind her was lying against the wall with his weight sitting mostly on his head, he would never get up. The zit faced man was in almost as bad a spot. He looked like he had been pinned up by an invisible giant thumb tack and the lack of oxygen to his brain was only seconds away from proving fatal.
Esther almost began to try to heal the zit faced man, but then she realized that the light and grey circles that had been racing around Frankie had slowed to a near crawl. He was beginning to move towards her. His and took hold of the knife that was still between her skin and pants. The zit faced man forgotten, panic nearly took Esther again. But this time she knew what to do. She focused on speeding up the light and grey particles, spun them, spun them, faster and faster then she pushed they moved inward and moved even faster. Frankie ceased movement and his red face began to turn purple.
With a start Esther thought that there was a sixth person in the room but then Carlos was on her again. Esthers head snapped back from a fist that almost the size of her entire face. There were several cracking sounds as Esther felt the bones in her cheek give way. Blackness rushed towards her. Dont pass out, dont pass out Esther thought. Focus on something what can I do she thought. Esthers mind felt for something she pushed against Carlos with all her might and he flew up and off of her. Esther closed her eyes, the rain of plaster was a blizzard this time. But when she opened them Carlos was picking himself up again. Esther tried to encase the man in the whirling circles but they would not come, she tried to throw him again, but her mind was exhausted, find something her mind screamed. Crawling outward her mind searched
..
The Knife!!! Esther could feel it lying on the floor where Maritza must have dropped it. Its my only chance Esther thought, trying to block out what she was about to do. She pulled; Carlos was almost to her, he filled her field of vision, his fist pulled back.. If that fist hit her again, Esther knew she would never feel another thing. She pulled the grey around the knife it began to appear before her. Carlos fist swung towards Esthers head. She pushed both the white and grey as hard as her mind could with the ringing in her ears.
The knife flew the foot between them and with a sickening ssshhink slipped into the space between Carlos head and addams apple. In slow motion Esther saw him fly arching backward and slam into the wall. Carlos hung there with his feet just touching the floor and only a couple inches of handle protruding from the currently strangely bloodless wound.
Esthers closed her eyes and her mind stretched for the fifth person she had felt behind her but could feel nothing out of the ordinary. Opening her eyes, Esther surveyed the scene in front of her. The pimply faced man slowly slumped to the ground her as her plug finally dissipated. An ugly rust color began spreading outward from where his head touched the carpet. Carlos eyes had gone dull and Esther did not have to even feel for him for her to know that he was meeting his master.
Both Esthers newfound second sense and her eyes told her that of the four attackers only the leader, Frankie she thought, was still alive. And from the looks of it he was just barely alive. Small wheezing sounds came from his nostrils. Esther looked into his eyes and for the first time saw someone elses eyes looking at her with abject terror.
A sense of overwhelming relief washed over Esthers mind. She would live. These vile men would not touch her. Then a small sense of satisfaction began to creep into Esthers mind. These evil men would no longer haunt innocent women and they had died gruesome deaths. As she looked at Frankie terrified and totally helpless she smiled and thought if I squeeze just a bit harder
Almost as soon as the thought entered Esthers mind she was overcome with guilt. Frankie was an evil man no doubt but that did not give her the right to take his life when he was helpless. Esther hesitated, If I let him go he might attack me again she thought. But then again he doesnt look like he is in any shape to attack a fly let alone a full grown woman albeit a paralyzed one she countered.
Making up her mind Esther tried to slow the racing bands of light and greyness surrounding Frankie. Nothing happened. She focused harder. STOP she thought. Nothing happened. Esther panicked, I dont know how to stop it she thought. Frankies eyes rolled up into his head and his chest hardly moved. No wheezing sound came from his nose or mouth.
Maybe I can heal him Esther thought. She tried to feel his body to know where to infuse it with oxygen. She could feel his chest his heart his lungs. A small voice in her mind suggested, just call the grey and light and push it in a bit or just some grey in a couple of those arteries that will end it quick and he wont hurt any more women. Esther shook her head, How could she even consider such a thing.
She felt for his lungs, there they were, she just needed to put some oxygen into them. That was nothing compared to what she had done to herself. She tried. Nothing happened. Frankie was totally blue and his chest stopped moving.
Esther tried harder
nothing.
Esther jerked she had felt Frankies heart stop beating it was the most disturbing and sickening feeling she had ever experienced. Just a little squeeze she thought, a little of the light.
Frankies heart beat once, twice, nothing. Esther tried oxygen again she tried to push on the heart. Her mind felt exhausted again. She couldnt do the whole light and dark thing it must be gravity and lack of gravity, she realized suddenly, like my dads family. But the healing power was there she could feel it ready to burst forth but it wouldnt work. Why wouldnt it work?
Suddenly Esther remembered the stories her mother had told her. The women of her family could heal. Yes. But only those who served the cause of Righteousness. Suddenly Esther vividly remembered her mothers reply when Esther had asked why her mom had not fixed the man with the sliced up face who had been lying on the corner by a sign that said something about an Envoy of Shadows. Esthers mom had looked at her with the saddest look Esther could ever remember seeing on her mothers beautiful face.
I tried E, but that man is very, very bad. He has given parts of him away to the Evil Ones minions and I can only help those who serve Righteousness. They dont have to serve by doing much they dont even have to serve on purpose. But some people serve evil so completely that I can do nothing. Its as if I dont even have the power to heal. When I look at them and when I fail, I feel dirty like grease was poured all over me. Esther remembered looking at her mom with wide eyes and saying wow you can see inside them and see if there bad? Esthers mom had laughed and said sort of E sort of.
Esther realized that it was useless, there was nothing she could do she couldnt physically help Frankie till this drug wore off. She, unable to help him with her newfound abilities, as apparently he was evil through to the core, either that or these amazing abilities just didnt work very well yet
Esther decided to believe that he was evil.
Pulling her mind from its analysis of Frankie, Esther felt a wave of dirtiness wash over her. For a moment she felt sick to her stomach.
Looking around the room, all Esther could see was bodies, blood, and carnage. She had done this she thought. Regardless of the fact that these men had been planning to hurt and sell her, Esther could not believe what she had done. I took four lives she thought as the gruesome scene hit her full force.
A wave of sadness washed over Esthers mind and she closed her eyes. Some sense of innocence had been lost.
A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye.
***
A few minutes later Esther opened her eyes, pulling herself out of her remorse she thought, Something else has been gained. I can protect the people of this town. I can be a Sentinel.
There was a knock on the door a timid voice said Maritza are you ok. A few seconds passed. The door jiggled Maritza? said the voice. Esther tried to speak. It came out as a small moan. That was an improvement.
The voice said Maritza the jingle of keys sounded and the knob turned. Esther tried to move her toes wiggled in her boots. The door swung open a crack and a old gray head poked around the corner. Esther heard a gasp of horror then a scream. The door crashed shut and Esther heard footsteps running.
***
Thirty minutes later, Esther had managed to push herself into a sitting position. Her voice was mostly back. She had tried to call for help, but no one answered. She heard sirens approaching and then the door smashed open and six officers in tactical gear entered the room with tactical procession. What the
the lead officer said looking around the room .
Your going to be ok miss said the officer who appeared to be in charge. Get a medical unit here immediately he said into a mike on his shoulder. Let me see where your hit he said moving closer. Im fine sir said Esther, but if you would help me up I would be very grateful. My legs dont work quite as well as they ought. The drug they gave me is very effective.
Boss said one of the officers who was checking Frankie. This is Frankie the Virgin and thats Carlos Club on the wall there. The lead officer helped Esther to her feet, in a compassionate voice he said, Im sorry miss those were very bad men. I know Esther answered limping to the door. She stopped and looked at the chief, but I dont know if they deserved this she replied.
A breeze from the open window fluttered the curtains. It washed over Esthers face and she wondered how it had gotten open. She was sure it had been closed when she was hauled into the room. Trying to move out the door the officers voice stopped her. Miss, I have to ask, how did this happen?
I did it Esther replied. Drugged? Asked the officer incredulously. Yes Esther said concentrating on the knife that had fallen by the couch. The knife appeared in front of her and flew at breakneck speed slamming into the wall across the room. Only an inch of the hilt protruded from the wall.
Out of the shocked silence the lead officer said in a timid voice whats your name hero. Esther Viceroy
No, said Esther, turning to go out the door, its Estherxea Vice
..
- i feel like some friends just died.