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Elliot dashed down the stone hallway, shoes slapping against the floor, chasing after this man who seemed mildly suspicious. He had opened the door to a storage closet when a man dashed out. So actually, no. He was VERY suspicious.
Speeding up a little bit, Elliot rounded the corner, almost slipping from the damp granite on which the fortress was built. The man was now in his sights, slowing down from apparent exhaustion. After a few twists and turns, Elliott caught up and grabbed the mystery man’s arm.
“Hey!” he panted, breathless, “What are you doing here? Who the fuck even are you?”
The stranger finally seemed to give up and turned around.
Elliott studied his face.
The man had sandy curls falling neatly around his ears, and emerald green eyes. His nose was slightly crooked with a smattering of freckles dashed across. He was tall too, almost four inches taller than Elliot who stood at a solid five foot eight. The man was thin but still muscular. He wore a loose black tank top and baggy green camouflage pants that were fastened around his waist with a black belt. He looked to be around 23.
His eyes narrowed at Elliott, not giving anything away. Glancing around, he spotted a closet and abruptly pushed Elliot in, shutting the door behind them.
He spoke in a rushed whisper. “Listen, I can't tell you what I’m doing here, but I’d greatly appreciate it if you could keep the fact that you saw me here quiet.” He looked menacing.
Elliott threw his arms up. “What is even happening? Can you tell me why you’re here?”
He paused. “Alright.”
Elliot added, “Can I get your name? I don't want to keep calling you ‘that guy’ in my head.”
“It’s Jensen.”
Hot.
“Thank you! I’m Elliot.” Elliot gestured at Jensen. “You may continue.”
“Didn’t know I needed permission.” A small smile graced that man’s- Jensen, Elliot corrected himself, lips.
Jensen went on to explain how he was supposed to infiltrate this building and find something that Miss Stupendous could use to defeat Azrail. Elliot learned that Jensen had been here for two weeks before Elliot caught him coming back from a meeting with Miss S.
“I’ve been here for a while, as you know, and I can’t find anything.”
“Sucks for you.”
Green eyes narrowed quickly at him. “I have a knife.”
Oh, holy shit he’s hot. Nope. Not saying anything.
“Go on,” Elliot said, ignoring his thoughts, while also backing up a few inches because again, knife.
“I’ve been trying to work my way up the ranks but it’s taking too long.”
So this is what he’s playing at. “And I suppose,” Elliot spoke, voice laced with sarcasm, “you want me to help you.”
Jensen shrugged. “Yeah pretty much.”
HUH?
“Why?” Elliot asked, “Why should I help you? I’m perfectly happy here.”
Jensen raised an eyebrow. “Perfectly happy? You’re currently living in a house with a known killer, and you’re perfectly happy?”
The seed of doubt in Elliot’s mind grew, branches reaching into every corner of his mind. Nothing about his life had been ‘normal’. But it wasn't that bad.
It was.
**
Elliot had been adopted by Azrail as a toddler. Azrail had been walking through the rubble of the house of his greatest rival.
He strolled down the ruined hallway, kicking debris out of the way. Something caught his eye. A child.
No.
It walked up to him.
No.
Its wide eyes peered up at him.
No.
Azrail wasn’t the best guy, he’d be the first to admit that, but he wasn't a monster. Killing kids took it a step too far.
**
Elliot didn't know if he could do this.
“Ok,” He replied.
Jensen looked shocked. “I did not expect you to say that.”
“Why must you underestimate me so?”
Jensen looked so, so, done with Elliot. Perfect.
Exasperated, Jensen looked around. “Is there anywhere we can go that’s more private? I don't exactly fancy talking in the storage closet any longer.”
Elliot led them up to his room, walking down the winding corridors. Once they were there, he opened the door for Jensen.
“After you.”
The room was a big rectangle, one wall lined with posters, one covered in bookshelves, and the others were plain matte olive green. A twin-sized bed pushed against the wall, white sheets rumpled at the end of the bed, and a rolling chair standing near the end. Covering the cold stone floor was a fluffy black rug, some places smushed down, signaling its almost constant use.
“Sit anywhere.”
Jensen walked over to the chair and sat down while Elliot took his place on the bed.
“What do you want me to do?” Elliot asked.
“What do you know about Azrail?”
“Quite a bit to be honest. He raised me. Well, raised is a generous term. Bro kinda just gave me a nanny and internet access and called it good enough-”
Jensen shot him a look. “Getting off topic.”
“Right, right.” Elliot shook his head as if clearing out cobwebs. “Back on topic. Uhm. Well, he's pretty scary.”
Fed up, Jensen spoke, emphasizing each word. “How. Do. We. Defeat. Azrail?”
“Oh!”
“Yes?” Jensen leaned forward eagerly.
“I dunno.”
“WHAT?”
“I could find out!”
Jensen nodded. “Do that.” He glanced at his watch, only now realizing how late it’s gotten. “I’ll see you later.” And he walked out.
Elliot got off the bed and shut the door. He turned and rested his forehead on the cold wood.
Why did I just do that? He was second in command to the biggest criminal that Greyton had seen in decades and he just agreed to help what? Kill him?
Elliot looked down at his hands. They were shaking.
Why were they shaking?
There are many reasons why someone’s hands would shake. Perhaps they hadn’t eaten. Or maybe they’re cold. Or because they’re scared.
It’s the last one.
Elliot was terrified. But he agreed to do this, and he’s going to keep to his word. No matter what.
_*-*_
The next day at breakfast, Elliot sat talking to one of the many henchmen.
“Listen- all I’m saying is that if Azrail is so smart and mighty with all his gadgets and stuff, why cant he defeat Miss S?” The henchman said, mouth full.
“Well-”
A buzz came on over the speakers.
“HENCH PEOPLE.” Azrail’s voice boomed over the speakers. “I FOUND A SPY LAST NIGHT.”
Jensen.
“EVERYBODY TO THE MEETING ROOM, NOW!”
Elliot sat up from the mahogany table, pushing his chair back, chair legs scraping against the floor, and started for the room.
Everyone in the breakfast hall, maybe around 30 people, filed out.
What did he DO? Elliot met him only yesterday, and he already wouldn’t like to see him hurt. Azrail has a pretty brutal record with spies and moles. Last time they found one nobody saw him again and if they questioned anyone they would get a stare and an icy “Don't ask. Just take this as a warning.”
Then, they arrived.
The meeting room was a large room, not unlike a medieval throne room, one chair towering over the tables. Speaking of the tables, those were lined up in rows facing the chair that sat Azrail.
Azrail on his own was a tall man, mask engulfing half of his face, only letting his eyes show. He had dark hair falling almost to his shoulders. He might have been quite pretty, if not for the harsh, cold look that settled permanently in his eyes. He looked down upon us all, eyes showing the sharp glare of disappointment.
“I hope you all know why you're here.” His voice filled the room. The man next to Elliot looked absolutely petrified. He saw the man shake his head no.
“Last night, I found this man walking the hallways.” Two men stepped out from behind the chair, or for a better term, throne.
Jensen.
He was beaten up, bloody. A black eye adorned his face, yet he still looked defiant, brave.
Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice when Azrail started to talk again.
Addressing the crowd Azrail said, “Take this as a warning. Do not cross me,” He locked eyes with Elliot. “You. Come up here.”
Aw shit.
He sauntered up to the front. “Yes sir?”
Azrail gestured at Jensen. “Take him to the cell room. Lock him up and under no circumstances let him talk. He has a silver tongue.”
So Jensen knew something.
Elliot responded, “Of course sir.”
He walked over to Jensen roughly grabbing the other man’s arm. “Time to come with me.” False venom was laced in his voice, and he pulled Jensen up. “This way,” he said gruffly.
I’m sorry.
Once they got to the cell room, Jensen shook Elliot off. He gestured with handcuffed hands to his mouth.
“Oh! Sorry, my bad!” Elliot felt his face flush.
Once Elliot had removed the gag, Jensen spoke. “How long do we have?”
“How long do we have?” Elliot repeated.
“Until someone comes to us,” Jensen said.
“OH. Like eight minutes.”
“So I have to be quick.”
Elliot responded, “Evidently so.”
“Azrail caught me going through his lair. There was a door.”
For the next five minutes, Jensen went on to explain how he got to the lair and what was behind the door.
“Azrail caught me when I was picking the lock.”
“Picking a lock? Not very righteous of you Mister.”
Jensen glared at him. “Shut up. Anyway I think whatever is behind the door you can use to defeat him.”
Elliot heard footsteps coming. Raising his voice, he shouted, “Back in your cage TRAITOR.”
Jensen understood what he was doing. But quickly, before people arrived he said, “I believe in you. You got this.”
Then they fought.
Midway through the ‘fight’, the henchmen Azrail sent as backup arrived. They arrived to see Jensen holding Elliot in a headlock, the latter kicking back, trying to dislodge him. The henchmen rushed in to help.
“Hands off Elliot you bast-” One of the henchmen slapped Jensen.
Somehow Jensen still managed to gain the upper hand.
“THATS ENOUGH.”
Oh crapadoodles.
Standing in the doorway was Azrail.
Azrail made a gesture that everyone who had trained under him recognised. It was a small flick of the wrist that meant stand to attention. And everyone, that very second, complied. They were left with a semi-circle. Then a bloodier, even more ragged, Jensen crumpled on the floor.
“All of you here watch. Know this is what happens if you think about betraying your family, about betraying me.”
At that last word, Jensen burst into flame, screaming out in pain. It took all of Elliots willpower to refrain from crying out. Instead, he just turned his head and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, Jensen was gone, and in his place sat a pile of ash. Tears pricked his eyes, threatening to spill. He had seen this happen hundreds of times, but this time? This time he knew the person. And I can’t get to know him more.
“Remember this.” Azrail's sharp gaze fell on Elliot. “Remember what happens.”
Then, dramatically, he spun on his heel and left.
That day was a Tuesday. For the rest of the week Elliot tried to find a way to get into Azrail's lair, but he was always intercepted. But Saturday? Saturday was the day he’s going to get in.
On Saturdays Azrail always left early and returned late, doing who knows what. This was finally his chance.
Elliot woke up at the crack of dawn, donning casual attire. He strolled about the mansion, waiting for him to hear the telltale whir of propellers, from the helicopter that was Azrail’s main mode of transport. And at 6:28 AM, he did.
When he heard the noise he was near the lair, mere yards away.
The hallway was empty, cold morning air filling the room. It was cold, foreboding.
Elliot shivered.
Creepy.
Elliot stood in front of a door. It had no distinguishing features other than the handle. The door itself was large and wooden, standing at almost 12 feet, if he had to guess. The handle was dark green, green so dark it was almost black. It was detailed with a swirly font that read TV right under the keyhole.
The key hole?
There was indeed a keyhole. It had not been there last time Elliot checked. But Elliot always wanted to be prepared, and so he had a lock pick attached to one of his belt loops.
Expertly picking the lock, Elliot flung the door open. A faint green light spilled out of the doorway. Reaching out to the side, he found the light switch.
Click. White light flooded the room. The lair as a wide open room filled with pedestals. Upon them lay weapons. Elliot walked around, inspecting each. When he made it across the room he saw a door.
So that's what Jensen was talking about.
Something caught Elliots attention. What was that, he wondered. Inspecting closer, he knelt down. It was droplets of reddish orange liquid. Blood. Jensen was definitely here.
Elliot expertly picked the lock and when he heard the telltale tick of mechanisms unlocking, he let out a celebratory, “Sha-booya!”
This was the moment he was waiting for. Behind this door lay what was probably the solution to all his problems. The weapon. Elliot reached apprehensively to the door handle. He twisted it. The door swung open. Here it was. The… weapon? The small, closet-like room had one last pedestal. With a stuffed bear on it, a sticky note reading, ‘DO NOT TOUCH- BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN YOU REMEMBER Y U WEAR A MASK LAST TIME U DID U ALMOST MELTED UR FACE OFF AND THAT WAS ONLY FOR LIKE HALF A SECOND LIKE JEEZ!!!!!’.
What was so dangerous about the teddy bear? Most teddy bears don't melt your face off. This one does. When Azrail was a child, he had been given the powers he had by his great-grandfather. But his GG knew that every great hero- what he hoped Azrail would become, needs to have something to defeat him, lest he go down a darker path. Azrail’s GG gave him his powers with the leaf of a powerful plant. His kryptonite was pollen. GG filled the bear with pollen, as well as liberally coating the outside. It worked fast. He touches it and the skin will start to melt off wherever he touches it, the melting spreading quickly from there. But to other people? It’ll just make them sneeze.
Elliot quickly grabbed it, but the second the last soft paw of the bear left the table the room went dark. He froze. Low, dim lights began to flash, momentarily lighting up the room.
A silent alarm.
In Elliot’s entire 19 years of life, he hadn't ever run as fast as he did just then. He bolted out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The bear was clutched against his chest; Elliot had a death grip on it.
He raced down the stone hallway, shoes slapping against the floor, all the while getting a strange sense of deja vu. He made it back to his room breathless. He got it. He ACTUALLY got it.
One more step. One more step and he was done. One more step and he would be the hero. One more step and Elliot would get the recognition he deserves, while defeating the man who has been terrorizing Greyton for the last few decades.
He’s going to win.
He is going to WIN.
All he needs to do now is bide his time and wait. When the chance arrives, he’s going to take it.
It was a Monday.
Eight AM, breakfast. Azrail announces a training session.
Eight oh’ three AM. Azrail says the names of the people who will be joining him. Elliot’s one of them.
Nine thirty AM. They meet in the training room. There are around 10 people in all, including Elliot and Azrail.
Ten AM. The moment. This is what he had been waiting for.
Elliot strolled up to Azrail.
“Hey,” he said.
Elliot ran at Azrail, pulling the teddy bear from where it was tucked in the back of his belt.
“Hey- how? It was you?” Azrail’s eyes widened, they shone and pleaded with Elliot. “You don't know what you're doing.”
Elliot took a deep breath. “I think I do. You brainwashed me. You’re evil.”
“Possibly, but i did it for the greater good”
“What good? You're killing people!” Elliot was fed up.
Elliot rushed to Azrail. He jumped up, stuffing the aforementioned teddy bear down the front of Aziral’s shirt.
He screamed. The places the bear touched started to boil and melt. Within seconds Azrail was in a puddle on the floor.
Elliot tried to run away, but as he did, he ran into a figure.
It was Miss Stupendous.
_*-*_
“Hey, It's ok,” she said.
She took Elliot out of the fortress. On the way he saw people arresting all the henchmen. With a steadying hand on his back she explained. “Jensen, rest his soul, sent for me. The message only got here an hour ago.” She continued, “You did good kid. You did something I haven't been able to.”
“Thank you.”
Elliot was then taken to a hotel far away. The next day after he had gotten a good night’s sleep Miss S visited him.
“I’m going to assume you don't want to stay here forever.”
“True,” Elliot replied.
“If you want- and only if you want- you could stay with me? I can protect you from the press.”
“Really?” Elliot said, grateful. “I would love to.”
He was taken to Miss S’s house, small compared to Azrail’s but still huge. She gave him the key to the door and a tour of the house. Within a few months they settled into a routine, Elliot staying home and cleaning or otherwise busying himself while Miss S goes and saves the world. This was his new normal. And this? This was finally a place he could call home.
-The End-