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to Ms Alex entirely.
It was the usual charity benefit and
Robert Noirson was bored.
***
As the Son of the Devil he could have
such fun as no human being could have. But appearing as a forty-two year old
respectable businessman, Noirson had to follow general rules, pretending to be
an ordinary man and only his closest partners and servants knew his real
status.
Not for the first time Robert Noirson had
been involved in a benevolent arrangement, so he knew the entire event
thoroughly. Some speeches, some performances, he would write a check. Reporters
would then take some pictures.
Easy, usual, boring. Robert tried not to
yawn. He was the Beast, a wild animal, and only the Power of his father made
him look like a man. This was why he did not understand the most of human
entertainment and he watched the gymnastic performance with indifference.
But finally the leading girl attracted
his attention; he liked her stern self-confidence. Her face looked familiar.
Platinum blonde, she has a petite frame, but her muscles were toned from years
as an athlete. Moving with hidden energy, she was like a genie in a bottle, and
Robert Noirson got interested.
"Who's the girl in the green
track-suit?" he asked his seat-mate.
"It's Maria Jablonskaia, Mary
J." Father Frank smiled. "Our pride and joy. She could be a
professional gymnast, but the poor girl has no ambitions!"
"Everybody has ambitions,"
Robert retorted derisively. "Just in different walks of life. Could you
introduce me to her?"
"Sure, Mr. Noirson!" Mother
Augusta joined them. "Mary is a good, obedient girl."
"Obedient,
eh?" Robert’s eyes narrowed. "How
obedient?"
"Well,"
Father Frank laughed nervously. "A little."
But Robert showed no interest in this
subject any more.
Mary finished her part and looked at her
tutors, talking and casting glances at her. Propping his chin up with his fist,
Noirson could not tear his eyes away from Mary.
Thinking she understood his glare, Mary
became irritated. She had received "offers" from some wealthy men and
even women a few times. Until today her intentional rudeness had kept them at
bay.
But Mary had a lot of troubles. Her
tutors urged her to accept those offers, and even punished her when she
refused. Mary was worried that it was going to happen again.
Father Frank waved her over. "Mary,
let me introduce you to Mr. Robert Noirson."
"Hello," Mary said through
clenched teeth. "How's your wife?"
"She's doing fine," Robert
smiled admiringly. He extended a hand.
"Sorry," Mary's face was stern.
"My hands are clammy and smeared with talc."
"It's okay," Robert kept his
arm beckoned. "You've done a great job!"
Mary sighed, "I have no choice," She thought clutching his hand. At the same
time she did it, and their palms linked, Robert recalled where he had seen the
same face before and he involuntarily gasped with amazement.
'She
is a copy of the Saint Mary!' His inner voice whispered.
Maybe
even a clone... thought Robert. My
Father! She doesn't know about it!
Puzzled by his reaction, Mary carefully
pulled her hand away, "I told you it's disgusting!"
But the involved Noirson did not release
it. He understood that this girl had been made specially for him. He had been hooked, and clearly
realizing this, he was thinking what he should do now.
"Would you be so kind?" Vexed,
Mary harshly drew back her arm. "Let me go!"
"Mary!" Mother Augusta gasped
with indignation.
"I need to talk to you."
Noirson watched Mary's reaction.
"I don't wanna!" she answered
impudently. "I'm tired and sweaty, I'd like to take a shower!"
"Mary, shame on you!" Father
Frank could not resist himself any more. "You're defaming our
orphanage!"
Mary's face turned red and she looked
down.
"Hush!" Robert uttered
tenderly. "Don't shout at the poor girl, she's tired. Go, Mary, take a
shower and come back. I really need to talk to you. Privately."
Mary's heart gave a lurch. Drooping her
head, she almost ran away. Near the exit door she looked back and saw Noirson
writing a check. All hope seemed was cast down.
Robert gave Mary an amazing glance: she
entered the private room just as though it was a torture chamber: "What's
the matter, Mary?"
The girl tossed her face: "My tutors
said, you're paying for my campus apartment from now on."
"Yes. So what?" Noirson was
wonder-struck.
"You're wrong if you think I'll be
obedient because of your money!" She cried out.
Robert gasped, stepped towards the
frightened Mary and grabbed her shoulders.
"How could you think about me this
way?" He shook the girl. "You don't know me! We just met! Why did you
think this outrageous thing about me?"
"I'm sorry," Mary J. was so
surprised, she even stopped weeping. "I didn't mean to offend you. I was
forced..." She gazed at Noirson with curiosity as an angry roar escaped
from the Robert's lips. "Are you gonna kill my tutors? You look so
mad!"
"Don't worry," Noirson released
the girl and grinned. "I'll be right back!" And he went away. Cheered
up Mary smiled. Her composure returned.
Robert was not absent for long. When he
came back, Mary saw his livid face and felt pity.
"I'm sorry," She repeated and
asked. "What have you done with them?"
"Don't worry, they'll never disturb
you again. I just reminded them of their bad deeds. There is a skeleton in
every house."
"You can read thoughts?" Mary
got interested. "Can you find my "skeleton"?"
"You've got
it, birdie!" a strange smile curved the thin lips of Robert. "That
fool Frank thinks you have no ambitions. Hah! You want to be Jesus's mate,
don't you? You want to mate with the Messiah, eh? Why did you blush? You're a
beautiful sinless Jew, so why not?"
"I'm
Russian."
"Yes, you
were born in
"No, it's okay. I'm thankful to
you."
It was a father-like hug. Mary finally
calmed down, she melted with a feeling of security and peace. Noirson unclasped
his arms, and Mary J. felt a loss.
"Mary, I showed you I'm not an
ordinary man. Now do you believe me?"
"I believe you and I will trust
you."
"Mary, you are not human. You are an
angel in the human form."
"Many times people have called me
'angel'," Mary burst out laughing. "But I always thought it was just
a figure of speech... Wait a minute! How do you know? Are you an angel
too?"
"Well,"
Robert faltered. "Sort of. Look, Mary, I'm a really busy man, but I want
to talk to you. Could you give me two hours a day, maybe more, I'm not sure.
But two hours I'll try to get. I promise, we'll meet only in public places. Is
it okay with you?"
Mary nodded.
"Great!
Tomorrow, wait for me in the Green Streets cafe, it's just across your street,
between the McDonalds and the book-shop."
"I've got
it."
"Wait for me
until
"Do you mean
sixty dollars per day?"
"Some day,
there may be more, if I'm able... Ah, do you want more? I'll pay you cash and you won't have to pay any tax... Oh you
little Scroogette! Don’t forget, I'm paying for your campus apartment?"
"Okay, deal!" Mary smiled and
shook his hand.
That morning Mary woke up in her new
apartment. She opened her eyes and could not determine for a moment if she was
dreaming or if it was real. Her entire bedroom was decorated with flowers.
She got up, ran to the living room, to
the kitchen... Flowers, flowers everywhere... Even in the bathroom.
Mary called the security service:
"It's 7-26. By whom and at what time were the flowers delivered to
me?"
"Sorry, miss, what do you mean?
Nobody came inside."
Mad, Mary threw the receiver.
***
At
The table had been reserved. Mary sat by
the window and took a menu. But when she saw the prices, she nearly jumped out
of her chair. Mary had never visited a luxury cafe and she was astonished.
Nevertheless she hoped that if Noirson had invited her here, he would also pay
for her meal. Mary ordered a juice and salad, and waited. She was still very
angry about the flowers and was preparing a few harsh words.
But Robert was late and Mary had plenty
of time to calm down. She was looking through the window at the endless stream
of people and traffic.
***
It was already
At
The eyes of Mary J. flashed with joy. For
the first time in her lonely life somebody stood up for her and she felt more than just gratitude for Robert.
Mary observed Noirson speaking on his
cell-phone. At about six feet tall, with dark brown hair, Robert was very
slender and elegant. He moved with masculine grace. When he was turning, his
refined body curved like a snake, and his stylish business suit only emphasized
this likeness.
Mary involuntarily recalled the Bible:
'The Serpent, the Tempter, the First Snake.' And she smiled. Noirson impressed
her, but unlike most women, she was not afraid of snakes, and she was a strong
believer in God, strong enough to fight Satan.
Robert looked at his watch and entered
the cafe. Mary waved, and a smiling Noirson came to her. Two hefty men followed
him and sat at the next table. She gazed at them with curiosity, then playfully
glanced at Robert.
"Did you send one of those guys to
bring the flowers to me?" She asked. "You did grease the palm of the
security guards in my building. Didn't you?"
"No, birdie, I'll explain."
Noirson ordered his meal to the waitress and turned to Mary again. "I
wanted your first morning in the new apartment to be special. So, I just did
this!" He snapped his fingers, and Mary gasped, when she saw a cute tiny
corsage of lilies of the valley appeared on her plate.
"Wow!" Mary J. admired the
flowers, then looked again at the men at the next table. "Are you always
with bodyguards?"
"I have to be." Robert's face
was serious. "I have too many enemies."
"They are both so beautiful, I
thought all bodyguards looked like gorillas."
"Not necessarily, kitten..."
Noirson did not finish. He wanted to say: "I only use things of the highest quality." But he was afraid
she would misunderstand this.
"Especially, that left one,"
Mary continued. "His face is so intelligent, he looks like a senator, or
some kind of professor..."
"His name is Roger Slay, and he's
more than just my bodyguard. He's my helper, my valet and butler. The man that
next to him is Jack Leclerc, the chief of my security service."
"What a name your butler has!"
Mary laughed. "Is he an assassin or something?"
"Something."
Noirson smiled. "Look, little lamb, I have an awfully tense life.
Sometimes it's just vitally necessary to have such a guy by my side."
"Cool," Mary's eyes were
iridescent with interest. "And do you even take them when you're on a date?"
"Did you think this meeting was a
date?" Robert stared at her, and Mary blushed. "Oh, girl, you're not
just beautiful, you're smart also! It's a very rare combination, I'm simply
charmed."
"Mr. Noirson, please, don't say such
things. You're a married man and not
supposed to have dates."
"Look, Mary, if I'm looking for a
relationship to "spice up" my life, I'd call an "escort
girl." I called you, because you
are not an ordinary person. You were
surprised with my abilities, but you
have no less than I do! I'd like to teach you how to use them. So, could you,
please, just call me `Robert` and not remind me about my marital status?
Sweetie, it hurts badly, believe me!"
"I'm sorry, mist... R o b e r t," Mary voiced slowly,
and liked the sound of his name. "Why does it hurt?"
"Some day I'll tell you... Okay,
bunny, tell me, how do you like your new apartment?"
***
Roger Slay had already answered a few
phone calls. He looked at his watch then at his Master. Robert was still
talking with Mary and from time to time they would burst out laughing.
Roger hesitated, consulted with Jack and
finally came to their table: "I'm terribly sorry, sir, but we have to go.
We've been here longer than we had planned."
Noirson looked at his watch, whistled and
his face showed his upset. Mary felt pity and stroked his arm: "It's okay,
Robert. I have a lesson pretty soon, I have to go also. I'll see you tomorrow,
I hope?"
Noirson took her hand and the she
understood, he wanted to kiss it, but did not dare. Then Mary resolutely
stretched her arm out and smiled with pleasure when Robert's lips touched her
fingers.
Sixteen years
old, a blue-eyed blonde Jerry was very attractive and not only to women.
But having been
very straight since he was a kid, Jerry had learned to defend himself. He
worked out every day, stealing money to pay for his training, and he was eleven
the first time he handled a gun.
Yet the first
time he killed somebody it was only four years later. Jerry and three of his
pals caught a girl on the parking lot and they raped her. If she had kept
silent, they honestly would have let her go, but she started to cry and
threaten them. Jerry did not like noises and he grabbed his gun and shot her
down. And when one of his pals became nervous about that, he shot him too.
The teenager was surprised at how easy it
was and thought that it was a wonderful solution for almost any problem.
In the meantime Jerry had just turned
sixteen, but he already had a police record like few experienced criminals had,
including robberies and burglaries, guns and drug trade, suspected in a few
rapes and even a few murders. The cool, but cruel demeanor Jerry showed in
fulfilling the orders of his boss was legendary, even among the hardened
criminals.
***
That day, when the boss called for him,
Jerry was happy. Just two days ago the boss had arranged a really nice birthday
party for him. The boss treated him very respectably, as an adult member and
the grateful teenager was ready to go through fire and water for him.
Today's task was not easy. They had to
deliver "stuff", the first batch at least, but the police were
alerted, and if anyone was able to do that, it was he, Jerry. He had only lived
in that city for a few months and policemen had not noticed him yet.
When Ray Desross,
the police officer, noticed a familiarity in the teenager's face, he
immediately called out to him. The lad came close and smiled. He was very tall,
almost as tall as Ray was, his big dark blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires
and the policeman was temporarily dazzled. His own daughter looked very
similar, and he forgot where else he
could have seen that tender and child-like face before.
"Are you new here?" He asked.
"I've never seen you before."
"It's summer vacation,
officer." The teenager did not show any fear or worry. "I'm visiting
my brother here, sir."
"Okay, take care." Desross
watched him as he walked away.
Suddenly he saw Todd, his partner. He
ran, he drew his gun.
"Freeze!" Todd shouted. The
teenager flung himself into a side street. The policeman fired, but did not get
him.
"My God!" shocked, Ray
addressed to his partner. "Todd, he's just a kid!"
"Are you drunk or what?" Todd
stared at him with amazement. "That "kid" killed our colleague
in
Desross gasped, and called himself an idiot.
***
Although Jerry
had lived here just a few months, he was already familiar with this part of the
city. When he realized that he had been exposed he turned and went down a dead
end street with an iron-barred gate. He pushed himself through the gate. His
gun got stuck between those bars, the teenager took it away and smiled,
recalling "Terminator-2", the movie. He felt no fear, just pleasant
excitation. No adult could squeeze through the same way.
But just a couple
of blocks farther Jerry saw them again. Now one more policeman had joined Ray
and Todd.
Jerry started
getting angry. It was already nighttime, and the teenager grabbed the back of a
passing truck and was sure he would be able get away. But today was not his
lucky day. Some stupid or drunk driver turned into the one way street and the
headlights of the car lit up Jerry.
The policemen
shouted and grabbed their guns. The teenager jumped off the truck and saw the
building with outside fire steps. He rushed up, feeling how the pursuers were
getting closer and closer.
Upstairs the
third policeman almost caught him. Jerry turned and shot, his hand did not
falter and the hit of the bullet caused the policeman fall from the roof. Ray
and Todd fired too, but Jerry had already gone down on the other side of the
building.
***
Running away,
Jerry had passed three blocks already, and for the first time in his life he
started to panic. He was lost - this
part of the city was new to him - and he could not find any place to hide. He
could not shake them off, and any
second their backup would be able to hem him in.
Finally, Jerry
saw a building and he noticed an open window on the second floor. He was agile
like a monkey and got up very easily. The couple on the bed were making love,
but he showed them his gun and the young people kept silent.
Jerry did not
want to take any risks and ordered the guy to tie his girlfriend up, and then
Jerry tied the youth. He closed the window and kept his eyes on the street. He
was not familiar with this part of the city and was worried. He saw how the
policemen passed the building and then went back, and he understood that the
street was a dead end. Finally, they were gone and Jerry sighed with relief.
He gazed at the
couple. The helpless girl on the bed looked very tempting. After such stress
Jerry needed to relax. Lying on the floor, her boyfriend was tied securely and
the teenager did not see a reason to suppress his desire. Scared to death, the
girl did not even try to resist.
After, when he had got that he wanted, smiling Jerry left the
apartment. He was sure luck was on his side.
But he was on
duty and should have stayed alert. However, the pursuit after him made the
teenager tired and that last action took away almost all his remaining
strength. He felt sleepy and he disregarded the danger. Without checking he
went to the street and almost collided with Ray and Todd.
He screamed and
rushed to the first alley between the buildings and realized at once that he
had been trapped. It was a dead end and only a big trash container was here.
The teenager heard the two cops radio the other officers and he felt despair.
Suddenly a new
plan came upon Jerry. He started calling the names of the policemen, he was
mocking and threatening them.
"Look,
kid!" Ray Desross shouted. "Don't make things worse! Just come here
with your hands up!"
"Try and
make me!" Jerry laughed.
Holding their
guns, the policemen carefully walked into the alley. Although the trash
container was really big and most adults would have trouble handling it, Jerry
was well trained, very strong, and more important, he was scared and mad. The
huge pile of the trash fell onto the policemen and the teenager tried to run
away.
But Todd was
buried just to his chest and he clutched Jerry's leg. The teenager fell down.
He screamed and kicked Todd, yet the policeman did not release him. His other
arm moved out from under the trash and Jerry thought Todd held a gun, but it
was a set of cuffs and that scared
the teenager even more.
He grabbed his
gun and shot the policeman. He kept firing until the gun was empty. He did not
hear Ray scream, calling his partner's name and making his way out. Jerry
kicked the dead policeman again, freed his leg, and sprang up. But Desross shot
a few times and Jerry collapsed. He wriggled, unsuccessfully trying to get up,
and then lay still.
Keeping him on
the point of his gun, Ray slowly approached. The teenager was still alive, but
Desross was a professional and he understood that Jerry was wounded fatally.
His childish wide-opened naive eyes urged the policeman to feel pity. He put
his gun away and bent over the teenager to check him out.
And Jerry stabbed
Desross in the belly with his knife. Well aimed, that strike was certainly
mortal and they both realized it.
They heard sirens and saw flashing lights of oncoming police cars, but it was
no matter for them now. Jerry hit Desross again and again. Amazed, Ray just
stared at his murderer. Desross did not understand, how he, an experienced
policeman, was able to make such a mistake. He knew that he was dying and he
thought about his daughter.
A smile was on the beautiful lips of the
teenager. But it was a smile of death.
He was Beyond. And he saw numberless awful things that living human beings
could not even imagine.
Many, many times he went close to those
horrifying events and he felt intolerable despair and terror. But all the time
something like a strong hand led him away, and he saw new and boundless
nightmares.
***
Jerry opened his eyes, and at first he
did not understand where he was. Suddenly he sensed pain again, he felt
bandages and catheters and he realized he was in a hospital.
A man was siting near him and looking at
him very attentively.
"Hi Jerry," the man said with
deep low voice. "How do you like the place that you've just visited?"
"Which place?" Jerry asked with
effort.
The man smiled: "It was Hell, Jerry. And you're going to that
place. And all those events are waiting for you.
You're dying, poor boy."
"No," Jerry licked his lips and
looked around the ward. "Where are the doctors? Why aren't they trying to
heal me?"
"They tried their best." The
man snorted. "But they are just humans. Besides, why do you want them to
cure you? You're going to have a lethal injection or get the chair. Which do
you prefer?"
And Jerry wept. He cried like a child.
Damn, he was a child! He was just
sixteen and did not want to die.
"Oh, Jerry, what did you expect? Did
you think you would go to Heaven, doing such things? Who forced you?"
Robert Noirson waited for Jerry's answer with curiosity. And he was pleasantly
surprised.
"You're right." The teenager
sighed. "Nobody forced me. I chose this path myself."
"I like your way of thinking."
Robert smiled. "So, how do you like the place that you've seen? How do you
like Hell?"
"How the fuck do you know, what I saw?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Noirson
shook his head. "I'm a respectable creature, boy! Don't use such language
when you're talking to me!"
"Okay, sir," the teenager replied derisively. "Could you
explain, how do you know, what I saw in my delirium?"
"Because, I'm the manager of that place."
The teenager stared at Noirson. "Are
you the Devil?"
"No, I'm just His Son. I did not say
I'm the owner of that place. I said,
I'm just the manager here, on Earth and there in Hell."
"And you wanna get my soul?"
"Don't be so naive!" Robert
laughed. "I already have it! With my abilities, I don't need servants at
all, but I don't like to waste the Power. So, if something can be done without
using that, I prefer that way. And, well, I must follow some rules. One of them
is that before I "hire" someone, I have to tell him this: you can release yourself from me if you
sincerely repent or commit something "noble", and..." Noirson
stopped for a second and said with visible effort and spite. "And I must tell you, it happens sometimes! But
I don't think you're such a person."
For a few minutes they were silent,
thinking about that. The teenager checked his feelings. He really was not
sorry, and more so, recalling the cop, which he killed last, Jerry sensed such
anger that he surprised himself.
Reading his thoughts, Robert smirked and
continued: "Here is one warning: if you die in fire, voluntary or
accidentally you'll not go to Hell,
you'll just not exist until the Day of Judgment, when we all will answer for our actions."
The gloomy anxiety in Noirson's voice
made the teenager smile.
"Well," he said. "for
everything you do you have to pay for, right?"
"Oh, you're such a brave boy,
eh?" Robert's eyes glinted. "I like your personality, Jerry! I like
your sense of responsibility; and here is my offer: I promise to you my
patronage and caring as long as you are faithful to me. I know, you weren't so
clever to be a leader, however, you're smart enough to be a good soldier. All
that I ask, is your submission. So, what will it be?"
"I'm hurting." Jerry responded
dismally. "I don't know when I'll be able to be in good condition."
Robert sighed. He touched Jerry and the
teenager gasped. The pain was gone and these bandages and catheters fell off
instantly.
Unbelieving, Jerry sprang up, raced to
the mirror and threw off his gown. He stared at his beautiful, youthful body,
it was healthy again and had no scars.
Very, very slowly the teenager walked to
Noirson and knelt: "My Lord! My life is in Your hands!"
And Robert smiled with self-satisfaction.
***
It had happened almost three years ago.
Now nineteen years old, Jerry was the
youngest member of Robert's security force. Noirson "hired" him just
four months ago and it was the first time someone had gone from being a nobody
to one of the closest servants in one step. Skillful and smart, Jerry was the
best in the training camp and his unlimited devotion to Robert was well known.
Very tall, Jerry
had a great body for his age, and it was gaining the hard solidity of full
manhood.
In contrast, his
clean-shaven face was still tender and girl-like. In the camp he grew his hair,
and now, when his thick wavy mane, the color of fallen leaves, was loose, it
flowed down below his shoulders, he looked like a viking or some kind of deity
from a Scandinavian saga. But at work he always tied his hair into a ponytail.
The big dark blue eyes shaded with long eyelashes, and his plum, refined lips
made him even more attractive than before, and his natural, wild masculine
beauty impressed people.
While waiting for Ron, his head partner,
Jerry was lying on his bed and smoking. He did not even take off his shoes, and
had lain right on the bedclothes. He observed the maid doing the room. She did
not look at Jerry, and he felt vexed.
Jerry got up, came closer and lightly
pinched the maid.
"Nice rump, girl!" He smiled
and waited for her reaction.
She calmly turned to him and looked right
into his eyes.
"Keep your hands to yourself, boy." She retorted derisively.
"If you wanna boink someone, go to the building C, fourth floor."
"What if I wanna boink you?"
"I'd like to see you try!" She
snored.
"Oh, yeah? Are you superwoman?"
Jerry got angry. "I can take you with one hand!" He shouted, however,
did not touch her.
"Go ahead!" She challenged.
"I'll not resist, you mountain of muscles! I'm not a virgin, I'll lose
nothing! But you will be in deep,
deep shit! Mr. Noirson protects all
his servants, you stupid ape!"
Jerry choked with rage, and who knows,
what could have happened next, but in that moment Ron entered the room: "Let's
go, partner!"
"Fuck you, bitch!" Irritated,
Jerry went to the door.
"In your dreams, baby!" She
burst out laughing.
Mad, Jerry spun to her, but Ron pushed
him outside: "Control yourself!"
More than twice
as old as Jerry, he was a little shorter than his youthful partner, however,
built more solidly. Swarthy, with black hair, Ron had a thick, carefully
trimmed mustache and piercing brown eyes. He was a demon in the human form, and
Robert Noirson Robert had chosen him to mentor Jerry.
"Look, pal!" Ron reproachfully
shook his head. "Behaving like that will get you in big trouble one
day!"
"Where are we going?" Jerry
wanted to change the subject.
"Wherever the Master will send
us." Ron smiled and said quietly, "He's going on date."
"With that nunette?" Jerry
giggled. "I can imagine!" He put his hands together as for prayer and
lifted his eyes.
***
To his surprise she was wearing shorts and sports top.
He leered at her legs as usual. Too muscular, Jerry noted. He did not
like that. The waist isn't bad... Mmmmmm,
great tits! What a lucky guy my Master is. Jerry thought. Interesting, C size or D?
"Nice to meet you!" the girl
said to him, and he finally looked at her face.
Her succulent lips and golden fluffy hair
made Jerry crazy. The world around him disappeared.
"Are you okay?" this guy gave
her such a strange glare that Mary was amazed. "What's wrong?"
She glanced at Robert. He did not reply,
just stared at his youthful servant.
Mary J. could not even imagine how she
lucky was, having been under Noirson's protection. She would have been in grave
danger if Jerry had met her just one week ago.
But for him she was now taboo.
The youthful security guard kept silent,
and being worried, Ron gently poked him in his back.
"Sorry, Miss Jablonsky!" Jerry
uttered. "Too much sun today. I'm at your service!"
***
Mary and Robert sat at the alley bench.
Ron and Jerry placed themselves a short distance away from them to watch all
approaches.
"That's not fair." Jerry was
talking as in delirium. "I was living in this damn city during the last
four months. I could have met her
first!"
"Stop it, Jerry!" Ron was
horrified. "She's His
girl!"
"I know..." Jerry moaned.
"If she was even the President's girlfriend, it wouldn't stop me! But
she's His girl... If Mr. Noirson
orders me to, I'll kill her, you, myself, my own mother, whoever! And my hand
won't falter, I swear! But nobody can forbid me to wait. How long have they been dating? Just a few days! Maybe He'll
change His mind..."
"Don't count on that, buddy. I know
the Master too well."
"Maybe they will break up! I'll be
waiting... While there is life, there is hope..."
"Yeah, correct. While there is life..." Ron sighed.
In the servant's
bar Jerry took a beer and a snack and stared at the TV. He did not understand
that he was watching. All he could think about was Mary.
"Hey,
Jerry!" one servant called him. "Why are you so crooked?"
"Go to
Hell!" Jerry snarled mechanically. He was imagining what kind of fun he could have with that girl.
"Look,
buddy, it's not good for your health. You're too young to throw down a beer
every day!"
"Prove
it!" Jerry grinned. "In my
Id I'm twenty three!"
Three security
guards not far away from Jerry were whispering to each other.
"You're
kidding, Max! Impossible!"
"It's true. I'll show you. Let's go, guys,
you'll see!"
They moved, so
that Jerry would be able to hear them.
"You know,
Fred," Max started loudly. "Mary
Jablonskaia has a walk around her building every night..."
"Oh,
yeah?" Jerry credulously turned to them. "Why?"
"Probably,
she wants to meet you!" the
servant impudently laughed right into Jerry's face.
Realizing that he
had been tricked the youthful security blushed with anger, yet he was not drunk
enough to lose control of himself and start a fight. He was new and alone.
Those guys were professionals and waited for his reaction. They were alert and
Jerry did not want to be beaten.
He silently drained his glass, then got
up and left the bar. Behind he heard the guffaw, but he did not look back.
Three months had
passed as if only a few days. "Two hours" sometimes became a whole
day. Noirson started to neglect his duties and his partners finally got
worried.
***
As all wild
animals Robert Noirson slept lightly, and the voices in the next room woke him
up.
"I said, you
can go inside only over my dead body!" Roger Slay was hissing. "The
Master is sleeping and my duty is to
let him rest, no matter who wants to disturb him!"
"What the
hell's going on?" wearing a dressing gown, Noirson came out of his
bedroom.
He saw Becker, his tutor and supervisor. Stubby, but imposing and dignified,
John Becker was in his mid sixties. As the President of the Noirson's
Corporation, he managed all business and affairs. Besides, Becker was the uncle
of Robert's wife, and Noirson got confused.
"John, I'm very
tired, could we talk tomorrow?"
"No, my dear
boy! We have to talk right now!"
Slay gazed at his
Master. The demon in a human body, Roger Slay, was ready to do anything for the
Son of the Devil, and Robert hesitated for a second. He was so fatigued that he
even thought how tempting it was to order Roger to kick John out of the room
and go to sleep again. But his sense of duty and respect for Becker compelled
Noirson to take control of himself.
"Okay,
John," Robert sighed, nodded to Slay and sat on the chair. "What's
the matter?"
"Have you
lost your mind?" Becker looked at his ward with rage. "When did you
last read the Report?"
"Last night
on my way home."
"And what?
Did you call? Did you fix it?"
"I made a
call. But sorry, I'm out of the Power for today, I'll do it tomorrow, I
promise."
"Again? What
did you show her today? Dinosaurs?
Volcanoes?"
"
"Silence!"
Becker pounded the table. "Did you waste twenty-four hour's portion of
your Power just to impress that young thing, with whom you didn't even
sleep?"
"I was
really close to that today..." Robert smiled and closed his eyes.
***
It was an
extremely hot day and they decided to go to beach.
However, soon
Robert understood it was a bad idea. He saw the drops of her sweat and water,
and grains of sand glittered brilliantly on her almost naked body, he lost the
line and barely saved the conversation.
But when the
vanilla ice-cream that Mary was eating, started to melt and dripped on her
breasts, Noirson said to himself: "That's it!" And they left the
beach.
***
Now Robert
recalled those sights and moaned with admiration and desire.
"Robert, my
boy, you're sick."
"All work
and no fun make Robert a dull boy. I'm just happy!"
"Sir,
business before pleasure! You are here on duty! Remember that! And my duty is to help the plenipotentiary
of Satan whoever that is."
"And what?
John, I told you, I'm tired and awfully want to sleep! I don't understand your
hints!"
"Better if
you will understand. None so deaf as those who won't hear. Okay, let's get it
straight! I have to ask you, do you really think you are irreplaceable?"
The eyes of the
Beast opened widely. "Is that a threat?"
"No, sir,
just a warning."
"You don't
mean it, John," Noirson asked quietly. All his drowsiness was gone at
once. "Do you?"
"I do mean
it, sir."
Noirson hung his
head.
"Robert,
please," Becker tenderly hugged his ward. "Just be a good boy, all
the pleasures on Earth and in Hell are yours!"
"How about
Heavenly enjoyment?"
"Robert, my
darling, don't fall between two stools! It's very dangerous, trust me."
Noirson did not
reply.
"Okay,
Robert, go to bed, my boy. I love you, dear, and only wish you well."
Becker patted Noirson's shoulders and went away.
But for a long
time Robert was still sitting, thinking about this conversation.
Noirson knew that
Mary had fallen for him. It was easy to make her feel love for him. And now,
after Becker's threat Robert decided to take the next step.
***
When Noirson
offered to take Mary for a ride in his limousine she did not hesitate for long.
The huge black car, as long as a winter night, impressed her. Gary, the driver,
respectfully opened wide a door. Robert gallantly helped Mary get inside.
But when the door
slammed, Mary shook, she felt trapped. This was the first time they were alone
together. Noirson clearly understood her concerns and sat as far away as was
possible.
***
As usual, Robert
gave Mary all his attention. He asked the girl about her day, told her about
his day in a funny way. He told jokes and short stories, showed her some tricks
and carefully gave her compliments.
He took the
emptiness from Mary with a corsage of flowers. Although Mary saw it as a trick
and it was not the first time, it impressed her again. But now she started playing the capricious girl. Robert smiled, woke up
to her game and started rearranging the flowers. They played this game for
almost an hour.
When the game
turned boring, Noirson opened the bar and poured Mary a glass with red liquid.
Mary smelled it mistrustfully: "It's wine! What did you do, Robert! I'll
be twenty one only in the September!"
"Wine?"
Noirson raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, kid." He touched the glass and
the liquid changed color. Mary carefully smelled it again: "It's water!
Oh, Robert, can I try to do it?"
"Yep. Try to
make a soda."
"Dr.
Pepper!" Mary closed her eyes and concentrated. Robert smacked her in her
cheek.
"Oh!"
the girl opened her eyes. "You disturbed me! Bad boy!"
"Oh, my
queen! Be gracious to your slave! The doctor is here."
The liquid in the
glass was brown and had bubbles.
Mary took a sip
of this and sighed: "I wanna do it all by myself."
"Maybe next
time, but now, would you like to see
another miracle?"
Mary nodded.
"Look at the
window! Do you see a reflection of my car in the shop-window? Now you see it,
now you don't."
Mary gasped: the
reflection disappeared. The girl felt how the car smoothly lifted into the air
and turned. Mary slid along the seat to Noirson. They embraced each other, and
it was their first real kiss.
Mary felt sweet
dizziness. "Oh, Robert," she murmured. "I'm so, so happy!"
"My little
angel, I'm happy too... We can be happy all
the time. Together." He tenderly
kissed the rigid girl. "Do you understand me? Would you marry me?"
Her face turned
stony. She carefully extracted herself from his arms.
"I had a
great time, Mr. Noirson." She
said coldly. "Could you just drive me home?"
The car returned
to Earth. As did Robert. He was taken aback, and he did not understand what was
going on. He knew Mary loved him and did not expect to hear a refusal.
He was so visibly
shocked that Mary felt pity. She recalled some stuff that she heard about a
male's insides. She took his hand and pressed it to her chest: "I'll be
your friend..." And added hesitatingly: "Even a girlfriend if you'll wish. If you need sex..."
"I already
have a girlfriend!" Robert sharply pulled his hand back. "And if I
only want sex I use a prostitute!"
Now it was Mary's
turn to be amazed. Her sheepish eyes forced Noirson to make excuses.
"I'm sorry,
I'm sorry!" Robert got confused. "Forget what I said! Your absurd,
vulgar, unworthy of you offer outraged me more than your refusal!"
Trembling with
sobs, Mary hid her face in her hands.
"Look, baby,
why did you refuse?" Noirson asked tenderly. "Don't you like me? Am I
too old for you?"
"Oh,
Robert!" Mary stopped weeping. "You talk nonsense! You're not old for
me and I... I like you... Oh, who am I kidding? I do love you, Robert Noirson.
Oh, I love you so much! But you're a married
man..."
"Stop!"
Robert grabbed her hands. "Look into my eyes. Tell me the truth. Is my
marital status the only reason for
your refusal?"
"Only?"
Mary was amazed. "For me this reason is not just only, it's decisive!"
"Come on,
kitten! We're living in a civilized country. I want a divorce."
"Sorry,
Robert, but you know, it's not the
way for me: 'What God has yoked together let no man put apart.'"
"Listen,
Mary, so many times you asked me about my life. Now I'm ready to tell you everything. You can't imagine what kind
of abilities I have! The whole world
is in my hands!
"But that is
the reason why an entire sect exists, whose members have sworn to kill me. They
know what there is the only one way
to kill or even harm me, and it's by using one of six special made daggers.
They've tried many times! I’ve captured these daggers and keep them in my
prayer room.
"About my
wife... I am a businessman, honey. You know our society. You have to be a
family guy to have a good reputation. It's suspicious, if a man is still single
after thirty. My tutor and supervisor John Becker gave me his niece Monica and
I was forced to marry her. We never loved each other! It's a sham marriage! I
swear! She only wanted money!"
"But you
have a son!"
"We adopted
Dylon, he is nineteen now."
Mary did not
respond. Robert sighed and continued with a visible effort: "But I beg
you, never, never you have to listen
to anyone who says anything about me
or my past! You know, it's possible to turn everything upside down and show it
in the false light..." His voice was heavy with grief and depression, in
his eyes Mary saw such a great sorrow that she promised at once: "I swear,
I swear! Don't worry... Oh, please, Robert! I'll do it, honest."
He took her
hands. Noirson was thinking. Having the wisdom of thousand of years experience
he was able to find an exit in almost any situation, and now a new idea came
upon to him.
"Mary, my
little flower, would you be my official fiancée?"
Robert asked. "My marriage is just civil, but I'd like to register the
relationship with you in the church. If you agree, I promise, I swear, not to
pressure you for sex or marriage! But I want to have rights on you..."
Noirson stopped short and dared to use even the word that he was afraid the
most. "I want to pronounce you as mine
in front of the people and God... If you refuse this proposal too, I'll kill
myself!" Robert felt it sounded
too dramatic, and he thought he overdid it. But the young girl might fall for
this.
"Look,"
Mary's face was pale. "You said so much, I need to think about it,
okay?"
"Okay,"
Robert sighed. "Would you like to look at the dagger?"
"No!"
Mary screamed, but thought about it and changed her mind. "Yes, show
me."
Noirson opened
the safe and took the dagger out.
"Be
careful," He warned. "Don't touch the blade. It's extremely
sharp."
Mary gasped. The
size of the dagger shocked the sensitive girl. The blade was longer than ten
inches.
"Jesus
Christ..." Mary moaned. She felt dizzy and dropped the dagger.
Noirson picked it
up and put it back in the safe. The girl threw himself to Robert and
emotionally embraced him. She was shaken.
***
The limousine
stopped at a red light. Suddenly Mary heard screams and looked through the
window. A blue car swept past by their car. Pedestrians on the crosswalk
dispersed in all directions. But one young man was not quick enough. The car
hit him and his body rolled towards the buildings. The blue car did not stop.
Forgetting
everything, Mary got out of the limousine and ran to the man. He was lying near
a wall. He was wearing a cheap, but neat business suit that was now spattered
with blood. He was still holding his briefcase. He was bleeding from his nose
and ears.
Mary tried to
check his pulse. His head lay at an unnatural angle and the girl understood it
meant a broken neck. Mary turned her face and saw Noirson. He slowly came
through the crowd.
"Oh, Robert!
It's so awful!" Mary sighed. "He's gone..."
"I know
him... Oh, my Gosh! I knew him!"
a fat lady said. "He was my neighbor, Lloyd Puling. Oh, his wife,
Jessica... Poor one! And his son, he's just four! Every evening the boy met his
father after work, he climbed on him like a little monkey...Oh, the poor
guy..."
Mary looked at
Robert with tears in her eyes. Suddenly he smiled.
"Step back
everybody!" his deep low voice silenced everyone. The crowd stepped back.
Robert raised
both his hands: "My beloved Father, glorify your name!"
A monstrous,
mighty voice answered him: "I have glorified it and will glorify it again.
You are my Son, the beloved, that whom I have approved."
Some people
screamed, and almost all knelt.
"This voice
has occurred, not for my sake, but for your sakes." Noirson continued to
quote the bible. He stepped forward and touched the dead man. "Young man,
I say to you, get up!"
Everybody gasped
when the man moved, sat up and rubbed his head: "What happened?"
The crowd gasped
as one and then cheered. But Robert and Mary saw only each other.
" I'll be
Your fiancée," Mary was talking as if in a trance. "I'll be Your
wife. I'll do anything You
wish..."
They returned to
the car.
Mary was silent
for a few minutes then asked: "Can you resuscitate everybody?"
"Except
those who have been burnt to death. However, I can cure any burns or
scalds."
"Are you...
Are you... "Mary panted and started to quote the Bible: "'Really, the
One... Or is there a different one, for whom we should wait?'"
"'The blind
are receiving sight," smiling smugly, Robert continued the quotation.
"The dead are being raised up.' Is that enough for you?"
"I can't
believe," Mary was talking with unlimited pride. "You chose me! Of course, I'm
sinless, but such a Honor..."
"Could you
stop talking for a while?"
Mary submissively
became silent.
"What time
is it?" Robert looked at his watch, thought for a few seconds and
continued. "Okay, I hope we have enough time. Listen, Mary, we can go to
the church right now, and after our betrothal we need to be separated for a
while... By the way, do you know Deborah Perkiness? She goes by the last name
Niekamp now."
"Yes, she
was on our team, but I've never met her personally."
"No matter,
we are good friends. She invited me to her party tonight and I have additional
invitation for a partner. Try to guess who I'm going to bring?"
"Your
wife?"
"No, my
fiancée, the girl whom I love so much. You. Here's your invitation."
Mary gasped, she
felt like Cinderella.
"You should
go there first. I have some business to attend to. I'll come later."
"I don't
have a 'good' dress."
"There is
your dress." Robert held out a box. "After church I'll drop you off,
you'll have to change into your dress and rent a car." Noirson gave Mary a
credit card. "Use it. It's yours now."
"How about
your wife? What's her name? Monica?"
"Of
course, she won't come, don't worry, sweetie. What time does the party start?
Ah, 7:30. I hope we can make it."
Mary did not
complain. She promised to be obedient and listen to Robert always and
everywhere.
***
But she broke her
word only a few hours later. She did not rent a car. She called a taxi.
When they came
closer to the gate the cab driver looked back at Mary and asked doubtfully:
"Are you sure, young lady? Is this the place you're looking for?"
"Did you
check the address?"
"Yep, it's
the same... Okay, let's try."
The surprised
security guard took her invitation with suspicion. He made a call and despite
her self-confidence Mary got worried.
Only when the
gate opened and the cab smoothly moved along the driveway, the girl sighed with
relief and put on her jewelry.
***
"Mary? Mary
J.? Is it really you?" The smiling Deborah greeted her. "Of course, I
was just wondering who'd come in a cab..."
"Why
not?" Mary asked surprised.
"My
dear," Deborah said quietly. "Nobody comes a reception like mine in
public transport. It's just improper. You could wear jeans and have the same
effect."
Mary's face went
red.
"It's
okay, hon, I do understand. It's your first time, isn't it? By the way, how did
you get the invitation?"
"Try to
guess!"
"It's easy.
Your 'big catch', your lover gave it to you, didn't he?"
"We're not
lovers," Mary retorted calmly.
"Of course,
of course! The man who could give a dress worth eight grand certainly couldn't
be a lover."
"What?"
Wide-eyed Mary gasped. "Does my dress cost eight thousand bucks?"
"Relax,
dolly, your earrings cost more."
"The jewels
of course, but a dress?"
"Don't
worry, babe, some collection dresses can be much more expensive." Deborah
laughed. "Poor Laura, she said to me just a few minutes ago how she wanted
to buy this dress, but someone already bought it. Now I know who it was. Let's
go, let's go! It's going to kill her!"
Mary was upset. She felt pity for Laura.
"But I can't undress, can I?"
Mary thought as she calmly walked with Deborah.
When the limousine stopped, Noirson
rushed out and collided with a tall young athlete on the steps.
It was Dylon Noirson, his
adopted godson. Robert did not just love him, he adored him. And knowing that,
Dylon used the money and the Power of his godfather as if it were his own.
"Watch it!" Dylon Noirson
pushed Robert. "Where were you? We tried to find you... Oh, Devil! What
happened? What are you so happy about? Did you finally fuck her?"
"Better, my poor debauched boy! I'm
going to marry her! She loves me, she
agreed!"
"Are you mental?" Dylon gasped.
"No, it's impossible! Tell me you're just teasing me, aren't you?"
"You're human," Robert sighed
sadly. "You can never understand me. Look, Dylon, I have a lot of work to
do. See you later!"
And he left a
shocked Dylon standing on the steps.
***
Robert finished
his work at 5:12 p.m. He was so tired, he could barely get to his bedroom, and
when he did he kicked off his shoes, dropped his clothes on the floor and took
a shower.
The icy-cold
water rejuvenated him and filled him with newfound strength.
When Robert came out, Roger Slay threw a
bathrobe over the shoulders of his Master and turned the water off. Noirson
strolled back into his bedroom and fell into an armchair.
"Roger," Noirson was smirking.
"My dear Roger! I'm so happy! Are you happy for me?"
But the servant looked at his Master with
so such a depression that the smile died on Robert's lips: "What's wrong,
Roger?"
"I'm not happy, sir," the valet
answered sadly. "Nobody's happy, but you."
"Don't play the fool, Roger! You are
not human, you should understand me!"
"Sir, wake up, please! She is just a
clone! Even twins could not be same! Mary Jablonskaia is a usual young thing,
smug, rude and impudent!"
"Hah! Of course, she's not the same,
she's much better!" Drunk with emotions, Noirson smiled admiringly.
"Yes, she's rude, but with whom has she communicated all her life? With
hypocritical corrupt tutors! With the same lost embittered orphans! With
impudent girls from rich families! I was even pleasantly surprised, because,
she's a power girl, they didn't crush her soul! She doesn't need me vitally,
she's capable of living without me. And this is why I appreciate her feelings
to me! She'll never be a burden! We'll fight together, side-by-side! That
dare-devil will be a trusty comrade-in-arms!"
"'Comrade'?" Slay was amazed.
"The day that Catholic fosterling discovers, who you really are, she'll
kill you!"
"Shut up!" Robert lost his
patience. "You're a fool! You don't understand a thing! Mind your own
business! Get me a suit, I'm going to the party!"
Slay bowed low
and went to the closet.
***
Noirson was
putting on his pants when John Becker burst into the dressing room.
"What the
hell's going on?" He screamed. "Why can't Monica go?!"
"Don't shout
at me!" Robert's metallic voice forced Becker to quiet down.
John took a
breath and repeated calmly: "Why can't Monica go?"
"That's
better," Noirson clasped the belt. "She can't come, because I don't
want to see her. I'm going to divorce her."
Becker stared at
Robert.
"What's the
matter, John? I do remember our contract has a paragraph about a divorce.
She'll get money, I'll marry Mary." Noirson burst out laughing. Slay gave
him a shirt. Robert pulled it on and sang in his hoarse bass voice,
"Marry-Mary! Merry-marry!"
"Fuck that
bullshit off!" Becker looked at Noirson with rage. "You can't marry
that monastic slut!"
"First,"
Robert replied haughtily. "I can do whatever I want. And second, watch
your mouth when you're talking about my fiancée!"
"What?"
Becker's face turned pale. "Is that true? Dylon told me, but I just couldn't believe it!"
"Yep, we
were engaged at 2:03 p.m. And guess what? Jim
Spencer did it."
"Robert, my
boy!" Becker gasped with fear. "What have you done? Jim's our man,
but he's a real priest! Only humans can't understand what kind of
responsibility they have after a betrothal!"
"I'm not
human," Noirson replied calmly. Roger helped his Master with his jacket.
"And I do understand."
Becker nervously
took out a cigar.
"Don't smoke
in my rooms!"
Angrily John
shoved the cigar in his pocket.
Slay held out
ties and Robert started choose a tie to match his suit. Suddenly, he
intercepted Becker's glance in the mirror. It was a murderer's glare.
Noirson spun to
John: "Don't even think about it!" The face of the Beast was glowing
with inhuman madness.
"What?
Robert, dear, what do you mean?"
"I know your
thoughts!" Noirson was trembling. "If you even try to kill her
I'll summon my Father! He
approved and blessed my choice!"
"As you
wish, Your Worship!" Becker knelt. Robert helped him to get up:
"Remember, John, and tell everybody. Let's stay friends, okay?"
Becker bowed and
went away.
The high spirits
left Noirson. He took the first tie and mechanically tied it up.
***
"You lousy
moron!" Furious Monica ran into the room as mad as a tigress in battle.
"Why didn't you tell me about Deborah's reception, you idiot?"
Thirty-five years
old, tall, slim and graceful Monica Noirson was very beautiful, but Robert
looked at his wife with vexation and spite: "Monica, I just
wanted..."
"Shut up,
your stupid chatter! I'm fed up with your dull twaddle!"
"Listen to
me, brawler!"
"No, you, nobody, listen to me! Do you think
you could just pay me money and throw me out as if I was a prostitute?"
"You are
worse than a prostitute, you brazen face!"
"Look who's
talking!" Monica smiled scornfully. "You're a fool, Robert Noirson!
You were always a jerk!" And she
went away.
Exhausted,
Noirson sat down on a stool. He tried to light a cigarette, but his hands were
still shaking with anger. He thought about Mary, yet even those thoughts could
not please him.
Robert wearily
plodded to his bedroom. He did not even try to take off his clothes, just
flopped down on the bed and turned the TV on. Noirson was too tired. He decided
not to go to the stupid party. Tomorrow he would just tell Mary some lie about
him being busy and not being able to get away.
If that would be
necessary. Robert yawned and dozed off.
***
"Master,"
Slay carefully touched Noirson's shoulder. "Do you hear me? I'm sorry to
disturb you. I just wanted to check with you to make sure?"
Robert looked at
him sleepily.
"Your wife
took a car and drove away..."
"And
what?" Noirson yawned. "She can go wherever she wants. I don't
care."
"Sir, she
dressed up and I'm afraid she's gone to the party. To Deborah Niekamp's, sir. Is it okay?"
For a few seconds
Robert was indifferently looking at Roger. Suddenly, Noirson realized what his
servant had said.
"Oh,
shit!" Robert sprang up. "Get a car, hurry up! Oh, crap..."
Mary was enjoying the party. New people,
new impressions...
Only one thought made Mary a little
upset. Robert had not arrived yet and Mary was wondering: will he come at all?
But it was not very important.
Mary J. was not shy and did not even try
to pretend that she had any experience. When the hostess Deborah Niekamp
offered to play cards, Mary answered calmly: "I don't know how to play,
sorry."
Her frankness impressed the women, and
they decided to teach her.
"But anyway, Mary, you can't
win," Deborah winked. "Lucky at love, unlucky in cards."
In the middle of the game Mary felt
Deborah gently kick her under the table. At first Mary did not understand what
she meant.
"Should I play a queen?" Mary
asked and lifted up her eyes. She saw Monica Noirson and fell silent.
"Oh, Monica, good evening!"
Laura smiled malevolently. "Let me introduce you to Mary. This is Monica
Noirson, the wife of Robert and this
is Robert's... Ah, what's the word?"
"That word," Monica said
through clenched teeth. "Can not be used in respectable society."
Mary threw the cards down. "What do
you want?"
"I want to talk to you. Seriously,
baby."
"Of course, Mrs. Noirson!" Mary
got up from the table. "Excuse me, ladies."
They moved aside. Minute Mary was shorter
than Monica, by at least nine inches, but she daringly glared at her face. For
the first time in her life the girl felt irresistible hatred. That woman had a
man, whom she, Mary, loved selflessly; Robert's words sounded into her mind:
'She only wanted money!' And having been racked with jealousy, the girl did not
think, was that true or not.
"Listen to me, you clever
whore!" Monica started with spite. "You can have that jerk, I don't
care! But I'll get my money, be sure!"
"Mrs. Noirson! If I marry him it will be for Love, not for
money!"
"Give me a break, babe! What can
make you attracted to him except money? He's more than twice as old as
you!"
"It doesn't matter."
"May be now. A few years later, when you want sex, and he won't be able to
give it to you, you'll get a young lover!"
Mary span around and quickly went to the
exit and in the entrance door she collided with Robert.
"Mary!" seeing her tears,
Noirson gasped realizing he was late. Sobbing, the girl ran away. Robert stared
at his wife, walking towards him. She was smiling, but when she went closer and
saw the look on his face her grin went out.
Not understanding what was going on,
Monica was really terrified. She had never seen her husband so mad. Uncle John
warned her many times not to irritate Noirson. But she did not believe him; she
took the indifference of her husband as weakness and cowardice. Only now Monica
did realize how wrong she was.
"You will
pay for that, bitch!" he hissed to her very quietly. "Oh, you'll be
very, very sorry!" He turned
around and went to the exit, and the scared Monica dared not to follow him.
It had been a
long day.
The lesson neared
the end and Mary J. was feeling exhausted. All her thoughts were for the coming
date with Robert, but her pupils were tired and capricious, they did not pay
attention and Mary strained every nerve to control them and herself.
However,
everything has an end.
Mary was taking a
shower when she heard the phone ringing. She flung herself out of the stall and
grabbed the receiver: "Hello?"
"Hi,
honey!" Robert's voice sounded with deep sadness. "I'm really sorry,
but I can't come."
Mary's high
spirits left her.
"Okay,"
She gulped. "Thanks for your call. How are you today?"
"Mary, I'm
calling you from my car. I had a conference, when I was informed... My wife is
dead."
Mary gasped and
sat on the stool: "What happened to her?"
"She was
taking a cruise on our yacht when a passing oil tanker had sprung a leak. The
spilled oil caught on fire. The ship was surrounded by burning oil and sank
with everyone on board."
Feeling dizzy,
Mary closed her eyes. "Definitely," She pronounced solemnly. "It
was an act of God's wrath!"
"Oh..."
Robert choked. "Well, I'm glad that you're thinking that way. I'm just
afraid some reporters will start to bother you. Please, don't talk with these
vultures, silence is golden. Let me
disentangle this mess, okay?"
"Gotcha, no
comments." Mary smiled. She had no pity to Monica. Robert was free now and
Mary felt happy.
"Now it's personal." Becker's gloomy face
contorted with frenzy and sorrow. Recalling yesterday's events he closed his
eyes for a second.
***
Distracted with
grief, he burst into Noirson's office. John probably looked scary, because
Robert sprang up and recoiled towards the wall. He gazed at Becker's hands and
John understood, Noirson was afraid that he, John, was going to use a dagger for revenge of his niece's
murder.
Like an any
trapped animal Robert was horrified and angry. He started justifying himself
and threatening his tutor. His voice trembled with fear and spite. But the
tragedy had crushed Becker, and he burst into tears.
Noirson now
looked upset and confused.
"I'm really
sorry, John," Robert hugged his tutor, and blurted out. "I had no choice..."
Mad, Becker
pushed his ward away and ran from the office.
***
"Okay,
Dylon, now I'm ready!" John Becker drew in a deep breath and looked at
Dylon Noirson. "Tell us your plan."
The partners
listened very attentively.
"It will not
stop Him." Anhella said sadly. This Austrian girl was more than just a
personal secretary to Noirson, her unlimited love for him was well known to the
partners.
The appearance of
Anhella Vixen corresponded with her name exactly. Her red hair, green cold eyes
and refined features of her pretty, but cruel face were making her look like a
fox.
"You're
right, honey." Dylon Noirson sighed with deep compassion. "Nothing
can stop Him if He's already made a decision. Sweetheart, Robert is such a fool.
If I ever meet a girl like you, I'll marry her the same day."
He took her hand,
but Anhella sharply pulled it back: "I'm not in the mood for jokes!"
"I'm not
joking," Dylon Noirson pronounced very seriously. "And you know
that."
"Look,
Dylon, you're just His son for me!
When will you understand that?"
"Don't say
such a nonsense! You and I are the same age!"
"I'm more
than six years older than you!"
"Big
deal!"
"Enough!"
Becker pounded the table. "You love birds can coo later! I came here,
looking for revenge, not to listen to love songs! Dylon! Except troubles for
us, what's the point of your plan?"
"Well, it'll
be a good lesson for that brash young thing..." Dylon Noirson shuddered
with hatred. "You know what? I sent a man to talk to her. Just talk! That
bitch..."
"Dylon!"
Becker warned. "Master's commands are obligatory for everybody!"
"Go to
Hell!" Dylon Noirson shouted. "She called my man names, mocked him
and finally kicked him out of her apartment..."
"She ejected your man?" Becker shook his head.
"Wow! She's a power girl, eh? That poor guy! Who's this loser that's been
sent?"
"It's not
funny, Raymond's my best servant!"
"In that
case, I'm not surprised. Like master, like servant." Becker grinned.
"It was really stupid to send that British lord to talk with that Russian
gangster-girl! But you always were a fool, young boy."
"And you're
an old fool," Dylon spat out his words. "She terminated your niece and you don't wanna fight back?"
"I don't
want a "ride to Hell", you stupid punk!"
"Quit
it!" Anhella interrupted them angrily. "Why can't you two talk
without quarreling? John, Robert respects and appreciates you. Dylon, Robert
loves you as his own son. For me it
doesn't matter what the Master is going to do with me. Oh, Devil! How I hate
her! The only reason I haven't murdered her yet is that I don't want to lose
Robert's favor. Well, He prohibited anyone to kill her, so we won't." Anhella smiled maliciously. "I
agree with your plan, Dylon! You can count on me! John?"
"Deal!"
Becker lit a cigar. "They both
deserve punishment. Do it, boy!"
Sam Swigart was
in his favorite bar. He drank, watched TV and rested.
Sam looked plain,
and usually he spent the whole evening alone. But not today: two men sat down
next to him, one on either side. Surprised, Swigart glanced askance at them.
One of them looked like a real gorilla, and they both were dressed too
respectable for a bar like this.
"Good
evening, Sam." the 'human one' said with a British accent.
"Yeah, good
... evening." Swigart wondered how this guy knew his name, but he was
afraid to ask. He did not dare to ignore the monster on the left stool who
appeared able to kill him in one move, and Sam clearly realized that.
"I'm
Raymond," the 'human' introduced himself. "This is Doug."
Gorilla-man
nodded and Swigart bowed. Raymond attentively looked at Sam. Only a week ago
the incident had happened, and Raymond desired revenge.
***
Living in this
country, Raymond had gotten bad treatment from yankees before. But that girl
had no right to treat him like that. She was born on the other side of the
ocean, like Raymond was, and her only advantage was that she was a baby when
she came here, and she spoke without an accent.
Raymond was a
true gentleman, and when she started calling him names like a street punk girl,
he was taken aback. And fighting was not his job either. He was like a brain
for Dylon Noirson, his helper and consultant. Of course, in a difficult
situation, he was able to protect his Master, maybe not as a professional
bodyguard could, but not bad anyway. However, he had no right to hit that
insolent pudgy girl. He did not expect her to be so well trained and strong.
She mocked him to her heart's content, and after,
she just tossed him from her damn apartment. Raymond still got mad all the
time, recalling how he slid along the corridor on his own face.
He sat and looked
back at her with amazement. He could not understand how he, a forty-five years
old man, had been thrown away by a small girl, who had just come of age.
"If I see
you next time, I'll call the police!" She yelled and slammed the door.
Raymond was so
angry that his hand involuntarily moved to his gun. He was so outraged, he was
not even afraid of a "ride to Hell". But he restrained himself. He
was the official plenipotentiary of Dylon Noirson, he idolized his Master and
did not want any trouble for him. For Dylon, Raymond was ready to go through
any torment or torture. Not looking at the alarmed security guard, Raymond
silently got up and left the campus.
This plan of
revenge came to Raymond on his way home, and now he was close to putting it
into effect.
***
"I'm just
interested," Raymond continued. "Was that your car? The light blue Buick?"
Sam choked.
"What do you mean 'was'?"
He gasped.
"Forget that
banger! Look out the window."
Swigart looked.
Oh, it was the car from his dreams: a red sports convertible.
"Here are
the papers."
Unbelieving, Sam
checked out the papers. All was correct. He
was the owner of this fantastic new car. Suddenly the papers disappeared.
Swigart uttered a cry of disappointment.
"Look, mate,
you are not stupid," Raymond smiled. "Do a job for us and this car is yours. The car, a lot of money, and of course, we'll pay any bail for you."
"Bail?"
Sam gasped. "What exactly is the 'job'?" Swigart asked. And added :
"I've never had a problem with the law before."
"It's good,
because, I have some pictures," Raymond stretched out an envelope.
"Check it out!" And Raymond calmly lit a cigarette.
Sam opened the
envelope.
His hands shook.
It was pictures of him. How he
abducted. How he raped. How he tormented. How he murdered. How he was hiding
bodies. All his actions.
"How did you
discover that?" Swigart mumbled. "How did you do that?" He fell
into a dispirited silence.
"It's none
of your business," Raymond replied sternly. "By the way, did you ever
have anal sex?"
"What do you
mean?" Terrified, Sam thought that guy wants to have him. "I'm not gay!"
"I mean with
a female."
"Fuck is
fuck," Swigart shrugged his shoulders.
"Okay,"
Raymond looked around and continued. "This is your task: we'll give you a
girl and instructions for what you have to do. After this is done you can get
that car plus eighty thousand dollars, cash, of course."
"One
hundred!" Sam licked his lips. "I want one hundred grand!"
Raymond looked at
Doug. Gorilla-man moved.
"Just
kidding!" Swigart damned his greediness. "Come on, guys, I was just
kidding!"
Doug lifted a
briefcase, put it on the counter and unlocked it. Sam opened the cover very
carefully. It was money. Cash. Twenty dollar's bills. Not very new. Not very
ragged.
Swigart closed
the briefcase. He attentively looked at Raymond: "What's the catch?"
"Well, that
girl has a fiancé," Raymond inhaled. "After the 'job' is done, you'll
need to hide, for your own safety. We'll give you new Ids, so you'll be able to
start new life."
"Wow! Look,
man, eighty grand's not a big money to start a new life. Gimme one hundred and
I'll do it. I'll refuse if you won't pay!"
"All
right," Raymond sighed. "Anyway, your car is gone and you need a
ride. If you did not like the first car, would you like to choose another?"
Sam looked
through the window. His face went pale: "But...this... This is a police car."
"Precisely."
For a few minutes
Swigart sat there, thinking silently.
"It looks, I
have no choice," He summed up finally.
"Of course,
you have," Raymond smiled. "Just choose a car for the ride. That's
easy!"
"Okay,"
Sam sighed. "What exactly do I have to do?"
That night Mary
was awakened when many hands grabbed her body, legs and arms. Somebody put a
gas-mask on her before she was able to scream. Mary saw about ten men in her
room. All were wearing masks. They held her gently, but tightly, she could not
even move.
One man was
rummaging near her bureau. Mary heard how he put some objects on the table and
in the drawers.
Another man gave
her a few injections. Then he checked Mary as a gynecologist would.
Suddenly, Mary
heard the sound of the intercom. The man near the door pushed the button.
"He opened
the gate," Mary understood. "What's going on? He opened the door of the
building! What's next? Who's coming
here?"
Finally she saw
that man. He went inside the room, and he was the only one without a mask. He
brought flowers. He put them into the vase and started to undress.
"Be
careful," one of the 'masks' warned. "She really is a virgin. Here's the lubricant."
"He's gonna
rape me!" Mary was horrified. "Oh, dear God! Please, don't let it
happen!" She started to struggle with tenfold strength. It was useless.
Their hands were as strong as stone. The gas mask muffled all her sounds.
He was very gentle, but Mary was shocked with the way that man
used her.
She thought
another man would do the same things, but he just closed the air-valve of the
gas-mask.
When she stopped
wriggling the man hastily took the gas-mask away and checked Mary's pulse. He
signaled and the men in the masks disappeared.
***
Mary barely
opened her eyes, and at first, she thought she had a nightmare.
Suddenly, she
realized that her room was lit and full of people. Mary saw Father Frank,
Mother Augusta, security, policemen and even a few reporters. She discovered
herself in the embraces of a stranger. She gasped and pushed him away.
"Arrest
him!" Mary cried. "Arrest them
all!"
"What are
you talking about?" Father Frank asked angrily. "He is the only one
here, but it's more than enough!"
"What a
shame for our orphanage!" Mother Augusta shook her head.
"He raped
me!" Confused, Mary looked around.
"Oh, Mary!
That's not fair! You said we could have anal sex, 'cause you wanna keep your
virginity!" the stranger gasped. "O dear, how could you? I was
obedient..."
"Did you
have sex with this man?" The reporters asked at once.
"If he
really raped you, why did you not call security?"
"Is he your
boyfriend? What about Robert Noirson?"
"How long
have you been dating?"
"I've never
seen him before!" Mary was shaken. "I even don't know his name!"
"How often
do you have sex with a man whose name you didn't know?" one of the
reporters asked. Shocked, Mary did not respond.
One policeman
stepped to the Father Frank and whispered something into his ear. The priest
threw his arms up. Together they started to drive the reporters away.
"Drugs?"
one excited reporter plunged to the bureau. "Officer, are there really drugs? What kind are they?"
Other reporters
followed him, one grabbed Mary's hand and before the girl realized, he took a
picture of the injection marks on her arm.
Screaming, Mary
pulled her hand back. Mother Augusta and some of the security tried to block
Mary from the other reporters.
Keeping her
silence, Mary J. just sat stock-still on the bed. She had no idea how to
explain what was happened.
***
On the next
morning when Robert woke up, he was feeling very happy. He was in love and
thinking about Mary.
He called Slay.
But nobody came. It surprised Robert. He turned on the TV and wanted to call a
servant again, but he had no time: it was the news report.
About her.
Confounded,
Noirson changed channels...
***
The servants were
waiting behind the door of Robert's bedroom. They heard Noirson burst out in
curses and sounds like explosion, when he broke TV.
Robert made a
call to his best lawyer and came to help Mary. She was arrested on suspicion of
being involved in the drug trade. Sam Swigart had been released on bail.
Mary Jablonskaia
was sitting in solitary.
From time to time
she looked at the bars and could not believe her eyes. All her life Mary had
respected the law and she never expected to be in a situation like this.
Mary had the
right to one call, but she refused. She had no family or lawyer, and she did
not dare to call Robert.
***
Yet when she
heard sounds of steps and voices, and saw her fiancé she was not very
surprised, but almost happy. Noirson had stood for her so many times, and she
hoped he was able to help her now.
Without a word
Robert entered the cell, sat down and seated Mary on his lap: "Tell me everything, dear."
Mary could not
recognize Noirson's voice contorting with torment. She knew that the pain for
someone you love, is far worse than pain for yourself. She felt pity for her
fiancé and while telling her story she only gave him the necessary facts,
without going into details. She was controlling herself, and she did not weep,
and she did not say a word about her feelings.
"I don't
understand, how it could possibly happen." She finished.
"But I do." Robert replied very slowly.
Mary wanted to
ask him, but she had no time. The detective entered the cell and shook Mary's
hand: "Miss Jablonskaia, please, take our sincere apologies! We've just
received the results from the lab... Why didn't you say, it was a special
powder for treatment your feet, not drugs?"
"I'd like to
see, how smart you would be after having been woken at 2 a.m." Noirson
smiled sadly.
"Can I see
your arm, please?"
Mary slowly
beckoned her hand. The detective checked her skin and quietly cursed:
"Damn! It's
just birthmarks! Oh, Miss Jablonskaia, I'm so sorry about this mistake and
apologize for any misunderstanding!"
"Only he who
is lifeless is faultless" Noirson got up. "Let's get out of here,
sweetheart!"
***
When Robert and
Mary went outside reporters flung themselves at them and asked lots of
questions. The bodyguards had difficulty holding back the crowd and making a
path to Noirson's car.
"I'm
innocent!" Mary cried out. "I told you, I was innocent!"
"What about
your boyfriend Sam Swigart?"
"You damn vultures!" Mary squealed.
"He's not my boyfriend!"
"Is Sam
Swigart your 'client'?"
Mary blushed and
burst into tears, and mad Robert barely restrained himself, but he noted that
reporter and he would "work" with him later.
They finally
reached the car, quickly got inside, and the limousine accelerated away.
***
"Oh, my
Father!" Noirson shook his head. Mary was only able to sob.
"Honey,"
Robert addressed her. "I'll drop you off at the campus. Take your stuff,
you have to move! This place is not safe enough! I'll give you two of my men,
you know them, Ron and Jerry. Do you remember them?"
Mary nodded.
"They are
both professionals, you have to listen to their instructions just as if they
were mine. I'll prepare an apartment for you and I'll give you a special car
that can't be burnt. My butterfly! I love you! I don't want to lose you!"
Mary embraced her
fiancé and started to calm down.
Noirson
confronted his partners.
"Okay, who did it?" Robert pounded the desk.
"I know it was you! Who
organized it? Whose idea was
it?"
The partners
exchanged glances, and everybody looked at Dylon Noirson.
"Dad,"
He started very carefully. "We just tried to help you. She's dangerous.
You lost your mind..."
"I'm going
to marry her anyway." Robert interrupted Dylon. "Son, this is my
first and last warning: only I may dispose of Mary. She is my property. And I'm going to protect her."
***
The bodyguards
got up and move towards Noirson as he entered the room.
"Ron, Jerry,
you are now at Miss Maria Jablonskaia's disposal..."
"What?"
excited, Jerry could not believe his ears. "Are You ordering to us to be her personal bodyguards? Are You
ordering it to us?"
Robert arrogantly
turned his head and looked not at Jerry, but at his partner: "Ron, is
Jerry drunk on his shift?"
"No,
sir..." Ron punched Jerry in his ribs and whispered with anger. "Shut
up, you idiot! Shut up, right now!" He turned to Noirson again: "No,
Master, he's sober now. I'm controlling that, don't worry."
"It's you who should be worried, Ron."
Robert's voice was calm. "It's your
responsibility to keep that mad puppy on a leash. Contact Slay to get a car.
Here is the address..."
"Sir, are
you sure this is a good idea?"
"What are
you talking about!" Jerry shouted at his partner.
"Shut up, Jerry!"
Noirson stared at his servants. "I don't
have to explain my decisions,
Ron! What the hell's going on? Did you both crack or what? Jerry! What's the
matter? Don't you like my order?"
"My Lord, my
life's in Your hands!"
"And better
for you to remember that, Jerry!
Okay, enough talk! Move right now! I'll check you out this evening." And
Noirson left the room.
"Ron,"
Jerry showed a drunken smile. "Pinch me! It's just a dream, isn't
it?"
Ron hit the youth
in the face with the back of his hand. Hurt, Jerry gasped, looked at his
partner and wiped the blood off his lips.
"Is that the
answer for you?" Ron asked sternly. "It's not a joke, buddy! I have a
pretty bad feeling! Be sure, I'll keep my eyes on you! Let's go! And don't be
in a hurry to go to Hell! Anyway, you'll get there sooner or later!"
Jerry
submissively followed his partner.
Sam Swigart swept
past the sign: "Welcome to California!" and he smiled.
It had taken him
three days of driving and finally he had reached the State of his dreams. He
had not thought yet about what he was going to do here, but he was almost
happy: new car, new name, a lot of money; new life!
For complete
happiness he needed just one more thing. However, he was warned that every
hitchhiker, female especially, could be a trap, and he did not want to take any
risk.
***
That salesgirl at
the gas station asked nothing. Usually Sam did not like brunettes, however, she had a great body and he noted it.
Swigart filled up
his car, took some cash and went to the cashier. The salesgirl indifferently
packed his purchases. But Sam saw how she glanced at his car and she sighed.
"Wanna
ride?" Swigart leered at the girl and touched her hand. Her skin was soft
and hot. Sam liked it.
The girl stared
at him with surprise and laughed: "And lose my job? Thanks a lot!"
"'Poor
Cinderella was working and working and had no fun.'" Swigart smiled.
"A beauty such as you deserves a better life."
"And you are
the charming prince who wishes to marry the lady whose foot fits the glass
slipper." She bantered. Suddenly she put her bare foot on the desk:
"Can I try?"
Sam gasped. He
had never seen so wonderful leg as she had. A tiny foot and well shaped calf,
smooth knee. She smelt like the grass in a deep forest. Swigart felt that he
was starting to lose control of himself. He had never been so excited.
"Come on,
girl," He licked his lips and looked askance at the surveillance camera.
"Don't lose your chance. Maybe you're afraid to upset your boyfriend?"
"We broke up
three months ago," She put her foot down. "Ah, what the heck! Let's
roll!"
"Yes!"
They laughed and
ran to the car.
***
In the car they
were talking "dirty" as if they were old lovers and Sam was
pleasantly surprised that she loved the same things that he loved.
It was getting
dark, and they decided to stop for the night. Swigart was not able to wait any
longer. He turned into the first motel. Tomorrow, when they have more time, he
will find some grand hotel to impress her and for his own pleasure, but to
spend just one night in a cheap motel was okay too.
Sam reserved a
room then parked the car in front of the building, got out and unlocked the
door.
Suddenly the girl
pushed him inside with unexpected power. Swigart fell down and rolled head over
heels.
"What the
hell are you doing, bitch?" He shouted and sat. He gasped with shock. It
was not a motel room.
The huge hall was
lit with a deadly green light. Sam did not see any lamps and it looked like the
walls were glowing. A man was sitting in the armchair in front of Sam. A few
men were standing behind him. The man was smoking and slowly inhaling.
"Gracias, Lilitta ! Muy buen trabajo!" He said with a
low voice.
"Thank you, Lilitta! It was a good job!"
/ Spanish
Lilitta was
Anhella's helper and Robert Noirson had often used that hot Mexican girl for
such "missions".
Sam looked back.
The girl was smiling with satisfaction.
"You lured
me, bitch!" Swigart rushed toward at her, but Lilitta kicked him so fast
and directly that doubling over in
agony, Sam collapsed.
"Te
aventaste, hermana!" the man in the chair laughed.
~ "Nice job, sis!" / Mexican slang
"You're
stupid, bird-brain!" He scornfully looked at Swigart. "I knew that
you're stupid. It's too late to lock the stable door when the horse has
bolted!"
"Please, I
have money!" Sam could barely sit. "Take the car, take the money! I
won't report it to the cops, I swear! Just let me go, please..."
"How much do
you have?"
"Sixty
thousand! Please..."
"Where and
when did you waste twenty grand?" the man asked surprisingly.
Sam gasped:
"Oh, my... It's you! Are
you?" He fell silence.
"Yes. I'm her fiancé. You were warned."
"Please!"
Swigart crept toward Robert. "I didn't wanna do that! I swear! I was forced!"
"Oh, really?
But who forced you to murder those girls before?"
"The Devil
forced me!"
Robert rushed to
Sam and kicked him in the chin. Swigart flew into the wall and fainted. Noirson
made Sam regain consciousness with quick magical motion. Swigart looked at him
and burst into tears.
"I am the
Son of the Devil!" Robert pronounced with pride. "And I know He never
forces people to do such things! You, humans, have to be responsible for your
own crap and do not blame Satan!"
"I'm
sorry!" The broken jaw did not allow Sam to talk clearly. "I'll do
anything! Please, please, don't kill me!"
"How many
girls begged you as you are begging me now? You did not take pity on them, why
should I pity you?" Noirson
inhaled. "As you sow, so shall mow, you poor nobody! I'll send you to
Hell... Alive. And you'll see the
things are much worse than death. You will ask for death. You will beg for it! But you'll not get it until I wish it for!"
Robert moved his
hand. Sam Swigart screamed desperately and disappeared.
In the salon of
her new apartment Mary was sitting on the couch, knitting and watching TV.
Jerry made himself comfortable on the next chair and observed at his ward-girl.
***
It was only one
week, during which Jerry and Ron were living in the same apartment as Mary
Jablonskaia, and just that one week, changed Jerry's whole life.
He fell in Love.
Forbidden fruit
is always the sweetest, however, now it was much more than just desire.
Ron was the first
to notice the changes.
He tried to talk
about that with his Master, but
Noirson just showed him a mysterious smile: "I'm not blind, my friend,
don't worry."
Ron tried to
reason with his youthful partner. It was too late.
Overflowing with
feelings, the youth was as if he was drunk all time and did not listen to a
thing.
***
Mary and Jerry
heard a light knock, looked at the door, and the girl smiled when she saw it
was Robert. Standing behind him, Ron waved to Jerry. The youth sighed, got up
and left the room.
Noirson entered,
sat down by Mary's side and tenderly embraced her: "How are you, my
bunny-rabbit?"
"I'm fine,
honey." Mary was smiling. She put her head on Robert's shoulder.
"Can I
change the channel?" Noirson asked. "I want to show you
something."
The girl nodded.
Without any remote Robert changed the channel.
Mary flinched
when she saw Sam Swigart. He was cuffed. Policemen and reporters surrounded
him.
"How many
girls have you murdered?" they asked him. "Where did you hide the
bodies?"
"How do you
explain why police were not able to catch you for such a long time?"
"What about
Mary Jablonskaia?"
Sam looked right
into the camera. Unlimited horror was in his eyes.
"I made up
this story." Swigart was talking as a robot would. "I wanted to be
famous! I stole the card and broke into her room. I drugged that girl. But we
did not have sex. I'm sorry that I
blacked out that girl. I wished to be famous..."
"Why did you
decide to confess?"
The policemen
took Sam Swigart away and Robert turned the TV off.
"He's a dead
man now," Noirson caressed Mary's neck and hair. "I hope this awful
scandal will go away... What's wrong, sweetie?" He looked at his fiancée
with surprise. "Oh, my Father! You pity him! After that he has done to
you! Do you know how many girls he's killed?"
Moaning, Mary put
her face in her hands.
"I'll never
be able to understand you." Robert sighed sadly. "Look, kitten,
please, dress up. I have to introduce you to my closest friends and
partners."
"Okay,"
Mary took a deep breath. "I'll be ready about twenty minutes."
"Ladies and
gentlemen!" Robert was smirking. "I'd like to introduce to you Mary
Jablonskaia!"
The partners were
keeping a gloomy silence.
"Well,"
Robert sighed. "Let's try again. Ladies and gentlemen! Please greet my fiancée."
Bursting into
tears, Vixen ran away.
"Anhella!
Komm zurück!" Noirson called.
"Come back !" / German
He moved to
follow his secretary, but restrained himself at once and glanced at Mary. She
did not look at her fiancé and stood as still as a statue.
Lilitta followed
Vixen with her eyes, then came to Mary and hugged her:
"Congratulations!"
Mrs. Ponk, the
business secretary, came next. She kissed the girl: "Take care of the
lad!"
"Oh, I
will!" Mary looked at Robert with tenderness.
Dylon Noirson was
smoking, Becker lit up a cigar.
"John!"
Noirson called threateningly.
Becker sighed,
come closer and nodded. Mary stretched out her arm.
"Monica was
my own niece!" Becker even did not try to hide his hatred.
"John!" Robert shouted.
"I'm
sorry!" Mary mumbled and dropped her hand. Becker inhaled and stepped
aside.
Noirson took a
sharp breath: "Well, Dylon..."
"Maybe
later." Dylon Noirson did not move. He was so angry that he was afraid
he'd lose control of himself. For only one of Anhella's tears he could kill.
But that damn young thing was under his godfather's protection and Dylon knew
the limits of Robert's patience.
If Noirson was a
usual man, Dylon Noirson would take such a risk, his love to Vixen was
stronger, than any fears. But Dylon had often visited Hell as an
"assistant" of his godfather, and he did not want to go to that place
as a "guest".
"Excuse me,
birdie," Robert frowned. "I need to talk to John."
Mary nodded, and
he went to Becker and started to try to reason with him again. Noirson was
speaking Italian and Mary had guessed that Robert used a language unknown to
her that she would not understand exactly what he was saying.
Mary waited for a
while then felt alone and began to look around.
Dylon Noirson
came to her. He was still leering at the girl and it offended her. She daringly
stared right at Dylon's eyes. He came closer and blew smoke at Mary's face.
"I'm simply
amazed," Mary said calmly. "How a gentleman, like Robert is, could
raise such an ill-mannered son."
"I hate you,
you mean bitch!" Dylon Noirson was grinning. "Robert can kill me, but
not change my feelings about you. I'm so disgusted I wouldn't even fuck
you!"
"Robert!"
Mary called. "Your son is offending me!"
"Dylon!"
Noirson looked back. "Please! You promised!" And he turned to Becker
again.
"Yes,"
Dylon Noirson continued impudently. "I'm so disgusted, I wouldn't even
fuck you into your fucking ass! But I was able to find someone, who was not so
fussy. Did you like him? Did you have
fun?"
Mary's face
turned pale. She kicked Dylon Noirson in his belly and when he doubled with
pain, she kicked him again in his face. Dylon was very strong. But Mary got
real mad and it increased her strength tenfold. Dylon Noirson collapsed, and
the girl flung herself at him and continued to kick him without any pity.
Robert grabbed
her in his arms and could barely drag the enraged girl away. He had read
somewhere that the strength of a kick from a well-trained gymnast is equal to a
kick from a horse, and he understood that Dylon had been seriously injured.
Lying on the
floor, Dylon Noirson was moaning. Becker smiled malevolently.
"Stop
it!" Noirson shook Mary. "Enough! Please, please! Kitten, little
lamb, flowerette, calm down! Take a breath! Relax, my little one, dolly,
birdie! I beg you! Are you all right, sweetheart?"
"I'm
okay," Mary sighted. "But he...Oh, Robert! It was him! He
did it! He sent that
villain!"
"Sh-sh-sh,
honey. Don't shout... Please, forgive him! He's my son!"
"Forgive
him?" Mary looked at Noirson's eyes. "You knew!"
Robert's face winced: "I'm sorry!
I'm really sorry! Please, forgive us!"
"What if he wishes to screw
me?"
"Mary!" shocked, Robert gasped.
"What a language! It's just unworthy of you!"
"You didn't answer! Should I forgive
anything?"
"Mary, did the Bible teach you
nothing?"
Sobbing, the girl could not repeat.
Noirson embraced her.
"There,
there, my child! It's over. Don't cry, Barbie-doll! I'm going to protect you,
nestling! I promise, I swear! Nobody will dare harm you! But now, could you
wait for me outside for a while?"
Mary nodded. She
came to Dylon Noirson and squatted near by him.
"I'm sorry,
Dylon, that I hurt you. We both love Robert. Let's try to reconcile with each
other."
"Go to
Hell!" Dylon Noirson moaned. Mary sighed sadly
and went outside.
***
"You're a
fool, my boy!" Noirson bent over Dylon. "Oh, my Father! You're so
stupid! My poor brave girl beat you up and that's what I should've done as her fiancé! But I love you, son! I love you so
much! Please, do not abuse my feelings!"
"I love you
too, Robert... Cure me, please! I'm badly hurt, please, hurry!"
"I will not
cure you, Dylon, until you swear to be nice to her. You can hate her, and I can
do nothing about it, but you must show respect to her!"
"No
way!"
"As you
wish!" Noirson was unbent.
"Are you
kidding? Oh, Robert, father, help me! I'm sorry! Please..."
"Do you
promise?"
"Yes, yes! I
promise, I swear, as the Devil is my witness!"
"That's my
boy!" Robert touched Dylon. "'Go your way, from now on practice sin
no more!'"
Mary ran into the
corridor, fell down on a chair and pressed her hands to her face.
"Mary!"
She heard a worried voice. She dropped her hands and saw Jerry.
Strange, but Mary
Jablonskaia did not note his love. That hurt the youth, however, he was also
glad. He was afraid that Noirson would give him another job and he would lose
the opportunity to see her often.
"I mean,
Miss Jablonsky, what happened? Who dared to offend you?"
"Never mind,
Jerry, it's over." Mary sighed and looked around. They were alone in the
corridor. "Look, Jerry. You're so kind to me. I trust you. Can I ask you
something?"
"If I can
answer..."
"It's about Miss Vixen..."
"Miss
Jablonsky!" the bodyguard interrupted. "Don't ask any questions and
you won't hear any lies."
"Gotcha..."
Mary hung her head.
"Mar... Miss
Jablonsky!" the youthful servant was shaken. "It's not too late!
Think!"
"What are
you talking about? He did a big honor to me, He chose me! I love Him, Jerry.
I'll forgive Robert for anything! Because, I know, who he is."
"Who told
you?" the bodyguard gasped.
"Well,
Robert just hinted a few times. But when I saw, how he resuscitated the man, I
finally realized who he is! What,
Jerry? Why do you look at me with such a horror?"
The servant
looked down. "He tricked her!" He thought. "What am I gonna do?
What can I do? Should I give her a hint?" Jerry recalled the sharp
metallic voice of Robert.: 'Even a little hint on my real status I'll rate as
treachery and treason, and it will be punished accordingly."
"Mr. Noirson
saved my life too..." The bodyguard sighed. "We all must be obedient."
Mary nodded, but
Jerry's love for her forced him to drop a hint.
"Miss
Jablonsky, do you remember, the witch hunts in the Middle Ages? People believed
that the Devil had no capacity to
resurrect people who had been burnt to death."
"I remember.
It was an awful page in the history of the Church. What's your point?"
"Well, Mr. Noirson can't resuscitate people who
die in a fire."
"I know,
it's odd, eh?" Mary replied mechanically. The girl almost did not hear
Jerry, she was thinking about the introduction. The bodyguard understood it,
sighed and continued: "For this reason we, all servants, ask you to not
use the word 'fire' if you wish to dismiss someone."
"Ah, Jerry,
shut up! You are here to protect me, not to teach me! If you continue to
disturb me, I'll tell Robert and he'll fir...dismiss you!"
The bodyguard
drooped his head and became silent.
Mary and Robert
went to her bedroom without saying a word. The girl stood near the window and
silently looked outside. Very quietly Noirson closed the door, came to his
fiancée and tenderly hugged her: "I'm really sorry, sweetie-pie."
"Maybe it's
none of my business, but you spoilt Dylon awfully!"
"I know,
nestling, but I love him so
much!"
"That no
reason to let him to do whatever comes into his head."
"Kitten,
don't be an 'evil stepmother', he's my only son!"
"Well," Mary thought. "When we have our own child, things are gonna
be different." And she continued with irritation: "Your tutor was
talking to me like it was my fault
that his niece is gone!"
Robert sighed and
started to kiss the back of Mary's head and her neck, but the girl shuddered:
"Is that Germaness really so
helpful?"
"Look, Mary,
Anhella is not just a
secretary..."
"Oh, that I understand clearly!"
"She is my
Secretary of Defense." Robert pretended that he did not get the hint.
"Miss Vixen is recruiting people, she's responsible for arms and
equipment. Don't be jealous of the poor girl, she loves me, but I'm going to
marry you, not her. I love you,
flowerette, if you wish to," Robert lied. "I'll dismiss Anhella to
please you, my beloved queen."
Mary hesitated,
and Noirson got worried. He would have been in a very difficult situation if
she agreed to his offer. But he guessed correctly.
"No,"
Mary sighed finally. "I'm being stupid. Sorry, honey, do as is best for
you."
"Look,
bunny-rabbit, maybe you would like to move into my house right now? Really,
sweetie, why waste time? My beloved, move to my house, please? Oh, my heart! It
will be your house also, and very,
very soon..."
Mary sensed
something different in the intonation of Robert's voice and how he hugged her.
She stared at him. He was looking at her inquiringly, his eyes glowed with
desire.
Mary knew, one
word or gesture and Noirson would submissively take his hands away as had
happened many times before.
However, now Mary smiled and embraced her fiancé.
***
Jerry went close
to Mary's bedroom. The door was closed and he lifted his hand to knock. But he
stopped short: he heard sounds.
Jerry felt his
legs give way under him and he leaned against the wall. He realized at once that was going on there, behind the
door, and he was struck to the bottom of his sensitive heart.
He heard her panting voice: "I love you,
Robert... I love you, honey..."
It was more than
Jerry was able to stand. He gasped, and clutching his head, rushed to the
servants room and fell onto the couch.
"Jerry!"
alarmed Ron snatched out his gun. "What? What happened?"
"Nothing..."
the sense of duty forced Jerry to talk. "Everything's fine..."
Ron gazed at
youth and walked away. He went back very soon and sat near his partner.
"Jerry,"
Ron said softly. "You're a fool, what did you expect? You knew they loved each other! Oh, Devil!
You weep! Buddy, you should've known, it'd happen sooner or later!"
"Yes, I am a
fool." Jerry did not open his eyes. "Can I have a beer?"
"You know
the rule: no alcohol during a shift."
"Ron, you
can't imagine, how I'm hurting! I'm such a fool... Damn, Ron! I need to drink!
I feel like I'm dying, Ron! Please, I need a drink! Just a couple of beers, eh?
We have a few bottles here, in the fridge. Please, Ron! I'll still be in
control, I promise."
"Okay, you
poor thing," Ron sighed with compassion. "Go to some bar, get drunk
and fuck some whore, it should work... I hope... Come on, pal, get out of here!
I'll cover for you."
Sobbing, Jerry
thankfully squeezed the hand of his friend, sprang up and walked away.
But before he
left the apartment, the youth peeped down the corridor to Mary's bedroom.
The door was
still closed.
Jerry heard his
cell phone ringing. He tried to open his eyes, but an awful headache did not
allow him to. He moaned and crept to the sound. He fell down off the bed,
fumbled around, finally found the phone and pushed the, button:
"Hello?"
"Wow!"
Ron barely recognized Jerry's voice. "Are you alive, partner?"
"I'm not
sure." Jerry wheezed. "Where am I?"
"You ask me? Okay, buddy, wait for a while.
Relax, I'll make you... Is that better?"
The headache was
almost gone. Jerry sighed, opened his eyes and looked around.
"I'm in a
motel." He saw a girl was sleeping on the bed.
"Which
motel?"
"I don't
know." Jerry rubbed his head.
"No matter.
Get your butt out of there! We're moving. The Master had just left. I told Him
that I sent you on some errand. I don't think He believed me."
"Okay, I'm
coming. Thank you, friend." Jerry hung up and gazed at the girl. He could
not recall how he got her. Should he pay her money or just lie: 'Later, love!
I'll call you!'
He quickly and
quietly dressed and tied his hair into a ponytail.
She was still asleep, and Jerry counted out the usual twelve
hundred, and looked at the girl again. She was really pretty, and he added an
extra a few bills more. He put the money on the bedside table and left the
motel.
On his way home
Jerry finally calmed down and cheered up.
Youth does not
feel upset for a long time, and the Love never loses hope.
"I'm a real fool." Jerry was
thinking about Mary and Robert. "Why
did their fuck get me so? He popped her cherry. Big deal! She's still sexy, and
the Master will still be busy... Maybe, she'll
"go out" even easier now? Damn, why can't I just stop thinking about
her? Ron is right that stupid love's only bringing me trouble..."
Mary Jablonskaia
was checking her new apartment in Noirson's mansion. She planned to live in
that house for not just a few days, so she wished to have comfort and service.
Aspiring to power, Mary finally got the opportunity to boss people around and
she enjoyed it.
Mary J. was smart
enough, she knew her fiancé liked a romantic style, so she left the decor of
bedroom and salon as it was, however, she ordered the decor of her other rooms
be changed.
"Mr. Noirson
doesn't like the modern style!" Roger Slay objected.
Mary haughtily
turned her head: "Aren't these my
rooms?"
"Sure, Miss
Jablonskaia!"
"So, change
it!"
The other
servants stood around whispering to each other, and Slay got angry. Most of
them were humans, and they could not understand his fear of that girl. Her face
was like a permanent reminder of the inevitability of the Final Punishment, and
Roger was surprised, how his Master could dare see that face by his side and
was even able to kiss it!
Mary looked at
the two ranks of her new servants and maids. Jerry was glad when her eyes
stopped on his face for a second. Naive, he did not understand that she just
knew him better than the others.
"Tell
everybody to wear name tags, until I remember you all." Mary told Slay.
"That's an
absurd order, and I will not fulfill it!"
"I'm sure
you will!" Mary spun to him. "I want all servants to wear name tags in this place! Even Robert's
servants too!"
"It's a
respectable house!" Roger was indignant. "Not a shop!"
"Great!
Order classy tags then! I don't care!"
"It's a
stupid order and I will not fulfill it!"
Mary stared at
the butler, and he started trembling.
"You can't
force me here, on Earth!" He whispered to her.
"Do I have
to go to Heaven to force you?" Mary slowly went toward Slay. He did not
move and was shaking with fear and hate. "Or maybe I have to send you to
Hell for you to learn how to behave? If I wish to, you all would walk around
stark naked!"
"I
agree!" Jerry smiled. Everybody laughed.
"Shut up,
you idiots!" mad, Slay shouted.
"What the
hell's going on?" nobody noticed Noirson come into the corridor.
"Your butler
has refused my requests!" Her upset plaintive voice sounded with tears,
and a deadly silence reigned at once.
Robert slowly
turned to Roger. Mary could not see the face of her fiancé, but she saw, how
Slay fell on his knees, and she smiled with triumph and pleasure. Mary felt his
hatred, and, honestly, Roger Slay aroused the same feeling in her soul.
"Don't
worry, honey," Noirson kept his eyes on his butler. "I'm sure, it was
just a misunderstanding and he'll do
his best. Am I right, Roger?"
"Yes,
Master!" Slay mumbled with effort. "Forgive me, my Lord!"
Robert turned to
his fiancée and tenderly kissed her lips: "Do anything you wish, my
love!" They exchanged glances and went to her apartment.
Not looking at
the servants, Roger Slay slowly got up.
"Order name
tags," He told his secretary. "I want all people to get those damn
tags before the evening! Everybody, back to your work!"
The servants went
different directions. Jerry sat on the chair, sighed, and stared at the door of
Mary's apartment. It was his job and his Fate, to just wait and wait, and
wait...
The youthful
bodyguard was too emotional to hide his feelings well.
Noirson's people
already noticed them. It was a permanent reason for jokes. Other servants
teased and sneered at Jerry, and only a few persons did not make fun of him.
Having been new,
the youth in the beginning tried just to ignore the servants' mockeries.
But the tension
was increasing and after Mary Jablonskaia had moved into the Noirson house, a
crisis became inevitable.
***
In the common
security's cafeteria Jerry took his meal and sat at the free seat.
"Hey,
chap!" the servant across the table grinned. "Today is not your shift, is it?"
The youthful
bodyguard did not look at him and was silently picking at the food on his
plate.
"What are
you gonna do, poor you?" the security could not calm down. "Go, get
plastered again!"
"Leave this
lad alone, Carl!" Ron sat next to Jerry.
"Oh,
yeah?" Carl screwed up his eyes. "I'm just amazed at that cocky
fellow. Strange, why the Master hasn't dismissed him yet?"
"You're human and can't understand us!" Ron gazed at Carl. "You're dumb! Even God the Creator can't
control the Love!"
"Give me a break!"
Carl snored. "It's not 'Love'. That young buck just hasn't fucked
enough!"
Jerry slowly
lifted his head and looked right into Carl's face.
"What, big
eyes?" Carl giggled. "What are you staring at? The Master placed at
our disposal a lot of free whores, but you want His girl, eh? Do you think you're the best or what?"
"My fuck and
my thoughts are none of your fucking business."
"Do you
think so? Look, boy, I have a useful "pain relief" for you. As her bodyguard, you have to have her picture. So,..." And Carl gave
the very short and expressive advice, how
on the youth should use that photo
for reduction of desire. "Do it twice in day, all "love" will be
gone!"
The blood rushed
into Jerry's head and he did not hear Ron's warning call. Toppling over the table,
the youthful security flung himself at Carl.
A professional,
Carl blocked the first attack, but the next hit of enraged Jerry reached Carl.
His friends came to Carl's assistance. They grabbed the youthful servant, and
Ron hoped that this would stop the fight.
But Max had a
grudge against Jerry for a long time. He was the first to start mocking Jerry,
and he could not miss his chance to get him. He lashed out at Jerry and punched
him a few times. Kicking him with both his feet Jerry threw Max off, and now
Max's pals rushed forward, and then
Ron stood up for his partner.
Ron had his own
friends here, and he counted on their help. He realized that the 'bar brawl'
would become a total battle, however, he was too attached to that nervous,
brave youngster, and he could not just watch him get beaten.
Just in time, Ron
blocked the strike that would certainly have knocked Jerry out.
Choking with
blood and curses, Carl slowly got up. His hand slipped under his jacket, but
Jerry did not wait until he took out the gun or knife. Growling, the youthful
servant threw off the men holding him to the right and left and grabbed his
brass knuckles.
It worked like a
signal. Everybody snatched out their weapons, and now nobody listened to their chief Jack Leclerc, who unsuccessfully
tried restore order, and the real combat took place.
Thoroughly mad,
Jerry noticed nothing.
He beat Carl
unmercifully until the security collapsed into unconsciousness.
He beat other
servants, trying to stop him, and he did not feel their reciprocal hits, and he
only stood still when a cold muzzle was pressed against his temple, and he
heard the sound of a gun cocked near his ear.
"You
idiot!" Roger Slay had a gun at Jerry's head. "Would you calm down or
have I gotta swat your stupid brain out?"
Jerry dropped his
brass knuckles and slowly lifted his hands.
"The Master
has just come back," the butler took his gun away. "Report to his
office immediately!" Roger
turned to Jack and asked very quietly, so that only his partner could hear him:
"Why do they have weapons in
their common places? It was prohibited five years ago!"
"Look,
pal," Leclerc was livid, he was shaken. "We've had no trouble a long
time..."
"Now you
have it!" Slay interrupted with
anger. "You know, how I hate you, humans! The human had provoked the fight, and the another human had started the fight, and then another human continued it! It's your
responsibility, buddy! But you are my
partner and friend, and I'll cover for you today.
But don't count on it next time! I'll change the tape... We'll have to
sacrifice Max to save your butt. I don't think it'll be a big loss. I'll
"take" him, and give you my
man instead of him. But remember, in future! If the Master wishes to have
Jerry, we must accept it! So, keep your thugs off him!" And continued
loudly: "Okay, humans are your department, Jack! Go, "work" with
them! Owners of human bodies! I'll "work" with you later, be ready!
But you, Ron, you come with me right now."
"I'll go
with Jerry."
"What?" the butler roared. "Is
that a riot or are you two just crazy?"
"Mr. Slay,
sir, it was my fault. I didn't warn Jerry that any fights between servants are
prohibited."
"Well, well,
well..." Roger looked around at the ruined hall and hissed very quietly:
"Then all the more, moron, come with me. We're both not humans, and we've
been working together for such a long time. Be sure, I'll give you much easier punishment than if you
report to the Master."
"I'm going
with Jerry! That's my fault and my responsibility!"
"No,
pal," Only now the youth noticed his various wounds. Especially severe was
the one on his shoulder. Jerry understood somebody had shot him, but who and
how it had happened, the youthful servant did not remember. Trying to stop the
bleeding, Jerry squeezed his shoulder. "No, pal, you did warn me, I just wasn't obedient."
"Don't be a
fool, fibber," Ron smiled sadly. "It's very touching that you try to
cover for me, but also stupid. You're gonna have a "ride to Hell" in that case!"
"How about
you, partner?"
"I'm afraid
you're both gonna have it!" the
butler bellowed at them. "Jerry! To Mr. Noirson's office! Ron! With me! Or I'll order the others to drag
you!"
"Good luck,
buddy!" Ron sighed and followed Slay.
***
Noirson jumped
out of his chair, when bruised and wounded Jerry strolled into his office.
Barely keeping his feet, the youth could not stifle his moans, and Robert cured
him first of all, then took the videotape.
***
"Wow!"
Noirson played the videotape again and again. "Oh, my Father! Damn, Jerry!
You have been trained to fight my enemies, not my servants! Oh, dear Devil,
what a mess!" He pounded the desk. "Why do I have to waste the Power
to cure you all after such scrap?. I can't see clearly... Who's the guy that
started beating you?"
"It was Max,
sir."
"Max? But
Roger told me... Ah, whatever! Anyway, you
started that fight! Why did you get so mad? You're not drunk now, are
you?"
"No, sir.
But Carl had said some bad things
about Mary Jablonsky."
"Oh,
really?" Robert's face became darker with anger. "He's a dead man, be
sure. Okay, Jerry, first warning to
you! Thank you for trying to defend her name, but in a case such as that you
should report not fight! Is that
clear?"
"Yes,
sir."
"Great!
Jerry, I strongly recommend you to be a good boy. And remember! A second
'warning' does not exist! A second mistake will call forth a "ride to
Hell". And my Father will teach you, how to behave."
Jerry blanched
with horror and nodded.
Mary Noirson was
visiting a furniture factory again.
She was married
only seven months ago and enjoyed her new status. The youthful woman visited
her husband's plants and factories and felt proud at being pleasantly treated
with respect by every worker.
That factory was
her favorite. She liked the mixed smell of wood, sawdust, glue, engine oil and
varnish, the noises and organized bustle.
Today the head
manager, who usually accompanied her, was very busy and asked Michael Alter,
his assistant, to show Mary around.
Mary gazed at the
assistant with curiosity. He gave her a strange, mysterious glance. It was not
a sexual look, it seemed like he met someone well known. When Alter shook her
hand, he held it a little longer than was necessary, and Jerry, standing behind
his lady, barely restrained his jealousy.
Mary felt
strange. Yet she loved her husband their family life was too nervous. To
counterbalance it, when she was next to Michael she sensed a deep peace and
calm. He was illuminated with hope and trust. It was a boundless ocean of Love,
and Mary melted into unlimited enjoyment. And only two words: "Heavenly
happiness" could explain her feelings.
Alter lowered his
gaze, and something like a strong hand led Mary down, back to Earth. She tried
to resist, she did not want to lose that wonderful sensation. Suddenly a soft,
but resolute order sounded into her mind: "You're here on duty!"
Amazed, Mary looked at Michael attentively. His lips did not move, and only
showed a sad smile full of compassion. And Mary took this phrase as her own
thought.
"Well,"
She sighed, and surprised herself, hearing her cold official voice. "What
was the reject percentage yesterday?"
***
They had the
usual talk on business matters.
Jerry listened
very attentively, but he did not understand Alter's explanation. Mary asked
lots of questions, Michael patiently answered, and youthful guard felt
confused. He did not think of himself as dumb, it was just not his field of life.
After his fight,
no servant dared to mock him again. He even got new friends, and his strange,
hopeless love for the Master's wife, was now taboo for jokes. Jerry was too
young and emotional to get real respect, but now the servants realized how
dangerous he was and tried do not irritate him.
And now, Michael
Alter caused Jerry to feel offended again. Mary was visibly interested speaking
with the assistant and the youthful bodyguard involuntarily recalled how her face became bored all the time when he,
Jerry, tried to talk with her.
***
When Mary was
ready to leave, Alter changed the subject and for a while they discussed the
difficulties of the people's lives.
"Of course,
Earth is a tough place to live," Michael sighed. "But we all have here our own duties."
And Mary fell
deep in thought.
Jerry was
cleaning one of his guns when Robert entered the room. The youth got up and
smiled. He idolized Noirson and was happy to see him. Jerry had just finished
his training in the camp and now he waited for the job his Master would like to
give him.
Robert walked
around Jerry, standing in the middle of the room. Noirson gazed at the youth
very attentively then ordered him to undress until nude.
Jerry obeyed, and
Robert checked him out from the top of his head to his heels, like a customer
checking a horse before buying.
"You can put
your clothes back on." Noirson stepped aside. "Jerry, I see, the two
and a half years that have passed since I got you, were very fruitful. You're
in great shape, and I've been informed about your successes in training. Well,
you need to study more, but I have a good teacher for you. I know how
disciplined you are. So, I hope, Ron will not have a problem with you. You have
to listen to him, as if me. I'll take you to my personal security."
Excited, Jerry
gasped. He never dreamed about it, he could not believe his ears.
"Okay,
Jerry," Noirson smirked at his reaction. "Now tell me, what kind of
car do you want? Just, please, not a
red sports convertible."
Confused, the
youth blushed. It was exactly that he
wanted to ask for. Robert sighed understandingly.
"Jerry, a
new metallic "Mercedes" will impress girls no less, believe me."
He said, dropping his voice. "And it will not attract the attention of
police as easy. I can untangle any
mess, but I don't like to waste the Power, remember that!"
"Yes,
sir!"
"Good boy!
Well, do you like my watch?"
Jerry scanned the
Rolex like a professional: "Wow!" He grinned. "Four grand for
sure."
"Shit,
Jerry! It's more than twice as expensive, if you buy it!"
The youth kept
smiling.
"Well,
Jerry, they will be yours, if you can
get them from me. I know, in your past, you did that a lot of times. I'd like to see it. Can you do the same thing now? I hope, you didn't lose your
"qualifications" and didn't forget how you used to do that? Still got
it, eh?"
Taking this
challenge, Jerry smugly smiled. His self-confidence was no less than his Master
had.
"Come on,
show me your best!" Noirson stood in the middle of the room. The youth
slowly walked passed him.
Suddenly he made
so fast motion that if Noirson was a human he could not react.
But Robert
clutched Jerry's arm. And in the next moment the muzzle of a gun was pressed to
Noirson's cheek, and the tender girl-like face of the youth instantly turned to
a cruel mask of a cold-blooded killer.
But he came to
his senses at once, gasped, and, dropping the gun, Jerry fell on his knees.
"I'm sorry!
I'm sorry!" He was shaken and panted with horror. "I did it mechanically! I love You, my Lord! I
didn't mean to harm You!"
"My dear
boy," Noirson smiled tenderly as he helped Jerry to his feet. "You
couldn't harm me, even if you fired. You did everything great and this watch
and the car are yours, as I promised. Pack your stuff, I'll send Ron to pick
you up."
***
It had happened
almost a year ago. Why did Noirson recall this episode now?
Because Jerry
entered his office with the same angry and gloomy face. A look of spite and
irritation were glowing in the eyes of the young servant.
Noirson knew
about Jerry's love for his wife, but it doubled the efforts of the bodyguard,
and Robert did not want to change the situation.
Jerry emotionally
started talking about today's visit to the factory. He laid it on thick, and
Noirson sensed it. However, Robert loved his youthful wife too much and did not
want to take any risk. Taking the receiver, he made a call.
The next day Mary
Noirson went to the factory again and almost collided with Michael Alter in the
entrance. He handled a briefcase.
"Where are
you going?" Mary wondered. "What happened?"
"I'm
fired," He smiled.
Mary's face
blushed with anger. Although she was not with Jerry today, she did realize at
once, whose report was the reason for
the dismissal.
"I'll fix
that!" She said resolutely. But Michael shook his head.
"Don't do
anything. Anyway, I have a different job now. I worked as a carpenter enough." Alter's voice
was so significant, that an amazed Mary stared at him: "I don't
understand…"
"When did
you last read the Bible? Don't you remember, who was working as a carpenter
before he started his Main Job?"
"Jesus Christ!" Mary gasped.
"Bye,
sister!" Michael tenderly touched her cheek, and kept smiling as he went
away.
They were
summoned from around the country. Ten men, all die-hards.
The youngest,
Steve Farringer, was twenty-six. The oldest, Patrick, the leader, was
fifty-three years old. Though all were Christian, they belonging to different
denominations. Just one subject was common for all the monks: they all had
experienced dogfights. They were ex-Army Rangers, Police Officers, NAVY Seals,
SWAT, Marines. Kevin, who had joined them the last, was a former commando.
Now Robert
Noirson was careful like never before and it was necessary to use professionals
for the next attempt to kill the Beast.
***
The cenobites got
a wonderful chance to do it, when Noirson married Mary Jablonskaia. Almost
every Sunday she visited the local congregation, and the monks decided to act
with the local pastor, Father James.
For this mission
Daniel had been chosen, because Father James was an inveterate gardener and
Daniel graduated a college as a landscape technician.
Daniel had
meetings with the pastor a few times. Yet for a long time the monk did not dare
to speak the Truth. Only when he and Father James became friends, Daniel told
the pastor everything and asked for
his assistance.
Father James
believed him, but the priests had different opinions about Mary Noirson and her
knowledge about the real status of
her husband. Finally Daniel and James compromised.
"I'll talk
to her," Pastor James suggested.
"And we'll see, what we can do, okay?"
"Deal!"
worried Daniel agreed unwillingly. "But be careful, if she's on his side, you could be in serious
trouble.
Today Mary
Noirson was planning to meet Pastor James. She was ready to go, when Robert
entered her room and told her to come with him.
"Honey, I
have a meeting..." Mary was upset: Pastor James tried to talk with her
many times, but something always happened that prevented their conversation.
"Big deal!
Just call and cancel it!"
Mary dialed the
number and waited for an answer.
A loud clap of
thunder outside startled her: "Oh, no, it's raining again!"
"Heavy rain,
sweetie-pie... Come on! How long do I have to wait for you?"
"Okay..."
Mary sighed and hung up the phone.
***
Pastor James was
closing the doors of his greenhouses behind the church. From time to time he
looked at his watch. Mary Noirson had not arrived yet and he was afraid he
would miss her. Nevertheless the storm forced him to go outside and take care
of his plants. An ice-cold, strong wind made the rain even worse.
When the pastor
closed the last door, the rainwater was running like a river.
Suddenly he heard
a low growling sound. The eyes of a huge black dog glowed at Father James
through streams of rain.
The pastor slowly
crossed himself. The dog showed its long bright white fangs. It looked like a
smile. A scornful smile.
Farther James got
angry. He resolutely stepped to the church, but the dog jumped towards him and
snapped its jaws just a few inches from the man.
The pastor
recoiled. He had no weapon to protect himself. Keeping his eyes on the dog,
Father James started to move around the greenhouse. Suddenly his foot slipped.
He threw up his hands, lost his balance and fell down into the hole.
Only now Father
James remembered this well that he asked to be dug yesterday. The pit was about
fifteen feet deep and the rainwater had already filled it halfway. Almost
choked, the pastor unsuccessfully tried to get out. The water and dirt mixed
together, and he was not able to swim in the mire. He tried to climb up, but
the walls were too steep and slippery.
He realized, he
was doomed to be buried alive in the mud.
Suddenly, an idea
dawned upon him. Father James snatched a big cross that he was wearing and
thrust it into the wall. The cross stuck firmly, and now he had a chance to
hold on until someone would be able to help him out.
The dog above
roared with disappointment.
***
Daniel was
driving very carefully. The wipers were almost useless. And the monk was
thinking, driving under the sea would be easier than driving in such a rain.
He parked,
cringed and got out the car.
The parking lot
was empty. Mary Noirson's car was not there either and Daniel thought: "It means she hadn't come again or she'd come
and didn't listen to James and had already gone..."
Daniel went to
the door of the house and knocked.
No response.
Getting worried,
Daniel carefully open the door and called out to Pastor James. Nobody answered,
and the monk entered inside.
He heard a
sibilant sound and went to the kitchen. The teapot was boiling and almost all
the water had evaporated.
Daniel turned the
stove off and ran outside. He called Farther James. He heard a weak response
and ran to the sound.
"Look out!"
Daniel barely
kept his feet. He saw the hole and gasped. He knelt and looked inside.
"Mary
Noirson..." the pastor was panting. "The dog..."
"Later!
Later!" Daniel took his jacket off. "Hold on!" He held one
sleeve and put the jacket into the pit. Father James reached out his hand and
tried to grab the another sleeve.
Suddenly huge
fangs thrust into Daniel's back. The monk did not expect the attack. He
screamed and dropped the jacket.
The dog bit him
again, but Daniel punched the beast in the nose, and the animal jumped aside.
It roared with hate.
"So, this doggie Mary Noirson has sent to us
instead of herself." Daniel smiled and took out his switchblade. "Oh,
you are a bad dog! Come on! Show me
what you got!"
The dog looked at
him very attentively, however, did not try to come any closer.
The monk took off
his shirt. He watched the dog and started to put the shirt down into the pit.
"Please,
hurry up!" exhausted, Father James begged. "I can't hold on any
longer!"
The dog leaped to
the monk. Daniel dodged the strike and smiled with triumph: he felt the pastor
grab the sleeve.
Howling, the dog
attacked the man again. The monk hit the animal with the blade, but this time
his action did not stop the beast. The huge jaws squeezed Daniel's body. The
monk screeched yet did not drop the shirt.
Daniel again and
again hit the dog with the knife with one hand and pulled Pastor James up with
the another hand. The beast gnawed his shoulder and the unbearable pain drove
Daniel insane, but his desire to save his friend helped him stay in control.
Suddenly the dog
changed its tactics. Releasing its victim, it lunged at the pit. The monk was
not able to prevent it, and the fangs of the beast tore the shirt. Daniel heard
the scream of Pastor James and sound of a splash, as the priest fell down into
the mire again.
The man and the
animal continued their mortal fight.
"Brother!"
the voice of Pastor James sounded with despair. "Give me absolution!"
Daniel had no
time to answer; the dying beast made one last effort and clutched the man at
the groin. This time the intolerable pain caused Daniel to pass out.
***
The ice-cold rain
helped Daniel to regain consciousness very quickly.
The dead body of
the dog was lying on top of Daniel. He pried open the jaws of the beast. The
awful pain made the monk dizzy, yet all he could think about was Pastor James.
Crawling to the
pit, Daniel looked inside. Only a dead motionless hand clutching a cross was
above the mud.
The monk looked
long at it. He stared for a long
time. Then he screamed, damned Mary Noirson and asked God to send her the worst
punishment ever.
Moaning and
sobbing, Daniel could barely drag himself to the building and call an
ambulance.
"Honey,"
excited, Mary entered her husband's office. "I found a companion for
me!"
Robert looked at
his wife with confusion. After the dismissal of Michael Alter, Mary felt very
lonely. And a few months ago she asked her husband to find a companion for her,
and until now, he had not done it yet.
All Noirson's
faithful people were his slaves. They were only employees officially. But of
course, Mary did not know about it. Instinctively the servants were afraid of
their lady, most of them hated her for that, and the woman sensed their
feelings to her, although she did not understand their reasons.
"You did?" Noirson smiled. "Great!
Who is it?"
"Hannah
Williamson."
"Who?"
Robert got amazed. He quickly checked the names of his people. "Who the Hell is she? Where did you find
her?"
"I met her
today, when I attended that benevolent party..."
"Oh, now I can imagine her! How many times do
I have to repeat? You have to avoid contacts with those religious freaks!"
"Robert! I
am a Catholic myself and you met me
on the same arrangement!"
"Okay, okay,
sorry, kitten. But why did you choose her?"
"Oh, honey!
She's a kind, nice girl! She wants to go to college so much! But she has no
money..."
"Sweetie-pie,
I can't pay a scholarship fees for everybody. She can join the Army."
"No, she can't,
she's a Jehovah's Witness."
"What?"
Noirson jumped out of his chair. "Are you crazy? I can't allow the
"witness" to live in my
house!"
"You said
it's my house also..." Mary
looked really upset and Robert relented.
"I am a
Catholic," Mary continued. "And I don't like the religious ideas of
the Witnesses either, but they don't steal or handle weapons. They don't even
smoke! Why should we be afraid of her?"
Robert did not
reply. He had just one, but awfully important reason: his real status, however, he could not tell Mary about it.
"Okay,
bunny," Noirson finally sighed. "If you wish to..."
Mary's face lit
up with a happy smile.
"Just order
her not to speak about her beliefs with my people and especially with me!
Deal?"
"Oh, honey,
thank you!" touched, Mary walked around the desk and hugged her husband.
"I love you so much!"
Robert's eyes
flashed. He pushed the button on the intercom: "Mrs. Ponk?" Noirson
panted. "I will be absent for a while, for any reason."
***
Anhella Vixen had
just entered the secretary's room and heard those words. She gasped and
sorrowfully glanced at Mrs. Ponk. She realized at once what it meant. How many
times Robert had pronounced the same phrase, holding her, Anhella, in his arms!
Vixen's Aryan blood was raging. She desired to grab her gun, burst into his
office and kill them both. But she knew it was impossible. And a few seconds
later her love for Robert finally overcame her jealousy.
Pressing her
portfolio to her chest, Anhella slowly went to the private waiting room and saw
Jerry. The bodyguard was staring at the door as a dog would while waiting his
master's return. He looked at Vixen questionably. She sadly smiled to her
fellow sufferer.
Understanding,
Jerry blushed and lowered his eyes. Pretending not to worry, he took the first
magazine and browsed through the pages. This sight relieved Anhella's pain. She
was much luckier than this poor guy. She knew how Robert appreciated her.
***
The door opened
and Mary Noirson strolled into the waiting room.
Her face was
burning with happiness and satisfaction, her hair was done carelessly and her
clothes were disordered.
She forgot about
everything, and she did not even see Jerry sprang up toward her.
"Mrs.
Noirson!" his voice was trembling. "Wait for me!"
"Ah,
Jerry..." She yawned. "Take me home."
"But we'd
planned to go shopping!"
"Shopping's
boring!" Mary sang. "I wanna take a shower... Maybe a
massage..."
"May I massage you?"
"Of course
not, you silly thing." Mary smiled tenderly.
"Why can
that male, that outsider, touch you again and I'm expected to just watch
it?"
"Which
male?" Mary sleepily looked at her bodyguard. "You're raving,
buddy."
"I mean your
masseur..." Jerry mumbled hopelessly as he followed his lady.
***
Noirson was
smoking. He smiled when Anhella Vixen entering his office.
"Komm zu
mir, Mädchen!" He tightly hugged his secretary.
"Come to me, girl!" / German
"Ist dein
Raport schon fertig, Fräulein Vixen?"
"Is the report ready, Miss Vixen?" /
German
"Ja,"
Anhella sleeked the disarranged hair of her Master.
"Yes." / German
"Du solltest
dein Hemd wechseln. Es ist nass." She said calmly.
"You should change your shirt. It is wet."
/ German
"Danke,
lieb," keeping a smile Noirson got up.
"Thank you, dear." / German
"Bereite die
Papiere vor. Ich bin gleich zurück." He told her.
"Prepare your papers. I'll be right back."
/ German
Before he left,
Robert looked at his secretary with gratitude:
"I can't
imagine, how could I work without you!"
"I can't
imagine, how could I live without
You." Anhella thought.
Unfortunately, Robert
was right when he was afraid to allow the Jehovah's Witness to live in his home.
Hannah Williamson
was doing her standard weekly preaching. She and her friend were standing near
a subway station and tried to talk with people. They "caught" Father
Christopher and started discussing the Bible.
Although Mary
prohibited her companion to tell strangers where she was working Hannah used
her employers as an example during the conversation. She did not use their
names, but suddenly Father Christopher guessed who she was talking about.
"God is
helping us himself!" the priest thought with excitement. He called Hannah
aside and told her everything.
"I don't
believe you!" Hannah was shaken. Then Father Christopher gave her a card:
"My dear daughter, when you are sure, contact me! Just, please, be
careful! I beg you!"
And he left the
appalled Hannah.
***
In the middle of
the night Mary Noirson woke up in her bedroom.
For a few minutes
she just laid in the bed thinking about her companion. About a week ago
something happened with Hannah. She shunning contact with Robert, and with her
lady she spent all the time talking about the Apocalypse. Despite her religious
education Mary did not like that kind of talk.
Strange, but
without any reason, a deep worry seized youthful woman. Trembling, she got up,
put her robe on and went to the corridor.
The security
guard was sitting on the chair, reading a newspaper, and looked at his lady
with surprise: "Where are you going, ma'am?" He got up. "It's
almost 3 a.m.!"
"Is my
husband okay?"
Security nodded:
"Yes, ma'am, I got some information just a few minutes ago. He has a
meeting in building B. Do you need to contact him?"
"No, I don't
wanna disturb him," Mary still thinking about her worry. "Where is
Hannah?"
Suddenly the
security smiled: "The mouse in the mouse trap."
Mary's legs gave
way under her: "What are you talking about?"
"Well, your companion should have known that
the Master's "prayer room" is off limits for everyone," his voice sounded with a hidden spite.
Mary gasped and
ran along the corridor.
***
Although anybody
could get into that room, only a few persons knew how to get out.
Shuddering,
Hannah was sitting on the floor in the "prayer room". She was trapped
and clearly realized it. Clasping her knees she was waiting, and dreading every
second, thinking that the Beast would come inside.
The door opened
and the girl barely swallowed her cry of terror.
But it was Mary
Noirson. Sighing with relief, Hannah sprang up and ran to her lady.
"How could
you!" Mary cried. "I helped you, I trusted you, I thought we were
friends!"
"Mary,
I..."
"It looks
base, mean, vile!"
"Mary, you
have to listen me!"
"Shut up,
betrayer-girl!"
"Mary, your
husband..."
"One more
word and I'll call him!"
Hannah fell in
silence.
***
Silently they
went to Hannah's room.
"Take your
stuff," Mary ordered. "What's necessary, no more than one suitcase! I'll be back." Soon
Mary returned with another suitcase: "Let's go!"
***
The bodyguards
started to argue with their lady, when she demanded to drive Hannah all by
herself. They barely compromised.
Mary Noirson
drove her companion and bodyguards downtown, stopped in front of the
"Hilton" and told one of them to reserve a room. One bodyguard got
out of the car and went into the building.
A few seconds
later Mary ordered the another bodyguard: "Check the left rear tire
out!"
"You have a
computer for this, ma'am!"
"What's
going on?" Mary burst out angrily. "How dare you disobey me!"
When the
bodyguard got out and bent to check the tire, Mary Noirson pushed the gas pedal
and the car accelerated away.
The bodyguard
took a jolt. But he came to his senses at once, cursed, then took his
cell-phone and made a call.
***
"Okay,
girl," Mary looked in the mirror. "We have about thirty minutes. Do
you know a place that is safe enough to hide?"
Hannah nodded.
"Good, you need it. In this suitcase is sixty
thousand, it's enough to study in some good university. Just do not put more
then two or three thousand in the bank at once. Do you have any cash with
you?"
"Fifty-three
bucks."
"Okay, take
a taxi," Mary stopped the car. "I don't wanna know where you're gonna
hide. Good luck and good bye!"
"Mary, your
husband..."
"I said, good bye!"
"Good bye,
Mrs. Noirson..."
***
Robert asked
nothing about Hannah and this surprised Mary, however, she did not dare to
start talking about it. This subject was now taboo.
***
When Myron heard
the knock on the door he opened it at once. He was sure it was one of his
friends.
But it was an
unknown white girl and Myron felt how
the blood rushed into his face; as he was only wearing underpants.
Hannah leered at
the almost naked tall black man with amazement and confusion. Kindness and
surprise were shining in his big tender eyes, and Hannah calmed down and dared
to ask: "Is this apartment 218?"
"Yes."
"Does Father
Christopher live here?"
"Yes,
miss... Who are you?"
"I'm Hannah
Williamson. Father Christopher gave me this address. Can I come in?"
"Oh, my
God!" Myron stepped aside. "Sorry, of course! I just did not expect
your visit; it's so hot today and we have no air-conditioner. Excuse me for a
second, please."
He came back
wearing a cassock.
"Are you a
monk?" Hannah gasped.
"We are all
monks." Myron smiled.
"Wow! I
thought, you're a football player or something like that..."
"Well, in
high-school I used to play football..."
And the young
people entered into a conversation.
***
When all the
cenobites had gathered, Hannah told them how she lost her job.
"Heartless
witch!" Kevin said about Mary Noirson.
"No,"
Hannah was confused. "She saved me from the Beast, she told me to hide and
gave me this money..." Hannah put the suitcase on the table and lifted the
cover. "Sixty thousand bucks!"
Somebody gasped,
somebody whistled.
"I wanna
give this money to you for your sacred mission." Hannah continued.
"Please, let me join you."
The cenobites
exchanged glances.
Kevin took the
suitcase and fiddled with a bunch of bills: "Gee!" He laughed.
"It will be real fun to kill the Beast using his own money!"
"But,
Hannah, how about you? Your dreams,
your future?"
"While the
Beast is alive nobody has a future." Hannah looked around. "Please,
let me stay with you. If he hasn't
found this place yet it means it's safe enough... Please?"
"Welcome
aboard!" Patrick, the leader, resolutely shook Hannah's hand.
For a few months
Hannah lived in the same apartment as the cenobites.
But lately the
monks began noticing some changes.
***
The friends were
resting in the common room. Some were reading while others watched TV. Kevin
worked out on the machine. Patrick, the leader, was checking the bills. From
time to time the cenobites looked askance at Hannah and Myron and exchanged
glances.
But talking
selflessly, the girl and the young monk were seeing only each other.
"Hey,
guys!" Patrick finally called them. He could not concentrate. "Wanna
go to some bar or for a dancing? Why just sit here?"
Confused, the
young couple looked at him.
"No,"
Steve Farringer sadly smiled. "Better if they stay home; the city is very
dangerous at night."
"Hey,
girl!" Kevin got up and wiped sweat from his face. "Bring me some
soda from the fridge."
Myron leaped at
Kevin and grabbed his T-shirt: "You milky bone! Do you think she's your maid or what?"
"Myron!
Buddy," Kevin calmly smiled. "Are you okay? I just asked her as
friend and roommate!"
"Sorry, Kev,"
Myron released Kevin. "Just watch what you imply when you're
talking."
"Really,
Myron, let's go for a walk," Hannah took his hand. "You're tired and
nervous."
Her eyes sparkled
with a smile. And the young couple went away.
***
It was late
night, when Myron carefully oozed into the bedroom. He tried not to wake his
roommates. Myron did not turn the light on, undressed and quickly hopped into
his bed. He did not notice that nobody was asleep, but everybody was pretending
to be asleep. They heard how he was gasping. It was the breathing of happy man.
And their hearts were filled with light, tender envy.
***
That five-bedroom
apartment had three bathrooms. But, of course, for eleven people it was not
enough. Richard moaned, when Hannah cut the line and rushed past him to the
bathroom.
"Every
morning!" Greg was next after him. "It's not funny any more.
Christopher, it was you, who found Hannah! And now what?"
Worried Myron
slowly came close to the door and carefully knocked: "Hannah, are you
okay?"
"Leave her alone,
she's okay," Richard's voice sounded so confident that Myron got confused
and quickly went away. An ex-army surgeon Richard was professional physician.
The monks
exchanged glances: "Are you thinking, what I am thinking?"
"Gosh, we
have a situation here."
"What's
going on?" Greg gazed at them. "What are you talking about?"
Christopher
explained and the young monk gasped.
Patrick, the
leader, peeped down the corridor to make sure Myron could not hear them, then
turned to his friends: "Today come home about twenty minutes early, we
need to talk about it. Not a word to Myron, okay?"
Usually the monks
returned home one by one. But on the February 14 Patrick, the leader, arranged
the common meeting at the neighboring cafe.
When all cenobites
had assembled, Patrick smiled and the friends exchanged glances.
"Well,
Myron, we know about Hannah."
Ashamed, the monk
tried to say something, but he could not find words.
"It's okay,
Myron, we're all glad to see that you and this wonderful girl are happy
together. All of us invested all our money into our sacred mission. Hannah did
it also. But now you need money for
your baby. Well," Patrick looked at the other monks. "This month we
all saved and pooled our pocket money, and, well..."
"Surprise!"
the monks all exclaimed together. Myron gasped. His friends put a huge elegant
corsage of flowers, a small box and a gift certificate on the table. Myron
opened the box. It was a wedding ring.
Seeing that, the
couple at the next table giggled.
"Oh, brothers..."
Myron looked around. "I'm so thankful! I'll never forget this! God bless
you all! My dear friends! I want all of you to be there when I propose to
Hannah."
"We
will!" Kevin smiled.
"I've gotta
call her..."
"No, let's
surprise her too!" Farringer suggested.
***
The high spirited
friends went to the apartment building and went up the stairs together.
The door of the
apartment was slightly open.
The merriment
left the men instantly. Now they were soldiers on the alert again. They pricked
up their ears and took out their guns.
Myron's face
turned grayish brown: "Oh, God, please, no!" He held the bouquet and a bag with the gifts.
"Stay
behind!" Patrick, the leader, ordered quietly.
Obeying his
signals, the monks took their places and prepared.
On the leader's
command Kevin threw the door wide open. Holding guns ready to fire, the monks
stormed into the apartment.
They realized at
once that they were too late. The apartment was completely ruined. The walls
and even the ceiling had been splattered with blood.
"Don't let
Myron come in!" Patrick shouted.
But the young
monk pushed his friends away and ran into the apartment. He gasped and dropped
the flowers and the bag.
"Hannah!"
He screamed. Calling her name, Myron rushed from room to room.
Blood was
everywhere. He ran to the kitchen. And there he found her. It... All that
remained of the woman whom he loved...
"Happy
Valentine's Day!" blared from the wall, written with blood and red drops
oozed down towards the floor.
Finally, good
luck smiled upon the cenobites. They found information about this town through
the Internet. Just about one hundred miles from the city and thirty miles to
the next town. Five years ago all citizens left this town without any visible
reason.
Patrick, the
leader, and Victor checked the town out. The church in the town was still in
good condition and all communications were easily set up. It was very lucky for
the cenobites. And they used it.
After Hannah's
awful death they moved here, but they still spent almost all their time in the
city, searching for ways to reach the Beast.
Victor's parents
were animal lovers. A lot of pets surrounded him from the first day of his
life. His mother especially loved cats. Different colors, but most of them were
short haired, and Victor liked them. One black cat was his favorite. Every
time, when he was lying in the bed, night or day, the cat came to him and lay
by his side. It purred very loud and melodically, and Victor loved to pet and
caress it and feel its small muscular body.
***
He was on his
shift when the awful fire had happened. Both of his parents and almost the all
animals died. His favorite cat was gone too.
However, some
cats ran away, later he saw some of them in the local shelter. As a policeman,
Victor often delivered street cats and lost dogs there, and he wanted to
believe his pet survived that fire.
After the tragedy
Victor became a monk, yet he still loved animals and dearly wanted to have at
least one of them.
He finally had
the opportunity to have a pet when the monks moved to this town.
Because of
permanent danger, the monks preferred to stay in the same building, near the
church and leave the other houses empty. It was 6:35 p.m. and Victor went for a
little walk. He went slowly along the streets, as he had done many times in his
town. Abandoned buildings looked strange and gloomy.
Suddenly a tiny
black animal ran near a house. Victor noticed it, and sighed, recalling his
pet. Although he knew, how careful any cats, especially street cats are, Victor
mechanically called it: "Here, kitty-kitty-kitty!" To his surprise,
the cat came to him.
Of course, it was
not his cat, it was a very young animal, about six or eight months old. Victor
thought this was why it came to his call and allowed him to take it in his
arms.
But when he came
close to the church, the animal started to show worry and finally jumped off
his arms. Victor did not want to force it to stay. He knew cats did not like
new places. He went to the building and took a few pieces of chicken, then came
back. The cat was still there. Victor fed it and smiled with pleasure, watching
how the hungry animal was eating greedily.
Since that time
the cat started to wait for him every evening and Victor was feeling happy.
Tracy was an inveterate cameraman and recorded how Victor fed and petted the
cat and played with it. But probably the film was defective, because instead of
images of his new pet, there were just black shapeless spots.
Victor very much
wanted that cat to lie in his bed, as he had in his town, however, the animal
never came close to the building, where the cenobites now lived. And finally
Victor asked Patrick, the leader, about permission to spend nights in another
house. Patrick did not see anything wrong and allowed it.
Victor chose the
house near where he met the cat the first time.
That night he lay
down on the bed in that house and called the cat.
The animal looked
confused. It seemed it was concerned and hesitated. Once it even hissed at the
monk, and Victor thought with worry, maybe it was sick.
But finally, the
cat jumped onto the bed, curled itself up into a ball and started purring, and
Victor smiled with happiness.
***
Patrick and Tracy
slowly passed the house.
"I can't
understand Victor," Tracy shrugged his shoulders. "How can he sleep
here, alone, in a ghost town, with a black cat..."
The friends
involuntarily looked at the building. Strange, reddish light glowed from the
bedroom window.
"My
God!" Patrick gasped. "It's a fire!"
They ran into the
house and burst into Victor's bedroom.
They stopped,
they screamed with horror, and they then realized, why the citizens left this town, after such a monster took up
residence here.
It, what bent
over Victor, was not a cat, not a panther, not a woman, not a She-Devil, not a
Sphinx. It was all of them at once.
Its tender girl
face was turned to the monks. The glowing slanted eyes of the creature did not
show any fear. Bright white fangs flashed into its mouth when it licked its
succulent lips. Swishing its long snake-like tail, the beast stretched its limbs,
and the cenobites saw its huge claws.
The monks grabbed
their guns and started shooting. Their bullets, made from church silver, should
kill any creature whether from Earth or Hell.
Its screech made
them deaf for a while. Victor sprang up and the monks stopped firing, and they
were afraid to wound their friend.
Victor gasped, he
stared at the creature, wriggling in the middle of the room.
"Why did you
shoot it?" He asked them.
The friends
became confused. Really, why? It did not harm Victor, and probably would have
not. But it looked so unusual... So scary... Yes, looked.
A light smoke
rose from it and now only a motionless body of a small dead cat was lying on
the floor. Victor took it into his arm, hugged it and cried bitterly. The
friends looked at him with compassion, but only animal lovers would be able to
understand his grief.
"Guess
what!" The friends had never seen Richard so excited. "I met an old
friend, Thomas Dufour, we studied together in the medical college, and now he
is a physician for some of Noirson's servants!"
The monks gasped.
"Richard,
does your friend know who Robert Noirson really
is?"
"No, and I
didn't risk telling him; tomorrow the Noirsons will have a party. Tom gave me
an invitation and I can bring one of you with me!"
The monks all
started talking at once.
"I'm
coming!" Kevin suggested.
"No,"
Patrick, the leader, objected. "You hate him too much. Don't forget,
whoever goes should be able to shake his hand, smile and not think about our
mission."
They discussed
this until nighttime.
***
Richard and Steve
Farringer greeted the Noirsons without any troubles, but now they had another
problem: Dufour really missed Rick
and kept talking non-stop. Time was running out, and the friends had not a
chance to do the business that they had come here for.
Suddenly Robert
Noirson came closer and looked at them very attentively. He gazed at Farringer
and then at Richard: "Which cat, can I ask?" He heard something and
got interested.
The monk shortly
repeated to him the story about Victor's pet. Robert listened with visible
curiosity.
"Yes, these
filthy creatures come to Earth sometimes!" Noirson said after Richard had
finished. "Maybe this is why I don't like cats. Independent and
mysterious. Dogs are easier to handle. Well, it was a really nice tale! Thank
you, gentlemen!" And, smiling, he walked to another group of his guests.
All three of them
were silent for a while. Thomas started to talk again. But Farringer felt
incapable of keeping conversation anymore. He needed action. Mumbling a few
excuses, Steve quickly left.
Steve remembered
exactly where the "prayer room" was: poor Hannah told the monks all
the details about Noirson's home.
But the third
floor was closed to visitors. When Farringer went upstairs he saw security
blocking the entry. Hiding behind window drapery the young monk wondered what
he could do now.
Suddenly Steve
heard a beeping sound. The leader of security took out a cell-phone.
"No,
sir," He said into receiver. "Nobody's here." He listened for a
while. "Yes, sir! Over." He put the phone back into his pocket,
signed to his detachment and they went away.
Farringer could
not believe his luck. Hastily, but carefully Steve went along the corridor.
"Fourth
door, fourth door... There it is. Oh, God, help me!" Very gently Farringer
touched the doorknob, turned it and pulled. The door opened. The heart of the
young monk was beating wildly. He came inside and put a small doorstop under
the door to prevent it from closing.
Finally he saw
the daggers. Lying in a cross shape,
they were decorated like museum exhibits: the glass, effective lighting,
scarlet background...
For a few minutes
Farringer just stood stock-still and observed. This sight bewitched the young
monk. His sense of duty helped him to take control of himself. He sighed as if
he had just woken up, resolutely stepped forward and started thinking how he
should take the glass off.
"Do you think it's so easy?"
Steve's heart had
stopped for a second. He slowly turned towards the voice.
Standing on the
threshold of the room, Robert Noirson lightly kicked the stopper.
"Do you
think I'm stupid?" the Beast
looked right into Farringer's eyes.
"No,"
Steve smiled sadly. "I think I am."
The young monk
was not scared, just upset that he had failed and probably ruined the entire
mission.
Robert closed the
door and Farringer shuddered. The young monk was angry with himself: his strong
and healthy body did not want to die, and Steve could not stop trembling at the
thought of being tortured.
Noirson was doing
something in the dark corner and it seemed he had forgotten about the
trespasser. The Beast's back was turned to the monk, and Farringer glimpsed at
the daggers. A tempting idea came to his mind: "Maybe if I break the glass and grab the dagger... If I do everything fast..."
But the young
monk restrained himself. The glass was probably armored and Steve did not want
to look ridiculous by uselessly knocking on the glass, and give the Beast a
great reason for mocking him.
Robert turned to
Farringer. The thin lips of the Beast curved into his sly smile: "No, boy,
you are not stupid."
"Don't call
me 'boy'!" the young monk tossed his head with courage. "My name is
Steve Farringer!"
"Poor brave
boy," Robert sighed. "And are you ready to die?"
"Yes, I
am!"
"But if I
haven't killed you yet why do you think I'm going to murder you now?"
"I broke
into your property, if I had the chance, I'd get the daggers and I'd kill you!"
"You want to die, poor boy. But you shouldn't
blame yourself for what happened."
Confounded,
Farringer kept silent.
"We have
something in common, kid," the glowing eyes of the Beast pierced deep into
the human soul. "Even I was not
able to protect my girl from being raped."
The old pain
squeezed Farringer's heart. The awful unforgettable sights flashed into his
mental vision: her moans and cry, their laugh, his own helpless despair.
The young monk
closed his eyes and said with effort: "Your girl had been raped just once
and he didn't kill her."
"I see your
point," Robert lit a cigarette. "But as a monk, you should believe,
when you die you'll be together again. But if Mary is burned I'll lose her
forever! We belong to the different levels. Do you want to know, why I married her? Look!" Robert
stretched out a small board. "This picture is about two thousand years old
and it, probably, is the best. It's your Lady, the mother of your Lord."
The young monk
took the board with a reverence, but he was disappointed: her face looked
familiar, however, a lot of women look the same, even Farringer's ex.
"Still no
bell." Steve shrugged his shoulders.
"Humans!"
Noirson snorted. He took out a cell-phone. "Honey," He said into the
receiver. And Farringer got amazed how tenderly the Beast's voice sounded.
"I'm in the "prayer room", could you, please, come here for a
second?"
Being interested
Farringer stared at Robert with curiosity.
A few minutes
later Mary Noirson went to the room and surprisingly looked at Steve. Robert
stepped to his wife: "Kitten, don't move for a while!"
Mary obediently
stood stock-still. Noirson touched her head. The cloth covered up the woman's
hair, her evening dress turned into a loose gown. Realizing what Robert meant
Farringer gasped. The young monk slowly came closer to the amazed woman, knelt
and reverentially kissed the edge of her clothes.
Noirson waved his
hand and now Mary was into the modern dress again: "Thank you, my darling,
for your help. You can go now."
***
For a few minutes
the males were silent. Farringer slowly got up.
"It's
impossible, you tricked me, I can't believe..." Steve shook his head.
"How They did it?"
"For what They did?"
Robert smiled. "'This is the question.' Well, you can go too. I think your
friend has already started worrying about you."
"You're
letting me go?" Farringer amazed.
"Yes!"
Noirson opened the door. "Get out of here before I change my mind!"
Expecting some
dirty trick the young monk slowly went past the Beast. But nothing happened.
***
Steve was at the
downstairs, when he heard the low deep voice of Robert: "Farringer!"
The young monk
looked up.
"Remember,
boy, what you have seen today. Remember!"
***
Farringer almost
ran to Richard, who was still chatting with Thomas Dufour: "I'm sorry that
I interrupted you, but we have to go now!"
Dufour tried to
say something, but Steve grabbed the hand of his friend and dragged him away.
The monks left without saying goodbye. They did not talk until they got home.
***
"Well?"
Patrick, the leader, asked. The cenobites were waiting for Farringer's report.
"I had a
talk with him!" Steve was
shaking. "I was talking with the Beast!"
The monks
exchanged glances.
"So?"
"It's
impossible to steal the daggers, but it will be blasphemy even to try to kidnap
Her! It will be sacrilege! Why are
you staring at me? If I tell you why,
you will not believe me!"
"Steve,"
Patrick tenderly touched Farringer's hand. "You're seriously stressed,
we'll talk tomorrow, okay?"
Richard, the
doctor, gave Farringer a tranquilizer, and when the young monk fell asleep, the
cenobites had a talk. They were not able to trust Steve Farringer any more and
decided to act immediately.
Mary Noirson was
on her way home when it happened.
A big elk jumped
out from behind some bushes. Mary screamed.
Reacting
instantly, Ron turned the car. They definitely hit the animal, but it was just
lateral collision. The elk flew high and landed behind the vehicle. Sliding on
the road surface the car spun around a few times, and Ron barely avoided a
crash. He stopped the car on the very brink of a ditch.
The bodyguards
cursed and looked back at his lady: "Oh, sorry, ma'am! Are you okay?"
Mary nodded:
"I was buckled up," She said with effort.
"You damn
moron!" Jerry roared at his partner. "Why did you turn? The glass is
armored! It would have withstood the hit! A stag! Big deal! We could hit an elephant
without any damage to the car! Why did you turn? You could've killed us
all!"
"Go to
Hell!" Ron snarled at him. "I've been driving longer than you've been
living!" He tried to explain his actions, but Jerry could not calm down.
The bodyguards started to discuss how necessary that maneuver was. The young
servant was shouting and Ron was justifying himself very aggressively. Mary
stopped this wrangle.
"Shut up,
you two!" She trembled with stress. "Get out of the car and check the
deer out! What are you staring at me?"
The bodyguards
did not dare disobey their lady. They muttered as they got out. Jerry went to
the elk. But first of all Ron squatted near the car. Confused, he could not
understand why the car lost contact with the road so easily.
To his unpleasant
surprise, the road surface was covered with oil.
Ron frowned. It
was disorder. This was a private driveway, and if some of Noirson's people
spilled the oil here, they should have taken care of it, at least warned other
drivers. The road had a turn here, and to avoid crossing the oil was
impossible. He moved his hand to take his cell-phone, but Mary opened the
window: "Why are you dawdling? I said, check the deer out!" And Ron
did not make the call.
Mary waited
inside the car.
Soon Jerry came
back: "That stupid stag is already dead."
"Take it
home!" Mary told. "Robert is able to resuscitate it!"
Jerry sighed and
walked back to the elk. Ron was waiting next to the animal, he took his
cell-phone to call and report, but Jerry started talking as usual, very
emotionally, and diverted Ron.
A few minutes
went by as Mary observed how her bodyguards discussed her order.
Finally she was
tired of waiting. She got out of the car and went to her bodyguards.
Ron looked at the
sound of the slamming door. "Return to the car immediately!" shouted he.
Only now Mary
recalled instructions that Robert had given her. In any situation like that she
have to stay inside the car and keep the doors locked. Mary turned around.
Suddenly she
heard two strange sounds. It sounded like someone clapped hands twice. Mary
looked back.
She saw Jerry
fall down. She saw Ron's body trembling and wrenching on the road.
It was so awful
that Mary did not realize what was going on. She forgot all instructions and
disregarded the danger to her own safety. She should have to run to the car,
but, full of compassion, she rushed to her bodyguards.
The monks had
planned it all differently, however, Mary herself made their task even easier.
The woman bent
over Jerry and saw the blood stream from his broken head. In the same instant
she saw men running towards her.
Kevin was closer
than the others. Yet Mary had prepared herself. She grabbed her gun and fired a
few times. But Kevin's armored vest withstood the bullets, and Mary was taken
aback for a second and did not react to Tracy's strike. The monk swatted her
gun out. She kicked him and tried to escape.
It was too late.
She was hemmed in by the cenobites.
If they were
ordinary attackers Mary Noirson could have fended them off even in this
situation. Since she was a kid she had been trained in some methods of
self-defense. Her strong legs and weighty horned brass knuckles were capable of
causing severe injuries.
But these men
were professionals. And was more so, they were fanatics. Even the monk she
knocked out still held Mary's arm.
Enraged by her
resistance the cenobites beat the woman even after she had fainted. They
handcuffed and tied her, then put her into the van.
Noirson and his
partners discussed their next operation.
"On the whole
your terms and conditions are acceptable to us." Smiling, Robert was
checking the papers again. "What is the delivery date of the
equipment?"
Suddenly a beep
from the intercom interrupted him.
"Mr.
Noirson, sir," The voice of Mrs. Ponk sounded confused. "If you
would, please, could you answer? Line one, sir."
"We're
having a conference!" Robert roared in temper. "I ordered you not to disturb us!"
"I really
sorry, sir! But he said it's an
emergency!"
"Nonsense!
Connect us!" Robert took the receiver. "Speak! Noirson is here."
The reply was
like a boom of thunder.
"We've got
your wife. Wait for our instructions."
That was all.
***
"Robert!
Robert!" Becker shook Noirson's shoulder. "What happened? Talk to us!
Say something!"
Robert looked
around. He was glad to see only his friends and partners.
"Where are
the Hungarians?" He asked surprisingly.
"I sent them
off, we'll continue later..."
Thankful, Noirson
clutched the hand of his tutor.
"You were in
a stupor," John whispered softly. "What's the matter, dear?"
"M a r y ..." Robert's voice was
hoarse. "She has been kidnapped..."
"I knew
it!" Becker shouted. "I knew something like that would happen! This
marriage was the stupidest act in your entire life!" He stopped short and
asked with worry: "What are their demands?"
"Probably,
that I must come alone with the daggers." Noirson answered very calmly.
Becker threw up
his arms. Anhella gasped. Dylon burst out laughing.
"Oh, in that case, good luck to them," He
said sarcastically. "Of course, Robert's just crazy about her, but to
commit suicide for sure? Give me a
break!"
"Will you
go?" Anhella was shocked.
"I don't
know," Noirson sighed and lit a cigarette. "I don't know yet."
Deep silence
reigned in the room.
In triumph the
monks brought Mary Noirson into the main building.
Myron did not
take part in the operation; he waited at the church. And now, when he finally
saw Mary Noirson, he could not resist his urge for revenge. He rushed at Mary
and swiped at her face. Then Daniel kicked the fallen woman.
"Stop
it!" Farringer flung himself to them, but other monks grabbed him.
"I suggest
we kill her," Myron's voice was stern. "If he wishes, he can resuscitate her."
"No! Listen
to me!" Farringer screamed.
"Let's fuck
her first!" smiling, Kevin threw his jacket off. "Who wants to be
next after me?"
"Brothers!"
The cenobites
were startled, as if woken from a fright, and gazed at Farringer.
"I made a
decision to become a monk after my girlfriend was brutally raped and murdered.
I was forced to observe that! And
they held me as you are doing now!"
The confused
monks released Steve.
"What
happened to you, brothers? We are not criminals, we are priests! Kevin! You're a monk!
How could you even think about such things? Daniel, agree, you have no proof
that it was Mary Noirson, who sent the dog! What if you're wrong? Do you
remember: 'Do not avenge yourselves, but yield place to the wrath of God.
'"I will repay", says God'! Myron, the Beast killed your innocent
girl. Because of your desire for revenge, do you want to commit an act just as
abominable as him? My beloved brothers! Recall! 'Not paying back injury for
injury or reviling for reviling, but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing!'
The whole Bible's teaching us forgiveness, but we... Look at this woman! Was it
necessary to beat her up so brutally?"
"She was
fighting like ten mad witches!" Kevin shouted. "She tried to pop
me!"
"Everybody
has right to defend himself! 'Stop judging that you may not be judged!' Only
God knows, if she's innocent or guilty, but I know, the death of her husband will be a deep tragedy for
her..."
Half-stunned,
Mary heard the speech of Farringer as a low hum. But the last phrase was awful
that she came back her senses at once.
"You!"
Mary had barely sat up. Her hands were still cuffed behind her back. She
attentively glared at Steve, and she recognized him. "You visited us as a
guest! You were in the "prayer room"! Mean spy!" She hit
Farringer in his stomach with her head.
He gasped and
stepped back. The hate in her eyes
hurt the young monk much worse than her hit.
Kevin laughed:
"Steve, you need a long spoon to beat her with!"
"Please,"
Mary beseechingly looked around. "I beg you! Torture, rack, kill me! But
take a pity on him! Oh, be merciful! In the name of God..."
"Don't use
that word!" Kevin slapped Mary. "Your dirty lips were kissing the
Devil's offspring!"
Mary spat into
his face. Her saliva was mixed with blood. Kevin choked with rage. He wanted to
hit the woman again, but suddenly Myron
stopped him: "Enough! Steve is right. Let's use her only as a bait for
him..."
"A bait?" The thought that she, Mary,
could be the reason for the death of her beloved husband, made the woman lose
herself.
Her insane cry
amazed and even scared the monks. She burst in curses, she was calling the
names of her attackers, she was damning and threatening them.
The men kept
silence.
Mary Noirson
screamed until her voice became hoarse. Then she began to weep sorrowfully. All
hope and strength left Mary. Without any resistance she allowed the monks to
take her out.
Kevin stayed
alone in the middle of the room. He was very disappointed and angry, he still
desired revenge. Suddenly somebody touched his elbow. It was Tracy. He held a
video camera.
"It's a pity
that I had no camera, when we caught her. It'd be fun to show the tape to the
Beast!"
Kevin intently
looked at his friend: "I have a plan..." And Kevin smiled.
Nobody knew that
Kevin had a personal reason when he agreed to take part in the hunt for the
Beast.
He started to
hate Robert Noirson many years ago. Although they were of the same age, that
guy had everything that Kevin desired for himself: money, power and... Yes, a
beautiful, sensual wife. Monica Noirson.
Since he was a
kid, Kevin had to think about every cent he spent, this was why he joined the
Army. Everything was fine, but during one operation the vehicle that Kevin's
friend drove, accidentally crashed, and they all got a few injuries. Honestly,
the driver was drunk as a skunk, however, it was not reported and did not get
into the newspapers.
Monica Noirson
had visited them in the hospital. While a reporter took some pictures, she held
Kevin's hand. Kevin felt her thin, refined arm. He sensed the nervous energy of
that beautiful graceful lady, he recalled the reports about her deeds in the
charity field. And he thought, probably for the hundredth time, why do some
guys have everything in life, and others have nothing?
Monica was
sensitive enough to notice his feeling. Or maybe, she was just pleased with his
sincerely rapt gaze. Anyway, it was not necessary, but she petted his head, and
uttered passionately: "Get well, my hero!"
***
Because he was
afraid to become a laughing stock in front of his friends, he had never kept
the reports about Monica, nevertheless, he read any and all information he was
able to get his hands on.
He met her again
almost a year later. His unit was to leave the country tomorrow, and Monica
attended this engagement. Kevin dared to remind her about their previous
meeting. And the woman, flattered by his attention, gave him an invitation to
Noirson's party.
***
When he saw her wearing the evening dress,
enraptured Kevin just stood still for a few seconds, and barely compelled
himself to let go of her hand. He thought that Robert Noirson can touch and
kiss this fantastic woman whenever he wishes. That thought made Kevin feel
insane, and he flinched with jealousy and hate.
During the party
he continually admired the woman. Beaming under the bright electric lights,
Monica looked exquisitely charming. Very tall, almost as tall as her husband
was, elegantly dressed Monica Noirson moved with regal grace.
"Princess,
princess..." Kevin whispered with delight. He dearly wanted to talk with
her. But a lot of people were around them all the time, and vexed Kevin had no
chance to do that.
Kevin kept his
eyes on Monica, and he was finally rewarded for his patience. He noticed Monica
slip out of the hall and he followed her.
But Monica went
to a part of the garden closed to guests. Yet he was well trained and despite
his evening suit, he was able to get inside also.
Struggling
through the shrubbery, Kevin was looking for her. Suddenly he heard voices.
"Why did you
run away?" She asked.
"I'm tired
of seeing and talking to people." Robert Noirson answered dismally.
"And I want to smoke."
"Give me
one."
Kevin finally saw
them. Just snapping his fingers, Robert lit her cigarette and smiled. The Son
of the Devil was proud of his abilities, and he liked to show them.
"Knock off
your tricks!" Monica nervously inhaled. "You know I hate it!"
Kevin was
surprised, as he did not know who Robert Noirson really was.
"As you
wish, your majesty!" Robert's face became gloomy again.
"Why such
sarcasm?" Monica asked with irritation in her voice. Moonlit, she looked
even more beautiful than inside the building. The wind was moving the leaves
and branches of the trees, and mysterious, fantastic shadows turned Monica in
Kevin's mind into some kind of goddess.
"Listen, I
wanted only to be alone for a while. Why did you come here?"
"Just
interested to see where my hubby was hiding."
"Now you
know. Could you, please, go back to the party? It's not nice to leave the
guests without hosts."
"Look, today
I met a guy. He remembered me from our last meeting, and it was almost a year
ago!"
Kevin's heart
jumped with happiness. He understood, Monica was talking about him.
"I'm
glad." Noirson yawned and looked at his watch. "Oh, we really have to
go back to "work". Let's go, my darling."
"Don't
interrupt me, you rude fellow!"
"Sorry,
honey!" Robert bowed theatrically. "I didn't know it was such an
important speech!"
"Knock it
off! Knock it off!! Knock it off! You moron!" Her ringing voice trembled
and Noirson frowned: "Why do you shout at me?" He hated high shrill
noises. Well, most males do not like such sounds.
"Your
permanent mocking," She yelled at him. "is driving me crazy!"
"Just
driving? I thought, you were already mental." Robert threw aside his
cigarette butt and smiled arrogantly.
Hiding behind
some bushes, Kevin barely restrained himself. He desired to beat up that cocky
nabob. How could that bastard mock this wonderful woman! For her, Kevin was not afraid of scandal or
even jail. But he knew, that security were very close, and they would not allow
him to do that. And it would be stupid to be arrested or even killed, without
any chance to be with her.
"That guy
remembered me, and..."
"What's your
point? I remember you longer than he does!" Suddenly Noirson burst out
laughing.
"Who is more
crazy, you or me?" Monica scornfully looked at her husband. "You
stupid jerk! Do you ever listen to me?"
"Oh, my
darling! If that guy is so impressed with you, go screw him!"
Kevin's eyes
widened in astonishment. He did not expect a respectable man to use such
language. But Monica's next phrase was like cupid's arrow had struck his heart.
"Maybe I
will..." She drawled.
"I don't
care." Robert looked at his watch again. "Crap, I'll go. You can
stay, if you want. You can go to Hell if you wish! You've spoilt my rest, you
damn witch!"
"You spoilt
my whole life, you stupid clown!"
"Oh, really?
Say it to anyone but me! You greedy rat! Nobody forced you to marry me! You
were not a pauper-woman!"
"If I knew,
what kind of creature you were, I'd never have agreed! Even for all the
treasuries on Earth!"
"Don't
lie!" Robert stared at his wife. "You knew who I was and still
am!"
"I mean, if
I knew, how you were going to treat me..."
"How?! What
do you want?! I'm showing respect to you!"
"Exactly! Showing. You heartless monster! I'm your
wife, after all!"
"I'm
glad."
"For what are you glad? Are you listening to
me?"
Without an
answer, Robert turned away and slowly went to the building. Still talking,
Monica followed him.
Trembling, Kevin
was alone in the garden. He was so shocked, he just stood still there for a
long time. But he could do nothing now. He decided to take a vacation, and
somehow meet Monica again and talk to her.
***
He was able to
get a furlough only four months later.
Excited, he was
packing his stuff when he saw a TV-report about her death. He realized at once that it was murder. And the
following scandal only added fuel to the fire of his hatred. The smug faces of
Robert and his fiancée were driving Kevin crazy. He resigned and swore to
avenge Monica.
He pitied Myron
very much and could not understand why he had stood up for Mary.
Later that night
Kevin persuaded Tracy to act.
All other monks
were absent; sleeping or preparing for tomorrow's battle. Mary Noirson was
locked in a separate building. Her arms and legs were tied to the bed. When
Kevin and Tracy went inside, they could do with the helpless woman whatever
they wished.
And Kevin did it.
Mary was wearing
a modern chastity belt. But even this could not stop him, and only made him
even angrier.
He used Mary for
his revenge during the entire night. And Tracy recorded all these actions onto
videotape...
***
It was 5:26 a.m.
when Farringer woke from a deep sleep. His first thought was about Mary. He got
up and went to check her out.
A few minutes
later Christopher ran to the other monks.
"Hurry
up!" He screamed. "Steve and Kevin are fighting! We've gotta stop
them! They're gonna kill each other!"
All the monks
rushed after him. First they saw Kevin and Farringer.
Kevin was almost
twice as old as Steve was. He competently defended himself against the younger
monk, attacking him with dreadful rage.
"Stop
it!" Patrick, the leader, shouted. "Immediately!"
The monks grabbed
Farringer. Kevin continued smiling. He did not even try to start a fight again.
"Look what they have done! What they have
done..." Steve spoke, holding back sobs. Suddenly, he burst into tears, to
the other monk's confusion.
Only now the
cenobites looked at Mary Noirson and gasped.
Her face was
swollen with tears and beatings. Her mouth was torn, lips had been skinned. A
wide wound was bleeding on her body; her skin was torn off in the shape of a
cross from throat to navel and from one nipple to the other.
Greg turned away
and threw up. The monks released Farringer. He ran to the woman. Sobbing, Steve
started to hastily untie her. Some cenobites helped him. They carried Mary
Noirson into the major building.
There was a deep
morose silence for a few minutes.
"Come
on!" Kevin started. "For the whore that she is, it was just
stretching her limbs! Remember those reports about her? Even after the
betrothal that bitch continued to fuck with other men! She's a druggie and
druggist. She organized the murders of Robert's first wife, Pastor James,
Hannah and, I'm sure, many other innocent people. Come on, brothers! That dirty
animal deserved things much worse than what we have done! But for one major
reason I did it for this." Kevin
showed them a videotape. "Step by step, every action..."
"Why,
Kevin?"
"I'm not
sure that the Beast will come just because of our first threat. But if he sees that, his jealousy, I hope, will conquer his care and prudence."
It was the
longest night in Robert's life. Nobody was sleeping.
Sitting stock
still in his chair, Noirson was giving necessary orders. Becker and Mrs. Ponk
were making calls, gathering people and forces. Anhella was coordinating their
actions.
As usual only
Dylon was doing nothing. He sprawled in an armchair and polished his nails.
***
It was 7:16 a.m.
when Mrs. Ponk called Noirson. He sprang up and turned his computer on.
It was Kevin. He
was smiling: "Good morning, bastards! Did you have a pleasant night? We really had."
"You're
welcome!" Robert was trembling with hate. "Because it was the last
night in your fucking life!"
"For your
bitch it could be the last night too. So, we tried to make it special. Sorry, we did it without your
permission."
"What are
you talking about?"
"Sweet
wiffie, pretty body... You should've also put a doggie muzzle on your bitch to protect her better."
"What do you
mean?!" Robert's face went livid.
Kevin showed him
the videotape: "Would you care to watch it, smart ass? The total recording
could take a couple of hours, but this is just a summary, about ten
minutes."
Noirson spun to
his partners: "Everybody out!"
"But,
Robert..."
"I said, get
out!"
The partners went
out and waited behind the door.
They heard
Robert's moan. They heard Noirson's roar. Finally they heard Robert's curses.
Then the partners
dared to go back into the room. They saw Noirson in a rage like never before.
Kevin was still smiling.
"Welcome
back!" He said, when he saw Robert's partners. "What a pity, you've
missed a few very interesting shots!"
"Shut your
fucking mouth!" Noirson shouted.
"It, sorry, your wiffie has already had it!"
The partners
exchanged glances. Robert sucked in a sharp breath and took control of himself.
"No
matter!" He grinned malevolently. "I swear, I'll butcher you all in
the next few hours!"
"How about
your female?"
"You can
keep her, I don't care!"
"Bravo!"
Dylon applauded. Noirson bowed theatrically.
"Oh,
really?" Kevin screwed up his eyes. "Check this out!"
The camera moved
and now the partners could see Mary.
Robert looked
down. Anhella gasped. Becker dropped his cigar. Dylon whistled.
She was naked. Only the ill-starred belt was on her body,
covered by uninterrupted bruises. Her cross wound was horribly inflamed and
still bleeding. Mary was handcuffed to a tank.
"This is
gasoline," Kevin explained. "And this is a wick. One spark will be
enough. What are you gonna say now?"
Shocked, Noirson
and his partners did not respond.
Mary mumbled.
"Oh, how
touching!" Kevin laughed. "This overfucking bitch still calls you
even in delirium!" He stooped and kissed Mary's mouth.
The partners
turned away. Dylon pressed his hand to his lips to hide his smile.
Robert's hands
clenched into fists: "Never ever do that again!"
"Try and
stop me!" Kevin laughed. He stooped to the woman again, but Mary was
already conscious. She hit him with her head and kicked him with both her legs.
Kevin disappeared from the screen.
"That's my
girl!" Noirson whispered admiringly.
Mary watched
Kevin. Suddenly she saw her husband on the screen of the monitor. Her eyes
flashed with embarrassed gladness.
"Oh,
honey..." Mary gasped. She smiled, but in the next moment the horror
contorted her face. "Don't listen to them!" She cried out. "Don't
come! Forgive and forget me! Don't..."
Appearing, Kevin
knocked her out again with the butt of a machine gun.
"Leave her
alone!" Robert screamed. "I'm coming! I'm coming! Just leave her
alone!"
Kevin smiled with
triumph and turned off the computer.
***
"Oh,
Kevin!" the other monks came inside the room. "It was awful!!"
"I told you
it was the only way. You could see, he
was hesitating."
Robert fell down
in his chair and pressed his hands to his face.
"What did
you say?" Enraged Becker shook Noirson's shoulder. "What, damn you,
did you say?!"
Robert looked at
him beseechingly.
"No!" shocked, John stepped back.
"Don't even think about it!" Becker nervously lit a cigar.
"John, John,
please! You've got to help me! Oh, please, John, help me!"
"No way! Our
task is to help the Devil rule the world! But not to help His son commit suicide!"
"If you help
me, maybe I'll be able to release her and stay alive?"
Anhella uttered a
cry. Mrs. Ponk disapprovingly shook her head.
"I don't
want to even listen to this crazy talk!" Becker shouted.
Enjoying to see
Mary's suffering, Dylon even missed Robert's agreement to go to her aid, and
now he was surprised: "What are you talking about?"
"That loony
wants," Becker yelled, "us to help our enemies kill him for sure!"
Dylon stared at
Noirson.
"Look,
Robert," Anhella stared tenderly. "Your duty is..."
"Fuck
you!" Noirson sprang up. "Fuck my fucking duty! Did you see, what they have done to her? That's
because of me! And I will not leave
her with them! And that's all!"
"Well,"
Dylon was talking very seriously. "It's even worse than I thought. I
think, we have to tie him and lock him in a safe place. When Robert comes back
to normal, he'll be grateful and thankful himself."
This threat gave
courage back to Noirson.
"Try
it!" his voice was calm.
***
Robert was
striding to his "prayer room". Clamoring servants and partners were
surrounded him. They shouted, asked beseechingly, entreated, threatened.
Anhella blocked the door by herself. She knelt, she looked at her Master and
lord.
Noirson recalled
Mary. He "saw" Her... kneeling and glancing at him... Her golden
fluffy hair tickling his thighs... And her lips...
At the same time
Robert recalled the video clip that Kevin had showed him...
Noirson was
familiar with that kind of gag. When it was pushed into the mouth, behind the
teeth, the victim could not scream or close their lips. The lips... Tender,
soft, sweet, succulent lips... Her
lips.
Groaning, Robert
pushed his secretary away, rushed into his "prayer room" and locked
the door. People shouted, yelled and knocked from behind the door.
Yet when their
Master finally came out everybody fell silent. Continuation was useless.
Noirson had already made his decision. Nobody could stop him now. The crowd
knelt.
"My dear
friends!" Robert sighed. "I have to... I must go. Sorry. If you will not help me, I'm dead and that's for
sure. But I will go anyway. If I'm to be killed before I'm able to release my
wife, you must save her in
remembrance of me. In that event I give you my permission to murder Mary. Just
don't leave her with them..."
Some of the
servants moaned some of the females sobbed. Robert saw Jerry. Shocked, the
bodyguard gazed at his master with such grief and perplexity that Noirson
lowered his eyes.
"I promise,
dear friends, to be careful and not to risk more than is necessary."
Robert resolutely raised his voice. "I promise you a victory! My Beloved
Father and Lord, help us!"
"Amen!"
The crowd responded gloomily, but with hope.
When Noirson
finally arrived at the church, he felt irresistible fear. For a few minutes he
just was sitting motionless inside his car. He looked at the church and could
not compel himself to move.
"Don't
go!" Anhella moaned. "I beg you!"
Very, very slowly
Robert got out of the car. This feeling that controlled him, was stronger than
fear, stronger than any sense of duty, stronger than his will to live.
"Jerry!" Noirson called, and the servant went close to his Master. Robert looked around to be sure that only Jerry could hear him. "You're a fool! Do you really think they would not murder Mary, if even I prohibit that? Oh, my girl! You can't imagine what that bastard did to her! But my servants can do things much worse. If I'm kill