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Posted By: schwartzcaster Jun 21, 2004 - 06:52 am

Welp watched as the boats hopped across the rolling white caps toward the Island. He hadn’t counted on any of this. As he watched Smiles, Wyshok and their armed escorts move across the water he took out his notebook. He flipped to the last page and began to write. He had to make sure that this was separated from his Manzetti notes. It was a trick he used to try to organize his usually disorganized mind. He wrote some quick notes about the Skiv, trying to recall everything that Wyshok had said to him.

Wyshok seemed like she wanted to spill over. She had thousands of stories and he wanted them all. This was far more interesting than anything that happened with the Manzettis. She was from a time when magic was everywhere. It wasn’t relegated to dark alleys and hidden dens. Magic had been abundant and used for both good and evil. Now it was nothing more than a dim memory to the last generation and a quick high for the next.

He was sure that it was the best intentions that drove the Wizards and the city to ban magic, yet it didn’t seem right to him. Sweepers were shuttled out the door so fast that the people of Big City didn’t have time to react. Wyshok, this brilliant lady, had been put out to pasture. As always it was the people in the middle that got hurt. It wasn’t the city. They benefited. They were able to cut Sweeper programs and the like and save a bundle. The Wizards went off to wherever it is Wizards go.

He jotted the last three words in his notebook, ‘bring back sweepers.’

He looked up again and became vaguely aware of a commotion behind him. He turned to see Needless and Stack’s car screech to a halt. Both leapt from the car and they were met by Breen and Tierney.

Stack took a deep breath. “Okay. The guy in the backseat is Flax Stamper, Rance’s brother. He handled the relic when it came to town. He was taking orders from somebody with money he doesn’t know who. All he knows is that his brother was supposed to hand the relic off to someone inside.”

Tierney gulped “Someone in the prison?”

Needless nodded. “Yeah, it looks that way. Who does Stamper have intimate contact with?”

Tierney thought for a moment, “Stamper is almost a model inmate. He has contact with lots of people. We have him working in the infirmary. He keeps records on all the prisoners who get sick or see the dentist. I can’t believe he’d be involved with this.”

“You have doctors and dentists on staff?” Stack asked.

“No, they’re usually volunteers. They come out once a week. They are all screened and searched. They’re all clean. They don’t do anything major. Shots and fillings and crowns and such.”

Stack and Needless looked at each other.

Needless’ eyes grew wide. “Crowns! The guy has the Skiv in his teeth and he doesn’t even know.”

Stack looked at Breen. “Find the Dentist. And get us out to that island.”

*

“Look at me!” The guard shouted at the prisoner. He punched him in the stomach again. “I said look at me, Vester!”

The prisoner, Michael Vester, dropped to his knees. His hands were cuffed to a searing steam pipe which kept him from collapsing completely. He could feel the burn in his mouth again. This time it was taking the pain away. His hate bubbled in the back of his throat. He could feel the words coming. He tried everything in his power to contain it.

‘Wait,” said the voice.

The guard hit him again and again. “So, Vester, you think you’re big man? I don’t know how you did what you did but you can be sure that you won’t do it again.”

He couldn’t take anymore. He couldn’t wait any longer. It was time to go. Vester stood, blood dripping from his forehead. He smiled at the guard. It was a smile that curdled the guard’s blood. The last thing the guard heard was Vester mumbling something.

A blast of light burst out of Vester’s mouth. It tore through the guard’s middle and set fire to the wall behind. The other guards leapt back and aimed their guns. Vester pulled apart the cuffs that confined him. Then he picked up the nearest guard and pulled him close as the guards opened fire.

Vester threw the bullet ridden body of the guard to the floor and let loose a stream of energy that moved around the room searing the rest of the guards. They all shrieked and fell to the floor.

Michael Vester raised his arms. “Now” he intoned.

*
Smiles’ and Wyshok’s boat was nearing the island. Smiles looked at Wyshok. In the direct light of the bay he noticed just how old she was. His stomach sank because the true nature of the danger beginning to dawn on him.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” he asked her.

Wyshok nodded and smiled. “I know what’s going to happen.”

The water ahead of them exploded. The creature rose above the boat and roared.

On shore the media, the police and Welp gasped as they saw the huge creature rise from the water. Stack and Needless sped away from the pier, directly at the creature.

The second boat of armed police capsized, pitching the cops into the water. The creature roared and brought its fist down, smashing the capsized boats. Smiles tried to steady himself on the boat as it rode the ripples the creature created. Behind him Wyshok was chanting and keening. She held out her arms with a cry that Smiles couldn’t understand.

The creature exploded into droplets and rained down on the boat.

Smiles turned to the pilot, “Go!!”

The boat’s pilot gunned the engine and plowed through the white caps toward the prison.

*

Inside the prison, Vester felt the collision of vibrations. He didn’t understand exactly how it happened, and he didn’t really care anymore. He was unstoppable. He roamed the halls past the silent prisoners who stared at him, terrified. He moved to the cell of Rance Stamper.

“Stamper.” Vester wheezed, “ How are you?” Rance Stamper stood in the center of the cell staring back. “Stamper? What did that dentist do to me?”

Stamper shrugged. “I don’t know. He had me get something from my brother. I don’t know what.”

“He put something in my mouth. Something powerful.” Vester smiled. “Thanks.” Vester took a long breath and then exhaled. He could feel them close. He moved swiftly toward them.

*

Wyshok and Smiles had already vanished into the prison when Needless and Stack arrived. They jumped from the boat and ran inside. They stopped at the main courtyard.

“Where now?” Stack asked, looking around.

Needless shrugged. “Smiles?!” he bellowed.

There was a blast of light from the far side of the courtyard. The concussion of the blast knocked Stack and Needless to the ground, and rained debris down on to the courtyard blacktop. When the dust settled they stood up.

“I knew you would come sooner or later,” came the voice. Stack and Needless drew their weapons. “Now who has the upper hand?”

Vester floated to the rubble that littered the courtyard. Stack and Needless stepped back.

“Vester?” Stack said. “Michael Vester? We sent you up on a nickel for burglary. Is it worth all this?”

“Oh yes. Do you know what it it’s like here? What they do to people in here? You two are the cause of all my problems.” Vesper clapped his hands and they became white hot. “Now I have the power to reclaim my life.”

Stack put away his weapon. “Vester, you don’t understand what’s happening. This thing inside your mouth, it’s eating you up. You don’t know how to handle this kind of power.”

“I don’t care anymore.” Vester said, chuckling. “The power is all I care about.”

“It’s going to kill you.” Stack pleaded.

Vester thought for a moment. “I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to take care of you two.”

Needless finally couldn’t stand it anymore. “Get over it! You were like a year away from getting out of here. It’s not like you don’t deserve what you got.”

“In your mouth, Vester. The dentist put a powerful relic called the Skiv into your mouth!” Stack interjected. “Your body isn’t built for it. Please, Vester, stop all of this before it’s too late.”

Vester’s voice deepened. “It’s already too late, Forray! This power is mine. We’ve talked enough. It’s time to kill you both and get out of here.”

Vester raised his hands and the white-hot glow intensified. He dropped his arms to throw the magic and kill Stack and Needless. As if kicked, he was thrown by a flash of light. Stack and Needless scattered. From the top of the courtyard Smiles and several police opened fire on Vester.

Stack tried to scream over the gunfire. “No, don’t! Don’t kill him! It’s the Skiv!”

No bullets touched Vester. He stood in the courtyard as the bullets were thrown, in all directions, by unseen forces. With a roar, a huge creature burst from the courtyard floor. Clumps of dirt, concrete and metal flew together to create a towering creature that looked up the wall at Smiles and the cops.

As the creature approached the wall, two arms and hands jetted out of the wall and latched on to the creature. They struggled. Each evenly matched.

Confusion drew across Vester’s face. His eyes scanned the courtyard for who it was that dared challenge him. In a darkened window, on the third floor open air walk-way, stood a frail old woman. Her mouth was moving in a furious chant. With one great leap, he stood in the window glaring down at her. Wyshok looked up at him as Vester’s hand clenched her throat.

Outside, the arms that held Vester’s concrete avatar crumbled. Smiles and the cops broke into a run as the creature began to climb the wall again.

Wyshok tried desperately to breathe, to no avail. Vester’s hands were too tight. As he squeezed the life from her she grabbed his face and began to drain his power. Vester began to feel the energy draining from him and his grip on her neck slipped.

Wyshok’s eyes rolled back into her head. The power was too much. Flashes of her life rocketed through her mind. As she felt herself lifted from the floor she thought of Frank Johnson and how strange it was that the end would come helping his son.

Smiles, in his retreat, turned to see Vester fling Wyshok through the window and down to the courtyard below. Stack watched in disbelief as the old woman crashed to the ground. His ears were filled with the angry cries of Needless who was hidden somewhere across the courtyard.

As Needless’ last scream died away, there was silence.

Vester leapt to the ground and nudged Wyshok’s body with his foot. His creature stood motionless facing Smiles and the cops.

“Your witch is dead!” Vester yelled, filling the courtyard up with his voice. "There is nothing you can do to stop me.”

Smiles and the cops again opened fire on the creature. Vester turned and raised his hands to control the avatar. Vester was surprised when he felt the bullets plunge into his back. He turned to see Needless crossing the courtyard, firing into him. The old woman had drained enough power that it took all his concentration to control the creature. He let go of his control on the creature. He closed his eyes and turned all his attention to deflecting the bullets that Needless fired at him. The wounds in his back closed and he attempted to stand to his full height. Despite the fact that the bullets he was firing were missing Vester, Needless continued his march. When his clip was empty he charged Vester and tackled him to the ground.

Over and over Needless hit Vester in the face. Vester desperately tried to regain the upper-hand, but the punches were coming too fast. He had no time to think. He clamped on to Needless’ side and began the burn. Needless ignored the burning hands that he felt igniting his coat. Harder and harder he hit, his elven blood boiling and pushing his human side to work faster.

Then there was a small clink that seemed to echo around the prison.

The creature crumbled to the floor as Smiles and the cops looked on. Vester’s burning hands cooled and fell limp to the ground. Stack rushed forward toward Needless who was still hitting Vester. He pulled his partner off and the two fell back to the ground.

“John! John!” Stack yelled, trying to hold Needless still. “It’s over. It’s over.”

Needless looked over the unconscious body of Vester. There, in the middle of the courtyard, lay a tiny crown and within it, a small amber stone. Needless slipped on the gloves that Wyshok had given him and picked up the Skiv. Even through the gloves it felt warm.

He moved to Wyshok’s limp body and knelt beside her. Her eyes fluttered open and her breath was shallow.

“Is it over?” She wheezed. Needless nodded. “Good. I have seen your future, John. I know great things lay ahead. Protect the Skiv. Keep it safe.” Needless nodded. Wyshok looked across the ground to Vester. She looked up at Needless. “That guy was a real •••••••.”

Then Wyshok Meen, last of the Big City PD Sweepers, died.

*

The old man with green eyes read a magazine in the waiting room outside ICU. With the exception of some time spent investigating the strange death of the prison guard, Charlie had spent the entire day in Laura’s room. The old man still couldn’t believe how recklessly Charlie had acted. He was angry like a father, but happy that Charlie was all right. He detected a sense of pride in his heart, pride at Charlie’s bravery. He figured Smiles felt the same way. He couldn’t have picked a better father figure for Charlie. Smiles was a good man, just a little rough around the edges.

He glanced up from the magazine. The young man that he was sworn to watch and protect was still out of site. He smiled. Even if Charlie didn’t know, the old man was never far away. He thumbed a few more pages and read his horoscope. The magazine told him that this week would bring change and friendship.

Inside the room Charlie continued his vigil. He watched Laura breathe. He squeezed her hand again and was surprised when her hand squeezed back. His eyes moved to their hands and then rose to greet her gaze.

Laura smiled weakly.

Charlie laughed. He laughed until tears came to his eyes. He laid his head on her stomach and sobbed. Laura’s hand moved to his head and her fingers tangled themselves in his hair.

*
Twenty-one Big City police officers fired their rifles into the air as the coffin was lowered into the ground. As the coffin came to rest in the grave, Smiles turned to head back to the car. Stack leaned over to him.

“I guess Breen really read Bledsoe the riot act until she agreed to give Wyshok a policeman’s burial.”

Smiles smiled. “Good.” He stopped and lit a smoke. “Any word on the dentist?”

Stack shook his head. “They found his body in the bay last night. He’d been dead for weeks. I don’t know who went out the prison and put the Skiv in Vester’s jaw, but they’ve disappeared.”

Needless stepped up. He closed his cell phone. “I guess Vester finally came around. He doesn’t remember a thing. The last thing he remembers is Rance Stamper signing him in to see the dentist for a cracked tooth.”

“Well, I guess that’s it.” Stack shrugged. “Everything is wrapped up nicely, for somebody.”

They walked a little further and found Welp leaning against the car.

“So, Welp, got enough material for your book?” Needless inquired.

“Actually I’m putting that on the back burners for a while. I think I’m going to stick around. This whole thing has peaked a lot of interest in Sweepers and their history. I think I might write a book.” He smiled. “I’m hearing rumblings about pressure on the City to reinstate the Sweeper program. Maybe I can do some good.”

Stack shook Welp’s hand. “Take care, Welp.”

Welp said his goodbyes and headed to his car.

The three stood there for a moment and enjoyed the balmy breeze.

“Do you feel it?” Smiles asked, flicking an ash. Stack and Needless looked at him.

“Feel what?” Stack replied.

“Change.” He said, looking skyward. No reply came, though they all felt it. They waited a few more moments. Then, silently, they climbed into the car and followed the other cars out of the cemetery.

*

The light moved outward from the moon and filled the night sky over the flats with descending rings of blue, gray and black. Slith took another drag off his cigarette and threw it to the dark sand. He had been watching the headlights approach from across the flats for 15 minutes. He could finally hear the engines. He straightened his tie and lit another cigarette.

A few minutes latter the dusty truck came to a stop by Slith’s car. A cloud of dirt and black sand hit him. Two figures stepped out of the truck. The truck then turned and headed back into the nighttime Flats.

One of the figures, the one Slith recognized as Manzetti, stepped forward and shook his hand.

“It’s good to see you Slith.” Manzetti said. Slith noticed that he had lost a lot of weight and was tan. He also sported a large beard. Manzetti smiled. “Did the package arrive safely? How did everything go?”

“Exactly as planned sir. Forray and D’yen have been busy for days. It gave us enough time to get everything ready.”

“Good.”

“Things have quieted down considerably, but most of the city council members that you relied on are gone.”

Manzetti smiled. “I don’t need them anymore.” He motioned to his companion who remained silent. “I’ve got some new tricks up my sleeve.” His companion wore a dark hooded cloak, and Slith could only make out a faint glimmer in the eyes. Manzetti moved to Slith’s car. “I’m taking back my town, Slith. And no one is stopping me this time.”

The three climbed into the car and drove back into the mountains toward Big City.

THE END