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estdeus_innobis2010-08-25 01:13 pm
al-shairan.livejournal.com) wrote in estdeus_innobis2010-08-25 01:13 pm
I predict a riot.
“The silence often of pure innocence persuades when speaking fails.”
- Shakespeare
Monday lunchtime, near the sheriff's office, on Main Street
This has proved almost too easy. The clouds are rolling in, air heavy with the promise of rain, and I stand in my Danika body wearing an old coat with the collar turned up against the cold, jacket short enough to show a few inches of a tidy, worn work dress and a calflength of wool stocking. My shoes wear the signs of good, honest farm labour, and my blonde hair is frizzing round my face in the damp air. I look very distressed.
"Did - was there really a man arrested for... for beating on a girl?" I say to an old woman gossiping with her friend on the street. My fingers flutter together anxiously.
"Oh yes," she says, "it's a horrible thing. They think also he did in a girl as worked at - well, the brothel, my dear," she says, lowering her voice over that salacious detail, eyes gleaming with prurient interest. "They think he chopped her up."
"Oh," I say, and I faint very neatly to the ground. It's not long before I have half a dozen people round me - offering water, saying they will take me to the Dormouse, fussing with my coat collar to let me breathe.
"I should've said something," I say, and I burst into tears. That gets me sat down on a bench, an old woman's arm around my shoulders, and a very handsome young man crouched at my feet. "I should - "
"What is is, dear? Do you know something about what happened to those girls?"
I shake my head tightly.
"I know - I know - him," I say quietly. "He - We went out a couple of times, and he was - he was real nice to me, and -" The old woman gives me a handkerchief. "You know, I ain't really dated much," I say, shamefaced, "cos my momma's sick a bunch and I'm busy out on the farm, and he just - he was real nice, and when he -" I turn my face away, and I can feel the vibrating tension from the boy at my feet, his desire to be a hero. "He - I thought it was my fault," I say, and then there is a furious chatter rising from the little crowd, and the conversation spreads in ripples.
"Some carnie's been carving up our girls," one man says fiercely. And there is discussion of me and of Melania - ah, yes, that explains some of what I saw in her - and how we're hard working girls, salt of the earth girls, and who is this monster and why hasn't he been strung up? What the hell is wrong with this town that a murderer and molester can be caught redhanded and he's cosseted in jail? And did you hear that he attacked that nice Mrs Beddau (I wonder if at any other time Glass has been described as nice) when she went to visit him in prison? He should be put in the old stocks in town. People would show him how they felt, alright. They'd show him very clearly indeed.
I manage a brave, trembling smile for the boy at my feet, and he springs up, ready for something, anything, if it will make me look at him like that again. And I nestle in against the arm of the old woman as the crowd grows larger and voices grow louder, and I wait for the storm to break.
[OPEN]
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Donner wouldn't, would he? I mean--Christ, I know what they say about us, and we've been here so long the sharp line between they and us was even starting to fade a little, but there were dead women, and I wonder if any of what they're saying's true.
Saw a coupla people headin' out, and I thought about it, and worried, and then I found some stuff to put together in a way I don't usually put it together and headed out. I'm not in the damn crowd, you wouldn't catch me there for anything, but the nice thing about the weather we've been having lately is that it's warm enough there's no ice and dry enough that the buildings aren't too slippery...
I don't do the work anymore, not unless they need help with something for some reason, but I was a flyer. And the Apothecary's a low building, I think even Xay could climb that in his sleep. Stretch out on the low slate roof and take a look. Shit. I can see Syl and Nu and Silence out of it to my left, and no-one's looking at them too hard, and looks like the Doc and Johnny are with them and neither of them's trying to break skulls. Not that I'd expect that from the Doc, I really really wouldn't.
Pull a little closer to the edge and I can see the mob roaring, one thick ugly crowd trying to tear down their own jail to get at Donner, sick and angry. I can see blood, an old man going down in the press and I'm sure he's screaming but you can't hear a damn thing over the crowd (and then I pick out someone screaming about her daughter or something and I try to stop listening). It's hit the point where it's feeding on itself and all the pain and pushing and screaming just gets everyone striking out and screaming back, the kind of writhing dance where you tear yourself to pieces.
Spot someone standing still, then, and take a closer look. Oh, honey, I'm sure I'd like you a lot if we met differently and I hear you were one of Syl's friends, but right now I am really not feeling that you're doing anything to help the situation, not with your hands like claws and the blood practically ready to mist off you. You're too much a part of this pattern, and you look too damn happy about it.
I've got nails and ball bearings, but I don't want to go there before I have to, I really don't--I don't even want her to fall down, not here and now, that's a good way to get herself killed. So I load the zip gun with a cork and thank god she's holding pretty still right now, chanting something as the air's getting heavier and heavier--
Pull the trigger and think of something Louis says: a hit! A palpable hit! Her shoulder or her face or something, not sure exactly, but I'm sure I got her.
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"Tess," I shout, "Tess," and I run out across the street. Someone jostles me hard as I push through the crowd, and I feel my ankle twist. It sends a sick surge of pain through me, and I almost fall. "Tess," I say again, pushing through the crowd, and I can see her. I think she's hurt, and then someone slams hard into my back and I'm falling.
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"Tess!" I can hear Kate's voice shoutin' but I can't see her over the crowd. But I hear her cry out in pain and it's enough no one's gettin' close t'her not with all this power 'round me and I yank with great bloodied hands, wrench at the crowd, pull them away from her.
"Stay back" and my voice echoes with rage. Don't touch her.
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"Tess," I say, and I pull myself up and stagger towards her. "Are you alright?" My head is pounding. I need to sit down...
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"What'd you do!" I yell at Tess as we move. Her hair's wild 'n her eyes are dark 'n I can smell blood on her. I ain't ever seen her do somethin' like that, somehow pullin' folks away from Kate.
Somethin' still smells wrong.
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Tha's when th'two armoured folk on horses come chargin' in, annat's when folk really start stampedin'. Half'a th'people're tryin' t'get t'th'sheriff's, th'other half's tryin' t'run, an'at bit jes' gets worse when th'giant flamin' thing jumps on onna th'horsemen.
Jesus Christ. Big guy slams inta me an'I jes' manage t'keep m'feet. I snatch fer Tess' arm. Hear more hoofbeats 'n screamin', breakin' glass, an' roarin' like somethin' outta m'worst nightmares. Time t'get th'fuck outta here. Now.
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A headache's started right behind my eyes. Gettin' interrupted dint do nothin' good, and the knife in my hand feels like it's pulsin' 'long with my head. "What'd you do!" Johnny demands as we break free 'a the crowd.
I dunt answer him yet, just take one 'a Kate's hands as riders thunder past, rammin' through the crowd. Syl's got me by one hand and so we dunt get pulled folks start t'scatter. The knife twists in my hand, and tryin' t'hold it steady sends a wave 'a black through my vision as Syl keeps me on my feet.
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"Where are we heading to?" I manage to say over the noise. My head is throbbing, and Tess looks wild.
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"Never mind, jes' keep movin'!" Town's gearin' up t'hang one ovvour folk 'n she asks what'm doin'? She think we throw folk t'th'wolves azza matter'a course? Somebody else slams inta me; I grip Tess' hand tighter'n keep m'feet 'gainst th'crush. S'more people comin'is way now, an'I gotta keep a tight hold t'keep on Tess from losin'em.
"Where are we heading to?" Tess' girl calls
"Bak'ry!" I yell back, pushin'n shovin' wit' m'free hand, 'spectin' any minute fer somebody t'yell 'bout'ere bein' carnies'n th'crowd. Heart's thumpin'n mouth tastes like metal. Can't 'member last time I wuzzis fuckin' scared. Glance over m'shoulder t'make sure Tess' kid brother's still wittus too. Make some kinda piss-scared line'a ducklin's.
We's almost't th'edge'a th'crowd when I hear a horse scream. Onna th'riders, th'one gettin' attacked by th'thin', runs right'n fronta us, an' both th'thin'n th'rider get bucked off. Th'rider dis'ppears back inta th'crowd after some shoutin', but th'flamin' thin's now 'ttractin' plenty'a 'ttention onnits own. More people're pressin' 'round us, peltin't wit' rocks'n layin' inta't wit' sticks. Jesus Christ. S'all I c'n do t'hold onta Tess' hand. A rock't somebody misfired (least I hope so) thumps 'gainst m'shoulder, makin' m'arm jerk. "Come on!" I yell, fightin' m'way t'wards th'alley. "'round th'back!"
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Being tall has its advantages, an' I can see her find that Tess girl and a pretty blonde thing who looks like she's been run ovah by a cart, an' they start moving towards the bakery. See the way they go, an' I cut them off round at the alley.
"Syl," I say, "you a crazy bitch, sweet. Come on." Look at the blonde girl, who's gone a bit shaky. "Miss, you'll go fastah if I do this," I say, an' I pick her up an' throw her ovah my shouldah without ceremony. "Hope you don't puke down my back, sweet. Now. Let's get somewheah wheah theah ain't knights on horseback and giant scarecrows an' guns goin' off."
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"Hey you," I shout, "you put her down, fuckin' trash, should string you an' that stringy bitch up along with your friend."
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"The Store's closer!" I shout in frustration as they start movin' away. I ain't got much choice but t'follow 'em though, unless I want t'let 'em go alone.
"Hey you," someone shouts. It's Joe Davis, his face streamin' blood and lookin' pissed. "You put her down, fuckin' trash, should string you an' that stringy bitch up along with your friend."
I snarl and step 'tween him and the women and Nu. "You try it Davis and there won't be no deputy keepin' you in one piece," I tell him, my voice harsh and tight with tension. I swing the bar in a tight circle, holdin' my ground.
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Johnny's facin' off 'gainst one 'a those boys he fought. I ain't worried - Johnny'll sort him out. But there's folks 'tween Kate 'n safety, and some throwin' rocks and I dunt even think, I just lash out and blood flies from shallow cuts as I flick the knife forwards.
No one's goin' t'threaten me 'n mine, and I'll make 'em pay 'f they try.
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"Put me down, please," I say, quietly but firmly, and the man obliges. "Thank you." I turn to see Johnny swinging a metal bar at Joe Davis, a local thug and one of the boys who tried to fight with Johnny.
"Mr Davis," I say coolly. "I'm quite alright. There's no need for you to get violent." I'm not sure he will agree, though, or Johnny either... And then Joe cries out as something hits him. I look up, because I'm sure whoever shot at him was the person who shot at Tess, but I can't see anyone.
"Tess, come on," I say urgently, and then pale as I see her striking out with her knife. People are advancing on Syl and her friend, and I grab Tess and pull her in the opposite direction. I'm sorry, Syl; I may not like you, but I don't want to leave you here. But I'm not letting Tess get killed for you, either.
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"Hey you, you put her down, fuckin' trash, should string you an' that stringy bitch up along with your friend."
...oh, good, yeah, this's jes' what I wuz bloody tryin' t'avoid. We gotta kid puffed up like a bantam cock, blood all down'is face, comin' stormin' up t'us. An' if'n't wuz jes'im we wouldn't have no trouble, buttis yellin's made others look over. Summa th'folk tryin' t'push through t'th'office 'r goin' after whatever th'hell th'flamin' thin' wuz 're turnin' t'wards us, an'ey's lookin' plenty happy t'change targets.
Most times'd be th'first one ready t'fight back. But we's outnumbered, an' even if'n we managed t'get away it ain't like th'Carn'val c'n pack up'n leave. Better t'jes' get th'everlovin' hell outta here 'fore'ey d'cide one carny's's good's another. Gotta say, do rather 'ppreciate't when Tess' brother steps up'n threatens'im wittis club. Next thin', though, th'kid't yelled stumbles an'I hear somebody yellin' from above, "Syl! Eighty-six her!"
What? Look up, an' see Zann wit'er zip gun up on th'roof'a onna th'stores. An' Jesus Christ, but do I wish she wuz anywhere but'ere. But don't understand what'n th'hell she's tryin' t'say; eighty-six who? Tess? Kate? Why? What'n th'-
"Tess, come on," m'attention snaps back t'th'street when I hear'at. Tess' girl's back on'er feet, an' Tess -
"Are you outta yer mind?!" I jes' 'bout yell's Tess goes after people wit'er goddamned knife. She don't do nothin' more'n draw some blood (an' really piss people off) b'efore Kate grabs'er 'n pulls 'er away, pulls'er back down th'alley an' away from us jest's a whole mess'a real angry people start closin' in.
Oh thanks. Thanks a lot. S'all I got time t'think. Somebody's tossin' chunks'a wood'n shoes from th'roof - guessin't's Zann - but't ain't much'n th'way'a help. Back up 'n try t'think'a what I got on me. Got th'rash charm, which'll prob'ly distract some ovvem. Gotta blindness charm too, but ain't no way t'shield Nu 'r th'kid 'r Zann, if'n she's watchin'. Could go dim, but'at don't tend t'work so good when folks're watchin'. Got m'knife, but get th'feelin' stabbin' folk ain't gonna help d'fuse thin's none. Gotta few more lethal thin's on me, a'course, but if'n we kill'r really hurt someone, town might d'cide th'Carn'val's too dang'rous t'leave alone. An'en what? Can't leave, can we? Folk d'cide t'march onta th'Lot wit' torches 'n guns, what 'zactly we gonna do? I know Management swore'ey'd protect us, but I ain't ready t'bet my or m'girls' lives onnem.
More rocks. Jes' manage t'duck one't grazes m'cheek, more bounce off m'shoulder 'n m'chest. One hits m'leg hard 'nough t'almost make me yelp. Less worried 'bout th'rocks'n I am 'bout th'clubs some ovvem got. Hear somebody yellin't we came t'break our murd'rin' friend outta jail, an' I grab fer Nu's arm. First sign ovvan op'nin' an'm makin' a run ferrit, but I ain't leavin' Nu b'hind neither. Well, been beaten up b'fore, if'n't comes t'at. Curl inta'a ball, protect yer face'n th'back'a yer neck. Ain't somethin' y'forget. If'n't comes down t'at, c'n deal wit't. Jes' hope'ey stop wit' beatin'.
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I almost fall as power rises behind us, old and slow like the river. And then again, further, a pressure and a silence like bein' buried. I put an arm 'round Kate t'steady myself as we go, tryin' desperately not t'get overwhelmed by it all.
"We got t'get inside," I gasp t'her.
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Its crowded, disorganized and messy, they'd do much better hunting at night in smaller groups. But I'm not getting in the middle of this anymore than I already am, I just hope Ri's somewhere safe. I spot Zann and make my way over, quietly climbing up to where she's perched. I shouldda thought of this when I was thinking about ways to get in and get another shot at him. So far I can't see even a glimpse of Ri's bright hair. The sharp snap of rubber brings me back to where I am. "Target practice?" I ask, hoping I don't scare the living shit out of her.
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"Target practice?"
Oh god oh jesus god oh my heart. I whip 'round onto my back and away from the edge of the roof, push back with my feet while I'm reaching for something heavier than a cork, ball bearing or something--
Oh, hey, she's not coming at me.
"Hey," I say, breathing quick and fast. "Lannie, hon, what you doing up here?"
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"Hey, Lannie, hon, what you doing up here?"
I don't want to scare her, so I take a small step forward, "I was looking for Ri and I saw you up here.." I trail off and then shrug. "Its a good safe place, so I'm up here same as you, only minus the ammo," I smile, nodding at her hand. "So you okay? How is everyone?"
I peer over the edge of the roof. Still no sign of her. I hope she's safe at her place.
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"Uhm," I say, rubbing one hand over my face. Okay, Lannie is clearly being not-a-rioting-townie, it'll just take me a moment to calm back down over that, get that straight in my head. "I think-- Syl an' Nu are getting out of it," I say, gesturing towards the bakery. "The Doc-- I don't know if he took off or was trying to get into the Sheriff's office 'round the ba-- holy shit, is that Verdi?" I add, spotting her crawling in through the second-floor window of the Sheriff's.
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I nod, following what she says about Syl and Nu, spine straightening when she says, "The Doc-- I don't know if he took off or was trying to get into the Sheriff's office 'round the ba-- holy shit, is that Verdi?"
The Doc? Verdi? What?! Moving closer to the edge, I don't see Lucien anywhere, but I do catch a glimpse of Verdi slipping into an open window. With a KNIFE?!
"Fuck, fuck,FUCK!" I growl under my breath. She said she was gonna hurt Lucien and if he's in there... with the way she was, she could have caused this! Maybe he was working for her and now she's trying to set him free? "Was anyone drinking before this started? Or come from the tavern, maybe?" I'm eyeing up the distance between here and there, wonder if I could make the jump...
The words are barely out of my mouth when I hear that same screeching noise from the woods. I clamp my hands over my ears but it barely blocks it out. "What is that?!" I ask, feeling my voice come out like a loud whine.
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"Was anyone drinking before this started? Or come from the tavern, maybe?"
--okay, maybe not just the concern of a friendly employee.
"No-one I saw, hon," I say. "But you know this has been coming for a while, right?" I shoot the jail a dirty look. "They grabbed him and now they're accusing him of everything from that little baby that got torn apart to a dead girl from back before Christmas, and then he just happened to get stabbed while he was in jail." At least the Sheriff and deputy don't seem too big on actually letting them in for a lynching.
And then there's a sound like like struts and braces breaking and wires coming down "Oh jesus jesus jesus christ," and some thing is bursting out of the jail and screeching like a gutted cat. It slaps around one of the knights--knights? knights--and then howls a challenge to the crowd.
"I have no fucking idea," I say, and my hands are tight on my zip gun and they're still shaking. Oh god I don't know what that thing is but I am so glad I'm up here because otherwise I'd need to find someplace to climb and hide, like a kid pulling her feet up so the things from under the bed don't get her.
I see Nu down Main, carrying some blonde I don't recognize, and Syl, and oh jesus, Tess is with them. That is not good, and oh hell, I think I might get noticed but let's not have Syl and Nu down an alley with someone who was getting just way too into the riot, that's just a very very bad way to go.
"Syl! Eighty-six her!" I yell, and maybe she knows what's up but if she doesn't she'll at least have the heads-up, if she heard me. Meantime Johnny looks like he's about to take a crowbar to another townie, which is something I can respect, so I take aim and peg the other guy in the ass. Not with a cork, either.
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accusing him of everything from that little baby that got torn apart to a dead girl from back before Christmas, and then he just happened to get stabbed while he was in jail."
Huh?! "Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," I growl, baring teeth. I'm glad he got stabbed, too bad he's apparently not dead. Maybe I can find a way in before Verdi saves him and they kill everyone in there. I take a minute to look around since the noise seems to have faded some. People are attacking someone... something down there and a couple of them are even wearing... metal? I think I've finally lost it.
Zann calls something out to someone and I think she might have lost it too dos it doesn't make any sense. "Syl! Eighty-six her! Looking down, I see Nu and Syl from the Carnival, with John and Tess. I have no idea who the blonde lady is but from what I can hear, someone's not happy they're carrying her away. "you put her down, fuckin' trash, should string you an' that stringy bitch up along with your friend."
What a fucking dick!, for once, I'm cheering John on as he raises the pipe and Zann takes a shot at whoever that jerkwad is. Oh you are not coming into the tavern anymore, you asshole. "Leave'em alone!" I yell grabbing whatever is laying around and throwing it at the people blocking the group of them from getting into the bakery. I am sick -- of -- people -- hurting -- each other -- for -- NO -- REASON!" I snarl to myself in between throws of bricks, tied together shoes, and old pieces of wood.