The wicked die alone.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

[Just past midnight, Thursday, August 14, day 445]
[The woods]

(Continued from here)

I still really ain't sure where we are. We been walkin' ferrat least a couple hours now, but th'clouds've covered th'moon, an'I can't judge what time't might be. Long 'nough fer th'wound'n m'should t'clot over an' m'arm t'go stiff's old leather. Ain't much else I c'n say beyond'at.

Glass'n me ain't spoken much, partly cuz we's both burnt out, partly 'cuz we wanna stay's quiet's possible. I ain't seen neither'a th'bitches since I left'em trapped'n screamin', but I ain't gonna count us 's anywhere near safe 'til we's outta th'woods 'n safe in our beds.

Pause's we cross into a clearin'. "Any idea how much further we got t'go?" I says inna whisper.


[OPEN to those from the previous scene, and others should they choose]

Comments

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Th'kick sends off fireworks in m'head, sends bile t'join th'blood streamin' through m'teeth. "You are dying anyway. Save your soul while you can; confess to murdering the child and corrupting the town, confess to consorting with the Devil. You still have a chance to gain eternal life."

It hurts t'laugh, but I still manage. "You stupid cunt. I di'n't have nothin' t'do wit'at baby gettin' killed. An'I ain't got no love fer th'monster'n th'Tower." Spit blood, sprayin't 'cross th'toes ovver boots. "Y'think killin' me's gonna do'is place any good? Think ye're gonna have a rotten s'prise, come mornin'." Christ, m'guts hurt. Wound'n m'shoulder's reopened too, fresh blood oozin' down m'arm. Glass, Glass, did ya run? Have ya made't back t'town? God, I hope so...Get back t'town, get safe, take care'a yer baby...

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

I come fading in right in the middle a things. All yowlin' and spittin', claws out. Ready to tear inta them. Air's thick with blood an' gunpowder.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Don't see why she needs to admit anything. Know what she did. Just shoot her and be done. I don't hold with torturin dyin things.

Denies killing the baby, anything with the devil, but - "Corruptin the town." Voice comes out thick an slow. "I remember. That little girl teaches school down in the town. You cut on her. Tracked her down an cut her up."

Gonna say more, an then there's somethin comin out of the air, weird sorta yowl an strikin out, an without thinkin I got my long gun, swingin it round like a bat, hittin the thing midair. Don't know what all she conjured up but I ain't havin it.

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

There's a metallic tang in my mouth now- either someone's hurt pretty bad, or more than one of them's been hit. Creeping low, I move toward that scent.

I'm cursing the leaves- still can't tell who's on the ground- when I feel a *pop* in my head that signals Chester and one of 'em tries to hit him and turns just enough I see- Reed. Knew she was teetering, but this?

Then my gut clenches because I see that the one on the ground has dark hair- and if Chester's here?
Oh Lady, if they dragged Hermia out here-

Don't even think of moving before I'm crashing into them- tucking my head, and all of the force I can muster in my charge.

[catherineknight.livejournal.com]

It doesn't surprise me that the witch can conjure up demons. Whatever the monster is that flies at our faces is being dealt with by Reed. But then someone crashes into us from behind, and I am sent sprawling to the grass, my rifle clattering into the darkness. For a moment, I think the witch must have summoned something truly deadly...but then I turn and recognize the sheriff.

"Sheriff," I say, relieved. "Look, we caught the witch, the child-killer." She must have been confused by the darkness. When she's sees what we're doing, I'm sure she'll be of help.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Somethin hits me full in the side. 'M glad as I go down I didn't reload my rifle. Hit the ground hard an roll, groping for my knife.

"Sheriff. Look, we caught the witch, the child-killer." No, Catherine, sheriff's in league with that thing, the fake deputy. Find my feet an I'm startin back in to protect her.

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

I don't know the way, but I don't need to. It's as hard a pull as the one from Management - harder, more urgent. I'm not thinking very clearly, but I know I need to be where it's coming from. I know once I could have gone faster, but I don't remember how. I know my feet are bleeding.

The air is thick and hot, familiar.

I can smell the blood a long way off.

It's dark when I reach the heart of the pull, a tangle of people. Sounds and smells, blood and acrid smoke. She's at the foot of a tree, huddled over. I'm down and crouching over her, teeth bared. I got straight out of bed, so I'm not wearing anything. I think somewhere, dimly, that Valmont wouldn't approve of that.

"Don't touch her. Don't touch her."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

One minute'ey's standin' over me wit' guns, next there's somethin' screamin' through th'air an'en ey's both knocked down an'ere's a naked kid standin' over me. Can't an old lady bleed t'death'n peace?

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Something hard slams into me an' then i'm tumblin' through the air, manage not to hit any trees but i lose track of the guns doin' it. I pop back in time to see that Mab' s here. That makes me feel better. Got more of a chance with two of us. No idea where the naked kid came from though. At least he seems to be one our side. Or maybe it's just the witch's side.

Goin' to hafta keep an eye on him. One of the shooters got knocked down, so I head for the other one. Reed. I think 'bout rakin' my claws across her leg, but maybe Mab wants to talk a bit first so I hold off.

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

It's terrible, but I'm relieved it isn't Hermia- I see that much as I knock the lady-knight down. Oh I know her- and the only thing worse to deal with than someone who's totally lost it, is someone who utterly BELIEVES that what they're doing is right.

"Reed, you stay where you are or I'll shoot you down. I know how quick you are and I already know your opinion on this," I chance a look to Chester and give him the slightest nod to stay over there. I'll trust him to take care of himself and at least bite her is she goes for me.

I shift so I can keep an eye on Reed while I address the other woman, "I know you think what you're doing is right, but it's the wrong way," I shift into a more stable crouch as I talk to her, "Syl might not be a paragon of virtue, but she hasn't killed any kids."

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Somehow I manage to make it into the woods without stumbling or running face first into a tree. The need to help Syl is so strong, it's like a dammed light shining down in the middle of the forest.

Soon enough though, I don't need instinct, I can hear the voices and movements and see a white blob that must be Chester. Move slower now, edging up on where they're at---

Thank FUCK! I hear Mab's voice trying to talk reason, but I'm betting the situation is still bad at best. Get close enough to really see and---

And there's a naked Micah-Tez crouched over her. Fucking Excolo. I need to get over to her, and now, but if I just come strolling in or call out, I may ignite this powder keg. Heaven's, Chester, Micah, Mab.... someone feel that I'm here and I can help!

[catherineknight.livejournal.com]

"Reed, you stay where you are or I'll shoot you down. I know how quick you are and I already know your opinion on this." The sheriff says. She must not trust Reed because of the riot at the jail. "I know you think what you're doing is right, but it's the wrong way. Syl might not be a paragon of virtue, but she hasn't killed any kids."

Has everyone in this town been struck blind? "Sheriff, that is what witches do. They need the flesh and blood on unbaptized children for their spells. And we know that she has helped women to end their pregnancies. She has attacked citizens and mutilated them with knives. What more evidence do you need, Sheriff?" Where has my gun fallen? I can't lose it...

....when did this child arrive? Why is he crouching over her like a wild thing? Has she summoned another demon?

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Jesus fuck, now we's havin' a phil'soph'cal discuss'on while I'm lyin'ere witta bullet'n m'guts. Could'ey bloody make up'eir minds?

Meantime, th'kid's hangin' over me, growlin' like'n alley cat. Somethin' 'bout'im's nigglin't me, but I really ain't got th'time 'r energy t'work't out. Right now'm busy tryin' t'work out if'n I c'n crawl inta th'bushes wit'out any ovvem noticin' me.

[pirate-mystic.livejournal.com]

Do believe she'd shoot me at that. Made sure the man-eater had a trial, yep, but she'd shoot me down. Shakin' my head, but I ain't movin.

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

I can smell the blood very strongly. There's a ripe offal smell around her. I know it isn't good. I'm trying to tug her shirt up in the dark and see where she's wounded. She's not very cooperative, and I'm trying to make sure no one gets to her at the same time. They can shoot me instead. So long as I don't go unconscious I should be alright, shouldn't I?

"Where is it?" I ask her. "Where's the bullet, Syl?" It must be a bullet, with that sharp gun-smell in the air. I need to press on it, I remember that. My head feels thick and slow. "Stop talking and help her," I tell the people around us. I don't care what they think they're doing. "Or I'll hurt you all," I add, because it's the only threat I can think of. Her blood's all over me now, on my hands and my chest.

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

"Sheriff, that is what witches do. They need the flesh and blood of unbaptized children for their spells. And we know that she has helped women to end their pregnancies. She has attacked citizens and mutilated them with knives. What more evidence do you need, Sheriff?"
I shake my head, "But when you chased her through the woods and shot her- you made yourself as much of a villan as you think she is."

*Just shoot them both. Would just take a minute- say it was self-defense. Syl and the boy wuld never say a word of it. Just send away Chester first.*
Push down the urge as the boy speaks up- think he's the one who was staying at the Whitechappel. Don't even bother looking at him.

"Chester- get the Doc for us and get back here quick," leave me alone with the gut-wound I sure as hell can't help, a pair of zealots who'll attack me the second I take my eyes off 'em and a naked teenager.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Hear something behind me and twitch an ear in it's direction, look back as Mab is talkin' to the two blood thirsty ladies an catch her nod to me. Yeah i'll watch her back.

The kid seems more interested in tryin' to help Syl though Doc'd be better at it. almost as if she caught the end of my thought, Mab orders me, Chester- get the Doc for us and get back here quick,

"You got it, Boss-lady." Before I go, I nudge the back of Reed's leg with my paw, claws still out so's they can tickle her, "You ladies play nice now."

A quick fade puts me right next ta the Doc who's a hell of a lot closer than I figured.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

"Chester- get the Doc for us and get back here quick," Oh thank you Mab---

"Hi Chester. Good job getting me." Give him a quick scratch to the head and a grin, then straighten up.

"Here, 'm here." I say, stepping out from my hiding spot, holding my hands up to show I am unarmed. "Was told there was someone hurt, headed out straight away." Look over to Micah. "Gotta let me see her, okay?" I half tell him, half ask him as I make my way over to Syl. I need to get to her, but if he goes ballistic, it'll make things worse. And I am still hoping not to get shot as I keep one eye on the mess Mab's dealing with.

[catherineknight.livejournal.com]

[Continued here (http://estdeus-innobis.livejournal.com/462043.html?thread=11601371#t11601371)!]