A Black Day (part 2)

[Absolution Black]

The second part of Book 2. I have to say I'm disappointed with this section, though it needs to be shown as it sets up the action in part 3 very well.

The meeting had gone well. Black stood just outside the doorway of the Inn, watching the streets outside carefully. Lydia was saying her goodbyes to Cassandra, hugging her tightly before moving to stand by Black’s side. It had been agreed that for the time being, until a plan could be formed, Lydia would be better off in the company of the specialist, rather than back at the Star. After all, the Dometelli family would know all about Lydia’s life in Malifaux, it was them who had passed on the information to Black when they had hired him to retrieve her. The decision to rescind that contract had resulted in the current unfortunate situation.

Abernathy followed Lydia out of the Inn and onto the street beside them. Black knew that his old friend was not equipped for the dangers that were almost surely on their way. But he also knew that his late father’s servant would never agree to keep out of it. Having decided to return to his lodgings, the trio set out from the Inn along the busy streets towards downtown. It gave Black a lot of time to think over his next move. The Dometelli clan was sure to send further force through the breach to recover their ‘property’, and he had no doubt they would be under orders to dispose of him too. The only way they would all be safe, and not have to spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders, was to strike first.

To do that, Black reasoned, he would have to travel back Earthside and take out the heads of the clan. Not an easy task. But that would mean leaving Lydia here in Malifaux with Abernathy, where he would not be able to protect her. He couldn’t send her back to the Star for obvious reasons, and he definitely couldn’t take her with him. He cursed silently as they walked, realising that this was a situation that even he had doubts of surviving. But suddenly, all his thoughts were irrelevant as he spied the large coach on the street opposite. He pushed the other two into a side alley and followed, peering cautiously around the corner.

Sure enough, his eyes hadn’t deceived him. Making their way from the nearby hotel, Black saw the bulbous figure of Lorenzo Dometelli hauling himself into the swaying coach. Following him was his slimy brother Marco, and three armed thugs. Turning back into the alley, he grabbed Lydia by the arms and shook her.

“Just what do you mean to these scum!” He hissed, “You must be worth a pretty penny to ensure Lorenzo Dometelli arrives to get you in person”.

Her eyes grew wide with shock and fear. He felt her tremble slightly in his grip and he relaxed the hold.

“They…They’re here?” She stammered, looking up at him. She began to cry, slumping so much that Black had to hold her up at first.

“Yes sweetheart, they are. The head of the family himself has ventured out. Now tell me why”.

“I’m his wife,” she sniffed. “And he wants me back”.

Now it was Black’s turn to feel shocked. He let go of Lydia’s arms and turned to the street again. The coach had gone. He rubbed his face as he thought of what he should do next. At least, he smiled, he didn’t have to return Earthside now. His problem had come directly to him. Checking the route was now clear, he motioned the others to begin moving again. He had to get them back to the room where they could discuss the next plan of action.

Two large black coaches stood outside the building where Black lived. Now he understood where the Dometellis had been going. Somehow they had found out where he lived, and were no doubt ransacking his room for clues of Lydia’s whereabouts, and lying in wait for his return. He called a small boy over from a nearby house, paid him some coins and gave him instructions. Five minutes later, the urchin returned.

“You was right mister, they is interested in your room alright. Turning it over good and proper. There were three of them. Two in the room, one outside the door. Gave me a right stare he did”.

“You’re sure there are only three?”

“As sure as my name is Albert, sir”.

Black smiled. He indicated that Abernathy should take Lydia a safe distance from here, indicating the old pump-house building several doors down. Then he checked his weapons and slipped across the street to the back of his building. Lydia watched him go, then as she walked away with Abernathy, she turned to the small boy, smiling.

“And is your name Albert?”

“No miss, It’s Thomas” He said before scampering off down the street.

Part 3 will see Black run into a little more than he bargained for.

[Dark Alleycat]

very awesome.

[Absolution Black]

Thanks!! I struggled with this section of the story as its mainly a bridge to a more action packed section. But I'm glad you still liked it!