Angela Rush. The name wouldn’t leave her mind. Allison did all she could to put it out of her mind as the next big race was coming up, but she just couldn’t keep it out of her head. She had taken on a leadership role in the Cult of Flames. Why? And what was she planning to do, now that she was back in town?
“Allison!”
It was her racing team’s crew chief, Charlie. He had apparently called out to her a few times.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, fine,” Allison replied. “You need something?”
“Just letting you know final inspection’s happening. We’re getting close to race time.”
She let out a short breath. “Good to know. Thanks, Chuck.”
“Head in the game, Allison. Don’t want you getting hurt out there, okay?”
“I’m fine, Chuck. Ready to go.”
He put his hands on her shoulders. “Hey, if something’s bothering you, we can pull out. Cup chances ain’t worth your safety, you got me?”
“I do. But I’m fine. Really.”
“Long as you’re sure. I’ll be right on the sidelines, like always. Any problems, you let me know right away.”
Allison chuckled. “How many races have we run and you still tell me that?”
“Hey, rook, it ain’t that many,” he said with a smile. “You may drive like a vet, doesn’t mean you ain’t still green.”
This managed a smile from Allison. “That’s good to know, Chuck. Thanks.”
“Now, get yourself ready to shred asphalt, okay?”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Chuck patted her shoulders and turned away without another word. Allison picked up her helmet and walked to a bench in the runway tunnel leading out to the track and the pit where her car waited. As she sat down, she noticed someone walking toward her. She paid the young woman no mind until she stopped in front of Allison.
“Excuse me, are you Ms. Driver?”
“I am but I’ve got a race to prep for so, if you don’t mind-”
“This won’t take long, I promise,” the young woman said.
She was slightly short, shorter than Allison, with black hair, brown eyes, and red hair band, matching her long sleeved red sweater. A short pleated skirt, black, reached her mid thighs where her strong legs were covered in dark nylons, meeting her red running shoes.
“Reporter then?” Allison asked with a sigh.
“Yes, ma’am,” she said. “Sidney Bakowski, Orchid Tribune. I understand you’re-”
“A Newfoundlander? They sent you all the way from Juniper to cover this race?”
“We’re proud of one of our own making such waves in the FGP.”
“I’m... not from Juniper.”
“But you know of it?”
“I know just about everywhere back home,” Allison said. “Though I thought me being a Newfoundlander wasn’t public knowledge...”
“Well...” Sidney’s eyes shifted. “I may have done some digging, on behalf of the Tribune, Ms. Driver.”
“Why’s your paper so interested in me?”
“It’s... more of a... personal interest...” Sidney admitted.
“I see. So... do they know you’re out here?”
“I have been assigned to cover the race, yes. And ask, would you mind perhaps giving me an interview when the race is finished?”
Chuck appeared in the tunnel again and shouted for Allison. “Green!” he said. “Good to go! Starting in twenty! Time for your checks!”
Allison stood up and picked up her black racing helmet. “Been a while since I spoke to someone from back home,” she said. “Tell you what. I finish top five this race, I’ll give you that interview. I miss the top five and I’m going home.”
Sidney couldn’t help a slight smile. “I’d heard you had confidence,” she said.
“Anything wrong with betting on myself?”
“No I’m just... I’m impressed, Ms. Driver. All right. I’ll accept your proposal.”
“Then watch it happen, Ms. Bakowski. And this way, you’re guaranteed to cheer for me.”
Another smile from Sidney. “Very good. Take care out there.”
“Sure thing. Might see you later then.”
“Yes. Hopefully we do see each other later.”
Allison said nothing more and put on her helmet, walking out to her waiting car. Sidney watched her go and took in a sharp breath. She’s got fire. Kind of like Sam... she thought to herself. With a sigh, Sidney found her way to a staircase and headed for the stands. At first, dreading the assignment when Mr. Green had discovered her looking into Allison Driver on her own time. But now the race sounded more exciting and she was actually looking forward to it.
...
‘Doris’ roared as Allison drifted around a tight left bend just before the line. Her car accelerated out of the bend, another racer just behind her. She pulled to the outside line to keep him from drafting behind her, but he followed and gained a burst of speed, trying to cut back inside. By then, they reached a sharp right turn and Allison slammed the lane shut, cutting inside, forcing him to brake and lean hard into his turn. Now, to start this lap, she had forced him to over correct and lose precious milliseconds on the next straightaway, where Allison’s car always shined. Her exhaust practically spit fire as ‘Doris’ burned up the track and ate up the straightaway in seconds. Now with a bit of distance between her and fourth place, she set her eyes forward.
“Ease up on aggressive manoeuvres,” Chuck’s voice said in her ear. “Four laps left. Tires are on their last legs. Don’t eat up any rubber you don’t have to.”
“I can take him,” she said.
“It’s Cross. He’ll try to body you,” Chuck said.
“So let him try.”
“You’ve got podium on lockdown. Don’t be stupid.”
“Have to gain points on him,” Allison said.
Chuck sighed. “Do what you have to. But be care-”
Allison didn’t even listen to the end of the sentence as she practically hit the floor with the accelerator. ‘Doris’ jumped to life and ate up the next straightaway, putting her just behind Cross. She settled in behind him, drafting for a bit, following his every move, making sure he saw her in his mirror.
He let off the throttle slightly, trying to force Allison to back off as she was directly behind her. She swerved instead and, coming out of a corner, hammered the gas to try and pass him on the outside. He accelerated, too, and did what he could to block her way through, not caring if he was going to collide with her or not. Instead, Allison swerved back to the inside as another quick turn came around and she zipped straight past him. Cross came within inches of battering the side of her car with his, as she rammed the wheel to the inside lane and tried to run her off the track. But he failed and she was already ahead of him, taking the second place lead with two laps to go.
Allison couldn’t have seen or heard the dark-haired girl in the crowd who let out a cheer, surprising herself, before clearing her throat and sitting back down, hoping no one noticed. She remained composed for the remaining two laps as Allison held off Cross and managed the second place finish. It meant, as well, that she would get that interview.
Allison jumped out of the car and her pit crew mobbed her, cheering and practically smacking her helmet. Chuck stood there too, waiting for them to separate.
“Gutsy,” he said. “Raw skill got you that one. I’m proud of you. But that was risky. Reckless, even.”
“Hey, I’m trying to catch him. We gained ground on Cross today.”
Chuck sighed. “Listen, rook. Those kind of risks only work out half the time. The other half, you get yourself tangled with another car and go crashing into the wall and get hurt. I don’t want to see you doing that kind of stuff.”
“Sometimes it’s what’s needed to win.”
Chuck put his hands on her shoulders again. “Listen, kid. You’re important. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Why? You think sponsors will bail?”
“You know that’s not what I mean, Allison.”
Allison let out a short breath, putting one hand on top of one of Chuck’s. “That’s nice of you, Chuck.”
“It ain’t just being nice, kid. I care about you.”
This managed a genuine smile from Allison. “You sound like my dad...” she said with a chuckle.
Chuck laughed in return. “What, I sound like the old ‘Pile’ Driver do I?”
“Christ, what is with you old guys all knowing my dad?”
“Ah, he was good in his day. The guy could throw a punch like a machine. Clever nickname, too.”
“When I was little, I always thought people were insulting him, calling him ‘Pile.’ Never got the joke. I thought it was a wrestling term, anyway.”
Chuck laughed. “Well, it is, but it’s also a big old hydraulic machine. Pounds dirt into the ground, hits real hard. It fits just... don’t think too hard.”
“I knew that much...” Allison stepped back and shook Chuck’s hand. “Thanks, Chuck.”
“Just remember I’ve got your back, kid. And I don’t want you getting hurt,” he said, pointing a finger in her face.
“Yeah all right, Gramps.”
Chuck laughed again as Allison headed off. “Gramps!? You better run off to the podium, kid, or I’m coming over there!”
“Love to see you try, old man!” Allison fired back.
Chuck just laughed again as Allison made her way out to the podium and the media are. She was stopped by a familiar face along the way.
“That was an exciting race, Ms. Driver.”
“Ms. Bakowski,” Allison said. “Looks like we’ll be doing that interview.”
“Looks like it. Congratulations on your finish.”
“Thanks. Listen, wait up for me here. I’ve gotta go do the whole podium thing. Post race interviews probably, too.”
“More interviews?”
Allison smirked. “You’re getting the real one, don’t worry. Have to save the real me for the folks back home.”
“I’m honoured,” Sidney said, bowing slightly. Allison noticed her staring a bit, ever so slightly for a moment, before answering back.
“All right I should be maybe ten, fifteen minutes. Then we can talk.”
“Of course, Ms. Driver. Take your time.”
The two separated then as Allison headed off to deal with the media. Sidney waited, rooted to the spot the entire time, watching her work, looking about as uncomfortable as she could be in front of cameras. Sidney tried to suppress the smile at her lips but she couldn’t. There was something about Allison Driver that she liked very much. Perhaps not in the same way as some others and she had a... feeling that there was more to Allison than just the bold racer. It wasn’t a bad feeling just... a feeling, that there was something more beneath the surface. And the constant curiosity that plagued her wouldn’t stop until it was sated.
...
They walked together from the concourse to a sort of private lobby, often where racers and teams gathered before a race. It was empty now and Allison invited Sidney to sit in a chair beside her. Sidney graciously sat down in the soft chair, against the wall, and Allison quickly followed.
“So, before we start, Ms. Bakowski...”
“Yes?”
“Just one thing. Why is it you’ve taken such an interest in me?”
“This... is my assignment,” she said.
“Sure, but you don’t strike me as the ‘sports columnist’ type,” Allison said. “Everything about you screams ‘investigative journalist.’ So, I ask again, why?”
“If you must know, I was assigned outside my usual purview...”
“But?” Allison asked.
“But... I am the one who found out you’re a Newfoundlander.”
Allison nodded. “As I thought. But what made you so interested?”
“I’m interested in a lot of things out this way, Ms. Driver. For example, the famous ‘Damsel PI’ Chloe Danger is from here, is she not?”
“And how do you know that?” Allison asked.
Sidney stopped for a moment. Who’s interviewing who? She asked herself.
“My cousin has... worked with her in the past, you could say.”
“But that’s not all?”
“No, there was also that reporter that kept winding up kidnapped by a... cult was it?”
Allison shrugged. “Could be. I don’t read much news.”
She’s lying Sidney thought. Why would she hide paying attention to the news?
“And then this... Falcon Woman?” Sidney probed, gauging Allison for a response.
“Oh, that Falcon or whatever,” Allison said. “Yeah, people talk about her sometimes. But what’s any of that got to do with me?”
“Well, you live here too, right? There’s a lot going on in this town. Organized crime, a daring Private Investigator, kidnapped reporters, cults, and a world famous, hotshot rookie racing driver, who is the daughter of both a world famous boxer and a renowned attorney, lives right in the heart of it all. Wouldn’t you find that interesting?”
“I suppose some people might, if you put it that way. So... what, you think I’m involved with any of that?”
“There is more to you than meets the eye,” Sidney said. “I can tell that much.”
Allison sighed. “Look, Ms. Bakowski, if you’re here to accuse me of something-”
“No no. Not at all. There are things that leave me to wonder. Such as... why has it been hidden that you were raised in Newfoundland? You seem quite proud to be from there.”
The racer’s eyes went dark for a moment and she looked away from Sidney. “It’s... a long story.”
“Well, we have time. Right?”
“That’s off limits,” Allison said, an involuntary snarl in her voice. “Sorry just... not talking about that.”
“That’s fine. However, since we’re here, perhaps I could shadow you for a day and get to know you that way? You know how people back home are. They love to know about their homegrown heroes.”
“Hero?” Allison said, practically scoffing at the word. “That’s... look, I just make cars go fast. Nothing else. Nothing heroic about it.”
“We’ll see. So... would you mind?”
Allison growled under her breath and stood up. “Fine just... don’t go pawing through everything I own the second my back is turned, got it?”
“Of course, Ms. Driver. Shall we be off?”
“Sure, fine,” Allison said, wandering to the door. “You coming?”
“Right behind you, Ms. Driver.”
...
“And I train in here. Work out, keep in shape, that sort of thing.”
Sidney eyed the punching bag hanging from the ceiling in Allison’s basement. She approached it and her teenage years came rushing back to her. Almost on instinct alone, she threw a solid punch and connected with it. Allison stood back.
“Nice,” she said. “You box then?”
“Yeah,” Sidney said. “Your dad is sort of how I found out you’re a Newfoundlander. He’s... well, he’s a legend. One of those fighters you look up to.”
Allison nodded. “He always did give that impression. Probably boxed a bit before your time, though.”
“Well yeah, but I can’t think of many who haven’t heard of Darren ‘Pile’ Driver.”
This got a chuckle from Allison. “And here I thought it was just old guys who knew about my Dad.” She stepped to the door. “Well, you want to have at it a bit, go ahead. I need the bathroom anyway. Not planning on shadowing me in there, are you?”
“Um... I’ll pass,” Sidney said with a smile.
“Good call,” Allison said. “Back in a few. Let loose on that thing.”
Allison left Sidney alone in the room. The reporter threw a few solid punches, falling back in her old rhythm, dancing around the bag and just letting her fists fly. She stopped a moment when she spotted an odd looking box in the corner of the room. It was black, metallic, and shaped strangely like a suitcase.
She walked over to it to inspect it. Dumbbells maybe? Looks a bit more serious than that though she thought.
Sidney bent down to open the box, clicking open the latches and flipping the lid. Inside, she noticed strange, black spheres. Reaching out to touch one, she heard something whir inside it and snapped her hand back.
The hell was that?
The shape of the thing almost seemed to adapt and change as it stirred. But then it went completely still. High tech. That’s... odd. Why would she... oh my god...
Sidney jumped to her feet and spoke to herself aloud. “She’s D-”
Her words were cut off when the sphere she touched sprang to life and objects like ribbons shot from it, straight at her.
“What the he-mmmrrpphh!”
A strip of the material wrapped around her mouth and the back of her head. She tried reaching up to pull it off but more of the material, a seemingly endless supply of it, lashed out at her wrist, wrapping around it. Though she was strong, the ribbon material managed to pull her wrist behind her, grab her other wrist, and wrench them together behind her back, tightly binding them.
The ribbon wrapped up her arms and torso, her legs at the ankles and thighs, before the thing finally ran out of material, pinning Sidney’s limbs in thick layers of the stuff. Sidney tried to hop once, but fell onto the soft mats of the floor and rolled around, struggling, trying to get any grip on the strange material.
“Mmmpph! Hmm!” She grunted and groaned, twisting her wrists, flexing her strong legs, but the material held on tight. Finally, she heard a voice from the doorway.
“Ms. Bakowski? What... oh.”
“Mmm mmmpph!” Sidney looked to Allison in the doorway and squirmed on the mat. “Wmm mmphh thmmtt?”
“Can’t hear you, hang on...” Allison knelt down and unwrapped the material from around Sidney’s mouth.
“You okay?”
“More or less unharmed but... what is that thing!?” Sidney asked, nodding toward the sphere.
“And why do you have it?”
Allison took out her keys and flipped open a pocket knife to start cutting Sidney free. “It’s a capture device,” she said. “Meant to restrain targets on impact. Did you touch it?”
“Yes...” Sidney said.
“They’re highly sensitive. Still experimental, at this stage.”
“The more important question of why...” Sidney said.
Allison let out a short breath. “You tell me.” She helped Sidney to her feet after cutting her free. “That look in your eyes tells me you seem to already know the answer.”
“You’re... you’re the Falcon,” she said. “The one they all talk about. You rescued that kidnapped freelance reporter. Twice. You disappeared from a night club, only to reappear unharmed at home the next morning. It’s... I knew there was something more to you.”
Allison stood back and folded her arms. “That’s quite an imagination you’ve got.”
“What? But it has to be you!” Sidney said.
“Does it? I’m just adding in some custom home security. I am something of a target to people, sometimes.”
“Ms. Driver... I can promise you, I won’t include this in the interview I just... I know it’s you.”
Allison grunted and turned away from Sidney, walking toward the back wall. She stopped there, her back to Sidney, hand raised, reaching out toward the wall. She hesitated.
“Tell me something,” Allison said, her voice suddenly stoic, devoid of emotion. Sidney looked her up and down, her perfectly sculpted, strong body, the utter peak of athleticism. Hearing her speak so coldly... Sidney tensed up. Her voice shook involuntarily.
“Y-yes?”
“Did you suspect me from the start? Did you have me figured out from the moment you left Juniper City?”
“W-well.... I had my suspicions, Ms. Driver, but I couldn’t possibly have-”
“That’s trouble,” she said. “I don’t like trouble.”
“Ms. Driver?”
“If you can do it, from miles away, anyone can,” Allison said.
“Wait... are you admitting it?”
Allison said nothing, reaching to the wall. Part of it gave way slightly at her touch. A keypad popped out from it and she entered a quick code. Another portion of the wall gave way to a small, secret chamber. And there within... the armour, the full suit, of Dark Falcon, neatly stashed away in several alcoves.
“You are...” Sidney said.
“I am,” Allison repeated, turning again to face Sidney.
“I had no idea I was actually right, I swear to you,” Sidney said.
Allison, with a heavy sigh, walked away from the wall as Sidney approached it. She touched the armour, around the abdomen, running her fingers along it, as though trying to convince herself it was actually real.
“Someone always finds out, one way or another,” she said. “May as well be a smart reporter. Like last time...”
“Last time?”
“Corner Brook...” she said. “That’s where I’m from.”
“You did this... in Newfoundland?” Sidney asked.
“Much quieter back then,” Allison replied. “Didn’t bother with the identity, the fake hair, the notoriety. Especially the notoriety. But that does some of the work for me.”
“It... makes people afraid.”
“It makes bad people afraid,” Allison corrected.
“Right. So you were just some vigilante back in Corner Brook?”
“Generally speaking, yes.”
“So then that’s why you hid where you’re from. You don’t want people to know that was you.”
“Exactly. But now people know I’m a Newfoundlander.”
“Well... they won’t be able to put that together,” Sidney said. “After all, I don’t have to say where in Newfoundland you’re from. Besides, people only know you as a race car driver.”
“Apart from you,” Allison said.
“Apart from me, yeah...” Sidney replied.
Allison leaned against the wall, keeping her arms folded. “Damn reporters... no wonder people keep you tied up all the time. You just have to know everything.”
“Hey! It’s not all the time! And, well, I did have to find out... so what are you going to do?”
“Who’s doing anything?” Allison asked. “I’m not some smuggler or crime lord.” She smirked. “And I already had you tied up, apparently.”
“Well... yeah...” Sidney said. “Usually this is the part where people don’t want to let me leave with the knowledge I have.”
“You planning on using it against me?”
“Unless you start committing real crimes... no,” Sidney said.
“Vigilantism is a real crime,” Allison said.
“Except you do some good. I’ve heard about the way you keep dangerous guns off the street. Take down all the corrupt cops. You save lives. So... no. Not really a crime in my book.”
Allison smirked again. “So if you’re not using your knowledge against me... why would I keep you from using it?”
“I... don’t know.”
Allison walked to the wall and closed up her suit again. She and Sidney walked to the stairs together. “So I think you have enough for a decent write-up, don’t you?”
“Well, if only I could print everything. It’d be at least a national hit. If not international.”
“You’re not the type to go hunting fame,” Allison said. “Know how I can tell?”
“You are quite clever,” Sidney said. “The way you first noticed I’m an investigative reporter. So I’d guess... you’re a good judge of character?”
“No,” Allison said. “It’s because I look at you, and I see something of a slightly younger version of myself.”
“I... what?”
“Idealistic. Stubborn. Nose for knowledge, can’t just leave well enough alone... sounds a lot like me. And I can see the same, well... hardened edge.”
“You can?”
“I can.”
Sidney cleared her throat. “Ms Driver... by all accounts, you seem to have had a decent childhood with your parents. Whereas I...” she trailed off.
“Say no more,” Allison said. “Different backgrounds. Different circumstances. Same result.”
“What sort of circumstances?”
Allison opened the basement door and began leading Sidney back upstairs. “We need not discuss that today,” she said. “As I said before... off limits.”
She escorted Sidney to the front door and held it open for you. Sidney turned around as she stepped outside. “Do you... do you really think we’re that similar?”
“I do. Some key differences but you’ve got the same edge to you that I do.”
“Edge?”
“Just... anger, I guess. At the world. And you want to make it better. Throw back all the hell that’s been thrown your way...”
“You’re very perceptive, Ms. Driver.”
“I try to be. Now, you should probably head out. You’ve got an article to write and a flight to catch to get back home.”
“Not till tomorrow... but you’re right. Thank you for the interview, Ms. Driver.”
“You can call me Allison, you know,” Allison said.
Sidney nodded. “Very well. And you may call me Sidney.”
“Sounds good. Safe trip home and all that.”
“Yes, thank you. It was a pleasure, Ms. Driver.”
“Likewise...” Allison said with a smirk, chuckling slightly.
Sidney stepped outside and Allison shut the door again. She walked a way up the sidewalk, back toward the main road where she could hail a taxi, but something to her felt... off. She felt watched...
Before she could react, a pair of thick arms grabbed her around the waist and tried to press something against her face. She shrugged free of the grasp, turned around, and cracked her masked assailant in the skull with several well aimed punches. Another pair of arms tried and this attacker received the same barrage.
“Well well...” a distorted voice said from behind her. She whirled around and... a figure all in black stood there.
She was tall, athletic, and dressed in a suit and cape much like Dark Falcon. Hers was all black, and showed some pale skin at the thighs and abdomen. Strange antennae stuck out from her cowl on either side of her forehead and her eyes were shielded in red lenses.
“You’re tougher than you look,” a bizarrely distorted woman’s voice said from behind the cowl. Sidney raised her fists on instinct.
“The hell do you want!?”
“Want? Well, dear, you for starters.”
“What!? Why!?”
A chuckle, haunting and long, warbled out from the cowl. “Call me a jealous suitor...”
“A... a what?”
“Your little girlfriend in there... the famous Allison Driver. I bet she’d pay well to get you back, right? And I know someone who wants to get back at her so...” She opened her hands and electricity arced from her gloves. “Looks like you’re coming with me.”
“G-girlfriend? That’s not-”
Sidney stepped back when this figure in black launched herself at her and one contact of the electrified gloves to the side of her neck, and a shock through her, sent Sidney tumbling to the sidewalk, unconscious with little more than a gasp.
Her attacker stood over her and someone spoke into her ear.
“Moth...” the voice said.
“Say the full name, dear,” she said.
A sigh answered her. “Night Moth...”
“Yes, dear?”
“Don’t call me that,” the voice answered back. “Do you have the girl?”
“Allison’s little squeeze is about to be packaged and delivered like-”
“If you say Clockwork I will tie you up with her,” the voice said. “You got that?”
Night Moth chuckled in return. “Well aren’t you scary. And they call you an angel?”
“Just shut your mouth and get her here. You understand?”
“Yes, Mistress Clockwork Angel,” Night Moth said with a chuckle.
“You ever use that word again, I swear-”
“Oh come now. It’s just a little harmless teasing.”
“Shut up and get moving.”
The voice went silent again. Night Moth let out a satisfied sigh and stooped to pick up Sidney.
“Looks like we’ll need lots of rope to secure you,” she said. “Not to worry. I’m the woman for the job.”
...
The sensation, waking up, it was all too familiar to Sidney. Her limbs refused to respond. And she had to quell the little twinge of excitement in her stomach. Focus, Bakowski! She thought. Just figure out how you’re tied and how tight.
A quick flex of her muscles answered one of those immediately. Okay... very tight. Now how...
She felt her legs pulled behind her, in the air, and attached to her upper back. Hogtied. Okay...
Her legs were bound at the ankles, calves, and thighs. Her wrists, crossed in an ‘x’ bound tightly together, also attached to her ankles, making her back arch slightly. They were also secured to her upper back, where a web of ropes framed her chest and kept her arms tight to her sides. Adding to this, something had been stuffed in her mouth, most likely cloth by the feel of it, and a hefty wrapping of tape around her mouth, thoughtfully under her hair, and
around her head.
Knots.... She felt around with her fingers. Can’t find them. This could be bad...
Sidney wanted to take in her surroundings, and tried opening her eyes, but the world was still dark. It was then she noticed there was a cloth tied on over them. Blindfolded too. Great... and here I thought this assignment wouldn’t get me kidnapped...
She heard footsteps and tried in vain to look around and see them, squirming in her tight ropes.
“Hello there, dear. Glad to see you finally awake.”
“Mmmrrpphh mmmpphh!!” Sidney raged behind the gag. “Mmtmm mm, bmmph!”
“I’ll have you know you have the pleasure of being kidnapped by the one and only Night Moth. You ought to be a bit kinder with your words, my dear.”
“Mmmmmrrrgghh!!” Sidney growled, thrashing around. She could at least feel the hard floor beneath her. Where the hell could I be?
“Now, we’ll see if your dear little Allison will come through for you. Maybe she’ll even show up herself and deliver the money in person. In fact...” she leaned in close to Sidney’s ear.
“We’re counting on it.”
Sidney fought the urge to chuckle through her gag. You idiots have no idea of the mistake you’ve made.
She continued to fight her bonds to no avail. “Mmmpphhrrrmmmmmmnnnggh! MMMMMMRRRPPPHHH!!” Sidney growled in rage behind the gag, struggling hard.
“Well aren’t you cute trying to be all defiant. It won’t do you any good. It won’t save your dearest Allison.”
What do they even want with Allison? Sidney asked herself.
“Now, why don’t you come over here so I can have... a better look at you?”
“MMMMMPPHHH!!” Sidney raged again, thrashing about, doing everything to keep this Night Moth off of her. But... nothing came. Instead, Sidney heard a loud, percussive click. And then a laugh from her captor.
“Hmmph. Lights out. Really? Who honestly thinks that will get me?”
While Sidney struggled, Night Moth’s lenses switched to night vision and she started moving away from her captive. From the corner of her vision, she spotted movement. With lightning speed, she reached to her belt and tossed a sharp object in the direction of the movement. It struck its target... and passed straight through it.
By now, there was no time to react. The lights came back on, Night Moth’s vision blinded for a split second, and then she felt sudden pain in her forehead as she stumbled backward, grunting. Behind her, Sidney smiled beneath her gag. Didn’t take her long.
Night Moth’s goggles adjusted again and when she looked up, she reached up to block an electrified staff headed straight for her. Her gloves electrified, she nullified the effects of the staff and grabbed hold of it, pulling her opponent close.
“Clever trick,” she said. “And so nice to meet you, Dark Falcon.”
The figure, clad in black with grey armour, the Falcon adorning her chest, her pale purple hair, red visor, black cowl... there was no mistaking her.
“How’d you know about this little operation, anyway?”
“You’re too easy to track,” Dark Falcon said, wrenching the staff from Night Moth’s grasp and flexing her palm. Night Moth heard a beeping on her shoulder and plucked a small device from it.
“A tracker... and without me noticing. You deserve applause, dear.”
“Enough,” Dark Falcon said. “You let the girl go.”
“No can do, sweetie,” Night Moth said. “She’s real important. And our guest of honour hasn’t arrived just yet. You’ll do for some fun though.”
Night Moth launched herself at Dark Falcon, trying to bring her electrified gloves down on Dark Falcon’s neck, but the Falcon swiped the hand away with blinding speed, swiping up with her staff and backing away. Now with some distance between the two, they paced around each other.
“I know why you’re here.”
“You really don’t,” Dark Falcon said.
“No, I do. That cult... you’re after Madame Clockwork aren’t you?”
“None of your business.”
Night Moth chuckled. “Oh, so you are after Clockwork Angel. Trust me, you don’t want to meet her. I’m just a tiny little moth compared to her temper.”
“Just another bug to swat then.”
Dark Falcon struck out with her staff but Night Moth stepped away, reaching out and grabbing the staff again with her gloves, and pulled Dark Falcon in close. They grappled with each other for several minutes, Night Moth laughing away.
“Well aren’t you a strong one,” she said. “Most can’t tango with me.”
Dark Falcon finally ripped her staff away from her opponent and changed tactics. The staff collapsed in her hands and she sheathed it behind her, beneath her cape. Night Moth laughed at this. “Oh, by all means, disarm yourself. I welcome it,” she said, electricity arcing from her gloves.
Dark Falcon reached to her belt and tapped something quickly. She moved slowly, intentionally, as she feigned a punch. Laughing, Night Moth grabbed her arm, stopping it in the air, and she squeezed... but then felt a shock course through her arms.
“Agghh! Wh-what’s... what’s happening!?” She couldn’t let go of Dark Falcon’s arm. The shock forced her muscles to tense up and, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t let go the electricity from her own gloves coursed through her.
Using this, Dark Falcon brought her knee up to Night Moth’s stomach, winding her, before hauling off with a punch from her free hand, cracking one of the red lenses. Finally, with a shake of her arm, Dark Falcon loosened Night Moth’s grip and stood back as her opponent gasped for breath, rasping out laughter.
“Ooohh.... adaptive armour. You’re a clever one indeed. You... you made it conductive...”
“Let the girl go. I won’t say it again,” Dark Falcon said.
Night Moth staggered, breathlessly laughing under the cowl. “You know what? This isn’t worth the fight... damn Clockwork Angel can find some other lackey. Until next time, Falcon dear...”
With a flick of her wrists, Night Moth pulled herself up to the high ceiling, to a catwalk and a roof hatch, climbing outside. Dark Falcon let out a short breath and knelt down. She lifted the blindfold from Sidney’s eyes.
“Mlllmmphhnnn...” she said.
“Sorry for the wait, Sidney” Allison said quietly, a similar distortion to her voice. “Had to plant that tracker and follow them. She moved fast.”
Sidney just nodded and sighed as Allison released the hogtie ropes and pulled off her gag.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Did they tell you anything?”
“All I heard about was this Clockwork Angel. She wanted to get back at... at Allison...” Sidney said, suddenly aware that anyone could be listening.
“Right...” Allison said. “Any idea why?”
“Never heard. I just woke up tied up in here and heard that Moth or whatever talking about this Clockwork Angel. You’re really after her?”
“Yes...” Allison said, continuing to untie Sidney.
“Why? Do you know her?”
Silence answered her back. Allison finally had Sidney untied and helped her to her feet.
“I think so...” Allison said, finally.
She helped Sidney out of the facility she was stored within, even carrying her via rooftop to a street corner several blocks away.
“There’s a cop I know on the way,” Allison said. “She’ll get you back to your hotel.”
“Thanks... so, what was with that whole thing anyway?”
“I... I don’t know,” Allison said. “This...” She let out a heavy breath. “It’s complicated.”
“Maybe I could help?”
“You’ve gotten in enough trouble because of me,” Allison said. “Best head back to Juniper. Strange as it sounds, it’ll be safer for you there.”
“So you’ve been there...” Sidney said with a smile.
“I’m serious. People associated with me, no matter what form that takes... they end up getting hurt.”
“Ms... Falcon...”
“There’s no one around,” Allison said, turning off her voice modulator. “We’re fine.”
“What was that about people getting hurt?”
“It’s just what happens. So you need to get far away from me.”
“But... I can come back, right?”
Allison looked away. “Maybe... maybe when I’ve dealt with... whatever this is.”
“This Clockwork Angel?”
“Yes. I did enjoy your company, Sidney,” Allison said. “I wouldn’t mind calling you friend.”
“Likewise,” Sidney said.
“But not a day sooner than this is dealt with,” Allison said.
“Of course. Can you tell me one thing before I go?” Sidney asked.
“What’s that?”
“Who do you think this Clockwork woman is?”
“How’d you know she’s a woman?”
Sidney smiled. “Lucky guess.”
“Damn it... you’re even smarter than I gave you credit for.”
“So... have an answer?”
Allison turned away and looked to the rooftops, picking a target for her grapple. “Someone who’s supposed to be dead. That’s all I’ll say.”
Sidney nodded. “I’ll take it. And I mean it. If you need any help, you know where to find me.”
“Sure. And make an excuse to head back to Newfoundland. I’ll think about it,” Allison said.
“Very well. Good night then Ms... Allison.” Sidney said with a smile.
Allison looked her way one final time. “Good night, Sidney.”
With that, Dark Falcon took off again into the night and left Sidney alone. Soon enough, a cruiser pulled up and a woman in a suit with short, red hair climbed out. “Sidney Bakowski?” she asked.
“That’s me,” Sidney said.
“Let’s get you out of here. I see our mutual ‘friend’ didn’t stick around.”
“Yes, Detective. Inspector?”
“Don’t worry about titles. Let’s just move on.”
“Of course,” Sidney said, climbing in the passenger seat to the car. As they drove off, she looked to the rooftops. She thought she spotted a long figure in a fluttering cape watching from above. But when she looked again, they were gone. Sidney leaned back in her seat and let out a long, tired breath. “What a night...” she said to herself.