Emily laid on her back after being knocked down by the immense release of magic. She was left staring upward, seeing the night sky in all its glory. Stars glimmered like diamonds in the blackness above. But there was another shining piece of silver that caught her attention more than the rest.
The Stigmata fell from the sky, landing back in the parking lot a distance from where it had been launched from. Clank! sounded the metal against the concrete. The noise made the four women snap their attention in that direction. They watched the Stigmata bounce and clack again before settling and rolling away. Marcy began to give chase only to stop after having taken just a few steps. That was because the Stigmata was brought to a final stop by a booted foot.
The Witches stared with worried expressions at the three Witch Hunters standing there, geared with guns.
Jeremiah reached down to pick up the Stigmata which he then looked over intently. It would be as simple as thrusting the tip into his heart to bring Shaw back once more. Instead, Jeremiah pulled out a symbol-covered, lacquered, wooden box that he held in his other hand. The top was slid open, and the Stigmata was put inside, sealing it away. A final look at the Witches acknowledged the truce they had made back at the warehouse. Then the Witch Hunters turned away and disappeared into the night. They would be gone from Darkess Noir for now.
A mix of relief and concern was felt with the departure of the Witch Hunters. For the time being, the threat was gone, and the conflict was over.
“They have it,” Marcy concerned over the taking of the Stigmata.
“I saw,” Emily, now sitting up from the ground, though still very much unable to get up from it, assured she was not blind. “But we just have to let them go.”
“I know,” Marcy agreed.
“Why?” Ligaya questioned.
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” Emily conveyed, “but the rest of us aren’t. If they don’t want to fight, then we should be counting ourselves lucky.”
“Then, I guess we’re lucky,” Ligaya accepted. “But for how long?”
“I don’t know,” Emily admitted. After having responded, a moment of silence followed. Her expression tightened as she looked away from Ligaya shamefully.
Ligaya sat beside Emily quietly.
“I …” Emily tried to say something more but could not find the words. This reunion was so abrupt, and right after such an intense situation. So, there was just silence between them.
“It’s okay,” Ligaya assured after a moment.
The claim broke Emily as she broke down with a painful, apologetic weep, “I’m so sorry.” More silence followed, and during the stretch of quiet, tears formed. She cried and cried. “I’m so sorry. I’m so … sorry. I’m sorry. They made me do it, but I shouldn’t have. I thought you were gone. I thought you were dead. And it was my fault. I—”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” Ligaya interrupted, acting oblivious. Though, her indifference was really her way of saying that there was nothing to worry about. She could presume why things happened how they did and could blame someone, but that was pointless. People would always make difficult choices at the consequence of others. They were not to be hated but forgiven. Of course, to do so, they first needed to be understood. Ligaya understood Emily pretty well after these years and cared for her. To lighten the mood, Ligaya sulked in her usual way, “Anyway, I’m already dead. Nothing’s going to change that anytime soon.”
Emily wiped her face and smiled the smallest smile.
That was when Marcy spoke, suspecting otherwise to Ligaya’s statement, “I don’t know about that?” A hand was placed on Ligaya’s shoulder. “Something has definitely changed. I can touch you, for one. And you were able to grab hold of the Hunter. You’re becoming corporeal. I’ve never heard of a spirit doing that.”
“Hm.” Ligaya wondered what that might honestly mean. But then she put aside any curiosities because they did not matter to her. She just smiled at the fact she could do this, leaning over and embracing Emily.
Emily rested against Ligaya tranquilly.
The peaceful moment was soon invaded by a noise. There was the blunt clicking of hard-soled shoes as someone approached from behind. The four turned to look and saw a young woman who did not seem to care about anything, with braided black hair, and pale skin. She dressed like a concierge with added frills that detailed her bleak, black outfit.
Starting with a long, exasperated exhale of boredom, the goth girl informed, “You have been disturbing our guests. The authorities have been contacted. I suggest you remain where you’re at until they arrive. Otherwise, I’ll personally see to your apprehension. Though, feel free to ignore my warning. I welcome a game of tag. I have had nothing to do tonight thus far.”
Immediately following her words, the woo of a single siren and strobing red and blue lights entered the scene. The car parked practically on top of everybody causing those almost hit to stumble franticly as they tried moving away. That was except for Marcy who smacked the hood as the vehicle came to a stop in front of her.
“Hey!” Detective Gram shouted at the assault of his car as he stepped out, a cloud of cigarette smoke following right after him.
“Are you trying to kill us?” Marcy glared. Her nails were ready to scratch the paint.
“No,” the detective promised he was acting in the women’s best interest. “I’m trying to keep this situation under wraps. The last thing I need is for people to see you, any of you, around yet another dead body.” It was obvious now he had placed his car between the Witches and the line of sight of the building. “It’s hard to dispute video evidence.”
“Detective,” the goth girl recognized, “I take it, as it is solely you arriving on the scene, this is a committee issue. Though, my father made no mention when he sent me out here.”
“He wouldn’t be aware,” the detective explained. “Currently, this is a DNPD issue. But it’s soon to head up to the committee once the commissioner formally makes her decision. Sorry for the disturbance, Madelynn. Offer the same to your dad.”
“Will do,” Madelynn promised to pass the message along, but she had a tone that sounded more like a threat. She turned away and began walking back to the hotel, wearing the face of someone who felt their time had been wasted.
“Shit,” Detective Gram knew there would be problems going forward with the Emerson Family. That future concern would have to wait as there were current concerns still to be resolved. He turned his attention toward the four women and the one dead body. The corpse was in terrible condition with half his head missing, as well as missing an arm, a hole in his chest, and covered in burns. Even so, “Shit,” the detective uttered again as he recognized who this was. “What the fuck happened? Why is this guy here?”
“You know this body?” Marcy did not expect.
“I know that tattoo,” the detective pointed out. On the back of the remaining hand of the remains was the image of a childhood cartoon, made to be more adult by posing in a sexual manner, along with a drug reference detailed in. The absurd obscurity made the image memorable to anyone who saw it even just once. “The guy’s a hauler. He’s worked every police auction. Are you telling me he was a Witch Hunter?”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Marcy admitted. “He was possessed by the soul of a Witch Hunter.”
“Yes,” the detective did not like the explanation, nodding his head with a disappointed expression, “Far more complicated, it seems.”
“Well, it’s done,” Marcy declared harshly, not liking his tone. “No more Witch Hunters. Like you wanted.”
“Sure,” he credited the success with no positivity. “But you think killing him is going to help your situation?,” the scolding directed at Marcy. “I said there are laws that even special cases have to abide by.”
“He didn’t give us much of a choice,” Emily broke up their argument by arguing. “We tried to seal him away in another dimension so we wouldn’t have to kill him. But that didn’t work, and he came after us in this new body, hellbent on seeing us dead. Possessing someone or not, it was him or us.”
Detective Gram tapped his finger against his thumb. “Alright. But just the one? You killed so many already—”
“I killed them,” Marcy took the blame as it was being cast.
“From what I recall,” the detective challenged, “you killed most of them. She,” looking at Emily, “and the redhead,” meaning Rachael, “killed a few themselves. Which … where—”
“She’s busy,” Marcy interrupted.
“Fine,” the detective did not press the matter further. “I’ve digressed enough. Even with the numbers you’ve killed, was he truly the last one left? And what’s stopping him from coming back if he can possess anybody?”
“There were three others,” Emily detailed. “But they were more reasonable and left peacefully. At least for now. And they took the Stigmata with them. That’s the thing that allows him to possess people.”
“More problems to deal with in the future.” Detective Gram appeared to be getting downtrodden by the second. “I guess I’ll deal with those when they come. To think I’d become your babysitter.”
“So, wait?” Olivia exclaimed in surprise, “You’ll be protecting us from now on?”
“That was never in question,” the detective divulged. “This is a protectorate. I’ve been protecting you this whole time.”
“No, you haven’t,” Olivia was shaking her head as her anger rose rapidly, then she furiously accused, “You didn’t help us at all!”
Detective Gram raised his hand and began counting off on his fingers. First finger, “An explosion in a building downtown was covered up as a disgruntled employee.” Second finger, “Dead bodies in the woods were covered up as a bear attack.” Third finger, “Gunfire and another explosion at the old brewery was blamed on a ‘Melon Head’ and ‘The Goblins’ turf war.” Fourth finger, “Someone’s house was practically cut in half by ballistics,” looking at Emily. “That was chopped up to be a gas leak explosion.” Fifth finger, “And now this, in front of the King Hotel. All in the span of two days. It’s not easy helping you. Hopefully, it’s worth it.”
“Alright,” Olivia calmed and conceded quickly. “You were busier than I realized. I’m sorry for thinking otherwise.”
“Worth it?” Marcy reinserted herself into the conversation to question his phrasing.
“Technically,” the detective revealed, “I shouldn’t have been helping you. Witches aren’t seen as any more important than regular people. The committee protocol would be to cover everything up with you as the ones to blame since, well, you are responsible.”
“Then why?” she wondered. “Can’t you get in trouble for breaking the protocol?”
“Only if things don’t change,” he stated. “But you, YOU,” meaning the Witches, “stopped the Witch Hunters on your own.”
“No,” Marcy understood, “That’s why we had to stop them on our own. The powers that be might recognize us now.”
“Let’s hope because then things like this will fall under concealment orders. A cover up,” he defined, “which I’ve already done. Of course, if that doesn’t happen, then I’m fucked, too. Whatever the case, that’ll be discussed during the next committee meeting. For now, you’re done with your business? I’ll need to take you in, Lox.”
“You’re still going to persecute Marcy?” Olivia spoke dejectedly as she shook her head. “Even after everything that you just said?”
“Yes,” the detective stressed. “Nothing’s been determined. I thought I made that pretty clear. Right now, she’s a fugitive on the run. Have patience. Seriously.”
“It’s okay,” Marcy accepted. “Let’s just follow the rules.”
“What about waiting for Rachael?” Olivia reminded. “She will be back anytime with Andy.” Olivia looked at Detective Gram. “Let her stay until Rachael gets back. Please.”
“I don’t know what’s going on,” the detective admitted to his lack of information, “but I remember the mention of interdimensional travel. I’m guessing that’ll take a lot longer than you expect. I can’t be waiting out here all night. And, because I can’t, neither can Lox. Also,” he looked to Emily and her severe injuries, “she needs to go to the hospital sooner rather than later.”
“Shit,” Emily blurted. “He’s right. I can barely move, and my skin is literally peeling off. I’ve gone numb which is why I haven’t noticed, but there’s no waiting around here unless I want to risk going into shock. It’ll just have to be you and Ligaya, Olivia.”
“Are you sure?” Olivia did not like the idea of concluding things here. “We’re so close. Rachael is getting Andy right now.”
“We’ve already finished,” Emily recognized. “What’s left is just us wrapping up the mess. I trust you can handle the rest. Wait for your husband. I’m going to go see mine. Now, can someone call an ambulance?”
“No need.” Detective Gram offered, “I’ll drop you off at the hospital. Nobody will ask questions.”
“Thank you,” Emily appreciated.
Detective Gram stepped up and presented his hand which Emily took. But, as injured as she was, she needed more than that to get to her feet. Marcy added the extra assistance by holding Emily beneath her arms to lift her. The three made their way to the car and placed Emily in the passenger seat.
Still standing outside with Detective Gram, Marcy wandered back on what she had wondered before, “You never answered why you decided to help.”
Detective Gram took a drag from his cigarette. In no serious tone, he said so flippantly, “I thought that was obvious. I have hope in humanity. That includes you, too. Everybody, and I do mean everybody, should have the chance at redemption.”
Marcy gave a breathy chuckle at the hard-to-believe statement. With her curiosity resolved, she got into the back seat.
Detective Gram returned to the driver’s seat.
Once each of them was situated, Emily rolled down her window to make one last offering to Olivia and Ligaya, “Good luck, you two.”
“Be safe,” Olivia offered in return.
“That’s really up to him,” Emily joked as she looked at the detective.
He deadpanned, “As long as nobody side swipes me off a cliff again, we should be fine.”
“Sorry about that,” Olivia felt guilted into saying.
He did not respond.
Emily retook the conversation, “I’m still impressed you would go to such lengths.” Then there was a thoughtful pause. But there was nothing left to say. She just repeated, “Good luck.”
The car began to drive off. Emily and Marcy gave a wave as they went. Ligaya and Olivia returned the gesture until it was only them left in the parking lot to wait.