The Collector

Fun Ghoul flopped heavily back onto the bed and, turning his back to the wall, buried his head in the pillow. There was a part of him that just wanted to give up and sleep forever. His beloved Party had been taken to BLI by Korse. Despite his assurances to Evelyn, Ghoul knew that he had no intention of returning him to the museum, at least not with his mind intact if he did.
Jet, Kobra and Red had seen him apparently shot whilst trying to escape. He still didn’t know how she had done it, but from the range he was hit they would almost certainly believe him to be dead. Worse still he had no doubt that both Sorby and Evelyn would confirm it if questioned. If so, would they escape and leave him behind? He knew Kobra needed to get as far from that woman as possible so she could no longer torture him with the governor she had implanted.

They would also want to rescue Party, of course. If they believed him dead, they might easily leave him rather than slow themselves down with a body. A live Party was more important than a dead Ghoul.

And finally, he was locked in the private apartments of a woman he hated who wanted him in ways he knew he could never deliver. Drawing his legs up to his chest, his shoulders sagged as he forced himself to release the pent-up tension in his pain-racked body. He wasn’t sure if he would ever see his friends or Party again. Despite his misery, he was trying not to give up hope, but it seemed so far out of reach.

Closing his eyes, he drifted into a disturbed sleep but he was certain that none of the worst things he imagined could come close to what was happening to Party.

*

Having dragged her to a far corner of the room and used her belt to tie her hands, Little Red leaned over Evelyn and slapped her repeatedly across the face. By the time she finally came to, her cheeks were red, slightly swollen and sore.

“About time too!” she hissed. “Now then, if you scream or make any move to alert anyone, I will snap your neck. And don’t think I can’t do it. I trained in martial arts at BLI under none other than Kobra Kid, so you know I can, if you give me reason to. Got it?”

Evelyn merely nodded silently; despite her diminutive size, there was something about Red’s presence and assured aggression that seemed to fill the room.

“Now, talk, quietly. What have you done with Fun Ghoul?”
“He’s dead,” she lied. “Even if you didn’t see, you heard me shoot him.”

Red laughed lightly and shook her head. “No, I’m not buying it. I saw the way you looked at him before you shot. That was not a look of ‘Oh, no! My prisoner’s escaping.’ That was, ‘You’re mine and you’re going nowhere.’”
“You’re imagining things,” Evelyn said dryly.
“No, I’m not. If nothing else, after all the money you’ve sunk into this exhibition, you’re not going to kill one of your exhibits. Now, where is he?” Red pressed.

Evelyn merely glared back refusing to speak.

“Okay, if that’s how it’s going to be, I’ll just snap your neck and look for him,” Red replied nonchalantly, reaching toward Evelyn’s head.
“No!” she cried, pulling back. “If you do, you’ll never find him.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that.” Red chuckled. “But at least you’ve confirmed that he is alive. Now, is he hurt?”
“Of course not, just a bit weak, maybe.”
“Right, you’re going to take me to him.” Red pulled her to her feet. “Oh, and if I find that your device has in any way harmed Kobra, I will still snap your neck. In fact, I’ll twist your head right off! Do you understand me?”

Evelyn nodded unhappily. Damn Jet and this girl! Damn Candi and Ice! Had they double-crossed them for the money? If they had, then when this was over, they would be dead.
Reluctantly, Evelyn silently led Red through the maze of corridors towards her private quarters. The hope of meeting one of the museum’s guards dwindling the closer they got to her own suite of rooms. The museum was far too large for the few guards to cover all the ground and so most would have headed for the exits to make sure no one escaped. Only a small contingent patrolled the halls waiting to find the escaped Killjoys before calling in the others to close the net. In theory it should have worked, but the Killjoys were much more familiar with this game of cat and mouse to be captured so easily.

*

Kobra tapped Jet’s arm lightly as a familiar figure walked by. His gun drawn, Sorby stalked the corridors and rooms helping with the search. Kobra made a move forward, only to be held back by Jet’s firm grip.

“You sure you’re strong enough?” he whispered.

Kobra nodded his reply; the absolute certainty and hatred set in his eyes made Jet release him immediately. Kobra looked as though he had never been more ready. Jet raised an eyebrow, impressed by the younger man’s stealth as he approached Sorby soundlessly. Jet’s eyes flew open in astonishment as not only was he ready, but Kobra leapt up apparently effortlessly before delivering two separate kicks with both feet to Sorby’s back before landing silently.

Sorby received both kicks in almost the exact same spot in the centre of his back, just at the base of his lungs, driving the air from them. Crumpling immediately to his knees, Sorby gasped for breath, disorientated and in pain. He wasn’t even aware of Kobra’s presence until he placed a hand around his throat, dragging him backwards and down, forcing him back over his calves, rendering him unable to move except his arms, which for now merely flailed at his side in his distress.

“Where’s Ghoul?” Kobra snapped.

Despite the danger of his predicament, Sorby was determined remain loyal to Evelyn, at least he would try.

“Dead,” he choked out. “You saw her shoot him.”

Both Kobra and Jet faltered momentarily. Without the advantage of a female perspective where Red had seen more behind Evelyn’s eyes than a clinical need to prevent his escape, they had no reason to doubt his word. That had been exactly what they had both witnessed, but both had prayed that their eyes had deceived them in some way.

“Wrong answer,” Kobra growled dragging Sorby, still by the neck, into a nearby exhibition room. “Get up!”

Sorby was uncertain; was it safer to stay put or to do as he was told? The expression burning on Kobra’s face told him everything he needed to know. Pushing himself slowly to his feet, and still struggling to breathe easily, he was barely standing for a moment before Kobra delivered a roundhouse kick that physically lifted the man from the floor and deposited him some six feet back from where he had been standing.

“Remind me not to get on your bad side!” Jet’s expression hung somewhere between shocked and impressed and he absently scratched the side of his head, his fingers part disappearing into his hair.
Without a word, Kobra moved forward only to be stopped by Jet placing a hand on his chest.
“He’s out cold and you’re still recovering.”

Jet made sense, but Kobra hated that sometimes. This man had just told them that their friend, his brother’s boyfriend, was dead. Kobra wanted blood.

“I just wanna…”
“I know,” Jet now placed his left hand on Kobra’s chest beside the right and shook his head.

Jet stared into Kobra’s eyes and inside them he saw the same immeasurable sadness reflected back. Kobra desperately wanted to make Sorby suffer for what he had done, but more now would serve no purpose but to exhaust his already weakened body and possibly draw attention. Kobra’s shoulders dropped and he looked away, no longer able to view the depth of pain in his friend’s eyes. Suddenly pulled forward, Kobra went easily into Jet’s arms as they briefly comforted each other at the loss of their friend.

“Come on,” Jet choked out, patting Kobra’s back before breaking the hug. “Let’s find Red. We need to get Party out of BLI before we lose him too.”

As the two men stepped apart, the sound of laser fire drew their attention. Heading toward the door, they spotted two guards firing high, some sort of warning shot, maybe? But why? Drawing his gun, Jet dispatched the first easily then fired quickly again before the second had chance to react.

“Jet?” a familiar voice called.

Turning, Jet leaned out and peered into the corridor only to see the reason behind the guards aiming high. Holding onto Evelyn’s still bound wrists, Red had made a very small target behind her and the guards had taken no risks.

“Red,” Jet replied as he and Kobra stepped from the room. Immediately, Red could see that the pair were subdued and their eyes bloodshot.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, pushing Evelyn forward once more.
“You bitch!” Kobra screamed, racing toward Evelyn and slamming her against the wall.
Evelyn’s eyes briefly rolled back in her head as it struck the wall. Held up by Kobra’s strong hand around her throat, Evelyn now stared at him, terrified by the murderous rage in his eyes.
“You torture me, let Korse take Party and you ghost Ghoul! I’m going to take you apart slowly, piece by piece!” he yelled as Jet stood watch.
“No, Kobra, she hasn’t,” Red placed a hand on Kobra’s shoulder, shaking him to get his attention.
“What?” he asked, confused by the revelation.
“But we saw her shoot him… And Sorby said…” Jet tilted his head, pausing as he searched Red’s expression for confirmation.
“He’s still alive!” she nodded. “She told me.”
“Sorby lied so we’d leave him with her? Is that what he thought we’d do?”
“This one too,” Red pulled spitefully on the belt fastened firmly around Evelyn’s wrists. “But I got it out of her. She’s got him locked up in her suite. Thinks she can make him love her.”

Kobra gave a sneering laugh at the idea.

“You honestly thought that, did you,” Kobra shook his head.
“No man has ever refused me,” she replied haughtily.
“I bet Ghoul did,” he chuckled again.
“Temporary resistance, that’s all,” she shook off his condescension. “Stubbornly trying to hold onto his freedom.”
“Well, you know if you have to lock someone up, they’re really not that into you. And just so you know: Ghoul? You’re not his type,” Kobra smirked at her lack of understanding.

Jet levelled his gun squarely at Evelyn’s head whilst he spoke.

“Oh,” Jet glowered menacingly, “and if it turns out that it’s actually you who’s lying and he is dead, we’re all going to take turns killing you in our own very special ways.”

Kobra offered Jet a sidelong glance; he had never seen him so obviously threatening before. Yes, he could get angry. And yes, no one would ever want to be on his bad side, but this was different. Was this entirely about Ghoul, or was he still upset about whatever that piece of cloth was?

“Jet?” Kobra began only to be immediately cut off.
“Take us to Ghoul, and no tricks,” Jet ordered, glaring harshly at Evelyn. “Don’t forget, we’re all just a hair’s breadth away from killing you… painfully.”
“Move, bitch!” Kobra added spitefully, glowering threateningly.

Evelyn nodded in defeat as Kobra pushed her forward. She had mocked them earlier for their supposed ill-deserved reputation, but she knew she had spoken much too soon. Right now, they had the advantage and she honestly couldn’t see them relinquishing it. The best she could hope for at the moment was that she would survive.

"Jet?" Red enquired, lagging behind, as Kobra continued to shove Evelyn forward down the corridor. "Do you have my piece of blanket?"
"Yeah," he nodded still staring ahead, "it's in my pocket. Do you want it now?"
"Umm, no, it's okay," she began hesitantly. "You're distant again," she ventured. "Like you were in the car after... when we were coming here. Where do you go?"

It was a subtler question than 'are you okay?' which would have been much easier to brush off. Jet swallowed before taking a deep breath. Part of him really wasn't sure how to answer, there were so many gaps and uncertainties.

"You remember I told you about the accident when I was a kid?"
"Yeah?" Red encouraged.
"Well, Doc told me that the electromagnetism in the spike mine that the car hit, or vice versa, had probably scrambled my memory. There's a lot I don't remember and, by extension, things that I don’t know that I don’t know. If you see what I mean?"
"You mean you know that there are memories you can’t access, but there may be memories you’re not even aware are missing?" Red clarified, happy when Jet nodded. "Have you remembered one? Or do you think you might have?"

Jet exhaled almost sadly before looking down at the woman beside him; he almost seemed to be examining her and his brow creased as he did.

"I don't know. I wish I could be sure," he admitted. "Can I ask, what is that bit of blanket you carry around?"

Red frowned; Jet seemed very private at times and now here he was again, just on the edge of a memory and he was changing the subject. It was tempting to refuse to answer - she could be private too. But, what would that achieve? He lived with with three other guys; talking about anything other than cars and guns probably wasn't something he was used to. Besides, no one had, for a very long time, shown any interest in engaging her on a personal level as Jet had done frequently since they met. Yes, there had been sexual encounters, but whilst they had been fun, there was nothing truly meaningful to look back on and there hadn’t been for some time. She had preferred it that way, but now? Maybe it was time to open up a little?

"My mom made it for me," she answered, smiling at the memory.
"Made it?" Jet replied, his eyes wide with surprise.

Fishing the still slightly damp cloth from his pocket, he stared at the design. A piece of what was once cream coloured blanket with red, smiley-faced stars embroidered carefully, even professionally on to it.

"It... it wasn't bought like this?" he asked.
"Well, the blanket was, but mom embroidered it. She was really good too. She made a red one for me and a blue one for my brother."

Jet halted immediately, his heart racing, his head light. Lifting a shaking hand to his mouth, he leaned back against the wall breathing heavily, almost gasping for breath.

"Jet?" Red cried in alarm. "Kobra! Something's wrong!"

Kobra turned and seeing the concern on her face, immediately looked at Jet and understood why. He was trembling and pale; he appeared as though he might pass out at any moment. Shoving Evelyn back against the wall and to the floor, Kobra moved quickly to Jet’s side.

“Watch her,” he pointed to Evelyn whilst addressing Red.

The words sounded abrupt but Red knew he was just worried for his friend. As an added security measure, Red forced the woman to lie face down on the floor. With her arms still bound behind her, there was no way she could quickly get to her feet to escape. Red also enjoyed the additional bonus of piling on the humiliation for what she had done to all of them.

“Jet?” Kobra began softly. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” Jet put his hand to his forehead and noticed for the first time that his eyes had misted and closing them caused his lashes to dampen. “I think… I've sort of remembered something.”

Red looked up. From what he had said earlier, he hadn't remembered anything new for years. This was huge, but what had triggered it?

“What?” Kobra smiled, hoping it was a good memory; they needed something positive. So many unpleasant and depressing things had happened to all of them for far too long. “What is it?”
“I don’t know,” Jet complained. “Not really. I’ve more… well I think I've worked something out, but I still don’t actually remember.”
“Jet, you're not making sense, man,” Kobra frowned, frustrated by the lack of information. “Out with it!”

Jet pursed his lips and looked over at Red.

"Red?" He began shakily and taking a deep breath. "Was your brother's name Ray?"

Kobra’s eyes almost popped at the question and its significance.

"Yes!" She cried elated as the memory flooded back. Beaming broadly, she continued: "How did you know?"

Reaching into a zipped inner pocket, Jet withdrew a small piece of cloth. It was old, grubby and tatty, but still very much intact. A piece of blanket with blue smiley-faced stars embroidered on it.

Red's eyes suddenly widened and her lips parted in shock, as she looked from the blanket piece to Jet’s eyes, now brimming with tears.

“Ray?” Her voice barely registered above a whisper, the word almost sticking in her throat as her mouth dried.

Her answer was an almost imperceptible nod and in less than a blink of an eye, Jet was pulling her into his arms, holding her close as if he was afraid to let go. Both of them found themselves struggling to breathe with the enormity of the realisation.

“She’s your sister?” Kobra asked quietly.

It was a rhetorical question but Jet nodded anyway, his face buried deep into her hair. Kobra was dumbfounded; he hadn't even been aware that Jet had a sister, but then, neither had Jet.

“Well,” Kobra shook his head. “Fuck me sideways and call me Sally!”

Notes

Heya

Hope you're enjoying this :) Sorry I riot to the end before checking in on Party. Next chapter, I promise! Ghoul will have a lot to say about this development, I'm sure! :D

Comments etc are welcomed and positively encouraged! :P

Sas xx