sparkindarkness (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sparkindarkness) wrote2005-04-05 10:04 pm
sparkindarkness) wrote2005-04-05 10:04 pm
Predator's Predator 7 - A new threat emerges.
At last! I have pushed off the damn lethargy - now my enthusiasm has been returned.
Why does everything always come back in such a rush? I am TRYING, REALLY TRYING to keep to a story arc rather than scatter shot - but no promises, I'm afraid.
Anyways, a dust off of Predator's Predator. Previous chapters, as ever, are in my memory, though this is fairly stand alone.
Father Michaels twisted the note between his fingers ruefully, the rustling of paper a counterpoint to the clicking of beads in his other hand. Regret and recriminations pooled in his mind, silently accusing behind his eyes. Had he been too complacent? Had he assumed victory too early? Was he proud? Or was he tired? Lazy, falling to the sin of sloth as he desperately wished for an ending before the battle was won?
Only God knew the answers. He could only pray for forgiveness and guidance, and the strength to continue his task and finish what was started. He rose from where he knelt in front of the altar and tucked his rosary back into his belt. He needed to speak to Ian - there could be no rest for either of them.
He entered the vestry, a room long since given over to practical rather than spiritual pursuits to find Ian training Lakshmi. Or, rather, to find Lakshmi sprawled on the floor in front of a dummy while Ian looked down at her.
“No matter how hard you kick them, Lakshmi, you will not put them down and out with a single blow. Stop trying to hit so hard and concentrate on balance. You need to be in a position to follow through with your attack and balance is the key to a good sequence.”
Father Michaels cleared his throat politely. Lakshmi jumped, nearly falling again as she pulled herself to her feet. Ian merely nodded. Father Michaels half expected him to criticise her obliviousness, but Ian held back. He was a good teacher, he seemed to know when a pupil had reached a point where they would resent any more critiques -and when they would berate themselves fiercely for their own failings without any need for him to break his silence.
“Kieran has reported another death. Another young man who the authorities care little about. Dr. Chen has confirmed that she believes that the same perpetrators are responsible, despite it being less prolonged than the others, exsanguination less complete. However, she cautions us that that she cannot conclusively prove this death and the previous ones are linked.”
Ian smiled humourlessly, grimly. Both were familiar with Dr. Mary Chen’s extreme dislike of unconfirmed knowledge and dangerous assumptions.
“There is more tragic news. The young man died trying to protect his sisters… both have been taken. Kieran tells me they are very pretty young ladies.”
“They will be turned.” Ian said, grimly.
“Unless we stop it. Yes.” Ian twitched a questioning eyebrow at the priest. “We have a chance to prevent an evil happening, Ian, rather than avenging one. I would ask that you try.”
Ian sat down silently, flipping a small knife from its hiding place and twirling it through his fingers as he thought, an old habit and an old comfort. He had always used weapons as touch stones for comfort.
“Course we’ll try!” Lakshmi bristled. “We can’t let them become vampires!” Father Michaels shook his head sadly. Ian ignored her.
“We can’t!” She growled, marching towards him. “Do you hear me?” She kicked him in the shin. Well, tried to kick him in the shin. His leg moved and somehow her foot got tangled with his and she fell heavily backwards, wincing.
“I told you, balance is the key.” Ian said absently, not even looking up. Lakshmi growled angrily from the floor. Father Michaels put a hand on the girl’s shoulder, a gentle request for silence. His eyes never left Ian.
“Do we know where they are?” Ian asked.
“Kieran has his suspicions… but only suspicions. I believe Marlena may know more.” Not a flicker of disapproval crossed the priest’s face as he mentioned the mystic. He had long since learned where the true evil lurked.
“I will speak to Kieran, then go to Marlena.”
“You will try to rescue them? Or avenge them?” Father Michaels asked, his voice carefully not putting weight on either option. His hand tightened on Lakshmi’s shoulder, urging her to silence.
“Rescue… if possible. Avenge if not.” Without another word he turned and left the room. Lakshmi quickly scrambled to her feet after him. Father Michaels prayed. Prayed that they would be able to rescue someone for once, that they wouldn’t be seeking vengeance for another victim. Or, worse still, that they wouldn’t have to put these victims down if they were turned.
Why does everything always come back in such a rush? I am TRYING, REALLY TRYING to keep to a story arc rather than scatter shot - but no promises, I'm afraid.
Anyways, a dust off of Predator's Predator. Previous chapters, as ever, are in my memory, though this is fairly stand alone.
Father Michaels twisted the note between his fingers ruefully, the rustling of paper a counterpoint to the clicking of beads in his other hand. Regret and recriminations pooled in his mind, silently accusing behind his eyes. Had he been too complacent? Had he assumed victory too early? Was he proud? Or was he tired? Lazy, falling to the sin of sloth as he desperately wished for an ending before the battle was won?
Only God knew the answers. He could only pray for forgiveness and guidance, and the strength to continue his task and finish what was started. He rose from where he knelt in front of the altar and tucked his rosary back into his belt. He needed to speak to Ian - there could be no rest for either of them.
He entered the vestry, a room long since given over to practical rather than spiritual pursuits to find Ian training Lakshmi. Or, rather, to find Lakshmi sprawled on the floor in front of a dummy while Ian looked down at her.
“No matter how hard you kick them, Lakshmi, you will not put them down and out with a single blow. Stop trying to hit so hard and concentrate on balance. You need to be in a position to follow through with your attack and balance is the key to a good sequence.”
Father Michaels cleared his throat politely. Lakshmi jumped, nearly falling again as she pulled herself to her feet. Ian merely nodded. Father Michaels half expected him to criticise her obliviousness, but Ian held back. He was a good teacher, he seemed to know when a pupil had reached a point where they would resent any more critiques -and when they would berate themselves fiercely for their own failings without any need for him to break his silence.
“Kieran has reported another death. Another young man who the authorities care little about. Dr. Chen has confirmed that she believes that the same perpetrators are responsible, despite it being less prolonged than the others, exsanguination less complete. However, she cautions us that that she cannot conclusively prove this death and the previous ones are linked.”
Ian smiled humourlessly, grimly. Both were familiar with Dr. Mary Chen’s extreme dislike of unconfirmed knowledge and dangerous assumptions.
“There is more tragic news. The young man died trying to protect his sisters… both have been taken. Kieran tells me they are very pretty young ladies.”
“They will be turned.” Ian said, grimly.
“Unless we stop it. Yes.” Ian twitched a questioning eyebrow at the priest. “We have a chance to prevent an evil happening, Ian, rather than avenging one. I would ask that you try.”
Ian sat down silently, flipping a small knife from its hiding place and twirling it through his fingers as he thought, an old habit and an old comfort. He had always used weapons as touch stones for comfort.
“Course we’ll try!” Lakshmi bristled. “We can’t let them become vampires!” Father Michaels shook his head sadly. Ian ignored her.
“We can’t!” She growled, marching towards him. “Do you hear me?” She kicked him in the shin. Well, tried to kick him in the shin. His leg moved and somehow her foot got tangled with his and she fell heavily backwards, wincing.
“I told you, balance is the key.” Ian said absently, not even looking up. Lakshmi growled angrily from the floor. Father Michaels put a hand on the girl’s shoulder, a gentle request for silence. His eyes never left Ian.
“Do we know where they are?” Ian asked.
“Kieran has his suspicions… but only suspicions. I believe Marlena may know more.” Not a flicker of disapproval crossed the priest’s face as he mentioned the mystic. He had long since learned where the true evil lurked.
“I will speak to Kieran, then go to Marlena.”
“You will try to rescue them? Or avenge them?” Father Michaels asked, his voice carefully not putting weight on either option. His hand tightened on Lakshmi’s shoulder, urging her to silence.
“Rescue… if possible. Avenge if not.” Without another word he turned and left the room. Lakshmi quickly scrambled to her feet after him. Father Michaels prayed. Prayed that they would be able to rescue someone for once, that they wouldn’t be seeking vengeance for another victim. Or, worse still, that they wouldn’t have to put these victims down if they were turned.