Town and Turret: The Tale of Castle Gothica

[HumanePain]

Chapter 15

Reclining in the back seat of her car as she was leaving the poor side of town, Molly was relieved to leave this part of town without anyone recognizing her. Why did some...professionals live well like Von Troop, and others preferred anonymous poverty like Emerald? Her latest contact was certainly not cheap: 50% of the take! But now Molly was buying revenge, not just getting money. She was vindictive, but resourceful. Because of the recall expenses, she was beginning to run low on cash, but her finances could be replenished with the money that would be paid by none other than Mrs. Dawn Raven herself! That is, assuming her latest plan didn't fail as the previous two. But she had an over abundance of confidence. She smiled at the visual image of killing two birds with one stone. Doves, with bright red splattered over white feathers.

...............................................

Emerald Woulf had her backpack filled and ready. The young woman's attractive and seductive face belied her muscular strength, like Crimson Von Paine, but where Crimson's face was angelic, blue eyes on a fair and freckled face, Emerald's was the face of Delilah, irresistible and fatal to men. Dark green eyes that were half closed in perennial loving gaze, an abundant lower lip that begged to be tasted, dark thick flowing hair, like the dense grasses that cover the hillsides after good rains, revealing the wind with waves of life. Her use of bicycle instead of car kept her in top condition, and now she carried her bike down the stairs of the run down apartments. She was the only young woman who walked the area with her head held high, and with confidence, no guttersnipe could walk without fear here. The alcoholics and thieves, the losers and washed up all knew she could end their lives in a second. After the third attempt to **** her had ended with a broken neck for the assailant the attacks and whistles stopped. She looked up at the sky: good! A windy night with dark clouds. A good night for her to do her homework.

.......................

In the evening wind. the trees were clapping their hands and bowing as if to applaud the Sun's final encore of light. But it was Night's turn now, and it would not be quiet. The brisk wind whipped leaves high in the air, confusing observers as to bat or bird. But Emerald paid no attention to nature, night and wind were only part of the background, co-conspirators who would provide her cover. She kept her focus on the mansion at the end of the dirt road she was riding on. When she came with a quarter mile she left the road and pedaled harder over the thickening forest floor and leaves, to go around to the back of the estate. She left her bike against a tree and began hiking the rest of the way.

The trees were still noisy as she approached the home. All was dark, but what appeared to be the second story master bedroom. Another upstairs window revealed the nursery: yellow curtains, with horses and dogs.
There were no drain spouts, and the nearest tree was fifty feet or more away. This would be a little tricky. She put down her backpack and pulled out a an extensible metal rod, with a hook on one end. She tied a rope to the rings on the side of the pole and then lifted it to the nursery window. The wind was still making enough noise she decided, and lifted the hook to the window sill. The window was built well, and as she tested it knew it would hold her 120 pound weight. She climbed, soft soled shoes gently but securely planting each step on the stone side of the house.

Peering in the window, stealing glances in between where the curtains joined, she saw the child's bed. Empty! The child must be sleeping with his mother tonight. This would be tougher than she thought.

[Magila]

Marvelously written H.P. ! I demand more !

[HumanePain]

15 chapters but only 9,631 words. I think the chapters need to be longer.
I will continue this story at least until mid-spring when I hope it will reach novel length. At that time I will compile all of my stories and poems and prose into a 100,000 word anthology, and privately publish it for my own entertainment (mainly to hand out to freinds and family. They will make nice door prizes at my funeral. )

[Bella Sophia]

You're going to make my character more rebellious, right? Right?

[Underwater Ophelia]

Let him write his own story.

[Duane]

Yes, this is his story, let him write it how he sees fit.

[Crying_Crimson_Tears]

Humane, this is giving me chills now. I am loving this more and more. And the suspense is wonderful....

[Tha Duckman]

Boy, you sure do like the taste of shit, don't ya!

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by Tha Duckman

Boy, you sure do like the taste of shit, don't ya!

Says the guy who never posted a single story.

[Tha Duckman]

Your point being?

[Underwater Ophelia]

Originally Posted by HumanePain

Says the guy who never posted a single story.

I think he meant that CCT is a kissass, not that your story is shit.

[Tha Duckman]

Yup. It ain't all about you, ya know. It's all about ME!

[drewsilla]

Interesting. Keep it coming!!

[HumanePain]

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hi dear readers. Just thought I would let you know that looking back I realize the cumbersome and less prosy sentence "The trees were still noisy" could have been better written as "The trees were still rustling". I read and reread before submitting but I still miss errors here and there. (sigh) But it feels good to be immersed in the challenge of writing again! I had been away too long since my last story (which remains unfinished "East meets West: The Dark Lord". Anyway, enough remorse, and now, on to the story!

.................................................. .......................


Renatus and Crimson were silent as they walked downtown, leaving the Mayor's office. After Mrs. Raven civic act of support, Renatus had suggested to Von Paine that the Clan donate funds to the effort as well. Von Paine had readily agreed and was pleased that he had made the suggestion on his own, demonstrating leadership initiative. It would help the young man to strengthen his power base, and help make more certain the recall failed.

As they left the Mayor's office and were walking downstairs, Renatus had suggested they stop for lunch at the Club, to which Crimson agreed: they had great sandwiches and salads. But since they left the chamber building, Renatus had been silent. Crimson had also remained silent, assuming her charge had great thoughts to consider. He was after all her father's first choice and must obviously be almost as smart if not smarter than him. She avoided breaking the silence.

They arrived at the Club, feeling a little strange as they entered since Duane had not greeted them, he was still recovering. But they proceeded in and went to a booth with a stained glass window.

Bete-Noir, who had given Sarah the key to the club the night Sir Canvas had become intoxicated, came up to take to order.

"Mr. Renatus, a pleasure to serve you." He turned to Crimson.
"And an even greater pleasure to serve you Miss..."

"Von Paine"

Bete-Noir's eyes opened wide as he drew back.

"Not the one who saved the Mayor? This order will be on the house Miss!"

"Thank you, that is very kind." Crimson was enjoying a little fame, but she looked up at Renatus, who did not seem to approve. Well, she didn't need another father telling her how to simply say thank you to a stranger who paid her a compliment! She smiled even more broadly at the waiter. He bowed and presented menus.

"I'll return for your order."

Crimson was trained by her father to observe minutiae. She watched Renatus regard the departing waiter with the barest hint of a scowl, and watched him move his hands on top of the table, towards her and then clench them, his head bowing to her before speaking.

"Crimson, your father said you should keep a low profile, I don't think that included loud conversations about your skill. I think you should keep from conversing too much with other men. I mean people."

Crimson was getting a funny feeling. She decided to experiment.

"All I said was 'thank you, it wasn't like I was ...flirting with him'".
But she said it without resentment. She watched him intently.

"Well it seemed very friendly to me. I mean, not that I care, but friendly small talk can lead to ...more trusting conversations, where, you know, something might be compromised."

He looked down as he said this last part, and then looked up at her, and then furrowed his dark eyebrows as if to seem stern.

She became brave in her experimenting. She patted his hand, and let it stay there.
"Or someone might be ...compromised."

He was quick to reply.

"Exactly! We must be careful in these times."

Crimson smiled, and pulled her hand back as Bete-Noir returned.

.................................................. ........................

Renatus had been thinking great thoughts, but they were not about chess moves with enemies.

Ever since that night, when Crimson deflected the shot, the scene played back in his mind. There he was on the stage, watching Sgt. Westebbe jump down between Mir and Crimson. There was the struggle. There was the raised gun and Duane leaping in front of the Mayor. And below was Crimson.

He pictured her in every detail: shiny and healthy nails of her left hand clawed into Mir's shoulder, her other hand gripping the doomed man's forearm without hesitation, the button down dress failing to conceal her left leg splayed forward and her right leg pushing her up on tiptoe, to lift the pistol's aim with her whole body, causing her clothes to stretch taught and revealing female curves. And her face: cheeks rosy with the surge of her circulation as her body went into action, bright blue eyes sparkling in the chamber's lights with short locks of brown hair floating about her forehead. Her mouth and lips expressing determination and resolve.

But this was madness! What was he thinking? She was Von Paine's daughter. It would be cliche to be thought of as trying for the daughter of the man in power. And besides, it wasn't like he ...liked her...or anything like that.

And now she was seated across the table from him, he could smell her perfume. She was distracting him, and...he had forgotten what he was going to say. Damn.

[HumanePain]

Damn it, I forgot to say Chapter 16!!! ARGH!

[Stormtrooper of Death]

Very excellent sir.

[HumanePain]

Originally Posted by Stormtrooper of Death

Very excellent sir.

Thank you , and I must say I love your avatar from Apocalypse Now.

[emeraldlonewoulf]

Thank you so much for including me. It's fun to see a doppelganger in print. So complementary too, even if it does appear she is about to perform a kidnapping or other dastardly deed.

Originally Posted by HumanePain

15 chapters but only 9,631 words. I think the chapters need to be longer.
I will continue this story at least until mid-spring when I hope it will reach novel length. At that time I will compile all of my stories and poems and prose into a 100,000 word anthology, and privately publish it for my own entertainment (mainly to hand out to freinds and family. They will make nice door prizes at my funeral. )

Ha ha! good idea. But... I want a signed copy, if you do.

also, clear your PM's.

[HumanePain]

Chapter 17

At the opposite end of the club, in a booth far from the sunlit and colorful stained glass windows, another couple was concentrating on each other in the darker shadows. Crimson and Renatus were not the only ones circling each other in fond consideration. In fact, these lovers were both sitting on the same side of the booth together.

"Come Canvas old bean, let's have another bottle, we don't often have much time together and the night is young!"

Sir Canvas turned his tipsy head with half closed eyes towards Duchmann in playful suspicion.

"It's the afternoon, not evening, and I kicked you out of bed just this morning! You only want to get me drunk to try and take advantage of me. You're insatiable!" And he tossed back his head to gulp the last of his wine.

Duchmann played with the young and handsome aristocrat's wavy locks of brown hair, twirling them on his fingers and then turning his hand down to rest on his lover's shoulder.

"Now dear boy..." Duchmann sniffed the locks that tumbled about Canvas' shoulders "You love it too. Admit it."

Sir Canvas slowly turned his head with a smile and gazed at Duchmann.

"Well maybe."

Duchmann thought the timing was right.

"And maybe you will help old Molly and I with recalling that dreadful bitch too hmmm? Then I can be in charge, and you can come live with me at the castle! You always carry on about how you love the castle. Come now, just a few thousand or so. You can make the checks out directly to the printer who is making the recall paperwork. You would be doing the public a great civil service!" He kissed the young man on the cheek.

Sir Canvas put his chin to his chest and raised his shoulders.

"Stop it!" But he laughed. "Not here you devil!" But he placed his hand on top of Duchmann's, whose hand was on his thigh.

"Then let's go the castle." Duchmann whispered. "I want you. Now."

[Underwater Ophelia]

Haha! You made him gay! He's gonna be so happy, I'll bet.

I appreciate that you put gay characters in it, that's fun.

[Tha Duckman]

Corpsey's the bitch in the relationship.

[Tha Duckman]

I can be anything you want me to be.

[Sir Canvas Corpsey]

I know my place Duckman *bends over*

[Tha Duckman]

Take it like the whore you are!!

[Pounds some butt].

[HumanePain]

Chapter 18

Mayor L'Oiseau was becoming concerned, not about the recall, but about her supporter and now friend, Mrs. Dawn Raven. Dawn had been very active in the anti-recall campaign, and now that it was coming up to the final several hundred signatures needed to bring the recall to a vote, it was very unlike her new friend to disappear without a word these last two days. Where was she?

"Bella, I am going to See Mrs. Raven. Please take messages and respond to queries that I am out for the remainder of the day. I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Yes your honor, have a good night."

The Mayor went to Security, and asked one the guards to accompany her to the Raven Estate. Brawny Ed Eigh volunteered with a nod. Ever since that night on the stage Lord Von Paine and Renatus had insisted she be guarded when out in public. Ed would intimidate any would be assailant with just his massive chest and biceps, and his clean shaven head. He preceded the Mayor downstairs and to the car.

..............................

The sun was setting as they approached the mansion, no wind tonight, but it had left no doubt of it's visit: the trees were all stripped bare of most of their leaves, thick branches clawing the dusk sky with black arms, the estate grounds covered in leaves of reds, yellows, brown and black. The mansion appeared isolated as it stood alone in the forest clearing. The Mayor thought it odd that there no lights in any of the windows. She looked for a sign that a child lived here, a bicycle or ball, but there was no sign of play anywhere.
The car pulled up to the front driveway.

"Better let me see if anyone's home first your honor. I'll be just a minute."

Noir watched Ed walk up the porch steps to the double doors, his burly frame between the entry columns reminding her of Samson before he brought down the temple. She leaned out the window.

"Be careful Ed. I don't like the looks of things!"

Ed turned around to look at her but only nodded. He knocked on the door and waited. He knocked again.

It seemed no one was home.

"Ed, would you please look around? I am worried about Dawn."

"Yes ma'am." Ed walked to the side of the house. The porch surrounded the home, with an extended eve. There were chairs scattered here and there. He walked around the corner out of sight, footsteps in a slow and steady beat on the planks.

Noir looked about her as she waited in the car. It was getting dark now, she could no longer see where the treetops ended and the sky began. The house was a dim silhouette against a veiled night.

She turned back to the house, straining to hear Ed.
Quiet, not even crickets.

She decided to get out of the car, and walk up to the porch. She wanted to look in the foyer window to see if there were any lights, anything at all.

The car door squeaked as she opened it, as if to ruin any attempt at stealth by announcing her. She climbed up the stairs quietly, and leaned forward to the entrance window.

Then the door opened quickly with a tall figure bursting out! She fell back, screaming with an inrush of air and clutching her neck!

"Sorry your honor, did I scare you?" Ed had opened the door from inside!

"Wha...what are you doing?" She was still catching her breath and closed her eyes with relief. "What are you doing inside?"

"I went around and saw her through the back window. I thought I should, she... You better come see this."

The Mayor's heart had not slowed down since hearing Ed's foreboding words. He led the way back to the parlor, and striking a match, lit a candle on the table. There was food on the plates still, flies crawling around on it, stale and smelling. And there she was, seated in the wicker chair, holding a paper.

Noir looked closely at her friend. Dawn's eyes were glazed, but moist. Her face was pale but not black or blue, not a death mask. She was alive.

"Dawn! Dawn! What happened?"

Ed gently took the paper out of the comatose woman's hand and read it, squinting in the light. Then his eyes went wide and he handed the paper to the Mayor.

As she read it, her eyes opened wide. She looked up at Ed and then at Dawn.
And the mother started crying, and sobbing as she spoke:

"They took my BABY!"