Previously on: Suzanna Trench went to hell and back all for her best friend Bram Adams, she braved the nefarious Company and sorta defeated them (but not really). After being faced with the decision over the life of her best friend, who was a turned Company vampire, and the good of the city, which was plagued by these vampires, she chose Bram. The woman who dragged her on the adventure: Valentina Victor was not happy with this choice. In the end, the supposed villain Jacob Victor and Valentina spirited away, leaving Suzanna alone with an unconscious Bram with no real hope for survival...
Only after everything was said and done in the warehouse did Suzanna escape. It was actually quite easy to get out, in the end. She wasn't quite sure why she stayed actually; the fire was excruciatingly hot -- it must have been something to do with sentiment. Funny how vampires never caused her that problem before...
All of that for one dead vampire.
She couldn't bear to even think of his name; the pain was still so fresh in her mind. He was gone now though, and she was alone -- well, as alone as she would be at the moment. The crowd was becoming rather restless around her, what with her burn blisters and what not. She would get home and check it out. Some of them seemed genuinely concerned, but she was too numb to care.
---
Everything stung by the time she got home. She staggered into her bathroom and froze at the sight of her reflection. Nope, no skin left, she thought to herself as disbelief began to wash over her. Suzanna fought the uncanny urge to poke the yellow blisters that had begun to bubble to the surface.
The door cracked open behind her, and a certain nasty pink haired girl sauntered in.
"There you are, darling," she said casually, her eyes showing no reaction to her appearance. "I thought I had lost you back there."
Suzanna felt the flames of 1000 burning suns call upon her to smite Valentina Victor. She held them back... for now. "You," she rasped, her voice low and menacing.
"I'm hurt, you know. You didn't see me when I first came in; it was quite dramatic..."
Suzanna glared at her.
--
*instant replay*
*instant replay*
--
"Alright, alright," Suzanna seethed, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose gingerly, "But you're also single-handedly responsible for the worst fucking night of my life!" she shrieked.
Valentina's expression became vague. "Oh, right. Well, I thought we could get over that," she replied, beaming excitement. "I knew your hair would be burned, so I brought some scissors and styling product!"
Suzanna winced. "You just don't get it do you?" she said, incredulously.
"Darling, why don't you just get over it? It had to be done! If you weren't so emotional you would have been able to see that!" Valentina retorted, struggling to retaining her composure.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll just go turn off my emotions. Obviously, Valentina, not everybody is as as good at being as apathetic as yourself."
Something evil sparked in Valentina's eyes. "You're calling me names? You're just as cold blooded as me and you know it, Suzanna. You're just oblivious to it because your boyfriend was killed. This is a war, and whether you like it or not he was on their side"
"Don't you dare," Suzanna warned.
She let out an exasperated sigh, "I'm just trying to help you! Come back! If it helps I'll promise not to burn your face off next time."
"Get out of my house."
There was a heavy pause as both women viciously stared each other down.
"Fine," she breathed. "I'm obviously not wanted. I'll leave you to your wallowing," she spat and stormed out of the bathroom. The front door slammed and Valentina was gone.
--
Time to visit the family, Valentina mused outside. She didn't care for it much as she dialed her phone. A woman picked up on the second ring.
Valentina addressed her commandingly. "Hello, can you send a car down? … No, thanks." She hung up.
A nondescript car came for her; it was probably the least expensive car they had in the garage. Figures they would send this one for me. She climbed into the car without a word, and it drove off hastily.
--
The car dropped her off in front of the house. She felt nauseous whenever she approached it. While it may have been full of family, they despised her more than some of her enemies did. Reluctantly, she made her way up the long walk to the house.
She strode into the room; it was nice enough, lavish beyond belief. Her two siblings were sitting, talking to each other. Neither seemed remotely perturbed by her presence. Her mother was reading the paper, and didn't bother putting it down to look at Valentina.
"Good afternoon," Valentina said stiffly. Marie still didn't move.
"It says here that 41 Tilton burned down this morning," she remarked.
The pink headed girl cringed, "I’m aware."
"... And Jacob here says that you are responsible," she continued fluidly. "You know what I think about arson, Valentina."
She twitched in anger. "He practically burned it down himself! Were you aware of what he was doing in there?"
"Natalie told me everything," she said smoothly. "You didn't have to burn that building down. I hear our Suzanna got a bit of a scorching as well. Completely unnecessary."
"What?" she screeched, outraged. "He was torturing vampires for fun in there! Starving them half to death and allowing them to go on bloody rampages through the city until he called them back! How could you possibly condone that?"
Marie almost laughed, "Look at you, all morally righteous. I didn't think you cared that much, Valentina."
The pink haired girl was rattled. "You want uncaring? Look at my brother! He's the one you should be punishing! He's about as empathetic towards human beings as a soupcan!"
"Oh, Valentina... Your brother makes me money," she remarked, glancing over at him briefly, "That I can handle." She licked her lips. "You, on the other hand, simply enjoy burning things. You're a liability."
Valentina nearly took a step back, feeling slapped. "Aren't I your liability though?" She anxiously searched for her mother's last scrap of maternal instinct.
Her mother folded her paper in her lap. "Haven't I already told you that you're not anymore?" she questioned, her voice icy.
Valentina lowered her head, "Yes, mother," she replied softly.
"Now, please stop meddling."
The youngest daughter remained silent. Her eyes roved to her siblings; they were quietly looking at her, silently observing but not coming to her aid. Jacob looked quietly pleased with himself.
"Am I to be escorted out?" Valentina said at last.
"Only if you put up a fuss," Marie replied, returning her attention to the news paper. Valentina eyed her carefully. No matter what happened, they would not see her cry. She turned tail and fled the room.
Valentina turned out into the second hall, barely keeping her composure. What harm would another bonfire do? she wondered, Especially one full of these vile people.
She quickly moved towards the fireplace, and removed the bricks from the back of the mantle, exposing the insulation that ran throughout the entire mansion. No better place to set a fire than in a fire place.
A potted plant held the molotov cocktail she had stored. Dexterously, Valentina got out the small bottle and eyed it. Before she could move further there was a presence behind her.
"You don't need to do this," came the even voice of her sister. A hand was on her cocktail arm, gently holding her back in what could easily have been perceived as affection.
"Why the hell not?" Valentina replied fiercely, tears threatening to fall.
Natalie sighed, "Because there are other ways."
Valentina almost laughed. "I've already tried to take them down and it's not worth it! The Company simply cannot be stopped."
"Have you tried everything?" Natalie questioned, her voice intense, "It doesn't take much to slow the momentum of a top-heavy giant if you attack them at the head."
Valentina turned to face her sister -- Natalie smiled a rare smile.
"So we attack them from the head?" Valentina asked, the pieces suddenly falling into place in her head.
"They don't stand a chance against us."
--
Epilogue:
--
It had been three years since Suzanna had most of her skin burned off in a (retrospectively) horribly played rescue attempt. Since then, she had some time to think about what had happened. She had been horribly scarred, and had needed several skin grafts before she started to look normal again.
While her appearance was improving daily before she had undergone surgery, she couldn't go out in public without scaring small children. Eventually she stopped trying to look friendly; she openly scorned people who looked at her funny, and, naturally, was shunned in return. While she enjoyed the privacy, few came by to visit and she was beginning to feel lonely.
She hadn't spoken with the Company in all of that time. They had ruined her life in the end, but they weren't her problem anymore -- nothing was her problem except for getting healthy again.
It was kind of sad. Suzanna was tired. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
"What are you doing? Meditation? Wow, you really must be losing it."
Her eyes shot open. "Who said that?" she called out. No one answered. She sprung from her chair and looked around cautiously.
"You can't see me. I see how it is. I'll be over here if you need me."
Suzanna couldn't find the source of the voice no matter how hard she looked. Suddenly there was laughter from outside. She banged on the wall.
"What's going on out there?" she yelled. No answer. Oh that's how it is.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Suzanna screamed at the woman. She looked visibly alarmed as the bandaged woman got up in her face.
"Bugging my apartment for a laugh?" She continued menacingly.
"No, no, I swear! I -- I had nothing to do with anything I promise, I was just --" The girl was cut off by a ghostly hand passing right in front of her face. The other hand grabbed Suzanna's.
"Leaving-- Right darling?" The voice addressed Suzanna, before turning to the terrified neighbour. "I'm sorry for the scare, miss. It won't happen again, so long as you don't call the authorities, of course!" he said. Suzanna froze.
With that, she was whisked into the apartment. The culprit responsible for dragging her there seemed more tangible than he was a few moments ago. It must have been a ghost, although he was fairly blurry to Suzanna.
"Honestly, woman, terrorizing people like that... You sound like a crazy cat lady -- except without cats, although that's more like being batshit insane -- ach! Please don't let me get my cat metaphors mixed up..." the voice rambled.
Suzanna wasn't taking any of his shit. "What cat metaphors, you psychotic spook?" she exclaimed. Suddenly it hit her like a half ton of bricks. "Bram?"
"In the spectral flesh," he responded dryly, "At least I think this is flesh. I'm not sure what you would call it -- ectoplasm?" The feeling in Suzanna's chest was beyond comprehension. She looked at the ghost in barely constrained awe. "It would be worth it to see if I bleed green later. You could say that my composition is my disposition at the moment."
Suzanna chuckled at her friend. "And what are we going to do about that?"
He huffed, "I'll figure something out!" Pausing, he licked his spectral lips. "So I take it that campfire at the warehouse made your dermatologist scream?"
Suzanna fiddled with her bandages, "Yeah, I got pretty toasted."
"You didn't run out dramatically or anything like that?"
"It wasn't quite as picturesque as that. I did defeat the bad guy though. Sorta."
The spirit didn't say anything for a second. "So you lost then?" He asked finally.
"Pretty much." She breathed out. Then, beaming, "You want to go out and freak out café goers?"
"Hell to the yes!"
As anticipated, the café completely welcomed them with open arms and gave them complimentary coffee. Not exactly, but they did get an empty table pretty quickly-- and a second seat which nobody could find out who for. Nothing less for the town nut and her imaginary friend.
"You must have really run this town ragged for this kind of service," he mused, smiling.
"Well they started off just being nervous around me, then I say a few bad words about their mothers and -- bam! Social banishment!" Suzanna quipped, taking a triumphant sip of coffee.
He looked at her, slightly perplexed.
"Oh, you're not a freak," he replied, flipping his hand. Suzanna looked at him for a second and they both burst out laughing.
"So says my imaginary friend!" she guffawed.
"Hey, look, our friend is coming to join us," he said, making Suzanna turn.
"What frie--" She stopped, and her smile falling immediately.
"What is she doing here?" Suzanna growled. Bram looked appalled.
"I thought we liked her?" he wondered, looking pensively as the girl in pink darted towards them.
"No, no we don't."
Valentina didn't seem to be aware of Suzanna's glare. "This seat taken?" she asked, already taking it.
"Not for you. Me and my friend are having a stimulating conversation, thank you very much, and don't need you taking up air over here," she snapped.
Valentina gave her a look. "Really? I think you just want to get rid of me. I like your hair cut by the way, very chic."
Suzanna bared her teeth. "I don't know how you got that impression. After what you've done I can't really trust you anymore."
"You do know we're on the same team here, right? I'm not trying to ruin you happy ever after."
Suzanna laughed, "If there is a happy ever after. No, I'm pretty sure you're just after me. Listen: I'm not your pawn, and I want you to kindly fuck off now."
Valentina appeared to be taken aback, and gritted her teeth.
"I have a plan," she said calmly.
Suzanna didn't listen. "You want to get me killed again, don't you? This is some scheme to finish me off, isn't it?" She demanded, her arms waving in the air now.
Valentina's composure was gone now. "I HAVE A PLAN!" she shrieked.
Suzanna stopped. "What is it? You want me to run into another burning building?"
"No," Valentina hissed, "My sister and I are working to take down the company -- for real this time."
"Oh, really, a real plan now? Let’s face it, Valentina: you're just the girl who cried wolf, and I'm not falling for it again."
The other woman held her hand to her forehead. "Look, I know you don't trust me, but I need you. We need you. We can be heroes if we manage to pull this off."
Suzanna inhaled heavily. "I've already tried that whole hero thing, and you know what? It didn't work, because I'm not the hero, I'm just a pawn in your game. I know I don't set the rules; you do. So this is me declining to play."
"Uhh, if I could add something in here?" Bram asked cautiously. Valentina nearly jumped out of her chair.
"Oh my gosh, there's actually something there!?" she shrieked, backing up her chair.
Suzanna snickered. "Didn't I tell you?"
"You crazy bitch, is that Bram?"
"In the ectoplasmic residue," he responded dryly. "I happen to agree with Valentina. Suzanna, you're holding on to far too much anger. You know, my enemy's enemy is my friend? Yeah, that applies here."
Suzanna snorted. "You turn-coat spook. That completely does not apply."
"And why not?"
The bandaged woman stuttered, "Because I said so." She exhaled noisily. "You don't tell me what to do."
Valentina watched the exchange with wide eyes. "You just -- he --" she trailed off.
"You have something to say?" Suzanna barked
Valentina still looked at the spot intently, “Bram, here... appears to be on my side.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to listen to him,” Suzanna retorted. “Ghost, begone!”
“If I can’t tell you what to do, you can’t tell me what to do,” he responded, folding his transparent arms across his body.
“Figures,” Suzanna murmured.
Valentina cleared her throat. “So, can I convince you to trust me, Bram?”
“No,” Suzanna interjected.
“Yes,” Bram said, looking over at Suzanna. “If you’re not going to hurt her, I think I can get on this bandwagon.”
“Traitor,” Suzanna muttered.
Valentina sighed. “I think you just don’t like me.”
“Oh, gee, you can tell now! Amazing!” Suzanna said sarcastically.
“Just because she isn’t charming doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust her. Think of Hitler, woman!”
Valentina glared at him momentarily, then returned her focus to Suzanna, looking at her intently.
Suzanna looked at them both with a persecuted expression, “I have reason to believe that I’m being ganged up on. Isn’t the good team supposed to be a democracy?”
Valentina folded her hands in her lap. “So you do agree that we’re all freedom fighters here?”
“I believe in many things: in bearded gurus, massage therapy, and that we’re all about to get kicked out of the café -- that doesn’t mean I trust you.”
The pink haired girl smiled. “I do have your ghostly other half though. Does that mean we have a deal?”
“If you double cross me, I’m going to tag team haunt your ass with Bram until the end of time. Got it?” she asked, looking down the woman in pink suspiciously.
“You’ve got yourself a deal. I think you’re going to find our next plan very intriguing indeed...”
Current Plot Point: Redemption Quest
Previous Plot Points: The Cake was a Lie, Move Heaven and Earth, Finding Judas, Meet Cute, Mind over Matter
Word Count: 3,000
Picture Count: 21
Custom Content: Legal content? HAH! (I even made some...)