Chapter 10. Tuesday's Blade - No
Witnesses(Jessie meets Johnny)
The mountain breeze drifts off heavily. Carrying the smell of pine trees.
Johnny stands watching the stars.
"I love the mountain's view. The Stars shine bright at night. What a beautiful night..."
A woman approaches. Hands crossing Johnny's Weist. "Hey. What're you doing out here soldier..."
"Just look at the sky, Gpiseth... It's lovely," Johnny's eyes glint in the starlight. A tranquil smile plays on his lips.
"You better come inside. Tomorrow marks a new day. I'll be waiting for you," she leaves.
Jessie walks the empty road alone. Moonlight cast down, stinky yellow light.
Every breath tastes like a cruel kiss.
She then sprints, her feet pounding the pavement. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she sprints away.
The city is too quiet. Her feet pounding on the ground. A rhythm of sound. Fast and consistent.
Needles in her sleeve. Only one left - The Venomous Mercy. It sings against her ribs, hungry.
"I'm heading east this time... No full stop, no hesitation," Her intent. Deadly as fire.
Jessie walks into a new town. The people chat and play. A Musician male sings and plays guitar. Beside him, a plate lies on the ground, branded- Help the poor. Women on standby, calling out to male passersby. "Come on, sir..." They say, their bra is half- open to attract the men.
She strolls silently. Walking in the sights and sounds of the town. She ascends close to a girl by the well.
"Who's in charge here?" She asks, her voice cold and rootless.
The girl turns with a smile on her face. "You mean the chief? That's Olam. Head straight down that path. Take a left, you'll see guards standing by a large wooden gate. Tell them you're there to see the chief."
Jessie is surprised by the girl's calm responses. "Thanks. I appreciate it." She vanishes into the crowd. The girl blinks - the stranger is already gone, like smoke in the wind.
"Huh!, Where'd she go?"
"Excuse me sir. I'm here to see the chief," Jessie stands by the guards.
"Who are you?," a guard clutching a spare asks.
"Just let me see your chief, it's brief."
"Leave or I'll_
Shhhhk. Man drops to the ground. Clutching his throat. He Drop dead.
The men rushes. Raising their weapons. Jessie takes the spare from the man. Moves fast. Strike holes in their limbs and chest. In the whisper of time's gold and shadows blur. The men slump to the ground.
She kicks the door open. A young boy sits beside 4 women. All dresses in underwear only.
"You're the leader?" She asks.
The boy's face is bitter. Spit forward. "Get out. Who the hell are_"
Jessie grabs his shirt. The boy's feet kick pointlessly, inches from the floor. "Guards!. Guards!." He calls. The women quickly run outside.
"No one will come save you. Moron..."
"Okay. Tell me. What do you want?. Please spare me," boy begs.
"A man that dresses in black. Goes by the name Johnny, ever come here?"
"No. No. Trust me. No one."
"Perhaps. You can't comprehend what I'm saying. You're just afraid."
Boy cries. "Please spare me."
"Please spare my brother," A girl stands at the door. Her voice cut through the air.
Jassie cast a glance. Her eyes flicker to the girl behind her. She drops the boy. "What! It's you, the girl from earlier" she says, in a surprising toon.
"Yes. Please spare my brother. I'll do anything, he's all I have left" girl pleads.
"No_. Ahh!,"
Jessie staggers, holding her waist.
"Hey, your wounds. You're bleeding," the girl says. Approaching forward.
"No. Don't," Jessie lifts a hand stopping her. "Tell me, a man known as Johnny, famous for slaughtering red carpet gang members, clad entirely in black... has he been spotted?"
The girl's eyes darts between her brother and Jessie. Curious. "I've heard of a man who has a bounty on him. Although I don't know if he is the person you seek."
"What bounty?"
"A group of people came by the other day. They were all dressed in black. Although, it was a nearby town. Asking people around, about the red carpet killer. Offering a huge amount of bounty. If found"
"Got any leads on where I could find him?"
"I'm not sure but. A dude came by this night. He wears a Duster, although he regularly comes here. He's here today, with a woman in a nearby room."
"Where?, outside?"
"Although I'm still not sure if he's the person you're looking for. Just go outside, head left. There is a house made entirely of leaves. Check there."
Jessie darts away. Running there with no hesitation.
She turns left. "Right. This is the room," she advances close.
Johnny sits on the bed. Gpiseth perches on a nearby desk, talking.
"Gpiseth," Johnny calls. Low and calm.
"Yes baby..."
"Run."
"Huh!"
"Run now!," he barks.
The wind holds suspense. Gpiseth stands. Johnny Springs up from the bed and stands in front of Gpiseth. His Gun points forward. Resting upon the figure that just materialises before them. The leaf wall turns apart from behind.
"She's fast," Johnny is surprised.
Gpiseth trembles. Shivering. Johnny moves, and covers her completely. His Gun still points at Jessie.
"You the red carpet killer?" Jessie asks.
"No, not me."
"Liers are no good. Why'd you do it," she asks.
Johnny's gaze falters. A flicker of surprise flashing across his face. "She sees through my facade?" He smiles. "Fatty died. The world breathes peace."
"You lit a match in the lion's den. Your head's on the bounty. I shall claim."
"Ha!, red carpets are no good. It was just an ordinary Tuesday. I chose to have fun."
"Woman. Who are you?" Johnny asks.
"I'm your nightmare!," her tone is terrifying.
Johnny pulls the trigger. Jessie vanishes. Quick. Venomous Mercy. Heading straight for Gpiseth's neck. Johnny's bullets stop her.
She darts around. Dodging every strike. "I can see through her gaze. This woman is Scary," Johnny calculates. Eyes narrowing. His bullets sing fast. But Jassie dances fast as well. Catching up. Escaping its cruel kiss.
The dance continues. Speed + bullets blast. Circulating the air. Jessie Springs her leg towards Johnny's chest. Johnny folds his hands, creating a shield. He Stumbles back. A fist follows, his jaw takes the hit. shifting his head upward. But His balance is still strong.
Venomous Mercy points straight for his chest. His bullet quickly drives. Jessie twists. But the bullet graze her neck.
Jessie disappears and reappears. Johnny's bullets barely catch up. Venomous Mercy, her cruel needle- blade. Slices through his skin, leaving marks of heavy wounds. He tries to get a shot at her. Her speed puts her one step ahead. With a blur of momentum she's hard to gain.
An unnoticeable kick meets his chest. Send him flying, his body crashing through the leaf strewn wall. She follows. A fierce intensity lurks within her eyes. She pins him to the ground. Venomous Mercy points towards his chest. He struggles to push her away. Her grip is like a vice.
Gpiseth spots a rusted pipe from the ground. She quickly carries it and advances towards Jessie.
Jessie's focus is completely on Johnny, as she loses notice of Gpiseth's presence in her back.
The rusted pipe whistles through the air — Jessie barely twists away as Gpiseth swings it, catching her off guard. The pipe kissed her wrist hard, sending a shiver of pain through her spin. Blood trickles from her mouth."
Johnny quickly throws a punch that sends her reeling. His gun already falls far apart from his hand.
But Jessie isn't finished. She stands, her eyes flashing with a burning light. Her feet rooted to the spot. The pipe kisses hard, her wrist shivering. Johnny stands up. Running towards her. And then she vanishes, leaving him staring at the spot where she had stood.
He crashes to his knees. "That woman," he growls, slamming his fist into the ground. "She might come again. Next time, I'll be ready. No, this time, I'll hunt her."
Gpiseth approaches, the iron pipe still gripped in her hand. "Good. The terrifying witch is gone," she says, trembling.
Johnny stands, his eyes locked on hers. "Baby, thank goodness you're safe. I'm so glad."
Gpiseth's gaze falls, her voice barely above a whisper. "Johnny, what did you do? A bounty on your head... Why did you murder that gang?"
Johnny's smile becomes a thin, cold line. "They were enemies, Gpiseth. Drop the weapon, I'll explain."
Gpiseth's grip on the pipe tightens. "You set the fire. Don't let it burn me down, too."
Johnny's eyes soften, his voice low and soothing. "Baby... You didn't die. That's all that matters."
Gpiseth's eyes are still cold. Her face is set in a resolute expression. "Not tonight. But tomorrow I won't miss. Just leave. It's best for both of us."
Johnny nods. He smiles calmly. "Fine. I'll be on my way."
His black duster swings in the moonlight. As he steps into the dark. Somehow, Venomous Mercy still lurks beside him. This time... He's hunting the venom himself.