Brendan wanted to turn on the TV and watch the news but he knew they were now talking about the death of the Bradwield Terror who had turned out to be the Flicker and Black Ice. He wondered how Samantha and Thomas' parents would take it. But one thing kept him from turning on the news; the Finch's ongoing holocaust. He also remembered one more thing which made him nervous; the Feline Race the Finch had talked about. How strong were they? What did they look like? Who else knew them but most importantly; where were they?
He tried sleeping on the couch. Maybe if he had his vision it would explain to him the blatant questions racing through his head. Eventually, he did manage to fall asleep but he did not have his vision. He was woken up by Miriam two hours after midday to have his lunch. It was a pumpkin pie, a saucer of waffles and a glass of milk. As he wolfed these down, his eyes stared blankly into the screen of the switched off TV. He did not stop to even savor the food or even notice the presence of Miriam who was standing by with her fingers clasped together, watching him as if waiting for a compliment on the food or perhaps surprised at his eating speed. He noticed her after a short while, 'That will be all, Miriam, thank you,' he nodded at her and she left the room. He was becoming more nervous by the second. The situation of not knowing what was going on was irritating. He grabbed the remote control, switched on the TV and flipped to Bradwield Future News:
'And again in Bradwield, citizens were shocked to find out that the Bradwield Terror has been murdered by the city's current outlaw "protector", Anonymous. Some people are now regarding this mysterious masked man as a hero while most still call him a masked criminal. One brave journalist managed to capture a snippet of the fight between these two beings but we will not play it because of the graphic nature it contains. In the video, the B.T asks Anonymous which day the people of this city appointed him judge over them and the Anonymous claims that he is the judge, jury and executioner of this city before slaying the monster. Mayor Loop is infuriated by the Anonymous' claim and he says he wants nothing else to do with the Anonymous besides having him locked up. Although the…' The female news reporter paused and stared into the camera…, 'Looks like we have a new live message from the Finch coming in now,' she said.
The Finch was in her previous dim hall, sitting on the table, one leg over the other. It was clear whose head she had on her lap. Jack Price was hardly squirming as the Finch stroked his long hair. She was not even struggling to keep him secure but she sat calmly, holding his body down as she continued to stroke his hair, his face turned to the sky. No one could ever guess that Jack's hair was originally white in color. Most of it was covered in dust, twigs and bloodstains.
Jack's plan had failed? Brendan panicked in thought. So the Finch had finally had her vision after all?
She cleared her throat, an evil grin broad on her face. 'You see, this is what happens when an inferior race meddles in my plans. Jack here is an example of my creations.' She toyed with his hair as if he was a doll. 'I gave this fool a chance to a better life. He stumbled upon my home not too long ago and we talked for a while. He could have decided to turn me in but no..,' she shook her head, 'I am the queen of sweet-talk. I promised him power beyond his imagination…I promised to make him king of his Race, the strongest of the Phantom race; the Demon Phantom, feared in a way no other race has ever been feared before. Do you get me? Destroyers and Versatiles were worshipped but this race was feared and nothing beats that feeling. The rhyme I gave him was: "Of the Phantoms you shall not become any of the Banshees but the Demons. You shall teleport, manipulate and make a phone call to one's mind in any day of the seasons. The only thing I require from you moves within your body, and it can be bought back by the sweet unselfish melody." ' She chuckled and shook her head, 'The bastard figured out the meaning. My rhymes are hidden and complicated to everyone except to the boy of legend and the leader of the Felines. But Jack did figure it out and returned to retrieve what I had fairly bought from him…Just like what Anonymous did…'
Brendan's heart beat faster. Was she about to sell him out now?
'Don't worry, Anonymous. Your secret's safe with me. Anonymous, like everyone else, owed me a favor so he repaid it by setting me free. If he hadn't thought of that then the next day I would have been put on trial, found guilty and executed. He would have followed me into the grave though, unless if he had rescued me then slain me afterwards but he was just too scared. As you can see, Anonymous; Jack is almost dead but he's also got his soul back. He did try to fight me but as you know, a Phantom's power is nothing but a fleck compared to the Versatile's. This message is not going out to the Anonymous only but to all of you watching at home and also all Supremes who feel that the world would be a better place if the human race and the Supreme Races lived together in harmony. There's no way you can mix oil and water. The humans have had their chance to hunt us down and now they will be responsible for the Dawn. This is war. Oh, by the way…my birthday party is still in progress and to continue, I'll resume it with this ungrateful former Phantom…and traitor. Have a good day.'
The footage stopped and just as it did, Brendan switched off the TV and put the remote control aside. Thoughts and words had escaped from him.