...14th of November 2034...
Each step was painful, it was met with a debilitating limp. Each step the raccoon took on the sidewalk ahead of him that seemed endless was like a Sisyphean curse. His clothing, most notably his letterman jacket was torn and bloodied. Eventually Jaklo came to a stop, the voice of Krover still echoing in his head. He could still hear the static of the television he was placed in front of, designed to torment him. His pale paws slammed into the shutters of a closed store, hearing it rattle would send shivers down his spine, his lip was quivering and busted.
He just wanted to make it home, to his warehouse. The threat of Krover was overwhelming, he wanted to get everyone to pack up and to leave. He desperately just wanted to go, it sounded good to his mind. Then he realised one thing, it caused his heart to sink as he remembered Rosco was still in the Musician's captivity according to Krover. Without another moment to waste, he hunched forward and began vomiting profusely. Nothing but a clear liquid came out from his dry throat, saliva hung from his lip. After this was over, he began hyperventilating and suddenly everything was dangerous.
The air he breathed clutched his throat and didn't dare enter his lungs, he felt like he was suffocating. Looking around behind him in fear that someone or something was going to hurt him again, letting out a weak cry and closing his eyes to stabilise his panicked mind. He was going to get Rosco, he just needed to find Ellis first, he didn't even know if Ellis was alive or dead at this point.
He felt angry, knowing he was in fear of Krover and now the Musician. Someone he felt like he could underestimate, a low-life gangster on the streets that begged for Jaklo's affirmation now had leverage over him, and it left a lump in his throat. Jaklo's brittle fists began hammering the shutters, punching it without end. Letting his anger out in a full display of ravenous rage. His knuckles began to bleed, he didn't stop. Punching and punching no matter how much it hurt because one thing was for certain, the noise of the clanging shutters was so loud to the point it drowned out the never-ending sound of television static in his head.
"FUCK YOU!!" He cried out with a weak voice, it wasn't so intimidating. Soon his barrage of punches came to a stop as he stumbled back onto the side walk, visibly jumping at the sight of another person. It was a random leopard, eyeing him up suspiciously before brushing past the raccoon in a hurried power walk. Not even the people of the city gave a shit about him.
The raccoon continued stumbling down the road, off into the cold dawn of morning. The sun was slowly still rising, the weather was brittle and cold. Blood dripped from the open wounds on his hands and stained the side-walk, he had one goal in mind and that was to get back to the warehouse at any costs and to get Rosco back from the Musician.
As morning arrived, most of the police force was gathering inside the police station accordingly. Some were filing names and observation for some evidence in the lock-up, others sat at the desks and took calls or researched on cases or plans for the day. Just outside the police station, a man in a patchy suit and patchwork top hat with a charming ribbon along the side stood. The Musician, he looked up at the police station in a calm and composed manner. Feeling the phone vibrate in his pocket to which he'd pull it out and stare at the smart phone.
It had a cracked screen, older model and many years old. He'd answer the contact and hold it to his cat-like ear with a cheery "Yeeello?" A silence was heard on the other end, before the crackling and sinister voice of Krover greeted him. "It's done, he's free. Currently he isss roaming like a lossst puppy down the sidewalk.. I have the pure blood as you requesssted.."
The Musician smiled and breathed in deeply in acknowledgement "You will get your payment, understood? I'll meet you later on tonight after I have finished up my tasks.. I don't believe I'll be around very much tomorrow, I'll be quite busy.."
The line grew silent again, some frantic screaming could be heard in the background of Krover's phone. ". . . You know I don't want jusssst the payment.. I would've killed that little raccoon when I got the blood from him. . . I didn't, he livesss. Sssso you still owe me those namesss and evidence.. of the Rats in my crew, you told me if I kept him alive you'd provide me with those namess.. Musssician."
The Musician nodded and giggled in a cheery manner, a police officer brushing past him and ascending the steps to the police-station. "Of course! Of course.. I told you I'll give you the names whenever I meet you at the good ol' slaughterhouse.. are we square?"
Without a response, there was a silent acknowledgement and a simple "11pm.. Sssharp." Then the line would go dead, Krover had hung up and the Musician stared the phone with a gentle sigh. Taking a metallic pen out from the vest of his scrappy suit and suddenly puncturing the screen multiple times, breaking it almost instantly and throwing the broken phone into a nearby trashcan. Neatly placing the pen back into his vest pocket and brushing himself off a little before clearing his throat, ascending the stairs to the police station and taking a deep inhale.
He'd slam the doors open, acting panicked and immediately rushing to the front desk. Taking off his hat in a formal manner and speaking to the receptionist "Madam! Madam! I need help! I need your help. My name- My name is Joaquin Seals.. Please! I must speak to one of your investigators.. It's.. It's my brother, he's dead or worse! I checked his phone history and he's been running around with some scumbag gangs! His name is Rosco.. Rosco! Rosco is in danger--"
The woman cut him off, leaning forward on her chair with a concerned expression "Woah woah! Calm down! You're okay.. hey- slow down.. Our detective is here right now but I believe he's currently on break-" The Musician wasn't having it, pounding his fist a little on the table and his expression became more frustrated "I need him NOW! Please- I apologise for my.. my.. harshness but this is a serious matter- My little brother is in danger."
As expected, The receptionist sighed. Leaning forward and trying her best to calm the man down, to which The Musician did. Slowly de-escalating his erratic behaviour with a few deep inhales and exhales. "Alright- I'm going to call into him now, you stay put and we'll say what's going on.. Alright?" She'd slowly pick up the phone, the other officers around the building at the time all eyed up the man. Thinking he was strange but the erratic behaviour was justified considering the severity of his supposed situation.
The phone line would ring, the woman tenderly listening to the pick-up line for a few moments before a voice came through the phone. "Detective Stone's office, What's the nature of the call Mrs Hughes?"
The receptionist turned away, twiddling with the phone cord on her index finger and speaking "We have a really concerned brother out here looking for his little brother.. May be a gang related incident within the city? Mind taking him in and getting the story?" The detective took a moment to think, letting out a small sigh ".. Just as I was finishing my break- Alright, send him in.
The receptionist nodded and slowly put down the phone, turning back to look at the Musician and catching a glimpse of his neutral and stoic expression before it returns right to sadness and panic "Alright- Alright, he's available. Go right down the hall to your right and on the left should be a door, it has the word 'Stone' on the front. You can't exactly miss it"
With this information in mind, the Musician gave a big smile. Leaning forward and holding her hand tight, staring right into her eyes. "Thank you miss.. Thank you so much- you don't know how much this means to me.." His reaction was somewhat overt, it wasn't expected but was easily shrugged off as him continuing to be erratic and agitated. He'd waddle away from her, still holding his hat with one hand slowly descending the hallway towards the neat looking wooden door.
The woman was right, it simply had the word 'Stone' etched within the fine wooden exterior of the door. The Musician would politely knock, awaiting a response. "Come on In" a deep and American voice called out. The Musician obliged the offer immediately opened the door to the cozy yet small office, there was a fireplace crackling along the side. A dark wooden table laid out before him along the dark wooden floorboards, many files laid along his desk along with an ashtray with a stubbed out cigarette burning still.
There was a window behind the man, showing the somewhat dark alleyway. The man in particular was strong, he wore a white shirt with suspenders. The man was a badger and had the similar features of one too, he immediately stood up and eyed up the Musician with a welcoming light smile.
"Welcome, I heard you have concerns about your little brother.." He held out his hand to greet the cat in front of him, the cat would happily oblige and approach the desk to shake his. Sitting right down on the chair opposite him, letting out a convincing deep and stressed sigh. "Yes- I.. He's my adopted little brother, his name is Rosco Jackson. I care for him a lot, I fear he's been caught up in some gangs around town.. I saw him hanging with them before, he's been missing since."
The detective would take out his notepad, holding a pen and starting to note some things down. The smell of cigarettes encompassing the room, there was a nice photo frame placed atop the desk. It contained the badger and supposedly his wife.
"Well- I'm here to help, alongside the police force. My name is Lionel Stone, we'll start with names.. Getting to know each other, it helps when I am in close contact with my client. What might your name be?" Lionel asks with curiosity, staring up from his notepad over towards the Musician who almost immediately responds as honest as he can be.
"Rodger Wells.. My name is Rodger Wells. I just want my brother safe- I think I last seen him lurking around that Old Theatre, I stalked him a few days ago when he left and I wanted to see where he goes on his long days out- He killed someone, he actually killed someone.. as some weird-.. it seemed like some weird initiation for the gang."
The badger stared peculiarly, continuing to note down things in his book. Staying silent for a moment before speaking again "I'm rather familiarised with gang activity around this town.. There's been a thievery problem down in the south part of the city, not much killings.. Ran by a Raccoon from some witness reports. In the east side of this town there is another, a violent gang.. Usually around the slaughterhouse area. We have a name on who the leader might be, we just don't have evidence.. although we may have some people testifying against him tomorrow afternoon.. Do you believe Rosco is apart of a gang like that?"
The Musician helplessly shrugged "There's another gang! I swear it.. Near that old Theatre they lurk and you have to check there! I'm too scared to go near it.. I'm afraid they'll hurt me too.." Again, the badger stared peculiarly at The Musician before setting his notepad down along the table gently.
"You're too scared to go near it? Is that completely true?" The Badger asks, taking a deep inhale in. "And you're sure you saw a murder being committed here by a crime.. By their leader?"
The Musician wildly agreed, not taking the time to think "Yes! By their leader! I told you it has to be some kind of initiation."
The badger crossed his arms, staring down at the cat and analysing his scared and concerned expression. "Then you'd be surprised to know we have photographic evidence of you specifically lurking around in that area, very closely. Even hanging around with some of the supposed members, members of which are believed to be missing person cases. You're actually the prime suspect in leading this gang, you're as well admitting you saw an active murder happen around here too while you.. as the supposed leader were present. You just contradicted yourself.. was it on purpose? What's your play here? Is your name really Rodger Wells?"
The cat's expression slowly melted away, he'd relax back into the chair and stare lifelessly into the Detective's eyes. "You.. got a brain on you- To remember all of that?" Lionel continued sitting the way he was, shrugging again. "You're now a criminal.. Every session with a client is recorded and you indirectly admitted running this gang as well as a murder.. You're the prime suspect in these disappearances now as admitted. What's wrong with you? Making stories up about yourself.."
The Musician shrugged as well as Lionel "My real name isn't Rodger Wells.. It's one of the men that is going to rat on Krover, you'd be happy to know he is who you think he is.. a sadistic Godfather that you don't have the evidence to nail yet. But I can help, through you we can capture Krover and fulfill one of my deals too.."
Lionel was hesitant, leaning forward on his table. His muscular stature should've been intimidating but the Musician just kept smiling "Here's a good deal.. You go to prison alongside Krover.. Two birds with one stone, I get a promotion.. You're done."
With a reaching hand into his pocket, The Musician wasn't done yet. Pulling out a harmonica and raising it with his two fingers "You haven't .. Heard my deal yet-." The badger eyed up the Harmonica, he was confused but he didn't have a good feeling about it. Suddenly reaching across the table almost violently just as The Musician leaned back, the chair he was sitting on would fall right to the floor and he'd start playing beautifully. The noises the instrument made filled the detective's ears, sedating him almost immediately as he sits back down along his own chair. The Musician continued playing while laying along the floor, assaulting his mind and working himself into his head. Taking over and taking control, he was his for the taking.
The harmonica's soothing melody encompassed the room with a dominating, unforeseen control. The badger's claws scratched into the leather around his office chair and once the Musician was confident he had control, he stopped. Sitting up and staring right into his eyes.
"I know who you are, you aren't all as good as you think you are otherwise understanding the melody I just played you would've been a lot harder. Dishonourable discharge from War.. You were a sniper, and a good one at that.. You got an Eye for targets, it makes sense that you were a sniper and now.. here you are as a detective.. I read up all about you.. Research is key, that's my motto.. You capped one of your men in the head, blamed it on a lack of mental control. You said it was PTSD, I believe you thought he was an enemy.. You're a coward is what you are, you took a man's life as a key out of the battlefield. To make up for your sins that I just know eat at you, night after night, you're going to do me a favour. You're going to listen to what I have to offer you and you're going to do it.. You want to see the world burn? You think being forced into a war you didn't wanna fight is wrong? Correct, but it's okay now.. I've played you a song to show you what I'm capable of.. You're mine now.. And you always will be, and I will protect and feed you so long as you do what I say.."
Lionel stammered, he couldn't say anything because he was right about everything. He slipped under his control easy, he will forever oblige him.
The morning had arrived, the streets were still quiet and the sound of distant traffic and cars echoed throughout the dull city. Stardown was only really alive during the night settings, it was a party town as much as it was a town with high gang related issues. By this time of the morning when the early light of the sun shone down along the tall buildings and small, Jaklo was still stumbling down towards the partly abandoned district. His place of residence within the warehouse he called home.
His lip quivered, every movement was followed by a quiet and pained groan as he approached the doors. Practically falling into the warehouse entrance with a stumble and staring down the hallway, the place was quiet. Nothing more than the sound of a distant kettle boiling was all that could be heard, Jaklo was attached to this sound as he followed it.
Within the makeshift living area that Jaklo's gang called their clubhouse. The only person within it at the moment was Ellis, standing over a kettle with a cup and teabag within it. Waiting for it to boil to completion. The sound of a misplaced footstep across the room behind him immediately drew the dragon's attention as he turned to look. Ellis' calm expression turned from surprise, to shock and then sudden horror as he laid eyes on the wounded and hurt Jaklo. Stumbling into the lobby and practically collapsing onto the sofa, he could barely keep his eyes open. Whether it was because of the fatigue or how much pain he was in, the cracked tooth in his skull was still paining him the most out of anything, it was infected.
The dragon would raise his hand, covering his own mouth in horror. Slowly approaching Jaklo and silently calling his name, he didn't know what to say nor had he ever seen him so badly hurt "Jaklo..?" He wanted an answer desperately. The raccoon could only respond with a groan as he looks up at Ellis with tears in his eyes.
"I tried to save him-.. I tried to get Rosco.. Krover got me.." Jaklo would state in a whine, the words caught up in his throat were barely audible but Ellis understood them just fine. Approaching him and sitting next to him, soon he'd tightly hug him and keep him there. "What- Did he do to you?" As soon as Jaklo heard that question, he'd turn to look away and frown even more. "If I told you-.. Why.. He did it, you wouldn't look up to me ever again."
The raccoon would fully break down, starting to cry. He knew they were in danger staying in that warehouse, anytime Krover could change his mind and choose to strike Jaklo while he was weak. He couldn't care, the hug he got from Ellis was more than good enough for him to die happily. "We're not safe here.. Rosco is-.. Musician- he has him, we need to get him.. We need Scarletta to set up a getaway and we'll go to his.. f-fucking theatre and we'll get Rosco back and then-.. and then we'll get all the money we earned so far and then we're leaving town.. To get to somewhere better, to get out of here Ellis."
Practically coughing up his words, Ellis looked up at him. Shaking his head and his surprised expression turned to a frown "Scarletta is-.. In prison.. She- was so distraught over you going missing, she thought you weren't coming back and so she went to go get the rest of her money herself.. with Garry and Abraham.. I tried to stop her but they all got imprisoned without you- the robbery went bad.. it went sour really quick.. with that in mind, everyone else practically took off and it has only been me here.. since-"
Upon hearing this, Jaklo lost all hope. The wolves, Garry and Abraham were in prison alongside Scarletta. Rosco was in the Musician's custody and Arasai is dead "Arasai.. he's gone- Krover killed him and used him to get Rosco.. He told me he threatened his mother.. It was just one big fucking domino-.. As soon as he got Rosco he started blackmailing me to lure me in.. and then he-.. he-" It was impossible to even choke the words up, Jaklo just swallowed and continuing to look right to the side, away from Ellis who was worried about him. But he was thinking logically and for the benefit of both their safety.
"Jaklo-.. I know how much you care about Rosco, but we need to get out of here. The Musician wants you to come to him, he made sure by telling you he has Rosco.. You can't be this foolish- you surely can't be.. I say we take the money we have now and we flee while we have the chance.. He won't lay a finger on him, he doesn't have to unless you show up and initiate a rescue mission."
Then the raccoon would look back, right into Ellis' eyes with a cold and saddened expression that replicated the Dragon's own visage "That's the worst part.."
Confused, Ellis challenged his question "What is? .. What do you mean?"
"That he won't lay a finger on him.. He'll do worse.. He'll.. Give him to Krover- He is not.. going to give him to Krover.. Krover will-.. He will hurt him."
Immediately, Ellis would stand up "Just what did he fucking do to you, Jaklo? What is this secret you're keeping from me that he did to you.. He.. Beat you up pretty bad but you're acting like you've been through war-- your tooth.." Ellis' eyes widened and he'd lean closer, gently sliding the raccoon's cheek to the side and wincing at the fractured and decaying tooth. "We need to get that out of your Jaw, it's cracked and infected."
The raccoon waved his hand dismissively and groaned "I'll.. Be fine- I'm here, I'm home.. Now I'm going to get Rosco.. HOME.. with or without your fucking help.." At this, the raccoon stood up with stumbled almost into the dragon's arms but he steadied himself before he could let that happen. Still concerned, Ellis spoke up and put a hand on his shoulder to try to reassure him.
"It is the worst possible thing to do right now, Jaklo.. Listen to reason, I have never steered you wrong before I promise. You don't want to go back out there and come back with more wounds than you possibly have right now!" Ellis spoke clearly and confidently, but the same emotions were not reciprocated from the raccoon who swiftly slapped his hand from his shoulder and showed an angered and agitated mood.
"Keep acting like you give the first fuck about Rosco.. You never did, you never will.. What are you jealous of him? You think I care too much? You're forgetting who the fucking leader is here.. Do I have to remind you? I call the fucking shots here, ME.. and CURRENTLY My main TASK is getting that boy HERE.. HOME SAFE .."
Ellis was frightened, the thundering and demanding words of the raccoon startled him. Stepping back and showing a fearful expression with a quivering lip, deciding to talk in a quiet and soft voice "... What about Scarletta, Garry and Abraham?"
The raccoon spoke up with an immediate loud response "WHAT?"
Ellis quickly responded much clearly and less quietly "Scarletta, Garry.. And Abraham. You're saving Rosco so.. surely you're going to be looking out for them too?"
There was a momentary silence, Jaklo continued staring almost lifelessly into Ellis' eyes, the dragon's question beckoned no answer and so the raccoon slowly turned without speaking his mind. Slowly walking forward and towards the door, ready to exit. The dragon wasn't finished, he had one more question to allow the raccoon to contemplate on just before he left.
"What happened to you?"
As Jaklo heard this, he stopped dead in his tracks. Clutching the door frame with his hands and speaking in a calm and collected manner back to Ellis after a moment of thinking. "I am going to put things right.. I'm going to do what is necessary to ensure that we live to remember these days as a bad dream. I watched my own father bludgeon my mother's skull in with a photo frame.. I couldn't do anything about it then, I was so young and weak.. I remember growing up thinking that violence solves nothing, but I realise without violence, people like my Father think they can walk all over you."
The raccoon turned, staring into Ellis' soul. "I am going to do what I couldn't do a long time ago, I'm going to spare my friend a future where he doesn't have to live with the fact that he was tortured because of being associated with me. I'm not a Bad Guy, I'm just a person under extreme measures.. There is only one way out of this hole, Ellis.. Goodbye."
As soon as he got outside, the cold wind chill shook his bones. The pain in his tooth was immense, every throbbing pulse of pain through his skull made him wince. He couldn't take it, and he refused to let it stunt him. Propping himself back against the wall and taking deep inhales, slowly raising a shaking paw and groaning in disgust and for what is to come.
His two fingers slithered into his maw, along his twitching and dancing tongue that was fearful of the pain. His index and thumb rubbed along the outline of the cracked tooth, the static in his head grew louder. Something about it was signifying of eventual pain, right as his claw slid under the crack in the tooth and gripped lightly. The pain was immense at this rate, letting out a soft moan of agony and closing his eyes as his face scrunches up in a perpetual moment of pure distress.
Then, he'd prepare himself. His shivering paw latching onto his tooth harder as he began to pull lightly, it felt like a knife was stabbing into his skull. Practically biting down onto his fingers as he heard the root sever and crunch, pulling harder and harder. A bead of sweat racing down his head as he quickly pulled it out of his skull, the sound was similar to a golf ball being hit hard. Latching the infected tooth out of his skull and throwing it to the floor, blood began pooling down into his mouth and out through his lip. Slowly relaxing down against the pavement in a pure relief and pain mix, noticing his thumb and index were bleeding thanks to the uncontrollable biting during his forced tooth extraction.
The pearly white tooth laid neatly along the pavement, droplets of blood and rot coated it and the cracked nature of the strong enamel was gruelling to stare at. He'd take a tissue out from his bloodied jacket and neatly prop it into the back of his mouth, nurturing the wound carefully to the best of his ability.
The city of Stardown this time around was busy throughout most of the day, unaware of the danger to come. Ellis spent the day searching for Jaklo, unable to find him exactly. The raccoon himself had gone missing, sticking to the shadows and watching while awaiting a perfect opportunity to strike when necessary. Within the abandoned theatre of Stardown, there was a gathering of the Musician's Men in the theatre room itself, although the Musician wasn't there.
Night had set in and the air was as cold as ice. A horrible windchill struck the town, although that didn't stop the cat from meeting with Krover. In fact he was simply sitting outside, propped up against the wall that led inside to the brutal slaughterhouse. Clutching a flute in one hand and reciting songs to himself while occasionally playing it to pass the time.
The very second the moonlight dominated the streets, a creak was heard from within the interior. The Musician's ears perked up and he turned to stare, still wearing his good old hat and a trashbag around his scrappy suit. He liked to come off as an easy prey to blend in and not be attacked, like a snail.
Eventually, Krover stepped out into the night, where the shadows encompassed and protected his delicate skin under the dry feathers. His wings coating around his large body like a cloak, he'd stare the Musician down and slowly step closer. Stopping in his path and staring stoically at the cat.
"I don't have much time, I called a Dinner back at my hideout.. They Sssshould be arriving early in the morning.. I need to know who to eliminate..." Krover asked dominantly over the Cat, to which the Musician smiled same as always, as if he consistently had the high ground over anyone.
"Joaquin Seals and Rodger Wells. . . Those are the names of your rats- I acquired this knowledge through my excellent analysation work, I like to watch people.. And I saw those two men in particular are up to no good-.. They're loyal members to you, aren't they? They aren't the only ones.. On their secret little night outs, they converse with other members of your family. I even managed to pluck one, kidnap them and hypnotise them.. Apologies but- now I got concrete evidence, they're scared of you. They told me ever since you murdered one of your close associates they're fearful that they'd be next."
Krover remained silent, looking down at the floor although an invisible anger was brewing inside of him. "... You're responsible for.. Evan going missing? That was you?"
The cat nodded joyfully and held the flute close to his heart, as if extremely proud of this information "Yes sir! All for the betterment of your crew! I told you, we could be allied." The bird immediately shut him down, shaking his head and sneering at him "You're not to be trusted.. You're too Sssslippery- I only do work for you because you pay well, essspecially with information like you told me tonight.. Don't get in over your head- or I'll take it from you"
The Musician let out a sarcastic gasp before laughing "My- My you're quite frightening.. I admire you.. and the way you do work- It's a real shame, but you gotta realise now your crew isn't loyal.. My crew is.. very loyal- they have to be, they're forced to be loyal. You could partake in that with me- I could use someone with your level of.. brutality on hand at all times. What do you say?"
"Fuck off- You've Sssserved your purpose.. I Ssserved mine.. I'm never associating with you" Krover made his decision quite quickly, glaring down at the cat before turning and slowly walking away. The Musician frowned, but deep inside he preferred it this way. The sound of something hitting the floor made the Cat jump, he'd stare down at the two blood bags laying at his feet. P-Ouroboros, exactly what he was looking for. He'd smile and pick it up, placing it within the duffel bag he carried and gazing over at Krover who continued walking away.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Krover! But the offer is open at all times! Good luck with your scandal my good fellow! I'll put this extraordinary blood to riveting use!" Clutching the flute in his hands, he decided if he wanted to play it or not. He wondered if he was strong enough to take on a mind like Krover and win without the use of extreme instrumentals. He didn't want to risk that, he was calculated and calm and patient. He was going to get what he wanted at the expense of time. And with that, the cat shoved the flute into one of his pockets and turned in the opposite direction. Slowly walking away with a joyful hum echoing in his throat.
While this conversation took place, Jaklo was lurking at the theatre. Bandaged, injured but determined to find Rosco now that he knew he was here. His rage would be his inevitable downfall as he decided to abandon all concept of stealth and approached right to the luxurious front doors where two guards were waiting. They'd look just like normal people, the type of civilian that wouldn't give Jaklo a second glance but they knew exactly who he was and aimed weapons.
Their aim was steady and lethal, ready to kill at a moment's notice. They were good with guns, the raccoon stopped in his tracks and stared the two down. He could easily use his pre-cognitive sense to take them out but every time he attempted to his vision became blurry and a migraine occupied his senses, causing him to clutch his head as his nose bled. He was still getting used to the aftermath of being tortured and drained by Krover, using his abilities was fruitless as of the moment and he only had one shot to do this.
With hesitation, thanks to there being no other way to go about this he would raise his hands and pant quietly "You have my friend in there.. I want to see my friend, you know who I am don't you? Bring him to me.. He doesn't belong to you fucks-"
The two men would stare, one of them smirked and looked at the other gun-man and lowered his weapon. The other kept his weapon raised high at Jaklo and approached him while talking back "We know exactly who you are, in fact Musician has been expecting you." Jaklo slowly lowered his hands, he wanted desperately to attack but something caught him off guard. The person aiming the gun, he seen him on a missing person's poster. Why is here?
"You- Aren't you meant to be gone?" The raccoon asked in a confused, stuttering tone. His answer would be a kick to the stomach, grabbed by the hair and dragged into the theatre where he would be thrown to the ground and apprehended with zip-ties. The vivid slam of the door slamming shut behind him as he laid in the lobby rung out throughout his ears, the two men tightened zip-ties so tightly the raccoon could practically feel his blood being stopped and his hands slowly going numb.
"Get up- Into the Showing room, Now." His weak form would be pulled up, he felt useless. As if he just walked into his own demise and he couldn't do anything about it, watching as the two men escort him into the main room. It was almost majestic, seeing such an abandoned place thriving with people individually taking their own seats and staring up onto the empty stage with the spotlight shining down on one single spot. Upon the stage was an empty chair, that's all there would be for now.
"Tell me where the fuck Rosco is.. You people are sick- he's getting into your head, isn't he? Is he doing all of this just to torture me?!" Jaklo screamed out at the two dragging him, causing everyone else in the theatre to turn and stare at him with empty eyes. Jaklo would be forced down onto a torn seat next to a random person, he was right up at the front of the room. The guard got real close and whispered in his ear.
"He's been building something.. Not for you- But for something much greater.. Something your tiny mind can't comprehend. You are the final piece of the puzzle that will set the wheels in motion.. It happens tonight. And it is beautiful" The guard smiled menacingly, it seemed like he wasn't talking entirely on his own. Like he was being used as a puppet, Jaklo stared at him with a concerned expression only to spot The Musician lurking behind the man and staring down at the raccoon.
"Thank you, Thomas. You've been very assisting tonight, please take your seat and ensure the doors are locked.. We have everything we need."
The raccoon stared up at the Musician, the amount of rage he felt for this man alone was incomprehensible. Tugging at his zip-ties and grunting while the Cat clutched his violin. "You want Rosco, don't you? You can have him. He's backstage, waiting." The cat would slowly walk up onto the stage, Jaklo would shout out after him with a desperate snarl
"If you touched a single hair on his body and I find out I'm going to rip you limb from limb you slimy little fucking parasite." The Cat stopped angrily in his tracks, turning to face the raccoon and with a very swift power-walk he'd be right up in the raccoon's face "You wanna know who the Parasite is? Krover. He took from you, I know he did because I ordered him to do it. But he occupies a majority of this city and you put him to shame.. He was more than happy to torture you and take your precious.. mouse boy, Rosco. But even though I've worked with him, I still find him to be a detestable man. He won't be around anymore after tonight is over, I can assure you that.. Nothing will be same again-"
"Go fuck yourself- You have a special place in hell waiting for you." Jaklo snarled at him, the Musician cupped his chin and stared into his eyes "You've changed.. A lot, what exactly did he do to you.. You're so hateful now- I liked you before because of how Jolly and up-beat you were.. Now you're broken- I should've told him to go easy on you, I apologi-aaaAHH!" Within a moment, Jaklo would have bit down on the Musician's finger that was cupping his chin. Making it bleed and almost biting it off completely before the guards surrounded him and slowly pried the raccoon's jaw open, freeing the cat's finger as he stumbled back and gave Jaklo an antagonistic look before rushing off up to the stage.
"I'll KILL YOU MOTHERFUCKER.. DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM.. LET ME GO AND BRING HIM TO ME." His hemming and hawing encouraged the Musician, ascending to the stage and snapping his fingers at one of his assistants. The cat would sit himself down along his seat and cross his legs, laying the violin neatly along his lap while staring down at his audience with a fake smile that looked creepily real.
The assistant in question would rush backstage, dragging out a prisoner into the spotlight where the Musician would hold out his hand in his direction with a chuckle. "Come here, boy.. Into the spotlight, your family members are here tonight to see you perform... Well, only Jaklo is here unfortunately but we're actively searching for Ellis.
The quivering mouse would slowly walk forward into the spotlight, the condition of Rosco would catch Jaklo's eyes and he would freeze, a look of horror dissolving along his angry expression as his struggles against the guards holding him would diminish
"What- Did they do to you.." Jaklo mumbled with his quivering lip. Rosco was beaten pretty badly, the entire left side of his face was scratched, beaten and scarred. The Musician chuckled and spoke directly to Jaklo from the stage "I assure you, Jaklo.. It wasn't me or ANY of my affiliates who did this to him- It was Krover, he had a little bit of fun beating him before allowing him under my own wing. He's received much better treatment under my jurisdiction I assure you, however that's about to change."
The Musician gestured his head to someone at the very back of the theatre, nodding at him slowly. The person in particular would pick up a payphone, slip in some coins and start to slowly dial the police. The Musician would then look towards the guards holding Jaklo and nod at them "Bring him up, let them reunite again. Don't be shy"
Jaklo would be pushed towards the stage with ease, he was eager to see Rosco up close again and he had a plan in his head the entire time while he made his way into the spotlight. Apprehended, injured and feeling useless. Yet, he flashed a confident smile at his mouse companion and closed his eyes while looking towards the partially rotted wooden floor of the stage.
"Rosco-.. You need to listen to me-.." The raccoon pleaded, the Musician talked over him and raised his arms almost as if he was presenting a magic trick. "The Father and Son reunite.. on one cold Autumn night- Caught in an unfortunate, difficult Plight.. Jaklo! Do you have any last words?"
The cat darted his eyes towards the raccoon, staring him down and watching as a man approaches him from behind. Holding a handgun laying atop a cloth, so not to leave fingerprints. He'd approach the Musician instead of Jaklo and supply him with the handgun, the henchman would fold the now empty cloth and back away out of the spotlight skittishly.
Jaklo wasn't focused on the Musician, he felt he was nearing his end. Fixating primarily on Rosco and pleading more "Use your abilities.. Kill these men- Save us- There's no other way.. Kill all of them." His voice escaped his lips through a snarled whisper, glancing over at the Musician with hate evident in his eyes. Rosco stumbled, his expression saddening as his panicked demeanour causes him to glance and peek all around the stage, anxious at what is to come.
"I- I can't.. I can't do it.." The mouse bit his lip, his claws tightening in the zip-ties bounding him and piercing the palm of his hand painfully. Jaklo had a look of disbelief, watching the Musician run his fingerprints over the gun and start to load it with bullets. "What do you mean? Use your powers.. Show them what you're made of.. this is your chance.. They're going to kill me, Rosco.. I- don't want you to see me dead."
Rosco acknowledged this, starting to shiver as tears fogged up the lens of his glasses. "I can't do it.. You taught me not to kill, it's the right thing to do.." As soon as the mouse spoke this, the raccoon felt all of his past decisions hit him like a brick. His pacifism, it all led to this. He thought he did everything wrong, he realised he was too soft, he was angry.
"You deserve this, you never gave me a single chance.. You Cunt." The Musician spoke clearly and fluidly, Jaklo winced as he watched him quickly raise the handgun. The sound of the handgun resonated throughout his sensitive ears and he'd jolt. Opening his eyes again, he'd imagine to see either a heaven or a hell. But little did he know, he was only waking up to a nightmare.
The thick taste of iron, coated his tongue. It was blood, and blood stained his already blood-soaked jacket. Rosco would fall forward onto the stage, a bullet-wound tunnelled through the side of his head and spewing out like Dracula's Fountain.
There was a moment of complete shock, loss and utter incomprehensible anger. Jaklo could feel his chest tightening, he was struggling to breathe and his eyes widened like spotlights as he gazed upon the corpse of what was a son to him. He would snarl, the bloodied cloth protecting his extracted tooth falling onto the stage alongside Rosco's fresh body. His eyes would fixate up towards the Musician, who was smug and analysing Jaklo's reaction closely.
Rage, the raccoon lunged towards the man, he was filled with more hate than there was to fill the world entirely. His bound hands tugging at the zip-ties painfully as his attack fails, being held back by the men and held down. All he could do was talk, but even talking at this point was instead a furious and incoherent blabber, only few words were recognised.
"Fucker- FUCKING.. FUCKER YOU'RE DEAD, YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD.. I'M GOING TO HUNT YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE FUCKING EARTH.. I'LL SMASH YOUR FUCKING HEAD IN" The bickering went on and on, the Musician's smug face was instead evolved into a silent grin of amusement.
The cat would withdraw from the scene, planting the gun nearby and facing towards everyone else. He commanded everyone in the theatre to leave at once, the individual on the phone contacted the police and swiftly left the scene. Jaklo didn't bother listening, he laid there on the stage next to the body of Rosco and cried helplessly, his hot tears burned and stained his sore cheeks, he knew there was nothing he could do. His pupils painfully dilated, trying to make this all go back, trying to prevent it.
Nothing allowed him to go back, everything was still and in motion as it should be, the one moment he wished he could toy with time he was too weak to do so. Time seemingly passed in a blink however, he'd look around the now empty theatre room and there was only one person waiting for him after everyone had fled the scene. Ellis stood in the middle of the rows of chairs, a look of complete shock was on his face, of course he'd find Jaklo here but he was too late.
"Ellis.. He's dead" Jaklo's thick, sobbing voice echoed through the room. Blood would join his tears, streaming down from his eyes as he overworked his drained ability. Ellis rushed up towards the stage, he could only hold him, giving him comfort as he cried into his shoulder. As Ellis hugged the raccoon, he'd stare down towards the body, his eyes fixating on it heavily and soon he felt the same anger in his heart as Jaklo did. Rosco was one of them, he wasn't going to let the Musician get away with this.
"HE'S FUCKING DEAD ELLIS" Jaklo slurred out in complete tears, resting his entire body weight against Ellis and letting out pained whines and cries. Ellis patted the raccoon's shoulder, hushing him and tightening the hug "You're okay.. Just don't look at him, we need to go.. I heard sirens."
. . .
They'd both awkwardly shimmy off of the stage, Ellis kept Jaklo facing away from the body and quietly shushing him, but his eyes were glued to Rosco's corpse, he couldn't believe the Musician did this, he was just a kid. They'd stop, about half way to the exit of the theatre room, Jaklo pushed Ellis to the side and sniffled. Staring at him with puffy red eyes from crying.
"I told you, I don't need your help- I don't need anything.. I can't keep doing this, what if he kills you too? Oh god, he'll kill you too." Jaklo had a look of horrifying realisation, by allowing these people under his wing he was actively putting them in danger now, he thought back to Arasai, the panda he got killed because Krover blackmailed him. Scarlett was arrested and in prison thanks to him going missing, he was going downhill and he wasn't about to let Ellis be made a victim.
"I have to go.. You should go too, get out of here. Never come back to this city." The raccoon, still bound would slowly walk away, ignoring Ellis actively. "Jaklo? What on earth do you mean? You're just leaving? Running away? After what he did?! You're going to run away?! He was a goddamn son to you."
Jaklo pushed through the doors, making his way towards the exit of the theatre completely to the cold and bitter outside world where distant sirens could be heard. "Jaklo! You can't leave.. How could you turn your back on us?! You're our leader! We have to put him in prison! He killed him!"
The distant shouting became echoes from the streets Jaklo walked on, walking his way through the night. He didn't know where he would end up, but he wanted to end up very far away from here. He needed to be alone and he needed to be separate from everyone else, he couldn't risk hurting anyone else, this was much too crazy for him.
. . . Never to return.