"How much longer?" Paradox asked from the back of the SUV.
"We should be there in another ten minutes sir." the man in the front seat retorted.
"Good."
The SUV stopped in front of the properties main gate. The man in front exited the vehicle. He was a burly looking gentleman in his black suit. The perfect government stereotype.
Dox exited the car and put on his long black jacket moving his arms though the sleeves. The various charms and bracelets he had on his wrists caught a bit on the inside. When the jacket was on fully he moved up his sleeves to make sure the jewelry hadn't broken or disconnected. The pieces were made of silver and gold and ranged in size and style. Each had some variation of alchemy and rune symbology on them.
The two men looked onto the property and saw a large two story house. Next to it was a smaller guest house connected by a carport. A large gravel road lead up to the home and curled around in a round about just outside the front of the main home. The place was quiet and the carport was empty. With no one in sight, it almost looked abandoned.
"Are you sure this is the place sir?" The man asked.
Paradox looked at the small garden just opposite the gate. It was filled with various wild flowers and the season's blue bonnets. In the center of the garden he noticed a large rock. He pushed the flowers aside, showing a painting of a papilio butterfly on it.
"This is the place." he answered.
"Isn't she suppose to be home at around this time?" the man asked.
"She is. Unless our intelligence is off." Dox looked at the man in a mocking accusatory manner. The man just scoffed and walked to the gate. He unlatched the lazy chain that kept the gate closed and pushed it open enough so he could drive the car in.
"I better go in alone." Paradox suggested. "We haven't seen each other in a while. And we don't know what her condition is yet."
The man looked at him sternly. "Sir, are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Don't worry, I'll be okay." Dox assured.
The man looked at him sternly. "Sir, are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Don't worry, I'll be okay." Dox assured.
"Yes sir." The man responded. And he stood by at the car.
Paradox walked up the gravel path and toward the smaller guest house. He entered the carport and approached the door. He took a deep breath and moved to knock on the door. But before he could, it opened. Just beyond it was an older woman. She had a larger build and was quite tall. Dressed in a blue tank top with casual black gaucho capris and bare feet. Her long dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail. Her dark brown eyes had gone directly to Paradox's. Staring hard at him.
"Hello Crusay." Paradox said with a smile.
"Dox!" Crusay replied before pulling him in for a hug.
Paradox accepted the embrace. It had been a long while since he had a less informal meeting with another person. Crusay invited him in shutting the door behind them.
"Go ahead and have a seat." Crusay motioned to the living room. The smaller house was....well small. Very small. Especially compared to the larger two story one a few feet away. Paradox walked into the living room looking around. A large desk with computer, printer, speakers etc. Any extra space was filled with papers and books. A table, a couch, a book case. The bedroom, bed, tv, nightstand, dresser. Paradox turned back to face the kitchen and caught the far wall. It was filled with butterflies. The project she had started on years ago. Back when things were bad. She had finished it. And it encompassed the entire wall.
Crusay was in the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and took out two large plastic cups.
Crusay was in the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and took out two large plastic cups.
"Would you like some limeade?" she offered. "I'm afraid that's all I have right now. I still need to go grocery shopping."
"Sure." Paradox accepted still gazing at the butterflies. Looking at them all he could have spouted off all their names. Not the butterfly names, his friends. There was Xilaya, and Chewie. Banana, Hoop, Kyle, he looked fondly at them all. He noticed a brown and orange dragonfly with blue veined wings. Must be Hellion. And then various little abstract pieces. All interwoven among the butterflies. It took him a second to realize. Those where the blobs. The ones who still fought beside them. Everyone was here. His entire family from years back. All of them, flying together on that wall.
Crusay walked in with the two cups. Handing one off to Paradox. Paradox gave off a bittersweet smile while taking sip of the drink.
Crusay walked in with the two cups. Handing one off to Paradox. Paradox gave off a bittersweet smile while taking sip of the drink.
"Turned out pretty well huh?" She asked. "It took a while, but I finally finished it. All 87 butterflies, our dragonfly and blobs. Brings back a lot of memories."
"All kinds." Paradox continued as he took another sip. Crusay nodded thoughtfully.
"Your place hasn't changed much." Dox commented.
"No. It hasn't." Crusay carefully continued.
"Is your family still living next door?" he asked.
"No. They moved out years ago." she responded.
"You haven't considered moving in there? It would be a lot more room." Dox inquired.
"No. That place...isn't any good." she continued. "I prefer it over here. It's safe here." Crusay walked over to the window to look out. She noticed the man by the gate leaning up against the car.
"Your place hasn't changed much." Dox commented.
"No. It hasn't." Crusay carefully continued.
"Is your family still living next door?" he asked.
"No. They moved out years ago." she responded.
"You haven't considered moving in there? It would be a lot more room." Dox inquired.
"No. That place...isn't any good." she continued. "I prefer it over here. It's safe here." Crusay walked over to the window to look out. She noticed the man by the gate leaning up against the car.
"I'm guessing you didn't come to make small talk Dox. So what really brings you and your goon to my corner of the world here?" Crusay jabbed.
"Well that was a bit harsh." Dox defended.
"Yeah, well, you know how I feel about your little group." she said.
"You were a part of that once." Dox said. Crusay silenced herself and looked away before she could spout off something meaner. But her face said it all anyway.
She finally spoke up. "What does New Weaver Co. want with me. I've done my part and stayed out of trouble."
"Well that was a bit harsh." Dox defended.
"Yeah, well, you know how I feel about your little group." she said.
"You were a part of that once." Dox said. Crusay silenced herself and looked away before she could spout off something meaner. But her face said it all anyway.
She finally spoke up. "What does New Weaver Co. want with me. I've done my part and stayed out of trouble."
"It looks like trouble is trying to find you. Again." Paradox responded dryly.
"Story of my life." she chided. "What got out this time? The hand tree? The lady in the lake? That tissue... thing? The rail monster? Whatever it is I don't want any part of it. I have a full time job keeping myself in check. I've been handling anything that's been able to find me out here. So unless it's tall, dark and faceless I don't see myself having a problem."
"Story of my life." she chided. "What got out this time? The hand tree? The lady in the lake? That tissue... thing? The rail monster? Whatever it is I don't want any part of it. I have a full time job keeping myself in check. I've been handling anything that's been able to find me out here. So unless it's tall, dark and faceless I don't see myself having a problem."
"Well that's kinda the point. Things keep finding you and you keep fending them off." Dox explained. "The vault has been letting all sorts of things out lately. We....I thought that maybe you could help us."
Crusay gave him a hard look. "It's not something I want to get involved with." She gulped down her drink and walked back to the kitchen. "I figured everyone would have had enough of that kind of thing after Caught...." she paused. It was still a bit hard for her to talk about his death. "...We all have coping mechanisms I suppose."
"How have you been feeling?" Dox asked.
"Fine.......why?" she gave him a questioning look.
"Just curious. Trying to be considerate." he countered.
"Look Dox. You never had to dance around this stuff with me before. What are you thinking? Am I exhibiting the late stages of infection? Am I causing a problem? Maybe you came to off me with your friend over there." She accused.
"Crusay stop. You know that isn't true." He defended.
"Then spit it out!" she yelled.
Dox looked hard at Crusay. Clearly she was a different person now. The aftermath was starting to take it's toll. Not like she took the most healthy route of dealing with things. Closing herself off in the middle of nowhere with no communication to the outside world or others. She was practically a hermit. He took a deep breath.
"Alright. Caccee has gone missing." he said.
Crusay shot him an angry, confused look. "Whoopdee do. She goes missing all the time."
"And Chewie, and Banana, and Beat, and Xuch." He finished.
Crusay's face went grim. "How long ago?"
"About a week. They've never all been out of communication this long before." Dox answered. "None of them were on duty. Or even in the same general area. The only thing connecting them is that they went missing, and they are all first gen butterflies."
"And I'm guessing I'm the last one?"
"To the best of our knowledge, yes." Dox answered.
She slumped back a bit and leaned against the wall. "So what? You came for help?"
"Sort of." he continued. "We know how you feel about...our group. I suggested we have one person come to talk to you about it. Nicely."
"Unlike your last crew that tried to capture me?" Crusay accused.
"That wasn't our fault. We didn't know about the doppleganger at the time." Dox defended.
"Your people have shitty intelligence then." Crusay jabbed.
"There are things we didn't even know existed in the Vault back then." He retorted.
"Still not an excuse Dox!" she finished. There was a long awkward silence between them. Crusay knew that Dox wasn't the bad guy. But five years after Caught's death, she knew her coping mechanism wasn't being a part of the Weaver group. And weather she had wanted them to or not, she seemed to keep being dragged into their habits. Regardless, if the first butterflies were disappearing, then that was a problem for her too. A problem that could be solved quicker with the resources of New Weaver Co.
Crusay pointed out the window. "And if I decide not to help?"
"I know how this must look but he's not here for you. He's here for me." Dox said.
"You?" she asked. "I thought you were in charge over there."
"There isn't one person in charge really. More like a group agreement on what our next plan of action is." he explained.
"Fucking hivemind." she scoffed.
"Yes!" Dox said cheerly. "Listen Crusay, we just want to make sure you don't go missing too. I promise, no hunting. No extractions. No....other things. Just a few days, helping us try to locate the others. All expenses paid. And you'll also get to see a few old friends." Dox smiled the best he could at her. It was a forced smile but a smile all the same.
Crusay pouted. She had said that she wouldn't have anything to do with Weaver related things after Showtime. She promised everyone else that she would shut herself away after that. Not wanting to advance her infection after what they all did to that killer. Damn psycho deserved every ounce of what they got. But Crusay knew it changed her. Got her that much closer to being just like Showtime. And she refused to let that happen.
"I can't leave here Dox. Not until I know that it's safe."
Dox looked at her sympathetically. "I understand. It was worth a try." Dox walked into the kitchen and put his glass down on the counter top. Then turned back to Crusay.
"Regardless, it was really good to see you again. We've all missed you."
Crusay stood in the doorway with a defeated look on her face. Dox opened his arms wide and hugged her. Before he let go he glanced up behind her. A large white door stood where the window once was. Crusay opened her eyes wide as a long chill ran down her spine. Dox held on to Crusay for another second, wide eyed. Keeping his eyes on the door like it was a wild animal about to strike. Knowing that whatever was about to happen next, was probably going to be bad for everyone.
He whispered into her ears. "Crusay. We need to leave."
"No." she responded. She broke the embrace and spun around. The door might as well have been looming over them. "No....no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO!"
The doorknob turned slightly.
"I gave you the house! You said you would stay in the house!"
The door flung open and from the dark expanse beyond it, a giant howl stretched into the home. Bringing with it a terrible wind that made papers fly around and the furniture move. "YOU SAID YOU WOULD STAY IN THE HOUSE YOU BASTARDS!"
"Crusay!" Dox insisted. He ran to the front door and flung it open. As he did a suction started. Pulling everything into the impossible doorway. Forcing Crusay to move out of the room. Just before exiting, Crusay grabbed a hold of a jean jacket and backpack leaning up against the threshold, close behind Dox.
The two ran to the truck. The man had his gun out but down, trying to find a target to shoot.
"Forget the gun! We need to get out of here now!" Dox yelled. The man put the pistol back in his holster and got in the SUV. Starting the car.
Crusay stopped and picked up a large stick on the side of the driveway. She looked around for a second trying to find something. Dox doubled back, grabbing her by the arm.
"Let go of me!" Crusay yelled. Dox released his grip and Crusay continued to look at the gravel. The howl turned into creeks and cracks. Dox looked up at the place they were just in and saw the roof buckle. A large screech sounded and suddenly the guest house began to cave in. Like someone was crumpling it up like a wad of paper. The screech got louder.
"Sir! We need to get the fuck out of here!" the man yelled.
"Crusay!" Dox pleaded.
"THERE!" Crusay announced as she thrust the stick into the ground.
She twisted it back and forth nine times. Each time a loud click could be heard along with a series of random light sources appearing around the property. A beehive like matrix of light inched it's way up from the base and collected about two stories above them. Crusay picked up the stick and looked up. Taking a few steps back with Dox. She had a tremendous smile on her face as the light collected and shined in what looked like a shield. The man in the SUV looked up too in awe.
The guest house continued to collapse, leaving only the cursed door in it's wake. Quickly taking the main home into itself. Crusay gently pushed Dox back behind her taking the stick like a baseball bat and hitting nine points onto the light shield. Forming a familiar alchemy symbol from their past. The symbol shined with light before finally surging, pushing in all directions with a force. Throwing Dox and Crusay on their backs, and eventually destroying the door that had appeared only moments ago.
The unholy howling stopped. And so did the gusts of wind. Leaving the foundation of the guest house, and half of the large home up. As if it was in the middle of being torn down. The light shield worked it's way down to the ground again. Joining at the nine major points then fading back to it's normal state.
Crusay got up and looked around at the damage. Looking at the place that was her home for so long. Dox got up and dusted off his clothing. He slowly walked up to Crusay. Seeing her home destroyed right before their eyes like that. He approached her and gently put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm....I'm sorry Crusay." he said.
"I can't believe that fucking worked." She retorted. "No alchemy thing I've ever done has worked. It was exactly what I had in mind. It neutralized everything perfectly. It was fucking genius."
"But, your home." Dox said.
"It had to go sometime. I had no idea how long it would stay in main house. Of course now I have to rebuild." Crusay stopped. She started yelling and flinging the stick around hitting the gravel randomly. Chucking rocks in every direction. "Fucking assholes! You said you'd stay in the fucking house."
Dox grabbed the stick as she raised it again. He held it as he walked in front of her. "Crusay, you made a deal with it?"
"Sorta....maybe....yeah. But I didn't hold up my end of the bargain so fuck them." she cursed.
"What kind of bargain?" Dox asked warily.
"The kind where I'm suppose to kill people for it." Crusay said plainly. Dox's face got very serious. "I told you I didn't do it. I was trying to buy some time. Who knows? Maybe I was talking to myself? I talk to all sorts of things now." Crusay had a strait face on but her eyes said different. They showed exhaustion. From fighting physically and mentally against all the things that had come after her. Trying so hard to not get anyone else involved.
"Please come with us. We can help you. That's what family is for." Dox said.
Crusay took a long look at the remains of the house. "Fine. But I get to come and go as I please. And if I get one icky feeling about anything, then I'm leaving."
"That's fair." he responded.
Alright!" Crusay whirled around and marched over to the SUV. "Come on Men in Black let's get our asses in gear. I don't want to be around when that shit starts up again." Dox followed smiling a bit. Everyone had changed quite a bit since all those events over five years ago. It was nice to see a little bit of the old normalcy coming back. Even if it was under unpleasant circumstances.
"Crusay stop. You know that isn't true." He defended.
"Then spit it out!" she yelled.
Dox looked hard at Crusay. Clearly she was a different person now. The aftermath was starting to take it's toll. Not like she took the most healthy route of dealing with things. Closing herself off in the middle of nowhere with no communication to the outside world or others. She was practically a hermit. He took a deep breath.
"Alright. Caccee has gone missing." he said.
Crusay shot him an angry, confused look. "Whoopdee do. She goes missing all the time."
"And Chewie, and Banana, and Beat, and Xuch." He finished.
Crusay's face went grim. "How long ago?"
"About a week. They've never all been out of communication this long before." Dox answered. "None of them were on duty. Or even in the same general area. The only thing connecting them is that they went missing, and they are all first gen butterflies."
"And I'm guessing I'm the last one?"
"To the best of our knowledge, yes." Dox answered.
She slumped back a bit and leaned against the wall. "So what? You came for help?"
"Sort of." he continued. "We know how you feel about...our group. I suggested we have one person come to talk to you about it. Nicely."
"Unlike your last crew that tried to capture me?" Crusay accused.
"That wasn't our fault. We didn't know about the doppleganger at the time." Dox defended.
"Your people have shitty intelligence then." Crusay jabbed.
"There are things we didn't even know existed in the Vault back then." He retorted.
"Still not an excuse Dox!" she finished. There was a long awkward silence between them. Crusay knew that Dox wasn't the bad guy. But five years after Caught's death, she knew her coping mechanism wasn't being a part of the Weaver group. And weather she had wanted them to or not, she seemed to keep being dragged into their habits. Regardless, if the first butterflies were disappearing, then that was a problem for her too. A problem that could be solved quicker with the resources of New Weaver Co.
Crusay pointed out the window. "And if I decide not to help?"
"I know how this must look but he's not here for you. He's here for me." Dox said.
"You?" she asked. "I thought you were in charge over there."
"There isn't one person in charge really. More like a group agreement on what our next plan of action is." he explained.
"Fucking hivemind." she scoffed.
"Yes!" Dox said cheerly. "Listen Crusay, we just want to make sure you don't go missing too. I promise, no hunting. No extractions. No....other things. Just a few days, helping us try to locate the others. All expenses paid. And you'll also get to see a few old friends." Dox smiled the best he could at her. It was a forced smile but a smile all the same.
Crusay pouted. She had said that she wouldn't have anything to do with Weaver related things after Showtime. She promised everyone else that she would shut herself away after that. Not wanting to advance her infection after what they all did to that killer. Damn psycho deserved every ounce of what they got. But Crusay knew it changed her. Got her that much closer to being just like Showtime. And she refused to let that happen.
"I can't leave here Dox. Not until I know that it's safe."
Dox looked at her sympathetically. "I understand. It was worth a try." Dox walked into the kitchen and put his glass down on the counter top. Then turned back to Crusay.
"Regardless, it was really good to see you again. We've all missed you."
Crusay stood in the doorway with a defeated look on her face. Dox opened his arms wide and hugged her. Before he let go he glanced up behind her. A large white door stood where the window once was. Crusay opened her eyes wide as a long chill ran down her spine. Dox held on to Crusay for another second, wide eyed. Keeping his eyes on the door like it was a wild animal about to strike. Knowing that whatever was about to happen next, was probably going to be bad for everyone.
He whispered into her ears. "Crusay. We need to leave."
"No." she responded. She broke the embrace and spun around. The door might as well have been looming over them. "No....no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO!"
The doorknob turned slightly.
"I gave you the house! You said you would stay in the house!"
The door flung open and from the dark expanse beyond it, a giant howl stretched into the home. Bringing with it a terrible wind that made papers fly around and the furniture move. "YOU SAID YOU WOULD STAY IN THE HOUSE YOU BASTARDS!"
"Crusay!" Dox insisted. He ran to the front door and flung it open. As he did a suction started. Pulling everything into the impossible doorway. Forcing Crusay to move out of the room. Just before exiting, Crusay grabbed a hold of a jean jacket and backpack leaning up against the threshold, close behind Dox.
The two ran to the truck. The man had his gun out but down, trying to find a target to shoot.
"Forget the gun! We need to get out of here now!" Dox yelled. The man put the pistol back in his holster and got in the SUV. Starting the car.
Crusay stopped and picked up a large stick on the side of the driveway. She looked around for a second trying to find something. Dox doubled back, grabbing her by the arm.
"Let go of me!" Crusay yelled. Dox released his grip and Crusay continued to look at the gravel. The howl turned into creeks and cracks. Dox looked up at the place they were just in and saw the roof buckle. A large screech sounded and suddenly the guest house began to cave in. Like someone was crumpling it up like a wad of paper. The screech got louder.
"Sir! We need to get the fuck out of here!" the man yelled.
"Crusay!" Dox pleaded.
"THERE!" Crusay announced as she thrust the stick into the ground.
She twisted it back and forth nine times. Each time a loud click could be heard along with a series of random light sources appearing around the property. A beehive like matrix of light inched it's way up from the base and collected about two stories above them. Crusay picked up the stick and looked up. Taking a few steps back with Dox. She had a tremendous smile on her face as the light collected and shined in what looked like a shield. The man in the SUV looked up too in awe.
The guest house continued to collapse, leaving only the cursed door in it's wake. Quickly taking the main home into itself. Crusay gently pushed Dox back behind her taking the stick like a baseball bat and hitting nine points onto the light shield. Forming a familiar alchemy symbol from their past. The symbol shined with light before finally surging, pushing in all directions with a force. Throwing Dox and Crusay on their backs, and eventually destroying the door that had appeared only moments ago.
The unholy howling stopped. And so did the gusts of wind. Leaving the foundation of the guest house, and half of the large home up. As if it was in the middle of being torn down. The light shield worked it's way down to the ground again. Joining at the nine major points then fading back to it's normal state.
Crusay got up and looked around at the damage. Looking at the place that was her home for so long. Dox got up and dusted off his clothing. He slowly walked up to Crusay. Seeing her home destroyed right before their eyes like that. He approached her and gently put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm....I'm sorry Crusay." he said.
"I can't believe that fucking worked." She retorted. "No alchemy thing I've ever done has worked. It was exactly what I had in mind. It neutralized everything perfectly. It was fucking genius."
"But, your home." Dox said.
"It had to go sometime. I had no idea how long it would stay in main house. Of course now I have to rebuild." Crusay stopped. She started yelling and flinging the stick around hitting the gravel randomly. Chucking rocks in every direction. "Fucking assholes! You said you'd stay in the fucking house."
Dox grabbed the stick as she raised it again. He held it as he walked in front of her. "Crusay, you made a deal with it?"
"Sorta....maybe....yeah. But I didn't hold up my end of the bargain so fuck them." she cursed.
"What kind of bargain?" Dox asked warily.
"The kind where I'm suppose to kill people for it." Crusay said plainly. Dox's face got very serious. "I told you I didn't do it. I was trying to buy some time. Who knows? Maybe I was talking to myself? I talk to all sorts of things now." Crusay had a strait face on but her eyes said different. They showed exhaustion. From fighting physically and mentally against all the things that had come after her. Trying so hard to not get anyone else involved.
"Please come with us. We can help you. That's what family is for." Dox said.
Crusay took a long look at the remains of the house. "Fine. But I get to come and go as I please. And if I get one icky feeling about anything, then I'm leaving."
"That's fair." he responded.
Alright!" Crusay whirled around and marched over to the SUV. "Come on Men in Black let's get our asses in gear. I don't want to be around when that shit starts up again." Dox followed smiling a bit. Everyone had changed quite a bit since all those events over five years ago. It was nice to see a little bit of the old normalcy coming back. Even if it was under unpleasant circumstances.
