Devour: The Chrysalis and The Snake

Ultraviolet

2 WEEKS LATER

JACK POV.

“It’ll be a few hours. I’ll take you to out dinner when I get back.” I tossed my jacket on tucking my gun in my belt. “Nope, not happening.” Lily kicked off her slippers putting on a pair of sneakers after seeing my gun. “I’m going with you.” She was surprisingly adamant though I assumed my career frightened her. “Look it’ll probably be quick. I don’t want you to get involved-” “I’m going with you.” She grabbed my keys tossing them to me. I thought for a moment then went to my side table. I pulled out a .22 as well as a serrated knife. “Think you can protect yourself?” I tried intimidating her by giving her a weapon, but she gladly took the knife. “I don’t need a gun.” She tucked it in her jeans mimicking me. “I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand you.” I eventually complied as we left out together.

—

“Stay in the car for now. If I need you I’ll call you.” I down played her involvement as I truly didn’t want her putting herself at risk or potentially interfering with the transaction. “It’s just one briefcase? What about the others?” She watched as I grabbed the ‘package’ from the back seat. “Never sell all of your merchandise to one client. More clients, more interest, more money. You’ll figure it out eventually.” I gave her a wink and she responded with a quick kiss. “Don’t die.” She joked, though I could tell she was still very serious. I stepped out the car making sure she stayed locked in. I don’t know why, but something about this transaction gave me slight anxiety. I’ve sold harder drugs in more dangerous scenarios, just something about this didn’t sit right with me. I was greeted by a guard who spoke into a ear piece which prompted the doors to open. I gave him a nod as I entered. Four men sat in chairs standing as I announced my self. “Delivery from Carlos.” I sat my gun on the side table to show them trust. They stared at me intensely and I was at first confused. “Where’s your boss?” I asked looking around. I noticed plastic draped on the high parts of the walls and ceiling. “Renovations?” I lightly chuckled which came off slightly skittish. The guard from outside then came in blocking the front door exit. “Oh I see..” I looked back to my gun which was now too far for me to grab. “How’s it going Jack?” A familiar voice called out and I felt my stomach turn. “What are you doing here Mike?” He walks out as the men collect behind him. He gave me look that I’d never seen from him before. Almost like I had betrayed him in some manner that I wasn’t aware of. “Your luck had to run out at some point. I guess the high life is only meant for one of us.” He didn’t look remorseful as I could hear multiple gun safeties go off. I chuckled to myself once more, this time out of pure disdain once I realized my fate. “Yeah 100k and 50 bags of coke doesn’t add up now that I think about it.” I still held onto the case while I thought close and hard about my next move. “Sorry it’s just business Jackie.” I was in utter disbelief as Mike, my close friend of 10 years, raised his hand. The men lifted their guns and I quickly shielded myself, one bullet hitting the brief case as I fled. The sound of bullets rushed past my head, and I almost fell as one deeply grazed my thigh. I made it out, and Lily rightfully looked frightened as I shouted for her to unlock the car. I fell halfway into the driver seat as she came to me. “I told you to wait in the car!” I pushed her back. “Are you bleeding?” She tried putting pressure on my leg, but I didn’t want her exposed to any violence for her sake. “It’s just a scratch. Now let’s just go!” I tried getting in the car fully, but she was adamant. “Did they do this to?” She was becoming more and more upset. “Look. I know what you’re thinking, but this..this is something bigger than you and me right now.” I pleaded just wanting to leave and get somewhere safe. She walked past me and I tried stopped her, but my would wound caused me to fall limp. I couldn’t stop her as she stormed into the building. “She’s gonna get us both killed.” I propped myself up rummaging through the back seat finding a long umbrella which I used as I crutch. I hopped up to the front as I heard at least 1 gunshot go off. I dropped the umbrella, and I bursted through the the doors immediately thinking the worst. “Lily! Are-” I attempted to call out only to be met with the sight of Lily standing there with Mike and his boys laid out; the sound of their blood still gushing. I was in utter shock when I saw that she was still the one holding the gun. “You..” I cautiously came towards her. She quickly moved causing me to jump while she tossed the gun onto them. She then looked at me with blood peppered on her face. “There’s just so much pain and death around me and the people I care about. I just can’t take it anymore.” She looked numb as her eyes fluttered repeatedly. “How did you..” I examined the scene more. “They we’re going to shoot up the car. Had I not done this we would have been dead 5 miles up the road and we wouldn’t have that briefcase.” She disrespectfully took one of their handkerchiefs to wipe her face. “Who are you?” I for a second felt the urge to grab my gun and pull it on her, but I couldn’t dare do such a thing. She tossed it onto the floor, “You saw my ID. I’m just ‘Lilianna’. We should go and get this back to your boss.” She picked up the damaged briefcase handing it to me.

—

LILY POV.

Jack was shaking like a leaf as we gave the brief cases back to Carlo. “Mike was the one that ordered the hit you said?” He didn’t even bother to check the drugs as he stared at us, Jack still bleeding. “I don’t know what possessed him to do that, but I can assure you, my packages are secured.” He looked as if he would pass out at any moment. “Take him and the lady to see the doc.” He seemed oddly indifferent, and showed no grief for Mike. He went back around his desk as we were shown out. I held Jack close so that the pain was bearable enough for him to walk. As we left his home, two cars pulled up. I looked to him confused, but there was a lot of hurt in his eyes and face. “They’re gonna, uh, take you home. I’ll be there once I’m all patched up. I still owe you that dinner.” He rubbed my shoulder like he always does. I didn’t want to protest due to my actions. Even though it meant saving him.

—

JACK POV.

“FUCK.” I bit onto a wet towel as the doc scraped my gash with a scalpel. “The skin is too flat to stitch up. Just make sure the bandage keeps pressure on it at all times.” He sprayed a cleansing solution before wrapping me up with gauzes and a large bandage. “I’ll be back on my feet by Friday.” I helped myself up hopping to get my jacket. “And also Jack..” his tone shifted while he gave me a cane, “Tommy wants to see you immediately.” He took off his magnified glasses. “Why does Tommy want to see me?” I felt like things were gonna get worse, as Tommy is the last man you’d want to have a private meeting with. “He wants to discus what happen. He knows you were targeted and isn’t mad at you. But your girl..” he didn’t want to explain in detail, but the mentioning of Lily immediately convinced me to go.

I was brought out to another vehicle that took me to a public cafe. I could see Tommy through the window as he flipped through what appeared to be a folder. I instinctively crossed my heart as I got out the car with the cane that was given to me. My entire body was numb from the pain killers and vodka, but my heartbeat pulsed like a jack rabbit. I walked in approaching the table, and at the same time, a waitress handed him a drink. “Tommy.” I put my cane to the side sliding into the booth. “I would ask how you’ve been Jack, but I can see you’re not doing all that great.” He pointed downward to my leg. “You want to talk about what happened with Lily?” I cut right to the topic at hand. “ ‘what happened’ is putting it lightly.” He sat up. He pulled out a medical report of the men who were killed along with Mike. “I know she killed them. I was there, and she saved my life doing so.” I was already growing upset. “She didn’t shoot those bullets. You heard it you’re self. There were over a dozen bullet holes in my men. Yet, there were only 6 bullets left in that clip. I’d know, I shot the other 4 that morning. Blake was using my gun.” He explained. “What? Are you saying she didn’t actually kill them?” I defended her from the ludicrous assumption. “Did you see her shoot?” He was dead set on proving me wrong. “Because, upon further inspection, the bullet that entered through victim #3 had brain matter from victim #1, Blake, and victim #4. I would say whoever did this must be some highly trained sharp shooter, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. The bullet also remained completely intact. Almost like it was painstakingly forced through, not shot from an actual gun. The number of bullets shot after that do not line up with the amount allegedly left by your ‘partner’. There were also more wounds than gunshots according to my M.E. The injuries are almost identical. The only bullet we could recover had multiple curvatures in the shaft. As if something twisted it mid launch, and it managed to hit every single target all without shattering. This is completely alien to me Jack.” He explained in great detail, and I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “If not her then who?” I sat back impatiently tapping my fingers. He then pulled out a file taking out two pictures. One was of a young guy that looked around his late 20s early 30s; and another that looked about close to 45. “Who are they?” I studied them not recognizing either one. “This man here has been on our radar for a while. Like a few decades while. Yet the bloak still looks ripe.” He pulls a more dated photo out and the guy looks exactly the same. “Voodoo? I don’t know and frankly do not give a s**t. The problem is, a lot of our girls have went missing in the past. Each described him to a t, and then poof they’re gone after just one night with him. We’ve been keeping track of all the girls he’s been with that aren’t ours and the only one we weren’t able to pin was your little Lassi.” He sipped his coffee, and the allegations felt more and more farfetched. “What about him?” I pointed to the other photo. “Until about 1 year or so ago, we couldn’t find her. Not a trace, not even a plane ticket. Then one of my boys attended this gala with some of our best dames, and who does he spot all dressed up with your side piece.” He pulls another photo out, and in it the guy is seemingly scolding her after an altercation. “So we thought, maybe he’s another pimp or something.” “Lily..” I was devastated to see her in the photo. “And then days before she’s standing in Carlo’s office. This guy, Matthew, goes missing. No phone records, no bank records, no security footage, nothing. Completely falls off of the face of the earth.” He pours all the other photos on the table some containing more pictures of Lily as well.

“So what you’re saying she’s plotting something? Other than killing Mike, who tried to have me killed, there’s nothing here to suggests she’s some evil mastermind. And frankly, he f*****g set me up. So I’d call it self defense if you ask me.” I still backed her up, and he just grinned before putting everything up. “Well, when you leave here and go see her. Ask her about them. See how she responds. Then you decide if f*****g her everyday is worth your life.” He called for the check. “Also here. You at least deserve a fighting chance to clear your name. Carlo isn’t very happy right now.” He tossed brand new car keys to me. I was surprised to see the man who’s men were just killed be so considerate towards me, but there’s no such thing as true allies in this life.

—

My mind raced as I sped back home. Part of me hoped she didn’t skip town, but another wished she did. Regardless of the validity of Tommy’s claim, I knew that Lily was the target all along, and I was the stupid sheep being used as collateral. I made it to my driveway, and judging by the lights I knew she was home. I took a deep breath before getting out. As I made it to the door, Lily opened it taking me in with a hug. “I was so worried. How’s your leg?” She helped me in grabbing my cane. Is this woman really who she says she is?

—

LILY POV.

“I picked up some pain meds.” I pulled out a pharmacy bag with various remedies, but stopped myself once I sensed his energy. I slowly turned around not knowing what all he knew about the shooting. “Tell me who you are now. Or I swear..” he couldn’t even think of a proper threat as his face melted with our eye contacted. I felt my chest sink in and I knew my cover was practically blown. “I already told you..” I tried acting clueless to no avail. “You killed multiple men in less than a minute, and didn’t even seem to flinch let alone care.” He sat down still struggling to put weight on his legs. I don’t know what came over me, but I wasn’t going to let anything put a stake in my goals. “You really wanna know? Take your pants off.” I got up sitting next to him. “You can’t use s*x to change the sub-” “Take. Your. Pants. Off.” I deepened my tone which actually scared him. He complied pulled by them down, wincing as he was careful with his wound. I unwrapped the bandage exposing the slightly scabbed graze, then walked to the kitchen pouring a glass of water. I bent down with the glass in my hand. I placed my other on top of the gash, and he prepared to retreat, but I stopped the pain. I put the glass of water to my lips, and as I drank I felt his skin puff up and mend itself fairly quickly. I removed my hand, and Jack lost his breath. He immediately jumped up in fear, shock, and fascination with what just happened. “I just wanted to be in a normal relationship for once. I didn’t think you’d have people trying to kill you.” I got up sitting the glass down. “What the hell are you?!” He hesitantly put weight on the leg shocked that there was no more pain, not even a scar. “All you need to know is. If more men come after you, after us. You’ll never be harmed.” I tried approaching him, but he backed away in fear. “Tell me what happened now!” He grew more and more stressed pacing back and forth.

—

EARLIER THAT DAY.

“The f**k!?” One of the men shouted as I bursted through the door. He immediately fired his gun which I redirected back into his skull. Somehow his gun ended up in my hands as I pointed it towards all of them. “Speak of the devil. Kill her!” Mike ordered, but before they could ready their weapons I stared at the still intact bullet. In the matter of a brief few seconds, that one bullet was ricocheted across the room, hitting them all critically. Mike was the last to get hit as he watched in horror. He stumbled back as blood poured from his neck. “..wiiiitch..” he pointed at me before succumbing to his injury. Once the deed was done Jack finally entered. I was still holding the gun and I touched my face to see blood had been splattered all over it.”

—

“The motherfucker was right.” Jack finally calmed down sinking back into the couch. “I only did what I did to protect you.” I took his hand and he flinched. I let go, sinking back as well. “So now what? You never want to see me again?” I made a little nod to his similar declaration. “If I wasn’t currently expendable.” He looked to me, “Yeah, I would never want to see your face ever again.” He took my hand back. “You did save my life though. And I don’t know what kind of f****d up s**t you’ve done in your past, but it seems like we only have each other right now. Or at least, you’re all I have right now.” His words and understanding warmed me. I held up his hand kissing it. “So you can move things with your mind and heal wounds? Sounds like something out of X-men.” He pulled his pants up which were hilariously still around his ankles the entire time. “X-men?” I wasn’t familiar with such a reference. “You know. Mutants. Super powers and stuff.” He was now growing excited. “Sorta, I mean it’s more than just mind tricks and levitation.” For the first time, I actually had to explain what I was to someone, which was surprisingly nerve racking. “Well..” he motioned for me to show more of what I could do. I sat up, rubbing my sweaty palms on my sweats. I took his hand placing it on my cheek. After a few moments Jack snapped out of the trance I put him in. “Holy s**t!” He rubbed his eyes as I showed him very specific moments in my past, and I made sure to only showcase me using my powers. “That guy..he’s just like you??” He took note of a short memory with Evan. “What about him?” I grew nervous discovering he already knew who Evan was. He shook his head, “They’re gonna come after you to get to him. Not just Tommy’s men, Carlo as well.”

~~~~