//------------------------------// // No Angel // Story: A Made Man // by chillbook1 //------------------------------// Clothes flew across the room, landing haphazardly in the travel bag that Vinyl had set on her bed. Vinyl was in a tizzy, tearing her room apart in an attempt to get everything she needed in order for her departure. She checked her watch, swearing at the time. It was getting late, and she needed to be gone before someone came for her. She knew she should’ve kept her mouth shut. Just grit her teeth and bare it. Now, she was paying for it. She dug under her bed and returned with another bag. She zipped it open, quickly counting out the money inside. Between her clients in the street and the extra cash from Limestone, Vinyl had just under $2,500. It wasn’t much, but she had made do with less. Vinyl tipped her money into her luggage, stuffing the bills messily into the bag. At this point, her luggage was overflowing, unable to close completely. Swearing under her breath, Vinyl ripped clothes out of her bag, just barely making enough room for her cash and leaving a few outfits. She grabbed her coat and a pair of purple sunglasses, throwing them on clumsily. Before Vinyl could make her escape, she heard a knock at her door. She panicked, her eyes darting around in search of some sort of way out. Her apartment was on the twelfth floor, and she’d never climb down her fire escape before whoever was knocking found their way in. Even if she did, there was no doubt that someone was waiting for her at the bottom. “Shit!” Vinyl grabbed her bag, then ran into her kitchen. She could hear the would-be intruder pick at the lock as she carelessly dug through her drawers. She found a large, sharp kitchen knife, clutching it in both hands as if her life depended on it. “Put that down, love. You might hurt yourself.” Vinyl’s eyes went wide, utterly shocked to see Octavia standing before her. Octavia slipped her lockpicks into the breast pocket of her dark trench coat then, politely, removed her hat, holding it to her chest with her left hand. In her right, she held a handgun, which she aimed almost lazily at Vinyl’s chest. “I s-swear, I didn’t steal that money,” said Vinyl. “I promise, I—” “I know. I know where you got it,” said Octavia. “You made a deal with Limestone. Funny how things should work out. I’ve found myself under her employment now. We’re co-workers now.” “Put down the gun, then.” “See, I would, but I trust you about as far as I could throw you. So, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll keep my gun right where it is, thank you very much.” “Drop the gun,” ordered Vinyl. “Don’t make me hurt you.” To her annoyance, Octavia laughed. “You’re clearly not too bright, sweetheart, so let me fill you in,” said Octavia. “In the rock-paper-scissors of life, bullet tends to beat knife. I could kill you three times over before you so much as considered slashing at me. So put down the bloody knife, and we can get this over with.” “What’s the point? Just shoot me now,” said Vinyl. “It’s better than whatever it is Pie’ll do to me.” Vinyl stepped back, her back pressed to her counter. She had nowhere to run. “So just fucking do it!” “What the devil are you talking about?” Octavia took a careful step forward. “I’m not here to kill you. You’re being called in. Limestone isn’t cross with you. Well, not more cross than she is with anyone.” Octavia continued her approach, lowering her gun slightly. “So why do you reckon the Boss wants you dead?” “Fuck, fuck, fuck, oh man, fuck.” Vinyl grabbed a fistful of her own hair, still trembling slightly. “I fucked up. Really, really bad.” “What did you do?” “I… I squealed.” Octavia swore under her breath, her grip on her pistol growing a bit tighter. She closed the distance between her and Vinyl, yanked the knife from her hand, and pressed the gun against Vinyl’s forehead. “Explain to me why you would do something as daft as squeal on Limestone Pie,” said Octavia. “And you had better make sure that I like your answer.” “I didn’t, I swear, not on Limestone. One of her guys,” said Vinyl. “He’s a top guy. His name is Adonis. He was hassling me and my girls, and Pie wouldn’t get him to knock it off, so I squealed on him! The cops said they’d look into him, but they couldn’t do anything for me. Fuck! I’m dead, I’m dead!” “Shut up, Scratch. Let me think.” Octavia took in a deep breath, then moved her gun from Vinyl’s head. “You said he was hassling you. Define hassling.” “He’d hit us. Abuse us. Sometimes worse. Not like anyone cared. People see a girl like me walking down the street with a black eye, it’s somehow my fault,” said Vinyl. “They guess I should’ve thought of the consequences before I started sleeping around for a living. That’s what I get for trying to make ends meet.” “Shit. You really made things complicated,” said Octavia. She begrudgingly shoved her gun into its holster. “Alright. I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?” “I need some good news right about now.” “Alright, fair enough. The good news is that I’m pretty sure Adonis is dead now. That means the police won’t be able to chat with him and get anything else on Limestone.” Octavia grabbed Vinyl’s wrist and pulled her closer. “The bad news is that now we’ve got to go see Limestone, and she’s not going to be happy that you opened your mouth.” “No, fuck that. Kill me. Just kill me,” said Vinyl. “Don’t bring me to that goddamn maniac!” “Please mind your language, love, and I doubt Limestone will kill you.” “That’s what I’m afraid of. There’s not many things that beat out death for shittiest thing ever. Having Limestone Pie angry at you is one of those few things.” “Listen to me. This is bigger than you. Bigger than me. This is about the entire Pie family. You pissing about is going to get me killed, and that won’t bode well for anyone. So, my suggestion is that you come along with me and start thinking of how to get on Limestone’s good side.” Vinyl took in a shaky breath, thinking things over. She didn’t want to die, but a bullet to the head now sure beat what Limestone would do to her. She’d heard the stories, seen the bodies of people who made her angry, and Vinyl didn’t want that for herself at all. She really backed herself into a corner here. “Please tell her to go easy on me,” begged Vinyl. “I’ve seen some of the shit she’s done to people, and I… Just, please. Help me.” Octavia stood silent for a moment, her jaw clenched in thought. She grabbed Vinyl a bit tighter by the arm and dragged her out of the kitchen and towards the door. “Limestone told me that, if you gave me any trouble, I should bring her your head in a bag,” said Octavia. “Don’t make me regret ignoring that advice.” Vinyl nodded, allowing Octavia to lead her outside the apartment and to the car. Vinyl took in a deep breath, knowing it could very well be one of her last, then prepared herself to meet with the most dangerous woman in Manehattan. Octavia glanced to her right, to the woman who was causing her this headache. She should have shot Vinyl on sight. She knew that she’d have to kill her eventually. Why not now? Vinyl’s confession should have sealed the deal. Limestone would certainly understand if Octavia killed a traitor, and that’s just what Vinyl was. Octavia had no ties to this girl, save for a passing curiosity. She had nothing to gain, but everything to lose, by sticking her neck out for Vinyl. “Don’t speak unless spoken to,” ordered Octavia, pulling up to Limestone’s factory. “Let me talk to her first. And, when you do have to speak, you push the angle that you were scared. Terrified. You thought he’d kill you. You thought he’d kill all of your friends. And you make sure Limestone remembers how useful you and your friends are to her. If that doesn’t work, you fucking lie. You tell her that Adonis was talking about how he was trying to take over Limestone’s half of the family. You don’t know he’s dead. As far as Limestone knows, I walked into your apartment, grabbed you, and drove you here in silence.” “And if she doesn’t buy it?” asked Vinyl. “You pray to God that Limestone makes it quick for you.” Octavia opened her door and stepped out of the car, beckoning for Vinyl to follow. Together, the two crossed the desolate lot and stepped into the factory. They navigated through the building easily, arriving at Limestone’s office far sooner than either would have liked. Octavia knocked firmly, part of her praying for nobody to answer. “It’s Melody,” said Octavia. “It’s about fucking time! Get your ass in here!” Octavia sighed, then opened the door. She stepped into the room, gesturing for Vinyl to take a seat across from Limestone, who had her feet kicked up onto her desk, a large knife in her hand. She spun the blade on her palm, a lit cigarette in her mouth. Limestone sat up straight, stabbing her knife into the desk. “The fuck have you been, Scratch?” demanded Limestone. “Ma’am, she’s been—,” began Octavia. “Didn’t ask you. Shut the fuck up.” Limestone stood up, strolling around the room. She moved like a predator stalking its prey, her eyes once again filled with that crazed, unhinged anger. “I was talking to the whore. Answer me.” “I-I… I was at home. Ma’am. Planning to run,” said Vinyl, looking anywhere but directly at Limestone. “I don’t recall giving you permission to run off. Matter of fact, I remember telling you to bring your ass in by morning,” said Limestone. “It’s a shame, really, I bet you would’ve enjoyed what Melody here did to Adonis. He won’t be bothering you anymore, let me tell you.” Limestone giggled, despite her best attempts against it. “Don’t ever do some shit like this again, okay?” “Y-yes, ma’am. Of course not.” “Good. So, I need you to gather the girls up, we need to get back to business,” said Limestone. She puffed on her cigarette idly. “I’ve lost a lot of money because of your little vacation, and I expect to be paid back in full.” “Of course. I’ll get right on that.” Vinyl stood up, only to be stopped by Octavia. The two stared each other down, Vinyl silently pleading for Octavia to let her go. Octavia shook her head, which sealed Vinyl’s fate. “Miss Pie? There’s something I need to tell you.” “Don’t care.” “Er… Ma’am?” said Octavia. “You’ll want to hear this. It’s about Adonis.” “Melody, I want you to read my lips,” said Limestone, pointing to her mouth. “I don’t give a shit.” “Ma’am, Scratch went to the police about Adonis.” Time seemed to freeze, nobody moving or even breathing for a moment. Vinyl stared at the floor, praying beyond reason that Limestone would do something, say something to make this okay. “You spoke to the cops?” asked Limestone. Vinyl nodded timidly, biting her lip. Limestone took in a deep, calming breath, gently placing her hand on top of Vinyl’s head. “I don't think she said much,” said Octavia. “And, with Adonis dead, it shouldn't much matter.” “You spoke to the cops. Why would you speak to the cops?!” Limestone grabbed Vinyl’s hair tightly, tilting her head up. She pulled the cigarette from her mouth and jammed the lit end to Vinyl’s neck. Vinyl hissed in pain, then grunted as Limestone tossed her out of her seat and to the ground. “Ma’am, I…” Octavia trailed off as Limestone descended onto Vinyl. “You dumb bitch!” shouted Limestone, battering Vinyl brutally. She accompanied each slur with a firm punch to the face. “Snitch, rat, squealing piece of shit cunt!” “Ma’am, don’t hurt her,” said Octavia. Limestone dropped Vinyl immediately, turning to face Octavia. She slowly approached, backing Octavia up against the wall. “What the fuck did you just say to me?” snarled Limestone. “I just meant—” “I didn’t ask you what you meant, I asked you what you said. So tell me what the fuck you just said to me.” “I said… not to hurt her,” said Octavia, her eyes darting nervously. She had no place to go, barely even room to draw her gun if she wanted to. Even if she could, Limestone would be on her before she could squeeze the trigger halfway. “Who the hell do you think you are? Remember what I said to you, Melody? I own your ass!” snapped Limestone. “I don’t like backtalk. And I’d cut your tongue out through your fucking gut if I didn’t get you from my bitch sister for talking to me like that. So you know what? I won’t hurt her.” Limestone slapped Octavia firmly, then returned to her desk. She wrenched the knife from its surface and handed it to Octavia. “You will. Kill the bitch.” “Miss Pie… Please, I’m sorry,” coughed Vinyl, through a mouthful of blood. “P-please… Don’t…” “Kill her! Kill her right now!” ordered Limestone. Octavia clutched the knife uneasily, staring down at Vinyl as she clumsily crawled away. For some reason, Octavia couldn’t bring herself to do it. She knew that it was for the best and that Vinyl would be dead soon anyway. But, in that moment, Octavia couldn’t bring herself to hurt Vinyl. She didn’t have to die. It was unnecessary. The only thing that killing Vinyl would accomplish would is appeasing a mad woman. Octavia pushed past Limestone and stuck the knife back in her desk. “Miss Pie, with all due respect, you’re thinking with your heart instead of your head,” said Octavia. “At the end of the day, killing Scratch would just end up fucking you over in the long run. Think about it. Vinyl snitched on Adonis, this is true. Then, he turns up dead. No more trail. No more investigation. So, the police default back to Vinyl. But, if she were to turn up dead, now there’s a connection between two murders. The cops look into things a bit deeper. It’s only a matter of time before they find some link between Adonis, Vinyl, and you.” “There wouldn’t be an investigation to start with,” huffed Limestone. “If that fucking slut would’ve kept her mouth shut!” “I agree, but you should consider that maybe that fucking slut brought us a blessing in disguise,” said Octavia, gently holding her hand forward. “Maud sent me over here because you’ve been having an issue with the police. Now that Vinyl is in communications with the cops, not only would letting her live avoid troublesome questions, but it gets me an in. If I can get an ear in on the cops, I can help develop a plan to get them off of our backs.” Limestone remained silent, save for her angry huffing and muttering. She paced around the office, running her hands wildly through her hair, occasionally pausing to kick her desk frustratedly. Limestone shouted manically, swiping everything off of her desk. She took in a deep, calming breath and sat down. “If you don’t have my issues solved soon, I’m mulch you and feed you to the goddamn pigs,” said Limestone. “You’ve got a month. If I don’t see any progress, you’re dead. You hear me? You’re fucking dead!” “Of course, ma’am. Thank you for your understanding,” said Octavia. “Scratch and I will get right to work on that. You won’t regret this.” “I better not. Get out of my office.” Octavia nodded, then quickly grabbed Vinyl by the arm and pulled her to her feet. Octavia had to practically carry her new beaten, battered partner in crime out of the office. “Thank you…” breathed Vinyl, barely maintaining consciousness. “Why…?” “Don’t thank me. I’m not doing this because I’m secretly a good person. I’m no angel,” said Octavia. “You had better believe that I’m not doing this for free, Scratch. I expect you to help me out.” Vinyl nodded weakly, wiping the blood from her nose. “And mind the coat. Blood doesn’t wash out easily.” “Heh. I’ll be careful.” Vinyl pushed herself off of Octavia, having gained enough fortitude to support her own weight. The two walked down from the office, heading for the exit of the factory. “Alright. Fuck. She kicked my ass.” “Could’ve been worse,” said Octavia. “You handled things pretty well. You can take a thrashing.” “Part of the job, really.” “Good. You’ll need that skill where you’re going.” Octavia pulled out her carton of cigarettes, offering one to Vinyl before taking one herself. “Where am I going?” asked Vinyl. Octavia sighed, lighting her cigarette and taking a puff. “Prison.”