The Town Herald

The netpaper about Elftowners, by Elftowners, for Elftowners.

Silent's Horror Corner!

Vanion's Story : Part III

by [silent_voice]



Chapter Two

Vanion's eyes gazed over at the large house he was to 'hit' it was a large home, three stories, two wings and a nine foot fence all the way around, the gates were made of thickened steel and a small black buzzer box came up from the ground for people in cars to press easily. As he sat in the tree watching the house, he became aware of yelling from behind him, a man and a woman. As the yelling increased the light in the room behind him was suddenly flicked on. Vanion quickly darted back against the dark tree and tried to blend in.

It didn't help when a little girl of about seven opened her window and climbed out onto the ledge and then out onto the same branch that Vanion was on. She sat on the branch, rubbing her tear streaked face, her blonde/brown wavy hair down to her shoulders. She looked around her backyard slowly before her eyes shifted over and she saw Vanion, her eyes widened in surprise and fear for a moment.

When Vanion moved, she flinched slightly and the effect was her starting to fall backwards, her eyes opened wide and she reached out to grab something, she didn't expect it to be Vanion's gloved hand though. Grabbing on tight he pulled her back up to the branch, then lifted her higher and put her back on her windowsill. His green eyes reflected the light in the room, as her bright blue eyes reflected the streetlight.

A moment passed between the two as they stared transfixed into each other's eyes. After a while Vanion lifted his hand and put his fingers to his lips, signaling a 'shh' the little girl. She nodded staring in awe before the the yelling in the house grew in volume and ferocity. Looking back at the door she tensed slightly as shadows moved underneath before looking back at Vanion, he hadn't moved "I know who you are." She whispered "Your the man on the papers aren't you?"

Vanion nodded slowly. The little girl looked down and nodded silently "I won't tell nobody that you was here mister Reaper." She said softly then smiled slightly and looked at him "I don't think your a bad person.. you saved me.... Thank you."

Vanion nodded slowly once again before putting his hand in his coat and pulling out a small necklace, its fine chain glimmered in the street light as he held it out. The girl opened her hand before dropped it down slowly in her hand. Vanion's larger hand closed over her hand gently before he spoke quietly "Thank you young lady...." Vanion removed his hand from hers and stepped back slightly.

The small girl opened her hand and looked at the fine golden chain with a small gold trinket of a feline's head on the bottom. She opened her mouth wide "Wow... thank you." She said looking up, but he was gone. Disappointed slightly she looked around for him, calling him in a loud whisper before giving up and going into her room, after a few minutes, the light flicked off.

Vanion had simply moved further back into the shadows, disappearing among the foliage. He still had a job to do, and couldn't waste much more time. His prey awaited in that building across the street, and as the old saying goes. The early bird catches the worm.

Silently Vanion moved down the tree and landed in the back yard. He was like a ghost, seen one moment, gone the next. It was a dark night, the moon wasn't out, the only thing he had to worry about was the streetlight which seemed so adamant to make this job hard. Slowly moving towards the street, he looked both ways, checking the street was clear before darting forwards quickly he ran across the road and used the black speaker box as leverage to jump up onto, then over the wall.

Landing in a crouch in the yard he took a deep sniff, he could smell dogs. The shadows would protect him from prying eyes, but not from the noses of dogs. Silently cursing himself he pulled out a small gun holding six shots, each would put a full grown man out for 6 hours, and take a large dog out for 3 or 4.

Sticking to the shadows Vanion slowly made his way across the yard, as he came closer to the house a he saw where the dogs were, one was dozing, two others were lying there and looking around the large yard. Vanion knew that if he was smelled, the dogs would chase him, after all. What dog didn't like to chase cats?

Vanion released the lock from the dart gun and pointed it at the dogs, with three silent 'whuff' sounds, the dogs got up had three darts in their rumps, getting up they moved around, aggravated by the feeling of something poking into their rear's. This only happened for about thirty seconds till they passed out.

Suddenly a deep growl came from behind him, Vanion turned just in time to receive a large set of Doberman jaws around his forearm, making him drop the dart gun, Vanion gritted his teeth as he fell back, he couldn't afford to yell. The pair wrestled for a bit, Vanion felt the skin on his arm tearing as the Doberman thrashed around, his short claws digging into Vanion's chest and arms.

Finally Vanion had felt enough, quickly grabbing a dagger he slammed it into the dog's spine and moved it from side to side quickly, the dog let go suddenly when he felt his body go numb and found he couldn't move anymore. Being humane, Vanion killed the dog as fast as possible. Now with the dogs taken care of, Vanion focussed on getting inside.

Spotting some lattice work on the side of the house Vanion quickly scaled the white crisscross wall up to the roof where he found the vent he had read about in the file he had been given. Using a knife and his own claws Vanion pulled the cover off of the air vent and silently slipped in. Using the air vents he found an empty room and slipped in, stretching slowly to avoid cramping.

Vanion found himself in a bedroom, raising his brows slightly at the massive empty bed and room he moved towards the door, opening it slightly. Peeking out Vanion could see a well lit hall with thick carpeting. The muffled sound of footsteps broke the otherwise silent home, Vanion moved back further into the darkness of the room as he watched two men walk past, intently talking to one another. Vanion's eyes narrowed, neither of these men were his target. Vanion waited until they passed before following slowly, his eyes darting from the back of one head, to the other.

Without warning one of them stopped and turned, coming face to face with Vanion. He opened his mouth to yell but one of Vanion's blades was forced down his throat, his eyes bulged as he staggered slightly, the other man seemed to turn in slow motion. Quickly Vanion pulled his thin wire out of his pocket and jumped behind the man, putting the thin whip-like metal around his throat Vanion pulled back tightly, backing into a door it opened under his pressure.

The man made a chocking sound and he clawed at his own throat, trying to stop the wire as it dug deeper into his skin, cutting into his flesh. Vanion pulled until the man stopped moving then quickly lowered him to the floor. In the hall the first man was leaning sitting up against the wall, staring sightlessly outward with the handle of Vanion's dagger coming out of his mouth. Smiling slightly Vanion pulled his body into the room, leaving the dagger in his throat.

Checking the bodies Vanion found two ordinary sized handguns, slipping these into his coat he left the bodies lying there and shut the door. Continuing down the hall Vanion's ears constantly flicked for the sound of talking, or someone coming up behind him.

Finding the room where the man was was the easiest part of the task, peeking his head around the corner Vanion was slightly surprised that two guards were posted on either side. This must be the right room. Considering his options Vanion decided that a blunt force attack would be foolish but it would get the job done fast, those two bodies wouldn't remain hidden forever. Time was not on Vanion's side.

Considering the two guns he had retrieved off of the dead bodies, Vanion pulled them out, looking them over for a moment he considered it, then decided. Walking out from behind the cover of the wall, Vanion pulled both triggers, both men died with single shot wounds to the skull, the back of their brains painting the walls behind them.

Walking up to the door Vanion lifted a heavy boot and kicked it open, the door bounced back off the wall slightly as he walked through in the middle of a board meeting. There was his target at the head of the table. Vanion knew that he could leave no survivors.

One of the men rose instantly, putting his hand in his pocket to pull out his own weapon. Vanion barely looked at him before he unloaded two shots in the man, the first one going through the heart, the second through the head. Vanion swept the gun over the room slowly "Anybody else want to move?"

Silence greeted his words, most were shocked into frozen positions at the sight of this 6 ft 4 inch tall creature from their worst nightmares. Vanion's target seemed calm "Hello there Mr Reaper." he said in a calm tone, reaching forwards he took a cigar from the table and lit it, inhaling deeply. "Do you have any idea what you've walked into?" he asked, trying to play it cool.

It didn't work, Vanion simply lifted one of the guns and fired, the bullet flew straight and through, bursting through the end of his cigar it moved right down, into his mouth, then out the back of his head, taking with it his tongue. As his head slowly fell back, his arm that was holding the cigar dropped.

The men all reacted by jumping up and backwards, their faces disgusted by what had just happened. Vanion's mind was blank as he shot the men, one shot per person, each one falling slowly, the last one pulled out a gun and pointed it at Vanion as Vanion pointed both guns at him. The sly business man smiled "I've got you now you son of a bitch!" he said smiling and showing his yellowed teeth.

Vanion's face was blank as he pulled both triggers of the guns, they both clicked. He was out of ammo. Vanion dropped both of the guns and stared at the man in front of him before suddenly jumping to the side, there was a loud bang as Vanion felt a surging pain through his shoulder. Darting behind the desk he swallowed, pulling out his special weapon he flicked a special switch on the side. The blade popped open and the large collapsable staff extended. Vanion's scythe was open and ready.

The man slowly circled around the table, heading for the exit "I'm going to leave and there is nothing you can do about it you freak!" He said backing up slightly, but not far enough. Erupting from behind the desk Vanion held his weapon by the very bottom, giving his arm an amazing reach he swung, at the same time the man fired once more.

As his head thunked on the ground, followed by an awkward moment were his still standing body twitched for a moment before it too landed on the ground with a thud. Vanion gritted his sharp teeth as he clutched his injured arm, the now dead man had fired into the same arm for a second time. Vanion took a deep breath before he heard the sound of footsteps hurrying to the room.

Quickly folding away his large blade Vanion stowed it in his jacket, looking around with equal speed he found the exit he was after, it was going to be some fall but he would be okay if he rolled.

Vanion paused briefly, looking at the door his eyes widened slightly at the sight of five or six men with fully automatic weapons. The panther man ran quickly and leapt through the window, the glass exploding outwards with him as he fell the three stories down to the ground, landing on his feet Vanion pushed off into a roll, transferring his energy into movement. It still knocked the wind out of him and he gasped in pain as the injured shoulder jarred on the ground.

Vanion lay there for a second and a half, it was all he could afford before darting up to his feet, bullets peppering the ground where he had been only moments before. Running for the wall Vanion looked at its height then chanced a glance over his shoulder, the extra dogs had been released and they chased him, barking loudly and snapping their large teeth. Vanion knew that it was now or never.

With a grunt of exertion Vanion leapt the 9 feet necessary to make it over the wall, landing at a run he charged towards where he knew he kept his bike. quickly jumping onto the waiting motorcycle it burst to life to carry the dark feline away.

Gritting his teeth Vanion pulled over 22 blocks away from his home. Putting his gloved hand to his shoulder he felt the warm wet blood through his glove and his shirt, looking down at himself he took a deep breath and felt his head lighten slightly, gazing around slowly he killed the bike and put the kick stand down, it was dangerous to drive it if he was going to pass out. Vanion began to walk slowly away from the bike. Vanion reached the next alley before his legs gave out from underneath him and he collapsed face down on the floor, his eyes slowly rolled closed, the floor felt good, nice. and cool.... the last thing that ran through his mind was wondering why he was lying down.

Vanion sat up slowly in the dewey flowers, looking around he frowned slightly, where was the street? Where was he. Two small hands came over his eyes "Guess who!" The distinctly feminine voice said in an excited tone.

Vanion paused "... God?" He asked softly his heart in his throat.

The voice giggled "Noooo silly! Its me! Victorya!" She said and removed her hands from his eyes, leaning over his head her purple hair fell upwards, her tinted pink nose and purple markings made it clear that it was the same girl from before.

A bolt of recognition ran through him and he stiffened "Victorya?" He whispered softly then looked at her, confusion crossed his face before it cleared and he pointed "You!"

She giggled "Yes brother, me!" She said and came around plonking herself on his lap she kissed his cheek "I missed you Vannie." She said happily and cuddled him.

Vanion hesitated then hugged her back "Where are we?" He asked looking around the wide open plains.

Victorya giggled and poked his forehead "Home." She whispered then stood up "Come on Van Van, lets find mummy." She said rising and grabbing his hand. She started to run.

Vanion got up hastily and followed her at a run, going to the large house in front of him he felt a twinge of recognition here too. It was the same as before, he looked around frightened for a moment as they entered.

It was exactly the same, everybody was still in the same positions and smiling slightly at Vanion. The shadows began to come from the walls and Vanion stepped back slightly "Not again... oh god no... not again!" He called out in a panic then tried to warn them again, but it was in vain. Right when the elder version of himself came close to him and whispered "Look at what you've become" Vanion screamed, then woke.

He was in a light room and breathing hard, a bandage covered his chest and he looked around sweating slightly, his clothes and hat were on the chair next to him. Vanion was naked from the waist up. His mind began to race, who had saved him? Was he in danger? Why wasn't he dead? What happened after he passed out?

Vanion tried to sit up and felt a burning race through his chest and lay back down in pain, it was best not to move. His eyes darted around the simple room, the bed which he was lying on was next to a wooden chair. Next to that was a bedside table with a lamp, finally the cupboard on the other side of the room which held various books, from fantasy to history.

The sound of a vacuum cleaner suddenly burst through the otherwise silent home, Vanion swallowed slightly then moved to get up again, gritting his teeth he ignored the pain and sat up, putting his feet on the floor he reached for his coat, using the chair to help him get up, the door behind him opened as the vacuums stopped. A woman looked in "So your awake..." She said hesitantly.

Vanion turned to her sharply, looking through his scarred eye, his red hair falling down his back hiding the long scar down his spine, his shoulder holding the V mark. The girl was young, probably around 19, she had short hair and keen blue eyes that seemed to gaze through Vanion completely. There was silence to her statement as Vanion stared at her for a while before he put on his jacket, as he moved his shoulder and chest moved and he grunted slightly in pain.

The girl instantly moved across the room, putting her hand on his arm unafraid she stopped him "You need to rest, lie down..." She urged him, though small, she was stern and moved Vanion's coat back down to the chair.

Vanion raised his brow "I should leave." He said simply as he was pushed back to the bed, sitting now, his face was hard.

The girl paused then looked at him "Well that's a good way to say thank you, listen... I pulled you in from the street Mr. Reaper, the least you could do is wait until your completely better before ditching me, it will take another day at least... please?"

Vanion frowned and looked down at the ground before looking back at her "How do I know you haven't ratted me out to the police and they are on their way now?" He said in a dark tone.

She smiled slightly "If I had done that, they would have taken you already Mr. Reaper, after all, you've been here two days already.... By the way..." She looked down then back to him "Who's Victorya? You... seemed very worried about her..."

Vanion's eyes hardened and he glared at her, she fidgeted slightly "Sorry." She said softly then got up and started to move away, heading for the door.

Vanion watched the floor as she walked to the door. "Wait..." he said softly, the girl paused and looked back. Vanion raised his head and looked at the wall in front of him "Call me Vanion."

A smile grew on her face and she nodded "Okay... Vanion." She went to leave again then stopped and looked back "By the way... I'm Bethany" Vanion turned to her, she smiled again at Vanion before shutting the door, leaving him alone for the time being. After a few moments, the vacuums cleaner started again.


For the better half of an hour Vanion lay in that bed, wondering what had happened, how it had happened and why. His mind reeled with how she was so open to him, so... unafraid. He did not know why she hadn't already called the police, he was a vigilante, a creature that killed others in the dead of night. How could she feel safe around him if all he did was kill and maim. Finally the door opened and the girl walked in, Bethany. He watched her carefully, slightly propped up in the bed he watched her walk in, carrying a tray of food and a tall glass of milk.
Bethany smiled softly and lay the food in his lap, flicking her hair slightly she looked him up and down slowly "Thank you." She said softly "I don't remember if I got the chance to say it before..." She looked down slightly then back to him.

Vanion looked at her carefully, his eyes roamed her body slightly then they locked onto her eyes "Your the girl." He said after a long pause. Vanion looked down at the food, bacon, eggs, and sausages.

She nodded "Yes... and... you saved me, well... you saved me from getting raped." She said softly and shuddered suddenly at the thought "I... I wanted to repay you... so... when I saw you there lying on the street... I just..." She looked for the words but found none came to her aid, so she just looked at him.

Vanion slowly raised his eyes and looked at her. His dark green eyes were soft on hers "I understand." he said softly, his deep voice held the gruffness, but there was also a gentleness mixed in there. Vanion lifted his fork and prodded some of the food. "I feel I owe you know Bethany." he said softly.

Bethany smiled "Consider it nothing Vanion... I was glad to help." She said and then gently reached over and touched his forearm "You saved my life... it was the least I could do."

Vanion nodded then began to eat the meal set in front of him silently, Bethany watched for a little while before she rose and left the Panther man to himself while he ate.

The day led on with Vanion lying in bed alone some of the time, but most of it was with the girl that had saved his life, she had explained to him what she had done with his motorbike, and what she had done to him, fixing his chest, how she got him inside and everything. As it was growing dark, Vanion's gaze wandered to the window, he had a moment alone at the moment, Bethany was in the toilet. Vanion moved his eyes from the window to his chest, peeling back the bandages slightly he looked down at his now scarred, fully healed chest. Vanion took a deep breath before looking out the window again, he would leave Bethany's home tonight, as soon as possible.

Nine PM that night, Vanion moved, silently getting up he put his coat and hat on, satisfied his weapons were still in place he shifted around the bed and to the window, before climbing through he paused and looked back, opening the bedside draw he saw some paper and a few pens, selecting one he wrote a short message.

Bethany,

I apologise for leaving on such short notice, but I cannot stay at your home any longer, I would be endangering you on more grounds than you would know, it has already been two days, I am sure that if I stayed longer, I would be causing harm to your life.

Sincerely,
V.D.- The Reaper.
Satisfied, Vanion slid out of the window and into the night. Disappearing easily amongst the starry sky along the stone jungle that was the city.







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