Bystanders

by Phillip Murrell

  Kyle agrees. “Well, it’s not like she isn’t sleeping on the couch downstairs. My dad had to work, and my mom figured that your neighborhood was safer than mine.”

  “My mom still isn’t back from work. I figured it would be another long night. I know that when she gets home, she’s going straight to sleep. I might get yelled at later, but she’ll be too tired when she first comes home.”

  They sit in silence until Kyle eventually breaks it. “So, I’m thinking that we need to see how many have checked out our video.”

  Keith and Kyle bring up their website on a tablet.

  Keith looks at the total number of followers. The answer makes him frown. “Well, we have more followers, but I wouldn’t call one hundred views as trending.”

  Kyle focuses on the positive. “It’s still a hell of a lot more than we had yesterday at this time.”

  “Amen to that.”

  “Did you add the origin story section?”

  “Yeah, so far we have,” Keith scrolls for a few seconds. “Most think alien, next is robot, and finally billionaire playboy.”

  Kyle reasserts his previous opinion. “I think it has to be alien.”

  “The more interesting debate is if Beatdown has an arch-nemesis or if he killed the guy from the D2I story, then took his armor.”

  “I think it’s clear that there are two of them. Beatdown and another guy who kills people. I think I’ll go back to one of the cooler names I heard, Brutal. Brutal kills and Beatdown subdues. They probably trained together or something.”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Kyle. I think it makes more sense that Beatdown just took a second armor. He’s only killed a few, and those people tend to do terrible things. The news talked about how those guys last night were sex slavers.”

  “I wish we could have been interviewed. My mom wasn’t having any of that last night.”

  “Yeah. We need to get on TV to get the word out on our blog. We have the best stuff. The only ones with the Brutal footage. All the TV had last night was testimonials.”

  “You want to go skating?” Kyle asks.

  “Yeah, I do, but my mom said that I can’t leave the house. She may have been at work, but I sure got an ear full over the phone.”

  “At least she called. I seem to remember you complaining about her not doing that anymore.”

  “Yeah? Well, next time I complain about a gift, smack me upside my head.”

  The two smile and begin to respond to comments left by their limited number of followers.

  Power and Sean pull up to the youth center. They both get out, trailed by the goons, and go inside.

  The staff look up at Power and Sean. They avert their eyes. Power loves the docile staff. They know what’s going to happen and don’t get in the way.

  Power turns on the public announcement system and addresses the young adults present. “Yo, little shorties, what’s up?”

  Most of the teens ignore Power.

  “What the hell? You best pay me the respect I deserve.”

  The crowd still ignores Power.

  Goon One openly smiles. “What’s the matter, Power? I thought you were the man?”

  Goon Two steps forward and addresses the room with a deep and authoritative voice. “You will all pay attention!”

  Goon Two’s resonating voice demands respect, and he immediately gets it. He motions to Power that the floor is his.

  Power attempts to regain some respect. “Thank you. Now that I have your attention, you’ll be pleased to know that Power Enterprises is open for business. I’m accepting applications to be my new crew. All true ballers can step forward.”

  Nobody moves.

  “Y’all making me upset.”

  A voice is heard from the back of the room. “Ain’t nobody scared of your bitch ass!”

  The room roars with laughter.

  Power shakes with rage. “Yo! Who the hell said that? I’ll lay waste to you!”

  A second heckler joins the conversation. “Like you’ve been doing to your Night Terror? You a punk bitch scared to go to sleep!”

  There is more laughter.

  Power’s face is red, and his fists are clenched. “I didn’t see none of you bitches there. You don’t know what this guy can do.”

  A third voice. “Neither do you. I hear you turn tail every time.”

  The laughter is continuous and doesn’t even stop for Power to make a comment. Every time he tries to speak, a new kid cuts him off. Power looks at Sean. Sean just shrugs. He looks half happy and half sympathetic. Power hangs his head in defeat.

  Goon Two eventually steps forward. “Alright! You’ve all had your fun. However, Mr. Wiener represents The Chairman of The Enterprise. Therefore, if you interrupt him again, I’ll take that as disrespect to The Chairman. You know what that means.”

  The sound from the audience immediately ceases. That line won’t be crossed. Goon Two motions for Power to proceed. Power is pissed at the blatant disrespect, but there isn’t anything he can do about it.

  Power once again attempts to control the room, or at least survive it. “So, you all got jokes, huh? How about money? Any of you got some of this?”

  Power pulls out a fat wad of hundred dollar bills. He starts to make it rain with a few of them. The teens push and shove to grab as many as they can from the limited number.

  “I’ll take that as a no,” Power continues. “Those who work for me can get paid like this all the time. The streets will always provide.”

  The audience now seems receptive to what Power has to say.

  They shout agreement to his statement.

  “I also take care of my employees. I’m gonna have a huge party for the Fourth of July! Those who work for me will be invited.”

  There are more cheers.

  “Y’all like alcohol?”

  They cheer again.

  “How about drugs?”

  They cheer again.

  “How about fine ass bitches under the influence?”

  The cheers are even louder now.

  “So, who’s gonna sign up?”

  The loudest cheers as everyone tries to push to the front. Power now grins ear to ear. It may have been a slow start, but now he has dozens of eager recruits.

  Power chuckles, his goal looks like it will be easily accomplished. “Cool. Y’all can see my associate, Sean. He’ll hook you up and tell you what to do.”

  Sean scowls. “I’m starving, Power. You said we were gonna get some food.”

  “Work first. There’s a vending machine in the back. I’m gonna go out front and have a smoke.”

  Power walks out the front door while Sean starts taking names.

  Outside the youth center Power notices a dark limousine. Power shakes his head and tries to go back inside the building. The two goons each grab an arm and lead Power to the limousine.

  The chauffeur opens the door, and the goons force Power inside.

  Power voices his displeasure with the goons. “Damn, bitch, you could just ask.”

  Julie responds for the goons. “Could they, Mr. Wiener? It looked like you were trying to avoid me just now.”

  Power immediately takes a submissive demeanor. The two goons enter the limousine on each side of Power and effectively box him in.

  “No, ma’am,” Power answers.

  “Good. I’d hate to ruin our friendship,” Julie states.

  Julie unexpectedly grabs Power’s left wrist and pulls it toward her. Her sleeve slides up, and Power notices numerous scars near her wrist.

  “What the hell?” Power asks.

  Julie flashes a predatory smile. “Mr. Wiener, I don’t like you. I consider you to be a coward. I’m giving you the opportunity to prove me wrong.”

  Julie quickly pulls a knife from a concealed sheathe. She presses the blade against Power’s palm and draws blood.

  “Ow!” he exclaims. He’s worried, as usual, by Julie’s intentions.

  Power almost jerks his hand free, but he has enough commo
n sense to realize it would probably do more damage.

  Julie grins as she holds the blade firm. “Now, Mr. Wiener, you’re going to answer my questions. If I don’t like the answers I get, I’m going to need to have my limousine detailed.”

  Power is beyond nervous. The goons keep him pinned between them.

  “Do you understand my game, Mr. Wiener?”

  Power swallows. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. First, why is it that you haven’t returned to work since The Opposition attacked you for the second time?”

  “How am I supposed to work without any soldiers?”

  Julie presses slightly harder. “This blade is sharp. It doesn’t take much to open up arteries.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say. I can’t move the product alone. I need workers. That’s what I’m doing here. I’m recruiting.”

  “You haven’t answered my question.”

  “I’m scared. Night Terror keeps coming after me. I need better weapons.”

  “He hasn’t attacked you since you’ve had your security detail. Trust me when I say that they are the better weapons that you need.”

  Power fights back his tears. He’s utterly terrified and bleeding all over Julie’s limousine and blouse.

  She continues to press him. “Why is it that The Opposition is now targeting other areas of The Enterprise? He’s focusing on our working girls lately.”

  “Why are you asking me? I don’t know. I’ve never met the guy.”

  “Are you sure? It seems like you have nine lives when it comes to him.”

  “Like I told you before, I don’t know why he has it out for me.” Power begins to cry. Silent tears trail down his cheeks. “Please just let me prove myself. I’ve always been loyal. I can push the product. I’ve got my security detail and new recruits. I can make this work again.”

  Julie stares at him. Power knows the demented woman relishes his groveling.

  “Are you working with The Opposition?” she asks.

  “No!”

  “How many of them are there?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t know anything!”

  “How do you speak with him?”

  Power pisses himself. He whimpers as he tries to answer correctly. “Please. Stop messing with me, please.”

  “Who do you work for?”

  “You. I work for you and The Enterprise. Nobody else!”

  “Why did The Opposition destroy that abortion clinic?”

  “I don’t know! I’m not the guy you’re looking for! I’m just trying to get paid.”

  Julie must finally be satisfied. She lets go of Power’s hand. She wipes her knife and puts it away.

  “Maybe he’s just pro-life, like me,” she matter-of-factly states.

  Power immediately grips his palm and puts pressure on the wound. He then breaks down and starts to vocally cry in the limousine.

  Julie rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so melodramatic, Mr. Wiener. I was just testing your loyalty. The Chairman wants to entrust you with more responsibility. We had to make sure you weren’t compromised.”

  Julie throws a handkerchief to Power. He lets it fall onto his lap, then he picks it up with his good right hand.

  “Please attempt to man up,” she states.

  Power takes the handkerchief and wipes his eyes. Julie rolls hers again.

  “It was for your wound, Mr. Wiener.”

  Power sheepishly changes the location of the handkerchief.

  “Am I free to go now?” he asks.

  “Yes, please continue to push the product. You’ll have extra for your Fourth of July party. I expect you to distribute it all.”

  The door opens, and Goon Two exits to allow Power a chance to slide out.

  “And, Mr. Wiener, one more thing.”

  Power stops from stepping out of the limousine. He looks at her with a questioning stare. “Yes, ma’am?”

  Julie removes her elegant jacket and hands it to him. Beneath the long sleeves are numerous scars from previous knife fights.

  “Make sure you have this properly dry cleaned and returned to me. That blood is your property, after all.”

  Power takes the jacket and nods. His eyes linger on all the scars. Julie must have noticed his stare.

  “I hope you didn’t just think that I was a piece of ass handed a job that she hadn’t earned.”

  Power shakes his head.

  “Good. Trust me when I say that I’m not one to be crossed.”

  “I know that, ma’am.”

  “Good. You’re dismissed.”

  Power leaves, followed by Goon One, and the door shuts behind them. Power watches as the limo pulls away.

  Julie pulls out her phone and dials a number. “Mr. Chairman, Mr. Wiener and I just had our conversation. I don’t believe he’s been compromised; however, I do believe we can use him as bait. He’s stupid and will ultimately do something else to draw out The Opposition.”

  Julie listens to the response on the other end of the line.

  “I know that it will cost, sir, but as long as The Opposition is out there, we’re losing money.”

  Julie listens again to her instructions.

  “Yes, sir, I understand, but I still advise against that plan. It’s too barbaric, and I believe it will bring more law enforcement down on us. That won’t be better than having The Opposition after us.”

  Julie listens again.

  “Understood, sir. I’ll set the plan in motion.”

  Julie hangs up the phone. She isn’t happy and quietly mumbles to herself, “Old fool.”

  Chapter 4

  Sirens once again blare throughout Colberton on a balmy summer night. Donald and Alex’s ambulance speeds through the streets, desperately racing toward the emergency room of the Colberton Hospital.

  Alex is frantic as he works over a body. “Damn that Mortician. Hold on, buddy. We’ll help you.”

  Donald drives the ambulance while Alex stabilizes a badly beaten homeless man. It’s the same drunk who saw Mortician at the abortion clinic explosion.

  The drunk moans as Alex works feverishly to address his many injuries. He has bruises and cuts all over his body. One eye is swollen shut, and his nose is broken. The man moans with every bump in the road.

  Alex does his best to keep the man comfortable. “Sir, stay calm. I’m going to help you. We have great doctors standing by. You’re in good hands.”

  The ambulance finally arrives at the hospital’s emergency room. Donald slams on the brakes and jumps out the door. Alex brings the gurney out the back with the homeless drunk.

  A doctor and some nurses rush out to receive the patient. They’ve become efficient at aiding traumatic beating victims. They immediately take the gurney and rush the man inside.

  The doctor addresses Alex. “What have we got?”

  Alex responds, “This man stumbled into a restaurant severely beaten and claiming that the vigilante attacked him. He’s got a broken nose and clavicle, that I can tell. He also has numerous bruises and lacerations.”

  The doctor takes it all in stride. “Alright, thanks. You’ve done your job well. We’ll take it from here.”

  Alex nods as the doctor, nurses, and patient race off.

  Donald pats Alex on the back. “Calm down, bro. It’s quitting time. I’m sure that Kim and the kids will want you home.”

  Alex clenches his fists as he vents a long-held breath. “Yeah? Time flies when Mortician is beating people senseless. What was that guy’s crime? Vagrancy?”

  Donald leads Alex to the employee locker rooms. Alex is upset the entire trip and getting madder. They enter the male locker room, and Alex slams the door as he enters. He follows this up by punching the nearest locker that was partially open.

  Donald attempts to placate his friend. “Whoa! Calm down. You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

  Alex forces himself to relax by taking several deep and calming breaths. “I used to think Mortician was at least useful to the city. Taking o
ut the trash, as you said, but lately the guy has gone psycho.”

  “We don’t know that Trash Man beat this guy or what he may have done to deserve a beating, if it was Trash Man.”

  “Yes, we do!” Alex retorts. “I recognized that guy from the news. He’s the one who implicated Mortician in the abortion clinic bombing. That means he was an inconvenient witness.”

  “You could recognize him? How? That guy was beat to hell and back and hell once more.”

  “He had a tattoo on his neck of a monkey dancing on Libra scales. I thought it was interesting and remembered it.”

  “Maybe you’re right, but there isn’t anything we can do about it. I’m sure the police will be in here to interview him, just like all of the other assault victims.”

  The two move over to their lockers and begin to change back into their street clothes.

  “So, in a blatant attempt to change the subject and calm you down, what are your plans for the long Fourth of July weekend?” Donald asks.

  Alex sighs. “We get a long weekend?”

  “Well, no,” Donald answers, “but a lot of other people do.”

  “Huh, well, maybe we should get one of those jobs.”

  “But, then we wouldn’t have fulfilling lives rescuing all of these criminal patients.”

  Alex glares disapprovingly at Donald.

  Donald throws his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry. Bad joke. I take it back.”

  Alex smiles. “No, I agree with you. I miss the days when we helped little kids. Lately it’s been mostly the dregs of society.”

  “So, are you going to answer my question or what?”

  “Kim and I are taking the kids to see the fireworks. You want to come?”

  “Sure, I’ll stop by.”

  “Then, we’ll have a barbecue at my church on Sunday. You want to come to that, too?”

  Donald doesn’t seem as receptive to this offer. “I feel like I would burst into flames the moment I touched sacred soil.”

  “God forgives all and will forgive you. You really should get active.”

  “Maybe.”

  Alex raises his eyebrows.

  “Just maybe. But, mostly because I don’t like to pass up on potlucks. Especially when I know that dozens of sweet old grandmas will bring out their best recipes to one up each other. That’s heaven for a guy like me.”