by
marat
Chapter
Eight
Inside the MacLeod-Slaughter
mansion, Fareed Gouyannou had become unsettled. Crimson Flare should have
returned by now. It didnt show on his face, but he was becoming worried
that something had gone wrong with his plan. He occasionally deigned to mingle
with small groups of his lackeys, encouraging, cajoling, and even joking
with those he wished to provide a sense of their own intimacy with the
caudillo. At the same time, through narrowed eyes, he scanned the
edges of the room. Gouyannou knew the information Bruce Sealing had brought
to him was well intended, and that Sealing himself was well-meaning, but
the problem was that he was too ambitious. The former police officer was
not smart enough to appreciate the inherent dangers represented by the
superheroine. Too many, he knew, had believed that Crimson Flare would easily
be brought to heel. And all of them were either dead, in prison, or, as in
the case of Ape Greystook, permanently consigned to the prison hospital.
Too many had already paid dearly for underestimating the petite masked Champion
of Mitropoulos. Were things already turning? he wondered. The world is always
turning.
Over in a well-lit corner,
Bruce Sealing had become the center of attention. The few ladies still present
had all gathered around him, their giggling laughter rising every once in
a while to a crescendo that irritated the mobster. As Gouyannou surveyed
the room, he noticed that his irritation was shared by some of his
lieutenants.
Sealing had served his
purpose. His capos would deal with that man in their own
time.
But even his capos
seemed unaware of the threat the chieftain was certain was now taking shape
out there, somewhere in the city. He set his jaw, fury building in him. These
people never THINK! he thought to himself. Everything is about NOW. If Crimson
Flare has somehow escaped his control, theres no question that she
could present a problem greater than any he had ever encountered. He began
to make his apologies to his guests, something about having to go to his
office to take care of some business. He would return shortly, he
said.
*****
Upstairs, Fareed Gouyannou
made a series of phone calls out of earshot of his subordinates. He alerted
his early-warning system to be on the lookout for Crimson Flare, and to notify
him immediately she was seen moving in the city, particularly if she was
heading toward the mansion.
One of his sources told
him that the last she had been seen, she had been heading toward the City
Centre; but that had been hours ago.
No one had seen the comely
crimefighter actually arrive at city hall.
Without a word, Gouyannou
hung up.
*****
The tensions and strains
all flowed from Karen Perrys body as she lay back in the tub. As the
steam rose, it seemed, all of the turmoil that had surrounded her seemed
to dissipate with it. For the first time inhow long? months?she
felt her muscles relax. It was like her entire body had
unclenched.
Lynn was talking, but
Karen only half listened. She knew she would have to apologise to her friend
for that, but, for the first time in what seemed a lifetime, she felt physically
free. The demons were gone! And she was reveling in that
freedom.
and youve
got to know whats waiting for you if youre going back there,
Lynn was saying.
Karen?
Karen!
I know! Karen
replied sharply, although she had only heard the last few words of her
friends warning. I know, she said more gently.
Its just that
its just that you dont understand
how I feel right now. Its like my whole body was a tight ball, squeezing,
pushing against itself. And now all of that pressure is gone. I feel like
Im floating right now. It feels good.
Lynn knew she couldnt
understand. But she wanted Karen to know that, despite the exhilaration of
her release from the devilish forces that had controlled her since they had
met, now was not the time to leap at Gouyannou without proper
preparation.
But Gouyannou is
very dangerous. Hes dangerous because hes
smart.
I know. He didnt
get where he is without being smart, Karen replied. But hes
got Maria and I have to
Well get
her, Lynn cut her off. But we have to prepare. Ill bet
hes already preparing contingency plans in case youre beyond
his control.
But he cant
know that Im completely beyond his control. And that that condition
is permanent.
Is
it?
Yes, Karen
said confidently. Every other time we tried to attack the dependency
that Chan had created, I felt it still there, still gnawing at me. Maybe
it was a still, small churning at the base of my spine, or an emptiness somewhere
in me, but it was there and I could sense it, clearly. Thats gone
now.
Maybe we should
do a chemical analysis of that stain on the bed.
Karen sat up in the tub.
I dont want to know what it was. It was
I dont
know
if I had religion, Id call it
evil.
Do you mind if
I satisfy my curiosity?
If you want.
Karen turned her body, the soapy water splashing up over her smooth, muscular
back as she laid her body out, her chin resting on the edge of the tub.
Could you give my shoulders a massage?
Lynn shifted her weight
and pressed her strong fingers into the soapy water and into the muscles
of her friends neck and shoulders. There is a difference,
she said quietly, a moment having passed. The muscles in your shoulders
have always been tense, hard. Now theyre completely relaxed. I thought
it was because of the constant pressure of your heroine
career.
No. Stacy used
to give great massages, but she frequently commented on the lack of
tension in my muscles that she felt.
Lynns fingers worked
her friends shoulders. Coupled with the hot water in which she was
immersed, Karen soon drifted off into a daze, even forgetting the immediate
concerns of her other friends.
*****
In their basement cell
at the mansion Maria Blakeman and Tim Westbrook sat silently. Maria had done
what she could to comfort her partner, but the blue-black bruises surrounding
his eyes and swelling his jaw made communicating all but impossible. Now,
she sat on the floor, Westbrooks head resting on her lap.
Tim, why did you
try to blackmail Crimson Flare? Maria said softly after a short while.
She is one of the most important allies the police have in dealing
with crime. Shes even an inspiration here the policewoman
knew she was speaking of the heroines influence on her own career
choices an inspiration to women all over the city to fight crime
in their neighbourhoods and even to resist the gangs. Look what she did to
the Normans and the Savoyards.
Westbrook struggled mightily
to answer Marias question, but all he could muster was a single word,
sputtered out through clenched teeth within his battered jaw.
Vigilante.
Maria knew that she
couldnt speak of the friendship that had begun with Lynn and Crimson
Flare. In defending the heroine, she knew she could only talk about the victories
she had won and the specific aid she had provided the police in the fight
against crime.
But Tim Westbrook knew
that his response was inadequate. He also knew it wasnt true. He knew,
like most members of Mitropoulos police force, that Crimson Flare
wasnt hated for the work she did. In fact, in large part, she was hated
because of the work she did, and because of her success. The petite
crimefighter had smashed two of Mitropoulos most dangerous gangs, had
seen to the death of their leadership, and had even mopped up a very dangerous
residue when she had defeated Ape Greystook a short while ago. How was that
supposed to make a macho organisation like a police department feel? How
many man-hours had been devoted to the citys gang problem? And
then this superslut in a mask and a bathing suit takes them out in a matter
of weeks.
Like so many other
officersnot all, he was surehe also hated Crimson Flare because
she was a woman. Other police officers hated her because what she did made
the Department look inept. He knew that even Police Commissioner Warren,
a woman and a political appointee to her post, felt this way. There were
even stories about the Commissioners own plans to remove Crimson Flare
from the Mitropoulos scene.
Maria gently stroked
her partners battered face. She bent down and tenderly kissed the bruises
around his eyes, lightly touching his lips with her own. The devastation
visible on his face was too much for her to bear. She cared about her partner
and she hated to see him in such pain.
She remembered his comments
about Crimson Flare from earlier in this case, and she knew that his subsequent
apology wasnt entirely genuine. His effort to remove the heroine had
blown up in his face. One of those who had been in on it with him was dead;
the other was, utterly unawares, in great danger. But Tim was here, and he
was hurt. Kissing him wasnt very professional. But right now, being
professional wouldnt help him.
*****
Fareed Gouyannou seemed
filled with purpose as he re-entered the ballroom. The party had begun to
wind down, as the last of the ladies were making their way to the door, escorted
by Bruce Sealing. The mob chieftain silently indicated for his lieutenants
to gather for a conclave in the nearby hall. He closed the door behind
him.
Crimson Flare is
on her way back here, he began. We need to kill the
bitch.
The sounds of agreement
were loud, as the gangsters, happy to finally rid themselves of their nemesis,
punctuated the narrow space with threats and chuckles. But the boss of
Mitropoulos continued, Shes not the same broken girl we sent
to Police Headquarters. She never arrived there. I dont know how it
happened, but its likely shes back to what she
was.
If we can, well
capture her all over again. But this time, we wont worry about the
prestige of having her around as a pet. I just want her
dead.
If shes no
longer in your control, how do you know shell be coming back here?
Wouldnt she be afraid to come back here? one of Gouyannous
sub-bosses asked.
You should know
that that superbitch isnt afraid of anything. Shell come back
here to bring an end to usme, the gang, the enterprise, everything.
Gouyannous voice showed his controlled fury.
But shell
come back here because we have something she wants, Gouyannou replied.
Bring the cops up to the ballroom. We may not have much
time.
As his men moved to their
tasks, he moved into the shadows of the hallway. He pulled his cell phone
from his jacket pocket and punched a number on his speed-dial. Shortly, a
sleepy voice on the other end answered. Commissioner Warren? Gouyannou
here. I have a proposition.
*****
Karen lay on the bed,
now stripped of the sheets and bedding, wearing only her Penn State XXXL
t-shirt. Lynn sat in the nearby chair. Through the window the yellow light
of dawn was creating a sharp background to the skyline of the great city.
It provided a sinister atmosphere to the friends
conversation.
Gouyannou must
know that hes lost control over you. But he cant know that its
permanent. You should be able to use his belief that youre still sexually
vulnerable against him, Lynn was saying.
What youll
have to do is get Maria and her partner out of their cell and away from
Gouyannous gang long enough for the police to deal with them. Ill
call them about an hour after you leave. That should give you time to make
sure that nothing will happen to them when the police arrive at the
mansion.
Karen thought about what
she now knew was the departments antagonism to the heroine.
Lynn, she began, About the police.
They
I know, Karen,
I know. But they will want to get Gouyannou and rescue two of their own.
Even their hatred of Crimson Flare will have to take a back seat to that.
Once theyre in control of the scene, you can get away from there.
Itll only be a short time.
And doing it this
way will allow them to take credit for bringing down Gouyannou, Lynn
added. She sounded light-hearted when she said it, but she wasnt
smiling.
Youll monitor
the police frequencies and give me word that theyre on their way,
Karen said slowly, thinking of how the communicator had only worked sporadically
since they had introduced it a few weeks ago, in the fight against
Ape.
Just a ping.
Thatll let you know that the police are coming. Itll take them
less than ten minutes to reach the mansion. Once you hear that, you can begin
to make your way out.
Karen sighed. The
end of Gouyannou will mark a major end of crime here in Mitropoulos. The
gangs started with his help and money. Ape was going to rebuild with
Gouyannous backing. Theres still crime, but itll take a
while for organised crime to rebuild after this morning. She stared
straight ahead. Stacy would have loved this
moment.
Its the moment
that Crimson Flare was created for, Lynn said. I dont much
believe in fate, but theres a sense of destiny here. Crimson Flares
destiny.
Karen stood. For the
first time in months, she felt in full control of her strength. As she stretched,
her robe fell open, revealing her taut torso, her naked body. She pushed
herself up onto her toes and reached for the ceiling, although her
five-foot-four-inch height would fall well short of touching it. A couple
of vertebrae popped satisfyingly and she felt her powerful muscles push against
her skin. As she opened her eyes, she saw Lynn looking at
her.
What?!?
Ive never
seen you at full strength. Its impressive.
My body doesnt
show the strength I have. I look like a wimp. Karen was shocked by
Lynns observation. Thats one of the things that Stacy and
I counted on when we created Crimson Flare. She was smallpetite
was the word Stacy always usedshe wasnt voluptuous, like Wonder
Woman, or those heroines that show up on the fetish websites. Criminals would
always be surprised by how strong I was.
She moved to the dresser
and opened the top drawer. She pulled out a fresh version of her famed costume.
Inspecting it for any flaws or tears, Karen smiled. Even so, it looks
awfully small.
You have no idea
how it looks on you. It fits you like a second
skin.
On the contrary, thought
Karen. I love the way it looksand feelson me. Setting
the uniform aside for the moment, she picked up the colourless tights that
were an equal part of her famed attire. Pulling them on, she smoothed them
against her round, perfect thighs and her hard calves. Then the petite Champion
pulled on the waistband, so that the garment now clung perfectly smoothly
around her hips. The dim light from the pre-rush hour morning entering the
room reflected off the glistening synthetic fibre. Karens
legsCrimson Flares most perfect and most-commented-on feature---took
on an aethereal glow, reflected light shimmering across the colourless material.
As she moved with the grace of a trained dancer around the room, gathering
up the rest of the heroines garb, Lynn stared, bewildered, at the
transformation that seemed to overtake the young woman who, under normal
circumstances, served as an unassuming nurse at the Thomas Daniels
Childrens Hospital.
She moved smoothly,
efficiently, her legsnot long, not extending forever, in the favourite
phrase of the hack writers who imagined heroines, but perhaps even short,
considering the heroines heightcovering the space of the bedroom
quickly. Her moves across the floor were silent, the soles of her feet padded
by the skintight leotard. Through the translucent material, her tanned flesh
peered darkly, appearing to be utterly flawless. The muscles rolled smoothly
beneath the taut flesh, conveying an impression of contained power. Lynn
marveled at the sheer perfection of those extremities.
Now taking up the famed
costume, she stepped into the seamless uniform that turned nurse into Champion.
She popped her head through the opening at the neck, then smoothed her tousled
hair. Her arms, surprisingly small for the renowned strength of the famed
Maid of Mitropoulos, slipped through their holes and gently brushed smooth
the crimson sequin-covered material. The uniform lay taut across her torso,
leaving nothing to the imagination regarding what lay beneath. The small
perfect hemispheres of her breasts formed distinct mounds that remained firm
as she moved. Only occasional folds in her costume showed at her narrow waist.
When she stretched her torso, her utterly flat abdomen gave no sign of the
powerful muscles beneath. The tight crimson-and-gold attire flattered her
hips as nothing else could have. The crevices displayed were not indecent,
nor even unseemly, but rather, at the very least, exquisite, and more likely
laudable.
Lynn watched as Karen
next pulled on her black leather boots, now restored to their high-gloss
lustre. Lying flush against the curvature of her calves, they seemed to move
as Crimson Flare moved, a veritable second skin. The two-inch heels only
moderately lifted the stature of the heroine, but their distinctive sound
as she walked across the spaces of bare floor in the apartment sent a small
chill running down the blonde girls spine.
The mask and cowl were
added, disguising Karens identity and adding to the mystery surrounding
the powerful Defender of Mitropoulos. She pulled her belt around her, letting
it rest easily on top of her hips. Those majestic, perfectly round enticements
had more than once lured some of Crimson Flares lesser opponents into
a trap well-planned by Stacy. The baton was cradled in the holster that hung
from it. And lastly, the matching crimson gloves, covering her arms to above
her elbow, finished the image of the citys
Champion.
Karen, you look
spectacular.
I feel
wonderful.
I dont know.
Theres something thats just
different about you.
Lynn paused, staring. You dont think that there are, you know,
changes?
Behind her mask, Crimson
Flare looked quizzically at her friend. Changes? What kind of
changes?
You know. Your
first orgasm brought about some kinds of changes that Chan tried to master
and manipulate. Maybe the fact that your system is clean for the first time
since that moment means that youre somehow different. Stronger, maybe.
Or maybe you have strengths that you simply dont know
about.
Ive been
strong ever since I can remember, Lynn. Stacy and I realised that that was
all there was to Crimson Flare. That and whatever you gain by having the
increased strengthdurability, a little speed, that sort of
thing.
And your
weakness.
Yes.
Maybe youve
lost your weakness.
That would be a
real bonus. It might mean that everything that happened in taking on Cos
and Chan and the Normans might ultimately have an
upside.
Lynn paused, shocked
by her next thought. Suppose theres another effect on your
weakness.
Like
what?
I dont know.
But it certainly could be made worse.
Then well
have to find out. Before I go to the mansion.
Lynn walked across the
room to the closet and pulled out a length of soft rope. Lets
see what happens.
Crimson Flare crossed
her wrists in front of her, and Lynn smoothly wrapped the rope around the
satin-covered extremities. As soon as she had finished, she looked into her
friends eyes and asked warily, Well?
Crimson Flares
gaze seemed distant. Behind her mask, she blinked vigourously for a moment.
Then she quietly sighed. She lifted her arms and tugged weakly at the ropes
that bound her. She licked her lips and seemed to try to focus. She pulled
harder at her bindings.
Quick, Lynn. Take
it off. She sounded afraid.
Why? Whats
wrong?
Take it
off. The heroines voice became weaker. She stumbled forward and
fell against her blonde friend.
Plplease
Lynn placed the masked
avenger carefully on the bed and then quickly began undoing the
rope.
OOooooohhhh,
the masked Maiden moaned. Hurry.
Crimson Flares
face was pale, her eyes closed, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead
and throat. Her breathing was rapid and she seemed to be having trouble
swallowing. This cant be good, Lynn thought.
As she pulled the ropes
from her wrists, Lynn looked at her friend and felt her heart in her
throat.
Crimson Flare had
fainted.
End of Chapter
Eight
Comments, questions, suggestions welcome:
contact the author at
marat1793@comcast.net
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