The End

[Julie]

My heart is breaking for this guy...his life and death are both sweet and terrible...

[GlytchMeister]

My heart is breaking for this guy...his life and death are both sweet and terrible...

The dreadlock... I bet Marie had hair like Lilly's... The feels...

[Atomic]

Lily treasured the moment. For all the times she and Suzie had fed, this time was actually... pleasant. This was as far from the usual combat and conquest war zone as she could ever imagine. As much as the hunger burned within her, the sheer joy of touch – of intimacy – was even more desirable. Ed's eyes were closed, he was breathing softly, and his cheek was warm against hers. His head on her left shoulder, her arm around his neck, draped on his chest – she could feel his heart beat. His scent, accented by the cinnamon balm, filled her nose. She watched him gently feel her hair draped across his chest, rising and falling with his breath, like he was cradling a kitten.

She saw Suzie sitting, smiling, watching Ed's hands on her hair. Her eyes were relaxed, her posture calm, her face a slight, open mouthed smile. You couldn't tell she was tensed like a tiger about to strike, because, today, she wasn't. Not at all.

Not today. No war today. No screaming, no shredded flesh, no spurting blood. Just – food. And warmth. And calm.

Suzie looked Lily in the eye and they both smiled. Lily had something she just had to do, so she did it. She put her other arm around Ed, on his chest, gave him a hug and turned to kiss his cheek.

“Jeez, Lily!” said Ed, opening his eyes. “You don't have to be easy on our first date!”

Lily sunk her face into Ed's shoulder and shook with laughter. Suzie clapped her hands and spun around on the stool, doubled over, trying to catch her breath. Ed laughed too.

“Come on, Ed,” said Lily, raising her head, “We're trying to work here, OK?” The giggles continued. Suzie turned around, put her head on Ed's left arm, and hugged him too. Ed held the pile of arms on his chest and hugged back. Some moments and several deep breaths later, they untangled.

“Ed,” said Suzie, “I want you to know, for the rest of our lives we will always remember you. You're one of a kind. Thank you.”

“And pleased to have made your acquaintance, ladies,” replied Ed. “But back to work now. The warden will think you're slacking off or something.” He smiled and closed his eyes. There were tears. He cradled Lily's hair again. He sighed, and relaxed.

Lily resumed her position – left arm around his neck, hand feeling his heartbeat, cheek to cheek. “Thank you Ed.” She turned slightly to guide her right arm across his chest so her hand could hold his left cheek, thumb under his chin. She turned her face to his neck and adjusted his head position.

There. The notch just next to the larynx. She felt it with her upper lip – the pulsing carotid artery. Her target, though, was just a half-inch further away from the throat. Her fangs gently slipped into the jugular vein, and she was rewarded with the soft, warm flow of fresh blood. No need do to more, just keep a good seal with her lips and let her mouth fill. Hold the head steady and let his heart fill her.

“Oh my!” Ed sounded surprised. “That really is arousing. Shame I had prostate surgery a while back or I could respond properly for you. At least I haven't had to pee into a bag all this time.”

“No worries, Ed,” soothed Suzie. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens and it's OK.”

Lily closed her eyes. Ed's heartbeat was strong, flow was steady, and there was no need to speed anything up. She swallowed. She breathed and waited, and she swallowed again. Things were good.

“Marie had curly hair like yours, Lily,” Ed began. His voice was calm.

Suzie thought, OK, here it is – the usual last minute I'm so misunderstood Please Forgive Me speech.

“Not so tight maybe but shiny black and frizzy. Like lambs wool, really. Shoulder length. She could comb it out or fluff it up and do a lot with it. One weekend she was trying to sort out a halo sort of thing – an Afro style I guess you'd call it today. It wasn't working.”

Oh this again, thought Lily. Some warmup to a bleary, dreary plea for some sort of absolution. Well, let's see how this one goes.

“She'd fluff and poke and stir and it didn't do what she wanted. So I told her I had an idea and got a handful of rubber bands from the desk. Red, yellow, blue, green – June liked playing with them. She was about four at the time.”

Suzie remembered another guy who seemed so very, very, nice until they were alone. He was younger, stronger, and had hacked several people to death. He had a blood fetish, it seemed. Several broken bones and dislocations later, he was strapped into the chair, bound hand, foot, and head. His last memories were feeling Suzie tear open his throat and carotid artery, and watching her lick her lips and finger comb her hair with his spurting blood. That's why they had always insisted on cleaning supplies in the room.

“Anyway, I combed up a small bunch of hair and put on a rubber band, then another, and another. Fluffed them out as I went. No rhyme or reason to it, just went where it felt right. I finished up and turned her around to the mirror. Her head was a forest of sparkly puff ball trees with rainbow trunks. She laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Completely silly and she loved it. Then June came in and saw what was going on, and she wanted it too! Ha! So, we got more bands and did her hair. And what can you do after a deal like that? We all went out to get cones from the ice cream stand. People stared and we laughed. That was a happy day.”

Lily's eyes were open. What was this? Did we miss something? She rolled her lips over her teeth and held the wound shut. No more bleeding. She looked at Suzie. Something was terribly wrong here.

“Thank you that I can remember their laughter.” Ed was speaking softly now. He sounded tired. “Ladies, I can't begin imagine your lives and all you've been through. However it is to be for you... when the time comes... may you be able to rest in peace... for a job... well done.”

Suzie was looking at Lily with her “what the hell?” face. Then it hit Lily. Two knives? Why TWO knives? She reached for the gauze packs on the table, grabbed a wad, and held it to Ed's wound. Suzie stood up, getting ready for... something.

Lily swallowed to clear her mouth. Suzie reached over to help hold the gauze in place. Ed's breathing was shallow.

“Ed!” Lily called in his ear. “What color was the blood in the kitchen? What color, Ed?”

Ed's eyes opened slightly. “The kitchen? Black. The blood... was black.” Lily's mouth hung open.

Suzie reached for the lever to tilt the table. Raising the feet would help move more blood to the head and heart.

“Ed! This is Suzie! What is your cell number? Please tell me your cell number, Ed!”

Ed's breathing was very shallow. He swallowed. “Two... Eleven.” His eyes closed.

“Go!” shouted Lily. She climbed up on the chair, straddled Ed, and started CPR.

Suzie ran to the door and threw it open.

“Doctor! Resuscitate! Now!”

[TazManiac]

well damn...

[jwhouk]

They entered the wrong cell.

(Sniff Sniff)

Do I smell a setup?

[Dave]

They entered the wrong cell.

(Sniff Sniff)

Do I smell a setup?

So, maybe an innocent man, wrongly convicted... dying, facing a painful death, and prefers an easy way out? The warden is complicit, and moved Ed to the cell of a known-guilty man for the meeting?

[Atomic]

Captain Grove was first through the door and ran to open the anteroom. Suzie raced back to the chair and raised the headrest while a guard held another wad of gauze over the neck wound.

“Lily – How much?” called Suzie as she adjusted the headrest.

“A... bout... three... pints,” Lily answered in between chest compressions.

In just moments, the medical cart was next to the chair. Dr. Pradesh was inserting a IV into Ed's arm while another guard was charging the defibrillator. A third guard cut open Ed's t-shirt. A fourth was hanging two bags of saline solution for the doctor.

Suzie backed away while Lily continued CPR and the doctor barked orders. She retrieved her kimono and stepped out of the room, still barefoot. Warden Thacker was outside, looking in at the commotion. He knew enough to stay out of the way. Guard Morton was nearby as well.

“You have a well trained team,” said Suzie as she slipped on her kimono. She let it hang open.

“Thank you. Now what the hell happened?” Warden Thacker kept one eye on the room. Lily had stopped CPR and the doctor was forcing oxygen. Ed's arm moved.

“If Captain Grove is available, I'd like him here too, please.” The warden motioned for Grove to join them. A guard helped Lily climb down off Ed. Captain Grove joined them in the hall and they all moved away from the door.

“All right now Agent McBride – what happened?”

“Captain Grove, Warden Thacker is under arrest. You have eight empty cells here – Put him in one and keep him there. No communication until I say otherwise or are relieved by FBI agents. Do you understand?”

Thacker stammered outrage while Grove looked dumbfounded.

“Now!”

Captain Grove closed his mouth. “Warden, come along, sir. Morton – with me.” They flanked Thacker and held him by the upper arms. He was locked in the nearest cell, then Grove telephoned for two additional guards.

Grove looked at Suzie. “I'll have more information for you soon, Captain. Right now I need to borrow Mr. Morton for a while.”

The backup guards arrived, and Captain Grove dispatched Morton to Suzie's needs. When they were out of earshot, she told Morton what she wanted. “Take me to cell 210.”

“Yes ma'am. Cell block two is across the yard. We can get there through admin and block one, or go outside past the yard. The afternoon exercise group should be out there now. If you want to avoid being seen, the interior path is longer but more private.”

“Thank you – Bob, was it? I want to get there quickly, and I want to be seen. Lead on!” Suzie was trying to smile, but it was obvious she was angry. She closed her eyes, took a breath, and tried smiling again.

“Yes ma'am, it's Bob. Ummm, shoes?”

“It's OK, Bob. Let's get going. Sorry if I seem grumpy. It's not you.”

“Yes ma'am. This way.”

The Administration building was the base of a square layout with Blocks 1 and 3 as sides and Block 2 at the top. The open yard between them was filled with some 200 prisoners. A double-walled chain link fence lined the path to Block 2 to the left, while to the right was the stone wall back of Block 3. Once they left the Death House and rounded the end of the Admin building, they were in full sight of the yard and everyone in it. Scant seconds passed before Suzie heard the whistles and calls from the inmates as they made for the fence for a better view. And a moment later, it was silent. There was only one reason a woman, naked or otherwise, would be coming from the Death House today with a guard in the lead.

Suzie strode on, following Morton at a rapid pace. Her black kimono trailed behind her like Darth Vader's cape – allowing that Darth Vader was a barefoot, nude, freckled, peaches-and-cream red head with a tight jaw and two clenched fists.

“Hey baby! Nice tit...” The back row voice was interrupted by a firm sounding smack followed by a thud onto the asphalt. “Respect,” called another voice from nearer the fence. Suzie looked briefly in that direction, but didn't smile or slow down.

Morton saw her through the double lock doors and vouched for her presence. Another guard escorted them to cell 210.

“Hey baby! Nice tits!”

“Knock it off, Gutierrez,” said the block guard.

“I'm Special Agent Suzie McBride of the FBI. May I ask you some questions?”

“As long as you're standing here, I'm happy to watch! I mean listen. OK, maybe talk. Paulo Gutierrez at your service. Call me Pico!”

“Sure thing, Pico. Call me Suzie. You been here long?”

“Eh, I suppose. Five years for B and E. I've been a good boy so I'm up in 3 months.”

“Well good luck with that Pico. So, who's next door in 211? I don't see anybody in there.”

“Oh, that's Pincushion. A cowboy named Ed Clarke. A lifer. They moved him out yesterday for some deal today.”

“Some deal?”

“Yeah – something about riding a box out of here. Some weird shit about....” Pico froze.

Suzie smiled.

[jwhouk]

Setup - Confirmed.

And we don't even have to call Adam & Jamie.

[Sgt. Howard]

They put him in a cell of a known killer... THAT's how they got around the girls' 'litmus test'.

[jwhouk]

They put him in a cell of a known killer... THAT's how they got around the girls' 'litmus test'.

Yep. Though I'm not quite familiar with the "B&E" term; I always thought it was "breaking and entering"?

[GlytchMeister]

They put him in a cell of a known killer... THAT's how they got around the girls' 'litmus test'.

Yep. Though I'm not quite familiar with the "B&E" term (Battery and...?)

Breaking and Entering?

[Atomic]

“Pico,” said Suzie, “I know you've got your share of bosses and bad guys to deal with in here.” She reached out and grabbed one of the bars with her left hand. “I respect that.” She made a fist around the bar. “And I'm not out to make anything worse for anybody.” She twisted her wrist. The bar creaked. “That said, I am a little different, though.” She let go and lowered her hand. The bar was now slightly S shaped.

Pico stepped back.

“I just have a few questions about timing. Nothing I can't find out by reading the logs and such, it's just faster this way. I'm not asking for any names, not asking you to snitch, just tell me a little about Ed's movements. Can you do that for me, Pico?” Suzie looked over her glasses and smiled.

“Ah, yeah – whadda want to know?”

“You've been in for five – Ed here too?”

“Yes. We'd talk and stuff. He kept to himself mostly but liked to draw stuff.”

“OK – you'd talk?”

“Yeah. He was like a math wiz. Fractions were kicking my ass and he helped me with my GED. Nailed it!”

“Ed popular?”

“Oh hell no. Lots of stories from the gang bangers about they gonna do this and do that to him. He got stabbed a few times I heard. Even the Arayan types had it in for him. Had a black wife or something.”

“You get any grief for being friendly?”

“Nah, not really. Had a switchover from the Mexicali boss a couple years before I got here. The new guy told the other bosses to piss off. Ed went from a hands-off to a own-risk player. He helped some others with their GED too. That's how I got with him.”

“Any thoughts about him? How he handled things?”

“This is only my second time through, but I've seen my share of rage rangers and burnouts, players and fools. He had something. People would dump on him and he'd shrug it off. Kinda cool, really. Gave me my nickname!”

“Pico?”

“Ya, Pico. It's a math thing. I'm five foot nothing and a buck ten. So we're doing numbers and goes 'milli-, micro-, nano-, pico-, hey that fits!' I liked it and I'm keeping it. Beats my old nick – just plane old Paul. Bleah.”

Suzie nodded. “So – why you still in here? Lots of people out in the yard.”

“That's cell block one. We get out in another hour or so.”

“Ok, Pico. Thanks. That's all I need.”

“So Red – I helped you, maybe we can do the lunch thing sometime? I'm out in three so plenty of time to plan. The huevos rancheros at Nuevo Monterrey is da bomb! Get me some outside cred and a good meal at the same time.”

“They have churros?”

“Absolutely!”

“I'll think about it.”

“Sure thing! Come as you are!”

Suzie walked to face cell 211. Through the bars she could see entire cell. On the left, a single bed, table and chair at the end, and the metal toilet/sink in the back left corner. On the right, from floor to ceiling, the 10 foot long wall was covered in paintings. Watercolors mostly, with a handful of pencil drawings as well. All on regular copy paper, all carefully lined up and taped to the wall.

“Whose cell is this?”

“Edward Clarke,” replied the block guard.

“Open it.”

The guard signaled, the control station replied, and the door unlocked. He moved it open along it's track. She stood in front of the cell and looked at the bed. It was made and smoothed. Not hospital corners, but evenly draped with a fluffed pillow at the head. He's going to his death, she thought, and he makes his bed. Her stomach started to hurt. She took a deep breath and stepped in the cell. With her next breath, her eyes started to burn and bleed. Instead of tears, blood. Just as salty, just as uncomfortable, and just as wet. A single step inside the cell, and the blood was already down her cheeks.

She knew not to even try rubbing her eyes. Just let it flow. She blinked as needed to clear her vision momentarily, but kept going. This is why she didn't close her kimono. It dripped onto her breasts and ran down her neck.

She saw a book resting on the table. It was a black covered Gideon's Bible. She decided to risk it. Carefully, slowly, with the pinky fingernail of her left hand, she lifted the cover. Inside she saw the drawing of a cowboy hat, and the florid script proclaiming Ex Libris Edward Clarke. She closed the Bible. Blood was now trickling down her stomach between her breasts.

She turned to face the paintings. A drawing of a young woman with fluffy hair nursing her daughter. A painting of a golden brown woman with puff-ball hair, big eyes, and an enormous smile. A child, hair flying, leaping through the tall grass, silhouette against a crimson and indigo sunset.

She squatted to see the lower rows. Blood dripped onto her thighs, then down again to run along her shins. The woman again, head back in a chair, eyes closed, resting, with a smile from contemplating some unseen reverie. And on, and on, and on. And in the corner of each one: SDG/ec.

Suzie stood and walked out of the cell. The tears stopped immediately. She was bloody from cheeks to ankles, and a few drops were on the floor of the cell as well.

“Oh, no,” said Bob. The block guard offered a handkerchief. Suzie waved it away.

“This cell is a crime scene. Lock it, seal it, and make your log entries. The FBI will be along to examine it soon.”

“Crime, yo?” asked Pico. Suzie turned to face him. “Oh hell! Ick! Like, so he really didn't kill somebody?”

“Yep, that's how it looks.” Suzie looked Pico in the eye. “Tell them. OK?”

“Yes, ma'am!”

[jwhouk]

Always did wonder how that would work. I bet Lily wouldn't have lasted as long had she tried to go in.

EDIT: And it took me this long to figure out the significance. Black blood is blood without oxygenation. Meaning... they were already dead when he found them.

[GlytchMeister]

Always did wonder how that would work. I bet Lily wouldn't have lasted as long had she tried to go in.

EDIT: And it took me this long to figure out the significance. Black blood is blood without oxygenation. Meaning... they were already dead when he found them.

Ooooooh. I thought it was something paranormal. I've been trying to figure out creatures known for black blood from memory and all I could remember was the Spartan Black Blood Stew.

[Sgt. Howard]

EDIT: And it took me this long to figure out the significance. Black blood is blood without oxygenation. Meaning... they were already dead when he found them.

He only found the BLOOD!!! He never found the bodies! They were killed someplace else- and the blood was planted after the fact. Given how long ago this murder took place, I doubt DNA samples would have been a thought.
WAM!!! Didn't he say he was near blind? How did he draw those pictures?... unless he drew them years ago...

[Atomic]

The cataracts affected his recent years, but I see I wasn't terribly clear on that.

" And I made it a point to get through the Bible at least every 3-4 years or so. Made it eleven times before my sight went."

That would be about 44 of his 48 years.

[jwhouk]

No, he'd only recently lost his sight (else how could he read all those books?).

I have my suspicions, but I'll let Atomic tell the story.

[Sgt. Howard]

Well, when we were introduced to this man, the only other fellow in the room was the Warden- which is why they didn't bleed from the eyes then... that and they were not in Ed's regular cell... and why the Warden is now under arrest.

[Atomic]

The block guard closed and locked Ed's cell, then the three of them went to the entrance control point. Suzie was snuffling to clear her nose. Once through the interior doors, Sergeant Howard invited them into the control room.

“Agent McBride?” asked Howard. Suzie and Morton nodded. “I just had a call from the House. Edward Clarke was pronounced dead a few minutes ago.”

Suzie looked at the floor. She moved over to sit on the bench, elbows on her knees, head down.

“It seems they got his heart started twice, but it didn't last.”

“He was thinking 'the third time's the charm.' Looks like he got it right.” Howard offered some tissues and this time Suzie took them. She snuffled some more and daubed her nose.

“Guys,” said Suzie, “I'm really sorry to dump all this on you. I know I look a fright and this is all weird to you as well. On top of that, Warden Thacker is under arrest, and between Ed and that, I know this place will get – challenging. This is not a good day.”

“Arrest?” asked Howard.

“Yes. For various reasons, actually, including actions leading to Clarke's death. I need to use the phone, please.”

Suzie called the local FBI office. She requested back up and a forensics team to deal with the late Ed Clark and his cell contents. She transferred the phone to Sgt Howard for coordination. Several minutes of note taking later the call ended.

“Thank you gentlemen. Now I need to get my game face back on before I deal with the yard. When do they change out?”

“Another 45 minutes before rotation,” replied Howard.

“OK then. Can you please fill me in on the bad guys? Basic overview will be fine.” Her nose was almost clear.

“Yes ma'am,” began Howard. “We've got the three standard gangs – Mexicali Rangers, Arayan Block, and The Brotherhood for, well the obvious peoples. They're led by Raul DeLaHoya, Frank Rockwell, and Clinton Jones, respectively. For what it's worth, the people who were stabbing Mr. Clarke were probably from Jones' bunch, but we know Rockwell really had it in for him. DeLaHoya arrived here eight years ago and stepped in from their previous boss. That guy got out, went home, and was found dead three days later. That's pretty much all I have off the top of my head.”

“Thank you Sergeant. That's plenty.” Suzie was able to breathe through her nose again. The blood was drying and not as sticky now.

“Any questions for me? You've all been completely professional, but I know I really can creep people out, and being like this is, well, not helping.”

“Ma'am, with all due respect,” said Morton, “we've all seen blood and battle, and it is weird, but the fact you simply exist is what's got me.”

“Ummm – yeah. That,” added Howard. “I mean we know Ed was going downhill pretty quick, but then the Warden setup up an execution date and says vampires will solve it? What the hell, over? You know?”

“What did you think of Ed?”

“Me? Good guy, damn shame, didn't fit any profile for violent murder, period,” said Howard. Other guards nodded. “I'm sorry we couldn't have protected him more, but he eventually made some friends – sort of. They used him for math tutor for GED testing. 6, maybe 8 people.”

“Pico mentioned it.”

“So, you've been doing this very long?” asked Morton.

“Long? Ha,” deadpanned Suzie. “Let's see. I passed 2000 somewhere around the Civil War. I was attached to an Illinois regimental field hospital as nurse, and got along nicely. The paperwork out of that got me into a Boston hospital. From time to time, various rapists would be found floating in the bay. You get the idea. Eventually I got into law enforcement in the early 1900s and wound up in the FBI. I liked Boston because I could pass for Irish. I'm actually a Celt, and I still hate the Romans for what they did to me. Well, one Roman in particular. You get the idea.”

Silence. Stunned silence.

“Let me answer the other question. You know what Scurvy is? A illness from lack of Vitamin C. Sailors on long trips used to get it. By the 1800s they associated citrus fruit with blocking scurvy, and things got better. For me, I need blood occasionally. It's just how I am.”

“So the garlic and mirrors and all that?” asked Howard.

“Hollywood. ”

Nods and smiles.

“The neck deal is true, though. Put your finger next to your voice box in the notch. Feel that? That's the carotid artery under about a half inch of skin. Just next to it, under the muscle, is the jugular vein. That's the one to use, because it simpler – low pressure and steady flow. If you use the carotid, well, you've all had first aid training, right? High pressure, spurting with each heartbeat, and for a bonus, any clots that develop go right to the brain, so you now have somebody with a stroke and convulsions. Not a good thing. Not something I want to do. It's one thing to be an executioner, it's another to murder. Being cruel is the last thing on my mind.”

The men looked at each other and shifted their weight. “Well, thank you for telling us,” said Howard.

“One last thing, from experience,” added Suzie. “I don't know how your operation uses ratings, but I hope it's on process. May you keep score by the peace you kept today, and not by the skulls you had to crack. The former makes you a guardian, the later makes you just another head hunter. And all the head hunters I've met were thoroughly crappy people. May you forever avoid that.”

The guards nodded and thanked Suzie for the advice. She stood up, threw away her tissues, and straightened her kimono.

“Well, time to face the yard.” She had her game face on again.

[jwhouk]

I want so much to interject something here, but can't quite figure out how to do it.