Post by The Circle Television Network on Nov 21, 2016 8:00:00 GMT -5
Chapter XIV: The Approaching Darkness…
Madison District Police Station
Empire City
Spike Staggs felt like his body had been hit by a truck after the battle with Gaia. Had it not been for the intervention of the so-called ‘Angel of Empire City’ he would not be here. He had nearly been killed by the meta terrorist, but his gambit to get back on the path to finding Michelle had paid off in the form of a vision that had led him to the Empire City Police Department and a detective…one which he was very familiar with. He had been the one to save her and the priest in Gateway Park several days ago, using his abilities to lower them safety to the ground from the top of the statute of Superius. He had done this from the shadows, which was ironic because he now came to her for help in finding a shadow…a Shadow entity that had taken Michelle, right in front of him.
Spike walked into the precinct and made his way to the Desk Sergeant, “I need to speak with Detective Jordan…RIGHT NOW!”
Sergeant Bradski stared at the man and gave a mild arch of his brow, “Do you have an appointment?” He scanned through his appointment book, not really even looking for a name. “I don’t see one! You’d best be calming yourself down and telling me what your problem is buddy!”
Spike picked up a pen off of the desk of the officer, and wrote his name on the book and gave the Desk Sergeant a weary look, “Officer…I need to speak with the detective…pretty please!”
Officer Bradski was never one to placate anyone, especially some hippy punk with an attitude like this guy, but there was something strange about him. Lately Jordan had been specializing in strange. Bradski snickered to himself as he looked at the book, “WOW! Look…there is your name right there…Spunk Skanks!” He buzzed the door to the back, allowing Spike to open it. “Why don’t you just show yourself back? Second door on the right Mr. Skanks, she’ll call you when she’s ready for you.”
Spike’s jaw clinched as he turned toward the opened door and paced down the hallway, wringing his hands as he tried to calm himself. He didn’t know what he’d say to her, but he knew she was part of his vision and he would need her help to find Michelle.
After a few minutes, Stacey stepped outside of her office, “Mr. Spunk Skanks?”
Spike stood up, “Spike Staggs…”
She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "...fucking Bradski..." waving for him to come into her office. She took a seat behind her desk, gesturing for him to take a seat. “How can I help you Mr. Staggs?”
Spike sighed, still trying to sort out what to say and not sound like a crazy person, “Well…Detective. A friend of mine…a very dear friend has disappeared. She was kidnapped…”
Stacey nodded, “Mr. Staggs, you have a missing person complaint…they can take a statement from you up front.”
Spike shook his head, “She was taken…by a shadow…a Shadow person...thing...something.” When she started to respond, he held up his hands. “I know this sounds crazy…but listen to me, I know that you can help me…you have to help me. You owe me.”
Stacey stared at him for a moment or two, lacing her fingers, “Mr. Staggs…I haven’t had a good laugh in days, that is the only reason I’m not tossing you out of my office right now.” Stacey narrowed her eyes as she watched him carefully. “Tell me…how do you think I owe you?”
Spike sat forward, “Gateway Park…I was there…I helped you…you and the priest. Now I need your help.”
Stacey folded her arms, “REALLY?! ONE GOD NONSENSE?!” She got to her feet, “I’m going to murder Bradski!”
Spike turned his attention to the waste basket beside Stacey’s desk and focused his power as he levitated the stuffed angel out of the can, moving it right in front of the startled detective’s face. “I don’t really know how much God has to do with it…but I know that you can help me find Michelle.”
Stacey snatched the angel, which had been left in her office as a joke, out of the air. Her thoughts turned back to that night in Gateway Park. Brandon had been so quick to attribute their rescue to God that he never bothered to consider that their rescue had not been divine at all. Anka was no angel…and now Stacey was even more certain of that fact. Stacey sat on the edge of her desk, her eyes on Spike. “Well…I guess I do owe you after all. I’ll open an investigation Mr. Staggs, but I’m going to need to know everything that you know! Everything about the person you think took her…as well as everything there is to know about Michelle…”
Spike started to speak, then his eyes drifted to the monitor that was mounted on her wall and his mouth fell open, “Michelle…?” He jumped to his feet and ran over to the monitor, fumbling to turn up the volume on the news broadcast…
“Hello, I am Michelle Andretti, for Channel 8 News. With the recent appearance of an ‘alleged’ angel in Empire City, the believers in the One God faith have been flocking together in an attempt to rebuild their crumbling religion. All of this comes at a time when a TRUE god…Superius returned to Empire City and saved us all from a meta insurgency that threatened to destroy our way of life.
Eyewitnesses reportedly observed ‘The Angel of Empire City’ in conflict with the leader of that insurgency; Gaia, near the Loeb Building just days ago. Inexplicably, the meta terrorist was allowed her to escape. This doesn’t sound like the actions of a divine being with the best interests of humanity at heart.
I am inviting Superius and ‘The Angel’ to come and address the people directly at Caesars Colosseum tomorrow at noon. The people you would have worship you, wish to hear you both speak. Tell us why you're here...tell us what you want.”
As the television spot ended, Spike turned and looked at Stacey. “I don’t know what’s happening…”
Stacey smirked, “I’m closing your case…that’s what’s happening.”
Spike shook his head, “Detective…believe me…that wasn’t Michelle.” He headed to the door, “WE NEED TO GET TO THE STATION!”
She grabbed his arm, “Whoa! Slow your roll! What makes you think that wasn’t her? I mean, you recognized her, so it obviously looked and sounded like her.”
Spike was frantic, “SHE WAS TAKEN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! SHE WOULD HAVE CALLED…SOMETHING…ANYTHING!”
Stacey shook him, “Mr. Staggs…over the past few days, I have seen some pretty amazing shit…so, yeah…maybe what you’re saying is true, but I can’t exactly open a missing persons case on a person that the entire city just saw on television! They will lock both of our asses up the loony bin!”
Spike ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to puzzle out his next move. “Okay…will you come with me to find and talk to her then? Just that…nothing more…please!”
Stacey nodded, more out of a sense of obligation to him for saving her life than anything else. “Tomorrow...at noon, we know right where she'll be. I will meet you there, and we'll talk to her...together.”
Spike wasn't pleased that they weren't going right away, but he understood. She wasn't missing...but, something was certainly wrong. He nodded, "Fine...tomorrow." He walked to the door, then paused as he looked back, "Thank you Detective." He walked out, leaving her alone in her office.
Stacey walked over to her desk and plopped down in her seat. She had no idea what she’d find…but it couldn’t be any weirder than the shit she was already dealing with. She glanced at the large board that hung in her office with pictures of her rescue…of her Meta-human abductors…and blurry pictures of Anka. While she was prepared to help Spike...she couldn't help but to be eager to see if Anka actually showed up tomorrow. If and when she did...Stacey planned on being there...
The Ruins of Madison Chapel
Empire City
Brandon could hardly believe the outpouring of support for him and his church following the battle at Gateway Park and the appearance of ‘The Angel of Empire City.’ There had been renewed interest in ‘One God’ Churches like never before. He hated to admit it, but even the arrival of Superius had helped. People were suddenly debating religion in the streets…at home…and even in the halls of power. No matter if they were for or against the theory of one God…at least they were finally considering the question of what might be.
He braced himself against the cold as he watched the many volunteers who had come to help rebuild the church…bigger and better than ever. Even though all of Empire City had been on the brink, things now seemed to be looking up and he had Anka to thank for that. She had claimed that she was no angel…but he begged to differ.
He blew into his cupped hands to warm them as he walked over to the huge group of workers and patted each of them on the shoulder and thanked them for their help before sending them home for the night. As he waited for the last of them to leave, he turned back and took one last look at what would soon be the new chapel building.
Brandon started to leave, when he noticed movement inside the building. He thought that he had told everyone to leave, but apparently not everyone had gotten the message. He opened the door and walked inside. “I’m very sorry… but I thought that I had let everyone know that…” Brandon paused as he realized just who it was left standing inside the church.
Anka stood at the head of the aisle, her neck craned upwards as she stared at the massive cross hanging behind the altar. Without even acknowledging Brandon’s presence, she started to speak. “You know…after what happened to Jesus…I seriously doubt that a cross is the first thing he wants to see when he comes back here…”
Brandon laughed. “It’s the whole thing about beating swords into plowshares. What was once a symbol of torture and death is now a symbol of hope…faith…love.”
Anka wanted to laugh. Unlike everyone else who walked around dangling crosses off their necks, she had actually done the dangling herself...crucified by Romans and left on a cross for 6 long days. No matter how much Brandon sugar-coated it, there was no way in hell that it would ever symbolize hope, faith, or love to her. She turned to him, her dark hair falling into her eyes as she did. “I don’t think that Jesus would care to be hung from a plowshare either.”
Brandon attempted to correct her, “Well… that’s not really what I mea…”
She walked past him, ignoring his response as she sat down in one of the pews. She never looked at him as she spoke. “You know…they say that it’s wrong to hate…it rots the soul…” She finally looked up at him, her eyes large and luminescent in the darkened church.
Brandon sat down next to her. “Well…we’re human and humans sometimes hate. Especially what they don’t understand.” He sighed. “It’s a part of our nature that I’m not proud of, but we all have to make a conscious effort to love our neighbor.”
“…no matter their sin…?” Anka added, her eyes boring into him.
Brandon paused as he looked at her, wishing that he could penetrate her thoughts. “No matter their sins…” he put his hand on her shoulder, “…love is the driving force that makes us all complete…that solidifies our bond with one another…and with God.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. “I haven’t loved anyone…or anything…for longer than I care to remember.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “And as it turns out…I can remember quite a long ways back.”
Brandon could see that her memories were painful to her, but he couldn’t conceal his curiosity. She had seen things that he had only read about…dreamed about! She had been touched by the hand of God and given long life…for a purpose. She may not have realized it…but he did. “Anka…this is about Superius. You’re troubled by his return.”
Anka spoke this bared teeth, “I’m troubled by his existence Father!” She narrowed her eyes, “Need I remind you of how that bastard murdered my family!”
Brandon knelt down in front of her, “I recall you telling me of how your family died…but…Superius was not the man responsible, he…”
“HE WAS THEIR GENERAL…HE WAS ROME!” She roared in response. “Perhaps…the blood of my family doesn’t stain his hands, but the blood of thousands like me do! He is no hero…he’s evil!”
Brandon never thought he’d find himself defending Superius. He had spent years denouncing the memory of the supposed God, but never had he thought of the General as evil. He reached over and touched Anka’s shoulder, “Trust that God will judge him when his time comes.”
Anka stared at Brandon, the wheels inside her head turning. Until now, she had thought that her ‘mission’ had been to protect Brandon, which she had done…but what if that was only half of her mission? The return of Superius stood in direct opposition to the recent resurgence of the One God faith. If Anka knew anything at all, God was jealous and vindictive…as much as she despised Him, He probably despised Superius just as much. I along slow smile spread across Anka’s face, “Yes…when his time comes.”
Brandon didn’t like the look on her face, but at least it was a smile. He patted her on her shoulder, “Come Anka…have dinner with me. Let’s talk about happy things. Tell me about your family.”
Anka nodded as she stood, following Brandon. She would tell him all that she could remember about her family…but she would never stop thinking about how they had been slaughtered…or how she would find a way to revisit that horror on the great General Superius…
Maybe that she would do it tomorrow in front of the entire city...with or without the assistance of Gaia…
EPISODE CREDITS
CAST (In order of appearance)
Spike Staggs … R.C. Tucker
Officer Bradski … Todd Berryman
Detective Stacey Jordan … Nina Stokes
Michelle Andretti ... Delia Darling
Father Brandon Knight … Trace VanReardon
Anka ... Kenzi Grey
Directed by … DubbleFC
Screenplay by … Ron B.
Produced by … CTN Television Studios
Casting by … Maleek Raheem
Music by … Guilty Pleasure
Madison District Police Station
Empire City
Spike Staggs felt like his body had been hit by a truck after the battle with Gaia. Had it not been for the intervention of the so-called ‘Angel of Empire City’ he would not be here. He had nearly been killed by the meta terrorist, but his gambit to get back on the path to finding Michelle had paid off in the form of a vision that had led him to the Empire City Police Department and a detective…one which he was very familiar with. He had been the one to save her and the priest in Gateway Park several days ago, using his abilities to lower them safety to the ground from the top of the statute of Superius. He had done this from the shadows, which was ironic because he now came to her for help in finding a shadow…a Shadow entity that had taken Michelle, right in front of him.
Spike walked into the precinct and made his way to the Desk Sergeant, “I need to speak with Detective Jordan…RIGHT NOW!”
Sergeant Bradski stared at the man and gave a mild arch of his brow, “Do you have an appointment?” He scanned through his appointment book, not really even looking for a name. “I don’t see one! You’d best be calming yourself down and telling me what your problem is buddy!”
Spike picked up a pen off of the desk of the officer, and wrote his name on the book and gave the Desk Sergeant a weary look, “Officer…I need to speak with the detective…pretty please!”
Officer Bradski was never one to placate anyone, especially some hippy punk with an attitude like this guy, but there was something strange about him. Lately Jordan had been specializing in strange. Bradski snickered to himself as he looked at the book, “WOW! Look…there is your name right there…Spunk Skanks!” He buzzed the door to the back, allowing Spike to open it. “Why don’t you just show yourself back? Second door on the right Mr. Skanks, she’ll call you when she’s ready for you.”
Spike’s jaw clinched as he turned toward the opened door and paced down the hallway, wringing his hands as he tried to calm himself. He didn’t know what he’d say to her, but he knew she was part of his vision and he would need her help to find Michelle.
After a few minutes, Stacey stepped outside of her office, “Mr. Spunk Skanks?”
Spike stood up, “Spike Staggs…”
She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "...fucking Bradski..." waving for him to come into her office. She took a seat behind her desk, gesturing for him to take a seat. “How can I help you Mr. Staggs?”
Spike sighed, still trying to sort out what to say and not sound like a crazy person, “Well…Detective. A friend of mine…a very dear friend has disappeared. She was kidnapped…”
Stacey nodded, “Mr. Staggs, you have a missing person complaint…they can take a statement from you up front.”
Spike shook his head, “She was taken…by a shadow…a Shadow person...thing...something.” When she started to respond, he held up his hands. “I know this sounds crazy…but listen to me, I know that you can help me…you have to help me. You owe me.”
Stacey stared at him for a moment or two, lacing her fingers, “Mr. Staggs…I haven’t had a good laugh in days, that is the only reason I’m not tossing you out of my office right now.” Stacey narrowed her eyes as she watched him carefully. “Tell me…how do you think I owe you?”
Spike sat forward, “Gateway Park…I was there…I helped you…you and the priest. Now I need your help.”
Stacey folded her arms, “REALLY?! ONE GOD NONSENSE?!” She got to her feet, “I’m going to murder Bradski!”
Spike turned his attention to the waste basket beside Stacey’s desk and focused his power as he levitated the stuffed angel out of the can, moving it right in front of the startled detective’s face. “I don’t really know how much God has to do with it…but I know that you can help me find Michelle.”
Stacey snatched the angel, which had been left in her office as a joke, out of the air. Her thoughts turned back to that night in Gateway Park. Brandon had been so quick to attribute their rescue to God that he never bothered to consider that their rescue had not been divine at all. Anka was no angel…and now Stacey was even more certain of that fact. Stacey sat on the edge of her desk, her eyes on Spike. “Well…I guess I do owe you after all. I’ll open an investigation Mr. Staggs, but I’m going to need to know everything that you know! Everything about the person you think took her…as well as everything there is to know about Michelle…”
Spike started to speak, then his eyes drifted to the monitor that was mounted on her wall and his mouth fell open, “Michelle…?” He jumped to his feet and ran over to the monitor, fumbling to turn up the volume on the news broadcast…
“Hello, I am Michelle Andretti, for Channel 8 News. With the recent appearance of an ‘alleged’ angel in Empire City, the believers in the One God faith have been flocking together in an attempt to rebuild their crumbling religion. All of this comes at a time when a TRUE god…Superius returned to Empire City and saved us all from a meta insurgency that threatened to destroy our way of life.
Eyewitnesses reportedly observed ‘The Angel of Empire City’ in conflict with the leader of that insurgency; Gaia, near the Loeb Building just days ago. Inexplicably, the meta terrorist was allowed her to escape. This doesn’t sound like the actions of a divine being with the best interests of humanity at heart.
I am inviting Superius and ‘The Angel’ to come and address the people directly at Caesars Colosseum tomorrow at noon. The people you would have worship you, wish to hear you both speak. Tell us why you're here...tell us what you want.”
As the television spot ended, Spike turned and looked at Stacey. “I don’t know what’s happening…”
Stacey smirked, “I’m closing your case…that’s what’s happening.”
Spike shook his head, “Detective…believe me…that wasn’t Michelle.” He headed to the door, “WE NEED TO GET TO THE STATION!”
She grabbed his arm, “Whoa! Slow your roll! What makes you think that wasn’t her? I mean, you recognized her, so it obviously looked and sounded like her.”
Spike was frantic, “SHE WAS TAKEN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! SHE WOULD HAVE CALLED…SOMETHING…ANYTHING!”
Stacey shook him, “Mr. Staggs…over the past few days, I have seen some pretty amazing shit…so, yeah…maybe what you’re saying is true, but I can’t exactly open a missing persons case on a person that the entire city just saw on television! They will lock both of our asses up the loony bin!”
Spike ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to puzzle out his next move. “Okay…will you come with me to find and talk to her then? Just that…nothing more…please!”
Stacey nodded, more out of a sense of obligation to him for saving her life than anything else. “Tomorrow...at noon, we know right where she'll be. I will meet you there, and we'll talk to her...together.”
Spike wasn't pleased that they weren't going right away, but he understood. She wasn't missing...but, something was certainly wrong. He nodded, "Fine...tomorrow." He walked to the door, then paused as he looked back, "Thank you Detective." He walked out, leaving her alone in her office.
Stacey walked over to her desk and plopped down in her seat. She had no idea what she’d find…but it couldn’t be any weirder than the shit she was already dealing with. She glanced at the large board that hung in her office with pictures of her rescue…of her Meta-human abductors…and blurry pictures of Anka. While she was prepared to help Spike...she couldn't help but to be eager to see if Anka actually showed up tomorrow. If and when she did...Stacey planned on being there...
The Ruins of Madison Chapel
Empire City
Brandon could hardly believe the outpouring of support for him and his church following the battle at Gateway Park and the appearance of ‘The Angel of Empire City.’ There had been renewed interest in ‘One God’ Churches like never before. He hated to admit it, but even the arrival of Superius had helped. People were suddenly debating religion in the streets…at home…and even in the halls of power. No matter if they were for or against the theory of one God…at least they were finally considering the question of what might be.
He braced himself against the cold as he watched the many volunteers who had come to help rebuild the church…bigger and better than ever. Even though all of Empire City had been on the brink, things now seemed to be looking up and he had Anka to thank for that. She had claimed that she was no angel…but he begged to differ.
He blew into his cupped hands to warm them as he walked over to the huge group of workers and patted each of them on the shoulder and thanked them for their help before sending them home for the night. As he waited for the last of them to leave, he turned back and took one last look at what would soon be the new chapel building.
Brandon started to leave, when he noticed movement inside the building. He thought that he had told everyone to leave, but apparently not everyone had gotten the message. He opened the door and walked inside. “I’m very sorry… but I thought that I had let everyone know that…” Brandon paused as he realized just who it was left standing inside the church.
Anka stood at the head of the aisle, her neck craned upwards as she stared at the massive cross hanging behind the altar. Without even acknowledging Brandon’s presence, she started to speak. “You know…after what happened to Jesus…I seriously doubt that a cross is the first thing he wants to see when he comes back here…”
Brandon laughed. “It’s the whole thing about beating swords into plowshares. What was once a symbol of torture and death is now a symbol of hope…faith…love.”
Anka wanted to laugh. Unlike everyone else who walked around dangling crosses off their necks, she had actually done the dangling herself...crucified by Romans and left on a cross for 6 long days. No matter how much Brandon sugar-coated it, there was no way in hell that it would ever symbolize hope, faith, or love to her. She turned to him, her dark hair falling into her eyes as she did. “I don’t think that Jesus would care to be hung from a plowshare either.”
Brandon attempted to correct her, “Well… that’s not really what I mea…”
She walked past him, ignoring his response as she sat down in one of the pews. She never looked at him as she spoke. “You know…they say that it’s wrong to hate…it rots the soul…” She finally looked up at him, her eyes large and luminescent in the darkened church.
Brandon sat down next to her. “Well…we’re human and humans sometimes hate. Especially what they don’t understand.” He sighed. “It’s a part of our nature that I’m not proud of, but we all have to make a conscious effort to love our neighbor.”
“…no matter their sin…?” Anka added, her eyes boring into him.
Brandon paused as he looked at her, wishing that he could penetrate her thoughts. “No matter their sins…” he put his hand on her shoulder, “…love is the driving force that makes us all complete…that solidifies our bond with one another…and with God.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. “I haven’t loved anyone…or anything…for longer than I care to remember.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “And as it turns out…I can remember quite a long ways back.”
Brandon could see that her memories were painful to her, but he couldn’t conceal his curiosity. She had seen things that he had only read about…dreamed about! She had been touched by the hand of God and given long life…for a purpose. She may not have realized it…but he did. “Anka…this is about Superius. You’re troubled by his return.”
Anka spoke this bared teeth, “I’m troubled by his existence Father!” She narrowed her eyes, “Need I remind you of how that bastard murdered my family!”
Brandon knelt down in front of her, “I recall you telling me of how your family died…but…Superius was not the man responsible, he…”
“HE WAS THEIR GENERAL…HE WAS ROME!” She roared in response. “Perhaps…the blood of my family doesn’t stain his hands, but the blood of thousands like me do! He is no hero…he’s evil!”
Brandon never thought he’d find himself defending Superius. He had spent years denouncing the memory of the supposed God, but never had he thought of the General as evil. He reached over and touched Anka’s shoulder, “Trust that God will judge him when his time comes.”
Anka stared at Brandon, the wheels inside her head turning. Until now, she had thought that her ‘mission’ had been to protect Brandon, which she had done…but what if that was only half of her mission? The return of Superius stood in direct opposition to the recent resurgence of the One God faith. If Anka knew anything at all, God was jealous and vindictive…as much as she despised Him, He probably despised Superius just as much. I along slow smile spread across Anka’s face, “Yes…when his time comes.”
Brandon didn’t like the look on her face, but at least it was a smile. He patted her on her shoulder, “Come Anka…have dinner with me. Let’s talk about happy things. Tell me about your family.”
Anka nodded as she stood, following Brandon. She would tell him all that she could remember about her family…but she would never stop thinking about how they had been slaughtered…or how she would find a way to revisit that horror on the great General Superius…
Maybe that she would do it tomorrow in front of the entire city...with or without the assistance of Gaia…
EPISODE CREDITS
CAST (In order of appearance)
Spike Staggs … R.C. Tucker
Officer Bradski … Todd Berryman
Detective Stacey Jordan … Nina Stokes
Michelle Andretti ... Delia Darling
Father Brandon Knight … Trace VanReardon
Anka ... Kenzi Grey
Directed by … DubbleFC
Screenplay by … Ron B.
Produced by … CTN Television Studios
Casting by … Maleek Raheem
Music by … Guilty Pleasure