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The Summons Chapter 1 And I heard that the park is filled tonight with police. On the radio there's nothing but a man saying to stay Inside. Well, I remember what you said on the telephone, That you didn't feel like it was safe to stay alone. And you would get yourself to me if you could find a way across The line. Well, there's a faint sound of sirens tonight in the air, And I heard that the downtown streets tonight are bare. On the T.V. here they're telling me the roads now are all Closed down. "Investigators have uncovered more evidence surrounding the fatal bus crash. We'll have the full story for you at eleven p.m., here on Channel 8, Nightly Local News at--" The apartment fell into a relative state of silence as the television set was switched off. "I've got to run," Filia said. "If I don't leave soon, I'll miss the subway." "Filia, I really wish you'd use a taxi instead." "Val, we've been over this a million times!" "And we'll keep going over this a million more, or however long it takes to get you to change your mind," he argued back. "It's not safe." "Val, I'm still far stronger than I look, and I can handle myself. You made sure of that. Don't you have any faith in yourself?" "I have plenty, I just don't have any faith in the gangs that hang out down there after dark." "I've been doing this for years, they've never bothered me." Filia grabbed her jacket off the rack, and searched her purse for her keys. "I love you, but I really have got to get going." "I love you too. I'll try to call tomorrow, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have. It depends on the results we get back on the tests that were run today." "I know, don't worry. I'll talk to you when I talk to you." "Be careful." "You too. Bye." Filia switched off the cordless and tossed it onto the sofa. On her way out the door, she picked up her bag with her sweater and work shoes, and locked the triple bolts behind her. It was a hot, muggy night in the city, warm enough for Filia to remove her jacket, draping it over her arm as she walked to the subway entrance. The morning air when she got off work would be cooler. In all honesty, she knew she could afford to hire a limousine to transport her to and from work if she wished, and a taxi would provide no difficulty. But Filia liked the greater reliability of subways that came with a less chance for a traffic jam. The wet, hot air, clogged with fumes and emissions, wafted up through the entrance. Filia couldn't keep from wrinkling her nose -- even in a human body, she still had her draconic senses, and could never seem to get fully accustomed to the noxious odors. It was painfully loud in the tunnels; music blasted out of boom boxes, people chattered and yelled, and the noise of the subways themselves ricocheted off the cement walls. Filia could never figure out which she hated worse: the noise or the smells. But it was reliable and frugal; if more people used subways, Filia believed that the levels of pollution would not be what they were. She switched trains twice, needing three separate ones total to take her from home to as close to work as possible. At the second station, her last hop, the necessary train was nowhere in sight. Filia looked around, then checked her watch and swore under her breath. Usually the trains were there when she would switch, but every so often there was a lag between them. She wouldn't be late for work, but it meant waiting. There were fewer people here; that particular station was never very busy, except during the rush hours. Down the tunnel a ways, she could see a small group of people milling about, waiting for their ride. She started walking toward a better lit area, when a scuffing sound behind her drew her attention. "Well, well, well. What's a pretty little slice of white meat like you doing out by yourself after dark?" the leader said. Eight -- no, wait, nine. Nine of them. It was obvious that they were part of a local gang. Filia squared her shoulders. "None of us want trouble," Filia said firmly. "It would be in everyone's best interest if we continued on our separate ways." "Aw, too high and mighty to hang out with us, is that it?" the leader sneered. "This white bitch thinks she's too good for us." His followers snickered, pressing closer, moving to flank her. Filia backed away, mentally preparing to fight. "I never said that. I'm merely on my way to work, and I haven't done anything to you." "But what if I want ya to do somethin' to me, white meat?" he asked, grabbing his crotch lewdly. Filia blushed, but kept her gaze steady. "And we's a lot more fun than work, ain't we, boys?" A chorus of agreement echoed in the otherwise-silent tunnels. "I'm warning you now. Back off," Filia said. "Or what? What's a piece of fluff like you gonna do to us? Cry? Boo-hoo-hoo! We're gonna make the white bitch cry!" "Leave me alone," she ordered, but was already moving when one tried to grab her. She twisted her arm and seized his wrist, using her hidden, superior strength to flip him to his back, and the sound of shattering bone a split second before the cursing and screaming began stopped the others. Even if her ability to access her draconic body had long since died, and magic had ceased to exist, she was still far beyond an ordinary human. Expressions darkened, and they closed in around her, but took care to keep out of arm's reach. "Now, that weren't real nice of ya," the leader said, glowering at her. "You done broke my homeboy's arm, and for that, youse gonna pay." Several switchblades clicked, flashing in the tunnel lights. "I told you to let me go," Filia said evenly. "I did not start this." "And we're gonna finish it, bitch." The leader reached behind him, and Filia expected another knife. Instead, she found herself staring down the muzzle of a gun. "Any more of that kung fu shit, and you're gonna get a taste of this. Play nice, bitch, and maybe we let you live." "I do believe that the lady wants nothing to do with you," a new voice cut in from behind the leader. "Perhaps you should re-evaluate your actions, as I'm sure you would then come to the conclusion that continuing with this would not be conductive to a long life for you." Filia didn't have time to scream before the leader lunged forward, putting her in a tight headlock. She did start screaming once she felt the muzzle press against her temple. "Shut up, bitch!" he shouted. "Back the fuck off, whoever you are. Bitch is comin' with us, and nobody say different!" "On the contrary, I say differently." Filia choked down her screams, trying to see who was talking. She caught a tall, thin silhouette in the shadows, but nothing more. There was something about the voice... She didn't have time to think on that in greater depth before the leader jerked the gun away from her, opening fire on the figure in the shadows. Filia screamed; the compressed explosion of air from the powerful handgun rattled through her ears and down her nerves. She fell to her knees, released as the leader whirled about, and she faintly heard more gunshots echo through her numbed hearing. All she could think to do was get completely flat, laying on the dirty cement and covering her head, vaguely aware of the commotion. Then something dropped on her. An arm grabbed her own a few minutes later, and she was pulled up. Filia realized then that she was still screaming, and her voice was hoarse. Blinding lights shone in her eyes, and she saw silvery glimmers past them. "Lady!" a voice shouted, "lady, calm down! You okay? Were you hit?" As the light moved away, she saw the blue uniforms of the city's Finest, and nodded, not even really sure what she was agreeing to. "You were hit? Where at?" "Hit? Umm..." Filia looked down at herself, confused. "I don't see any blood on her, but she's in shock," the other cop said. "I'll call for an ambulance, try to get her name." "Lady, your name? Can you tell me your name?" "Fil--" She stopped herself, shaking her head. Gods, she felt so dizzy, disoriented. "Fiona." "Okay, Fiona. I'm Officer Bradley." He placed something in her arms, and she realized it was her jacket, her bag, and purse. "You're going to be okay. Look at me, keep looking at me. Listen. We don't see any blood on you, but Al, he's my partner here, he's calling for an ambulance for you. You're in shock. Is there anyone we can call?" "Call? Um..." Filia frowned, holding her head. "Call Val--, no, no, not... call, no, he's too far. Um... work. Call work." "Fiona, look up, c'mon, look at me. There, that's a good girl. Where do you work? Can you tell me?" "Work... Beaumont." "Beaumont? Beaumont Memorial Hospital?" "Yes, doctor, I'm a doctor." "Al, tell the medics that she's a doctor at Beaumont!" the cop called out, then turned back to her. "Everything's going to be okay, Fiona. You don't look like you're hurt." "Where's he?" "We've got everybody in custody. Can you tell me what happened?" "Man...the gang...waiting for my train and they came up. Told them to go, told them..." Her breathing was labored, and it grew harder to talk. "Lay down, come on, there, that's a good girl." He pulled her jacket over her, helping her lay down on the ground. "You're shocky. You'll be okay." "So loud..." "Yeah, gunshots can be that way. You told them to go away? Told them what?" Filia nodded. "Told them, they didn't listen, wouldn't go. Someone else..." "Someone else what?" "He told them too, told them to stop." "Who was it, did you see?" "I... so familiar, no, I don't know, I don't remember." "Great. Keep thinking, c'mon, Fiona, stay with me here. Try to remember." "Just...like a dream. Too long ago." "Can you give me any names?" Filia squinted, trying to think. "Beast," she whispered, "Beastmaster. Priest." "Right. Okay. I hear the sirens, the medics are here. They'll take you to your hospital. You're gonna be okay, Fiona. You did good." "Priest," she murmured again, then felt an oxygen mask strapped over her face. Xellos.
"OW!" "Quit being such a big baby." "I'm not being a baby," Filia complained, wincing as the nurse continued to swab antiseptic on her forehead. "You doctors always make the worst patients, I swear." Carolyn's voice was audible and understandable, although it still held a tinny quality as if echoing down a tunnel. "Well, it hurts!" Filia retorted. Her co-worker smirked at her, then stepped back. "There. All done. Don't touch it, let me bandage it." "How bad is it?" "You'll look like you got hit with a cheese grater for a few days, but nothing permanent." "You know, we were expecting you to show up in here tonight, but not like this," a new voice piped up. Filia couldn't see past the nurse's hands as she affixed a gauze pad to the abrasion, but she recognized the voice. "Hello, Doug." The other doctor moved into her line of vision, looking at a clipboard. "You're a lucky one. Aside from a remarkably bad scare and a few scrapes, you're fine. How do you feel?" "I'm okay. If somebody can get me my spare clothes from my locker, I can--" "You're doing nothing of the sort. I'm taking your shift tonight." "But--" "Didn't they teach you in medical school not to argue with the doctors?" Doug asked, smirking over the clipboard at her. The nurse shook her head. "It's like I said, you always make the worst sort of patients." "I'm fine, Carolyn, Doug, really," Filia insisted. "Which is great. It means you'll be back to work tomorrow, and the next time I want a night off, you'll owe me a favor," Doug said. "But tonight, just go home. Marissa's still here, and she'll drive you." "She doesn't have--" "You know her, she wants to. Now quit arguing with us. Do you feel up to answering some questions?" "Yeah." "I'll go let the cops know." Carolyn helped her sit up while Doug alerted the policemen waiting outside. "You're looking a lot better, Fiona, or should I say Doctor Copton?" Filia recognized his voice from the subway. "Just Fiona's fine," Filia said, and shot a mild glare devoid of any actual anger at Doug. "I'm off-duty now, apparently." Doug grinned brightly while the officer continued talking. "If you're feeling any better, I was hoping you might be able to clear up a few questions. Some of the answers you gave were a bit off, not that I blame you." "Go on." He consulted his notepad while his partner lingered by the doorway. "You seemed to indicate that you knew whoever it was that stepped in, but when I asked you about it, your answer didn't make sense. What did you mean, exactly, when you said 'beastmaster' and 'priest'?" Filia stared at him and blinked. Oh dear. Had she actually said that? She shook her head slowly. "I haven't the faintest notion..." she lied, and hoped she sounded believable. He watched her for a moment, then nodded. "You also said something about whoever it was seeming familiar?" Again she shook her head. "I don't really know. I don't remember." "Well, if you do..." He handed her a card. "I'd appreciate a call. We'd like to ask him a few questions." Filia took it, pocketing the card. "Why?" "You didn't see what happened, did you?" She shook her head. "No. I don't remember anything after the gunfire started." "Well, there's a few more bodies in the morgue tonight, thanks to him. He killed half of the gang, but when we got there, he was gone. There were some witnesses, but they were too far away for a positive ID." "Killed? Oh, no." "We searched the station and the surrounding blocks, but didn't turn up anything. One of the guys is conscious enough to talk, and he gave us a description, but it could be anybody." "What's the description?" "A tall man, dark hair, possibly Asian, but we're not so sure on that. Jerome might've thought that because according to witnesses, he was using martial arts." "That..." Filia shook her head. "I don't know." Officer Bradley sighed and nodded, shutting his notepad. "Maybe one of the kids in the gang can tell us more. Give me a call if you remember anything else, will ya?" "I will," Filia said, trying to keep from looking too stunned. Hopefully they would just write it off to the shock of the night, and confusion, trying to think. "Well, you're fine," Doug said after the officers left. "Skinned knees and elbows, and a scuffed forehead from keeping it to the ground. No sign of concussion or any other problems. You'll be fine in the morning, maybe a little sore, but you'll be fine. Want me to prescribe you something to help you sleep tonight?" Filia shook her head. "That's all right. I'll just make some hot chamomile tea and settle down on the sofa with Beethoven." "If I wasn't taking your shift, I'd suggest replacing him with me," Doug bandied, giving her a grin. "I don't date co-workers," she replied, hopping off the gurney with some help from Carolyn, "but you're sweet for asking." "It's always worth a shot," Doug said. "I'll try to give you a call tomorrow evening, see how you're doing." Filia nodded. "I'll be up. Thank you, Doug." "Hey, you can thank me by covering a shift for me sometime." He gave her a bright grin, then ducked out of the room. "Take it easy, now," Carolyn cautioned, and followed him. Filia started gathering up her things when she heard footsteps. "Are you okay?" Marissa asked, hurrying up to her, looking up worriedly. The young nurse was short, a bit on the heavy side, with big, blue eyes, short, dark, slightly unruly hair and a sense of optimism, romanticism, and cheer that sometimes toppled over into the excessive territory. "I'm okay, just a little scuffed," Filia replied, pulling on her jacket. "Thank you for hanging around, I know you're wanting to get home." "Oh, pish, don't you worry!" Marissa said as they started walking to the employee lot. "You'd do the same for me. Well, if you had a car, that is." Filia chuckled, then looked at Marissa as she pulled off her cap, a stray lock of dark hair trying to defy gravity. For just a moment, she had a sense of deja vu, but it was gone before she could put a finger on it. "What?" Filia blinked and shook herself out of it. "Oh, nothing. It's just been a bit of an odd night. For a moment, I thought you looked a little familiar." Marissa raised an eyebrow. "Well, I should hope so! We've only been working together for what, seven years now?" Filia shook her head. "Not quite what I meant... I don't know." She sighed. "It's just a weird night." "Maybe you hit your head harder than we think," Marissa teased, and unlocked the passenger door of her older model Sentra. Filia slipped into the blue import, making sure nothing was in the way of the door before the nurse shut it. "So," Marissa began as she pulled out of the lot, "what's this I hear about a dashing, dark stranger saving you from their evil clutches?" "Mari, you've been reading entirely too many romance novels." "Hush, woman, let me have my fantasies." "In case you haven't noticed, this is apparently my fantasy, whether or not I wanted it." "And that's what friends are for! I get to live vicariously through your excitement." "I don't think the reality's anything that enthralling," Filia retorted. "He probably already had an axe to grind with them. At any rate, he killed people, Mari." "Dark, dashing, and dangerous!" Marissa cooed. "You don't get better fodder than that!" Filia blinked. "Fodder for what?" "A romance novel of course, silly! You should write about this!" "Write about what? I get attacked, somebody kills people, and I go home." "You're so boring." Mari rolled her eyes and turned a corner. "Change the setting, maybe have it where instead of the cops and medics, he takes you off to his secluded cottage..." She sighed happily. "Don't be silly. I don't have any time to write a romance novel, besides, what do I know of the topic?" "It's like the saying, those who can, do. Those who can't teach. In this case, those with a significant other have romance, those who don't write about it." She grinned. "Or in my case, read about it." Filia shook her head. "There's nothing romantic about all this." "You're just lacking in imagination." Marissa sighed mournfully. "My imagination is quite healthy, thank you," Filia replied primly. "I don't need lurid fantasies about being carted off by mysterious men." "Well, can I have the fantasy? I swear, nothing exciting every happens to me." "Oh, go for it," Filia said, unable to hold back a chuckle. Marissa patted her thigh consolingly. "Don't worry, Fi. Someday, our princes shall come." "Yeah, and what if we kiss them and they turn into frogs?" She was quiet for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Then we have deep fried frog legs for dinner that night." Filia stared at her, then shook her head, starting to laugh. "I'll bring the hush puppies."
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to be continued...
Chapter Two