Load

0

Crom watched the news bulletin at the bar in Jackson Heights with intent interest. He sipped his pint and smiled.

Our top story: Will New York City and the surrounding boroughs be caught in the middle of a new deadly interracial gang war?One week after the death of his son, alleged crime boss Vito Marella and his wife Valerie were killed in a horrific drive-by shooting attack on their home earlier this evening along with ten others. Fifteen more were hospitalized at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with only one being reported to be in stable condition while others are reported to be critical at this time. Police officials found a white handkerchief and a string of white, black and orange beads at the scene. According to N.Y.P.D. Gang Intelligence officials declined to comment but an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the items belonged to a gang based in Chinatown. The official even went so far as to say that it was the work of a possible Satanic cult. We have Michelle Lang with the latest.”

“A mixture of the occult and gang warfare ruled the day on this quiet neighborhood of Bayside, Queens Maureen where police sources say that hand grenades and AK-47’s were used in the worst drive-by shooting in New York history. The twist in this case was unusual items that were identified as Satanic paraphernalia were dropped at the scene. I spoke with Police Commissioner Miguel Olivera, who immediately responded to the scene upon hearing the 111th Precinct’s blotter.”

“Why are you so interested in what the zip-heads do to the wops anyway?” Squid, sitting next to him at the bar asked.

“Shut the fuck up.” Crom replied as he rubbed his bald head. “These motherfuckers have more balls than you’d ever know.”

“They’re zips, dude.”

“This racial shit is of the old Aeon. Don’t mean shit. Beyond means beyond race too dickwad. I’ve been talking to you about this for a month now.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Why are you so interested in this though?”

“Stay awhile and you’ll find out. If you’ve got what it takes.”

“What?!?” Squid almost spit out his beer. “You know that I’m the first one when there’s a fight, weapons or not.”

“What I’m talking to you about is the big time, my friend. Not this doing the dirty work for some elderly asshole whose still stuck on World War 2.”

“What? You talking about Geoff? He’s who we follow.” Squid said incredulously.

“Exactly. Follow. I’m tired of following. Hold on. I really have to get this.” Crom retrieved a cellphone from his jacket.

Squid looked at Crom as he spoke on the phone.

“Yeah, I saw it. It’s fuckin’ beautiful. I never doubted it for a second. To the new Aeon. Okay, I’ll be over in a bit. Later.”

“When the fuck did you get a cell phone, dude?” Squid asked as Crom hung up.

1

The elevated train roared by above as Toby smoked his cigarette on the corner of 82nd St. and Roosevelt Ave. Two Mexicans walked by warily as they observed Toby’s six foot plus frame, black flight jacket and burgundy Dr. Martens boots.

Toby ignored them and continued to smoke. He glanced across the street and smiled at Crom and Squid.

“Dude, it’s fuckin’ cold out here! I must’ve been here for twenty minutes.’ Toby playfully punched Crom.

“Stop being a fag. Gimme one of those.” Crom said.

Toby pulled a pack of Marlboro Reds and handed it to Crom. Crom smiled and took a cigarette. Then he tossed the pack to Squid.

“You fuckin’ ass holes need to get jobs. I’m tired of supporting your habits.” Toby said.

“I’m working on that, my good buddy. If things go right, I’ll drive up to your doorstep in a truck full of cigarettes.”

“You’re still not telling me where we’re going.” Squid said.

Toby and Crom looked at each other.

“Just keep your mouth shut. When this is over, you’ll know what the deal is.”

The three turned to the right on 86th St. Crom knocked on the side door of a laundromat three times, paused, then five, paused, and then twice.

A large Latino man in his twenties dressed in a jogging suit, baseball cap and beige construction boots opened the door. The three stepped in. Crom raised his hands as if to allow himself to be frisked.

The young Latino smiled at them.

“Go ahead, man. You’re good.” the young man said as he picked up what looked to be a two way radio.

Crom smiled and nodded at the man and motioned for Toby and Squid to follow him and they walked down a long, dark winding hallway.

“Dude, what are we doing at a putaria?” Squid asked.

“Didn’t he tell you to shut your mouth until we’re done?” Toby looked back at Squid angrily.

“Okay, okay.”

A pale yet attractive Latina woman in leggings and high heels heard their approach and opened the large heavy door at the end of the hallway. She smiled at Toby.

“Go ahead. We’ll wait for you.” Crom smiled.

The woman handed Toby a can of beer. She grabbed Toby’s hand and they walked through what looked to be a living room where customers and the girls dressed in short shorts or miniskirts and high heeled shoes sat around on beat up couches. Toby and the girl went into a room in anadjoining hallway in the rear of the living room.

Another lady, also attractive yet less provocatively in jeans and a sweatshirt motioned for Crom to follow her.

“Dude.” Crom looked at Squid. “Just have a seat. If Toby comes out before me, just have him sit next to you.”

2

Squid looked around the living room nervously. He watched as a pretty redhead in a tight black miniskirt made eye contact with a middle aged man sitting on the couch across from her. She winked and blew him kisses. The man then walked to a man seated at a desk and gave him money. The redhead grabbed the man’s hand and they walked towards a room that was next to where Toby and the other girl went into.

Crom walked into the living room three minutes later with two cans of beer, smiling.

“I thought that Toby was a three minute guy. It’s been a whole five minutes. I’m so proud of him. They grow up so fast.” he handed a can to Squid.

Squid began to drink and laughed. “He’s gonna kick both of our asses one day.”

“Yeah. I think so too. I’m gonna buy him a whole carton of cigarettes when he’s done.”

Just then, Toby stepped out of the back room. He turned and waved sheepishly at the girl, coming out behind him. She laughed.

Crom and Squid finished their beers and got up to leave. Toby followed.

3

As the three stepped outside and made a left back to Roosevelt Ave., Crom took the new cell phone out of his flight jacket pocket and dialed.

“Yeah. We’re good. Okay. Later.”

Crom hung up and put the phone back in his pocket.

A blue Honda Accord pulled up next to them. A young Asian man seated in the passenger seat dressed in a black sweatshirt nodded at Crom. The driver was an attractive tweny-something Latina wearing a leather jacket.

“Wait right here. Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”

Crom got into the backseat of the car and shook hands with the Asian man and kissed the driver on the cheek.

Squid looked confused but changed his mind about asking anymore questions as Toby shot him a glance that read, “Go ahead and ask something, motherfucker.”

Toby lit a cigarette and smiled. He handed the pack to Squid.

“Only one, you faggot.”

Squid smiled and took a cigarette.

4

Five minutes later, the blue Honda pulled up. Crom said goodbye and the car drove off. Crom smiled at Toby and Squid.

“We good?” Toby asked.

“More than good. Ten grand.”

“Holy shit! I think I’m gonna pass out.”

“Okay, now can I ask what the fuck is going on?”

Crom looked at Squid seriously.

“Know the Asians who shot up Dom Marella’s house? The shit I was watching at the bar?”

“Um, yeah?”

“They’re our new employers. We’re their collecting agents and our territory is Roosevelt Ave. from the 80th to 90th. The whole Jackson Heights strip, baby. Just us three. It’s usually an eighty/twenty split with the bosses and us but my new friend Johnny said that the bosses are going to give us one hundred percent as goodwill gesture on the house that we just hit.”

Squid’s eyes lit up. “Holy shit! How much was that?”\

“Ten grand.” Crom smiled.

“You’re gonna play nice and know that the New Aeon is here?” Toby asked Squid.

“Hell yeah.”

“Good.” Crom smiled. “Because we’re all Family now. Now the next step.”

“What’s that?” asked Squid.

“Telling Geoff that we quit. We’re making money now. We’re a conglomerate.”

Tendrils

0

Crew.

“And our top story tonight: Dominick Marella, the son of alleged LaManna Family boss Vito Marella was found dead in the back alley of the Queens sports bar, “First Edition” apparently from an overdose of heroin. Results are pending from an autopsy. The younger Marella was a Vietnam veteran who was also known for the murder of husband and wife Filipino immigrants in 1983. Suspected drug dealer, Peter Raspotnik’s body was found a few yards away from Marella. Raspotnik’s death looks to be the result of multiple stab wounds to the chest. An N.Y.P.D. spokeswoman stated that an investigation is still pending as well. Ernie?”

“Thanks, Maureen. Schools Chancellor Ruth West has approved a plan which will…”

Johnny Lam and Eddie Tsao were sitting at the bar in the pool hall drinking beers and laughing about the fight that they had just had an hour ago with 4 Jung Dragons who had refused to consolidate with the Sinister Shadows.

“You know you were gonna run.” Eddie laughed. “Then you saw that I was standing my ground and you ran back ’cause you knew I would say shit.”

“Dude, that’s not the way it went down. You’re so full of shit.” Johnny retorted. “Don’t make me kick your ass again.”

“You’d probably run.”

They both laughed heartily and ordered more beer.

Danny Wu, former leader of the Jung Dragons and now Eve’s lieutenant walked into the bar. He smiled at Eddie and Johnny.

“You two clowns getting into shit with some of my old set, I heard.” he said as he shook their hands.

“Yeah. Those guys don’t want to go with the program.” Eddie said.

“They’ll come around eventually. Especially when they see that there’s nothing moving in these streets without the SS having something to do with it. A nickel bag gets sold in the park, we get a piece.”

“What if the pie is too small for all of us?” pondered Johnny.

“The Tongs are going to fold without their muscle and without any money from the streets.” Danny said.

“Or we could just start fighting each other again.” Eddie said, only half-kidding.

“Yeah, I miss kicking the shit out of Guangdong Tigers.” Danny smiled.

“Yeah, okay.” Eddie said.

“Yeah you never were around when we used to get into it with your boys.” Johnny added.

“Let me buy you guys some beers even though you should get cut off because you’re getting delusional.”

Johnny made a gesture to the barmaid for one more. “Already covered.”

1

Old Acquantances Be Forgot.

Vito looked squarely into Claudio’s eyes. They were in the same strip bar that they were in when Vito first contracted Claudio.

“Don’t fuck with me, Claudio. If I find out that you killed my son, you’re a fuckin’ dead man. That chink bitch too.”

Okay, Don. This is what happened.” Claudio said evenly. “Dom was already convulsing by the time that I got over there. I then took out Peter and I dialed 9-1-1 for Dom. That the truth, Don.”

“I was born at night, not last night. I come to find out that those dead people’s daughter and you are fuckin’ running Chinatown after they found Dom dead. You’re a fuckin’ dead man, Claudio.”

“You don’t scare me Marella.” Claudio said flatly. “You’re getting soft. That’s the word on the street. You couldn’t get a handle on Dom. He makes a fuckin’ mess and Daddy’s always there to clean the shit up.”

“That don’t take away from the fact that you’re a dead man. Your little girlfriend, too.”

“I won’t be a problem. Unlike you, I ‘m not scared of dying. I haven’t been scared of dying since ‘Nam. Come down to Chinatown, and you’ll have a war.”

“I built this family through wars, Claudio.”

“The war with the Nocerinos was winding down when you took over from the old man, Vito. Who do you think you’re bullshitting? Joey Romano’s looking to take your spot.”

Vito grabbed Claudio by the collar. Claudio merely smiled.

“You’re fuckin’ dead, Giovanni! You hear me?!?” Fuckin’ dead!”

The music stopped and the D.J. yelled out, “Peacekeepers to the front!” Two large bouncers came over and pulled Vito from Claudio.

One of the Don’s muscle then approached the bouncers and held his hand up. One bouncer then said, “What the fuck? Get the fuck out of the way!”

The other bouncer quickly let Vito go and motioned for his co-worker to do the same. They walked back towards the entrance to the bar to check I.D.’s.

Vito straightened out his tie. “That’s power, motherfucker! The same that’s going to be your downfall. My reach extends beyond what your eyes see, Claudio. Remember that.”

Claudio finished his red wine and stood up, also fixing his tie. “You’re lost, Vito. Do what you will to me but it won’t take away from that fact.” He sat back down and watched as the girls cowered behind tables and pillars.

Vito and his muscle walked out of the bar and into the street.

2

Hybrid.

Boss Cho smiled at Eve from across the table. They were in a large Chinese restaurant.

“I like your style.” I agree to a merger with your conglomerate.” he said.

Eve smiled. “Good. There’s enough money for all of us.”

“I’m ready to go war. The Guangtong Tigers are now officially SS. All of them. Whoever is not with you is against you.” Boss Cho rose from the table and bowed to Eve with his eyes closed, a sign of trust.

“Please excuse me. I must attend to some business, Boss Eve.”

“Very well.” Eve bowed slightly. “I will contact you when I have made all of the arrangements.”

“Yes.” Boss Cho bowed again and took his leave.

As Boss Cho left, Stella Meng came into the restaurant. She was a pretty 20-something who was a Sister of Eve’s Sinister Tribe.

“Mistress, we have a problem. Can we talk?”

“Hi, Stella. What’s up?” Eve asked. “Sit down.”

Stella looked around. The restaurant was nearly empty so she felt comfortable.

“Word came down that Claudio’s got beef with the LaManna’s. There’s going to be trouble, Mistress.”

Eve thought for a second and then declared confidently, “Nothing that we can’t handle, Stella. We all have been in wars. Just because they’re Italian doesn’t mean that they don’t bleed just like us.”

“But Mistress, it’s the mafia!”

“Better for our glamour. Remember how we talked about Lesser Magick? This is what we need to put us over the top. We’re already respected as a merger of the Jung Dragons and Guangtong Tigers, two of the most famous organizations in Chinatown at present. Yet, they were only known for fighting each other and other Chinese organizations. Let’s fight the LaManna’s and we will only see progress. No matter what the outcome.”

3

The Vulgar Strike.

Irvin Jackson waited around the corner from Claudio’s condominium in Queens. He hated working for the Italians because they were so blunt, calling him “nigger” to his face but he took their money regardless. It would get the baby some nice toys and a few pairs of nice shoes for the wife.

Claudio was walking down the block towards him. Irvin straightened up and put the icepick between a rolled up newspaper. Don Vito had wanted it this way. To kill Claudio with the weapon that Claudio had been famous for.

Irvin hoped that this job would go well and that it would lead to future jobs.

Claudio looked at his watch and then went into his right pants pocket to retrieve his house keys. Just then he saw the blur of a rolled up newspaper and then a black man plunging something sharp into his chest repeatedly.

“Fuck, an icepick.” Claudio thought and then he crumpled to the ground. He lay on the cold sidewalk as he heard Irvin’s footsteps running away.

Claudio let out a slight laugh at the irony. He coughed and took his last breath.

At the same time, bullets riddled the restaurant as Stella got up to leave. Staff and patrons ducked underneath tables. Screams and broken glass was everywhere.

Eve was also under her table in an almost panicky state. She took deep breaths and the shooting had stopped. She low crawled to where Stella lay. Stella was on her back. Her eyes were open and she had no pulse.

“The LaManna’s.” Eve said to herself.

4

Education

“They have violated reichstandshaft and for that the education process will begin.” Eve spoke at the dining room table at Danny Wu’s apartment. Johnny, Eddie, Bobby and Danny listened intently.

Bobby then rose. “Grand Prix!”

“It’s the only way. After spraying the target, drop the chapelet and beausanct at the scene. It will not only be education, but fame too. Bobby, I’m going to have to send you out. I need your military planning out there. Any questions, Brothers?”

The room fell silent. Bobby smiled. He had been a crew leader for so long that it would feel good to get his hands dirty again.

“Good. Let’s go earn our paychecks. This is for Claudio. For Stella. Retribution.”

The stolen Nissan Sentra pulled slowly in front of the Marella house. Danny smiled as he saw that the looked to be full of people with almost every light in the house on and a multitude of silhouettes in the windows. Eddie ran out of the car and tossed 3 hand grenades through an open window in a room where the light was on. Screams were heard before the grenades exploded.

Johnny and Bobby, who was driving began to open fire on the house with AK-47’s. They saw no movement or shadows in the window and most of the lights were out.

“Drop it.” Bobby said.

Johnny dropped a string of colored beads (3 white, 5 black and 2 orange) and a white handkerchief on the ground.

Bobby drove the car off quickly, screeching the tires as he peeled off.

5

Blender.

“Our top story: Will New York City and the surrounding boroughs be caught in the middle of a new deadly interracial gang war?One week after the death of his son, alleged crime boss Vito Marella and his wife Valerie were killed in a horrific drive-by shooting attack on their home earlier this evening along with ten others. Fifteen more were hospitalized at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with only one being reported to be in stable condition while others are reported to be critical at this time. Police officials found a white handkerchief and a string of white, black and orange beads at the scene. According to N.Y.P.D. Gang Intelligence officials declined to comment but an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the items belonged to a gang based in Chinatown. The official even went so far as to say that it was the work of a possible Satanic cult. We have Michelle Lang with the latest.”

“A mixture of the occult and gang warfare ruled the day on this quiet neighborhood of Bayside, Queens Maureen where police sources say that hand grenades and AK-47’s were used in the worst drive-by shooting in New York history. The twist in this case was unusual items that were identified as Satanic paraphernalia were dropped at the scene. I spoke with Police Commissioner Miguel Olivera, who immediately responded to the scene upon hearing the 111th Precinct’s blotter.”

Temples

forgotten…

dilapidated…

unwanted…

unneeded…

i was once used…

to shelter a people…

wherein they went about their business…

from which they built their cities…

and expanded their civilizations away from me…

they have gone their way…

having fallen…

what lives i once housed…

what minds once beheld me…

are lost now in time…

yet i remain…

a shelter to phantoms and memories…

evocative…

provocative…

dark…

haunting…

more alive then i was to them…

these damp walls…

my earthly sent…

my crawling darkness…

my cold silence…

wherein your thoughts and fears echos…

here, in me is your atonement…

atonement with Living Darkness…

let then burn, your myrrh and incense of mars…

and take your place among the shadows.

-Chloe 352

120 yf; 3 days after the Ides of April

352

Dragon [Arthur’s Tale]

The following is another perspective of King Arthur, presented here in the format of 120 Year of Fayen.

Chapter 0.
Morgaine spied upon Arthur in the castle courtyard engaged in weapons training with Lancelot and Galahad. Arthur looked up and smiled. Lancelot and Galahad bowed to both and excused themselves from their presence and walked swiftly to the barracks.

Arthur looked around and him and Morgaine ran behind the tall shrubs. She grabbed his member, exposed it and gently caressed it, making it erect. Arthur ran his fingers through her long, black hair and then grabbed the back of her head.

“You’re only involved with me to stop thinking of Gonnore and Lancelot.” she smiled, then got on her knees. She looked up longingly into Arthur’s eyes. Then she received Arthur’s member with her soft lips.

In his heart, he what Morgaine said was true. He felt the pain of Gonnore’s betrayal. Tales of Lancelot and Gonnore had spread throughout the castle and into the adjoining villages. Everyone had looked at Arthur with great pity and not reverance these days.

The woman of his dreams was drifting away before his very eyes. He felt her leave their bed in the middle of the night and a hand maiden take her place. Out of spite, he had planted his seed into Gonnore’s various hand maidens, pretending to be ignorant of Gonnore’s rendevous with Lancelot.

What of Lancelot that Gonnore found alluring? He was not what many call an intellectual. He was merely a glorified servant to Arthur. Yet many believed that Lancelot’s simplicity and “innocence.”

Morgaine felt Arthur going limp. She looked up and saw tears streaming down Arthur’s face. Through his tears, Arthur failed to see Morgaine suppressing her laughter.

“I’m sorry, my dear Morgaine. I am thinking many thoughts at present time.”

Morgaine stood up and touched Arthur’s face.

“I will be in my chambers if need be. Tonight.”

Arthur then looked after Morgaine as she walked away. Morgaine was Darkly beautiful and sensual. Yet, she was not the love of his life. The sun was setting in the distance, rendering a dark, yellow glow reminding Arthur of Gonnore’s hair. He clothed himself and then retreated to his quarters. Again, tears streamed down his face as he walked, staring at the sunset.

Chapter 1.

In the dining room, Arthur had entertained himself with the company of yet another of Gonnore’s hand maidens. Gonnore had claimed to have taken ill and could not be present for supper. Arthur was angry but obscured it in Gonnore’s presence.

As Arthur poured wine for the hand maiden, Tristan arrived in the dining room in full armor, bearing his helmet in his right hand.

“My Lord! Pardon the interruption!”

“Yes, Sir Tristan?”

“There’s an invading tribe en route to Long Mynd! They are approximately forty miles northwest.”

“Hmmm.” Arthur stood as the hand maiden took her hand from Arthur’s lap as she had heard the severity of the news. “They will be here at noon tomorrow. Alert the battalion. We wait.” he said calmly.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Who is this tribe that is to be eradicated?”

“Just one of the chieftains from the North, my Lord.”

“Spread word that there will be no prisoners nor will there be conquering and assimilation into the settlements. They are overcrowded and the chieftains mistake my kindness for weakness. Tomorrow, it shall be offerings for the Goddess.”

Sir Tristan bowed and took his leave. He smiled as he left.

Arthur smiled at the buxom wench as he returned to the table.

“Show me why you are a hand maiden, lass.”

The hand maiden finished her wine and began to undress as she walked towards her King.

Chapter 2.

The King’s men had secured the castle’s perimeter during mid-morning. Arthur watched from a turrett with Sir Lancelot at his right and Sir Gawain on his left. He looked towards Lancelot and smiled. Lancelot returned Arthur’s smile.

Arthur once again felt Gonnore leave last night and a hand maiden taking her place to warm his bed in her place. Arthur slept soundly to prepare for this morning.

Arthur strained his eyes and spied lights from many torches in the distant forest. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Today, there was no prisoners to be taken and the Dark Goddess’ insatiable thirst for blood would be quenched.

Sir Tristan sounded the cornet to signal the approach. Sir Erec gave the command to fire the arrows.

“Hellfire, now!”

The sky was ablaze with fiery arrows swiftly approaching the forest towards the direction of the enemy torches. Soon, the forest was illuminated with flames. The sound of horses galloping towards Camelot.

As the horses appeared from the woodline, Tristan gave another command.

“Hellfire!”

The sky was again ablaze and once again Camelot’s best archers’ aims were true. Fiery arrows had struck much of the enemy, setting them ablaze.

“Lower the main gate!” Tristan commanded.

Just then, a large contingent of armored soldiers swiftly emerged from the castle and charged towards the enemy. At first contact, the enemy seemed overmatched.

Arthur turned to Lancelot.

“Let’s get down there.” he smiled.

“Yes, my Lord.” replied Lancelot.

Arthur, Lancelot, Gawain, Kay, Gereth and the brothers Balin and Balan ran down towards the bailey where their horses were.

They charged out of the gate and then the gate rose.

Arthur raised Excalibur in the air and beheaded the first enemy tribesman that he encountered. His knights were just as proficient if not more so and made the battle to appear simplistic.

A tribesman off of his horse looked up and watched Lancelot approach. The tribesman bent down to avoid Lancelot’s sword then quickly grabbed Lancelot’s right ankle, dragging himself in the process. Lancelot fell off the horse and rolled on the ground as the tribesman let the ankle go.

Arthur turned and watched through the fighting multitude of soldiers and tribesmen as Lancelot limped towards the tribesman and pierce through his chest with his sword. Arthur then turned his horse towards Lancelot.

Lancelot looked up and smiled at Arthur, raising both hands. Arthur smiled and then turned somber. He raised his sword and chopped off Lancelot’s outstretched forearms. Lancelot fell on both knees as blood sprayed from where his elbows began. Arthur doubled back and ran Lancelot over with his horse. Another tribesman walked towards Lancelot’s broken body and pierced his heart with his sword.

Gaheis spotted the tribesman and angrily approached the tribesman, raising his sword. He beheaded the tribesman in one motion and dismounted. He walked towards Lancelot.

“No! Lancelot!” Gaheis removed his helmet and bent over towards Lancelot, removing his helmet as well.

Kay, also dismounted and walked towards Gaheis and Lancelot. By then, the battle was over and a few scattered tribesman were retreating in two different directions.

Arthur remained on his horse and shouted towards the sky.

“No! My greatest friend! Why?!?” Arthur outstretched his arms for dramatic effect.

He then looked at the soldiers now gathering around him and he removed his helmet.

“Kill all remaining tribesman. Remove their hearts for the Dark One!”

Chapter 3.

Maerlyn the Wise, Arthur’s advisor stood next to him, facing the ellipse comprised of nine stones that enclosed Lancelot’s funeral pyre in the large clearing in the Southeast corner of the forest. Maerlyn’s apprentice and Arthur’s mistress, Morgaine stood behind Maerlyn and smiled. Everyone in attendance was donning the customary black robes.

Arthur looked with anger at Gonnore standing by his side and weeping inonsolably. He placed his arm around her as if to console her.

“I’m so sorry, my love.” Gonnore whispered. “I know that he was your greatest friend and the greatest of the Knights.”

“I don’t know how I will go on. I take solace in having you.” Arthur smirked, unbeknowest to Gonnore.

“I love you.” Gonnore said softly.

“As I you.” Arthur replied.

“May our memories linger to haunt the spaces and the Dark! So it has been, so it shall be again!” Arthur addressed those in attendance.

All present began to throw their empty wooden wine goblets into the fire and walked away. Sir Bors the Temple Guardian, Arthur and Maerlyn remained until the pyre was reduced to ashes. Bors would then spread the ashes along Marton Lake, along the Camlad River, the origin of Excalibur.

Arthur approached the pyre and spit on it. Bors said nothing for he knew of Lancelot’s trysts with Gonnore and empathized with Arthur.

“Traitor!” Arthur screamed at the pyre. “I didn’t execute you publically because Gonnore would hate me. In the very least, you perished as a hero.”

“Let us take our leave, my Lord.” said Maerlyn.

Arthur exposed himself and began to urinate on the pyre.

Cloaked

Pregame:

“You’re actually, serious?” Terrence asked the one known as the Temple Mistress. “I…I really don’t know about this. This is crazy!”

“Deadly serious.” the one known only as Lianna smiled. “When you were discharged from the Army two years ago, what exactly has Uncle Sam done for you after your two tours of Iraq and Afghanistan? The Department of Veterans Affairs even disputed your disability claim many times over.”

“Yeah.” Terrence said solemnly. Then he frowned in anger at the way his life had transformed for the worst after his last combat tour. It seemed as if the wealthier got wealthier while no one inquired about the resume that he had posted on the govenment employment website.

“Through Chaos will come Progression. The fulfillment of Wyrd as we had discussed many times over. Haven’t we taken you as Family after your wife left you? Didn’t we get you the help you needed for your nightmares? Didn’t you learn anything of value during your time here?”

Terrence thought. “As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Good. So you’ll do it.” Lianna smiled again. “You’re a soldier. Your personal honour will resonate with us all. Your wife, the government, they don’t comprehend the Way of the Numinous.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Remember, this has been a long time coming. Ernie’s going to grant you the access that you need. You’re the missing piece to the puzzle. The end to the brutal means will be glorious. It will be all because of your Insight, your skill, your cunning.”

Terrence smiled.

Lianna rose from her cahir and onto the loveseat in her study. Terrence watched her intently. She was wearing black see through neglige. Her curves seemed to invite him as she walked. She crossed her legs as she sat down. Her nipples were erect.

She looked into Terrence’s eyes. Her eyes went down to his groin area.

“Come over here. Let’s see if we can relieve some of that tension.” she smiled.

Endgame

11 Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, 3:52 a.m.

Ernie, dressed in a blue security uniform, opened the loading dock and Terrence drove in with the large white van. He nodded as Terrence nervously smiled. He drove slowly, slower than average. There was enough C-4 plastic explosive in the van to take out the whole borough of Manhattan.

Terrence parked against the far wall of the building and then got into Ernie’s green Ford Focus that was parked a few feet away. Ernie took off his navy blue blazer and looked directly into the brown orb that hung from the ceiling. Inside the orb was a video camera. He waved and smiled, then got into the Focus. They drove through the same entry that Terrence had driven in.

They drove wordlessly through downtown Manhattan. Ernie lit a cigarette and admired the city lights at night.

“Now.” Ernie smiled at Terrence.

Terrence pressed the metallic button on the homemade remote.

Even as they drove onto the Williamsburg Bridge, almost a mile and a half away, faint exposion could be heard.

Ernie turned on the radio to find out just how quickly the media would present the breaking news.

Snuff

Women like you are all the same;

You told me that I’m paranoid, possibly insane.

That there’s no one else, he’s just a friend;

Just so that I couldn’t hurt you both in the end.

Behind that facade of beauty, I see who you really are inside;

That ugliness, that brutal desire that you failed to hide.

The burden is getting heavier, this burden of misery;

Now is the time to take you both with me.

“Three dead in love triangle” on the front page,

The result of the pain that everyone labels as rage.

The gun is in my waistband, I now take my leave;

To untangle this web that we have weaved…

Erosion

This life, as long as I could share it all with you, rain or shine.

The beginning, in between, until the end of time.

Yet all that shines turns to rust;

All that stands in time turns to dust.

Still in love with everything about you,

Feeling the wreckage from everything you do.

I’m still here through another empty day;

Hoping this burden will somehow drift away.

The son of rejection held to the light;

In this life feeling dead inside.

Only now, you’re dead like me;

And from my cold fingers you long to be free.

My father left me with a void in my soul,

You leave me with words and a stare so cold.

The converging emptiness I try to take;

All alone I seem to break…

Closedown

In a dream that I had last night;

You turned around and ran to me.

I woke up and I’m alone,

As I have been for months.

I look out my window;

But you aren’t there.

I squint even in the moonlight,

and your silhouette never appears…

I can only dream, can’t I?

You’re still tattered on my sleeve;

My heart has room for no one else…

Amerikanz

“Death is nothing. But to live defeated and inglorious is dying every day.” — Napoleon Bonaparte  

 

   0  

Fish.  

“Fish…fish…fish…fish!” 

 The burly corrections officer led Bobby Li down the “Walk of Fame” of the ADX Florence Maximum Security Facility in Florence, Colorado. It was 8:40 pm, twenty minutes to lights out. Cons were lined up at the cell doors shouting down to the newest con. Bobby looked ahead stoically. He was nervous and his knees felt as if they were going to buckle.    

Russell had advised him that there was a small Jung Dragons population who, since they were incarcerated, missed the memo about the merger with the Guangdong Tigers into the 352 Sinister Shadows.    

“Open cell 74!” shouted the c.o. The cell door opened. Bobby glanced at the bald twenty something white male with the swastikas tattooed on both sides of his head sitting on the bottom half of the bunk directly across from the cell door.    

The c.o. uncuffed Bobby. “Don’t turn around. The c.o. stepped out without turning his back to Bobby and his bunkmate.    

“Close C74!” The cell door automatically shut. “Have fun girls. Don’t stay up too late doing your hair.”    

The skinhead smiled at Bobby. “Wrong apartment. I didn’t order any Chinese food.”    

“I got your Chinese food.” Bobby retorted as he climbed on the top bunk.    

“We’re a tight-knit family here. You’re going to be one of the brothers.” the skinhead laughed.    

Bobby thought of the word “Family” and thought back to Russell, Eve and even the new guy Ray. He wished he was back in Russell’s pool hall drinking beer and getting smart with Johnny and Eddie.    

Eve had promised to make sure that his commissary money kept flowing and would use any connections that she had to make his stay as comfortable as possible.  The debriefing that Russell had given broke down Florence’s population. Aryan Brotherhood, Tres Puntos, Str8 Killaz, Jung Dragons. White, Mexican, black and Chinese cliques.

He thought that he could try to join the Dragons, but he was a Guangdong Tiger on the outside until recently, a Sinister Shadow. The philosophies did not mix. He would try in covert fashion. A Dreccian Adept always adapts and overcomes in any labyrinth.

1

Orientation.

Warden Michael Waldvogel was known as a fair but firm man unlike the man he succeeded, Melvin Roberts, who was known to extract sexual favors from the female cons and have hidden cameras set up in their cells.

Waldvogel believed in the straight and narrow and keeping his nose clean. He even went so far as to have a female c.o. present when he addressed any female con in his office.

He looked over Bobby as he stood in front of him.

“So, armed robbery, burglary, extortion, assault. Looks like you run with a bad crowd there, Mr. Li.”

Bobby looked down on the floor. The c.o. standing behind him harshly nudged him.

“It’s all right, Tommy. Mr. Li, I believe that if you simply follow the simple rules here and stay out of trouble, you’ll do fine. Circumstances considering. I don’t have a lot to say about the matter. Any questions?”

“No, warden.”

“Okay. That’s that.”

The c.o. lead Bobby to the mess hall in time for breakfast. Bobby grabbed his food and chose a table where the cliques didn’t sit together. A table of mixed races. The loners.

A young Chinese con approached him and smiled as he stood over him. Bobby didn’t trust the smile.

“You gunna eat this?” the con said as he put his bare hand all over Bobby’s food. Nearby, a table full of Asian cons snickered.

“Not anymore.” Bobby said. He reached in front of him and elbowed the con in the groin. Bobby then got up and dumped the tray of food on the con as he bent over in pain. Bobby then kicked the con in the face, sending him sprawling on the floor.

C.o.’s reacted quickly to the commotion and grabbed Bobby.

“Goddamn first day and already in the hole, fish.” one of the c.o.’s said as they led Bobby away.

2

Pop.

A week later out of the hole, Bobby walked into the exercise yard. Like the mess hall, the yard was racially divided. The Str8 Killaz were currently using the weights as the Aryans stood by not to far away, waiting their turn. Tres Puntos stood by the basketball court smoking cigarettes watching a pick-up game. The Dragons stood at the other side of the court doing the same. They spotted Bobby and started walking towards him.

“Stand your ground, Li.” he said to himself. “Stand your motherfuckin’ ground.”

The lead Dragon discarded his cigarette and went nose to nose with Bobby as the other Dragons surrounded them. The pick-up game stopped and everyone turned around with interest.

The c.o.’s standing by continued their conversation, but kept their eyes on the ensuing confrontation.

Bobby didn’t drop his stare. “The fuck do you want?”

“What the fuck do I want?” the Dragon laughed. “A punk ass Guangdong Tiger shows up in my house and asks me what the fuck I want?”

“Ain’t no more Tigers or Dragons. Just the Shadows.”

“Shadows? When I get the fuck out of here, the Dragons are gunna take over Chinatown. You’re gunna be lucky to be in here.”

“Listen. There’s enough resources in Chinatown to make us all comfortable. I didn’t mean to show up your Brother in the mess hall, but I was sitting there minding my own business, hungry and he messed up my breakfast. As far as Chinatown, even in lockdown, we can be comfortable if we pool our resources.”

“I’m listening.”

“All the cliques here are all focused on segregating themselves. Is anybody really gunna take over that way? Race is an abstract ideal of the old Aeon. It’s a meaningless structure built to hold everyone down.”

“I heard the Shadows were devilworshipers. You talk weird. I’m not into this occult shit.”

Bobby and the con were still nose to nose. The basketball game continued as well as everyone else in the yard going about their business.

“It’s not all about the occult. Let’s talk.” Bobby said.

The con made a gesture and the rest of his clique went back to the basketball court.

“My name’s Willie Ren.”

“Ah, duty!” Booby beamed.

Willie smiled. “Yes. You?”

“Bobby Li.”

3

Dealings.

It didn’t take long for Bobby and Willie to form a conglomerate. They pooled their resources, Willie with the manpower and Bobby with the finances as promised by Eve and Russell.

Willie was won over by talks with Bobby about “Sinister Numinousity” and personal honour. Bobby even had talks with Otto, his skinhead cellmate, about Reichsfolk Culture. 

Bobby, Willie and Otto were, in fact, the sole traffickers of cigarettes, marijuana and even small amounts of liquor within the facility. They even had certain c.o.’s on their payroll.

After a period of six months, the four main gangs slowly dissolved and splintered into a business enclave that Bobby was overseeing. He never declared himself to be an official leader, but his business savvy had forged strange alliances. Money talked and bullshit walked.

To Bobby, this was the American dream materializing before his eyes, even in lockdown. He referred to his enclave and other associates as “Amerikanz.”

As usual, there was always those who refused to go with the ebb and flow. The Str8 Killaz and Tres Puntos were still “radical” in their beliefs and were considered even more racist than the Aryan Brotherhood. The leaders, Diamond (Str8 Killaz) and Puppet (Tres Puntos) held on to the belief that the blacks and Mexicans should only be with their own kind.

Very few from those two remaining cliques defected and joined the Amerikanz.

4

Belly.

“Bobby, I’ve got an idea.” Otto said. He suddenly sat up in his bunk. Out of appreciation and respect, Otto bestowed the coveted bottom bunk to Bobby.

“I’m listening.” Bobby said. He was almost dozing off, having a picture in his mind of grassy hills and a clearing for Temple purposes.

“Let’s run hookers. We’ll make a fortune!”

Bobby smiled. “I don’t think anyone really wants to pay for transvestites and fags when they could take them themselves.”

“No dude. The female cons on the other side. There’s an underground passage that I saw when I used to have that laundry gig. I know that it connects to the female side. We could use for the exchanges! It’ll be the ‘Tunnel of Love!’ You know a lot of the c.o.’s, we can make this happen!”

“Holy shit! That’s a fuckin’ idea. Good job, man.”

“Dude, I got my kid the braces he needed yesterday.”

“Congratulations. It cost like five grand, you said?”

“Six, with taxes.”

“We need to do something about the Str8 Killaz, though. Diamond don’t wanna play ball. If he don’t wanna play, I know that they’ll stand in our way soon enough.”

“I got a plan.” Otto smiled.

5

Framework.

Jose Castellon easily defected from Tres Puntos to the Amerikanz because of one thing: Money. The fix was in.

Jose walked into the nightclub that Diamond still owned in Memphis, Tennessee. He opened his trench coat as he walked in and spied the full bar and dance floor. Surprisingly, the music was not overpowering nor overly loud.

He yelled out into the crowded club.

“Hey niggers! Tres Puntos for life! Tres Puntos!”

He reached into his coat and tossed grenades towards the crowd and ran out the front door.

The two Mexicans that Jose hired then pushed a dumpster to block the door.

Ronnie Williams walked into Puppet’s parents’ convenience store in El Paso, Texas. Both of Puppet’s parents were working behind the counter while a line of about ten people were waiting to purchase lottery tickets and beer.

As soon as Ronnie walked in, he took out the AK-47 and began to fire indiscriminately into the store.

“Str8 Killaz, you fuckin’ beaners! Str8 Killaz!”

There were survivors that would spread the word. Not many, though. 

6

Repercussion.

Diamond and Puppet spotted each other during yard time. They ran towards each other as their respective entourages followed suit.

All began to brandish improvised weapons created covertly, a meaningful accomplishment in a maximum security pen.

Willie and Otto stood up from their outdoor chess game and walked the other way. The now biggest clique in the facility, the Amerikanz all followed.

Chaos which was vital to growth ensued between the two gangs. Rivals were stabbing and clubbing one another to death. Within the first few seconds of the violence that erupted, Puppet and Diamond were already dead. 

Officers swooped in on the riot in full gear and dispersed the crowd with tear gas and rubber rounds.

About a hundred yards away, Otto and a few other Amerikanz were suppressing their laughter. 

7

Paths.

Otto hugged Willie and Bobby. His duffle bag lay on his bunk.

“I wish that I had a camera. A skin hugging two Chinese guys.” Otto laughed.

“Remember to look up my boy Russ at his pool hall. He’ll look out for you. You’re Family, now. If anybody asks, you’re a fuckin’ Amerikan and there won’t be any questions anymore. Got it?”

“Got it. See you on the outside, Bobby.”

“Yeah. I’ll meet your grandkids.” Bobby said somberly. “Fuck it. Freedom’s overrated. With your help, I smoke, I get high and I even get laid by real women. The fuck I need to be out there for.”

Otto laughed and walked out. The c.o. on the take who waited outside the cell smiled at Otto and the two made their way to the Walk of Fame.

“You’re the king now, Bobby. In less than a fuckin’ year, you came in here and became king. You son of a bitch.” Willie smiled. “What are you going to do now?”

Bobby laughed. “Nothing. Nothing at all.

 

 

Ariya [Severance]

“Reject all illusion and lies, for they hinder the strong.” — 20th Point of Satanism [The Black Book of Satan]

My name is Rhonda Runnels.  Things seemed to have taken a “downward spiral” as the media likes to say, but why, for the first time in my life, do I actually feel alive?

First off, I am the heiress to my zillionaire father, the “great” Peter Runnels’ Runnels hotel chains. “Relax at the Runnels.”

I thought my life was okay, partying and drinking. I was at all the hot spots with singers, rappers, T.V. and movie stars and having my photo picture taken and spread all over every major sleazebag tabloid. When I drank too much, when I picked my ass, the public needed to be in the know. Even my ex-boyfriend made his first million selling our sex tape.

How did I end up doing what I’m doing now? Here are excerpts from my diary.

120 Year of Fayen

11/14

I’m about to land in LaGuardia. The movie on the plane was lame so I ended up juggling songs in my i-pod. It’s like totally amazing how old 15,000 songs could get! I’m going to have to talk to Magic Dragon about getting some new songs.

Holy shit, Amsterdam was so off the hook! I never knew how many actors and actresses with so-called upright reputations go there and light up like all day! 

Anyway, Tiffany is okay, but she smells pretty horrid! Ugh! I think that it’s the cheap inorganic deodorant she uses – or lack thereof (lol). She totally smells. And this is the one that viewers voted as “The Next Big Thing?” Ugh!

She smokes like a fuckin’ chimney and she’s way too loose! (like I should really talk…lmao) We were at a bar and this not even decent looking guy strikes up a conversation with her. Then she’s totally trashed and blowing him in some alley next to the bar. With no rubber! Eew! Then we go to his place and him and his brother double penetrate her! I just blew the brother and just sat there and watched the slut. lol!

The layover in LAX was cool. I gave my number to this really cute guy walking by. We got totally trashed at the airport restaurant. It was a 4 hour layover, what do you want?

I hope that cute Asian chick that loads my bags into the taxi is there at LaGuardia. She’s hella hot. I’ve eaten pussy before and I wouldn’t mind sampling that muff.

Tiffany’s over here passed out as usual. If I hook up with that Asian girl, I need to find some way of ditching Tiff.

Anywayz, landing in about one hour. Time to catch some zzz’s. These airplane drinks are totally buzzing me.

Laterz.

11/16

Holy shit! That hot Asian chick’s a total bitch! We landed in LaGuardia Friday and she loaded my bags into the car as usual. When I turned around to ask her something, she pushed me into the car! When I tried to open the door, it was locked and the driver drives off and laughs hysterically.

He tells me to shut the fuck up and relax. I think that he said his name was Rick. Rick said that he won’t hurt me as long as I do what I’m told. He shows me a gun and I’m shitting a pill at this point. OMG!

I said that Daddy will pay him anything he wants and the Rick  just smiled. He scares the shit out of me. 

Rick takes me to some  really big house surrounded by a bunch of trees and him and some big Puerto Rican drag me into this room in the basement. At least they’re letting me write here!

They’ve been feeding me takeout food, ugh! Everybody who comes and checks in on me just ignores me!  That red-headed chick’s a total bitch!

11/17

Another day of everyone ignoring me. I keep talking about money when they come to feed me but no dice!

I just sat here and looked at the walls. No windows, just these four walls, the door and a toilet in the corner of the room. I think that there’s somebody sitting right outside because I keep hearing someone move but when I try the door, it’s locked.

I know that Daddy and Mommy are worried about me. I hope that these people talked to Daddy and he’s sending over the money. God, I’m so scared! What did I ever do to deserve this?

11/19

I slept all day yesterday and didn’t eat anything. Maybe it’s all the weed and drinking from the trip and belated jet lag all kicking in. I know that I was too scared to sleep when I first got here.

Where’s Daddy and the ransom money? Holy shit, are they just going to kill me just for the hell of it? I feel like I’m in hell.

God, why are you letting them do this to me? Why have you left me here?

11/20

That red-headed chick came in and actually talked to me today. She sat on my cot and asked me how I was doing. She said her name was Susannah. God, she smelled so good! She asked if I wanted to take a shower and change my clothes. Hell yeah!

She and the big Puerto Rican named Andy walked me to some really nice bathroom in the basement. Susannah sat on a closed toilet and watched me while I showered. The chick was older, but she was hella hot. She kind of reminded me of Diane Lane. I think that she wasn’t just watching me to watch me but also checking me out.

Susannah gave me pajamas, flip-flops and some cheap Walmart lotion. She said that she would see about getting me perfume, some books and magazines and maybe cigarettes if everything worked out with Rick.

Anyway, I hope that what she says is true because I’m really getting bored.

11/21

Susannah hooked me up today! She brought me my i-pod, some of my clothes from my luggage, my cigarettes and a bunch of magazines!

When she went to sit on my cot, she touched my shoulder and I got all these goosebumps. Damn, she’s hot!

Listening to some DJ PM stuff right now. ttyl.

11/22

Thank God that they let me keep my watch or I wouldn’t even know what day it is! I can’t believe that I’ve been here for a week!

I don’t even know what the fuck to write about because nothing’s going on.

I can only try to remember the good times and hope that there’s more to come if I get out of here. When I get out here. God help me.

11/23

That guy Rick came and actually talked to me today. I haven’t seen him since the first day they took me here. He said some mumbo jumbo about me being the “ten percent” and how my kind usurped his ancestors. I mean, whatever man. If you don’t like the way things are, just go out and vote!

Everybody is created equally. He can take his chances like everybody else. He doesn’t have to kidnap me to get my Daddy’s money. Just work for it like everybody else!

Anyway, he told me that Daddy had put out a full two minute ad on T.V. asking for my safe return. Rick said that he would let me watch it if everything worked out.

11/24

Susannah talked to me about personal honour, Family and dead books with dead ideas. I was so intrigued by what she was saying. I couldn’t believe that I was mesmerized by her every word. More so than with Rick. Maybe it’s because Rick dragged me here.

Anyway, I was so intrigued that Susannah agreed to let me have a pen and paper to write things down as I see fit.

She said that I might be out of here next week if Daddy comes up with ten million dollars. I told her that he is capable of getting to it by accessing the Swiss account, but it takes time. She said that there’s no rush. She would look out for me.

11/25

Susannah gave me two books to read today. They were “Opus Vrilis” and “The Black Book of Satan.” I just skimmed real quick through these books and I told her that they scared the shit out of me. She laughed and just told me to take my time with them. Everything will come into place.

11/30

I’ve been so busy trying to read these two books that I haven’t had any time to even sit for a full meal. I can’t believe the lengths that  people actually have to go through to even try to obtain a fifth of what I have! It’s so incredible!

Rick told me that my father and him made arrangements for payment and that I’ll be home way before Christmas, that Rick was trying to avoid detection from law enforcement agencies.

Why does it sound like I’m empathizing with these people? They kidnapped me!

Am I just going crazy from the isolation and loneliness? Are thay brainwashing me? Is this some C.I.A. operation because they want me to rat Daddy out? I don’t even know what Daddy’s typical day at work is!

12/3

I looked through some more old magazines that some guy named Jimmy gave to me. I went over some old articles about me and looked at some pictures of me passed out on some dance floor with my panties showing.

Then there’s that rock star who wrote a book about me that my lawyer told me to deny even though every word was true. Then the stints in rehab and the critics who wrote that I’m famous for nothing.

There’s something going on with me, internally. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and reassessing my whole life. As if I want to know why and how I’m here for the first time in my life.

This “Presencing the Dark” concept is also very intriguing. As if  there is an awakening inside of me.

12/5

I read more manuscripts about Reichsfolk Culture and the concept of the Numinous Way. I actually feel that I view things more profoundly. With Susannah’s guidance, I’m beginning to gain a powerful insight by just reading this fascinating material.

I almost see it as something that the powers that be in the mundane world don’t want want us to even begin to comprehend.

I also look back at those past articles and photos with deep shame. There was no purpose in my life. I was just there, taking up space. All my words and deeds were Earth-bound.

12/7

Rick was really angry today. He walked in and yelled about some “occult expert”, the F.B.I. Director Chloe Skinner, telling the media that negotiations for ransom are officially off and that a nationwide manhunt is being commenced.

I told Rick that the concepts that Susannah introduced me to resonate with me and that if the Nexion needs financial help, I would be more than happy to oblige.

He suddenly smiled from ear to ear and said that we’d talk soon. 

Epilogue

“Our top story today: kidnapped heiress Rhonda Runnels is caught on bank surveillance closed curcuit television holding what appears to be an automatic weapon, pointing it at bank employees and customers alike as alleged members of the infamous gang known only as Nexion 352 proceed to hold up bank tellers. According to law enforcement sources, it was long theorized that Nexion 352 had allegedly kidnapped Runnels last November from LaGuardia Airport but it is now feared to have joined them. We take you now to the Runnels Hotel in Midtown Manhattan as Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Chloe Skinner is holding a press conference. We now go to Collen with the latest developments of this breaking story. Colleen?”

“Thanks Julie. Here in a few moments, F.B.I. Director Chloe Skinner will hold a press conference discussing the abduction of millionaire heiress Rhonda Runnels and the developing story of Nexion 352’s latest bank heist. It looks like Madam Director Skinner has just taken the podium now.”

“Good evening. Before I field questions from the media, I would just like to give a brief synopsis of the case. The Satanic cult slash crime family Nexion 352 has in fact taken responsibility for the abduction of Miss Runnels last November 14th. The bank heist at the Waterhouse bank in the Bronx does indeed possess closed circuit television footage of what appears to be Miss Runnels brandishing an automatic weapon and assisting Nexion 352 members. We have confirmed from viewing the footage that the person is in fact Miss Runnels. That is what I have for now.”

“Madam Director…”

“Jenny”

“Due to past experiences with 352, would you consider this to be a personal vendetta?”

“Next question, yes?”

“Do you have any suspects at this time?”

“There’s a nationwide APB in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at this time. At this time, we only have knowledge of the responsible party and not individuals. Yes?”

“In your personal opinion, is this the new Satanic scare reminiscent of the late seventies and early eighties?”

“Truthfully, this bears no resemblance to those past incidents. This is a well organized group and as far as ritual sacrifices and such, there is no tangible evidence. Yes?”

“Any word from the Runnels family, Madam Director?”

“At this time, we have the family’s full support on bringing Miss Runnels on charges when apprehended. That is all I can comment about at this time. Thank you for your time. Good night.”

“Madam Director…Madam Director…”

“As you heard Julie, Skinner has stated that Rhonda Runnels will be brought up on charges when apprehended. This is Colleen McGahee reporting live. Back to you Julie.”