Chapter 15 – Lurking in the Shadows
A day had passed since Jason’s reunion with his old friends in Stratford when he was caught in the act of murdering the corrupt police officers pursuing him. They were unsuccessful in bringing him back to Hillside House. Though whether they should continue their search or not is up for debate. Before Jason was on the run because of a misunderstanding. He didn’t kill Andrea but everyone else believes he did. Now that he’s actually involved in several murders, it’s no longer possible to call this a misunderstanding.
As promised, Michael agreed to check in with Jackson first and tell him what happened before taking drastic action. Initially, Michael wanted to get back much earlier, but yesterday they’ve been travelling almost all day looking for their missing friend. They hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep since then. As much as he wanted to get back in a hurry and report what happened, he shouldn’t drive tired and risk crashing, injuring himself and Alex. They ended up booking a room each at a hotel for the night and got some rest.
The next morning, they were back on the road once again. However, Alex decided to take a detour to the mountains where Omnius lived first to ask for his wisdom on what they should do about Jason. Michael stopped for petrol at a nearby station while Alex made the trek up the mountains.
He waited by his bike for what felt like hours for Alex to return, occasionally passing the time by chatting to any passersby re-fuelling their vehicles. One seemed to really like his motorcycle.
Alex told him not to follow him, that Omnius has forbidden outsiders from entering his home for specific reasons Alex didn’t have time to explain. From the looks of the vast landscape of green fields and hills, Michael can estimate that this Omnius he heard of must be some kind of hermit who is distrustful of people from cities. But if that was true, why adopt someone like Alex?
Michael checks the time on his phone, wondering how much longer Alex was gonna take. Then, out of the blue, he appeared behind him, accidentally scaring him by touching his back. In that moment, Michael’s instincts to counteract surprise attacks kicked in and he grabs Alex’s arm before flipping him over his shoulder and pinning him to the ground. The loud impact drew a crowd of people to suddenly look in their direction.
Alex: Ow! Calm down, Michael! i-it’s me!
Michael: Oh shit! S-sorry, Alex. I thought you were- Doesn’t matter, give me your hand.
Feeling terrible for what he’d just done, Michael offered his friend a hand up and pulls him onto his feet again. Alex readjusts his clothes and dusts off any dirt clinging to him.
Petrol Station Owner: What’s going on out here?!
Alex: It’s nothing, sir. Just horsing around with my bud, hehe.
Alex waves his hands dismissively, trying to put the peoples’ mind at ease.
Petrol Station Owner: Well take it some where else. You’re disturbing my customers.
Michael: Won’t happen again, so sorry. We’ll be on our way now.
After that embarrassing display, the boys were in a hurry to get back on the bike and drive far away from the scene before delving into serious discussion about boundaries.
Michael: That was stupid, Alex. I could’ve killed you!
Alex: You’re right, I’m sorry. It was stupid. I didn’t even think, I… I guess I just wanted to forget for a moment before the reality of our situation sank in… Besides, I doubt you could’ve killed me back there.
Michael: While you were up in those mountains chillaxing, I was training hard in many forms of armed and hand-to-hand combat. Ever heard of Desutatchi?
Alex: What’s that?
Michael: That’s the Japanese term for it. In English it translates to “The Death Touch”. A fighting style where you can kill a man in a single blow. Had I not realised that it was you sneaking up on me, I could’ve used it on you!
Alex: Okay, noted. Sorry again… This Jason things really gotten to you, hasn’t it?
Michael: Someone I grew up with is now killing people, what the hell d’you think?
He asked rhetorically, showing obvious signs that he’s actually hurt by the reveal more than he’s been letting on. He may not have been as close to Jason as Alex was, but he was still a friend from his childhood. It’s never easy to see them in a different light.
Michael: Anyway, did you get what you needed up those hills? I still fail to understand why I couldn’t go with you.
Alex: I already told you, Omnius doesn’t like outsiders trespassing on the pure landscape he built his home atop of. I told him everything about Jason and what he’d done in Stratford. I hoped he’d have a better alternative on how to deal with him without getting him arrested.
Michael: And?
There’s a pause as Alex struggled to give him the answer. He really wanted to believe that there was a way to save Jason from heading further down the wrong path while legally keeping him out of prison. But not even Omnius had the wisdom to provide him with a better solution.
He thought back to how his meeting with Omnius went down. The wise, heterochromatic-eyed man was performing a couple of yoga poses on the wooden pallet in the middle of the lake Alex trained on months ago. He was just standing on one foot and didn’t so much as wobble once. He was perfectly balanced. He didn’t even show a hint of losing it when he heard his name being called.
Omnius exhaled a deep breath he’d been keeping in and lightly jumps off of the pallet, landing right in front of Alex on the stone footpath leading up to his Japanese temple-themed home. He saw the troubled look on his pupil’s face and immediately expressed concern for him.
Omnius: What is wrong, Alex? You look so pale.
Alex: … Something terrible has happened, Omnius. Something really, really bad. And Jason’s at the centre of it all.
Omnius: Jason? Ah yes, the skinny boy you were friends with.
Alex nodded in confirmation, keeping his head low as he still feels he’s to blame for Jason becoming the person he is now.
Omnius: Very well. Tell me what has happened.
Alex: Short version. Jason has killed five police officers and has gone missing again. Ever since you brought me here, he’s been going through so much pain and misery that I can’t help but feel I’m to blame for all of this. If I’d stayed, none of this would’ve happened.
Omnius: If you had stayed, the unstable Chaos Energy would’ve consumed you both and everyone else in that orphanage. You have to understand, Alex. If you had died that day, you would be endangering the lives of all who rely upon you today.
Alex: But it’s my fault, don’t you understand that?
Omnius: All too well, my boy. But Jason’s actions were all his own. Not everyone in the world is as strong-willed as you or I. Humans who are weak in character and spirit are easily corrupted by evil.
Alex: Jason’s my friend. I know him. He’s… not evil.
Omnius: You said that he killed police officers. Whether he meant to or not, it doesn’t change the fact that he had committed one of the deadly sins of man.
Alex: That’s why I came to you. You’re a man who is pure of heart and wiser than anyone I’ve ever known. I had hoped that maybe you could help me find some other way to stop him without putting him in another cage… I can’t do that to him. Not after everything his parents did to him. But Michael thinks there’s no other way. Please, Omnius, help me.
Omnius sighs and places his hand on his student’s shoulder. He understood all too well what he was going through. There were times when he too had to make a difficult decision on how to deal with someone he cared for in order to do the right thing.
Omnius: … Alex, I see that you are distressed by this. To see someone you love suffer is never an easy thing. But for the collective good, all great struggles demand sacrifice. I am sorry.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to Alex, but it did. He truly believed someone as wise and clever as Omnius would have a better alternative. But he too believes that turning him into to the police and ensuring he doesn’t kill again is the only way to put an end to all this. If that were to happen, he estimated Jason would serve more than 40 years in prison, almost the rest of his life locked away in a cage where no light can escape. To someone as fragile minded as Jason, it’s a fate worse than death and it would be his best friend who put him there. Truly no one can relate to the conflicting guilt he’s feeling. But in the end…
Alex: …There’s no other way. Even Omnius says that turning him in is the only way we can stop this. I thought he of all people would have a better idea.
Michael: Nobody can take a life and get off easy, Alex. That isn’t how life works. I bet even Chaos Man wouldn’t hesitate to bring Jason to justice if he caught his attention.
Alex: Don’t be so sure, Michael… Let’s just focus on reporting back to Jackson first before we make the inevitable decision that’ll wind Jason up in prison.
Michael: That was his mistake, Alex. You didn’t make him do all those things; he chose to do them. Don’t you ever forget that. Got it?
Alex: Yeah, whatever… I’m sorry, Jason.
He replied simply in a defeated tone of voice. It will still be a while before they return to New London and even longer to get to Hillside House on the other side of the city limits. Alex secretly wished it would be longer. All he wanted to do now was look up at the sky above. Today was a bleak, cloudy day. Typical British weather most of the time. The perfect weather to describe how awful he feels deep inside. The only good thing was that it wasn’t raining… yet.
Will Craft: SORRY?! Is that all you have to say?!
Things weren’t looking up for the Crimson Nightshades at The Miners Guild headquarters either. All three of them were standing in Will Craft’s office with their heads hanging low, feeling humiliated and berated by their boss for failing their supposed last mission. It was a simple one too. Break into the museum they’ve had experience robbing, steal the scepter, get it back to the guild, get paid and go home. By now they could be back at their headquarters, chilling on a sofa making it rain cash all over them. Or at least Drake and Scarlet would. Lukas would likely clean up after them.
Drake had never felt so humiliated in his life. What was he thinking? Taking in some random teenager off the streets and bringing him to their home, entrusting him with it. He even had the gall of putting his fingerprints over Jett’s old boomerang and using it to cut himself free. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Drake: It wasn’t our fault, Boss. That brat, Jason, is to blame. Little bastard broke free and made off with your scepter. We tried all we could to stop him.
Will Craft: And yet here you stand before me empty handed. Do you honestly expect me to believe that some autistic kid from nowhere bested who I believed were the greatest mercenaries in the world? The ones responsible for putting an end to the Blood Rose?!
Lukas: There is more to the story. Jason only managed to escape because we never anticipated that the scepter you desired would possess supernatural powers.
The mention of supernatural powers seems to have triggered a reaction in Will Craft. Behind the mask they couldn’t see it, but they could tell by the way he was tilting his head slightly to the right that they intrigued him.
Will Craft: Supernatural powers? Sounds like bullshit to me.
Scarlet: It’s the truth! That scepter you wanted isn’t just some relic. It transformed in Jason’s hand and unleashed a blast that was strong enough to incapacitate Lukas.
The truth was that Will Craft had already known for a while that what he asked them to retrieve was no ordinary scepter, but a relic containing one of the four ultimate powers in the universe. But he had to play the part of a skeptic to keep up appearances. He had his reasons for doing this.
He began typing away on his computer, tapping into the camera footage of the streets outside the museum by hacking into the Magna Tech satellites. Rewinding it back to the date and time of the heist. From there he can see clear footage of Jason running from Drake with the scepter clung to his chest. There was a pause as he saw the black swirling portal open in the path in front of the white-haired boy mere seconds before he blindly ran through it and the portal closing just as quickly, preventing the Crimson Nightshade leader from following.
Acting surprised, Will Craft clicked off the camera feed and turns his chair slightly till it centred behind his desk again, staring at his employees.
Will Craft: That… is indeed interesting. Looks like you weren’t pulling my leg after all. But this doesn’t change the fact that I still want it, now more than ever now… I’ve decided to give you one more chance to get it back.
Drake: You’re too kind, sir. We won’t let-
Will Craft: I wasn’t finished!
He raised his voice at the enthusiastic welshman, startling him a little in the process.
Will Craft: For every hour you waste finding it, I will take 10 grand off the price I was going pay for it. You better pray it doesn’t reach zero before you do. Find Jason. Kill him if you must, just get me my scepter. And remember, Drake. If you and your friends fail me again, we’ll hand you over to the authorities on a silver platter. You’re still on Aegis’ most wanted list. It would be a shame for me to break our contract. You were starting to grow on me.
Drake: We understand, sir. We’ll find it before you can say “Luna”.
Will Craft’s cat’s head shot up in response to hearing its name called from the comfort of its cat bed in the corner of the office. The black cat does a long stretch before stepping out onto the floor, giving the Crimson Nightshades a passing glance as it jumped up onto her owner's lap.
The trio all bow respectively to their boss before turning their back to him and walking towards the exit. However, Drake’s curiosity warranted him to stop and give Will one last glance over his left shoulder.
Drake: Out of curiosity, what happens if the price reaches zero before we managed to get the scepter?
Will Craft: Then the price for retrieving it will be your lives.
He said that so callously as he rested his chin on his locked hands on his desk, staring daggers at the mercenary behind his gas mask. Drake plays it off as a funny joke and acknowledges the importance of not letting him down again. But deep down in his gut he was afraid. The Miners Guild were not to be taken lightly and he knew they were the kind of people who wouldn’t bluff about threats like that. They had their lives in the palm of their corporate hands, dangling them over a pit of spikes like a puppet on strings. One wrong move and they’ll cut them loose.
The Crimson Nightshades leave the building with their tails between their legs and a cloud of worry hovering over their heads. All because of the actions of one orphan boy. Just thinking it aloud was like telling a bad joke.
Scarlet: The nerve of that kid! We took him in, gave him a home and a job, and how does he repay us? By lying and stealing from us!
Drake: I was a fool for thinking he could be useful to us. I’ll make him pay for making fools of us! When I get my hands on him, I’ll slice him up with Muramasa and feed him to the dogs for breakfast!
Lukas: I sensed from the moment I saw him that there was something about him that would bring us trouble. He is obsessed with power. And now that he’s gotten a taste of what the scepter can do, he will not give it up.
Drake: Then it looks like we’ll have to kill him.
Scarlet: Are you serious, Drake? He’s only a stupid kid who made several mistakes. We’re already in trouble with the law for several other crimes. I don’t wanna add child murder to the list.
Drake: Our very lives are at stakes here! If we don’t get that scepter back, the guild will either send us to prison or kill us! I will not allow Jason to ruin a generation of my family’s legacy. Sorry, Scarlet, but it’s either him or us.
Lukas: I choose us. Besides, the way things went last night, there’s a strong chance Jason will become something far worse than a kid who made a mistake. Killing him may be for the best, not just for our sakes, but for the sake of the world.
Drake: Looks like you’re outvoted, Scarlet. We’re killing Jason and getting our scepter back… We’re doing him a favour. It was what he originally wanted when we first met him after all.
They all eagerly get into their van and buckle up, remembering that they’re on a literal deadline this time around. Scarlet goes onto the internet app on her phone and types “Hillside House” into the search bar. What came up were a couple of photos of the building itself, a group photo of all the children living there alongside the two staff members, Jackson and May Li, and the key factor, the address which was shown underneath.
Scarlet: At least now we know where Jason’s really from. Hillside House orphanage. It’s the most likely place he’d go.
Drake: Are you certain? We can’t afford to waste a lot of time.
Scarlet: It’s the only lead we got. If we can’t find him, we can at least find clues that’ll tell us where he might be.
Lukas: I wouldn’t advise going there. Look.
Lukas leans forwards and points to what is written below the address. It read “Owned by Jackson Hills, former medical director of Aegis”.
Lukas: That place has connections to Aegis. If the owner sees us, the whole military could come after us.
Drake: Well, do you have any other ideas on where Jason could be? I doubt he went back to our apartment building.
Lukas: I do. We find someone who knows Jason and get them to tell us where he’d go whenever he feels scared or alone. Someplace that has meaning to him.
Scarlet: And how exactly are we gonna find someone like that? We don’t know anyone he knows.
Drake: As a matter of fact, Scarlet… We do.
Drake slowly takes the phone out of her delicate hands and taps on the photo of all the children. Using his thumb and index finger, he widens the image, zooming in on one particular kid in the photo. Someone Drake remembers from his last encounter with Alice.
Drake: Huh, what are the odds that Jason and Alice’s whiny lieutenant, Michael Mercer, would be living under the same roof?
Lukas: Possibly one in-
Drake: That was a rhetorical question. Point is we’ve got a lead. We find Michael, we find Jason, we find the scepter.
Scarlet: I doubt it’ll be that simple.
Drake: Nothing ever is… Righto, let’s get a move on. First stop Hillside House.
Lukas: I just said-
Drake: We heard what you said, Lukas. But it’s the most likely place we may find Michael. Even if he’s not there, they ought to have his personal information. A phone number, email address, etcetera… Maybe I shouldn’t have refused to give him my number after all.
With their destination set on the SatNav and a plan in motion, Drake starts the engine, and their van drives off down the busy streets of Stratford.
Through the blurred face of the Big Ben’s clock, sunlight - tinted through the dark grey clouds - shines through, illuminating the inside of the clocktower. All was quiet now. Fifteen minutes ago, at precisely 12 o’clock, the bells have been ringing loudly. Anyone close to the bell tower at that time would have gone deaf from the intensity of the noise.
But it’s only inhabitant, Jason, managed to drown it out with some earplugs and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones on top of them. He had his new Shadow Demons steal them for him as his first official command. But it didn’t stop there. He also ordered them to snatch a big cardboard box full of his favourite peanut butter chocolate to eat during his isolation inside England’s most recognisable structure, hiding from the law, the Crimson Nightshades, and now Alex and Michael.
The wooden floorboards were littered with discarded wrappers of chocolate bars he’d already consumed. Some of the Shadow Demons were hiding in the dark corners of the clock tower, told to remain stationary until further notice. Jason was standing in the middle of the room with the scepter held up high in both hands. He was trying to figure out how to get it to work for him again, but for reasons he failed to understand, the ruby in the centre wouldn’t respond. He tried waving it around. He tried hitting it on the floorboards. He even tried throwing it, but no matter what he attempted it was still silent.
Jason: Grrrr! Come on, damnit! How does this thing work?! You said it would respond to my deepest desires. Well I desire to turn this room into my new home! Or at least conjure up a TV. I’m so bored!
The menacing voice laughed in response to Jason’s little tantrum.
Dark Voice: The scepter isn’t responding because it doesn’t fully accept you as it’s new master. Your mind and heart are still out of alignment. You want full control? Stop telling yourself that you’re a misunderstood person.
Jason: What? But I am! I’ve been mistreated and tortured by this world for no reason for so long.
Dark Voice: We both know that’s not all it is. Remember when Andrea died? You didn’t even try to help because deep down you wanted her dead. And you killed those policemen because you wanted them gone.
Jason: That’s a lie! That was self defence! I didn’t enjoy killing them!
Dark Voice: Are you sure about that?
The ruby in the scepter begins to glow brightly, mixing its shimmering red light with the light of day. A thick plume of black smoke began seeping through the crystalline surface. The shadowy smoke spread outward in front of Jason, forming what appeared to be a screen. The centre of the black mirror slowly lights up and clears, showing Jason an image of himself hiding in the abandoned house from the police. He was being shown the events that had transpired before Alex and Michael caught him with their bodies.
In the moment Jason couldn’t remember what exactly transpired. He remembered hearing the voice calling out to him. Next thing he knew he was surrounded by dead bodies. He had no clue what happened in that moment. But now he was about to find out.
As the officers entered the property with their guns held firmly in their right hand and a torch held underneath in their left. The five of them spread out, each tasked with searching each of the rooms and reporting their findings to the others. One of them slowly enters the kitchen, shining his flashlight over every inch of the room. But he made one critical mistake. He didn’t think to look up.
Jason was somehow clinging to the ceiling with his hands and feet hooked over the exposed beams holding up the second floor from years of degradation. As soon as the first officer was in position, his feet unhook from the beam and he swings them downwards, kicking him in the back of the head. The officer wound up falling forwards and hitting his head on the marble kitchen counter, cracking his head open and killing him on impact.
The loud crashing sound alerted the other officers to his presence, and they all rushed towards the source of the disturbance. Jason, unfazed by the brutal violence he’d just committed, grabs onto an exposed piece of metal pipe and rips it out from underneath the sink.
The other policemen all converge in the living room and point their torches at the kitchen area in front of them. All of them gasp with horror at the unruly fate that bestowed their fellow officer. Jason was already gone from the scene.
Police Officer 1: Oh my god, Mason!
Police Officer 2: No way a scrawny kid did this, right?
Police Officer 3: Who else could it be?! The Chief said he was dangerous.
Police Officer 1: Andre, do you have eyes on the suspect? … Andre?
There was no response from the fourth officer. All their ears were able to pick up were the faint sounds of gurgling behind them, followed by a heavy thud. The three officers all turn around and shine their lights on the source. Their eyes widened with pure horror as they discovered Andre bleeding out on the floor. His hand was clenched tightly around his neck, trying to stop the bleeding, but it was fruitless. He’d already lost too much blood. Death was inevitable.
Police Officer 1: ANDRE!
Police Officer 2: Fuck! That brat’s picking us off one by-
The second officer was suddenly silenced by a quick blunt blow to the head. The metal pipe struck his head so hard that it dented his skull, cracking the side and drawing blood. The officer fell hard to the floor and his body started spazzing out of control with his right eye slightly out of its socket.
The remaining two policemen all point their guns and flashlights at Jason standing over two of their colleagues. The pipe in his hand was dripping red with their blood, both the curved blunt end and the jagged end used to slit Officer Andre’s throat. They and the present-day Jason were shocked to see that a wide toothed, evil grin had formed on his past self’s face, showing them that he was enjoying the slaughter. This wasn’t self defence. He was lurking in the shadows, stalking them like a predator and taking them out one at a time before retreating back into the darkness.
Jason: Th-that can’t be me! I-I would never…
Dark Voice: There you go again, denying it. Deep down you know this is who you really are. Who you want to be. You crave blood, Jason. There’s no further proof than this.
The vision continues playing out before his eyes. Jason’s past self was now getting more graphic with his killings. He should be looking away from the smoke screen, but for some reason he can’t seem to do that. He told himself it was wrong and horrible, but he was lying. In fact, he was starting to enjoy watching himself repeatedly smash the fourth officer’s head in before breaking his ribs and sternum, smashing them with the pipe until they snapped like brittle twigs.
The last officer decided to make a run for it, trying to get out the front door and get to his car so he could call for backup. But Jason stopped him by grabbing a gun from the holster of the policeman he’d just finished off and fired a shot in the back of his legs, causing him to collapse just as he was inches from grabbing the doorknob.
Jason slowly approached his remaining victim with the same sinister grin frozen on his face. His hands were soaked in the blood of the officers with specks of it sprayed out over his face, making him appear more blood thirsty. That wasn’t a guilty teenager the officer was glaring up at. It was a monster in human skin. It was the last thing he ever saw before Jason emptied the entire magazine into his back. He just kept on shooting until the gun was empty, making sure he was properly dead.
There was no response from Jason. He just slowly backed away from the smoke and dropped to his knees. The scepter slipped out of his grasp and fell to the floor beside him. His mind was racing with images of what he’d just witnessed. Michael was right, he was a murderer. He enjoyed killing those cops and he didn’t feel so much as a shred of remorse for them.
Dark Voice: Do you understand now, Jason? You were born a broken thing in a human shell, and in time that shell filled itself with hate, anger, and a thirst for power. You admire monsters because you secretly wished you were one. Being human is boring for you. But becoming a monster, killing those people? that was the most fun you’ve had in years!
Jason: But I… I don’t want to get in trouble.
Dark Voice: Trouble? Hahahaha! You’ve been in trouble since you “accidentally” killed your therapist… It’s too late for redemption, Jason. The only way you can move forward and claim the full power of the Umbra Ruby is to accept who you really are. Discard your humanity and embrace the darkness!
Jason slowly raises his head and glances at the scepter laying beside him on his left. He then glanced at the Shadow Demons hiding in the darkness, their white eyes glaring out from the shadowed corners of the room. He can’t tell if they’re all staring at him right now, since their eyes have no pupils. Letting out a deep breath, he slowly stood up on his feet and picked up the scepter. He gazed at his multiple reflections in the ruby, still thinking about what he’d just seen. Perhaps the voice in his head was right. He kept telling himself that what happened with his therapist was an accident, that he just froze up in fear. Maybe he did. But he cannot deny that he purposefully murdered Chief Jacob’s corrupt officers because he hated them and believed they deserved it. Why should he let them hold him back from obtaining ultimate power by feeling sorry for what he’s done?
“No, they deserved it!” He screamed internally, finally bringing down the barriers that held him back. Bad people like them shouldn’t be allowed to exist in this world. With the scepter, he could cleanse Earth of all its filth and parasites. He can finally get his revenge on all those who’ve wronged him over the years.
Clutching the scepter tight, he slams the bottom end down so hard that it sent out an intense vibration that shook the clock’s mechanism slightly. The Shadow Demons responded and dropped their heads in supplication.
Shadow Demon: What do you command, Master?
Jason: He’s right. If the people in the world will only see me as a bad guy, then I’ll become the baddest guy of them all! I’ll prove myself worthy of the dark powers contained in this scepter by eradicating the people responsible for ruining my life, starting with my bullies… Shadow Demons, find them and bring them to a secluded place where we won’t be disturbed.
Shadow Demons: Yes, Master.
They all whisper in eerie unison before disappearing into the shadows. The scepter starts to resonate with Jason once more, no longer sensing conflict within the depths of his mind. He was now focused on a singular goal. To make Zack, Liam and James pay for all those years of name calling, teasing, and blackmailing and he is going to revel in their suffering as they revelled in his. A black portal opens directly beneath Jason’s feet. He slowly sinks through it with a grin forming on his face, the same as the one he wore the night he committed his first true murder.
Alex and Michael eventually arrive at Hillside House late in the evening, precisely at 5:30pm. It was a long drive. The boys used that time to think up the best way to tell Jackson that one of his favourite kids is now a criminal. Just thinking that sentence aloud didn’t make it any easier to believe, at least not for Alex.
The bike pulls up on the side of the road in front of the entrance. Alex got off first while Michael was fiddling with the parking chain, looping it through the wheel grate and wrapping it around the lamppost before locking it up and pocketing the key.
A strong sense of nostalgia washes over Alex as he slowly enters the front garden and takes in the sight of his old childhood home. He grew up in this house. He was it’s first resident before the Monster War and continued to be after it ended, until the Genesis Emerald came and changed his life forever. Hard to imagine it had only been a couple of months since then. He’d always hoped he’d come back here again and see how Jackson, May Li and his fellow orphans were doing. This wasn’t how he wanted this upcoming reunion to go, but he didn’t have a choice.
Exhaling a deep sigh, Alex approached the front door and stretches out his left hand, ready to knock on the red wooden door. But he was surprised to see the door was opening before he got there. Unfortunately, the ones opening it were Zack, Liam and James. The only people who he hoped he wouldn’t see again. He thought they would’ve moved out by now.
Zack: You two? What are you doing back here?
Alex: I was just about to ask you the same question.
James: We live here, duh. Not all of us are as lucky as you.
Liam: If you’re looking for your boyfriend, Jason, he’s not here.
Alex: I’m aware of that. I also know that it’s because you three left him behind. Too scared of the Crimson Nightshades. You know, it makes sense that you all still live here. Clearly, you’re too immature to look after yourselves. But then again what did I expect from a bunch of numbskulls?
James: You son of a-
Michael: Don’t even think about it, asshole!
Michael quickly steps in front of Alex and opens his coat just enough to give them a good look at one of his guns in the holster strapped to his leg. A simple warning to convince them to back off.
Michael: You already know what I was capable of when we were kids. You really wanna pick a fight with a version of me who’s had months of military training?
Liam and James slowly back away from the duo and drop their arms to their sides. They were smart enough to know that Michael was bluffing about the gun but knew not to take his threats lightly. The memory of the ass-beating they received from him as kids was still engrained in the back of their minds.
Zack encourages his friends to let this go this one time, knowing that it wasn’t worth their time messing with them. They had places to be with the little free time Jackson gave them before curfew hits. Each of the bullies gave Alex and Michael a begrudging glare as they walked past them.
Alex: The only reason Jason’s out there right now is because of you three. Why you’ve always had it out for him, or why you take satisfaction in hurting him, I’ll never understand. But understand this… people like you don’t get to laugh about their wrongdoings for long. Karma will get the best of you someday.
The bullies stop in their tracks as they reached the exit gate and glanced back at the duo over their right shoulders, scoffing at his warnings.
Zack: Except we’re not the ones who abandoned Jason. You are. Everything we’ve done is nothing compared to what you did. He’s made that painfully clear. Karma’ll come for you too, shithead! Hah!
Was all he thought was needed to be said before the bullies left the property and strolled down the street on the left, laughing and high five amongst themselves until they were out of earshot. Michael was almost tempted to pick up one of the pebbles on the stone walkway and chuck it at the back of their heads. But there was no time, and he had to stay focused on the reason why they came here in the first place.
Alex finally knocks on the front door. He and Michael didn’t have to wait long as Jackson opened up to greet them in the span of a few seconds.
Jackson: Alex! Michael!
Alex: Hey Jackson.
Michael: It’s been a long time.
The middle-aged, cheerful black man smiled and held his arms out to the sides, allowing his grown-up orphans to come in and hug him, starting with Alex since he was closest and then Michael. It was a wholesome reunion for the three of them, but nothing good lasts forever. The heartfelt smile on Michael’s face quickly fades once he remembers what he needed to tell him. And he knew it had to be him. Alex would most likely try to sugarcoat what happened and leave out a few key details. However, Alex speaks first with a question of his own.
Alex: Where’s May Li? She inside?
Jackson: That’s right, you haven’t heard… May Li quit.
Michael: What?
Jackson: I just got off the phone with her. She’d just finished packing up her and Andrea’s things and shipped them on a flight to Okinawa. She’ll be taking the next flight tomorrow night.
Alex: Oh… Her wife’s death affected her more than I thought. Poor woman. I’m really gonna miss her.
Jackson: She never said it, but I could tell part of her blames Jason for Andrea’s death. (Sigh) This is a horrible time. Andrea’s dead, May Li’s leaving the country, and Jason’s still missing… I was hoping he’d be standing there beside you when I saw you. You still haven’t found him yet?
Michael: Actually, Jackson… we did.
Jackson’s eyes widen with surprise and relief. Finally, some good news, he thought.
Jackson: You did?! Well, why isn’t here with you?
Michael sighs and closes the gap between him and his former caretaker, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Michael: I think its best we continue this inside. You may want to put the kettle on too. What I’m about to tell you is gonna break your heart.
Jackson: What are you talking about, Michael? You’re scaring me.
Alex: Just do as he says, Jackson, trust me.
Jackson swallows a nervous gulp and accepts Michael’s suggestion. He guides the boys inside and takes one last look at the neighbourhood outside and the setting sun in the distance before gently closing the door behind him.
Back with the bullies. Zack, Liam and James continued walking together down the street, conversing with each other. They were planning on walking down to the local shop and buying some alcohol using a fake ID they acquired from some shady salesman they met at a nightclub.
The shop was a 20-minute walk, but they can cut that time in half by taking a shortcut through the alleyway separating the back gardens of the houses in the neighbourhood. Liam was falling behind as he was thinking about their unexpected encounter with Alex and Michael. He couldn’t get over the fact the same Michael who beat them up is now dressed up like some action movie anti-hero and armed with actual guns. He couldn’t help but wonder if he would’ve shot them if they pushed him hard enough.
His eyes wandered to the concrete ground to his feet. Out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of his shadow walking alongside him on the high birch wood fence. But there was something off about it, prompting him to stop and take a proper look at it. Zack and James then stop once they heard the faint sound of Liam’s trainers skidding to a stop against the ground. Turning around, they tilt their heads in confusion on why their friend decided to stop and stare at his own shadow.
Zack: What are you doing, Liam?
Liam: You guys seeing this? I’ve got a skinny, bald-headed shadow.
He waves his hands about to see if the shadow would copy his movements in perfect synchronisation, which it did. Though he couldn’t figure out why it looked nothing like him.
Liam: Freaky. Reminds me of this creepy, faceless monster from that one game that was really popular in 2012. What was it called again? … Oh yeah, it was-
James: Uhhhh, Liam? I don’t think that’s your shadow. Look!
James pointed behind Liam, who slowly turns his head a few centimetres further to the left. His eyes widened with shock. He jumped around in place, feeling outright freaked out not only by having two shadows, but also only one of them moved.
Liam: Two shadows? How’s that- Ahhh!
Suddenly, without any warning, the Shadow Demon reveals itself and lunges its elongated arms at Liam, wrapping it’s slender, long fingers around his whole head and its other arm curls around his waist like a snake constricting its prey.
Zack: What the fuck is that?!
James: It- it’s a monster! Help- Mmmph!
James was then silenced by another Shadow Demon climbing out of the shadow of the fence and latching its tentacles around him, covering up his mouth and binding his arms to his sides. Zack then got ensnared by a third Shadow Demon. The ground beneath their feet started turning black, enveloping it whole. The shadows drag them into the portal. No matter how hard the bullies fought to break away there was just no escaping the darkness.
For a moment - that felt like hours for them – the bullies were spat out the other side of the portal with their captives still maintaining a firm grasp of their bodies. Before they were in the back alleys, now they found themselves in what they can guess was a forest given they were surrounded by tall trees with branches full of leaves that blocked out the setting sun. The portal underneath them quickly closed in on itself once they were fully transported to the other side, leaving them isolated and helpless.
Aside from the wind and the muffling sounds of their voices, the forest was unusually quiet. This far into the wilderness one is sure to hear some of its wildlife around them, but there was silence. Not even so much as a single cricket chirping. It’s as if something scared them all away and forced them into hiding. Most likely these shadow demons… Or something far worse.
They all hear a creepy, malicious laugh coming from a few feet up ahead. Zack and his friends could not believe what they’re seeing. Standing in front of them was the very topic of discussion they had with Alex and Michael not long ago. Their missing “friend”, Jason Dark, wearing new clothes with his hair tied back in a ponytail and a golden scepter in his hand. He appeared to be unfazed by the black humanoid creatures standing behind them. Surely, he couldn’t have had something to do with this, right? This is Jason they’re talking about. That weirdo who used to jump at shadows when he was little. Unfortunately, the menacing grin he displayed was the dead giveaway that this was his doing.
Jason: Heh, my my, how the tables have turned… What’s the matter, Zack? Did you think I was dead or something?
Jason said mockingly as he slowly approached them, dragging the bottom side of the scepter across the grass, digging up the earth as he went. He ordered his shadows to remove their hands from their mouths, allowing them to speak. He wanted to hear their fear and bewilderment to their situation.
Zack: Jason?! What is this?! What are these things?! How are you doing this?!
Jason: These are my new friends. They obey my every command. I ordered them to bring you here so that we could chat… Originally, I was thinking about just bringing you here so that I can kill you myself. But I realised that won’t be enough. No, you three need to suffer twice as much as I have. All these years of torment by your hands. Did you really think you were gonna get away with it?
James: Whoa whoa! Calm down, Jason. We didn’t- Argh!
James’ pathetic attempt to reason with him was silenced by a blow to the head with the bottom of Jason’s foot.
Jason: You don’t speak unless spoken to! None of you are getting out of this alive! Tonight, I’m finally giving you what you deserve, and you will suffer every second of it!
With a snap of his fingers, Jason summons a few new variants of Shadow Demon which involved one Shadow Golem and four Shadow Wolves. The bullies quiver with intense fear, screaming for help at the top of their lungs. But it was fruitless. They were too far from any form of civilisation to hear them.
The Shadow Golem abruptly grabs James by the throat, silencing his screams and lifts him off the ground. The smaller, slender, regular Shadow Demon releases him and disappears. James attempted to grab the golem’s arm and struggle free, but his hands passed through the black void that was its limb.
Jason: Before you die, I wanna hurt you. Just like how you hurt me! These guys will serve as my judge, jury and executioners. James, you are guilty for all those times you almost choked me in an arm lock whenever I tried to fight back against Zack… And for constantly throwing me around like a rag doll!
The Shadow Golem tightens its grip around the distressed teenager’s neck. It’s claws sinking deeper until it managed to barely pierce the flesh, cutting off his air supply. James could feel his body growing weaker due to lack of oxygen, but the giant wasn’t done yet, it then began flailing its arm wildly, swinging James around like a child with a new toy. It follows up by reeling its arm back and quickly bringing it forward again, throwing James towards one of the trees further behind them. His body impacted the side of it so hard that he wound up dying on impact, impaled on a sharp broken branch. Jason wondered what killed him first, the branch or violently slamming into the tree itself, or being choked. Whatever the case, he was happy with the result. James broken body is dangling on the branch with his broken limbs hanging down and blood dripping from his wound, staining his clothes red.
Zack and Liam were completely consumed by fear to the point their hands were shaking. Their legs were too stiff to move, preventing them from running. Not like they could escape even if they tried anyway.
This time Jason was relishing in the gruesome death of one of his bullies. There wasn’t so much as a shred of remorse or guilt over what he’d just done in his eyes. He finally accepted what he is and that he enjoyed killing him. And this was only the beginning. His next target was Liam who was surrounded by the pack of Shadow Wolves.
Jason: Liam, you got a real kick out of pulling my hair, trying to see how much of it you can rip out without getting caught. Called me an old man! It wasn’t even something Zack made you do. You did it all yourself. There was something about seeing me mangled that seemed to satisfy you, wasn’t there?
Liam: P-please don’t do this! I’m sorry! I’M SORRY!
Jason: …You wanted to tear me apart? So now, I’m letting my pets tear you apart!
He coldly uttered, ignoring his pleas. Like any good hunting dog, the Shadow Wolves stayed in their attack formation, waiting for their master to give them the word to pounce. The instant they hear him snap his fingers, their ears twitch with excitement and the wolves pounce on Liam, sinking their fangs into his body.
His screams echoed throughout the forest, muffling out the horrific sounds of his flesh being torn apart. Zack closed his eyes and turned his head away, unable to see the grotesque display of carnage unfolding on his right. But Jason just stood there and took it all in. Blood was splattering everywhere, covering the surrounding trees. Specks of it land all over Zack’s face, adding to his trauma. It was horrifying enough to see his friends going out in such as brutal fashion. Just what horrible fate awaited him once it was his turn?
When it was finally over, the wolves back away and revealed to everyone that Liam’s body had been torn to ribbons. His whole body was covered in claw and bite marks, especially around the neck and chest area, his clothes completely soaked in his own blood which began to pool around his corpse. His final moments of pure terror still frozen on his face.
At this point Zack couldn’t keep it together anymore and broke down. Seeing his best friends being massacred and mutilated right in front of him would be as traumatic as it would be for any other person. Maybe Alex was right about karma coming for him. The fact that his punishment was being delivered by Jason of all people only made the pain worse.
Jason slowly approached him, causing Zack to aimlessly scurry away from him, fighting the Shadow Demon’s grasp. The same kid he used to look down on and call weak, he was now cowering in absolute terror, begging for mercy. And Jason was relishing in it.
Zack: H-HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!
Jason: Cry all you want, little baby. Nobody’s coming to save you… You, Zack, are the worst of them all. You belittled me in so many ways that I’ve lost count. Hmm, what would be the best way to kill you I wonder.
Zack: No no no! Please don’t, Jason! I-I’m so sorry for all the bad things I did! Please spare me! I’ll give you whatever you want!
Jason: What I want is for you to suffer a slow and painful death… However, there is one thing you can help me with.
Zack: Anything! Name it and it’s yours!
Jason: Why, Zack? What made you want to bully me? Were you taking the pain of being an orphan out on me? Or were you simply doing it for fun? If you tell me the truth, I will consider letting you live.
Zack: It’s because I was jealous of you!
He blurted out without hesitation. His answer intrigued Jason, causing him to raise an eyebrow, displaying a sense of curiosity.
Jason: J-j… jealous of me? I’ve got nothing for anyone to be envious of.
Zack: You were Jackson’s favourite! Ever since you arrived at Hillside House, he’d been giving you special treatment. Giving you bigger portion meals, allowing you to skip out on chores whenever you were upset, giving you more TV time. I lost my entire family during the Monster War, not just my parents. My older sister, my grandparents, my aunt, uncle and cousins. We were all having a big family gathering when the monsters arrived. One of them bulldozed through our house, bringing it down on top of us. Only reason I survived was because my dad shielded me from the debris… After I was taken in, I longed for the attention they used to give me. But all that attention was focused on you. Liam and James felt the same way, that’s how we became friends. That’s when we decided to make you pay for soaking up all the attention. It’s not fair that some people like you get all the love while the rest of us get nothing! That’s the truth.
Jason had to admit that he wasn’t expecting such an honest answer from Zack of all people. Throughout all the years he’d known him, this was the first time he’s heard him speak so sincerely. He almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
Jason: Really? Now that was an interesting story. Who would’ve ever seen that coming? All this time you bullied me out of jealousy. Hahahaha!
Zack: Something funny?!
Jason: It’s just that… Had you just said that from the start none of this would’ve happened. It’s funny to me because of the possibility of us becoming friends if you had. Your friends would still be alive, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The kind who wants to watch as his minions slaughter his tormenters… The irony here is that you’re the reason I’ve become this, or rather one of them… Thank you, Zack. I’m so glad you told me the truth. It helped me decide the perfect punishment for you.
Zack: What?! You said you’d let me live!
Jason: I said I’d consider it. I’ve considered it, and my answer is… Nah.
He said mockingly at him before turning around and walking away. Zack attempted to convince him to let him go, but Jason’s mind was made up. With a final snap of his fingers, he summons a new variant of Shadow Demon. This one looked like a giant cobra with four arms and a humanoid torso. It looked down at his white-haired master, towering over him at twice his height. It bows its elongated head in supplication, awaiting his orders.
Jason: Shadow Naga, torture Zack for a while. Don’t stop until he begs for death.
Shadow Naga: As you wish, Master.
The Shadow Naga raises its head and directs its glowing white eyes at Zack. It was about to slither up to its victim, ready to dole out the punishment, until it was suddenly stopped by Jason grabbing its lower left arm. The naga turns its head all the way round to look at him.
Jason: … And even when he does beg for death, you don’t have to be in a hurry about it. Understand? Take. Your. Time.
Shadow Naga: Yes, my lord.
With that little bit of information passed, Jason let go and continued to walk away, leaving Zack to suffer a fate worse than death at the unbridled hands of his Shadow Naga. With a wave of his hand, the scepter opens another black portal directly in front of him. Zack started losing it as he screamed as loud as he physically can, begging Jason to come back and let him go, or at least kill him now and get it over with. But his voice never reached him.
The following sounds of Zack’s screaming intensifying, the squelching sound of his body getting sliced repeatedly, his arm breaking and his guts slowly being pulled out were all that his ears allowed to let in as he lifted his leg and put it through the portal. A sinister but satisfying smile formed as Jason relished in his pain before stepping through the portal completely.
When Jason returned to Big Ben he immediately calls out to the mysterious voice, his voice echoed all over the room, vibrating the bells hanging above the rafters. Night had fallen over the country, bringing with it a large quantity of rain that had been building up in grey clouds that had been covering the skies since the start of the day before letting it fall down on this great city.
Jason admired the rain through the clock’s face. He’d always liked listening to the sounds of the raindrops hitting the the ground, the sides and roofs of buildings. There was something calming about it. He even liked the sound of the thunder in the distance. The perfect atmosphere for the moment he’d been waiting for since he first stole the scepter. Obtaining its ultimate power.
Jason: I did it! I killed Zack and his friends! I did what you asked me, now give me what I was promised!
But there was no response. Infuriated, Jason discards the scepter and raises his voice louder.
Jason: ANSWER ME! Why aren’t you giving me what I want?! WHAT I EARNED?!
The demonic eerie voice soon makes its presence known and responds by laughing at Jason’s childish demeanour.
Dark Voice: So impatient and greedy. But what more could I expect from a human?
Jason: What’s that supposed to mean? You’re just a voice in my head. What do you know that I don’t?
Dark Voice: All in due time, Jason. For now, it is time to complete your transformation. Pick up the scepter.
Jason nods and slowly bends down to pick up the scepter once again, holding it up high.
Dark Voice: To become a monster, you must first discard your humanity. Sever all ties to your past, all the connections you have with the people you know. Alex, Michael, Jackson. All of them are nothing more than obstacles that hold you back. That is the price to obtaining power strong enough to destroy Chaos Man. That is what you still want, isn’t it?
Jason: More than anything I’ve wanted in my life!
Dark Voice: Then hence forth, Jason Dark is no more. In his place, a true being of darkness shall arise!
The Umbra Ruby glows a deep blood red, illuminating the whole room. A thick black smoke begins to seep out of the gemstone and swirls around Jason, completely covering him in shadow. Jason starts to cry out in discomfort as he can feel the scepter’s power physically changing him. His entire body started turning black as the shadow spreads all over him. His hands morphed into sharp claws.
As he transformed, his own shadow was slowly fading away, becoming one with him. The sounds of Big Ben’s ticking clock hands, the thunderstorm and heavy rain outside can be heard in perfect harmony alongside Jason’s cries as he nears the end of his transformation, letting go of what little humanity he still held onto. His screams fade out and were replaced with a demonic roar that shook the whole clocktower, timed perfectly with the flashing lights of the lightning strikes outside.
The smoke fades out as Jason nears the end of his transformation. His whole body was a completely black void except for his eyes and mouth which are now completely white, as well as the red hairband that kept his long hair – now black – tied back in a ponytail. His appearance was similar to his Shadow Demons though he still looked human in shape and size whilst retaining his usual characteristics. He’d literally become a shadow of his former self. He slowly looked down at his body, admiring his new form. Bringing his hands up to his face, he flexes each individual finger, admiring his sharp fingernails, making them appear more like claws.
Jason: S-so… this is what it feels like… to be strong… It’s magnificent!
Even his voice had changed, sounding more demonic and higher pitched than how he used to sound, giving off a sadistic villainous vibe. The scepter levitates back to his new hand as Jason approached the clock face, peering out through the open window, gazing down at the city below. A wide grin formed on his face, showing his sharp white teeth. It was a grin similar to the Cheshire Cat from the old fairytale Jackson read to him as a child, Alice in Wonderland.
Jason: Chaos Man, enjoy your fame… WHILE IT LASTS! Hehehe…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
The clock strikes midnight, triggering Big Ben’s bells to start ringing loudly for all of New London’s citizens to hear. This time Jason was unaffected by the ear-shattering bells and continued to laugh maniacally into the night. His laughter echoed throughout the clocktower. At last, he had obtained the power he sought after. Now he can take his revenge on this cruel, unforgiving world for abandoning and treating him like trash. But not as Jason Dark. He is dead. All that remains is a wicked being of pure darkness with no name.
There was only one name that came to mind. The name of the monster from May Li’s childhood that haunted her nightmares for years, based off an ancient myth from her village. She compared Jason to that monster, so why not embrace the title and become it. Jason Dark was no more. Standing above New London… is Wilfre.
To Be Continued