Liar Man
The neon light twisted into the word Josie’s was what drew me in. It was a place so small and unassuming it felt like somewhere my father’s reach hadn’t yet touched, someplace while dirty and falling apart at the seams was still to me somehow pure. Everything about it immediately caught my attention and when I went inside I was greeted by only a few faces looking my way, and pretty much everyone immediately dismissed my presence. It felt amazing, being a nobody.
There were many patrons in the bar, all ranging from people my age to those in their eighties, all enjoying the atmosphere in all its glory. I sat down at one of the only empty seats at the far end of the bar, giving a smile to the bartender. As she took my order I looked around to get a better view of those around, noting the occasional drunk and those looking for something else. Down the row, at the other end of the bar, I could see a young blonde woman and her companion giggling to themselves and just having a good time.
The sight brought a small smile to my face. I wanted to be like them, nonchalant, carefree, maybe just free . I waved down the bartender and asked what they were having. After pulling out a hundred I handed it to her and told her to give them a bottle and tell them to keep having fun. As I watched them receive the news I moved to leave, content with the single drink and hopefully positive experience I had given someone else.
Before I could get five feet in front of the door I heard yelling. Assuming the worst I turned around, expecting to see a fight break out that I knew I couldn’t resist getting in the middle of. I was pleasantly surprised to see the young woman and her companion waving me over, and yelling for me. I motioned to myself, to which they nodded vigorously in response. I walked over cautiously, trying to avoid bumping into anyone along the way.
When I got to them they both introduced themselves, the blonde woman being a woman named Karen and her companion a chipper young man named Foggy. They both were painfully and stunningly nice and invited me to sit in the middle of them and drink. To my own surprise, I accepted. Foggy was the first to finally ask, a playful smile on his lips.
“Not to sound ungrateful, but why’d you buy us a bottle? Have we met before?”
I shrugged. “I saw you guys having fun and I didn’t want it to end.”
“Well, now it never will. Not only do we have more alcohol, but we have a new friend!”
I laughed at his logic, the unfamiliar feeling making a smile grow across my face. Karen seemed to sense my discomfort, her smile falling into something even more inviting.
“You never introduced yourself.”
I hesitated. “Y/N.”
“What brings you to our dear old bar all alone, Y/N?”
I hummed to myself, trying to come up with a quick response. “Family troubles.”
Foggy nodded in understanding, his drink sloshing around at the motion. “I get that. My family is always in my business too.”
“I know!” Karen clapped her hands together. “Let’s play truth or dare!”
Foggy and I both cheered.
A shrill ringing broke up our merriment. I looked down, annoyed, only to freeze at the sight of Wesley’s name on my caller ID. The smile slowly dropped from my face and I sighed. The night was already over and it had barely begun.
“Family?”
My head whipped up at the sound of Foggy’s voice.
“Something like that. I’m sorry guys, but I’ve gotta go. We can play next time.”
They both smiled, Karen leaning against me slightly in what I assumed was meant to be a side hug, while Foggy lightly patted my arm.
“It was nice meeting you, Y/N. Here,” Foggy reached around the bar and scribbled something on one of their napkins. “Here’s my number, for next time.”
I gently took the napkin and folded it into my pocket. It felt like a precious stone to me, a future friendship to treasure. Something I didn’t get much of these days. I pushed away from the bar and waved to my friends one last time before navigating my way through the remaining patrons and outside back into the crisp night air.
As I stepped outside I pressed the button to return Wesley’s missed call. It rang once and he was quick to answer.
“Sorry I missed your call, Wes. What can I do for you?”
“I have a job for you.”
-N-
Some say that the mere sight of the dog at the gates of the underworld was enough to turn those who had passed away back to the land of the living. The man bound to the chair in front of me was just as terrified, his knees clacking together every few minutes while his arms shook visibly in their bonds. I stood before him in a dark corner of the room, body still and awaiting orders from either of the brothers. They both looked uncomfortable, Anatoly shooting glances my way every so often. He always voiced the most protest, unhappy with my involvement and unnerved by the mask and outfit my father had made for my work. Father wanted me to strike fear in the hearts of his enemies, and it appears it even affects our allies.
Vladimir was the first to emerge from the darkness, his form tense and watching the man in the chair with annoyance.
“Mr. Germogen, you told our boys that you knew the man in black mask. Tell me, who is he?”
He shook his head vehemently. “I - I can't tell you. He’ll kill me.”
Anatoly’s eyebrow twitched in irritation.
“I will kill you worse.”
“You don’t understand!”
“No,” Vladimir motioned for me to come closer. “You don’t understand. Our big scary friend here will beat it out of you. Slowly. Painfully. Then you will die.”
“Please!” He begged.
“Who is he?”
“I can’t!”
The barely perceptible hand movement was my cue.
The first blow that landed struck him across the cheek, breaking the skin along the cheekbone and sending his head snapping to the left. He whimpered, tears rolling down his face and begging for me to stop. I had to force myself to shut out the sound, ignoring whatever guilt I felt in favor of getting the job done. I pictured myself at home, relaxing on the couch with some tea and a book, a movie playing in the background. Anywhere but here in this moment.
Every blow that landed afterward was done by someone else, the other version of me. I felt as each time the skin on my knuckles broke open and began healing themselves within my gloves. The apartment I was imagining in my head was seeming more and more appealing as the screams from the man below me faded into nothing.
The smallest hand movement from Anatoly caused me to halt mid-punch. My fist hovered over the man's broken nose, chest heaving and face warm behind my mask.
“Have you changed your mind?”
“Please…” The man whimpered. “I can’t tell you. I don’t know.”
Vladimir snarled. “So you lied? Lived high and mighty for a lie.”
“The man was going to rob me! I needed something to say!”
“You will die.”
Vladimir nodded to his brother and Anatoly gently grabbed my upper arm and led me out of the room and into the hallway. He gently grabbed the sides of my mask and pulled it away to rest in one of his hands. The other came up to gently cup my face.
“You did good, Cerberus. Go home. We will handle this.”
I nodded, trying to catch my breath and bring myself back into the moment. I felt sluggish, my movements robotic as he helped me navigate the maze of hallways and out a door. Waiting there was a car, Wesley leaning up against the side. He smiled slightly when he saw me and opened up the door.
I barely missed the glare shared between him and the brother.
“Good work Miss Wilson. There is a change of clothes in the car for you.”
I climbed into the back seat, flinching at the sound of a gunshot off somewhere in the distance. The door closed behind me and plunged the back seat into darkness. I instantly felt myself relax and rip off my armor piece by piece. The bookbag at my feet held a change of clothes that I eagerly put on. I changed out the bodysuit for a t-shirt and leggings and stuffed each piece into the bookbag. The mask was the last thing to go, its black surface splattered with droplets of blood that I could barely see. I would have to clean it soon.
I stared into where the eyes of the mask would be with indifference. This was my job. I could do this.
No matter how much it broke me inside.