“Danny, come home,” my mom begged in a voicemail. “We can figure this out. Please, don't do this. You're my son and I love you. Your father will come around, but I need you here when he does.”
When the message finished, I deleted it and then I blocked the number. Not because I was angry or because I didn't love them. I did it because they deserved better.
Taking Finn to see her mom was reckless on my part. But we lucked out it was Loon tracking us and meant no harm. My luck, it seems, had run out. I knew coming here was a mistake long before I even made the decision to do it. My need for them to be proud of me overrode their safety and Finn’s.
Since we arrived, my surroundings felt off. While it was obvious my dad was never going to change, hugging my mom had settled the storm within me. With Finn’s arms around my waist, cheek pressed to my back, I knew she was listening to my breathing and matching it to her own. Coming to my side and tucking herself there, she saw him at the same moment I had.
She didn’t want to go inside. Not my Finn. She wanted to stand next to me and fight on equal ground. But my parents needed her. They were blameless and they needed protection. While my dad was a hell raiser back in his day, he wasn’t spry anymore. He’d left war behind and like the evil he called me, I’d brought it to his door just as he said I would.
Stalking forward, his large body eats up the distance and the sick gleam of bloodlust was written all over his scarred face.
“Phoenix.”
“Vulture.”
“Where’s the bitch?”
See, this is kind of shit I would not tolerate. “Would you like to try that again?”
Instead of answering me, he lunged forward in an attempt to tackle me. Stepping out of the way, he recovers quickly, running at me again. Only this time, I wasn’t fast enough and he got a hold. Every rule we had went out of the window when he attacked my fucking kidneys. Surprisingly strong, with each strike perfectly executed, I actually took a knee. Jesus, I think I tasted my spleen…
Before I could rise, Vulture introduced his kneecap to the side of my head. Tipping over in pain, I blinked and his fist buried itself in my temple. Whatever drugs he pumped into his veins was potent. This asshole wasn't feeling a thing.
“Fucking Phoenix,” he laughs and his spit landed on my face. “Your reign is over.”
Spitting up blood, I wipe my mouth mumbling, “Brass knuckles, huh? Fucking pussy.”
“Speaking of pussy,” he says circling me. “I’m going to tear hers apart after she chokes on my cock.”
Refusing to be baited, I chanced a glance up and saw Finn scaling the roof. My heart chose that moment to fucking seize in my chest. The second he spotted her he'd go rabid. An opening, I just needed an opening.
“Get up,” he yells, kicking me in the stomach. “Let’s finish this.”
Vulture was reaching for me when I saw Finn do a God damn front flip off the pitch and her landing was perfectly silent. However, now was not the time to stop and stare.
Keeping him occupied, we exchange blows and seeing him stagger was gratifying. Like a hot kamikaze, Finn comes up behind Vulture, tries running him through and fails.
With a grunt, he whirls to face her at the same time I take him to the ground. Squeezing his fat throat, I demand to know, “Where in the fuck did you get the sword Finn?”
Staring at it, she shrugs, “It was hanging on the wall.”
“It was on the wall because it’s an antique.”
“It’s also dull as fuck,” she says in a bored tone. “Anyway, since slitting his throat is out. What’s the easiest way to kill this guy?”
“Are you serious?” I argue squeezing tighter which wasn't working.
“Yes, Nix, I am. I’ve worked with props sharper than this.”
So focused on her, Vulture broke free and eyed both of us with so much hate that if it could kill, we’d be dead. “What are you staring at, Blue Jay?” she taunts him. “It’s the crooked mohawk, sorry.”
“He can’t save you,” he says producing a gun.
“He can’t save me, you want to kill me…Is there a third door?”
“I’m going to enjoy shoving my cock—”
“Gag,” she fakes. “Is your cock as evil as you are? You know, I looked your name up and it just so happens you’re the king dick of your species. So apropos.”
Pointing the barrel at her, he instructs, “Get next to your bitch.”
“Who are you referring to?” she asks twirling her hair. “Him or me? I’m going with him since I’m the one with the sword.”
Without blinking, he fired, I flinched and Finn started dancing in place. “Am I hit?” she asks, but before I could answer, she squeals, “What the fuck is the matter with you!”
“Next round goes in his head,” he smirks. “Come to me, female.”
Moving forward, I grabbed her but she threw me off with, “I got this,” and sauntered forward. As for me, I was dizzy and fading fast. Attempting to follow, she was a few feet away when the motherfucker threw a hook that not only connected with her perfect face, but sent her flying. Shockingly, my pain evaporated at the same time she found her footing and cracked her neck. “That all you got, Blue balls?”
Charging her, Finn escaped him by flipping, twisting and even doing some Matrix shit. Vulture wasn’t built for endurance or flexibility so it didn’t take long for her to wear him down. Jabbing him in the face once, twice, Finn swept his legs sending him to the ground. I was in complete awe watching her do the very thing I could not.
With that fucking sword in her hand she continued trying to slice him unsuccessfully screaming, “Die already!”
As for me, for the first time ever, I was not operational. My arms refused to work, breathing was difficult and my vision was winking in and out. Hitting the grass knees first I beg her to, “Run, Finn!”
“Fuck that,” she says breathlessly and the words cost her. With a blunt kick, he sent her ass over elbows and this time she struggled to get up. “I think I just ate my ovary,” she coughs holding her stomach.
Crawling toward her, prepared to throw myself in front of him, Vulture stood over my woman smiling as he pressed the barrel into her forehead.
“Pussy,” she spat, and in Finn I saw no fear. Me however, I was paralyzed with it.
“Finn,” I whisper in desperation.
“See you on the other side,” she says softly. “I loved loving you, Nix. As far as adventure goes, you'll always be number one on my list.”
And then she closed her eyes.
Crawling to her on my elbows and using my knees, I was close, so close. Which meant when Vulture’s head suddenly exploded, both of us were covered in it.
Having no idea what the fuck what happening, but knowing I was about to black out, the last thing I saw was Finn reaching for me and my dad holding a sawed-off shot gun.
He even had a smile on his face.