Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: Midnight Hour

Scarlet Dawn


A distant sound of a shower could be heard from the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom of the hotel room that Clare and Scarlet were hold up in. Scarlet was slouched up against the head of one of the beds that lay near the centre of the room.  

"Why do i keep her with me, she is nothing but a burden, i said i would ditch her the first chance i got so why" Scarlet thought to herself with her dipped down. 

It had been a little over a week since Scarlet and Clare had met in that deserted part of town. Scarlet had saved Clare and informed her she would take her somewhere safe in town and that they would part ways however Clare seemed strangely hesitant to leave much to Scarlet's dismay.  Scarlet slowly turned her head towards the sideboard which stood next to the bed on top of the sideboard illuminated slightly by a lamp was a small makeshift lunchbox inside was some rice and a few pieces of cooked chicken. 

"At least she is a good cook" Scarlet muttered. 

Suddenly a voice spoke directly into Scarlet's ear via the electronic communication device in her ear, the voice spoke only two simple words "Midnight Hour" Scarlet knew the words meaning, she took a deep breath before rising from the bed, she walked a few paces over to a large mirror that stood on the opposite side of the room, with her stoic reflection looking back at her she began buttoning up her white shirt as well as straighten up her black skirt making sure it was above her knee, the reason Scarlet preferred this length of skirt was because it offered the least restriction when kicking something.  

Feeling satisfied with her look she turned around and grabbed her black trench coat from the bed she jammed her arms through the sleeves and threw the coat on almost in the same motion she pulled out her two crimson revolvers and after a quick check they were operational she placed them in her pockets, finally she walked over to the hanger by the door and retrieved her metal mask she placed the cool metal construct against her soft skin and with that she was ready. 

"One more thing" she said non chalantaly 

Scarlet kicked the door to the bathroom open, the door struck the bathroom wall with a thud. 

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh Scarlet what was that about" Clare screeched as she quickly scrambled to wrap a towel around her wet nude body. 

"We have a job to go to, hurry up and get dressed, then meet me in the entrance way in front of the hotel" Scarlet said sternly 

Scarlet walked out of the room leaving Clare to dress herself. 

Clare retrieved her essential item of clothing first that being her underwear and a bra, black being the color of choice this time around. Next Clare threw on a white buttoned shirt not unlike the one Scarlet had on however unlike her Clare wore a pair of full length blue jeans with a black leather jacket. she tied up her blonde hair in a pony tail, now also satisfied with her look she left the room and made her way to the entrance to meet up with Scarlet. 

"Ready to go" Scarlet said as she spotted Clare near the entrance 

"Yes i am ready, as soon as you tell me where it is exactly we are going" Clare replied whilst folding her arms looked slightly annoyed 

Scarlet seemingly unfazed by Clare's apparent annoyance

"We are going to a club called Midnight Hour, its located on the edge of town i have a job to do there" Scarlet said with her usual monotone voice. 

"and take it we are going on that" Clare responded whilst focusing her eyes on the motorcycle that Scarlet was leaning up against. 

The bike was black and red in color with a decorative design of what looked to be a dragon near the front, Scarlet swung one of her legs around and hopped on the bike she shot a glance back to Clare. 

"Move it or get left behind" Scarlet said with a hint of annoyance in her voice 

Clare took a deep breath and quickly jumped onto the back of the motorcycle

Scarlet took off down the main street at high speed she was going so fast that Clare had to wrap her arms around Scarlets stomach to steady herself. Scarlet looked down at the hands now cupping her waist before looking back up and offering a small smile hidden behind a mask of cold steel. 

After a short while of driving down the many roads and streets  of Caligula the pair arrived at the edge of town, Scarlet pulled up along a side street and just a few feet away was a large building with an exterior lit up spelling the words Midnight Hour confirming they were in the right place. 

Scarlet and Clare hopped of the bike and started to walk towards the club, before they got in range of the entrance Scarlet suddenly stopped and without turning around to face clear said in a quiet voice "stay close to me when we are in there" she then continued walking. 

Scarlet and Clare reached the entrance to the club but strangely there was no door security personnel at the door which was strange for an establishment like this, however the club seemed to be in operation as music could be heard booming through the building sending vibrations rocketing through the floor and through the bodies of the two women. 

The main hall of the club was full of people, the dance floor had many young adults jumping and dancing along to the techno music playing on the DJ stand, to the right of the main dance floor was a bar and recreational area with many tables and chairs laid about evenly. 

Clare looked up at Scarlet who was scanning the room, her eyes had turned a bright red as her head slowly rotated like a radar beacon. 

"They're Depraved" Scarlet said suddenly 

"Huh what do you mean" Clare responded  

"Almost everyone here is a monster" Clare responded coldly

Suddenly Scarlet began walking to the centre of the dance floor gently shoving people out of her way as she walked, Clare surprised at Scarlets sudden movement followed closely behind. 

Scarlet quickly lifted her arm up and jammed it into her coat pocket as quickly as she had she pulled out one of her crimson revolvers and shot it twice towards the ceiling, the bullets echoed throughout the room followed by the sudden shattering of glass the bullets she fired had hit one of the glass floodlights attached to the DJ's kit sending shards of glass everywhere. 

there was silence in the room for a moment before the crowd of people who were in the club suddenly stopped what they were doing and all focused there attention on Scarlet. 

"Its her" one of the members of the crowd shouted 
"Someone go get the boss, tell him one of THEM is here" Another member of the crowd shouted. 

Scarlet placed her Crimson Revolver back into the pocket of her black trench coat before looking out at the crowd which had now grouped up opposite her creating a large gap in the centre of the room between them. 

"You are all monsters and you will all be purged.... prepare yourselves!" 

Two of the Depraved from the crowd rushed towards Scarlet at break neck speed. 

Scarlet matching their speed and with great ferocity lifted both her arms up and thrust them forwards, she plunged her hands viciously into the chests of the two Depraved in front of her before yanking her hands backwards taking the hearts of the two Depraved with her. the bodies dropped in a clump at her feet motionless and bleeding red and white blood from the chest. 

Another Depraved had climbed up a nearby wall and was now jumping down towards Scarlet, but Scarlet once again met the Depraved's speed a punch it in the stomach with great force, she then quickly raised her other hand and clutched onto the depraved's neck in a inverted guillotine hold, before yanking the head of the depraved completely off its body and kicking the now headless corpse at the crowd opposite her. 

"That's enough everyone" a voice called out from the darkness 

The crowd of Depraved suddenly fell silent once more and like a ocean that had been parted by a deity they split to either side of the room forming a pathway, out of the shadows stepped a tall imposing figure, a man dressed in a white suit with a black buttoned up shirt and short black her was now staring down Scarlet with piercing blue eyes.  

"its you.... Kane" Scarlet said with a look of recognition and anger in her eyes. 

"were you expecting anyone else" Kane said with superiority in his voice 

He raised his right hand up as if making some kind of speech "So tell me Scarlet what brings you a member of the Organization of the Six to my humble abode" 

Clare drew both her Crimson Revolvers out of her trench coat and aimed them at Kane "..... Your life" she said coldly as she fired her dual revolvers at Kane's chest. 

The bullets stuck Kane in the heart with pinpoint precision but shockingly Kane didn't even flinch and the wounds sustained by the gunshots almost immiedtly healed. Kane let out a sly chuckle as he ran his hands through his hair. 

"My life..... well you are going to need to try a lot harder than that Scarlet" Kane said as though he was a god looking at a mere insect. 

Scarlet reached behind to the back of her coat and pulled out a small Katana. 

"Fine then ill just take your head" she yelled as she charged Kane. 

out of the darkness and without warning a deafening scream resonated throughout the room as if traveling with the sound a mysterious female figure flew out of the darkness and met Scarlets charge with a vicious kick sending Scarlets sliding back. 

The woman's eyes were glowing white, her dark purple hair flowing gracefully down her back, she wore a long black dress which cut off at the legs enabling athletic actions like the kick she had thrown. The woman was growling with rage 

"Such Insolence how dare you harm Kane" The woman yelled with pure rage 

Scarlet reeled back slightly before quickly regaining her composure. 
"Who are you" 

" Layla my love stay calm we must play nice with our guests" Kane's voice spoke with the unmistaken sense of affection for the woman standing beside him. 

Layla's body calmed slightly at the sound of Kane's voice. 

"Well Scarlet as you can see the odds here are not stacked in your favour so what is it you plan to do now" Kane said smugly 

Scarlet grunted clutching onto her crimson revolvers tightly 

*BOOM* 

Suddenly the roof above them collapsed in a rain of debris and rubble, amidst the chaos was the figure of a pink haired woman falling through the air, she hit the ground perfectly. the figure slowly turned her head towards Scarlet. 

"Should have known you couldn't have handled this on your own" The figure said 

Scarlets face contorted in annoyance. "I never asked for your help... Iris" 

Iris offered no response she simply turned her head towards Kane and Layla, drawing a large sword from its holster positioned on her back, the blade was glowing a distinct pink. " I think the odds are fair now 2 on 2" 

Scarlet rushed at Kane once again as Iris set her sights on Layla, the 4 exchanged blows of punches, kicks, sword swipes and gun shots, no one seemed to be giving an inch. Scarlet managed to land a high kick catching Kane in the face, sending him reeling back a step, Scarlet seeing an opening swung her Katana at Kane's neck with great speed and precision. 

"KANE LOOK OUT" Layla shouted in concern 

Seeing her adversary distracted Iris span around quickly on her axis landing a spinning heel kick to the face of Layla sending her crashing into the ground with force. 

"This is where you die wretch" Iris declared as she held her sword out in front of her, the sword's pink glow suddenly began pulsating and the light it gave off getting stronger and stronger with each second. 

"Sakura Style FLOWING DEATH" Iris shouted as she took the sword in hand and swung it sideways, the light from the sword shot out like a laser heading laterally towards the neck of Layla. 

"LAYLA NO!!!!!" Kane shouted his rage fuled his monstrous power, the entire room shook with tremendous force.  He grabbed the Katana coming for his neck with his bear hands with a quick clench of his hand he snapped the sword in two, before Scarlet couldn't even react Kane grabbed her by the neck and threw her with one hand across the room, the force of the throw was so great Scarlet went straight through the wall on the otherside of the room. 

"SCARLET" Clare who had been standing near the exit of the club to avoid the brutal fight shouted as she watched Scarlet go flying through the wall. she ran over to where the impact had struck in search of Scarlet. 

Kane now rid of one of his adversaries moved in the blink of an eye to grab Layla before the pink laser which had been fired from Iris's sword could find its target. He looked down at the unconscious woman in his arms, tears began to form in his eyelids. 

"This is not over....count on it" Kane declared before jumping out of a nearby window.

Iris watched the pair leave through the window before sheathing her blade. "Our next encounter will be your last" 

Iris turned on her heels and looked over to the wall which now had a huge hole in it due to Scarlet impacting it earlier in the fight. in the mess of the rubble Scarlet was standing being shouldered by Clare. 

"So you are travelling with a human, Scarlet you have a lot of explaining to do" Iris said looking in Scarlets direction. 

"I know but not here and not now" Scarlet said weakly. 

Clare lifted Scarlet up to steady her "we need to get her back to the hotel its in the middle of town we can treat her wounds there" 

"You human..... why do you care so much about..... one of us" Iris asked 

Clare shot a determined look back at Iris 

"Scarlet saved my life i owe her for that..... also as much as Scarlet says she isn't human i can see how much she cares when she fights, she fights to keep people like me safe, she fights so we don't have to, she devotes her life to others and i intend to stand by her side and help her anyway i can" 

****** 

On a nearby rooftop Kane sat on the edge of a ledge overlooking the streets below, Layla was now conscious and sitting next to him looking at him with a affectionate but confused look on her face. 

"Kane.... you could have killed her that Scarlet but you didn't.... why?" 

Kane lifted his head up and turned to look at Layla a small smile appeared on his face as his reach one hand up to touch Layla's face. 

"i saw you were in trouble and i had to come to save you.... ill never let anything happen to you" after staring into Layla's eyes for a moment Kane leaned forward and gave her a small passion fuleld kiss. 

"I love you Layla" He said lovingly 

Layla smiled back at him 

" I love you too dear" 

She returned his kiss.

 




Scarlet Dawn