Post by Evelyn Kuller on Apr 16, 2015 22:17:09 GMT -6
She was fidgety. Had been for a few days, and it hadn't escaped his notice. They both sat in the living room of Bowie's home, having spent the past few hours talking. About the new things she was experiencing since she had become herself, about how she felt now, and about her plans for what was next. Finally he leaned forward, capturing her gaze with his.
Mr. Bowie: Eve, what's come over you?
Eve: I...
She takes a small breath and lets it out in a sigh.
Eve: I'm nervous.
He quirks an eyebrow as he expression changes to one of amusement.
Mr. Bowie: The personification of all evil in this world...feels nervous?
Eve: Look, no one's more surprised about it than me. It's just that...I'm finally going to be going back. To wrestling, to Revo, and it's suddenly leaving me nervous. I mean, did you see me then? I was a whack job, attacking people, setting people on fire-
Mr. Bowie: Which was a great show, I might add.
Eve: Oh it was fun, but now it's just...I don't know how people will react to me. I know that I'm not the brainwashed patchwork murderdoll I was then, but I can't expect anyone else to believe me that I'm not just Iwakuma's devoted lackey. That I haven't changed. That I'm not what someone else made me.
He took a moment to consider this, still looking amused.
Mr. Bowie: Hm. How human.
He then reached one hand out and patted her on the head.
Mr. Bowie: You're worrying about stupid things, Eve. Worrying about what other people think of you is nothing but a waste of your time. Seeking acceptance, or forgiveness, or acknowledgment of what you've accomplished is pointless. It's nothing but a way to give people power over you again. And hasn't all of this been due to others having power over you?
She sat for a while before nodding in agreement.
Eve: You're right. But that doesn't really help stop the feeling.
Mr. Bowie: Of course not. Acknowledging that a feeling isn't correct is never enough to stop it. Feelings are too strong for that, they root into you and keep themselves there regardless. But, that's what you chose. Your journey was to gain the ability to have this problem.
She sighed.
Eve: I know, I know. It's still annoying.
He smiled.
Mr. Bowie: Quite. But such is “humanity”!
He sat back in his chair as Eve mulled this over in her head. Then she reached for her bag, rummaging through it. Her face twists in confusion, as she begins to pat her pockets. She stands and reaches down in the recesses of the chair's cushion, searching for something.
Eve: Hey, have you seen my phone? I swear I had it on me when I came over.
Mr. Bowie: Sorry, haven't seen it.
Unnoticed by Eve as she continued to search Bowie pulled a cell phone, hers, from his pocket. He took a quick look at it, smiled, and shut it off before pocketing it again.
–
Cyril let out a yell of anger before throwing his phone to the ground, shattering it. Alexander stood next to him, concern evident even behind his mask and goggles.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: She's not responding at all.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Cyril, there's plenty of reasons that she wouldn't respond beyond assuming the worst.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Really? With everything I've told you about him, you want to hope for the best?
The cyborg is silent a moment.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...no.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's what I thought. We're going to have to do this now.
Alex sighed, but nodded.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I agree. We can't risk anything happening to her.
Cyril nodded at this, and handed his brother one of the mini-teleporters, himself hefting another.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Gate, are you ready?
There was a noise from behind them, the two turning to look at the main computer as the digital face of the AI named Gate appeared, two carats with a small line at the bottom between them.
Gate: Of course! I have located the GPS signal from her cell phone, and have fed it into your teleporters, with the requested offset of a half-mile.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: A half-mile, brother?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I want us to get some kind of recon before we go in. Besides, who knows what'd happen if we just went straight in? All we know, the phone might be in a fire pit.
The cyborg doesn't seem to bothered by this.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Most of my nerve endings are dead anyway.
Cyril only looks down at the floor, as Alex realizes his joke hadn't gone over too well.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I...apologize. It was funnier in my head.
Cyril looked back up at him and tried his best to give a reassuring smile.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: It's fine, I'm glad you're in a mood to make jokes, I haven't heard you try one in years. I just...I'm so worried about her.
Alex reaches out and claps a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: And I am too. But Eve is stronger than we've admitted she is. She won't lose herself that easily.
Cyril nods.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're right.
Alex smiles behind his mask.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I often am. Now, let's go and see our favorite girl.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Right. Gate, preparations complete!
Gate: Acknowledged! Last GPS signal locked on, teleporters prepped!
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Hm? Last signal?
The digital face slowly moves up to the top of the screen, down to the bottom of it and then back to center, a weird imitation of a nod.
Gate: Correct! Her cell phone was just turned off.
The brothers shared a look.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Well that's not worrying.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Quite. Let's handle this.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yeah. And let's re-bury this son of a bitch.
They both pressed the teleporters simultaneously, and both disappeared in a quick flash of light.
–
The sudden beeping made Eve forget her search. She looked around in confusion, trying to place it, while Bowie simply stood up and moved to a cabinet.
Eve: What is that?
Mr. Bowie: Motion detector.
He opened the cabinet and pulled out a monitor, cables trailing behind it connected into the wall. He fiddled with it as he continued to talk.
Mr. Bowie: I'm a cautious man, so I had this set up so I could be ready if someone managed to find me. That's how I knew you were coming.
Eve: Well that explains everything. So we've got unexpected company?
Mr. Bowie: Well. Unexpected for you, maybe, I've been expecting them for a while now. This was inevitable, you see.
Eve quirked an eyebrow as he continued to fiddle with the monitor, finally seeing what he wanted.
Mr. Bowie: Two of them. Showed up closer in than I have set up for, ain't that something. Oh well, that makes this fun. Let's see...two people, expect the simplest tactics.
He took a few steps back, standing in the living room in the spot that gave him view of both the back and front doors.
Eve: Who exactly have you been expecting? And why haven't you, y'know, mentioned this?
Mr. Bowie: Haven't mentioned it because, frankly, you'd have freaked out. I've been waiting for this confrontation since you first mentioned them to me...
Eve: Mentioned who....
Her eyes widen.
Eve: Hang on! You can't mean-?!
What she intended to say is drowned out by wood splintering as two doors are kicked open simultaneously, and suddenly there were a lot of guns. Alex stepped in from the front, the pistol connected to his leg in hand while Cyril came in through the back door, shotgun in hand. Bowie had a pistol in each hand that he'd yanked from the back of his belt, a desert eagle in one hand and a glock in the other. One aimed at each of the brothers. Eve could only look on in shock.
Mr. Bowie: Hello Doktors! I've been looking forward to meeting you!
Cyril's jaw clenched in anger.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Don't say a word. I thought I was behind having to hear you speak every two weeks.
Mr. Bowie: Well, you know how nightmares work. Just when you think they've finally left you alone...they come surging right back.
Eve: Um.
Alex turns his head just enough to let Eve know he was going to speak to her, while making sure his target was still in his vision.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Eve, you've made a mistake.
Eve: ...nooooo?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yes! Have you noticed who you've been getting “help” from?!
Eve: Cyril...I knew who I was looking for.
Mr. Bowie: Hey, you can't blame her, “Cyril”! If your doctor's not providing effective care, you seek out alternative treatment!
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're not treatment! You're a disease!
Mr. Bowie: And yet she's doing so well.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Not thanks to you. In spite of you.
Eve: Uh...
Cyril's eyes fall on her, and she shirks back a bit from the anger and...fear in them. She realized just how much her doing this had affected him.
Eve: I'm sor-
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Save it! We'll talk about it when we're done with this!
Mr. Bowie: Really? Because this might take a while. We're in a bit of a standoff now, aren't we?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Even you can't take us both down before we kill you.
Mr. Bowie: True...or we could let Eve handle this.
Everyone seems confused by this, as Bowie looks at Eve.
Mr. Bowie: Desk next to your chair. Open the top drawer.
She, after a moment, did so. Pulling it open and retrieving what was in it. And now Eve had a gun too.
Eve: Um.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Um.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Um.
Bowie grinned.
Mr. Bowie: Now you come to the end of our sessions together, Eve. Now you make your final choice. Who will you kill?
Eve: UM.
Mr. Bowie: Someone's going to kill someone. At this point, whoever goes down decides your future. Who will be left for you to go with. Now, knowing everything you do about me and what I've done to people...you could shoot me dead.
Eve: But I don't want to do that!
Mr. Bowie: Well then. You can take the other option.
Eve: Which is...?
Mr. Bowie: Joining me.
Eve: I'm sorry?
Mr. Bowie: You've gone through all of this, you have all these feelings. And now you can choose to let them go.
Eve couldn't find the words to respond to this, so Bowie just continued on.
Mr. Bowie: Your entire life you've been used! Someone has power over you, they abuse it! But you're strong, stronger than maybe anything else on this Earth! Your potential is unbelievable! And you could use it for your own benefit, instead of someone elses. Your feelings aren't the strength you've sought, they're a weakness. Now that you have them, you have the power to see that.
He grinned at her, and it's far too wide to be comfortable.
Mr. Bowie: You could be more than the Perfect Evil. You could be everything in this world.
He looked at the two brothers quickly, then back to her.
Mr. Bowie: All you have to do is shoot one of them. I can take the other, and we'll be free to do whatever we want. The only people in control of us would be ourselves.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're a lunatic!
Mr. Bowie: MAYBE I AM! But it's not up to you what happens next is it?! Or me! IT'S UP TO HER!
Eve suddenly felt all the eyes in the room focus on her.
Mr. Bowie: So choose!
Eve: I...I dunno if I make that kind of choice.
Mr. Bowie: You're the only one who can! This is who you'll be! So go into yourself, into your head, and think! Don't listen to my words, or their words, or anyone's words! Just look at your choices, and CHOOSE!
Her breathing was too fast, and she felt like her chest was gonna tighten up and choke her. But finally she spoke.
Eve: Fine....fine....fine...
Her eyes shut.
She stood in front of the doors. The other two parts of her both had their faces pressed against the window of their doors, arms sticking out from the parted doors, shouting at her. Instructions, taunts, slurs, orders of who to shoot. She shut the doors completely for now, locked the windows so she could hear neither of them. She wanted this to be just her. She needed to think.
She thought of everything good she had felt since finding herself. The joys of her friendships, of the bizarre family she was now building. She remembered the tears running down her face as she embraced Cyril, realizing he was still alive. She remembered embracing Alex, swearing that she'd never let what happened to him and to her happen again. The laughs of a stupid trip to Vegas, getting drunk with a bunch of students she had hated up till that moment because she was made to, until she met them and realized they were worthy people. A walk down the Vegas Strip, talking about nothing but everything at the same time, and the feeling of finally having a friend. All of these things that brought warmth to her, could she really let herself destroy all of that?
But at the same time, she knew Bowie had a point. People WERE fleeting, they DID have a habit of using her. Any time people had held any kind of power over her, they had abused it. She still remembered the sight of her body covered in so many scars, even thought her transformation had erased them from her. She could still feel them sometimes. Could she really still let people be able to take advantage of her, especially now that she was so powerful she could make it so that never happens again, if she just decided to?
Two paths, and she could pick only one. She had to pick what kind of person she would be, forevermore. She had to make a choice.
She took a deep breath.
She held it.
She let it out.
Her eyes opened.
And she aimed the pistol at Bowie and pulled the trigger twice.
Everyone but Bowie looked at the gun in confusion as it rang empty. Those eyes then all turned, at once, to Bowie, who simply smiled and hit the release on both of his guns, and the three watched as two empty magazines dropped to the floor, followed by the guns.
Eve: ...at this point I need to stop being surprised when shit like this happens.
Bowie stepped towards her, Alexander and Cyril both too confused to try and stop him as he approached her.
Mr. Bowie: Eve. I didn't lie, I wanted you to make the choice of what path you wanted to go down on entirely as yourself. No outside interference or influence to change your mind. And while I certainly wanted you to choose to travel with me...you also would have needed to know that your choices have consequences, even if you became like me.
Eve could only stare at him for a while, the other two doing the same, before a slightly bewildered smile appears on Eve's face.
Eve: You're a fucking lunatic.
He smiled back.
Mr. Bowie: Well, I can't really deny that.
–
It was a tense conversation after, to say the least. Neither Cyril nor Alex were comfortable actually sitting and talking with the two, but Eve managed to get them sat down and listening to her. For them she laid out the past few months: her seeking out Bowie, their initial meeting (Cyril seemed ready to tear him apart when told about him murdering her, but Alex kept him down), and their trials together as he helped her find herself. Of how he had every opportunity to convince her to become like him, but he never once did until after she found herself. Eve explained to them that she knew his reputation and his deeds, but that without him she'd still be nothing but a confused dead girl with a curse. Alex's expression was unreadable, but it seemed he was processing this, while Cyril seemed uncertain still.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's all well and good but...but why?
Mr. Bowie: Hmmmm?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I remember you. You're a monster, an unrepentant sociopath who tore people apart, you were a nightmare that cut across the whole place for so long!
Bowie grinned.
Mr. Bowie: I recall. What fun times those were.
The grin fades.
Mr. Bowie: But you're correct, Dr. Kuller. I AM a monster. And that's why I helped Eve.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: ….?
Mr. Bowie: I'm a monster, but I was born a man. And I have never forgotten those days of humanity. But...the chance to go back to what I was is far behind me. But that chance was still there for Eve. And she deserved it, considering she never once asked for any of this. To be made into a monster by the hands of others...I know it too well. She deserved a chance.
There's silence after that, all of them retreating inwards to mull this over. It took time for any of them to make a noise again.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: ...fine.
All eyes were on him now, as he looked Bowie straight in the eyes.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I don't trust you. You're still a nuclear bomb to me. But you...you helped her. I believe her when she says that your help was...just what she needed. So I...thank you.
He slowly reaches a hand across, that Bowie takes and shakes. Alex then extends his hand as well, and they shake too.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I don't have the same feelings about you Cyril does, so I can look at this with a cleaner view. But he's actually completely right. You're a nutcase...but I do thank you.
Mr. Bowie: You're welcome, the both of you. But, please...it was all Eve. If this wasn't what she wanted, it would never have happened.
He looked at her, and smiled.
Mr. Bowie: This was all her choice.
–
Alex and Cyril had been convinced to leave the house for a few minutes, as Bowie requested privacy so they could say their farewells.
Eve: So you're leaving now?
Mr. Bowie: Correct. I've spent enough time here, I don't like to be in one place for too long. Old habits.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls something out, holding it out to Eve. Eve reaches a hand out and takes it from him, realizing it to be a set of keys.
Eve: Wait, so these are...?
Mr. Bowie: The keys to this house. I have no use for it myself and I imagine that living in a big, mostly underground compound must get tiring.
She looks at the keys for a few moments in silence, a grin spreading across her face.
Eve: Thank you.
Mr. Bowie: Of course.
Eve: And I did something for you. I requested that Cyril not...tell anyone. About you. And neither will I.
Bowie blinks in surprise.
Mr. Bowie: Eve, you don't have to do that.
Eve: Maybe not. But I'm going to regardless.
He shakes this around in his head a bit, and smiles.
Mr. Bowie: Well. Thank you then.
He picks up his luggage, a single large duffel bag, and slings it over his shoulder. He turns, ready to begin walking out the door when Eve speaks up again.
Eve: You're wrong.
He turns back to face her, raising an eyebrow.
Eve: About it being too far behind you. You can still regain whatever it is you lost. You don't have to be a monster if you don't want to be.
He's silent for a short while, his expression unreadable. Finally, he smiles at her, but she isn't pleased to see it. It's sincere enough, but she can see what he was trying to use it to hide.
Mr. Bowie: I'm truly fortunate to have gotten to meet you, Eve. You're going to end up changing the world.
Eve: Well, I dunno about all that. I just...wanna right the really bad things done to people.
His response to those words surprised her. He stepped forward and embraced her. She was shocked, but returned it as he spoke.
Mr. Bowie: And I know you'll succeed at just that. And while you're doing that...
He pulled away from her, and the look on his face she wasn't certain about. Pride?
Mr. Bowie: Make sure they don't forget me...my Killer Queen.
She looks surprised by this new affectionate nickname, but that quickly turned into a smile.
Eve: I will. Until you can do it yourself.
His only response to that is a nod, before turning to leave again. This time Eve says nothing, and watches as he departs. She watches him walk down the driveway, down the path beyond it, and finally disappearing into the distance. Alex and Cyril stepped through the doorway he just left through, and went to her side.
Eve: I'm not really sorry. For going to him for this. I know it scared you both but...
Cyril sighed.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Eve. I don't approve, still, of you seeking him of all people out. But...I can't deny the results. Right now, I'm just happy for you.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Concurred.
She grins and wraps an arm around the both of them. Cyril is more than happy to return it, but the only response from Alex is a loud grinding sound as his jaw grinds on his teeth displeased with the physical contact but for just once allowing it due to the situation.
She releases the hug and takes a step forward, looking out at the night sky.
Eve: So, time to meet the future, I guess.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Into the unknown. So, Eve, now that you've achieved becoming yourself...what will you do first?
She turned to look at the two of them, and grinned.
Eve: Oh...I've got an idea or two...
She turned again to face the night sky, and the future beyond it.
Eve: Let's see which one I choose first.
The man walked down the road, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He walked northwest, thinking perhaps of passing the border and seeing what the northern snows would hold for him. But something bothered him. Some words scratching at the back of his mind, along with something else.
The constant pain was still there at the back of his head, reminding him of what he still tried to avoid.
He stopped. And thought of what she had said. He didn't have to be himself. To be or not to be...there's always a choice, right?
He turned and began back down the path he'd just walked. Now he moved southeast, one destination in mind.
His choice was made.
It was finally time to haunt them.
Mr. Bowie: Eve, what's come over you?
Eve: I...
She takes a small breath and lets it out in a sigh.
Eve: I'm nervous.
He quirks an eyebrow as he expression changes to one of amusement.
Mr. Bowie: The personification of all evil in this world...feels nervous?
Eve: Look, no one's more surprised about it than me. It's just that...I'm finally going to be going back. To wrestling, to Revo, and it's suddenly leaving me nervous. I mean, did you see me then? I was a whack job, attacking people, setting people on fire-
Mr. Bowie: Which was a great show, I might add.
Eve: Oh it was fun, but now it's just...I don't know how people will react to me. I know that I'm not the brainwashed patchwork murderdoll I was then, but I can't expect anyone else to believe me that I'm not just Iwakuma's devoted lackey. That I haven't changed. That I'm not what someone else made me.
He took a moment to consider this, still looking amused.
Mr. Bowie: Hm. How human.
He then reached one hand out and patted her on the head.
Mr. Bowie: You're worrying about stupid things, Eve. Worrying about what other people think of you is nothing but a waste of your time. Seeking acceptance, or forgiveness, or acknowledgment of what you've accomplished is pointless. It's nothing but a way to give people power over you again. And hasn't all of this been due to others having power over you?
She sat for a while before nodding in agreement.
Eve: You're right. But that doesn't really help stop the feeling.
Mr. Bowie: Of course not. Acknowledging that a feeling isn't correct is never enough to stop it. Feelings are too strong for that, they root into you and keep themselves there regardless. But, that's what you chose. Your journey was to gain the ability to have this problem.
She sighed.
Eve: I know, I know. It's still annoying.
He smiled.
Mr. Bowie: Quite. But such is “humanity”!
He sat back in his chair as Eve mulled this over in her head. Then she reached for her bag, rummaging through it. Her face twists in confusion, as she begins to pat her pockets. She stands and reaches down in the recesses of the chair's cushion, searching for something.
Eve: Hey, have you seen my phone? I swear I had it on me when I came over.
Mr. Bowie: Sorry, haven't seen it.
Unnoticed by Eve as she continued to search Bowie pulled a cell phone, hers, from his pocket. He took a quick look at it, smiled, and shut it off before pocketing it again.
–
Cyril let out a yell of anger before throwing his phone to the ground, shattering it. Alexander stood next to him, concern evident even behind his mask and goggles.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: She's not responding at all.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Cyril, there's plenty of reasons that she wouldn't respond beyond assuming the worst.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Really? With everything I've told you about him, you want to hope for the best?
The cyborg is silent a moment.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...no.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's what I thought. We're going to have to do this now.
Alex sighed, but nodded.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I agree. We can't risk anything happening to her.
Cyril nodded at this, and handed his brother one of the mini-teleporters, himself hefting another.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Gate, are you ready?
There was a noise from behind them, the two turning to look at the main computer as the digital face of the AI named Gate appeared, two carats with a small line at the bottom between them.
Gate: Of course! I have located the GPS signal from her cell phone, and have fed it into your teleporters, with the requested offset of a half-mile.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: A half-mile, brother?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I want us to get some kind of recon before we go in. Besides, who knows what'd happen if we just went straight in? All we know, the phone might be in a fire pit.
The cyborg doesn't seem to bothered by this.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Most of my nerve endings are dead anyway.
Cyril only looks down at the floor, as Alex realizes his joke hadn't gone over too well.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I...apologize. It was funnier in my head.
Cyril looked back up at him and tried his best to give a reassuring smile.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: It's fine, I'm glad you're in a mood to make jokes, I haven't heard you try one in years. I just...I'm so worried about her.
Alex reaches out and claps a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: And I am too. But Eve is stronger than we've admitted she is. She won't lose herself that easily.
Cyril nods.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're right.
Alex smiles behind his mask.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I often am. Now, let's go and see our favorite girl.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Right. Gate, preparations complete!
Gate: Acknowledged! Last GPS signal locked on, teleporters prepped!
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Hm? Last signal?
The digital face slowly moves up to the top of the screen, down to the bottom of it and then back to center, a weird imitation of a nod.
Gate: Correct! Her cell phone was just turned off.
The brothers shared a look.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Well that's not worrying.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Quite. Let's handle this.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yeah. And let's re-bury this son of a bitch.
They both pressed the teleporters simultaneously, and both disappeared in a quick flash of light.
–
The sudden beeping made Eve forget her search. She looked around in confusion, trying to place it, while Bowie simply stood up and moved to a cabinet.
Eve: What is that?
Mr. Bowie: Motion detector.
He opened the cabinet and pulled out a monitor, cables trailing behind it connected into the wall. He fiddled with it as he continued to talk.
Mr. Bowie: I'm a cautious man, so I had this set up so I could be ready if someone managed to find me. That's how I knew you were coming.
Eve: Well that explains everything. So we've got unexpected company?
Mr. Bowie: Well. Unexpected for you, maybe, I've been expecting them for a while now. This was inevitable, you see.
Eve quirked an eyebrow as he continued to fiddle with the monitor, finally seeing what he wanted.
Mr. Bowie: Two of them. Showed up closer in than I have set up for, ain't that something. Oh well, that makes this fun. Let's see...two people, expect the simplest tactics.
He took a few steps back, standing in the living room in the spot that gave him view of both the back and front doors.
Eve: Who exactly have you been expecting? And why haven't you, y'know, mentioned this?
Mr. Bowie: Haven't mentioned it because, frankly, you'd have freaked out. I've been waiting for this confrontation since you first mentioned them to me...
Eve: Mentioned who....
Her eyes widen.
Eve: Hang on! You can't mean-?!
What she intended to say is drowned out by wood splintering as two doors are kicked open simultaneously, and suddenly there were a lot of guns. Alex stepped in from the front, the pistol connected to his leg in hand while Cyril came in through the back door, shotgun in hand. Bowie had a pistol in each hand that he'd yanked from the back of his belt, a desert eagle in one hand and a glock in the other. One aimed at each of the brothers. Eve could only look on in shock.
Mr. Bowie: Hello Doktors! I've been looking forward to meeting you!
Cyril's jaw clenched in anger.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Don't say a word. I thought I was behind having to hear you speak every two weeks.
Mr. Bowie: Well, you know how nightmares work. Just when you think they've finally left you alone...they come surging right back.
Eve: Um.
Alex turns his head just enough to let Eve know he was going to speak to her, while making sure his target was still in his vision.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Eve, you've made a mistake.
Eve: ...nooooo?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yes! Have you noticed who you've been getting “help” from?!
Eve: Cyril...I knew who I was looking for.
Mr. Bowie: Hey, you can't blame her, “Cyril”! If your doctor's not providing effective care, you seek out alternative treatment!
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're not treatment! You're a disease!
Mr. Bowie: And yet she's doing so well.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Not thanks to you. In spite of you.
Eve: Uh...
Cyril's eyes fall on her, and she shirks back a bit from the anger and...fear in them. She realized just how much her doing this had affected him.
Eve: I'm sor-
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Save it! We'll talk about it when we're done with this!
Mr. Bowie: Really? Because this might take a while. We're in a bit of a standoff now, aren't we?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Even you can't take us both down before we kill you.
Mr. Bowie: True...or we could let Eve handle this.
Everyone seems confused by this, as Bowie looks at Eve.
Mr. Bowie: Desk next to your chair. Open the top drawer.
She, after a moment, did so. Pulling it open and retrieving what was in it. And now Eve had a gun too.
Eve: Um.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Um.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Um.
Bowie grinned.
Mr. Bowie: Now you come to the end of our sessions together, Eve. Now you make your final choice. Who will you kill?
Eve: UM.
Mr. Bowie: Someone's going to kill someone. At this point, whoever goes down decides your future. Who will be left for you to go with. Now, knowing everything you do about me and what I've done to people...you could shoot me dead.
Eve: But I don't want to do that!
Mr. Bowie: Well then. You can take the other option.
Eve: Which is...?
Mr. Bowie: Joining me.
Eve: I'm sorry?
Mr. Bowie: You've gone through all of this, you have all these feelings. And now you can choose to let them go.
Eve couldn't find the words to respond to this, so Bowie just continued on.
Mr. Bowie: Your entire life you've been used! Someone has power over you, they abuse it! But you're strong, stronger than maybe anything else on this Earth! Your potential is unbelievable! And you could use it for your own benefit, instead of someone elses. Your feelings aren't the strength you've sought, they're a weakness. Now that you have them, you have the power to see that.
He grinned at her, and it's far too wide to be comfortable.
Mr. Bowie: You could be more than the Perfect Evil. You could be everything in this world.
He looked at the two brothers quickly, then back to her.
Mr. Bowie: All you have to do is shoot one of them. I can take the other, and we'll be free to do whatever we want. The only people in control of us would be ourselves.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're a lunatic!
Mr. Bowie: MAYBE I AM! But it's not up to you what happens next is it?! Or me! IT'S UP TO HER!
Eve suddenly felt all the eyes in the room focus on her.
Mr. Bowie: So choose!
Eve: I...I dunno if I make that kind of choice.
Mr. Bowie: You're the only one who can! This is who you'll be! So go into yourself, into your head, and think! Don't listen to my words, or their words, or anyone's words! Just look at your choices, and CHOOSE!
Her breathing was too fast, and she felt like her chest was gonna tighten up and choke her. But finally she spoke.
Eve: Fine....fine....fine...
Her eyes shut.
She stood in front of the doors. The other two parts of her both had their faces pressed against the window of their doors, arms sticking out from the parted doors, shouting at her. Instructions, taunts, slurs, orders of who to shoot. She shut the doors completely for now, locked the windows so she could hear neither of them. She wanted this to be just her. She needed to think.
She thought of everything good she had felt since finding herself. The joys of her friendships, of the bizarre family she was now building. She remembered the tears running down her face as she embraced Cyril, realizing he was still alive. She remembered embracing Alex, swearing that she'd never let what happened to him and to her happen again. The laughs of a stupid trip to Vegas, getting drunk with a bunch of students she had hated up till that moment because she was made to, until she met them and realized they were worthy people. A walk down the Vegas Strip, talking about nothing but everything at the same time, and the feeling of finally having a friend. All of these things that brought warmth to her, could she really let herself destroy all of that?
But at the same time, she knew Bowie had a point. People WERE fleeting, they DID have a habit of using her. Any time people had held any kind of power over her, they had abused it. She still remembered the sight of her body covered in so many scars, even thought her transformation had erased them from her. She could still feel them sometimes. Could she really still let people be able to take advantage of her, especially now that she was so powerful she could make it so that never happens again, if she just decided to?
Two paths, and she could pick only one. She had to pick what kind of person she would be, forevermore. She had to make a choice.
She took a deep breath.
She held it.
She let it out.
Her eyes opened.
And she aimed the pistol at Bowie and pulled the trigger twice.
-KLK KLK-
Everyone but Bowie looked at the gun in confusion as it rang empty. Those eyes then all turned, at once, to Bowie, who simply smiled and hit the release on both of his guns, and the three watched as two empty magazines dropped to the floor, followed by the guns.
Eve: ...at this point I need to stop being surprised when shit like this happens.
Bowie stepped towards her, Alexander and Cyril both too confused to try and stop him as he approached her.
Mr. Bowie: Eve. I didn't lie, I wanted you to make the choice of what path you wanted to go down on entirely as yourself. No outside interference or influence to change your mind. And while I certainly wanted you to choose to travel with me...you also would have needed to know that your choices have consequences, even if you became like me.
Eve could only stare at him for a while, the other two doing the same, before a slightly bewildered smile appears on Eve's face.
Eve: You're a fucking lunatic.
He smiled back.
Mr. Bowie: Well, I can't really deny that.
–
It was a tense conversation after, to say the least. Neither Cyril nor Alex were comfortable actually sitting and talking with the two, but Eve managed to get them sat down and listening to her. For them she laid out the past few months: her seeking out Bowie, their initial meeting (Cyril seemed ready to tear him apart when told about him murdering her, but Alex kept him down), and their trials together as he helped her find herself. Of how he had every opportunity to convince her to become like him, but he never once did until after she found herself. Eve explained to them that she knew his reputation and his deeds, but that without him she'd still be nothing but a confused dead girl with a curse. Alex's expression was unreadable, but it seemed he was processing this, while Cyril seemed uncertain still.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's all well and good but...but why?
Mr. Bowie: Hmmmm?
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I remember you. You're a monster, an unrepentant sociopath who tore people apart, you were a nightmare that cut across the whole place for so long!
Bowie grinned.
Mr. Bowie: I recall. What fun times those were.
The grin fades.
Mr. Bowie: But you're correct, Dr. Kuller. I AM a monster. And that's why I helped Eve.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: ….?
Mr. Bowie: I'm a monster, but I was born a man. And I have never forgotten those days of humanity. But...the chance to go back to what I was is far behind me. But that chance was still there for Eve. And she deserved it, considering she never once asked for any of this. To be made into a monster by the hands of others...I know it too well. She deserved a chance.
There's silence after that, all of them retreating inwards to mull this over. It took time for any of them to make a noise again.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: ...fine.
All eyes were on him now, as he looked Bowie straight in the eyes.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: I don't trust you. You're still a nuclear bomb to me. But you...you helped her. I believe her when she says that your help was...just what she needed. So I...thank you.
He slowly reaches a hand across, that Bowie takes and shakes. Alex then extends his hand as well, and they shake too.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: I don't have the same feelings about you Cyril does, so I can look at this with a cleaner view. But he's actually completely right. You're a nutcase...but I do thank you.
Mr. Bowie: You're welcome, the both of you. But, please...it was all Eve. If this wasn't what she wanted, it would never have happened.
He looked at her, and smiled.
Mr. Bowie: This was all her choice.
–
Alex and Cyril had been convinced to leave the house for a few minutes, as Bowie requested privacy so they could say their farewells.
Eve: So you're leaving now?
Mr. Bowie: Correct. I've spent enough time here, I don't like to be in one place for too long. Old habits.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls something out, holding it out to Eve. Eve reaches a hand out and takes it from him, realizing it to be a set of keys.
Eve: Wait, so these are...?
Mr. Bowie: The keys to this house. I have no use for it myself and I imagine that living in a big, mostly underground compound must get tiring.
She looks at the keys for a few moments in silence, a grin spreading across her face.
Eve: Thank you.
Mr. Bowie: Of course.
Eve: And I did something for you. I requested that Cyril not...tell anyone. About you. And neither will I.
Bowie blinks in surprise.
Mr. Bowie: Eve, you don't have to do that.
Eve: Maybe not. But I'm going to regardless.
He shakes this around in his head a bit, and smiles.
Mr. Bowie: Well. Thank you then.
He picks up his luggage, a single large duffel bag, and slings it over his shoulder. He turns, ready to begin walking out the door when Eve speaks up again.
Eve: You're wrong.
He turns back to face her, raising an eyebrow.
Eve: About it being too far behind you. You can still regain whatever it is you lost. You don't have to be a monster if you don't want to be.
He's silent for a short while, his expression unreadable. Finally, he smiles at her, but she isn't pleased to see it. It's sincere enough, but she can see what he was trying to use it to hide.
Mr. Bowie: I'm truly fortunate to have gotten to meet you, Eve. You're going to end up changing the world.
Eve: Well, I dunno about all that. I just...wanna right the really bad things done to people.
His response to those words surprised her. He stepped forward and embraced her. She was shocked, but returned it as he spoke.
Mr. Bowie: And I know you'll succeed at just that. And while you're doing that...
He pulled away from her, and the look on his face she wasn't certain about. Pride?
Mr. Bowie: Make sure they don't forget me...my Killer Queen.
She looks surprised by this new affectionate nickname, but that quickly turned into a smile.
Eve: I will. Until you can do it yourself.
His only response to that is a nod, before turning to leave again. This time Eve says nothing, and watches as he departs. She watches him walk down the driveway, down the path beyond it, and finally disappearing into the distance. Alex and Cyril stepped through the doorway he just left through, and went to her side.
Eve: I'm not really sorry. For going to him for this. I know it scared you both but...
Cyril sighed.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Eve. I don't approve, still, of you seeking him of all people out. But...I can't deny the results. Right now, I'm just happy for you.
Doktor Alexander Adversary: Concurred.
She grins and wraps an arm around the both of them. Cyril is more than happy to return it, but the only response from Alex is a loud grinding sound as his jaw grinds on his teeth displeased with the physical contact but for just once allowing it due to the situation.
She releases the hug and takes a step forward, looking out at the night sky.
Eve: So, time to meet the future, I guess.
Dr. Cyril Kuller: Into the unknown. So, Eve, now that you've achieved becoming yourself...what will you do first?
She turned to look at the two of them, and grinned.
Eve: Oh...I've got an idea or two...
She turned again to face the night sky, and the future beyond it.
Eve: Let's see which one I choose first.
The Beginning
The man walked down the road, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He walked northwest, thinking perhaps of passing the border and seeing what the northern snows would hold for him. But something bothered him. Some words scratching at the back of his mind, along with something else.
The constant pain was still there at the back of his head, reminding him of what he still tried to avoid.
He stopped. And thought of what she had said. He didn't have to be himself. To be or not to be...there's always a choice, right?
He turned and began back down the path he'd just walked. Now he moved southeast, one destination in mind.
His choice was made.
It was finally time to haunt them.
