IMMOLATION: CHAPTER 31

Tea Leaves sat outside his apartment in his car, listening to the engine idle. Everything looked fine, but if Early Bird was inside...

Tea Leaves shut off the car and made his way up the steps, on the lookout for any signs of forced entry. Nothing. He unlocked the front door stepped over the threshold and into the dark entryway. He didn't turn on any lights and instead crept from room to room. The bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room were empty and undisturbed.

Tea Leaves stood facing the cupboard. He opened it and reached behind the folded linens to the hidden switch and flipped it. The back of the cupboard swung open and Tea Leaves stepped in through the now open door and into the other kitchen. It looked very much like the kitchen he'd already searched, except for the dirt and filth that covered everything. It had taken him a lot of hard work to make the dirt and grim look natural. That was important, make them believe they were in a broken down and abandoned part of town. Makes them less likely to try to escape.

The dirt on the floor looked undisturbed and Tea Leave followed the steps he'd memorized long ago so that he could walk without disturbing the dust. The kitchen was untouched, as well as the bathroom. All but one of the four remaining doors were false and triggered traps when opened. None of the traps were triggered and before long Tea Leaves found himself with only one more door to check.

He hadn't been in that room for a while, longer than he really should have left it alone. He opened the door. Everything was as he remembered it, everything where he'd left it. His stomach turned and he shut the door. He'd never had to deal with guilt before, never regretted doing what he did...until now.

He sighed, still facing the door. He should really go in and clean things up a bit.

“Hello, Simon.”

Tea Leaves spun around, shocked at hearing his name, his real name, in time to see the hulking form of Early Bird looming over him, bringing a heavy fist down into Tea Leaves face. Tea Leaves' knees buckled beneath the blow and his vision blurred.

“You are weak, Simon,” Early Bird growled and he struck again, this time planting a booted foot into Tea Leaves' stomach.

“I killed her, she's dead,” Tea Leaves pleaded with Early Bird and he curled up into the fetal position to shield his body from any more blows. “See, in there, she's dead,” Tea Leaves risked pointing a trembling finger to the room he'd just looked into.

“I have seen your work,” Early Bird rumbled, “But you waited, you postponed, and that indecision could destroy us all.”

Tea Leaves looked out from his cowering shell and met Early Birds gaze. “So, are you here to kill me?” He asked.

Early Bird stooped down so his face was level with Tea Leaves. “Most certainly,” He said.

“Pity,” Tea Leaves said and his arm shot out toward Early Bird, a damp cloth held between his fingers.

Tea Leaves pressed the cloth against Early Bird's face and Early Bird fell back, staggering and coughing but he did not fall unconscious. Tea Leaves cursed but he was up on his feet in a flash and delivered a swift kick of his own to Early Bird's face who crashed backwards onto his back with a groan.

“If you really wanted me dead,” Tea Leaves said as he placed another well aimed kick into Early Bird's back, “You should have shot me, or stabbed me, or slit my throat while you still had the element of surprise.”

Tea Leaves brought another kick around but Early Bird was ready for him and he deflected the blow. Tea Leaves wavered off balance and in that moment Early Bird threw himself into Tea Leaves and both of them fell to the floor.

“My instructions,” Early Bird grunted as he and Tea Leaves wrestled on the floor, “Was to make it last.”

Tea Leaves elbowed Early Bird and struggled free of his grip. He rolled over on the floor and turned to face him once more but was faced with an empty hallway.

“Where—

Early Bird reached around from behind Tea Leaves and held a damp cloth to his face. The damp cloth he'd tried to use against Early Bird before.

Tea Leaves held his breath and fought against the headlock but he knew he didn't have much time before he'd succumb.

“You are meant to linger, Simon,” Early Bird panted through his broken nose and swollen lip.

Early Bird said something more but Tea Leaves couldn't make it out as the world around him faded to black.