Story: The Baroness Part 3

## Description

The Agent begins to dig deeper in hopes of uncovering the reason for why Elisa is so reluctant to share here problems with everyone else.

### Wednesday; October 1st 2014

Flynn examining the dirt on the ground checking for footprints. “You might have a point… I suppose it would be easier for him to try to manipulate you. I already know his face so it’s likely he is worried I will recognise him.”

Elisa: “He is being careful. Probably using other SKOR to do his business.” Elisa looking towards the pharmacy catching sight of a shadow inside the building. Elisa holding her finger up to her mouth. Shushing Flynn. Flynn turning to the pharmacy as Elisa points towards it. Elisa muttering quietly. “I saw movement.” Flynn nodding. Getting up he slowly proceeds to sneak towards the pharmacy. He can see the front door is locked. He climbs through one of the already broken windows. Elisa slowly walking after him. Flynn gesturing for Elisa not to walk any closer towards the building.

Flynn proceeds to investigate the building. The glass crunching beneath his boots. He can hear people talking. They haven’t heard him. Flynn silently kicking debris across the floor. Clearing the floor around his feet. Slowly sneaking towards the door. Leaning against the wall.

Stepping sideways his arm knocking a beer bottle off the counter. The beer bottle falling off the counter smashing. Flynn cursing under his breath. The two people stop talking. The door opening. Flynn ducking behind the counter.

One of the men: “What was that?” Younger man: “Somebody here?” The younger man shouting into the pharmacy. The older man: “Who the fuck are you?” Flynn knowing he has just been caught. He slowly gets up from behind the counter. Holding his hands up in front of me. “Hold on. Let me explain.”

The older man turning to the younger kid. “Fuck. This guy with the police? Did you dob on me man?” The younger Man: “No bruv. I never dobbed on you. Some bitch ass down the road must’ve ratted us out.” The older man holding a cigarette dropping it on the floor. Putting it out with his foot.

Flynn attempting to diffuse the situation: “I’m not with the cops alight? I’m just here looking for a dog. Okay?” The older man turning to the kid. “I don’t fucking believe this jerk off. Do you?” The younger boy shaking his head.

The older man is now getting confrontational. Getting close to Flynn’s face spitting: “I think you’re fucking lying to me mate. Flynn backing up. Knowing he can’t fight the two lads. Worried they might catch sight of the pistol in his holster. Flynn backing up. The older man getting closer. Staring him straight in the face. Breathing his hot; drug riddled breath all over Flynn’s face. Flynn eventually backing up into the counter. He can’t back up any further. Elisa is watching from the distance as she can hear them attempting to attack Flynn.

Elisa jumping through the window the older man turning his attention to her. The dirty man smiling a grin: “Fucking whore. It was you wasn’t it?” Flynn talking to the man. “Back off. I don’t want to hurt you.” The man: “You ain’t hurting shit bitch.” The man throwing a sucker punch at Flynn. Flynn grabbing the man ‘s hand. Holding it back. The man grunting. Pulling his arm away from Flynn. Flynn using it as an opportunity to jump over the counter and walk over to the window where Elisa is standing. Elisa playing dumb: “What’s going on?”

The man sliding over the counter shouting at Elisa: “Someone fucking let slip we’ve had to move our dealings all over town because some asshole keeps chasing away our customers.” Elisa and Flynn looking at each other. Elisa: “chasing?” The younger teen whining: “Yeah. Some fucker out there is probably getting them banged up.” the younger boy spitting on the floor.

The older man tired of Flynn starts running at him throwing another punch at him. Flynn moving out the way. The man throwing another punch flynn protecting his face. The punch connecting with his shoulder.

Flynn stepping back. Elisa unsure what to do. Knowing she can’t intervene with the fight. Elisa wanting to desperately scare him away; but knowing she can’t.

Elisa shouting: “Stop! That’s enough.”

The older man taunting: “Shut up you stupid whore. Fucking bitch is going see what he gets for snitching on my territory.” Flynn still deflecting the man's punches. The punches making contact with his skin. Bruising him. The man throwing punches faster than Flynn can fight back. Flynn is backing up slowly trying to retreat.

Flynn winding his foot back kicking the older man hoping to get him away. The older man grunting slowly tiring. Landing one final punch to Flynn’s chest before Elisa kicks the man in crotch. The man dropping to the ground holding himself. Whining.

Flynn shaking the pain from his arms. Coughing. Flynn impressed by Elisa’s effective kick.

Elisa looking up to Flynn: “We need to go.” Flynn agreeing Elisa helping Flynn over the window ledge as they walk outside towards Flynn’s car. Flynn coughing and bruised but otherwise fine. Elisa getting in the driver's seat of the car; Flynn jumping into the passenger's seat. Weakly slamming the door shut.

As Elisa drives the vehicle back towards Flynn’s house. Elisa on the trip back talking to Flynn as Flynn catches his breath. “Did you hear what he said? Potential SKOR in Crawsons Street.” Flynn smirking: “I did… if that’s true. Could it be our friend?” Elisa nodding: “Potentially.” Flynn thinking: “Crawsons Street is actually fairly close to the- Oh shit.” Elisa curious: “What?” Flynn continues: “The house where the bastard SKOR taunted us. The dead council guy. It’s not that far away is it?” Elisa shaking her head. “Where was that house?”

Flynn smiling: “Millers Court” Elisa quiet. Flynn feels the area may very well be one large nest for Vincent. Flynn leaning back in the chair holding his shoulder. “We may have very well just found his nest.”

### Wednesday; October 1st 2014; 07:20pm

As the two return back to Flynn’s house. Flynn finally listens to the voicemail of Michelle.

Michelle: “Flynn; I know you’re still pissed at me but at least come back to HQ. We’ve got some bits and pieces picked up from clean up. You’ve got to at least check this out.”

Elisa hearing the voice mail looking up at Flynn confused. “Clean up? Don’t they have other people for that?”

Flynn exhaling: “yeah… They’ve started sending out agents to clean up again. Apparently they’ve been making a lot of call outs to Daleford so they’ve been trying to keep things as cost effective as possible… given our size it’s not as if we have anyone of our own  to take care of that stuff. Plus… the suspected SKOR is still alive. So the person must have combat training. Hence the agent.”

Elisa nodding; concerned now that they are looking over the mess she left behind at Dorse Hill. Flynn sighing. “Come with me so Michelle won’t bite my head off. Plus she’ll probably want to hear about Vincent I guess.” Flynn shrugging.

Elisa nodding.

### Wednesday; October 1st 2014; 07:45pm

Meanwhile at HQ. Michelle is looking at bagged up tools with the Agent. They’re all on the tables setup for Michelle and the Agent to have a look at.

The agent explaining: “I’ve contacted Central. They’ll be sending someone over to collect these tomorrow. We’ve followed protocol so everything should be fine.”

Michelle looking closely at the axe. “So someone cut Baron’s arm of. Huh?” The Agent nodding. “What is strange is there appeared to be a discarded carton from a bandage on the floor; so whoever did it must’ve taken Baron to save her life. Who would fight a SKOR and attempt to save its life?” Michelle shrugging.

“Baron is a tricky one. It’s likely she just convinced them too.” The Agent shaking his head. “She is the kind of SKOR that rules herself. She is dominant in nature I’m not so sure she’d allow that to happen.” Michelle shaking her head: “But she did didn’t she? She let our VIP shoot her in the back. She was in poor health already it can’t have been hard for whoever this was to protect themselves.”

Michelle pointing at the photos of the victim. “She didn’t kill him like you’d usually see on the victim. His legs were broken.” the agent nodding. “I feel for Baron that she’d be quite careful when selecting her targets. Food needs to be in good condition as shown in some of the police reports as well. The ones that are definitely confirmed connected to the Daleford Devil are that all the targets had no… disabilities. No broken limbs. That much was clear. Her dominance over other Skor enforced by how she acts and who she chooses.”

Michelle biting her nail. “So she breaks the guy’s legs… why?”

The agent: “She wanted him alive.”

Michelle confused again: “but he died.” the agent nodding “from blood loss. A separate injury. I believe she had no intention of killing him.” michelle shaking her head. “Now that is confusing.” Michelle thinking again looking at the axe. “I think someone interrupted Baron.” Agent assertively. “I had been feeding Baron she would not have been hungry.”

Michelle shaking her head: “All this thinking is getting us nowhere.”

Radford agreeing michelle can hear banging on the back door. Michelle walking towards the back door opens it. Flynn and Elisa walking inside. Michelle and Flynn still annoyed at each other.

Elisa and the Agent just looking at each other nervously. Elisa wanting to get down to business asking the Agent: “So what’s going on. What is all this stuff?”

The agent nodding. “Ah. Right. Well all of this here is what I found when investigating a clean-up request.” Elisa still nervous: “What happened there?” The agent shrugging. “No clue but you know what this isn’t the first clean-up I was informed by a superior that there was a request made at Earls Close last month.” \*Elisa’s heart beating. The agent turning to Flynn. “Would Vincent have a reason to want to kill other Skor?” elisa thinking to herself: “Right..  if it wasn’t for Vincent causing trouble I might be in serious trouble here.”

Flynn leaning against a filing cabinet. “I couldn’t tell you. The hunter I knew wasn’t really him. He is a liar.” Agent accepting Flynn’s response but unsatisfied.

Agent shrugging: “Either way I can tell a Skor was involved in both attacks.” Elisa looking at the agent curious. “How?”

The agent gesturing for Elisa to come close to him. He points at the handle of the axe. “Right there. You see those scratch marks on the paint right there. They’re from claws. The wielder had clawed fingers.

It would have been much harder to detect had they not been undisguised.” Elisa noticing the scratch marks on the axe. Her claws. She knows it makes sense. Elisa looking at the photos on the table. Pictures taken of white paint on the back wall of the garage. Elisa looking at them then looking back at the agent. Nervous again. Elisa trying to unravel the agent’s argument. “Those marks could have been from baron though. Right?”

The agent smiling. “I thought that too… but then. She has weapons. Our weapons still. If she wanted to use a weapon she could have easily done so. She doesn’t use weapons.” Flynn responding: “That we know of. I think Elisa made a good point.” Flynn scratching his beard: “but then we’d have to deal with the fact that we have a hunter acting illegally on hands. Which is bad news for them. Right.” Michelle sitting back in her chair. “Are we absolutely certain none of us did it?” Michelle still annoyed with Flynn muttering. Flynn nodding: “That I am certain of.” The agent smiling “Hey if I made a mess I would clean it up.”

Elisa lying. Pointing to her shoulder: “I’m not allowed and it is unlikely I am doing anything with this injury.”

Elisa pulling her shirt down revealing the plastered wound on her arm. Michelle curious to Elisa Michelle getting up putting her hand on Elisa’s shoulder. Elisa flinching. Michelle apologetically: “Sorry; still bad then huh?”

Elisa nodding. Michelle: “That is going to leave a rather nasty scar…” Michelle feeling sad. “Here I was trying to save my life and find Vincent I think I’ve made a mistake here.” Michelle getting off the chair walking despairingly outside the office. Flynn now feeling bad for Michelle realizing she is doing a lot right now with Skornhold. Flynn putting his arm on her shoulder. “Mich’ You’re doing fine… I should be helping. It is my fault. Alright?”

Elisa shaking her head. “Flynn you’ve been trying to keep me safe. I thank you for that but I think Michelle and the agent need you here more.” Flynn and Michelle turning to Elisa.

Elisa looking at the ground. “I don’t think Vincent wants to deal with me when you’re around.” Flynn nodding “You have a point Elisa.”

Michelle confused: “What?” Elisa explaining: “He has been doing a lot all night; Watching over me and taking care of HQ. I don’t believe that is right. Do you?”

Michelle nodding: “We need a new strategy.” Michelle going back to the table of evidence. Picking up a bag with the empty bandage tubes. “I think we put this on hold.” Flynn confused: “What?”

Michelle looking over all of it. “It is throwing us off our active case. We have limited resources there isn’t much we can do they didn’t leave much behind.” the agent thinking about the arm: “Aside from Baron’s arm… the arm she bandaged.” the agent clicking his fingers together. “This person was saving Baron” Flynn shaking his head. “Are you for real right now?” the agent holding his hand out. “Hold on. Hear me out here. That arm was infected. Now if that was left alone she would have died. They cut her arm off to save her life; bandaged her up and took her somewhere this has to be vincent. Right?” flynn nodding following the agent's theory. Michelle exhaling: “So it is… now what?”

Agent nodding: “Let me get on the cctv camera around that place; maybe check a pharmacy. We might get some answers.” Elisa now desperate to put a stop to this. Knowing it would be bad if the agent caught on to what Elisa was doing. “Michelle… now with this stuff aside. What do you want to do?” Michelle thinking. “How about we ask the police and see if we can get some info on the guys working with Elisa. Find some inconsistencies or ID. Maybe then check to find our guy.” Flynn slapping his forehead “Shit. That is a damn good idea.” the agent looking at the table turning to Michelle. “You will need a warrant for that. Getting that cleared my take over a week at least.” Michelle turning to Elisa: “Can you wait until then?” Elisa nodding.

### Thursday; October 2nd 2014: 5:05pm

Elisa is back home from helping Skornhold;’ Baron is asleep again. As elisa sits on a chair she throws some new clothes onto Baron. Baron waking up yawning looking at Elisa. Rolling her eyes. “Again?” Baron snarls. Elisa explaining: “They should fit at least. They’re your size.” Baron looking at the clothes. Elia shrugging. “Just put those on for now and when you get cleaned up properly we can go out Saturday and then you can pick out whatever you want.”

Elisa wanting to test Baron. “You retracted earlier. How long could you hold it for?” Baron snorting “2 hours.” Elisa nodding. “2 hours is enough time. In these next couple of days you should be able to be a lot more stable doing it.” Baron smirking “If you’re so sure about that.”

Elisa getting some more items out of the bag. Baron staring at the items elisa is holding. Baron looking up at Elisa. “What are those?”

Elisa nodding: “Make-Up. It will hide the scars… and the bruises…” Baron snorting: “and my face… right?” baron smirks. “I don’t want that on me.” Elisa shaking her head. “Saturday and you don’t have a choice remember? For crying out loud stop being so difficult I have never seen a Skor being afraid of this before” Baron falling for the taunt. “I am not afraid of anything.” Elisa shouting back holding the tube of makeup in her hand she smiles at Baron mocking her: “Prove it.”

Baron glares at Elisa

### Thursday; October 2nd 2014: 7:23pm

Meanwhile the agent is looking through cctv of the nearest pharmacy.

He clicks on the hard drive and looks at a folder labelled with this week's dates and begins to view the videos fast forwarding through the footage. As Radford views the hard drive he notices something unusual.

The video file of Tuesday; September 30th 2014 at 5:00pm is missing. Radford turning to the assistant. “Missing something?” the assistant looks confused. “why is 5:00pm missing? Where is the rest of it?”

The assistant shaking her head confused. She looks closely at the screen. “It should be there we most certainly recorded it. Try another camera.”

The agent click into a folder labelled Camera 2. The file is missing. Then Camera 3 missing. Camera 4 missing. All of the cameras are missing 5:00pm. The agent cursing. “Shit. They covered their tracks. Have you been broken into recently?” the assistant shaking her head. “No… not that I know of.” The agent turning up to the assistant “You might want to report one.” The agent standing up begins to walk out of the pharmacy knowing he won’t find any answers there.

The agent approaching a gutter pipe noticies white scratch marks on the plastic. This leads him to think about the axe handle again. He runs his finger along the scratches. Getting out a piece of paper he puts it up to the pipe and begins to scribble over it the marks leaving a white line on the piece of paper taking it off. He folds the paper up and takes out a camera phone taking a picture of the scratches.

### Saturday; October 4th 2014: 7:00am

Fast forwarding to Saturday. Elisa has missed 3 days of work. Elisa looking at her phone seeing texts from Mark. Asking where she has been for the passed few days. Elisa ignoring the texts pockets her phone. Elisa standing up watching Baron as she sleeps in the living room.

Elisa taps Baron on the shoulder waking her up.

Baron attempting to strike Elisa down with her fist Elisa grabbing her arm.

Elisa snapping: “What the hell was that?”

Baron snarling: “You’re still above me… you think I don’t want to change that?” Elisa rolling her eyes thinking to herself: “I should of known as Baron gets stronger that she’ll likely want to kill me. So I am going to have to make it clear that I am not backing down on this.” Elisa forcing herself. Glaring at Baron. “So what. Are you going to try to kill me whilst I am sleeping? We have an agreement and you’re following it through. We’re going to find Vincent and I am going to kill him.” Baron looking away from Elisa.

Baron pulling her hand away from Elisa. Elisa shrugging: “Can we get this over and done with.. The sooner we do it the sooner we can track down Vincent. Baron getting up walks out the room. Elisa following after Baron. Curious.

Baron enters the bathroom. Elisa confused believing that Baron has absolutely no intention of complying with her today. After 10 minutes; Baron exits the Bathroom dressed in the clothes that Elisa gave her. Baron folding her arms. “Disguise me.” Elisa nodding.

Elisa spends half an hour of carefully applying makeup masking Baron’s appearance. Elisa looking up at Baron. “How long can you hold that?” Baron muttering: “Long enough.” Elisa nodding. “Good. Let’s do it.”

Elia standing back from Baron she thinks to herself: “This is peculiar to

think the least… I think this might just work Baron looks like a completely different person. Unrecognisable. Elisa both nervous and excited grabbing her wallet off the table. Elisa thinking of what to identify Baron as. “A name. You are going to need a name and a back story. So I’m thinking a colleague at work… your name…” Elisa looking around to her bookshelf. Elisa combining the name of two writers. “Kerry Miles.” Baron looking at Elisa confused shaking her head. Baron smirking “Don’t I get a choice?” Elisa confused “I mean… sure if it sounds believable.”

Baron pointing to a name. Elisa raising her eyebrows curiously asking. “Why that name?”

Baron shrugging. “Sounds like Hell. Which would describe this to me.” elisa Helen Miles?” Baron nodding. Elisa scratching her head. “Right… you need to start calling me Elisa. I can’t have you calling me superior that would be weird.” Baron looking at Elisa blankly. Baron turning her head away. “I grew tired of calling you superior anyway.” Elisa confused: “What is that supposed to mean?” Baron responding looking annoyed. “Baron is not Baron anymore. My title gone. No Skor to control no nest of my own.” Elisa shaking her head. “no that is going to start confusing me. Let’s just go alright?” Baron agreeing.

### Saturday; October 4th 2014: 7:27am

Elisa drives towards a clothing store. Parking her car in the vast parking lot. Baron following closely behind her. Elisa glancing back every opportunity she gets making sure Baron doesn’t start behaving strangely. Baron taps Elisa on the shoulder Elisa questioning: “What is it Helen?” Baron briefly pulling a look of confusion the remembering the new ‘title’ Baron muttering “Why is that food staring at me?” Elisa and Baron stopping. Baron pointing to an older man. Aged 30. Eyeing up Baron. Elisa smiling muttering back. “I think he likes you.” Baron feeling superior again Baron smirking: “Could I make the food hunt for me?” Elia cussing Baron; “No and stop with the food thing. It’s incredibly strange.” Elisa continues to the stop. She finally reaches the inside the pair begin to look at clothes. Elisa is looking at some jackets removing them from the shelves. Baron confused looking back at Elisa. “What am I here for - “ Baron correcting herself before saying it outloud. “Elisa…” Elisa grabbing a shirt and showing it to Baron. “Disguising” Elisa smiling.

Elisa turning away looking at more clothes. Gesturing for Baron to come closer as someone walks close to the aisle. Elisa muttering. “ and an experiment of if you can blend in well enough. Which so far it seems to be working. Even with your arm the way it is some people are looking out of curiosity but nobody dare question it. Fortunately for us.” Baron curious. “Us?” Elisa nodding. “If you look out of place then that affects me too. I can’t risk that. Not now.” Elisa’s phone buzzing. Elisa holding her finger out. It is Alex on the other end.

Alex: “Sorry. I know you weren’t probably expecting me to call right? I’m with Mark right now we’re heading out for lunch. How about we get a bite to eat. That is if you’re alright.” Elisa turning to Baron smiling. “Now? Absolutely. I have a friend I am bringing though.” Alex nervously. “Who” Elisa lying “oh nobody really just my neighbour they’ve been helping me you see.”

Alex getting paranoid. “Oh shit. I just forgot I have to cancel I think they’re coming to inspect the gas boiler today.”

Elisa disappointed: “That’s a shame maybe we can make it just us and Mark then.” Alex nodding “Yeah sure. I will give Mark his phone back now.” Mark taking his phone back. Elisa muttering quickly “BigPizzaShack half an hour. Outlet centre and don’t be late”  Mark just going along with it. “okay… sure Elisa.”

### Saturday; October 4th 2014: 9:05am

Elisa is sitting with Baron in a pizza restaurant. Elisa ordering a pizza for herself and Baron to share with Mark when he arrives elisa muttering to Baron: “You think you could check if he is… you know” Baron gloating “of course. That will be easy.”

Mark waiting out front. Elisa getting up off her seat shouting to Mark. “Over here.” Mark turning to Elisa. Waving back. Elisa gesturing from him to come over. Mark walking over to the table. He looks at Baron and smiles. “Hi there.” Baron looking blankly at him. Then turning to Elisa. Elisa nervously exclaiming: “It’s my neighbour. Helen Miles…. “

Baron pauses. “Hello…” Baron clearly resisting the urge to call him names. Mark sitting down at the table. Elisa pointing to the pizza. “Help yourself.” Mark pulling a slice the cheese stretching down as her separates the slice from the large plate.

Mark turning to Baron. Mark nervously and carefully. “If you don’t mind me asking… what happened to your arm?” Baron thinking. “An accident.” Mark nodding. “Oh- alright. So you were helping Elisa… with what exactly?” Baron looking towards Elisa for answers. Then looking back at Mark. “I’ve been helping sup- Elisa with her Car.” Mark nodding. Not really understanding her answer but going along with it anyway. Elisa changing the subjects. “I don’t really want to talk about my problems. That’s not why we’re here. How has work been?” Mark nodding Finishing another pizza slice. A piece of pizza still in his mouth. “Well you know. Alex has been chatty like usual; and I’ve been busy trying to do yours and my job at the same time. It’s been crazy.”

Elisa smiling meekly. “I’m sorry about that.” Mark shaking his head. “No that’s fine. I get it you’re just trying to make sure you’re alright. I get that.” Elisa smiling. Mark confused: “So did you find out what the reaction was?” Elisa nodding. “Yes I did.” Mark waiting for Elisa to respond. “It doesn’t matter. Alright?” Mark nodding putting his hands up. “Sure.” Elisa picking up a cup of cool lemonade with ice cubes swirling it around in the cup. Elisa just looking at it. Mark looking up at Elisa. “You sure there isn’t anything going on? I mean you don’t have to say it front of your neighbour but you left the other night when we were having pizza. Elisa looking up at mark.

Mark scratching his chin. “Well. I guess it wasn’t just you Alex did for a little bit too.” Elisa looking up at Mark quickly. “For how long?” Elisa snapping. Mark shrugging. “I mean he said he was in the bathroom but he must’ve been there for half an hour. Me; Lewis and Paul were eating dessert and we had started to wonder where he was before he came right back.

Elisa’s eyes looking at her neighbour. “He must’ve not been well then huh?” Mark shaking his head. “Oh no. He said he had to take a private phone call or something. No idea what that was about.” Elisa thinking about it. “Alex… How did I not pay attention to him before?”

Elisa thinking: “Alex was late that morning as well… “ Mark confused: “Oh when the day you were sick? Yes I suppose he was.” Mark unsure how this relates. Elisa nodding: “Thanks Mark.” Elisa looking at Baron. Baron is shaking her head. Implying that Mark isn’t SKOR.

### Saturday; October 4th 2014: 10:00am

Later; Elisa is dropping Mark off in her car at his house. Waving goodbye. Elisa turning to Baron. Baron besides Elisa. Turning her head. “He wasn’t.” Elisa nodding. “Monday; I’ll need you once more to investigate Alex.” Baron smiling. “Someone shows up out of the blue and tries to make friends with you. How couldn’t you have seen this before? You don’t have much of a nose on you do you.” Elisa clenching her fist leaning it against her forehead. Closing her eyes. “Why would he go back to the…” Elisa pausing turning to Baron. “He saved you didn’t he? It was deliberate.” Baron tilting her head. “Those wounds were in my back. I would have not died from those injuries.”

Elisa nodding opening her eyes. “That makes sense. I should have payed attention to the anatomy books. SKOR skin and muscle is hard and thick along the back area. In fact most recommend not shooting a SKOR in the back as it has little effect.”

Elisa growling: “Son of a bitch. During the movie he got out and destroyed my car; then he knows my address.” Elisa now frustrated hitting her fist against the steering wheel. Elisa looking towards Baron. “This could end badly. I need to do it where my colleagues won’t get hurt.”

Baron snorting: “How do you expect me to get into the building?” Elisa shaking her head. “I can’t do it there.. I have to get him away from work.” Baron smiling: “He isn’t stupid. My equal is capable of sniffing out your intentions as he did with mine. I still need to sniff him out.” Elisa thinking again. “He refused to see me when I said I was bringing a friend. Do you think he knows that we’re working together?” Baron thinking. “What about your other friends… the hunters…” Elisa nodding. “Yes that would be what he meant. He doesn’t want Flynn and Michelle to recognise him.”

Elisa and Baron begin to discuss plans together as Elisa drives home.

### Sunday; October 5th 2014: 03:10am

Vincent is out wandering the streets again. Thinking about his next course of action now that he is able to freely watch over Elisa. Standing in a car park besides Elisa’s flat. Elisa and Baron are both asleep.

Catching site of an older teenager smoking a cigarette outside sitting on a step browsing his phone. Clear that they have been drinking.

Vincent shapeshifting. Growing thirsty for blood he glares towards the man. His plans already in motion.

The guys eyes still fixed on the screen typing to his misses that he has been locked out. Vincent approaching the man his claws. His large body lumbering over the man. The man wobbling back looking up at Vincent. His eyes opening wide. His mouth dropping. Only stuttering and shaking as he sees Vincent standing before him. The man frozen.

Vincent staring at the man. Muttering to himself: “A peace offering” The man shaking backing up against the door in a quiet whisper praying. Vincent crouching down. Eye level to the man he puts his hand over his face. Vincent muttering to the man quietly. “Silent now.”

The man now silent breathing fast and heavy eventually passing out from fear and over exhalation. Vincent grabbing the man pulling his legs behind a wall.

Vincent disguising again wraps and binds the man with rope and tape pulling him into his boot. Slamming it shut. Vincent walking around to the front seat of his car looking up at the block of flats. His eyes looking curiously and intently at the front door. His fascination with Elisa overwhelming. He is smiling. Completely ignorant now of his request to find David Goodman. Uncaring of Peter Foreman. Desperate to see Elisa kill again. The man in the car boot begins to wake up vincent can hear movement. This proving to be a big distraction. Vincent turning around. Using that as his queue to start moving. Vincent now driving towards Crawsons Street. His hopes to give Elisa something to behold.

### Sunday; October 5th 2014: 07:00am

Elisa wakens up. Baron is standing in the doorway. Elisa sits up. Alerted to her presence.

Baron tilting her head. “You might not believe me but I fight Skor with more honour than you think. Killing a sleeping is skor would be a disservice to myself.” Elisa respecting Baron. Elisa turning her head away scratching her arm.

Baron curious “I want to see what I did to you that night…” Elisa nodding. Alright with Baron’s request. Elisa pulls down her nightgown revealing the large plaster. Elisa begins to peel away at it revealing a large scar on her shoulder with portions still not healed all the way. Baron smirking. “Not even close.” Elisa confused. Baron implying she was not even close to killing Elisa disappointed by the damage she had sustained. Elisa putting the plaster back over her shoulder. Pulling her shirt back up. Elisa curious: “Why are you really helping me?”

Baron quiet. “Asking me this? I Already told you Elisa. Your above me.” Elisa missing what Baron just said. Baron finally calling Elisa her name thinking about Baron’s response. Accepting it but sure there is more to it then what Baron is admitting to feeling. Elisa feels no hostility from Baron like she used to. Could her and Baron be becoming friends? Elisa passing the thought off as just another snide tactic from Baron as she said before as soon as Baron feels better it won’t be long for her to want to do damage to elisa.

Elisa realising Baron has just said her name. Elisa confused. “Wait. You just called me by my name.” Baron leaning against the wall looking up at the ceiling trying hard not to make eye contact with Elisa. Muttering. “Damnit” Elisa thinking. “You stole those guns from Skornhold. Right?” Baron smirking. “Of course I do; and those hunters aren’t getting them back.”

Elisa getting out of bed. Leaning down she pulls the covers straight her back aching she begins to stretch. One arm on her back she leans. Pushing against it.

After she continues to put the bed straight thinking. “Can I have one?” Baron looking back at Elisa intrigued. “What for?” Elisa stopping looking at baron. “If Vincent comes back I need to be ready.” Baron satisfied. “I know where they are but I dare not return to it. Your hunters will want to find me.” Elisa understanding: “Of course… absolutely.” Baron walking out of the bedroom Elisa following after Baron still in her bed clothes. Baron sitting on the sofa. “Near my new nest. Garage on the farthest side. A black metal box hidden underneath a pile of bags.” Elisa nodding trying to remember it. Elisa thinking some more. “Which side?” Baron thinking. “Not the road side… Close to construction site.” Elisa knowing the side Baron is talking about. Being stopped getting a call from an unusual number on her mobile. Elisa picking up the phone answering it.

Elisa muttering into it. “Hello?” silence.

10 minutes goes by. A dark; emotionless voice on the other end: “You like helping people. Don’t you Elisa?” Elisa confused. “Who is this… Flynn? Agent?” The voice again. “No. They aren’t here and they aren’t coming. Elisa. You’re going to make your way to Crawsons Street right away. If you don’t come alone. He dies.”

The Man putting the phone up to a human. Elisa can hear a muffled panic voice. The man putting the phone up to himself again. “Dine or starve. It’s up to you really. SKOR.” The man hanging up the phone Elisa jolting up. Elisa panicked now frustrated. “Shit.”

Baron confused. “Who…?” Elisa looking back at Baron. “I think it’s Vincent. He knows I’m a SKOR but… how?” Elisa thinking back to the drink. “He must be a co-worker. Alex… possibly Alex but I can’t possibly accuse him without proof.”

Elisa nodding. “I need to get those guns. Then I’m heading to Crawsons Street alone. If I don’t go alone he said the human will die.”

Baron annoyed. “A runt… it matters not.” Elisa rolling her eyes. “It does to me. Just stay here alright? If anyone comes knocking don’t answer it.” Elisa getting paranoid. “If you see smoke or anything… if he tries anything get out and run. I don’t know what he is up too he could be trying to do anything at this point.” Elisa worried that Vincent might attempt to try and damage her house; or attempt to destroy other things of hers. Elisa changing; brushing her hair she runs out of the flat getting into her car. Elisa forgetting her machete.

### Sunday; October 5th 2014: 07:32am

Elisa is making her way towards the garage stopping her car outside she looks over towards the further garage from the end. The one Baron was talking about. Elisa looking around keeping an eye out for anybody from Skornhold.

Elisa running towards the end garage. Elisa noticing claws marks at the bottom of the shutter where it has been lifted. Elisa pulls the shutter open. Light beaming into the garage.

Large black plastic disposal bags are piled up in the corner of the garage. The garage smells like mould and decay. Elisa choking on the smell enters the garage. Elisa moving the black plastic bags over finds the metal box. She pulls the metal box from out of the pile of bags and pulls it open. Just as Baron said. Skornhold weapons. Inside the lockbox is a shotgun and pistol she took from Michelle and the Agent when they tried to fight Baron.

Elisa putting them back in the lockbox pulls it out from the garage. Closing the shutter behind her. Elisa is having trouble carrying the heavy box she lays it on the ground and begins to swiftly back up dragging it along the concrete. Opening her car boot she lives the heavy metal box up and slams it into the back. Elisa closing the car boot swiftly gets back into her car and drives towards Crawsons Street.

### Sunday; October 5th 2014: 07:56am

Elisa parking up in Crawsons Street getting out of the car. Shutting the door behind her. Elisa stares up towards the pharmacy wondering where Vincent is. Elisa walking over the pharmacy slowly and cautiously. Watching the surroundings. Elisa approaching the window of the pharmacy peers inside. Checking every dark corner of the pharmacy. She pulls herself over the window ledge. Sneaking inside. Avoiding the crunching debris in hopes of not making a sound.

Elisa sees the door to the back room. Kicking debris and shuffling through the floor she approaches the back room. A chair and a man bound to it.

Elisa looks carefully around the room. The man is shivering and scared. Elisa muttering quietly. “Hey… are you alone?” The man jumping trying to shuffle back on the chair. Jumping up and down on the chair. The chair falls backwards and the man hits his head on the wall. Elisa running to the man. His head now bleeding slightly as he cuts his scalp on the debris. Elisa unsure what plan Vincent has in store for her avoids forcing. Worrying she might be being recorded or watched. Elisa grabbing a piece of broken glass picks it up between her fingers and begins to use it to cut away at the rope strapped round the chair.

Elisa calmly. “I’m not going to hurt you. Alright? I’m here to help you.” Elisa pulling the chair up with the man loosening. Elisa removing his blindfolds. He appears to be out cold again. Elisa removes the gag from his mouth and pulls him up. Elisa noticing an old cassette player on the table. A tape inside. Elisa confused about the cassette player. Not sure how to work as it’s an older device. Elisa picks up the cassette player with the tape recording and decides to take it with her back to HQ. Elisa trying desperately hard to wake the man up. The man’s eyes fluttering. Elisa pleading with the man. “Hey… Hey are you alright?” The man still scared jolting Elisa grabbing his arm. Elisa begging. “It’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you; but I’m going to need your help. Alright? We need to get out of here as fast as possible or he will no doubt come back again.” The man swallowing his pride nodding quietly. Elisa pulling him off the ground. Holding onto him tightly as she leads him outside. Elisa vaulting over the window ledge puts her hand out. The man tired and weakly puts his arm out. Elisa helping him over the window ledge. Pulling him over.

The man looking at the car. Begins to have a break down. The panicked thought of going back into a car and being thrown into the boot in his mind. Elisa confused as to what has the man so disturbed. Elisa shaking her head. “I’m not going to hurt you. Okay. When I say I’m not I mean it. I’m here to help you.” Elisa holding tightly onto the man. The man nodding as tears stream from his face. His legs are trembling. Elisa still holding onto the cassette player. Concealing it under her jacket.

Elisa unlocking the passenger side door. Letting the man in. The man is still panicked. Elisa looking firmly at the man. “If you don’t get in there now he is going to come back and hurt us both. I know you’re scared but things are going to get worse if you don’t listen to me. Go it?” The man nodding quietly. Still shaking. Elisa opening the driver side door gets in. Elisa turning to the man. “Put your seatbelt on. We’re going out of here fast.” Elisa begins to speed away from Crawsons Street. Her tires burning up as she tears away from the side street driving swiftly towards Skornhold HQ to talk to Michelle and Flynn about what she just witnessed.

Elisa worried about them following it up and asking questions as to why Vincent thinks Elisa is a SKOR or would even think it. Hoping that they do not start digging in.

Vincent standing back at the pharmacy’s top window. Disappointed by Elisa.

Vincent muttering to himself with his monstrous appearance in full view. “ Unfortunate.”

### Sunday; October 5th 2014: 08:07am

Elisa pulls up outside HQ the shutters are closed it appears as if Michelle and Flynn aren’t in yet. Elisa letting the terrified man out of her car telling him to wait besides her car runs over to the shutters and begins to bang on the them. After a minute or two of thudding on the shutters. The agent lifts it up confused. The automatic doors open. Elisa exclaiming to the agent: “We need to talk… Vincent it is getting worse.” The agent confused.

Elisa pleading: “He nearly killed that man.” The agent holding his hands out detecting Elisa is panicked. The agent walking closer to the man who is looking in all directions. Ducking behind the car as other vehicles pass by.

The man hearing Radford turns towards him he is sweating and crying. Radford pulls out his official ID and greets the man. “My name is Ace Radford. I am working with the Police. Perhaps you should come inside and have a chat.” The man still crying. The agent pulls the man to his feet.

The man sobbing as the agent leads him inside. Elisa following after him. The agent pointing to an interview room. The man sits down. The agent sitting down besides him.

The agent turning on a voice recording app on his phone. “You are going to tell me exactly what you saw. What is your name.”

The man stuttering. “Ryan… Jones” the man sniffing.

The agent speaking again: “Tell me what you saw. Even if what you are telling me seems outlandish. Assume I will believe you.” The man's eyes tearing up again nodding. “I don’t know… what it was it didn’t look human. It was big.” The man stopping closing his eyes. Throwing his hands over his mouth. The agent getting up the man confused. The agent calming the man down: “It is alright I am just going to make it easier for you.” The agent opening the door. Elisa standing outside. “Hey. Get some Skor anatomy books and get Flynn and Michelle to come in sooner. Then when you’re done I will need to ask you some questions. Nothing to worry about alright?” The agent closing the door behind him. Elisa grabbing an anatomy book from the table. Opening the door passing it to the agent.

The agent taking it from Elisa. Elisa closing the door behind her grabbing the mobile from her pocket. Dialing Michelle. She picks up.

Elisa: “The agent and me needs you down at HQ asap.” Michelle confused: “What is going on? Elisa?” elisa reluctantly: “I haven’t had a chance to tell the agent yet he is busy with the guy but… I had a tip off by who I believe was Vincent. He kidnapped the man threatened to kill him if I warned or brought the HQ… and I got him.”

Michelle concerned for Elisa: “Are you alright? I mean did you get hurt.” Elisa reassuring Michelle. “I am fine. He didn’t hurt me Michelle. I am fine. I don’t know how but he got my mobile number. Look that is all I will just request a new one and then I will be fine right?”

Michelle muttering: “I hope so…”

Elisa hanging up the phone. Elisa dialing Flynn’s number.

Elisa stopping as she sees Flynn walk through the front door. Flynn confused shrugging. “You’re a bit early for Michelle, Elisa.”

To Be Continued...

Story: Vincent VS Baron Part 10