Page 45 of Fragile Facade
“Wrote it down,” Auggie says, fishing through her bag. She pulls out a small notebook, the pages all torn and tattered. “Rick Olenna.”
Riot grins. The guy he killed in the bargain hall.
“This one says he knows his uncle and cousin are here but hadn’t heard from ‘em.” Probably the kid from Mistfit Hall with the dead dad. “This one,” Auggie goes on, “got that evil in’im. I know it.” The last photo is of a guy, somewhere in his twenties, but she’s right. His eyes are his biggest tell because he looks nuts, even in his driver’s photo. Not the good kind of nuts, either. Trained to be nuts, born and bred to be morally inept and criminally insane. A sweet All-American lookalike who can’t hide his wicked bits.
“Reaper Corp,” Ransom says. “I’m sure of it.”
Auggie gives him a curt nod like she agrees and then asks, “That all. Can I go?”
Selena escorts her out, and when the door closes, we lift our masks.
“Ghost, I need you on this one.” Director holds up the last photo. “Brady Milton.”
Bullshit name, but I nod. “Now?”
“Soon. Riot, you go with him. Monster, you’re their backup. Got it?”
We all nod. I look at Monster instead of Riot, giving him a grin he returns. He still hasn’t said anything, but he’s coming back around to his wildly angry, bloodthirsty self.
“Next thing,” Director goes on. “Lockan Tate is waiting in the bargain hall. Time to brand him and reveal ourselves. We’re all going to go, but you don’t have to remove your mask if you don’t want to. I will, and Ransom will, and the rest is up to you.”
Oh, I’ve been waiting to showcase my status to Lockan Tate for years.
* * *
On the insideof Lock’s bicep, Monster takes great pride in pressing a Vile House brand. The design is basic, just a skull like our tattoos, and the words ‘Vile House’ and ‘ally’ in block lettering. Medic, Psych, and Media all have these brands instead of the tats, and when we’re initiates who make it past the first few rounds, we get a brand almost exactly like it, without the word ally at the bottom. It’s not very big, but his skin sizzles enough to make his eyes water and his jaw lock.
“You enjoyed that too much,” Lock says to Monster.
Monster tilts his yellow mask, not denying it. He steps back, and Lock holds up his burned arm so we can all see it. Monster throws some salve and gauze to Director, unwilling to touch Lock with his hands. While Director tapes him up, Ransom starts the rules.
“You understand that revealing our identities is a crime we’ll kill you for?” Ransom asks.
“Yeah,” Lock says. “I won’t. I just want Moros ours again.”
“We’ll make your execution public, boiiii,” Kyd says, but it doesn’t sound very threatening. “Just sayin’.”
Lock laughs. “I’m aware. Trust me, I don’t want to be like that nurse from a few months ago. I ain’t eating my own cock.”
“What makes you think that was us?” Seven asks.
“Well, it wasn’t The Misfits, yet his body was hung from our porch, so…”
I grin. That was my idea, and to this day, I don’t regret it. Yates had to put out a lot of fires for that body.
“Our trust starts now, Lockan Tate. Don’t betray us and we’ll be your best allies.” Director turns off the voice modulator. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
We’re in the bargain hall, the stone chamber cold and mostly dark. Lamplight gives us enough to see by but keeps the corners hidden. The ten of us are standing in a line like we do for bargains, and Director is a few steps ahead of us. He’s the first to take his gold mask off.
Lock’s eyes widen when he sees our fearless leader. “Doctor fucking Cooper?”
“Vile House has been passed down through my family for generations, and this is the first time a director has revealed himself. Welcome to our world.” He reaches out to shake Lock’s hand.
Lock takes it, nodding, looking proud. “Thank you. Thank you for trusting me.”
Director smiles. It’s small, but it shows his crow’s feet. “I’ve been watching you for years. This trust isn’t impulsive. Don’t let me down now.”
