"Rigor Mortis"-The life after death RP(Started/PM for participation)-Arc 4: Closing Loose Ends

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Brendan's premature attempts at trying to guess why they were all here reassured Marcus. If Brendan had really been involved in what brought them all here he would not be drawing so much attention to himself. He was likely just trying to make everyone think he was particularly clever, in which case he wasn't as much of a threat as Marcus first feared. However, it couldn't hurt to keep his guard up. He knew a manipulator when he saw one, and Marcus had no intention of being used.

"Well, I was a waiter, but what I am now is anyone's guess." he responded. "It was just a temporary thing anyway. I often move between small jobs, don't like to get tied down you see."

He was beginning to get a better picture of who these people were. Brendan was still cause for concern, but nothing he hadn't had to deal with before. Adrian and Mira were honest, sincere people (he just wished they'd stop asking questions). Spencer was just a kid, nothing to worry about. The only one who still alluded him was the younger of the two girls, who seemed to share his desire to blend into the background, as she had so far made herself very easy to ignore. Perhaps there was some common ground there...

 

[Generic_Username]

"But you're here, aren't you? If you had really wanted to stay gone you could have just waited until the four hours were up and gone back into the long sleep."

The professor had a point.

"You're right. I'm here of my own volition. I guess the whole situation just brought out the negative in me."

Suddenly, Mira chimed in with an interesting question.

"Since we're dead, I wonder if we can see other...dead people as well."

He tried to answer her question the best he could.

"I haven't seen anyone else... yet. But whatever we are, I don't believe we're dead anymore. The sensation I felt when I died, it was nothing like this. This, this is life. But if the guy we're waiting for brought us back, he might be able to bring back someone else, too."

He wondered why she asked, but decided it's better not to ask her so soon.

 

[Link_to_Future]

The others were beginning to warm up. The deafening silence that had originally filled the room was slowly chipped away. The ice had been broken.

Adrian knew from his time at the university that the true work could only begin after the initial awkwardness had faded. He had always striven to make his classroom environment as welcoming and relaxing as possible if only to encourage his students to talk. Once the fear of speaking up had dissipated, suggestions would be made; some would be surprising even to him.

As he stood in this room, he realized that something similar was happening here. People were beginning to ask questions. They were beginning to search for the root of the matter.

"Since we're dead, I wonder if we can see other...dead people as well."

Spencer answered Mira before Adrian spoke, adding to what the teenager had said.

"I agree, I'm fairly certain that we are alive again. Plus, after what I went through, I'm fairly inclined to believe anything that's dead is going to experience that vast emptiness the way that we did. There is no such thing as a ghost that walks the ear..."

He briefly choked on his words before quickly regaining composure.

"I often move between small jobs, don't like to get tied down you see."

His head snapped to Marcus, jumping into new topic.

"So are you at all worried that now you may no longer be free? I mean, they gave us a pretty strict time limit to get down here. We are basically at the mercy of their whims right now. Well...at least until we have some sort of idea what's going on."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"So are you at all worried that now you may no longer be free? I mean, they gave us a pretty strict time limit to get down here. We are basically at the mercy of their whims right now. Well...at least until we have some sort of idea what's going on."

This was true. Marcus still couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that he was no longer in control. However, he'd be damned if he was going to show weakness in front of a bunch of people he'd only just met, especially Brendan.

"Well, right now I'm just glad to be alive, and whoever did this to us, I doubt we're in any immediate danger from them. After all, they wouldn't go to the effort of bringing us back to life just to kill us again would they?"

He only half believed this statement, but that didn't matter. It was clear that his usual strategy of trying not to be noticed wasn't going to work here. These people were too inquisitive, too friendly (he was again reminded of his adoptive father, who, in the early days of their interaction, had frequently annoyed Marcus in his incessant efforts to 'Get to know him'). So, the only other way to keep a certain amount of control over the situation was to do the exact opposite, step into the limelight and play the Alpha male.

"Besides," he said with a smile "it may sound crazy, but a part of me is looking forward to what comes next. I'd never liked that job much and this is shaping up to be a whole new adventure. Kinda gets the blood pumping, if you know what I mean?"

 

[Link_to_Future]

"It may sound crazy, but a part of me is looking forward to what comes next."

Adrian tilted his head slightly as Marcus spoke. He was unable to tell just how sincere the young man standing in front of him was being. Marcus spoke excitedly but the words seemed to clash with Adrian's own trepidation. He simply couldn't imagine anyone experiencing anything other than dread about the ominous questions that lurked in front of their faces. Still, Adrian couldn't help but smile a little at his excited words.

"Kinda gets the blood pumping, if you know what I mean?"

"Yes, I actually do. But my heart is probably not racing for the same reason that your is."

The professor looked out the window into the run down neighborhood below. He absent-mindedly adjusted the cap on his head into a more comfortable position.

"See, they brought us back from beyond the grave. A technology like that...well, let's just say it would have made the headlines. So how come none of us had ever heard of it before?"

His voice grew soft as he continued.

"The only reason I can think that they would have kept this a secret is because they're using this technology for reasons that are less than savory. Something smells very fish about this deal. I'm just hoping that we aren't suddenly in over our heads."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Marcus shrugged his shoulders at Adrian's response.

"True enough. But the way I see it, whatever 'this' is, we're in it now and there's nothing we can do about that. So letting fear cripple us is only going to make things worse."

The reasons for him saying this were threefold. Firstly, on some level as least, he did genuinely believe it. Second, he was still determined to put on a front; and third, he wanted to make the old man feel better, as, despite himself, he was starting to warm to him.

"We have two choices, adapt or die, and I don't plan on dying twice tonight. You said it yourself, if any of us had wanted to die, we wouldn't be here would we?"

 

[Berenzen]

Ben watched on as the others tried to figure out what was going on. He had dropped his two cents on it and left it to boil over. Some interesting theories popped around, particularly the paramedic's. Ben frowned thoughtfully, wondering who had died for her to ask that. His eyes flicked between Marcus, Spencer and Adrian as they started to dominate the conversation. Excellent, now he would be able to learn more from them without revealing any more of his past.

Ben looked at Marcus, he seemed more reassured about Ben now, good, he would still probably be watchful, Marcus seemed like the paranoid sort, but with reassurance, his guard would slowly be let down, and with that he could start to be used.

Ben leaned back and focused on the pale, emaciated girl. She had yet to speak, and Ben had almost forgotten that she was there. Who was she? What part did she play in all of this?

Brendan suddenly remembered a couple of lines from Faustus,

"O lente, lente, currite noctis equi. The stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike..." he murmured to himself, almost out of his own hearing. Grim, yet it seemed appropriate for the situation they were in.

 

[Link_to_Future]

Adrian nodded thoughtfully. He knew that Marcus was speaking the truth. They were going to live, no matter the cost. This was not something that would put his mind at ease though. In all honesty, it almost made him more uncomfortable.

"But that's the thing, isn't it? They could literally ask anything of us and we would all be slave to it simply out of our impulse to survive."

He continued to gaze wistfully out the window. The neighbors above yelled fanatically. Apparently their team was winning.

"Fear isn't the right word for it. I'm not sitting here paralyzed. No...I am simply preparing myself for the worst."

His body turned more dramatically than he had intended when he faced Marcus again.

"I can almost guarantee that we are going to do whatever they ask of us tonight. But we have to be willing to face the fact that it will likely be...less than tasteful. If we are able to look that in the eye and prepare for the worst, we won't be surprised by what they ask."

He rose his voice so the rest could hear him clearly.

"So what do you all think? Do you think you would be able to break the law if it allowed you to keep your hands on this new life?"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

For the first time, Marcus was able to answer a question with complete and utter honesty.

"Yeah, I would." He took care not to sound confrontational, but simply matter of fact. "I never had anyone to watch my back when I was a kid, I had to look after myself. So that's how I am. I'll do whatever it takes to survive, even if I have to do something I'll hate myself for later, I'll suck it up and do it, because the only person you can ever count on to do the right thing by you, is you."

He held back from saying any more. He was on his guard again, afraid his fondness for Adrian had caused him to misstep and reveal to much about himself. On the other hand, he doubted anyone would want to have an in depth discussion with him about his childhood, and if they did, he could always lie.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

"So what do you all think? Do you think you would be able to break the law if it allowed you to keep your hands on this new life?"

Mira's interest piqued from hearing Adrien's question. Ironically Mira did have brushes from the law in her earlier years that was caused by stupid decisions from all parties. All it did was give her a grounding or two and an extra scolding from her parents. Even as a paramedic there was strict parameters set so that there would be no disagreement in either the paramedics or the first responders be it Firemen or Law Enforcement.

"If I had to then I would but like all things, it's easier said than done. In fact, I already broke some laws when I was an EMT but nothing too major. Mostly running red lights or curbs but it's understandable." Mira crossed her legs then leaned back on the couch. She hoped that the man would come sooner but now it was hard not to talk to the group in her mind.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Enough time had passed. Frank had looked at his trusty watch strapped to his left wrist and prepared himself for his introduction. Frank hoped that the ones he had chosen would be better than the previous bunch. Finding proper enforcers was getting tough these days, with them either asking for Jesus or refusing to do their work.
Frank stopped in front of the apartment building his superiors gave him an apartment in. He looked up and tried to asses the situation. The bricks were about to fell out and smash on the head of an unsuspecting bystander. More work for me. Frank rummaged through his right pocket looking for something. He eyed his pack for a moment before he took a cigarette and returned it to his pocket. He placed it in his mouth and walked to the brick wall of the building. He raised his hand next to the cigarette and snapped his fingers. He slowly inhaled the smoke coming from the now lite cigarette.
A minute had passed and Frank threw the cigarette to the ground, smashing the bud with his right foot into the sidewalk. He walked through the entrance and the stairway, reaching the third floor. He stood near the front door for short while, just to hear if everyone is comfortably talking. Now is the time to introduce himself. He walked to the door and opened it.
"Welcome" he said with his deep and husky voice, spoiled by decades of smoking.
The skin of his face was smooth and shaved. His blue eyes pierced through any of his employees sitting in his apartment. He appeared to be in his early twenties, but his posture and tone did not fit the one of a young man.
"I'm your boss now"

 

[Berenzen]

Ben looked at the man, he couldn't get a read on him. Looked young, acted old, voice was as he remembered it when he died.

He's my boss? This should be... interesting

"So, what can we do you for bossman? Need someone offed?" Ben said sarcastically. He didn't care for the man, he made Ben uneasy- even though, or perhaps because, Ben owed the man his life.

Better find a way out of this contract quick, the less time I spend working for him the better.

Ben pulled a pen and a small notebook from his pockets, ready to write, and prepared himself to run for the door in the case something got ugly.

 

[Link_to_Future]

Adrian recoiled slightly at Brendan's flippant response. He was unsure how exactly to address this new man before them but he had a feeling that casual sarcasm was probably not the best greeting.

Their employer's presence alone sent a deep shudder down Adrian's spine. There was something very off about this man. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was about him that was so unnerving.

Might have something to do with the fact he brought us back from the dead.

The strangeness of the situation was not lost on Adrian. Although he had already reconciled in his mind the fact that he was alive, he was still trouble by the how and the why.

He knew that this man would have the answers. He sat in silence, waiting for a reply to Brendan's question.

 

[Generic_Username]

Spencer wasn't quite sure how to feel about his "new boss". There was nothing unusual about the man's appearance. He knew absolutely nothing about him, except that he's either incredibly powerful, or has access to some very advanced technology. It was without a doubt the same man that brought him back to life.

The rest of the group stood in silence, visibly unnerved by the man's presence, or maybe by Brendan's lack of respect towards him.

Spencer tried to figure out whether he should feel fear or gratitude towards the stranger, while waiting for him to answer Brendan's question.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Marcus supposed he should be grateful. The man had, after all, brought him back from an unpleasant and untimely death, and his first words implied that he had no intention of doing them any harm. However, his presence made Marcus' blood run hot, his teeth clench, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Without meaning to he found himself clenching his fists and standing poised ready for a fight. He was back where he started. Just now he had felt like there was a group dynamic being formed and that he had a place in it. He had felt like he was back in control, but this man's entrance had shattered the fragile hierarchy, and once again he felt like a puppet, who strings were about to be pulled this way and that by a force he had no sway over and couldn't escape from. He was well and truly backed into a corner, and he felt dangerous, with ever part of his body itching to let loose his rage on the man who stood before him. So no, he didn't suppose he was inclined to be grateful.

"So, what can we do you for bossman? Need someone offed?"

For the first time, Marcus felt that he and Brendan were on the same side. Yes, to hell with the pleasantries! Marcus thought, I want answers, and you'd better have them. You want me to kill someone? Just put a gun in my hand and tell me who...

 

[TheIronRuler]

Frank was surprised at the response he received from his employees. Not many stay silent in the face of death, and even fewer say such bold statements.

"You signed a contract"

Frank walked into the apartment and past the others. He went around the table and stood in front of the cupboard. He opened it and looked at its content. Good, it's here

"You will be working for me from now on. No contact with the living. Dead Men tell no tales"

He crouched and looked at the bottom of the cupboard. He pulled out three large, sealed brown envelopes, stood up, closed the cupboard and placed them on the desk. Frank looked at the man that spoke to him earlier. "You are allowed to kill. You need to collect a debt.", Frank pushed one of the sealed envelopes towards Ben, "Pick one".

He turned to the rest of the group. "Pair up. Each take an envelope". He began walking towards the exit. "When you ask for the debt, tell him Alice sent you."

Frank turned around after he had left the front door of the apartment. "I forgot to give you something sweet. A welcoming gift. Each take one. It'll keep you alive". Frank pulled a plastic bottle filled with six pieces of candy. He threw it towards the Table, hoping that Ben would catch them.

I hope they won't die like the others

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Hesitation clogged Mira's head as their new employer laid out the plans to recovering the "debt" that they had supposedly had when they signed the contract. Mira knew that in one way or the other their employer would demand something from them and there it was. Not only that but he was forcing a cooperation with the group, a bunch of people that Mira had just met.

"You are allowed to kill. You need to collect a debt."

Mira swallowed a lump in her throat and realized the bitter irony of her being a paramedic with a license to kill. All her career she had to save people's lives now the exact opposite was expected from her. She curled her fist even after Frank left wondering what would happen next as she looked at the brown envelopes.

 

[Generic_Username]

"You are allowed to kill. You need to collect a debt."

No complaints here. If he was already dead, Spencer had nothing to lose.

"Pair up. Each take an envelope."

Pair up. Spencer knew this wasn't going to be easy from the moment he heard the sentence. He had no intention of working with Brendan, and he still wasn't entirely sure he could trust the others. He barely even knew their names, and the pale girl didn't even give him that much to go on.

"Tell him Alice sent you."

Spencer took note of the name, took the bottom of the two remaining envelopes and a piece of candy from a bottle the stranger left them and decided to see if anyone would approach him. If not, he would pair up with the last person left in the room.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Pair up. Each take an envelope".

Finally we're getting somewhere Marcus thought, but again he was frustrated by the circumstances he was being placed in. Despite his earlier anger and bravado, he felt dirty having to do this man's bidding, and sick with himself over what he might be forced to do. But those feelings would have to wait.

Right now he had to work out who he should pair himself with, no easy task. Brendan was obviously a smart operator, and would probably be the most willing to kill when necessary, but Marcus still wouldn't trust him.

Adrian, on the other hand, was both trustworthy and intellectually capable, and yet he doubted the man's nerve and physical abilities.

He had yet to see anything useful for this sort of thing come out of Spencer, but the kid was no danger to him, and could still surprise him yet.

The younger girl he did not know enough about yet to be willing to trust her, though she would most likely be a natural if they ever needed to blend in to a crowd.

He eventually settled on Mira. It was her response to Adrian's question that sealed it from him. He had expected someone of her position to choke at the very idea of possibly having to hurt people, and yet she had seemed, if not entirely willing, at least open to the idea when there was no other option. Marcus also figured that a paramedic would be able to hold her nerve, and remain physically and mentally alert in a high stress situation. She was also one of the more trustworthy members of the group.

Ideally he would have preferred to work alone, as he wasn't entirely comfortable around any of them yet. However, he knew he would feel a lot more confident with her watching his back than Brendan. He took two pieces of candy, handing one of them to Mira as he said as sincerely as he could manage, "I trust you. Can you trust me?"

 

[SeanTheBlueSheep]

Evey remained where she was while everyone entered. Not sure how she wanted to react, or if she wanted to react at all. When the final man walked in, it took her a moment to realise he was the man who had brought her back to life. She didn't like the man almost from the outset. No man should have power over life and death, no human ever should. They'd misuse it and bend it to their will, just as this man had. When he declared himself the gathered souls' new boss, her dislike matured into hatred. A cold, low hatred that took her mind to dark, planning, plotting places. She had never liked being told what to do, even if it was something that made sense, and now it was something she had to do, she liked it even less. She decided to put that to the back of her mind for now, and focus on staying alive for now. Something she hated herself for.

"What would happen" she asked, as if posing a hypothetical situation to a physics teacher "if we didn't collect the debt? I assume we'd die, that much is kind of clear, but what about them?" she walked to the table "And what about these?" she asked, tentatively taking one from the bottle and inspecting it. "How do they work? Technology? Magic?" she eyed the brown envelopes with internal distaste, deciding she wasn't going to choose one herself. "How can you even bring someone back from the dead?"