Ballad of L'Obscruite: Chapter 2 – My Best Friend’s Keeper

Chapter 2 – My Best Friend’s Keeper

This morning I eat brunch with Lancetto at a local restaurant. I tell him about my collaboration with Darcy today and how I plan to impress her so we can work together more.

“That’s not to say that I only want to collaborate with her. We should do something together as well. The Church does co-own many of my family’s properties,” I say.

“It would aid the public image of my family and its allies. We did take the brunt of what L’Obscurité exposed after all. Are you sure you want to do this? Your family could be dragged through the mud with us.”

“Lancetto, you’re like a brother to me, and more of a brother than my actual siblings. I am sure that I work with you. Besides, I have a lot of time to make up with you now that my parents are healthy.”

“Thank you, Timeo. That means a lot to me after all the slander that my family name has endured. Also, aren’t you concerned about your five siblings?”

“No, not at all. They abandoned my parents in their time of need and had enough of the money they took from them to pay for their hospital bills. I pray for them, but I’m not going to act like they didn’t get what they deserved,” I say while rubbing my knuckles, remembering the punishment I gave to them.

“I see,” Lancetto says while looking at his schedule on his phone. “Ah! I have an opening this-”

Four criminals kick in the door of the restaurant. They have masks, are wearing basic, civilian clothes, and have pistols in their hands.

Aiming at us, one of them says, “Lancetto! You’ll pay-”

Before the criminals can do anything else, I draw my two pistols from my suit jacket while Lancetto pulls a revolver from his and guns the criminals down.

Looking over to me, Lancetto asks, “Two guns? Really?”

“Better to be safe than sorry. Speaking of which, we should probably get out of here,” I say.

Lancetto and I put a hundred dollar bill each on the table, overpaying for the brunch, and say to the waitress, “Keep the change.”

As we pass by the bodies of the criminals, we see that one of them is still alive. Lancetto puts his cane at the man, pulls the trigger on it, and blasts the criminal full of buckshot.

“Two guns?” I ask.

“It doesn’t count as one, but yes,” Lancetto says as we walk out of the restaurant. “I’ll ask again. Are you sure you want to work with me after what you’ve witnessed?”

“Of course, I do, probably now more than ever just so I can protect you just in case what happened, happens again. After my parents were put in a coma by criminals, I refuse to let anyone I care about and anyone in this city go through what I had to.”

“Again, I must thank you for your kind words. You’re an invaluable friend, and because of that, I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow at the headquarters of my family’s business. Oh, and I wish you luck with your date with Darcy.”

“It’s not a date. I’ve told you it’s more of a setup by her to take advantage of the collaboration for whatever ends she has.”

“Well, turn the collaboration in your favor and give her a reason to keep coming back to you. It’s the way things are done in business, so this shouldn’t be too dissimilar.”

“I guess so.”

“You’ll do well. I’m sure of it and thank you again for all you’ve said and done. You really are a brother to me.”

I return Lancetto’s sentiment before we go our separate ways to attend to our own business for the day. Going to one of my family’s charity centers where the homeless are fed and given donations by the public such as clothing, toys, and even furniture, I go over the tips that Lancetto gave me in my head while waiting for Darcy. She arrives on time in a simple skirt, hat, and shirt. Despite the simplicity of her appearance, something about it makes her look extraordinary.

“Are you ready to get to work?” she asks me.

“Yes, of course,” I awkwardly say as we head in.

When we walk in, Darcy attracts attention by her presence alone despite not being dressed up like she usually is and just wearing normal clothes. People recognize her, and those who don’t, give her compliments, praise, and say how they are honored to see her.

While getting set up and helping in the kitchen, I ask her, “Have you been here before?”

“I’ve volunteered and made friends at your charity centers before. It’s a humbling experience that has inspired some of my art and is a good place to make friends,” she says. “Is this your first time here?”

“No, I’ve done it before when I was a kid and teenager. I’m surprised people like you so much in contrast to what happened to my friend, Lancetto.”

“I heard about what happened on the news. The media and police will probably come here to question you about it.”

“My family’s lawyers are already talking to the police, and if the media comes, let them come and make all the noise they want. We were in our right to defend ourselves.”

“Understandable, though the media is one thing, and letting your lawyers take care of the law is a privilege of your family that you are within your right to use, however, allying yourself with the Affare family can be damaging to your reputation.”

“I know. Lancetto wouldn’t stop mentioning it, but he’s more of a brother to me than my own siblings and I want to help him.”

“Will you help me if my name gets dragged through the mud? My family and yours got damaged the least out of the four families, but we’re looked at with suspicion nevertheless.”

“Of course. I don’t see why I wouldn’t.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that if I get into any trouble.”

“Ha! I hope you don’t get any trouble to begin with.”

“You never know in these times. Everyone gets in trouble for something even if they never do anything wrong.”

After minutes of working in the kitchen, the media comes and crowds it, pushing out the poor to ask us questions. At the moment, I’m tempted to walk away, so I can transform and use my powers to scare them away, but I simply get mad at them for pushing aside the poor and I get the guards to kick them out. Seeing that the media is crowding the entrance, Darcy and I decide to leave so the media follows us, and the poor are allowed to enter the charity center.

“This feels like running from a crazed mob,” Darcy says.

“Let’s go to the next place where they won’t be allowed to crowd then,” I say.

My driver brings Darcy and me to one of my family’s hospitals. Here, the guards stop the media from crowding it and the look of the media interfering with the healing of the dying stops them dead in their tracks, forcing them to stay outside. Darcy and I walk through the halls of the hospital, witnessing life-saving surgeries, people dying, mourning the dead, and doctors and nurses taking care of others.

“There’s something charming about this place that makes it fascinating to be in,” Darcy says.

“What? Have you worked here before too?” I jokingly ask.

“No, but I’ve been in hospitals before. The charm for me is the contradiction in what it is.”

“Contradiction?”

“It smells like death, and yet, there’s life. People struggle to stay alive even though we all die in the end. There’s hope and happiness along with sadness and despair.”

“I see. Is it giving you the inspiration for anything new?”

“I have an idea in the works about a romance involving it.”

“Tell me more.”

“It’s about a man so obsessed with preventing death that he saves everyone, but himself and his loved ones.”

“Sounds tragic. Call me a sap, but I like happier stories.”

“Me too, but the tragic circumstances make the happier ones look brighter and make us appreciate them more.”

My parents eventually meet us and tell Darcey how they are honored by her visit and generous and continued donations to our charities. Now that they mention it, I remember hearing about their donations and workers meeting our own the few times I was in the office. After hugging and kissing my parents goodbye, I question Darcy on this.

“Why wouldn’t practicing Catholics like my family donate when we have the money?” Darcy asks.

“Was that the only reason for your donations?” I ask.

“Do you suspect me of having ulterior motives?” she says with a sly smile.

“I suspect you’re withholding information.”

“Isn’t it enough to know that I’m doing good in the world?”

“Doing good can mean different things even to those who claim to have the same beliefs as others. It could also be a cover for more nefarious deeds.”

“You and I ought to create a story or poem one day. You have such a creative imagination.”

“Refusing to elaborate and forcing the conversation to go off-topic makes you even more suspicious to me.”

“Do you want to call off the collaboration then?”

“No. In fact, I want to keep an eye on you even more.”

“As do I. Let’s continue our day then and maybe I’ll tell you more,” she says as she runs her hand down my cheek.

Our final destination today is one of my family-owned schools. There, we give talks on our lives and watch classes from the front of the room. I’m also unsurprised at this point to find that Darcy knows people here, is friends with some of them, and that she’s given talks here before.

“What kind of talks and advice have you been giving the students?” I ask.

“Just the kind to pursue virtue, their dreams, and to change the world. Nothing new that other speakers haven’t said before,” she says.

“But I’m sure you gave it in your own way. You said you are a Catholic and what it means to be virtuous and change the world is different from the popular secular views of today.”

“You’ve been hearing me talk today. It’s no different than how I usually speak. If you want to know more, you should read my works.”

“I think I’ll put time aside to do so.”

“Here,” Darcy says while signing one of her books that she brought to hand out to the students. This one she adds a kiss to it to leave the stain of her lips on the inside. “With a personal and extra special signature.”

“Much appreciated.”

By the end of the collaboration, I have more questions than answers. Darcy and I finish the day with dinner today that I treat for.

“Now that you’ve had a taste of being with me, what do you think about me?” Darcy asks.

“You’re a curious creature,” I say. “One who I need to see more often.”

“You’ve interested me as well. You’re not like other men and have something mysterious about you that I’d like to figure out. How does seeing each other tomorrow sound?”

“I have to see my friend, Lancetto, so that’s a no. How about the day after?” I say.

“You’re committed to your friend, and I respect that, but be careful with him. I’ve tried working with his company before, but the arts and business don’t mix well. It’s very constraining and his family is the most powerful in the city, and you know what they say about absolute power.”

“I’m sure I’ll find out everything I need to know. So, is that a yes for the day after?”

“Yes, of course, and be sure to let me know all the juicy details of what happens tomorrow with your friend.”

“I will.”

After finishing our dinner, Darcy and I say our goodbyes. She quickly turns back to me, pecks my cheek with a kiss, winks, and walks away. What a tease. It makes me thankful that I’m seeing Lancetto who is completely honest with me or at least I think he is. I meet him at the center of his family’s power and businesses. It’s the tallest tower in Meridian and is partially decorated with Gothic, Art Deco, modern, and other styles on all sides of the building with a large statue of a hawk on top of it, showing the far-reaching legacy of the Affare family.

High-ranking members of the Affare family and their allies are meeting me and my own allies as we meet in the tower for breakfast, thankfully without being shot at this time. Everyone seems to be having a nice time, talking to one another about business, and personal matters.

“How was your date with Darcy?” Lancetto jokingly asks.

“Fine and it wasn’t a date. During it, I found that Darcy and her family have connections to the people who work at my schools and charities. She’s also been making regular, ‘generous’, donations to the hospitals,” I say.

“A lot can happen when you’re not paying attention.”

“I know and part of me regrets not seeing it earlier. Darcy seems to be hiding something from me while saying that she’s doing good for the world and not elaborating beyond the obvious. Because of that, we’re going to see each other tomorrow.”

“Getting a second date, good job, Timeo!”

“It’s. Not. A. Date. I’m also meeting Klinge Geben soon, probably in a few days if the arrangement can be made. He’s apparently always busy and his company keeps referring me to meet with his businessmen rather than him directly.”

“Klinge is more of a simple worker of the working class rather than a man who knows the inner workings of his businesses. You’re not likely to find out anything from him even though establishing a friendship with him could mean better deals and collaborations with his businesses. Speaking about business, we should get to our own.”

“You go ahead and start it. I have to go to the bathroom.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Just like Klinge, my businessmen are better at meetings than I am.”

“Okay. You wanted this meeting to happen.”

Once I go to the bathroom, I activate my powers, clothe myself in darkness, and become one with the shadows. While everyone in the meeting introduces themselves and their intentions for it, I read their souls. Many are sinners guilty of some small crimes and evil, but nothing too serious. Suddenly, the alarms in the building turn on and an announcement is made that a superhuman fight between heroes and villains is taking place. The security barriers of this building activate, covering the windows with a shield that not even the shells of a tank could pierce. The noise of the chaos outside gets people talking and worried, opening them up more to me, and yet, I don’t have enough action to sense any real corruption.

“Please, please. Everyone calm down and let us continue the meeting. Our heroes and guards will ensure that we aren’t harmed,” Lancetto says.

A shift in the room turns my attention to certain businessmen as they take out their guns and expose themselves as superhumans by turning their skin to steel, exposing their overly large muscles, and turning their arms into blades.

“Yes, let’s continue,” one of the businessmen says.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Lancetto asks.

“A show of power. Despite many of Affare’s connections and crimes being exposed by L’Obscurité, he didn’t get all of us, particularly the ones outside the city. We have the heroes and villains who are putting on a show outside and some of the people here who can bring Affare back to its state of absolute power in Meridian.”

“Tsk, you won’t get me to agree with your plans?”

“We never needed your approval. Just those above you and in this room. Nevertheless, you should join us for the betterment of your family and the city. The power that we had allowed us to do whatever we wanted with little to no consequence.”

“What you did was nothing more than indulge yourself and incur the wrath of God on you.”

“Don’t you want more to be converted so their souls can be saved? We can make it so that other faiths and non-faiths suffer unfortunate deaths, the burning of their buildings, exposure of crimes, or are simply taxed out of the city.”

“I want you all to repent and leave me and my family alone,” Lancetto says with his revolver drawn.

“Do you really think this empty threat will do anything? Look. No one is standing up with you, and even if they did, they would suffer the same fate.”

Lancetto nervously looks around the room before saying, “I’d rather die than allow you to continue with your evil deeds!”

“So be it then.”

The businessman nods to the man with arms for blades who charges at Lancetto, who in turn, shoots at him, however, his shots bounce harmlessly off the metal man. Before the blades of the superhuman can reach Lancetto, I cut the man’s arm off. The superhuman is stunned by this as his bladed arm floats in mid-air and then turns on him, impaling him through the head, and killing him.

I laugh and then say, “I’ve been waiting for you to expose yourselves.”

“Who are you?” another of corrupt businessmen says.

“Who do you think? I am L’Obscurité.”

Everyone in the room starts to panic, even the superhumans.

“What do you want?”

“I want to punish the guilty and sinful as I always do. If you repent and choose to not pursue your current course of action and turn yourselves in, I won’t harm you, but on the other hand, well, you’ve seen what I’ve done.”

“Do you think violence will get us to change? Do you know who we are?”

I teleport the heroes and villains who are allies with these criminals into this room with their heads cut off.

“You’re the scum of this city who deserve death! You have one last chance.”

“Find him! He’s in this room so he must be close!”

The superhumans in this room wander it, looking for me. One of them thinks he sees me in a dark corner of the room, punches the space, and I explode his arm and then his head. The rest of the superhumans suffer a similar fate based on their powers such as the steel man being crushed as if he were a tin can and the invisible woman’s throat being cut.

“You, clergy of the Church!” I say. “You swore an oath to God, but your hearts are dedicated to your sins. Such will be your fate.”

The criminals who are clergy are all instantly cut in half from their heads down to their feet. Everyone is in a panic now trying to get out of the room, except for Lancetto who is on his knees begging for God’s mercy.

“You, criminals who use force to get what you want will feel the wrath of justice fall upon you!”

I use my powers to exact each criminal their due punishment with some criminals being shot by a firing squad in the dark, others being cut to bits, some being electrocuted as if they were in an electric chair, and a few being injected with lethal chemicals that cause them to bleed from their skin until they die.

“As for the rest of you, you didn’t defend your leader when he stood up for you. You may not be deserving of death, but there are fates far worse than it.”

Lancetto gets up and says, “Wait! Stop! Let these people go! You’ve scared justice into the hearts and I’m sure they’ll change, right?”

The people in the room fervently agree, and looking into their hearts, they mean to do so and not just because they’re scared.

Making myself visible to everyone in the room, I say, “Fine, but I’m trusting you with them. You all must do everything Lancetto says, or else, I’ll be back for you and his words won’t save you then.”

“Thank you, thank you so much!”

“Anything for a brother.”

Lancetto’s eyes narrow before widening and I can feel his mind starting to connect the dots. Before he can say my name, I disappear in the blink of an eye. Surely enough, I receive a text from him much later to meet in private. That might’ve been a mistake hinting too much at my true identity, but at least I’m glad to have removed the corruption from Lancetto’s company. Hopefully, Lancetto doesn’t reveal my identity to anyone else and he doesn’t have any harsh feelings about what I’ve done. Hopefully.