Chapter 19: Chapter 16

Colin’s eyes fluttered open, soft light welcoming him awake. 

His head ached, eased only by the firm pillow pressed against his skull. In opposition, the mattress sunk too deep in several places, its surface made uneven by the hard lumps burrowing into his back. Sitting up resulted in a dull pain flaring up along his neck, hand instinctively reaching up to massage the tight muscles. 

The sweet scent of apricots wafted into his nose, the lushness bringing him to the present. His vision focused on a golden candle, thick and stubby, sat upon a copper plate that curved up at the edges. Burning slow, thin smoke wisping along the walls, it illuminated the room in a gentle flame. 

Swinging his legs from the bed, Colin shivered, his torso bare. His arm was wrapped in bandages, a dull pain along the cut. Running his fingers over the wrappings, he felt the familiar bumps of stitches, the monofilament wire crisscrossing down his bicep. Solid work, he thought, struggling to his feet. 

Finding his clothes on the table next to the scented candle, he got dressed, missing the feel of fresh clothes on him as he slid his trench coat on, the leather cracked and crusty. A wash, first thing when I get back. 

“You’re awake, I see.” 

Colin turned, reaching for his gun, finding its holster empty. 

“Please relax, I’m not going to hurt you. Certainly not after I spent all that time stitching you up.” The door was wide open, a man leaning against the frame, one hand on his hip, the other limply holding the detective’s revolver. “Now, maybe introductions are in order?” Pale skin wrinkled as a lipless mouth pursed, the half-ghoul's crimson eyes glowing like rubies in the low light. 

Colin stepped back, swallowing hard. “Can I presume you to be the Doctor?” 

The man rolled his eyes, “Usually you introduce yourself first, but yes, I’m often referred to by that little nickname. I don’t have a medical license though, you should be aware.” The Doctor pointed at Colin’s bandages. “Completely self-taught. Now you are?” 

“I’m... detective Colin Black, with the EPD.” 

“Yes, I’m aware of your employer. Now,” the Doctor flipped Colin’s revolver, holding the grip out towards him, “mind telling me what you’re doing in the dead city?” 

Tentatively, Colin took his weapon back, sliding it into its holster. “Information. Looking for someone named Jackal. Caitlin suggested that you might know something about them.” 

The Doctor nodded, his smile gentle. “Ah, good, so she wasn’t lying. At the very least, you two can keep a story straight.” Turning on his heel, he beckoned with his hand, fingers lacking the half-webbing common to other half-breeds. “Come along then, detective. This could take a while, and I would rather be off my feet.” 

Together, they stepped out onto the balconies, the cathedral dark, only the light of the moon and the pyres in the distance to light up the holy structure. 

Colin looked over the railing, his eyes greeted by an ocean of darkness, stained-glass windows inefficient for letting in the full breadth of light. “How long was I out?” 

“A few hours,” The Doctor said, shrugging. “Long enough for afternoon to turn into night, at least.” 

The noise of their steps bounced around the vaulted walls, wood soles smacking against the tiled floor like singing bells. Colin cringed with each step, aware of the howls that bled in from outside. The Doctor, on the other hand, walked with that easy smile, running a hand through the uneven strands of his parted hair. 

Two doors down, and they stopped, the Doctor walking in without hesitation. “Come on in, and don’t be shy.” 

Bookshelves lined the walls, mostly bare, with the handful of books lacking titles or covers to indicate what they were. In the back stood a desk, jury-rigged from two small cabinets and a flat, wooden door. Medical books alongside a leather-bound journal sat haphazardly across its unsecured top. Two chairs sat mirrored on either end of the desk. 

Caitlin was on her knees, arms crossed over a windowsill, staring outside into the night. Eyelashes fluttered as she yawned, turning towards the two men with one eye half-shut. “Hey, took you long enough to get out of bed.” 

“Yes, he’s quite the heavy sleeper,” the Doctor said, marching over to his desk. “Please, detective, sit wherever you wish. And Caitlin, do try to wake up. You may rest here tonight, but I do require you to keep your wits about you for a little while longer.” 

Grumbling, Caitlin gripped the windowsill, using it to push herself to her feet. “Yeah, yeah, I’m up.” Yawning, one end of her mouth going higher than the other, she leaned against a shelf. “Just hurry this up, it’s been a long day.” 

Colin cocked an eyebrow, “What’d you two talk about while I was out?” 

“Caitlin updated me on what was happening in the other districts, and caught me up to speed on what you two have been through in the past week.” The Doctor sat down and fiddled with a charcoal stick laid across his table, glancing up at Colin for brief moments. “I did not want to repeat myself with any overlapping questions, and thus held off until I made sure you two were awake and healthy. It is your case, after all. She would have no reason to know anything if you ended up dying.” 

“Yes, we’ve been through that already,” Colin said. “From what it sounds like, you definitely know something about Jackal.” 

The Doctor shrugged, “I know some things. Whether what I know is useful or not is wholly up to what you need to know.” 

Taking the other chair, his muscles aching but his head more stable, Colin pulled out his pocketbook and pen. “Then let’s get to work. First, who is Jackal?” 

The Doctor cocked his head. “He is Jackal. He goes by no other name. Would you like to elaborate on that question?” 

Sighing, Colin tapped his pen against the pocketbook, adding tiny dots around the page’s corner. “Fine, that one is on me. What is Jackal? Some type of ghoul, or another designation of mutant?” 

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“Mind you,” the Doctor started, “I have not had the chance to really study him before, and I’ve only met him once before, and this was some time ago. But, based off of that meeting, I would say he is not affected by any variant of ghoulification. He does, however, possess strength greater than the average human. Whether or not he is stronger than the ogres that Enforcers often hire is unknown to me. I suggest caution in dealing with him regardless.” 

Colin’s hand moved on its own, his handwriting small and tight. “I’ve seen some of his strength in action, so I’ll take your warning very seriously. Okay, well then, how did you two come to meet? Who approached who?” 

“A simple question. It was he who approached me, back before I moved into the dead city several months ago. I was working late on a... personal project,” The Doctor’s eye twitched, “when he entered my clinic.” 

“And what did he want with you?” 

The Doctor shrugged, “My knowledge, my research. I am sure my physical strength was also of interest to his cause... and then there was also my beloved.” 

Colin’s brow furrowed, “Okay, two points to focus on there... let’s start with this ‘cause’ of his. What does Jackal want?” 

The Doctor set his charcoal stick down, interlocking his fingers. “That one is a bit more difficult. I do not know what Jackal's greater goals are, but his cause is one of revolution.” 

“Against Ebonpoint?” Colin clenched his jaw, pen freezing. 

“The whole world, it sounded like. When he made his offer to me, to join his cause, he insisted that us mutants are superior to normal humans.” The Doctor glanced over at Caitlin, “That we should be the ones to rule the lands above. I told him he was a fool, and that he understood nothing beyond the pit we rot away in. Regardless,” Reaching into one of the cabinets propping up his desk, the Doctor pulled out a copper coin. “He handed me this, and gave me instructions on where to go to be ‘tested.’” 

Colin jumped, reaching into his jacket, pulling out the same coin, its archaic design an almost exact replica. “You’re saying this is from Jackal?” 

Leaning in, inspecting Colin’s coin, the Doctor nodded. “Interesting. Caitlin did not mention this before. Well, yes, I received mine from Jackal. However, I assume that he is not the only one handing these out. He said that I and my beloved were ‘chosen to be a part of their family,’ a concept I find hilariously inept.” His tone remained calm and steady. 

Swiping sweat from his brow, Colin sat back down. “And what do you make of this ‘family?’” 

“It is a cult, obviously.” The Doctor waved his hand at the question, as though it were a stupid one. “And that means that there is most likely someone else pulling the strings. While it is possible that Jackal could be leading some foolish zealots, he seems too bloodthirsty and blunt-minded to run something like this. More likely to kill his supposed family than lead them.” 

Colin nodded along, pen continuing along the page. “Do you remember where he wanted you to go for that test of theirs?” 

Again, the Doctor shrugged. “I am sorry, but I do not. As I said, it has been a while, and I have more important things to tend to.” 

“Like your research or your beloved?” Colin asked. 

“Both. At this point, they are one in the same. Apologies,” The Doctor began, pointing at Colin’s notes, “but I do not wish for this particular subject to be documented so thoroughly.” 

With exaggeration, Colin closed his pocketbook, slipping it and his pen back into his coat. “Then let me ask you out of personal interest. What are you researching? And where is your beloved?” 

“You know, detectives are often despised down here because of how many questions you ask.” Unlocking his fingers, the Doctor stood. “But I am a man of science. Questions need to be asked. Very well then, you may follow me. Caitlin, do you wish-” Turning, the Doctor froze, his smile turning up more, becoming more genuine. 

Colin glanced over, Caitlin curled up on the floor, her snoring gentle and quiet. “Ah...” 

“She needs the sleep,” the Doctor said. “Let her rest, and follow me.” Stepping over her, he headed for the door. 

“I’ll be right behind you.” Stripping his trench coat from his shoulders, Colin set it over Caitlin, her fingers wrapping around the leather. Nodding to himself, the detective followed the Doctor back out onto the balcony. Down to the fourth, where Colin had passed out. 

The Doctor stopped with a hand on the doorknob, turning to stare into Colin’s eyes. “I ask that you not shout or make any signs of aggression. She can be easily offended sometimes.” Without another word, he stepped inside. 

The detective, not eased by the warning, followed. 

Darkness, Colin’s old friend, greeted him once again. Without sight, his other senses sharpened. In general, the room stank, like someone who hadn’t bathed their entire life, mixed with curdling jam. To his left, something heaved, clawing away at metal. To his right, something clanked, then clicked several times. 

A light sprung to life, the Doctor holding an oil lantern. 

And before Colin, were the beady eyes and sallow skin of a pure-bred ghoul, heavy chains and manacles trapping them between tight, iron bars. 

The Doctor stood beside Colin. “My beloved,” he said, voice bleeding with sadness. 

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