Categories > Movies > V for Vendetta > My Immortal
Chapter 4
V stared at her, a questioning look in his eyes. “ Dinner?” He repeated, “ What do you mean by that?”
Victoria looked up at him, excitement shinning in her eyes. “ We are going to hunt, V. As your sire, it is my responsibility to help you adjust to your new life. The transformation process sometimes has a tendency to drive mortals insane, if they are not strong of mind.”
“ Hunt? As in kill innocent people?” He asked her-------his eyes held a look of uncertainty “ Victoria, I will not destroy innocent lives just to survive.”
“ How else are you going to satisfy your thirst?” She asked, clearly annoyed. “ Are you going to ignore it? It is not that easy of a thing to ignore, my love------it is impossible!”
He turned away from her. “ I will not kill innocent people!” His voice was full of emotion.
Victoria sighed angrily. “ How will you eat then?” she asked, “ By killing mice and rats?! Or, I am quite sure there are enough stray dogs and cats within the city.” She crossed her arms over her waist, then stood in front of him. “ V.......” She placed her hand on his arm, “ you can not survive like that.” She searched his eyes. “ I know.”
V began to say something, but she interrupted him. “ I have learned much about you-----how you were experimented upon and tortured by this Norsefire-----I know more about your vendetta that probably Evey ever did, and.....” She paused, “ I know about your blood lust for revenge.”
A dark calmness came across V's features as he looked at Victoria. “ How?”
“ You learn many things during transformation.” She replied.
“ I need to shower and change my clothes......” He changed the subject quickly, “ The bandages also.....”
“ There is no need for bandages any longer.” She touched his bare chest gently, removing the two she had placed there earlier.
V felt a bolt of lightening run through his body as Victoria's fingers touched his skin----he exhaled a shaky breath.
“ You are healed completely.” She replied as she ran her fingers across his muscles. Victoria could sense the battle going on within him, and removed her hands. This was his decision to make-----if he wanted her as his mate, he would have to make the first move. “ I know that you finished your vendetta, but I also know that there are still people out there that would love nothing better than to bring Norsefire to it's feet again. Would they better suit your hunt?"
“ Yes........” He answered her dangerously.
“ Go and prepare yourself then, for afterwards, we hunt.” Taking his hand in hers, her fangs lightly broke the sensitive skin on his wrist just enough to draw a small drop of blood forth. Looking up, she ran her tongue sensually across the site, then backed away. “ I will be here.”
V turned quickly and walked down the hallway toward the bath, he needed to feel the cold water on his scorched skin---for he was burning up with fire!
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The brightness from the moon cast shadows on the city below as Victoria and V stood on the rooftop, their eyes following any movement from within the alleyways and streets----it was only moments before V spotted two human forms walking slowly down a nearby alley. He pulled a knife from his belt, and moved toward the edge of the ledge.
Victoria's mouth dropped open. “ V! What are you doing with those?” She exclaimed moving to him. “ Why do you have these?” She pushed the cape away, revealing his fully loaded knife belt beneath.
“ Old habit?” He smiled at her as he tucked the knife away once again.
“ You don't need these anymore.” She said softly, looking up at him, shaking her head gently
“ I know,” He answered, “ but, they are a part of me----of the vigilante that once was me.”
Victoria watched as he lowered his eyes. “ I understand.” She placed her hand on his arm, then turned back to the sillouettes below them on the street. “ Watch me carefully V, for I will do this only once.”
“ I have watched you Victoria------for over a month.” He answered as he felt the hunger beginning to grow.
“ Really?” She asked playfully, “ Then do you want a head start, or would you prefer we go together?”
He looked at her hungrily, “ Together.” The word was no more than a whisper on the wind, but it still reached her ears.
Victoria smiled at him, her white fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Taking his hand in hers, they jumped from the rooftop. V couldn't believe it----he had never felt more alive in his life. He looked down at the ground to see it coming to his feet slowly, then landed------he nor Victoria making a sound. Looking up, she smiled at him proudly. He watched as she prepared for the hunt, then something caught his attention-----blood. One of the men must be hurt-----the scent of copper was growing stronger as they approached closer. Without even thinking, V's tongue slid across the tips of his fangs, and the sensation caught him off guard. He raised a gloved finger to the strange objects that was now part of his mouth. Suddenly, the scent drew him deeply into itself, and his mouth began to water; he pulled the mask once again in place. Lowering his hand, he looked to Victoria. She gestured that he stay in the shadows until the time was right.
Victoria disappeared and waited as the men approached where she stood hidden within the shadows. Slowly, she stepped into the dim light. “ Excuse me, but I'm new to London, and seem to have lost my way.”
“ How can we be of service, miss?" The taller of the two asked with hunger in his eyes as he looked at Victoria, a sly grin forming on his lips.
From a distance, jealousy suddenly shook V all over-----his mind yelling ' She is mine!' as he watched the fingermen move closer. He shook his head to clear the thought ----she was not his, at least not yet. Quietly, he stepped out of the darkness coming up behind the other man, his hands clenching into leathered fists.
Victoria stepped toward the man closest to her. “ Can you possibly help me find a way out of this maze?” She asked shyly, her eyes never leaving his.
The man smiled as he reached into his pocket and withdrew the ID that showed his position as a Fingerman within the Norsefire government. “ You know, “ he took a strand of her black hair into his fingers and played with it. “ you're out past curfew, but I could possibly overlook that if you were nice to me and my partner-----if you know what I mean.”
Victoria smiled seductively, “ I know exactly what you mean, how 'bout if I tell you a little about myself.....” she leaned closer like she was going to whisper in his ear, but her fangs were the only thing that touched his skin as her arms embraced him in a strong hold.
“ Hey now.....what's go'in on 'ere.......” His partner began as he stepped toward them, a hand going toward Victoria's arm.
A deep hiss came from within Victoria as she raised her head from the man's neck, blood dripping from her lips.
“ What the bloody hell......” The man in front of V began as his eyes widen in terror, backing away------right into V. Turning, he stared into the Guy Fawkes mask.
“ What seems to be the problem?” V asked, pulling the mask from his face, showing his bared fangs.
The fingerman's eyes grew larger as he looked at V's fangs, terror glowing brightly in his eyes. “ Oh god, no---please, I.....”
For the first time, V's fangs sank into a living body----warm blood beginning to fill his mouth as he drank the life out of the struggling man in his arms. It passed through his body and he could feel the strength coursing through his veins. Closing his eyes, he blocked all sight and sound from his mind as he devoured his meal. Within minutes, the man had quit struggling and V let the limp body drop to the pavement. He turned to Victoria, who was savoring every last drop of blood from the unconscious man she held, and wiped a gloved hand across his bloodied mouth and chin. She smiled so lovingly at him, walking to where he stood. V couldn't say a word, he had lost all train of thought------- but in the distance, he heard two more pair of booted feet turn down the alleyway and start toward them.
“ How do you feel?” She asked softly as her arms encircled his waist.
“ Alive.” He answered, holding her close.
“ Your throat isn't burning?”
“ Not as bad as before.” He whispered, looking into her eyes.
“ Good.” Victoria laid her head on his chest. “ We need to dispose of the bodies, so no one will become suspicious for awhile-----they need to be hidden until they can start to decompose.”
“ Help me move this trash over them. “ V said breaking away from her, “ They will not be discovered for some time here in the alley.”
It took only a matter of minutes to complete the task, hiding the bodies under boxes and garbage from the nearby stores and restaurants.
“ Quickly, “ V took Victoria's hand in his, “ we must leave, more are coming.”
Victoria cocked her head to one side. “ The rooftop.” She answered as she pushed off the ground, V following her to safety. Looking over the ledge, they both watched as the bodies were discovered and reported to what was left of the Nose.
V grabbed Victoria's hand and pulled her into the night.
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“ You're not going to believe this, Chief.” Dominic Stone said as he threw photos onto Finch's desk.
Finch looked up at him. It had been only two months since V's little terrorist tantrum had been carried out; the Nose was in a million pieces, and Dom had just dropped another bomb into his lap.“Dominick, “ he began, looking at his partner, “ I don't think I can take many more surprises.” He glanced at the photos that Stone had just thrown across his desk. “ What the bloody hell............?”
“ You tell me Chief.” Stone replied as he took a seat at his desk. “ They were found an hour ago with about a hundred pounds of trash dumped on them.”
Finch studied the photos. “ What are the red marks on the neck?”
“ Nobody seems to know, Inspector-----at least no one at the morgue.” Stone sighed. “ They think they might be some kind of animal or insect bite.”
“ Have to be an awful big bug.” Finch replied under his breath.
Dominic looked at his friend and partner. “ That's not all, “ He reached into his jacket's inside pocket and handed another photo to Finch. “ They found this is in an old crypt under Victoria Station when they were cleaning up the last of V's mess a few days ago. They followed a trail of blood from the station to a passageway that lead to this."
Finch looked at the picture of the inside of a crypt, forgotten long ago. Columns reached from the floor to the ceiling throughout the structure, but what caught and held Finch's attention was the body it showed found on the stone floor lying next to an open sarcophagi-----it had a large two foot object stuffed into the gut, up to the hilt. Finch stared at the pommel-----he had seen that handle somewhere before-----. “ V.” He spoke softly.
“ You say something Chief?” Dominic looked up from his paperwork.
“ It's V's.” Finch replied handing him the picture.
“ V's?”
“ The handle-----it's one of V's knives.” Finch replied.
Dominic let out a deep breath. “ This is turning into a horror movie.” He looked at the photo and wondered why he hadn't caught it before.
“ Any ID on the bloke in the picture?” Finch asked getting up from his chair.
“ I've got the Yard working on it, but it might take awhile------they are really backed up since the Nose fell.” Stone replied. “ Inspector,” he looked at Finch, “ You don't think he's still alive, do you?”
Finch puffed on his pipe, and exhaled, smoke rising around his head in a misty blob. “ I don't know, Dominic. We didn't recover anything belonging to him-----no clothing, no mask----no body parts.”
“ You know, “ Dominic sat up straight in his chair, “ The other day Evey called me crying----she was at the Shadow Gallery------ she said it had been ransacked. I thought they had started removing the artifacts without her knowledge, “ Dominic broke off as he rose from his chair, “ so, I went over just to see what was going on," He began pacing the office floor, “ but, she was right.” He looked at Finch. “ The place was a bloody fuckin' mess---shit laying everywhere, busts of statues that had been broken all over the floor, paintings missing......It was like someone went in there and demolished the place, Chief.” He stopped pacing and looked directly at Finch. “ Eric, there was no way in hell anyone could have broken in there-------that place has one of the best security systems I have ever seen. Believe me, I know.”
“ You think V may still be alive and behind all these?” Finch waved his hand over the photos.
“ I don't know if he's behind any of them, but I do think he is still out there.” Dominic answered.
Finch laid the pipe in the ashtray. “ Talk to Evey, see if you can get anything out of her.......I'll start doing some digging around and try to figure out what the hell we're up against.”
Stone grabbed his jacket, heading for the door, stopping suddenly, then turned back to Finch. “ Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you----those fingermen.....”
Finch looked up.
“ They had no blood in their bodies.” Stone disappeared out the door after seeing the look on Finch's face.
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Victoria and V sat on the sofa in the media room, watching an old movie----both had cleaned up. Victoria had found some clothes V had procured for her and changed into a pair of jeans and a low cut black silk top. V had joined her wearing a soft blue linen poet's shirt, and black breeches that accented his muscular thighs. From the corner of her eye, she watched V, amazed at how well his transformation had taken------it was like the scars she had seen, never existed.
“ V?”
“ Hmmmm.....” He turned, looking at her.
“ Can I ask you something?”
V gazed through the mask at her. He knew his face had been healed, but he just couldn't bring himself to remove the only form of protection he had had for the last twenty years against society and her, permanently. “ Yes, of course. What is it Victoria?”
She looked deeply into the black slits.” How did------how did you get your scars?” She asked calmly, her eyes never leaving the mask “ I know about the fire at Larkhill-----you were caught in it?”
He held his breath. He had known this would be coming----it was only a matter of time before her curiosity got the best of her. He exhaled deeply, leaning back into the cushions. “ It happened a long time ago, Victoria. Just let it go.” His voice, barely a whisper.
She leaned in closer to him, their bodies barely touching. “ V, please tell me-----I need to know.”
“ Why?” His voice demanded to know as he turned his head to look at her.
She smiled gently. “ Because I want to know everything about you.”
' Why can I not say no to this creature?'He thought to himself. Opening his eyes, he stared at the stone ceiling of his new home. “ I don't remember any of my life before Larkhill....” He began, “ It was hell on earth-----a detainment center for undesirables-----what they did to us there was inhumane. We were treated like lab rats, or even lower----the women were raped constantly and beaten severely.” V stopped and took a deep breath, “ The men, “ he closed his eyes against the scenes that played in his mind, “ were treated the same, except we were given shots more often than the women.” He rose from the couch, his gloved hands clenched into fists. “ Day after day they gave us the shots in hope that they could procure a cure for a deadly virus they had developed. However, most that were innoculated died within days,” He stopped, looking at her, “ except for one.....”
“ You....” Victoria looked up at him.
He nodded slowly. “ Yes.” He whispered. “ Because of the experiments I was subjected to, I lost everything I ever had----my memories, my name, my family----if I ever had one. I had no memory of who I was before I went there.” He paced the floor, “ But the drugs had a strange effect on me also----my strength and speed increased, my reflexes developed into something unheard of, and my intelligence grew exponentially. Then very slowly, I began to convience one of the doctors that I had gone completely insane, that I was no longer a threat. I was assigned to take care of the camp's garden.....” He chuckled under the mask.” Every day, I would slowly make explosives out of fertilizer and some other components I ordered, then on November 5th, I ignited them. It was glorious!” His voice dropped an octive lower as he relived the moment. ” I wanted to die that night, I wanted the pain to finally end......” Victoria watched as he moved around the room----she felt every bit of the hell he had gone through as emotions radiated from his body. “ But something saved me that night, Victoria.....”
“ Your vendetta.....”
V turned from her, nodding again.
“ Then the first day I met you.....”
“ I had completed my vendetta that night----- “ He joined her on the couch, “ it took me twenty years to do it.”
Victoria stared at him, her thoughts spinning in her head.
“ Victoria?” V watched her, gaging her reaction.
“ What?” She spoke quietly as she looked up.
“ What was your life before you became a vampire?” V asked calmly, “ How did it happen to you?”
She smiled gently, “ Guess it's my turn, huh?” She took a deep breath before continuing, “ I really don't remember much, only bits and pieces.....I remember my father being a wealthy man----I don't remember my mother at all-----I think she died right after I was born. I can remember some of the balls my father threw for me so all the eligible bachlors could come and gawk. One night, I met him-----I can still see him standing by the outside balcony, looking out over the gardens. I thought he was the most handsome man I had ever seen, and walked over to him, wanting to make his acquaintance. We seem to hit it off very well, and he asked me if I would like to go on a stroll through the gardens with him. His name was William, and he was in London on business with my father. We saw each other quite a few times after that. “ She bowed her head, gathering her thoughts. “ On the last night we were together,” She looked at V, “ He told me he had fallen in love with me, and he desperately wanted me to leave with him, that I was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and he wanted me for his mate." She stopped, crossing her arms across her chest, " I woke up three days later, a vampire.”
“ How did you come to be underground?” V asked.
“ Several years later, the Black Plague hit, killing everything in its way----including my people. The food was disappearing, and they were starving to death. Many had fled to other parts of the world, but this was my home, so I decided to place myself into the Sleep of the Elders, in hope that if I were awaken in the future, I would be able to survive.” She paused as memories played through her mind.
“ Then you found me?” He asked gently.
“ No, the blood from above seeped into my crypt, awakening me. I followed a scent that I had never experienced before, and found you at the station in Evey's arms.”
V looked away from Victoria, his eyes on the clock above the telly. It was four in the morning.
“ We should get to sleep. It will be dawn soon.” He offered her his hand.
“ V?” Victoria looked up at him.
“ What?”
“ Would you take the mask off?” She asked, “ I want to see your eyes......and you.”
He reached up unfastening the mask and taking it off along with the black wig.
“ That's better.” She smiled searching his eyes.
“ Come.” He took her by the hand and walked her to her door, then retired to his own. Thoughts were racing through his mind, some he had to resolve before sleep would come to him this night. Stopping right before he reached his bedroom door, he adjusted the lighting in the Gallery to its lowest level, then entered his bedroom, closing the door after him.
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Evey Hammond looked over her shoulder as she continued on her way down the deserted street. She had just left the Shadow Gallery emerging into the night and the first thing she thought she had heard were footsteps following her. Taking a deep breath, she continued on, a determined look on her shadowed face. Evey felt the calmness grow from the pit of her stomach and gradually cover her entire body. She knew she should not be out this late ----it was almost dawn, but she couldn't sleep, and ventured to the gallery in hopes that it might ease her restless mind. Suddenly she stopped, looking into the mouth of a dark alleyway, and a small smile appeared on her lips. This was 'their' alleyway------the one V had rescued her from over a year ago. Quietly, she moved into the shadows and walked up the pavement, something on the wall catching her eyes------ 'Strength through Unity; Unity through Faith' she read out loud as her voice echoed off the alleyway walls-----it still even had the 'V' he had carved into it that night. “ Oh, V.......” Her hand reached out and touched the ragged poster. “ I miss you so much......” She shivered as her eyes began to well with tears. “ Why does fate have to be so damn mean?”
“ That's a question I've always wondered myself.” A voice spoke from behind her; she turned quickly to see three figures moving toward her.
“ What do you want?” She shouted, “ I'm not breaking any laws!”
“ That's a matter of opinion.......” They were upon her in a matter of seconds, two holding her while the other looked at her. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a worn fingerman badge.
“ You are out after curfew.”
“ Where have you assholes been for the last two months?!” She asked angrily as she broke free of the two men. “ Don't you know that Norsefire doesn't exist anymore?!”
“ Oh we know, Miss Hammond-----thanks to that bloody damn friend of yours!” The baton he held extended to its full length with a jerk of his wrist. “ Your lover may be dead, but you're not-----and I believe we are entitled to some compensation from you for everything he did to us. “ He looked over at his mates. “ What ya' think, boys?”
“ I think it's only fair.” The small skinny one replied, reaching out his hand toward Evey's coat.
“ Don't touch me!” She exclaimed, slapping his hand away. “ I'll kill you!” Her eyes burned bright with the red hot flames of anger as she looked at them.
“ Oh-h-h, kitty still has claws.....” The tall one grinned as he saw his other partner moving up behind her.
Suddenly Evey recognized him----he was one of the orginal fingermen from the alley the night V recued her.
“ Just like you said she would, and a nice looking piece of ass to boot.” Davey grinned as he moved toward her.
Evey reached into her coat pocket, her hand clasping the pommel of the small dagger V had given her when she first arrived in the Gallery. He had taught her how to defend herself with it, and now, it looked like the lessons would be paying off.
“ Gotcha!” The man behind her grabbed her around the waist, her arms held fast to her sides.
“ Let me go!” She struggled with all her strength, but the man held her in a death grip.
“ When we're done, bird, when we're done.” Davey moved toward her, his hand on his belt buckle.
Evey kicked out, her shoe catching air, as the arms around her tightened. “ Let me go! “
The other three moved toward her, and for the first time in over a year, she felt fear. “ V!” She screamed as a hard fist slammed into her jaw and everything went black.
V stared at her, a questioning look in his eyes. “ Dinner?” He repeated, “ What do you mean by that?”
Victoria looked up at him, excitement shinning in her eyes. “ We are going to hunt, V. As your sire, it is my responsibility to help you adjust to your new life. The transformation process sometimes has a tendency to drive mortals insane, if they are not strong of mind.”
“ Hunt? As in kill innocent people?” He asked her-------his eyes held a look of uncertainty “ Victoria, I will not destroy innocent lives just to survive.”
“ How else are you going to satisfy your thirst?” She asked, clearly annoyed. “ Are you going to ignore it? It is not that easy of a thing to ignore, my love------it is impossible!”
He turned away from her. “ I will not kill innocent people!” His voice was full of emotion.
Victoria sighed angrily. “ How will you eat then?” she asked, “ By killing mice and rats?! Or, I am quite sure there are enough stray dogs and cats within the city.” She crossed her arms over her waist, then stood in front of him. “ V.......” She placed her hand on his arm, “ you can not survive like that.” She searched his eyes. “ I know.”
V began to say something, but she interrupted him. “ I have learned much about you-----how you were experimented upon and tortured by this Norsefire-----I know more about your vendetta that probably Evey ever did, and.....” She paused, “ I know about your blood lust for revenge.”
A dark calmness came across V's features as he looked at Victoria. “ How?”
“ You learn many things during transformation.” She replied.
“ I need to shower and change my clothes......” He changed the subject quickly, “ The bandages also.....”
“ There is no need for bandages any longer.” She touched his bare chest gently, removing the two she had placed there earlier.
V felt a bolt of lightening run through his body as Victoria's fingers touched his skin----he exhaled a shaky breath.
“ You are healed completely.” She replied as she ran her fingers across his muscles. Victoria could sense the battle going on within him, and removed her hands. This was his decision to make-----if he wanted her as his mate, he would have to make the first move. “ I know that you finished your vendetta, but I also know that there are still people out there that would love nothing better than to bring Norsefire to it's feet again. Would they better suit your hunt?"
“ Yes........” He answered her dangerously.
“ Go and prepare yourself then, for afterwards, we hunt.” Taking his hand in hers, her fangs lightly broke the sensitive skin on his wrist just enough to draw a small drop of blood forth. Looking up, she ran her tongue sensually across the site, then backed away. “ I will be here.”
V turned quickly and walked down the hallway toward the bath, he needed to feel the cold water on his scorched skin---for he was burning up with fire!
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The brightness from the moon cast shadows on the city below as Victoria and V stood on the rooftop, their eyes following any movement from within the alleyways and streets----it was only moments before V spotted two human forms walking slowly down a nearby alley. He pulled a knife from his belt, and moved toward the edge of the ledge.
Victoria's mouth dropped open. “ V! What are you doing with those?” She exclaimed moving to him. “ Why do you have these?” She pushed the cape away, revealing his fully loaded knife belt beneath.
“ Old habit?” He smiled at her as he tucked the knife away once again.
“ You don't need these anymore.” She said softly, looking up at him, shaking her head gently
“ I know,” He answered, “ but, they are a part of me----of the vigilante that once was me.”
Victoria watched as he lowered his eyes. “ I understand.” She placed her hand on his arm, then turned back to the sillouettes below them on the street. “ Watch me carefully V, for I will do this only once.”
“ I have watched you Victoria------for over a month.” He answered as he felt the hunger beginning to grow.
“ Really?” She asked playfully, “ Then do you want a head start, or would you prefer we go together?”
He looked at her hungrily, “ Together.” The word was no more than a whisper on the wind, but it still reached her ears.
Victoria smiled at him, her white fangs gleaming in the moonlight. Taking his hand in hers, they jumped from the rooftop. V couldn't believe it----he had never felt more alive in his life. He looked down at the ground to see it coming to his feet slowly, then landed------he nor Victoria making a sound. Looking up, she smiled at him proudly. He watched as she prepared for the hunt, then something caught his attention-----blood. One of the men must be hurt-----the scent of copper was growing stronger as they approached closer. Without even thinking, V's tongue slid across the tips of his fangs, and the sensation caught him off guard. He raised a gloved finger to the strange objects that was now part of his mouth. Suddenly, the scent drew him deeply into itself, and his mouth began to water; he pulled the mask once again in place. Lowering his hand, he looked to Victoria. She gestured that he stay in the shadows until the time was right.
Victoria disappeared and waited as the men approached where she stood hidden within the shadows. Slowly, she stepped into the dim light. “ Excuse me, but I'm new to London, and seem to have lost my way.”
“ How can we be of service, miss?" The taller of the two asked with hunger in his eyes as he looked at Victoria, a sly grin forming on his lips.
From a distance, jealousy suddenly shook V all over-----his mind yelling ' She is mine!' as he watched the fingermen move closer. He shook his head to clear the thought ----she was not his, at least not yet. Quietly, he stepped out of the darkness coming up behind the other man, his hands clenching into leathered fists.
Victoria stepped toward the man closest to her. “ Can you possibly help me find a way out of this maze?” She asked shyly, her eyes never leaving his.
The man smiled as he reached into his pocket and withdrew the ID that showed his position as a Fingerman within the Norsefire government. “ You know, “ he took a strand of her black hair into his fingers and played with it. “ you're out past curfew, but I could possibly overlook that if you were nice to me and my partner-----if you know what I mean.”
Victoria smiled seductively, “ I know exactly what you mean, how 'bout if I tell you a little about myself.....” she leaned closer like she was going to whisper in his ear, but her fangs were the only thing that touched his skin as her arms embraced him in a strong hold.
“ Hey now.....what's go'in on 'ere.......” His partner began as he stepped toward them, a hand going toward Victoria's arm.
A deep hiss came from within Victoria as she raised her head from the man's neck, blood dripping from her lips.
“ What the bloody hell......” The man in front of V began as his eyes widen in terror, backing away------right into V. Turning, he stared into the Guy Fawkes mask.
“ What seems to be the problem?” V asked, pulling the mask from his face, showing his bared fangs.
The fingerman's eyes grew larger as he looked at V's fangs, terror glowing brightly in his eyes. “ Oh god, no---please, I.....”
For the first time, V's fangs sank into a living body----warm blood beginning to fill his mouth as he drank the life out of the struggling man in his arms. It passed through his body and he could feel the strength coursing through his veins. Closing his eyes, he blocked all sight and sound from his mind as he devoured his meal. Within minutes, the man had quit struggling and V let the limp body drop to the pavement. He turned to Victoria, who was savoring every last drop of blood from the unconscious man she held, and wiped a gloved hand across his bloodied mouth and chin. She smiled so lovingly at him, walking to where he stood. V couldn't say a word, he had lost all train of thought------- but in the distance, he heard two more pair of booted feet turn down the alleyway and start toward them.
“ How do you feel?” She asked softly as her arms encircled his waist.
“ Alive.” He answered, holding her close.
“ Your throat isn't burning?”
“ Not as bad as before.” He whispered, looking into her eyes.
“ Good.” Victoria laid her head on his chest. “ We need to dispose of the bodies, so no one will become suspicious for awhile-----they need to be hidden until they can start to decompose.”
“ Help me move this trash over them. “ V said breaking away from her, “ They will not be discovered for some time here in the alley.”
It took only a matter of minutes to complete the task, hiding the bodies under boxes and garbage from the nearby stores and restaurants.
“ Quickly, “ V took Victoria's hand in his, “ we must leave, more are coming.”
Victoria cocked her head to one side. “ The rooftop.” She answered as she pushed off the ground, V following her to safety. Looking over the ledge, they both watched as the bodies were discovered and reported to what was left of the Nose.
V grabbed Victoria's hand and pulled her into the night.
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“ You're not going to believe this, Chief.” Dominic Stone said as he threw photos onto Finch's desk.
Finch looked up at him. It had been only two months since V's little terrorist tantrum had been carried out; the Nose was in a million pieces, and Dom had just dropped another bomb into his lap.“Dominick, “ he began, looking at his partner, “ I don't think I can take many more surprises.” He glanced at the photos that Stone had just thrown across his desk. “ What the bloody hell............?”
“ You tell me Chief.” Stone replied as he took a seat at his desk. “ They were found an hour ago with about a hundred pounds of trash dumped on them.”
Finch studied the photos. “ What are the red marks on the neck?”
“ Nobody seems to know, Inspector-----at least no one at the morgue.” Stone sighed. “ They think they might be some kind of animal or insect bite.”
“ Have to be an awful big bug.” Finch replied under his breath.
Dominic looked at his friend and partner. “ That's not all, “ He reached into his jacket's inside pocket and handed another photo to Finch. “ They found this is in an old crypt under Victoria Station when they were cleaning up the last of V's mess a few days ago. They followed a trail of blood from the station to a passageway that lead to this."
Finch looked at the picture of the inside of a crypt, forgotten long ago. Columns reached from the floor to the ceiling throughout the structure, but what caught and held Finch's attention was the body it showed found on the stone floor lying next to an open sarcophagi-----it had a large two foot object stuffed into the gut, up to the hilt. Finch stared at the pommel-----he had seen that handle somewhere before-----. “ V.” He spoke softly.
“ You say something Chief?” Dominic looked up from his paperwork.
“ It's V's.” Finch replied handing him the picture.
“ V's?”
“ The handle-----it's one of V's knives.” Finch replied.
Dominic let out a deep breath. “ This is turning into a horror movie.” He looked at the photo and wondered why he hadn't caught it before.
“ Any ID on the bloke in the picture?” Finch asked getting up from his chair.
“ I've got the Yard working on it, but it might take awhile------they are really backed up since the Nose fell.” Stone replied. “ Inspector,” he looked at Finch, “ You don't think he's still alive, do you?”
Finch puffed on his pipe, and exhaled, smoke rising around his head in a misty blob. “ I don't know, Dominic. We didn't recover anything belonging to him-----no clothing, no mask----no body parts.”
“ You know, “ Dominic sat up straight in his chair, “ The other day Evey called me crying----she was at the Shadow Gallery------ she said it had been ransacked. I thought they had started removing the artifacts without her knowledge, “ Dominic broke off as he rose from his chair, “ so, I went over just to see what was going on," He began pacing the office floor, “ but, she was right.” He looked at Finch. “ The place was a bloody fuckin' mess---shit laying everywhere, busts of statues that had been broken all over the floor, paintings missing......It was like someone went in there and demolished the place, Chief.” He stopped pacing and looked directly at Finch. “ Eric, there was no way in hell anyone could have broken in there-------that place has one of the best security systems I have ever seen. Believe me, I know.”
“ You think V may still be alive and behind all these?” Finch waved his hand over the photos.
“ I don't know if he's behind any of them, but I do think he is still out there.” Dominic answered.
Finch laid the pipe in the ashtray. “ Talk to Evey, see if you can get anything out of her.......I'll start doing some digging around and try to figure out what the hell we're up against.”
Stone grabbed his jacket, heading for the door, stopping suddenly, then turned back to Finch. “ Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you----those fingermen.....”
Finch looked up.
“ They had no blood in their bodies.” Stone disappeared out the door after seeing the look on Finch's face.
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Victoria and V sat on the sofa in the media room, watching an old movie----both had cleaned up. Victoria had found some clothes V had procured for her and changed into a pair of jeans and a low cut black silk top. V had joined her wearing a soft blue linen poet's shirt, and black breeches that accented his muscular thighs. From the corner of her eye, she watched V, amazed at how well his transformation had taken------it was like the scars she had seen, never existed.
“ V?”
“ Hmmmm.....” He turned, looking at her.
“ Can I ask you something?”
V gazed through the mask at her. He knew his face had been healed, but he just couldn't bring himself to remove the only form of protection he had had for the last twenty years against society and her, permanently. “ Yes, of course. What is it Victoria?”
She looked deeply into the black slits.” How did------how did you get your scars?” She asked calmly, her eyes never leaving the mask “ I know about the fire at Larkhill-----you were caught in it?”
He held his breath. He had known this would be coming----it was only a matter of time before her curiosity got the best of her. He exhaled deeply, leaning back into the cushions. “ It happened a long time ago, Victoria. Just let it go.” His voice, barely a whisper.
She leaned in closer to him, their bodies barely touching. “ V, please tell me-----I need to know.”
“ Why?” His voice demanded to know as he turned his head to look at her.
She smiled gently. “ Because I want to know everything about you.”
' Why can I not say no to this creature?'He thought to himself. Opening his eyes, he stared at the stone ceiling of his new home. “ I don't remember any of my life before Larkhill....” He began, “ It was hell on earth-----a detainment center for undesirables-----what they did to us there was inhumane. We were treated like lab rats, or even lower----the women were raped constantly and beaten severely.” V stopped and took a deep breath, “ The men, “ he closed his eyes against the scenes that played in his mind, “ were treated the same, except we were given shots more often than the women.” He rose from the couch, his gloved hands clenched into fists. “ Day after day they gave us the shots in hope that they could procure a cure for a deadly virus they had developed. However, most that were innoculated died within days,” He stopped, looking at her, “ except for one.....”
“ You....” Victoria looked up at him.
He nodded slowly. “ Yes.” He whispered. “ Because of the experiments I was subjected to, I lost everything I ever had----my memories, my name, my family----if I ever had one. I had no memory of who I was before I went there.” He paced the floor, “ But the drugs had a strange effect on me also----my strength and speed increased, my reflexes developed into something unheard of, and my intelligence grew exponentially. Then very slowly, I began to convience one of the doctors that I had gone completely insane, that I was no longer a threat. I was assigned to take care of the camp's garden.....” He chuckled under the mask.” Every day, I would slowly make explosives out of fertilizer and some other components I ordered, then on November 5th, I ignited them. It was glorious!” His voice dropped an octive lower as he relived the moment. ” I wanted to die that night, I wanted the pain to finally end......” Victoria watched as he moved around the room----she felt every bit of the hell he had gone through as emotions radiated from his body. “ But something saved me that night, Victoria.....”
“ Your vendetta.....”
V turned from her, nodding again.
“ Then the first day I met you.....”
“ I had completed my vendetta that night----- “ He joined her on the couch, “ it took me twenty years to do it.”
Victoria stared at him, her thoughts spinning in her head.
“ Victoria?” V watched her, gaging her reaction.
“ What?” She spoke quietly as she looked up.
“ What was your life before you became a vampire?” V asked calmly, “ How did it happen to you?”
She smiled gently, “ Guess it's my turn, huh?” She took a deep breath before continuing, “ I really don't remember much, only bits and pieces.....I remember my father being a wealthy man----I don't remember my mother at all-----I think she died right after I was born. I can remember some of the balls my father threw for me so all the eligible bachlors could come and gawk. One night, I met him-----I can still see him standing by the outside balcony, looking out over the gardens. I thought he was the most handsome man I had ever seen, and walked over to him, wanting to make his acquaintance. We seem to hit it off very well, and he asked me if I would like to go on a stroll through the gardens with him. His name was William, and he was in London on business with my father. We saw each other quite a few times after that. “ She bowed her head, gathering her thoughts. “ On the last night we were together,” She looked at V, “ He told me he had fallen in love with me, and he desperately wanted me to leave with him, that I was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and he wanted me for his mate." She stopped, crossing her arms across her chest, " I woke up three days later, a vampire.”
“ How did you come to be underground?” V asked.
“ Several years later, the Black Plague hit, killing everything in its way----including my people. The food was disappearing, and they were starving to death. Many had fled to other parts of the world, but this was my home, so I decided to place myself into the Sleep of the Elders, in hope that if I were awaken in the future, I would be able to survive.” She paused as memories played through her mind.
“ Then you found me?” He asked gently.
“ No, the blood from above seeped into my crypt, awakening me. I followed a scent that I had never experienced before, and found you at the station in Evey's arms.”
V looked away from Victoria, his eyes on the clock above the telly. It was four in the morning.
“ We should get to sleep. It will be dawn soon.” He offered her his hand.
“ V?” Victoria looked up at him.
“ What?”
“ Would you take the mask off?” She asked, “ I want to see your eyes......and you.”
He reached up unfastening the mask and taking it off along with the black wig.
“ That's better.” She smiled searching his eyes.
“ Come.” He took her by the hand and walked her to her door, then retired to his own. Thoughts were racing through his mind, some he had to resolve before sleep would come to him this night. Stopping right before he reached his bedroom door, he adjusted the lighting in the Gallery to its lowest level, then entered his bedroom, closing the door after him.
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Evey Hammond looked over her shoulder as she continued on her way down the deserted street. She had just left the Shadow Gallery emerging into the night and the first thing she thought she had heard were footsteps following her. Taking a deep breath, she continued on, a determined look on her shadowed face. Evey felt the calmness grow from the pit of her stomach and gradually cover her entire body. She knew she should not be out this late ----it was almost dawn, but she couldn't sleep, and ventured to the gallery in hopes that it might ease her restless mind. Suddenly she stopped, looking into the mouth of a dark alleyway, and a small smile appeared on her lips. This was 'their' alleyway------the one V had rescued her from over a year ago. Quietly, she moved into the shadows and walked up the pavement, something on the wall catching her eyes------ 'Strength through Unity; Unity through Faith' she read out loud as her voice echoed off the alleyway walls-----it still even had the 'V' he had carved into it that night. “ Oh, V.......” Her hand reached out and touched the ragged poster. “ I miss you so much......” She shivered as her eyes began to well with tears. “ Why does fate have to be so damn mean?”
“ That's a question I've always wondered myself.” A voice spoke from behind her; she turned quickly to see three figures moving toward her.
“ What do you want?” She shouted, “ I'm not breaking any laws!”
“ That's a matter of opinion.......” They were upon her in a matter of seconds, two holding her while the other looked at her. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a worn fingerman badge.
“ You are out after curfew.”
“ Where have you assholes been for the last two months?!” She asked angrily as she broke free of the two men. “ Don't you know that Norsefire doesn't exist anymore?!”
“ Oh we know, Miss Hammond-----thanks to that bloody damn friend of yours!” The baton he held extended to its full length with a jerk of his wrist. “ Your lover may be dead, but you're not-----and I believe we are entitled to some compensation from you for everything he did to us. “ He looked over at his mates. “ What ya' think, boys?”
“ I think it's only fair.” The small skinny one replied, reaching out his hand toward Evey's coat.
“ Don't touch me!” She exclaimed, slapping his hand away. “ I'll kill you!” Her eyes burned bright with the red hot flames of anger as she looked at them.
“ Oh-h-h, kitty still has claws.....” The tall one grinned as he saw his other partner moving up behind her.
Suddenly Evey recognized him----he was one of the orginal fingermen from the alley the night V recued her.
“ Just like you said she would, and a nice looking piece of ass to boot.” Davey grinned as he moved toward her.
Evey reached into her coat pocket, her hand clasping the pommel of the small dagger V had given her when she first arrived in the Gallery. He had taught her how to defend herself with it, and now, it looked like the lessons would be paying off.
“ Gotcha!” The man behind her grabbed her around the waist, her arms held fast to her sides.
“ Let me go!” She struggled with all her strength, but the man held her in a death grip.
“ When we're done, bird, when we're done.” Davey moved toward her, his hand on his belt buckle.
Evey kicked out, her shoe catching air, as the arms around her tightened. “ Let me go! “
The other three moved toward her, and for the first time in over a year, she felt fear. “ V!” She screamed as a hard fist slammed into her jaw and everything went black.
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