Feroz

The unmistakable sound of high heels making contact with with laminated hardwood floors and expensive perfume made only with the finest components made its presence more and more noticeable as the source, a beautiful blonde woman in her mid thirties made her way towards Bigby's small and dingy office. Of course, nobody else in the entire apartment could hear or smell the sound and scent that far away but Bryan.

"Welcome, I'm Bryan. We spoke on the phone 30 minutes ago" The Big Bad introduced himself as he welcomed a potential client to his "office." A small 10x12 room in an old dingy apartment building converted into a private investigator's office. The room smelled of a combination of cigarettes and air freshener that was just applied minutes ago in Bryan's futile attempts to neutralize the strong scent of Tabaco smoke.

As both Bryan and Claire took a seat opposite of each other, divided by a desk that was covered by folders and paperwork that looked like they were half-assedly filed in a hurry, Bigby offered a drink.

"Can I get you something? I think I have some whiskey and vodka here somewhere"

"Whiskey please" Claire responded, clearly distraught about something.

Opening a small cabinet on the bottom of his desk, Bryan took a shallow sigh as the cabinet revealed an empty bottle of Whiskey that he had fully consumed the prior night and half a bottle of Vodka. "Ugh..is Vodka okay?" Bigby awkwardly asked to which Claire nodded in approval.

Claire nervously looked around the messy office, the small enclosed space, furnished with cheap furniture was an unfamiliar sight to the wealthy blonde who was shifting around a surprisingly comfortable chair. Unsure how to start the conversation with someone as rough looking as Bigby who also was uncomfortable entertaining a guest with such caliber in such a shabby office. The young woman took a swig of the vodka before mustering strength to finally speak. Breaking the awkward silence.

"I know you sounded hesitant earlier, Mr.Bigby but I am desperate. He's only four years old! I know you told me to skip the cops and go directly to the DEA and be as discreet as possible and I promise you only a handful of people knew. Last night, they sent us a picture of Timmy sleeping with a bloody gauze wrapped around his hand! They warned us if we ever approached anyone the only way we'd see him again is by pieces!" Claire barely finished before breaking down sobbing, throwing the large sun glasses she had wore down at the desk revealing swollen eyes and darkened eyebags.

Bryan took deep sigh as he poured another shot of Vodka. "Listen, Mrs. Reginald, we live in a world where superhumans exist. Vigilantes who's more than capable of retrieving your son if the authorities are having problems. I unfortunately don't know any personally, but I'm sure you could contact one. I'm a private investigator, I investigate unsolved cases or help out with them. This is a kidnapping over in Mexico most likely cartel work. This is beyond my jurisdiction and capabilitie-"

"Jasmine Bryce. She told me you rescued her from a gang kidnapping."

"Yes, but a gang and the carte-"

"She said the moment you brought her out of the room they kept her in, she saw bodies everywhere. Not a single one of those bodies remained intact. You denied you had anything to do with the bodes, and personally I don't care if you or some accomplice did it, or maybe a business partner did all the work and you took the credit for. I really don't, I just want my son back and I want them to pay for it.

What they did to my son, honestly I don't know how someone could be so f#cking cruel and cut a four year old boys pinky finger off and send it to her own damn mother! I don't need a f@cking hero Mr. Bigby, I need my son back and I need someone to show those f@cking animals that there is always someone bigger, someone more capable of violence that works for the other side. I want to send them a message so that they'll think twice of taking a son away from their mother or father ever again! I was orphaned Mr.Bigby, my parents were brutally killed by burglars after they showed small signs of fighting back. I promised if I ever have children of my own I would never let them experience such violence yet here I am. In a dilapidated office asking for a private investigator only 10 people know of asking for help because he's in another F!cking country held captive by f!cking animals!! So please, Mr. Bigby, I beg of you. For my son."

Juarez, Mexico. 3:00 A.M.

Trails of fresh blood covered the floors of a narrow hallway that eventually led to a torso that leaned on a wall. Surprisingly still alive and gasping for air. The bottom half was left all the way the entrance of the establishment. As if some predator dragged the other half until it was bored. Shattered glass and debris floated on top of fresh blood that had pooled on the floor. Limbs, human entrails, heads and entire torsos scattered throughout the entire two story house that was riddled with bullets and debris. For such carnage, the establishment was dead silent.

"Timmy. I'm coming in, okay? Your mom Claire sent me, I'm one of the good guys. You might see some blood on me, but I'm perfectly fine. Nothing to worry about." Bryan spoke with great calm, trying his best to comfort the distraught child.

"Now, you're going to have to trust me okay? I'll have to prick you with just a teeny tiny needle. Your going to get sleepy but the moment you wake up, we'll be in this super cool and fancy jet your mom bought just for you. And I'll have some cartoons on ready when you wake up. Alright?" And with Timmy's unconvinced approval, the contents of the syringe were swiftly injected onto Timmy to spare him from the horrific sight and carnage Bryan had caused, sparing him further trauma.

As Timmy came to, he was greeted with the sight of a window seat in a private jet. Groggily peering outside, appreciating the view before turning to the right. The sight of Bigby deep asleep next to him. The child smiles as he grasps Bigby's finger in comfort before facing a wide TV screen in front of them playing a classic cartoon show. As Bigby had promised.

The show playing: 3 little pigs and The Big Bad Wolf.

@the_immortal:

Sorry that took a little while. But I posted, finally! I hope I didn't control the interaction too much. Again, if there's anything you want changed I am very open to it!

Edit: Also, that post was a little rough, might not read as smooth. Sorry.

@the_immortal:

Bryan's eyebrow raised in caution as the unmistakable stench of burning flesh made its way to his heightened sense of smell. Faint crackling sounds typically found in that of a small campfire could also be heard within both men's vicinity as Lucias recalled his painful past. Igniting his anger and pain, both figuratively and literally.

"But the problem I'm facing now, is you." Lucias stated. A sentence that had not only brought back the tension Bryan had tried so hard to bring down, but a sentence that the Wolf had taken as a challenge. Maybe it was his feral instincts, maybe it was the prideful nature from the human in him.

"You know what I've done, what I do. But I don't know yet is the circumstances." Lucias Carpenter added. It was now clear to Bryan that Lucias didn't just make it his goal to seek out revenge for those who were incapable of it. It was an obsession to him to rid the world of those who's done evil.

I don't see any problem here, Lucias." Bigby responded, taking yet another drag of his cigarette. "What you did to that king. What you do to this very day stemmed from the pain that you've felt from what you call, the injustices done to you by your own people. By your own species. You burned a man alive along with yourself because the pain of burning wasn't as bad as the pain you've been dealt with.

I did what I did cause at that time it felt like it was the right thing to do. People killed my sisters and brothers while we were out playing in the field. People killed my mother when she was only protecting her cubs. I was the only survivor. Someone brought me to their home, sheltered me. Built my life back together only for people to destroy it all over again. This time for a measly amount of silver. I'm not so sure if you would have done differently if you were in my shoes. Then again. I wouldn't know. I'm not.. people."

The Big Bad Wolf recounted his past. Pain and anger also boiling within him. "I know what you do, Lucias. I also know I'm not your target. No longer am, anyway. You're centuries too late. I'm not that wolf anymore." Bryan added. His demeanor gradually mellowing down.

Bigby then placed his payment down on the wooden countertop as he took one final drag of his unfiltered cigarette before rubbing the lit tip on the ashtray. Effectively extinguishing the "Deathstick"

"Here. If you need anything, let me know. I could use some business." Bryan offered. Placing down a crumpled calling card onto the counter top before heading to the exit.

The calling card read: Bryan Bigby. Private Investigator." with the address being in one of the more poorer parts of the city.

@the_immortal:

Posted!

@the_immortal:

After what seemed like an eternity of intense interrogation from Lucias and sly concealment by Bryan. Both men finally shook hands. Easing the palpable tension between the two somewhat. But their unplanned interaction was far from over. At least though, Bryan could breathe easily for a while. A fight had not erupted. Bryan likes to think it was partly because of his introduction, but more so the setting they were in. Looks like they both have the same idea. Innocents are off limits, as they should be.

"You've got a red story behind you, how much was true" The Avatar of Justice inquired, still neutrality in his demeanor and tone. Perhaps he was hiding something, his true emotion. An unpleasant, negative one perhaps? No other reason why he'd hide it, Bigby guessed. Or maybe he didn't really care anymore, maybe have gave up on his mission of vengeance as did Bigby long ago. He pondered once more.

Lucias inquiry was no surprise, although very straightforward and blunt. Then again they weren't exactly friends. They weren't even acquaintances. Bigby has somewhat made amends with his past, but it still made him uncomfortable however, and it showed. Before he could respond, Lucias added" "Perhaps, here is not the best place for that."

A suggestion Bryan wasn't keen on obliging on. The bar and its patrons were the only things that kept a fight between the two from breaking out. It was what kept the wolf of olden times from emerging and the Pheonix from trying to stop him.

"Most of it, give or take" Bryan answered before he downed another shot of cheap whiskey. Ignoring Lucias' suggestion. Flashbacks of his monstrosity rushed into his head. How he had shed innocent blood and how he sometimes consumed his victims. Evil for evil was the thought he had used to justify these acts. However, he later realized that not every person was capable of such evil deeds. A realization made centuries too late.

"Nothing but an angry mutt seeking revenge." Bryan paused, taking another drag from his unfiltered cigarette. A slight disgust in his tone as he recalled his acts of violence. " How bout you? Is it true you came back from nothing but the ash they turned you into?" He continued, excess smoke exiting his mouth with every word he spoke.

@the_immortal: Posted. Hope you don't mind where I went with it. I can make some changes if you'd like.

A dangerous game of deception was now being played by Lucias and Bryan. Two individuals who could each single-handedly maim or kill every single patron in the bar if they so desired. A fight between the two would prove disastrous and would ensure utter chaos. Yet everyone around them were oblivious to the fact. But they weren't to blame. Both men were incredibly subtle and discreet that not even the bartender that would take occasional glances noticed. Thousands of years of experience all accumulating at that moment.

Bigby couldn't afford a fight. Not in such a public establishment. He had been keeping a low profile for centuries now and a fight against someone as dangerous as Lucias would inevitably bring out his abilities into the light. Something Bryan doesn't plan on doing anytime soon. Unless absolutely required.

The cigarette offered was accepted, accompanied by a "Thanks" said in a very neutral demeanor by Lucias. Effectively hiding any clues or tells of what he might have or might not have known, and what he might have had planned, if any. A brilliant counter to Bryan's nonchalant facade.

The intense eye contact between both men remained intact. The tension, palpable. Like a bomb that could go off any moment. Bigby lit his cigarette first, taking a deep drag before exhaling through his nose. Lucias soon did the same, only the means of which he lit the cigarette was entirely different.

Lucias placed the tip of his index finger on the tip of the cigarette. Effectively lighting the unfiltered cigarette whilst still keeping the eye contact. Keeping a close look at whatever minute reactions The Big Bad Wolf would make, any subtle clues or even the most minute of tells. Bryan knew, he could feel The Avatar of Justice just waiting for him to give him some information.

Bryan didn't know what to do. All scenarios that he had played over his head all led to complete uncertainty. He didn't want to do something stupid and blow his identity and start all over again. He didn't want to go into hiding and spend decades on the run until he would outlive yet another generation by at least a century before starting anew. That was not taking into consideration that he would have to make an arch nemesis out of Lucias if they fought. An eternity of fighting was something he did not want to get into.

But there's nothing he could do if The Avatar of Justice had his plans set in stone already but fight back. However, there was one more approach he could try. Honesty.

"Lucias Carpenter." Bigby spoke in a calm, genuine manner. Extending his hand to The Immortal. "I'm Bryan. Or the wolf of olden times."

@the_immortal: Take your time!

@the_immortal:

The Immortal had finally made his way at the counter. Lucias and Bryan were only separated by one unoccupied bar stool, and although the gap between the seats were comfortably spacious, it was too close for comfort for Feroz

"I'd like the Scotch in a glass please," The Avatar of Justice ordered his drink while simultaneously scouting the area. His eyes that of a hunter looking for game. Observing the most minute of details, sweeping for anything that stuck out like a sore thumb. Even utilizing the mirror in front of him to observe the events and patrons behind him. A slick move employed by The Immortal that Bryan had only noticed because he was doing the same thing.

Bryan timed when to take a glance at Lucias. Counter observing the man known as The Immortal. The Big Bad Wolf would take a quick glance at Lucias' reflection when The Avatar of Justice's attention was on someone else and calmly revert his eyes back down to his drink when he'd feel like they'd be back on him. A dangerous game of cat and mouse played with eye contact, or lack thereof. However, there were no mice present. Only a hunter and a predator.

Feroz made an error. He incorrectly guessed the timing. Their intense gazes finally met like two bulls whose horns had locked onto each other from butting heads. Lucias' stared Bryan down with incredible intensity. His gaze intrusive as if he was interrogating and demanding information with eye contact. Provoking Bigby to reveal more information.

Bryan remained calm however, and kept his composure. With thousands of years of experience, he learned how people ticked. He learned about their behavioral tendencies when placed in certain situations. And how they lied and which lies were more effective on which types of personalities. Something he didn't try to actively learn about, but inevitably picked up on.

Bryan reached back into his pockets, pulling back out the pack of cigarettes he had discarded earlier.

"Smoke?" Bigby calmly offered Lucias as if he didn't recognize him. Putting on a convincing facade without breaking the eye contact.

But, if anyone were to see through this facade that Bigby had employed, it would be someone who was as cunning as a fox and had the same amount of vast experience as he had. And Lucias Carpenter fit that bill.

@the_immortal: My goodness. The tension you captured in your post is amazing! I'll be posting soon.