[REND] B2. 4.2 - Rise of the Queenpin

The pickup truck bounced over potholes as we made our way to Overdrive’s new hideout. From there, Tattoo Sleeves’ group would head to a sort of clinic that serviced the not-so-lawful people of Marsh Row. I sure hoped we’d get there with this clunky truck; its deformed chassis and warped door creaked as we wobbled along the uneven road.

Where the fuck are we? I wondered, squinting at the buildings shrouded in shadows along the way.

I didn’t memorize the map of Marsh Row because it was freaking huge. No way I could recall even just the Upper East part. Anyway, I had no intentions of exploring here. Even if I did memorize this area’s layout, I couldn’t see the signs and landmarks because it was super dark.

I left my phone at home, so scratch using GPS. Actually, even if I did bring my phone, it wouldn’t be a good idea to ping my location. Pretty suspicious that I was here at this time. At any time.

I’ll just force Overdrive to be my chauffeur again.

I was riding on the back of the pickup truck. Wasn’t this part called the truck bed or something like that? Funny name. And just like a normal bed, someone was lying on it—Devil Chest, one of the guys with Tattoo Sleeves during my first Marsh Row jaunt. Maybe. I couldn’t get a good look at him because of the lighting, and his injured chest was covered with bandages made from torn shirts. Were those horns peeking above the bandages?

Tattoo Sleeves was with us. The rest of his crew, four of them, squeezed into the front of the truck despite the wrecked door. Guess they didn’t want to be with an Adumbrae. Tattoo Sleeves likely didn’t either. He was awkwardly quiet, just looking at the groaning Devil Chest.

Maybe he was praying that they could drop me off already.

Five gangsters, not counting Devil Chest, and a girl. I should be scared. But it turned out that I was the most dangerous one among us.

I didn’t like this quiet situation. The viewers would be bored with nothing going on, not even a conversation. Hey, that rhymed! What topic should I open up? Something mundane.

Tattoos would interest Tattoo Sleeves, but I didn’t know anything about them. Rule #14 prevented me from getting tattoos, with the rationale that some of my faces might work with a tattoo and others wouldn’t. I didn’t want to get locked out of options. Another thing was that I would suck at choosing the design. I might get a croissant tattoo and deeply regret it.

Can a tattoo needle even poke my skin? Most likely not. I didn’t ask Tattoo Sleeves that, deciding instead to go with a serious conversation.

“What’s up with the PCM?” I asked. “Like, beyond their protesting and recruiting members? I know they accuse whoever they can of being Adumbrae, but it seems that it’s just a cover.”

“I… I’m not really in the know,” Tattoo Sleeves carefully replied. “Heard rumors of them kidnappin’ people, their members disappearin’, yeah. Only recently did I sort of confirm it was true.”

“When those guys back there were looking for you to ask about me?”

“Nah. Before that. Overdrive. Uh, he told me.”

“I see…” I didn’t want our conversation to head to Overdrive beating up Tattoo Sleeves and his guys. Come to think of it, that was also my fault. Overdrive thought that Tattoo Sleeves’ group killed one of his subordinates, when it was actually me who did it.

No. The fault was with Corpo Slave for trying to assault me. It was just an unfortunate circumstance that Beanie Twig, Tattoo Sleeves’ friend, was also there and got killed… by me. Not sure how long this ride would be, but that topic may crop up. A very awkward topic.

For now, I’d ask more about the PCM. I had a feeling they’d be a problem in the future. As if I wasn’t already dealing with enough trouble.

“I’ve mostly ignored the PCM,” I said, “even though they wanted to meet me. Maybe I should start looking into them since they’re getting pesky. What do you know about this Auron guy? I’ve probably seen him on TV. Also, uh, Dreyfuss?” Those were the names mentioned by the Truck Leader.

“Dunno much, to be honest,” Tattoo Sleeves replied, shrugging. “Auron’s their big spiritual leader. Claimin’ visions tell him that government officials and other important people are Adumbrae. I thought he was a bit crazy back then, but it turned out he’s right, yeah? Because… he’s helpin’ Adumbrae. Whatever Big Marcy is doin’.

“No idea where Auron is right now. Probably in other cities, preachin’ and stuff to gather more members. Dreyfuss is the man in charge ‘round here, in the city. Gatherin’ supporters. I heard they’re spreadin’ fear so more people will flock to them. They’re doin’ the numbers right. Got thousands and thousands of people.”

“Seems like it.” I’d seen several students wearing PCM armbands in school—yellow with the symbol of a fist. Peddling a divine solution to people’s fears was an effective marketing strategy. Many cults that turned out to be led by Adumbrae had the same strategy.

Tattoo Sleeves asked what was on my mind, “Are they makin’ a Purple Bloom? They need a lot of brains, yeah?”

“Perhaps,” I simply replied. The story of Professor Bansa returned to me. It’d be such a hassle to have a Purple Bloom in the city.

“Are you… Are you gonna stop them? I heard ‘bout what you did at the docks. Lots of monsters were killed.”

“I might do it. But I’m still not too sure how the PCM is connected to Big Marcy’s operations.”

“The PCM sometimes gives Big Marcy their members,” Tattoo Sleeves said with disdain in his voice. “Offerin’ them to the Adumbrae. Overdrive told me about that—he should know because that’s his disgustin’ job. And Dillon was lookin’ for—” Tattoo Sleeves stopped, probably realizing who he was talking to. “I-I’m sorry, Clarice. I wasn’t referrin’ to you. Other Adumbrae, those with Big Marcy. Yeah, them.”

“I’m not offended,” I said. “If my word’s worth anything, given that I’m an Adumbrae, I don’t eat people.” Blanchette was the one doing that, so I wasn’t lying. And I, as Blanchette, didn’t eat human offerings like the 2Ms’ clients. Humans attacking me were fair game, though. “I consume only monsters.”

“Stories were true, after all.” Tattoo Sleeves leaned forward, probably feeling safe. “You’re some kind of… good Adumbrae, yeah? I knew my senses weren’t lyin’ to me. The first time we met, I got this feelin’ you’re a good person.”

Cue in emotional music. Where was this conversation heading? I decided to lean into this so Tattoo Sleeves would spread the word that I was good. “How can you say that? I’m an Adumbrae.”

“You became one to survive your lung cancer,” Tattoo Sleeves pointed out, reminding me of the fake story I told him. “Hell, I’d do the same. Don’t want to die just like any other guy. I couldn’t really blame you for it.”

“Yes, you can. Still counts as betraying humanity.” An Adumbrae and a human becoming friends? There was a movie with that plot. The protagonist was trying to remind his best friend of who he once was, ending with them working together to defeat a stronger Adumbrae.

Needless to say, that movie was met with a lot of protests. Countries banned it for ‘encouraging’ support for traitors of humanity. It was pulled from US theaters after a few days. Goes to show that most people didn’t share Tattoo Sleeves’ perspective. Maybe I was just so adorable that I could change people’s minds.

“I know you’re still you, Clarice.” Tattoo Sleeves made a gesture that I couldn’t make out in the dim moonlight. It sounded like he thumped his chest. “Deep down, yeah?”

“Why are you so sure about that?” I asked.

“You could’ve killed us when we first met just for annoyin’ you.” Tattoo Sleeves held up a finger. “Then you saved us from that bastard, Overdrive. And now’s the second time you rescued our asses.” He ticked off more fingers. “You trashed Big Marcy’s place and killed his monsters. But you didn’t kill Sarge and his boys back there—they were the ones shootin’ up the bar.”

“You make me sound less of a monster,” I said. When Tattoo Sleeves put it that way, I didn’t seem too bad.

“I know humans who are absolute monsters compared to you. You’re not like them. I… I hope you can hang on… to the real you. Don’t let go, yeah?”

Somehow, I was digging this reputation of being the ‘good’ Adumbrae. People would be more open to side with me if they knew I wasn’t going to eat them. I wasn’t like the 2Ms that could offer money to hire goons. And having goons would be great, given that people who were after me continued to increase.

“Don’t worry about that,” I replied with a smile that Tattoo Sleeves couldn’t see. “By the way, how do you know Overdrive’s new hideout? I didn’t expect you’d be in, uh, good terms after… that.”

“We’re not. But he came ‘round offering us to band together after the PCM boys were moving into Marsh Row. Settin’ up only Mother Cores know what. Overdrive wants to build a stronghold, and told me where it was.”

“You rejected him, I take it?”

“I did, yeah. I know I don’t have much of a moral standing to look down on him kidnappin’ people since I deal drugs and shit, but I’d like to think I’m a better person. Lines have to be drawn somewhere, and that’s where I draw mine. This is also the reason why I didn’t go with the PCM.”

“And because you were scared of betraying me,” I said, testing his reaction.

“I wasn’t gonna betray you,” he replied, “even if you weren’t an Adumbrae.”

“You could’ve and should’ve. If I didn’t arrive, things would’ve gotten very dire back there. Plus, it could be your revenge for Bean—I mean, Fender’s death. That’s his name, right? I remembered he had a beanie.”

Tattoo Sleeves chuckles were hollow. “He did, yeah. Always wore them. You killed him, but it never entered my mind to take revenge on you. Tough luck on his part meetin’ an Adumbrae. The way you act, I believe that you did it only because he attacked you. Like I’ve said, you savin’ us from Overdrive meant you weren’t evil.”

I narrowed my eyes. Tattoo Sleeves was a very weird man. Could he be one of those people with… honor? A drug dealer with standards? A weird-ass concept, but he had demonstrated his trustworthiness and could be very useful. A brand-new plotline for the movie that was my life formed in my brain.

“I’m going to tell you why I’m looking for Overdrive,” I said. “It’s connected to Big Marcy, the docks, PCM, all that stuff. As you have guessed, I strongly believe that someone out there is planning to make a Purple Bloom.” 

Tattoo Sleeves sharply breathed.

I continued, “Of course, that’s going to be bad for all of us. Even me. Adumbrae consume each other, and an Adumbrae as powerful as me is a prime target for making a Purple Bloom.” This was partially talking out of my ass. It had been recorded that Purple Blooms could even eat other Purple Blooms to make themselves stronger, like a strong tornado absorbing a weaker one.

But I had no idea if this was the true plan of the 2Ms and the PCM. Probably not.

“You’re going to stop them,” Tattoo Sleeves said. “You can’t go to the BID or police because you’re, um, your—”

“An Adumbrae. Exactly. I have to do it on my own. Well, not really solo. It’s hard to move as an Adumbrae, and there’s only so much I can do. I need men. My first stop is Overdrive since he owed me for getting Big Marcy off his back. Plus, he was kind of part of the problem by supplying people to Big Marcy.”

“The brains. Purple Blooms need brains to form. I remember that in school.”

“I’m going to force Overdrive to join me in countering Big Marcy and Mark, as well as the PCM,” I said. My original plan was to order Overdrive to cover my tracks so that the hero wannabes wouldn’t connect me to Blanchette. But circumstances changed. I was quite good at improvisation. “And now, I’m asking if your group will also be up for it.

“I’m not sure. This is quite heavy, yeah? We’re just small-time dealers ‘round here.”

“This is a higher purpose. Something meaningful. You can say even heroic.”

“A higher purpose?” Tattoo Sleeves repeated in a soft voice, as if talking to himself.

“I can’t offer you money, which I don’t have,” I said. “But I can offer protection. No better protection than an Adumbrae on your side. You can continue your business without interference from other groups. That’s the money. In turn, we’ll work together to push out those other groups. It’ll be mostly me doing the fighting anyway. Think about it. Without me, you’re going to be displaced with the PCM exerting its control over the city’s underbelly. Unless… you’ll join them?”

“Never,” said Tattoo Sleeves with conviction.

“Then join me,” I said.

“I’ll have to think about this…” Tattoo Sleeves looked around, shining his phone on our surroundings. “Ah, we’re here.”

The pickup truck slowed down and turned left onto an unpaved path. Further ahead, the truck stopped in front of a tall gate made of metal grills. Concrete walls were on either side of it. A couple of men behind the gate shone powerful flashlights on us.

“It’s me, Teflon!” Tattoo Sleeves shouted. “Chewie, I’m bringing someone important.”

“Who’re you talking about?” asked a gun-toting, large dude. He could be one of the Gorilla Bouncers I had met when I first visited Overdrive. “Kinda late for a visit.”

“Tell your boss that Red Hood is here to meet him.”

The heavy gate rolled to the side as Tattoo Sleeves and I entered the small compound. The pickup truck left to bring Devil Chest to the clinic.

“Are you sure you’re fine coming with me?” I asked Tattoo Sleeves. It was his last-second decision to stay behind.

“Yep,” he said. “I’ll also hear what Overdrive has to say on your proposal. Somethin’ concrete before I commit. But I have a feelin’ this is the right way to go. Take back the city, yeah? We need a new kingpin for all things illegal in the city.”

(Author's Notes: I had edited B2. 4.1 so that Erind didn't bring her phone along. We're also going to have a refresher on the Rules, mentioning them here and there. And we'll add some more Rules in Book 2.

Tattoo Sleeves was supposed to be a one-time character during Erind's first visit to Marsh Row. A minor one that readers will soon forget. I didn't even plan for Marsh Row to be an important setting way back. However, Tattoo Sleeves had grown on me, and I think we'll keep him in the story. This chapter sort of develops his character while also setting up some things for the future, like Red Hood's reputation.

Thankfully, I was able to release the chapter on schedule. Yesterday, around this time, my country experienced a 6.9 earthquake. The epicenter was on a neighboring island, so the damage to our island was minor compared to theirs. The power supply was knocked out, though.

Note that we’ll move the Friday chapter to Saturday. Thank you for your support!)