Chapter Three

Chapter Three

EDJ closed the helicopter door and sat down again. He pulled a dagger from his belt and began twirling it between his fingers out of boredom. A couple thugs dragged Lui up from the floor and strapped him back in his seat. DJ watched with a frown. He glanced back at Iul when the fiend spoke again. 

“Maybe,” EDJ started slowly, intently watching DJ. “I’m not a villain so much as I am a constant reminder of someone you couldn’t save.”

DJ threw himself toward Iul, as much as he was able to while still strapped to his seat. EDJ laughed. “Bwahahahaha! I was wondering which line I’d have to cross to get a reaction out of you!” EDJ leaned forward and held the dagger up to DJ’s throat. “You’re tough, Original, but not impervious.” EDJ relaxed and sat back with a smirk.

“Get this tape off me and let’s settle this like adults,” DJ demanded, still leaning forward. 

“You mean with you pummeling me in the face?” EDJ asked. “I don’t think so.”

The sharp sound of a phone ringing made everyone in the helicopter turn to Lui, whose head jerked up with fresh dread. “No! Don’t!” Lui argued while a thug pulled the phone out of his pocket and tossed it to EDJ. “Give it back!” Lui shouted. EDJ caught the phone and let it ring for another moment as he looked at the caller ID. EDJ held a hand up to silence Lui before flipping the phone open and answering. “Hello?”

“... Lui?” a female voice asked on the other end. 

“Guess again, girly,” EDJ answered. 

“... DJ?” 

EDJ frowned. “Do I honestly sound like either of those losers?!” 

“Kind of… Who is this?” the voice asked. 

“This is the leader of the EWCTWBIATGRE program!” EDJ smirked. “Fancy name, huh? Came up with it myself.” 

There was a pause on the other end. “...What’s that? The organization with only one member?” 

“Heh, you’re amusing,” EDJ replied with a chuckle. “I’ll give you one more guess.” 

The other side was silent for a moment. “You’re DJ’s Evil Other, aren’t you? You’re the one that went rogue.”

“Ah, so you have heard of me,” EDJ responded with a grin. 

“Don’t listen to him!” DJ shouted. “He’s nothing but trouble.” 

“That’s right!” Lui joined in. “He kidnapped us and he-” The thug next to Lui rammed the pommel of his weapon into Lui’s ribs, stopping him. EDJ pulled a roll of duct tape out and tossed it to the thug next to DJ, gesturing to silence both the captives. 

“What have you done with my friends?!” the voice on the phone demanded. “If you dare hurt them-” 

EDJ laughed. “Bwahahahaha, that’s for me to know and you to find out!” 

“Monster.” 

“Speak for yourself. I'm positively delightful once you get to know me.” EDJ popped his eyebrows at Lui. Lui’s eyes widened and he thrashed in his seat, words muffled behind the duct tape. “Don’t worry your pretty little head, dear,” EDJ continued, turning his attention back to the phone. “I’m in a good mood so I’ll tell you. Your friends have a one way ticket to the center of the Arctic Circle. DJ and Lui both. My treat.” EDJ smiled. “There’s nothing you can do about it, of course. Without the proper gear, they'll turn into giant popsicles within a matter of minutes.” 

“Don’t underestimate me, punk,” the voice on the phone threatened. “If you think for a second that I’m going to let you get away with this, you’ve got a-”

“Tick tock,” EDJ interrupted. “Your friends’ lives are on the line, dear. Clock’s ticking.” EDJ hung up the phone and looked up to see both Lui and DJ glaring at him. EDJ reached over and took the fresh tape off DJ’s face first. 

Wincing, DJ shook his head before saying, “She’s not going to fall for whatever trap you have planned.” 

“We’ll see about that,” EDJ replied, unbothered. “Unlike you, I bleed charisma. Speaking of which…” EDJ pointed to DJ’s injured arm. “You might want to get that checked out.” 

“I appreciate the concern,” DJ answered dryly. 

To both of their surprise, Lui started laughing. At least, as much as he could with tape over his mouth. EDJ rolled his eyes and removed Lui’s tape. “What are you giggling about?” EDJ asked. 

“She’s mad,” Lui said, still laughing. “You haven’t the slightest clue who you just agitated. You are in so much trouble now!” 

EDJ watched Lui continue laughing for a minute before speaking. “Her name is Hanna, right?” His tone was flat as he spoke, almost somber. EDJ tilted his head as he continued. “Dark hair. Wings. Nasty temper?” 

“Ho- how did you…” The humor drained from Lui’s face. “What do you know about her?!” 

EDJ shrugged. “Not much. Actually…” he smirked at Lui. “I was kinda hoping you could help me fill in the blanks. Answer a few questions.” 

“I’m not telling you anything,” Lui said, shaking his head. He narrowed his eyes. “And what did you mean by a one way ticket?” 

“You’ll find out soon enough,” EDJ answered. With a nod, bags were placed over the prisoners’ heads again as the helicopter landed. EDJ stepped out of the helicopter and the thugs pulled the captives out of the transport and away across the tarmac. Two men came up to EDJ expectantly. 

“You assured us that was going to be a stealth mission,” the first man said.

“Still counts as stealth if no one lives to tell about it, Slim,” EDJ said with a shrug. 

“Either way, we’re here. Where’s our money?” the second man said, folding his arms.

“Ah, of course,” EDJ said with an eye roll. “Can’t forget that. Follow me.” EDJ crossed the landing zone and headed toward a hangar. An assistant carrying a briefcase met him as he entered. “Thank you, Cody,” EDJ said politely, taking the case from the assistant and turning to the men. He held the case out. “Your payment, Gary. As promised.” 

Gary took the case and opened it. He glanced over the contents and narrowed his eyes at EDJ. “This better not be the counterfeit stuff,” Gary muttered with distaste. 

EDJ frowned. “I’m offended you think I would pay my loyal henchmen with anything less than legitimate currency.” 

Slim pulled a bill from the case and took out a yellow pen from his pocket. He scribbled on the bill and turned it over as EDJ continued speaking. “I would never, ever-” The ink turned blue, stopping EDJ mid sentence. Both men stared at him. 

“... do it more than once,” EDJ finished with an uncomfortable smile. 

Gary slammed the case closed and shoved it into Slim’s chest with a thump. “What do you expect me to do with that?!” Gary demanded, grabbing EDJ with fury in his eyes. 

EDJ shoved the thug off in the same moment that he drew a hidden dagger. Gary let go and stepped back clutching his throat. EDJ watched the body drop to the ground with a sickly gurgle. “I expect you not to bite the hand that feeds you,” EDJ said, voice void of emotion. He looked up at the first man. “Do you see any problems here, Slim?” 

Slim shook his head, still holding the case. “None, boss.” 

“Good!” EDJ smiled. “Then I suggest you get the chopper refueled for your next trip.” Slim nodded and took off. “Now then…” EDJ turned to his assistant. “The prisoners?”

“Waiting for you in the office, sir,” the assistant said, pointing back to one of the glass rooms inside the hangar. 

“Interrogation room, Cody,” EDJ corrected, heading toward the hangar. “Call it the interrogation room next time, not the office. Sounds more sinister that way.” He held his hand out, opening and closing it a few times to indicate he was expecting something. 

“Right, sir. Sorry, sir.” The assistant followed, handing him a clean cloth. 

EDJ took the cloth and wiped the blade dagger clean. He returned the dagger to its sheath and tossed the soiled cloth back to Cody as he said, “Find me a new pilot and make sure that mess on the tarmac gets cleaned up.” 

“Yes, sir.”