Jackie woke up, groaning. He remembered little about last night. It was like he was a simple passenger to the events that unfolded that night. The stabbings, the shootings, the blood, the bodies. It's easy to put blame on his new persona. What did he call it, Superviolent? No, Ultraviolence. He had no idea where that name came from. Those words Jackie said rang in his own head like an infinite echo.
"I'm Ultraviolence. Haven't you heard about me?"
No one has, Jackie thought. And nobody will. He crawled out of bed, since he slept in his underwear he put on some pants, looking at the bloody clothes, the shitty bandana. Foolish move. No way you can be some caped hero. This isn't a comic book. But the anger never faded. He still wanted Rossi and his operations gone; he would have to continue this game, until he could no longer breathe. He made a vow. No take backs.
He walked out into the living room seeing Rose sit on the couch watching the news, hugging her knees, lips lightly chewing on her thumb. She turned, awkwardly staring at him. Jackie spoke up. "Morning."
"...Morning," Rose responded.
Jackie began walking to the kitchen, reaching for an old pack of cigarettes. "Rough night?"
"You could say that."
The man chuckled as he lit the cancer stick, opening up a window and taking a drag near it. His eyes drifted to the TV, as he hated looking at the city in the mornings. Reminded him all too much at his first attempts to return to society after coming home. He didn't want to think about that now.
The news blared its tune as a woman showed up on camera.
We have a live report of a few slayings that took place the other night. It seems that Halloween was truly the witching hour for those poor souls. First we take you to the lower east side as we see three bodies, Robert Jones, 27, Tony Ross, 22, and a third victim with their head removed, later identified as 25 year old Keith James. All three had alleged ties to organized crime, with a destroyed box of drugs not too far.
Her partner, a man, spoke up next.
This has certain connections with the other homicide that wasn't too far from that scene, where we actually see where Tommy's head was. Two more bodies were found, 28 year old Benson Reese, and 30 year old Herold Smith. Reese, known as Ace, and Smith, known as Limp, have ties to organized crime as well. Mayor Coleson says this is the work of an organized gang, as he accuses them of placing a "hit" on the men.
Jackie flicked some ashes and took another drag. Good, nobody suspects a vigilante. Yet. But the news wasn't done, as the woman got back to speaking.
Another body has been found, this time in the Industrial Park's alleyway. 21 year old Caleb Walker, found slumped over with multiple gunshot wounds to the face and body. Officials say he had bruises as well, implying he was beaten before death.
Jackie glanced over at Rose who bit her thumb harder. She was scared, it was clear as day. Jackie wondered why. His mind flashed to weeks ago, remembering the name on the letter he helped send. "Rose…"
She slowly turned to face him, a face a mix of fear and anger. "I know what you're gonna ask."
"Then what's the answer?"
Rose sighed. "Yes."
He put the cigarette out and walked over to the couch, sitting next to her. He had his arms rest on his knees, letting the news end, allowing little distractions. "I killed those men last night."
"What…?"
"I shot them. And I chopped the last dude's head off."
Rose looked confused. "W…Why?"
"To send a message. I'm not doing this just because they killed Tiffany. I'm doing this to stop them from hurting other people."
Rose leaned forward with him. "I'm not nearly as selfless, I guess."
"Why did you kill Caleb?"
Rose rubbed her chin, memories flooded back like a bad storm. "Three years ago, at some house party. I finally made friends. I was in the music club every Wednesday. Playing my favorite songs. I was happy. Finally, somewhere I can be me, I don't have to have Tiffany be my only best friend anymore. I loved going to school, going out, I could trust people. Then I went to that fucking party." She looked off to the side, pissed with herself. "I was with my friends. They went off to their hookups, leaving me alone. Caleb approached me. I knew I didn't like men. I fucking knew. But… Maybe people were right, I thought. Maybe I was waiting for the right man to change my mind. I let my guard down. He was sweet. He seemed genuinely interested in the shit I liked. Singing me bullshit I ate happily. Even I couldn't be above loving attention. He convinced me to go a bedroom, since it was some big fucking house."
Jackie rubbed his chin, looking on with concern. "Rose… I'm–"
"Don't," Rose interrupted. She started shivering as she continued the story. "He closed the door. I remember what I wore. Just some baggy jeans, a jacket, and a crop top since a friend got me as a gift. He loved it. He had his hands on my sides…" She began to tear up. "He had his hands on my sides. He kissed me. I convinced myself I wanted it. But when his hands went… Lower, I couldn't lie to myself. I pushed away. No. I said that firmly. He started to beg. Baby, you were onto me all night. What changed? Just a kiss. I just wanna hold your ass. Fucking animal. I said no. He tried anyway. I smacked him." She lifted her left hand, almost as if she could still feel the sting of the hit. "He called me a bitch. I wasn't that hot to play hard-to-get. The fuck?" Rose's sadness turned to anger. "He spread lies. He said I was a whore. Said I was easy. You know how many girls laughed? How many men asked for a quickie?"
"No," Jackie answered. "Can't say I have. And… I can't blame you."
"I wish I could be a hero like you want to be. But I can't lie. I killed that man for me. And I won't regret a fucking thing."
"I can't sit here and say what I did last night was heroic. I'm not a hero. I'm just a man. A tired man."
Rose wiped her eyes and looked at Jackie. "And you'll continue?"
"Yup."
"Then… What's next?"
Jackie leaned back on the couch. "Good question. I think I need help to find targets. Rose, I mean I know you're still hurt, things are still raw, but I want to take Rossi down. You got your computer, you can help me."
Rose's jaw tightened with thought. She shrugged. "I have nothing to lose. Fine."
Jackie smiled, ready to work.