Ahndrian Archives

The Weapon

“The first thing that made me look at you was the way they died.” Eclipse began. “We were stumped at first. I mean, we saw the knives and blood, but we knew that wasn’t the means of their deaths. So, we dug deeper. Well, the police did at least, but we always keep them close at hand.”

“And what was your conclusion on the passing of these souls?”

“It was something that had everyone else stumped, but I knew right away.” She continued. “Every victim was poisoned.

I laughed and stood up from my chair. I strutted over to my liquor cabinet and grabbed the bottle of whisky and an extra glass. I fell back into my seat and poured myself a shot of the warm spirit before tilting the bottle in her direction.

“None for me. Bad memories with whisky and all.” She held her hand up and gave me a smile riddled with false sincerity.

“Of course.” I capped the bottle and tossed back my shot. “Please continue.”

I cleared my throat and felt the warmth of the whisky as it slid down my throat. She was attempting her personal brand of drama. The buildup in her story. I knew poison was not the climax to this tale.

“The poison of course could have been many things. So, of course they delved further, and the analysis was inconclusive.” She started again.

“Well, I am not sure how that made you think it was me. If I am not mistaken, poison is usually the weapon of choice for female killers, is it not? You would know this if you were, you know, an actual police officer.” I titled my head and she looked at me with disdain.

“You’re absolutely right. Gold star for Harry.” She smiled and I couldn’t help but return her gaze with a glare. “Except they determined that this particular poison was derived from Jimsonweed. Specifically, a genetically altered form of it.”

“Oh please. A simple test could not determine something like that.”

“And yet, they did. The technology has come a long way since you were fired from your lab. They noticed specific markers in the poison’s make up that that separated it from any naturally grown Jimsonweed anywhere on Earth. So, I thought to myself, who in the New York area grows genetically altered Jimsonweed. I’ll give you one guess as to who I came up with.”

“You know, that is adorable. Though, if anything, your logic is flawed.” I stated pointedly.

“Oh, is it? Please enlighten me.”

“Yes, I once grew Jimsonweed, but I have not grown any of the stuff since I was fired. I have no need.”

“So, you’re telling me that someone else in the city just suddenly started growing their own genetically altered plants?” She asked with a distrusting gaze that scanned every inch of my face.

“Do not be a fool, Maira.”

“Don’t you dare use that name!” She growled. “I may have given up Eclipse because of my position, but that name was dead to me long before I met you. I should have never told you. How dare you betray my trust?”

“You’re trust! You must be kidding me. You are standing in MY home, accusing ME of murder! Not the other way around.” My voice rose without control again.

I never lost my tone with anyone else. I hated her for that effect she had on me. That rise in emotion no other person could create inside of me. Internally, I could do nothing but scream. Why did it have to be her? Why is she the one here now? Our eyes were locked as though a silent war was being waged between them. Her lip trembled, but it was not sadness that created its motion. Her rage likely equaled my own. The mention of her birthname was the one thing she could likely never forgive. There was a twinge of guilt in my chest, but it was not enough for me to apologize. She needed to feel what I felt.

“Unless you can tell me who else could have grown it, then my opinion stands.” She spoke plainly.

“I’m not the only phytokinetic in this city and you know that. Every time one of us grows something, anything, with our powers, it becomes altered in some way. That plant becomes unique to us. I told you all of this before.”

“Yes, you did. Which is why I told them what to look for. It’s why we found what we did. This toxin was altered to do exactly what you made it for. It placed its victims in a hallucinogenic state where they became highly suggestible, far beyond simple scopolamine. Until they suffered a slow, horrific death. A strong, potent toxin that only you could create. The very same one you tried to weaponize for the military before your lab deemed you unfit to continue your work.” Her demeanor had changed as she spoke.

Earlier, she was doing her best to, at the very least, pretend to be friendly. Now, she was cold and distant. Her words were no longer meant to lead me or cause dramatic effect. They were jabs. They were her way of saying; I’m going to kill you.

“Come with me. I think we should get some tea. It seems things have become rather...tense.”

“I’ll pass.” She replied sternly.

“Please, I insist you join. Come get some tea with me.” I said once more.

Her lip curled for a moment and then settled. Without a word she rose from her chair and gestured for me to lead the way. I stepped around the desk and proceeded out into the hallway. I glanced at my watch once more. Quarter past eight. Time is truly moving far too slow. I glanced about the walls in my hallway. They were not especially high. Much like myself, they were ordinary. Despite the things Eclipse accused me of, I knew for a fact that it did not make me special. My powers were common. Unlike the specialist and mythics running around the city, I was just another basic Ahndri, of which you could likely find thousands. I worked at the lab because I was intelligent, but there were hundreds of employees, so why should that matter.

We stepped into the kitchen after a few seconds of walking. I strolled over to the kettle and filled it in the sink across from the stove. Once it was full, I turned the dial on the stove and after a few clicks, the flames sprung to life. I placed the kettle down and turned back to Eclipse with a smile. The ire in her eyes was none too kind, but I relished this moment in time. It was almost like being friends again.

“You know, I am surprised that you even remembered what my research was about.” I attempted to start the conversation up with new life. Too much silence might give her time to formulate ideas.

“I remember everything you’ve told me, Harry” She replied.

I raised an eyebrow. “Even more surprising. Once you were gone, I figured I would just never see you again. Just two souls ferried off in different directions.”

“When I was gone? Harry, I never stopped trying to be your friend. You’re the one who disappeared. When you left the lab-.”

“Fired. When they fired me from the lab.” I corrected her.

“When they fired you from the lab.” She continued. “You were always somewhere else. Even when we hung out, you were somewhere else. So, I chose me and if I had to do it again, I would choose me every single time.”

“I see. It was always your dream to become the Grim. To become the executioner. I suppose I cannot fault you for that choice. I might have my issues, but it is quite the important role. To remove soul from body and send it on to be carried into the afterlife. An important role indeed.”

She stared back at me. I could almost see the thoughts that bounced around in her head. She opened her mouth to speak when the kettle began whistling its own tune. I smiled and turned back to the stove, moving the kettle to another eye, and slowly turning the dial as I watched the flames recede and eventually die. I reached over to a nearby cabinet and produced two mugs from the shelf. I placed the mugs down and reached back into the same cabinet and grabbed a box of peppermint tea. I dropped the bags in the mugs and poured the hot water. We stared silently at each other while we let the tea steep.

I could see the questions still burning on her lips. There was no way to break her. She was much to self-assured for that. It might be far too long to get her to even question herself. I still needed my life. It might not be impressive, but I had time and I would not squander it.

When ample time had passed, I picked her cup up and set it down in front of her with a smile. She picked it up and ran it under her nose.

“Are you afraid it is poisoned?” I jested.

“Oh please. No poison of yours is strong enough to kill me. Though this tea is quite strong. The scent alone cleared my sinuses right up. Peppermint tea always did work wonders.”

“Yes, yes it does.” I walked around the counter and gestured to the door leading out to the backyard.

“What?” She asked.

“Well, you accused me of growing Jimsonweed, did you not? Let me show you to the greenhouse. It is my prized possession. You can look at everything I have grown these last couple of years. It is truly full of wonderful specimens.”

“Stop stalling, Harry. This only ends one way.” She set her cup down on the counter and scowled in my direction.

“First, I told you to stop calling me that.” I snarled. “Second, I am the one who is being brought to the guillotine here. If I am to die, then I need you to be certain. No guesswork.”

“I am certain. I have been for a long time now, but I tried to tell myself I was wrong. I didn’t want to believe it was you.”

“Then indulge me. It’s like you said, I can’t kill you. I have no means of escape if you come to the same conclusion. So, what do you have to lose?”

“My patience.” She retorted.

A small chuckle escaped my throat. Only she could find something humorous to say at that moment. I gestured for the backyard again. With an exaggerated sigh, Eclipse stepped past me and pushed through the screen door. The sun had set by now and the cool night air felt good against my warm skin. I had not realized I had been sweating until I felt the chill of the wind against the moisture on my face. Eclipse seemed more comfortable out here. She glided across the shadows covering the grassy stretch.

The greenhouse loomed in front of us. The time activated solar lamps gave off a dim illumination from a distance. I could see the colors popping through the glass, and a sense of pride overcame me. Eclipse peered through the darkness with intense scrutiny. Her head tilted from side to side. The occasional glance back at me painted a crooked smirk on my features.

“Since when do you grow flowers?” She asked as she stepped over the threshold.

I paced through the rows of orchids, roses, and tulips. I stopped by the one plot of Stargazer lilies I had in the corner. I caressed the petals and took in the smell of all of my precious flowers.

“When they fired me, I wanted to find some sort of goal for what I could do. I was a botanist without purpose, and it sent me to a dark place. These flowers saved my life. I had a purpose. I had focus.” I explained.

“Wow, I didn’t know. I suppose everyone has to have a purpose. It keeps us moving towards something.”

“Do you have a purpose, dear Grim? Have you not already surpassed all of your goals?” I stepped towards her with a raised brow.

“What do you mean? I’ve spent my entire life trying to become the Grim. This is my purpose. This is what I know I was born to do.” The creases in her forehead did not match the tightness of her jaw. “Don’t question me. I’m not on trial here.”

“I suppose you are right. Speaking of, let us retire back to the study. You have more evidence to present, correct?”

I stepped past her and flashed a mischievous grin. Her hands were balled tight and the hastened rise and fall of her chest caused me to stifle the laugh building in my throat.