Marian carefully walked along the sloping roof panels till she was at the side of the roof. Looking over the edge, the drop was at least ten to fifteen feet. There was no way to survive such a fall. Running along the edge, she scanned for a way down. The thugs in the building were sure to be alerted by now and they had to escape before they were surrounded.

"Over here, there is a ladder here," Ambi called out to her.

Marian moved quickly across the roof towards Ambi, to the back of the building where the ladder rested. As the two of them climbed down the ladder they heard noises coming from the front of the warehouse. The warehouse was in a walled compound and there were no exits nearby. "The gate must be at the front, what do we do now Ambi?" asked Marian in a worried tone.

"Stay here while I draw them away from the front gate, then make your escape," with that she ran towards the front while Marian tried to protest.

The seconds ticked by slowly, Marian peered around the corner to see Ambi distract the guards by making them chase after her. Quietly Marian hugged the side of the building and moved towards the front of the building. The front gate came into view and it looked to be unlocked. She ran towards it , her injured foot slowing her down and pushed the gate open with a creaking noise. Looking back she saw the thugs surround Ambi. There was nothing Marian could do for her now. Going back would make Ambi's sacrifice be in vain. She had to get help from the authorities quickly but this part of the city was unfamiliar to her. Running down the street barefoot she tried to find a payphone.

"Hey you!," the sound of footsteps behind her made her turn around. One of the thugs had spotted her and chased after her. He was gaining on her and Marian felt hopeless. She could find no place to hide and she couldn't outrun him in her present condition. She ran faster and turned the street corner to bump into someone. It was a young woman and she was glaring at Marian.

"Please, help me. They are after me," Marian panted and slumped down to her knees, exhausted from running.

Rebbelle  stared down at the disheveled woman kneeling on knees in front of her. Her expression was straight lipped and cold eyed as she stared  down at her for a moment her eyes taking in her appearance and trying to  determine what was going on.

Never act in haste was a key element her military commander had taught her. 

She yanked the piece of jerked meat from her lips and tucked into the back pocket of her pants. The woman's dress was torn, her makeup was smeared and hair was ratted.  Rebbelle's nose twitched at the rich smell of blood then she noticed the bloodied bandage.  Normally she would have walked off minding her own business but something in the woman's plea for help held her fast.

Just as Rebbelle reached out a coaxing hand toward the woman two men came bursting around the corner.

They rushed towards the two woman, without thinking Rebbelle shoved the woman's battered form aside and lunged past her toward the two men.  The first who reached her was a skinny rat faced guy coming towards her with outstretched hands. Rebbelle knuckle punched him the throat, as the larger man towards them. Rebbelle spun and flipped her leg hitting  the large man square in the knee with the sicken sound of cracking bone filling the air as he collapsed hollering in pain. The smaller man recovered from his throat punch lunges at Elle thinking she was distracted with the other man. Her grabbed her shoulder from behind with a firm grip, with her left hand she reached up grabbed his thumb and twisted his hand in the opposite direction it wanted to go as he bellowed out and Rebbelle smiled as she  heard a definitive snap of bone. She spun around and head butt him knocking  him off balance as he stumbled backwards he fell over his partner with the broken knee.  She shook the slight fuzz from her head caused by the headbutting and looking the skinny with broken arm with a cold stare she took  the couple steps toward him and kicked him square in the jaw making his body fall backwards over his partner with the force. One assailant moaning in pain and the other knocked out she reached down and grabbed the pistol from the skinny mans holster.

BANG BANG and then BANG BANG as she laid two bullets into each of the men's heads. She slid the pistol into the small of her back.

Then the harvest began reaching towards her belt she pulled her knife from it.  How else was she supposed to get her prized pieces of human flesh fresh. She went to work quickly before rigor mortis had a chance to toughen the meat.  With deft fingers she cut the cheeks out of the two men. She tucked the circular chunks of bloody meat into the small gray satchel she had attached to her left hip. She wiped the blade of the knife on one of the men's shirts before putting it back into its sheath. Then knelt back down and using her thumbs she popped out each of their eyeballs placing them in the same satchel she had placed the cheek meat. She pushed her self up in one fluid movement as she turned back towards the battered woman offering her a blood smeared hand.

Marian watched the scuffle but was too exhausted to help the strange woman. She handled herself really well against the two assailants. The loud gunshot echoed through the night making Marian flinch. She was relieved that the thugs were dead but what came next shocked her to her core.

The woman sliced away at their faces like a butcher, carving out pieces of flesh. Marian almost threw up when the woman popped their eyeballs and slipped them in her bag. Shaking in fear Marian watched the woman as she turned around and thrust her hand out at her. The two women looked at each other and Marian finally took hold of her hand, getting back to her feet.

The woman turned back around and started walking down the street.Marian had no choice but to follow her. "What is your name? Do you live nearby?" Marian asked her but got no response. The woman marched forward without uttering a word or even looking back at her. Turning into a dark alley she motioned for Marian to follow her. 'Is she going to kill me?' 'Am I going to end up like those thugs?' These were the thoughts that raced through her head as she followed the woman into the dark alleyway.

Rebbelle continued down the alley wondering just what had she gotten herself into by helping this woman. Oh well.. she thought with a deep sigh... the deed was done she was  committed now she had a duty to finish the mission.  Whatever it was that this woman had gotten into was pretty heavy Elle thought as she continued to the alley door to flat. She looked to the woman and gave her a head-nod to follow her inside as she opened the solid white door.  She looked to the woman before stepping her expression was stoic as she  saw uncertainty and something else in her eyes, so gave the woman her name before stepping into the door trying to ease her discomfort.

" Elle".

She stepped inside and tossed the keys into a bowl in a table near the door. She left the battered woman to decided whether she would follow her in and retrieved a small basin of soapy water and a rag. Seeing the woman did indeed follow here into her home she sat the the water basin down on the table in the center of the room.

"Sit you need to clean that foot. While I appreciate the fresh meat I need to know why I killed those two men." She watched the woman as she sat in the chair at the table and waited for an answer.

Marian stepped through the door into the woman's house. The atmosphere inside was normal for someone who carved flesh from humans. Could she have another room to store the flesh. Marian drove these thoughts out of her mind as she took a seat. Elle had saved her from the goons and for that she was thankful.

"Hi Elle, my name is Marian. I think I was drugged and taken to the warehouse on the other end of the street where you found me. To be honest, I dont' remember how I got there," she answered and bent down to pull the bloody rag off her foot. Running through the streets had ripped the cloth and her foot wasn't looking too great. She immersed it in the water and let out a groan from the sting of soap water.

"Me and two other girls tried to escape from that place but," she paused , "but only I made it out of there. I'm afraid of what those men will do to them. And I don't think we were the only women in that compound." She finished washing her foot and applied fresh bandages around it, the pain was slowly subsiding. Looking around the place, she couldn't spot any telephones.

"Elle, I need to call the cops to let them know about these evil men. Do you have a phone I could use? I also need to get word to my friend Robin, he must be worried sick by now." 

Rebbelle watched the girl cautiously as she tended her wounded foot. She assessed the woman briefly the cocktail dress the bloody foot . Was she some hooker running from an angry pimp. She turned from the woman as she spun her tale and tended her wounded foot. Rebbelle quietly went to the back of the room near the fireplace and opened a  door that was about three foot high by three foot  wide. She placed the pieces of cheek meat on the drying racks near the top of the cupboard and the eyeballs in a jar of salty brine at the bottom of the cupboard. Closing the cupboard back up she went back to the woman.

As Marian continued Rebbelle's initial impression was thrown out the window and replaced with a sense of she had something to definitely finish. After all this appeared to be happening in her own neighborhood, and her supply of meat was getting low.  She let the woman continue her tale a blank expression on her face as she watched her wrap her foot and relax a moment.

No Marian. No phone. No cops.

She cocked her head at Marian then walked over to the kitchen. Opening the cupboard nearest the sink she pulled out  a small bottle of amber liquid  and strolled back to Marian . She set the bottle on the table in front of her.

Whiskey for the foot.  She gave Marian a  nod of  her head coaxing her  to drink. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Marian the gears in her mind grinding with thoughts.

Where is this place? How many men?

"But..," Marian began to protest about being asked not to involve the cops. On seeing Elle's steely gaze, she gave in to her. "Alright no cops." 

Taking the bottle of whiskey from the table, she took a small sip tasting the strong fiery liquid before answering Elle's questions. "The place is nearby. Its only a few blocks from where I bumped into you. It is a huge warehouse remodeled to act as a prison," she could still smell the mustiness of the small room in which she was locked up.

"How many men?  Let me see," Marian took another sip of the alcohol and tried to recall everything she saw earlier. "I saw three men surround my friend Ambi and then there were the two that chased after me which you carved up earlier," she looked into Elle's eyes. "We need to presume that there are more of them in the building. There were half a dozen rooms near the place that we were locked up. I'm guessing that they must have lots more men to guard the place."

Marian stood up, testing her foot to find that the pain had dulled. "There is something you need to know," she looked down at the ground and continued, "I'm no good at fighting. Even while we were escaping, it was the other girls that took down one of the men. I was pretty much useless." She raised her head to look at Elle. "I saw how you handled yourself against those men. Could you... err perhaps teach me a few tricks before we head to the warehouse so I can be of some use."

It was confirmed with Marian's story that this was happening in her own neighborhood.   There were  a couple matters holding her back from doing anything. What was she  going to do with this injured woman?  Where exactly this place was located and how many she would encounter there.  A large warehouse a few blocks down well that was the industrial zone and there were several large warehouses. She needed surveillance to figure out which warehouse and just how many men were there.  Even though the woman was injured she showed spirit maybe she would be an asset to the mission.  He mind was processing what the woman was saying and planning at the same time.

She walked over to the door that they had came into and stuck her out the door. Pursing her lips she placed two fingers between taking a deep breathe she blew hard between her fingers.  A shrill whistle filled the air that could be heard for blocks. She close the door and turned to see Marian look at her with a raised eyebrow as she finished her tale.

Suddenly Rebbelle laughed out loud as she approached Marian.

The boy will be here soon he will get me the information on your warehouse.

She grabbed the bottle of whiskey and took a long drink then set  it back on the table. Eyeing the girl wondering what maybe more useful to teach her.  She wasn't a small woman, average height but Rebbelle wasn't sure exactly what her experience in self defense or fighting she had if any.  She stood up and walked around the woman standing on her injured foot.

Always watch  the shoulders, she said. The eyes can lie. 

As Rebbelle walked around Marian she caught Marian's gaze just as she did Rebbelle swept her injured leg out from under her. She watched the girl fall on to floor. Smiling Rebbelle extended a firm hand and helped pull her up.

Always watch the shoulders, they show the bodies intent.

I will tell you also two week spots are the soft spot in the throat hit it hard enough and you can kill a man, at the very least you will take is breath away.  If you can break a bone do it, a man with a broken has little time thinking of the fight at hand. Knees are easy to shatter kick from the front.

Just then they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Rebbelle answered the door to a young sandy haired boy about ten or so.  She spoke with him a couple moments telling him about the warehouse and what she needed. He left with haste to gather what she needed.

Rebbelle returned to the table picked up the bottle from the table she eyed the girl a moment then  nodded towards Marian's blood spotted bandage.

Do you really think you can fight for your life or someone else's in that condition?

"I have to fight, its the least I could do for them," she remembered Ada and Ambi's sacrifice which helped her escape the warehouse and it made her determined. "Let's try again."

The leg was bleeding and it hurt with every motion but she kept sparring with Elle. She learnt a few basic defense techniques and offensive maneuvers from her before resting and tending to her wounds. A few minutes later the boy returned. Elle let him inside and asked him what he had found out.

"I found the place, its the abandoned aluminium warehouse," he said trying to catch his breath. "I saw a big truck leave the place and there were a couple of vans parked outside the building. There were a few people patrolling the gates and I think they were armed. I could'nt get closer or they would have spotted me."

Elle and Marian looked at each other before Marian spoke. "They must be relocating to a new place Elle. Since I escaped, they figured I would go to the cops and that must be why they are moving out. We have to hurry or they might leave without a trace," she got up and paced around the room anxiously ignoring the pain in her leg.

"From what the boy said, there will be a lot of guards around the place. Do you have a knife or a gun I could use and are you sure we shouldn't get the cops involved Elle?" Marian was starting to feel panicky again, she was unsure what to do and looked at Elle.

NO 

Rebbelle cringed when she heard herself yell. She shook a deep breath, if they found out who she was they return to the facility and she wasn't going back there, no matter the cost. Her eyes narrowed as she had memories of the experiments, that small dark room you could pace across in a matter of a few steps.  She turned to Marian.

No cops.  She looked to Marian shaking her head apologetically.

She then turned to the boy  and handed him a couple bills.  Kid I need you to do one more thing for me in exactly 10 minutes. I need a distraction that will stall that truck from leaving for a while. She handed  the kid a couple more dollar bills, the kid turned ...Yes mama 10 minutes... and he sprinted out the door and down the alleyway.

She walked to the back of the room and pulled a key that hung on a strap of leather around her neck. Unlocking the door she opened to reveal varies weapons and  other items of destruction and use.  There where several short shelves and a  a gun rack in the center. She grabbed a couple pair of boots from under the lowest shelf . She walked over to Marian and handed her a pair then sat down and changed her s into the new ones. She stood and knocked the back of her heels against the table. A barley audible click filled the air between  the two women Rebbelle smiled looking down at the small blade that stuck out on the tip of the toe, the tapped the heel again making the blade slide back into its hiding spot. Glad the mechanisms still worked. She winked at Marian.

Insurance, yours will work the same way. 

Rebbelle walked back to the closet her boots creaking along the wooden floorboards.  She looked over her shoulder at Marian , the girls was injured and had minimal if any fighting knowledge, but she had drive to avenge her friends.  Rebbelle bit her lip contemplating what would be the best weapon for Marian to effectively utilize.   Hmm maybe she would be best suited for a backup position, she reached into the closet and pulled a M1903 Springfield out the closet . She turned toward Marian as she was testing out the blade release mechanism in her boots. 

Marian , you can use this. I think you maybe  best with that injury from a distance.

She carried the  sniper rifle over and set it on the table in front of her and went back to arms closet. She pulled out   a black leather vest with loops on the back she laid it flat on the ground and  proceeded to get he war vest ready. Elle unfastened the snap and placed a machete on the left side. She pulled a baton out of the closet and flicked her wrist making it extend another 3 feet, she gave the base a twist to lock it in place and fastened  it to the right side of the vest with other snapped loop. She slid the vest on then placed various types of incendiary devices into the pockets on the front of the vest. She checked he gun in the small of her back and reloaded it making she had placed several handfuls of shells for it and  the sawed off shotgun she would use.  She placed the gun back into the small of her back and grabbed the sawed off shotgun. Walking back the the table she placed the shotgun on the table and looked to Marian.

Help your self to what you need from the closet, there is another vest in there.

Marian examined the Springfield rifle on the table. She wasn't fond of revolvers but a sniper rifle was something she could use very well. Robin had taught her to shoot using these. The rifle felt heavy in her hands as she tried to take aim with it. Placing it back on the table she walked over to the closet. There were just too many items in there, she was unsure what she might need.

"I don't know how to use most of these," she pointed at the items in the closet. "I think I'll carry a knife along with the rifle." A belt was hanging off a hook which she picked up and tied around her waist. She then browsed through the knives in the closet, there were quiet a few of them. The ones with the longer blade looked heavy, she was going for something smaller and lighter. Marian's eye caught a small curved dagger. She took the weapon and it felt right in her hands, so she slid it into the belt around her waist.

"Alright I'm good. Let's get going shall we."  Picking up the rifle from the table she slung it over her shoulder. She went out the door followed by Elle who looked like she was ready to fight a war. They cut through a few private property to avoid being seen by anyone out and about in the streets. "We are almost at the location," she whispered and slowed down.

"I sure hope the boy was successful in delaying them" she said and came to a halt a few yards away from the warehouse. There were a few empty buildings around the warehouse. Marian pointed at the one across the street from the warehouse and stated, "How about I station myself in that building over there. I can get a good view of the warehouse and can cover you from there. One we clear the outer perimeter I'll join you."

Rebbelle looked down the street from the advantage point behind the buildings corner. The edges of her lips  curled slightly as if she was going to smile  with no real smile to follow. Her eyes bright she turned to Marian.

Aye, the boy did. That truck is not going any where for a bit.

Rebbelle stepped from the corner to let Marian view the truck jacked up and the two front tires pulled off.

Your spot is a good one. I'll wait for your first shot before I strike.

Marian nodded as she left Reebelle using the crates and the buildings she snuck over to her chosen building .  Rebbelle  inched her way closer to the building to find a way in as she waited for the  first shot that would signal her to strike.  She had to quickly duck behind some boxes as she  heard the voices  approach.

I hope they get that  truck going quickly.  She heard an annoyed  male with a nasally voice say.

Yeah, unloading those bitches took too long.  Another male this one with a deep gruff voice.

Are they secure in the room? Asked the first male as their voices started to trail off.

Yeah the third room just like ya said. Answered the second with annoyance in his voice.

She heard the conversation trail off as the men disappeared then made her way into the building. She found herself in an open space with large pillars. she used the pillars to conceal herself as she worked her away broad expanse to of the room. She made to the stairwell on the other side and hid in the dark corner as she heard footstep approach and leave follow by the sound of a closing door.  Looking around the corner she located a door near the bottom of the stairwell along the other wall and one just to the right at the top of the stairwell. Since she didn't hear the  footsteps come down the stairwell she decided to take door number two and hurried up the steps.Just as  she  reached the top of the stairs she heard the first shot ring out and men start to yell.

Jack is down! We are under attack!

It was time to move quickly she rushed to the door opening it she discovered it was only a  single room. The occupant was surprised to see her, and took a moment too long to react as she pulled the gun from the small of her back  and placed two bullets in between his eyes. 

She turned to leaving the room to head back down the stairs only to be met with a fist to the face.

She gasped at the unexpected hit to her face that made her  stagger a couple steps back from the force. Tripping on her feet with a hrmpf  her left eye throbbing  she wiped the tears welling up in her now swollen eye to clear her vision. Rebbelle raised the gun at the now lunging male and placed one bullet in his chest slowing is descent on her as he reached for the wound and a second in  his head making him drop like a lead weight on top of her.  She shoved his body off of her and pushed her self up from the floor.Stepping over him she ran back down the stairwell and entered the door on the lower floor. She found herself in a corridor with several doors and a corner a few yards further down. Slowly her heart beating in her throat she made her way to the door nearest her.

Marian was kneeling on the floor on the second floor of the building opposite to the warehouse with the barrel of her rifle resting on the windowsill. The first shot was easy. The man was standing motionless smoking a cigar and she had put the bullet in his head. As she anticipated, the shot alerted the rest of the men and a couple of them ran towards the building she was stationed in. She had no trouble bringing them both down. Seeing their comrades fall dead in the streets, the rest of the men didn't venture out into the open.

She peered through the scope, looking for any movement. The bright moonlight lit up the entire neighborhood making it easy to spot her targets. A man who was hiding behind the compound wall ran towards the door of the warehouse. She knew she couldn't let him get to Elle. It was up to her to cover Elle. She followed him with the sight and just before he reached the door she squeezed the trigger and saw him fall down dead.

The minutes ticked by and Marian couldn't find anyone else outside the building. Dropping the rifle on the floor, she ran out of the building, towards the warehouse. The main door was unlocked and she passed through it without making much noise. Luckily there wasn't anyone else around. She tiptoed towards the corridor where she was locked up. All the doors were unlocked and the rooms empty. Elle was nowhere to be seen either. As she turned around to leave the narrow corridor she found face to face with a man pointing a gun at her.