Hoping for Heroes

Chapter 44

Harley is seated in Argent's office, along with her mother, Isaac, Scott, and Allison and her father. Mr. Argent is discussing the masked men with the group, his knowledge being what Harley's mother was hiding.

"His eyes were glowing," Scott says.

"There was something almost ritualistic about it," Argent explains. "Like it was looking right into his soul."

"That's the same thing it did to us," Isaac says, gesturing to Harley.

"It does it to everyone," Alayna explains. 

"Not everyone," Scott disagrees. "They only came after the werewolves and Harley."

"And Lydia," Harley says.

"Anyone supernatural," Alayna concludes.

"Then who was the guy they went after in Japan?" Isaac asks.

"A kumicho. A yakuza boss."

"It was my first gun deal," Argent says. "I was only eighteen and it was supposed to be a simple exchange. Except Gerard left out the minor detail of the buyers being yakuza. He wanted to see if I could adapt in the moment. Testing my ability to improvise. The moment the sun went down, it was like they just materialized out of the shadows. They had swords, not curved like katanas but straight, black steel. Like ninjatos."

"What did they want?" Scot asks.

"To get to the kumicho. They cut down every living thing in their way."

"Did they mark him like they did us?" Isaac asks. 

"Not exactly."

"What was he?" Scott asks.

"I don't know."

"But there might be someone who does," Alayna sighs. "A few others survived."

"One of them was named Katashi. They called him Silverfinger because of an unusual prosthetic. It looked like he was getting ready to take them all on himself. I've spent a while tracking Katashi. We finally found him yesterday."

"Doesn't look like he wants to be found," Isaac says, gesturing to the injuries inflicted on both adults.

"Not particularly," Alayna says, "No."

"You think he knows what they are?" Scott asks, standing up. "Or what they want?"

"Maybe," Argent says.

"What if he doesn't wanna talk?" Allison asks.

"What if he doesn't even remember you?" Isaac asks.

"He'll remember this," Argent opens a box containing a broken mask.

"What was behind the mask?" Harley asks.

"Darkness. Absolute darkness."

Scott left for school prior, leaving the five of them to figure out how to see Katashi.

"The real problem is Katashi doesn't see visitors," Argent says. "Ever. He's a paranoid recluse who rarely steps outside of the gates of his estate."

"How are you gonna get to him?" Isaac asks.

"He's got a thing for antiqued weapons," Alayna explains.

"I had some contacts put out the word yesterday," Argent explains. "They said I was selling one from my own collection." He removes a pistol from his cabinet. "This is a French Flintlock Turnover Pistol from 1645."

"You aren't going alone," Allison says. 

"Neither are you," Harley says.

"If she's going, I'm going," Isaac decides.