EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

FREEZE FRAME: Camera POV behind a hooker, SOHO, down an alley as she scrambles away, her dress torn, one breast falling out. She’s crying.

UNFREEZE.

Over the still visible map:

Camera POV slowly following Soho on the ground as she crawls back. Her head is bloody.

SOHO

Tell the Spider I’m sorry. I won’t steal again, please, my son was sick, I needed the money to get him well.

Silence. The camera still moves toward her as a large, gnarled, metal tipped CRUCIFIX with blood stains, enters frame.

SOHO

Please, please, don’t do this. I, I wont ever steal again.

The camera continues forward, the crucifix waving back and forth.

SOHO

C’mon, please, I’ll fuck you, I’ll fuck your brains out, suck your cock dry. Just don’t, please, I’m all my son has.

Finally, THE PREACHER moves into frame, wearing a pseudo cyber punk futurist priest outfit. He is somewhat road worn and disheveled. The Camera only sees his back.

THE PREACHER

Sin is your maker. Sin is your demon. Sin is your executioner. Sin is the beast that comes for you, harlot. Pay it’s due in contrition, scream to God for his mercy. Holy is the word, and holy am I his messenger on the green. Your days of perfidy have found the maw of grave side truth. I am your salvation.

Soho tries to get up, but falls. She looks up. We see her over the side of The Preacher, his hand rising up with crucifix.

SOHO

Please, please, my son won’t survive.

(tears)

Please don’t hurt me.

THE PREACHER

You mistaken me. I won’t hurt you, I will set you free.

The crucifix flies down, she screams.

FREEZE FRAME: on Soho’s scream as the crucifix falls.

GFX: Back to Demon’s Cove on the map. The reticle comes back out to full map and moves to --

INT. THOMAS’S HOUSE - NIGHT

FREEZE FRAME: Tobias sleeps on the couch. The Reticle moves in.

UNFREEZE.

Tobias slowly opens his eyes. He looks at a pile of steaming FOOD on the table in front of the couch.

He looks around and sees Thomas leaning against the wall watching him. He also sees Idris, cleaning up in the kitchen, wearing two blades at her waistband.

He eyes the food again and looks to Thomas who nods towards the food with a smile. Tobias sits up and immediately starts wolfing down the food, like he’s never eaten before.

Thomas and Idris share a look and smile. Tobias stops and looks up.

TOBIAS

Man, who are ya? The way ya took down The Candy Man, was like, like, damn.

He stops and looks down for a moment.

ToBIAS

But Jenny, she, she didn’t deserve that. Bastard should a got it slower then what ya gave him.

Thomas looks dejected.

THOMAS

I’m sorry for your friend. I wish, wish I would of gotten there... sooner.

Tobias shakes his head and looks up, dismissive.

TOBIAS

Hey man, we just street kids, we don’t matter to nobody.

Thomas steps forward and kneels down.

THOMAS

That’s untrue. All lives matter, all lives hold the word of truth.

TOBIAS

Wow, ya speak funny, and don’t know about all that, but thanks. Ya the first that’s ever done me right. And thanks for the food, I’ll be getting out of ya hair as soon as I finish up.

Thomas stands back up with a smile and looks to Idris.

THOMAS

You should thank Mistress Idris for the food. Cooking is not quite my forte. I have... other skills. My name is Thomas. And yours?

Tobias continues eating and nods at Idris.

TOBIAS

Tobias, they call me Tobias. My momma, before she fell to thrash, she named me Tobias, after my gramps. And Thanks, this is the best food I ever stuck my teeth into.

Idris nods.

IDRIS

You’re welcome.

THOMAS

And you need go nowhere, think of this as your home until you’re no longer in need.

Tobias looks suspicious.

TOBIAS

Ain’t nothing free in this city, what ya want? I don’t do nothing dirty, nothing, nothing like that. It’s what got me into this mess to begin with. I told that Candy Man Tobias ain’t anyone’s. Not The Shark’s, not yours, not anyone’s.

Thomas smiles, playing with his blade as Tobias looks on nervously.

THOMAS

You owe nothing, nor will you ever do so, to me. It is mine to give and so I do, there are many things in this life I have done and have been done to me that require balance. But you mention the Shark? Tell me more.

Tobias gets a glint of revenge in his eyes.

TOBIAS

You going after The Shark, man? The Shark, he a bastard, deserves sticking and sticking again. Him and his thrash, he what take my momma. The Shark what throws that hell spit thrash all over the streets, runs it out of The Bricks but it finds it’s way all over the city, and The Spider does the whores, she spins out of Demon’s Cove down south somewhere. The Candy man done the blood work for The Shark, gets rid of us street kids that don’t want to play for him, but guess no more now that you carved a smile in his throat, and some guy I heard, some priest or preacher do the same for that bitch down south, get rid of whores and hookers that don’t spin marbles for the Spider queen.

Thomas's interest peeks. He steps forward, hunger in his eyes, camera closes in on his face.

THOMAS

Tell me more about this priest that kills women.

FREEZE FRAME: on Thomas's hunger.

GFX: The camera moves out to the map then over to The Bricks.

INT. THE SHARK’S DOMAIN - NIGHT

FREEZE FRAME: A large, bald man, CRANK, enters a door. His hand on the door knob.

UNFREEZE.

Crank moves through the door but then stops, a big smile on his face. He puts his thrash INHALER to his mouth and pulls a drag.

Directly in front of him, THE SHARK has CYBER bent over a couch as he fucks her. We just see a hint of her ass and The Shark’s back, both of them looking away from us. Crank smiles and touches himself until Cyber looks back and sees him, Shark and her still going at it.

CYBER

What the fuck, Crank!?

The Shark stops and zips his pants, Cyber pulling up her pants. Dressed in his stylish Cyber Punkish outfit, his metal sharpened teeth glinting.

SHARK

I told ya a hundred times, Crank, ya knock before ya enter the Shark’s domain. And stop fucking touching yourself.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Crank smiles and laughs.

CRANK

I can’t helps myself boss, that regular fucking what they call it, from a hundred years ago, what the fuck was it? That’s right a fucking goddam Kodak Moment, a regular fucking Rembrandt. Ya know that fucking music guy that was deaf and shit. You and Cyber just going at it, like god damn bunnies it is so fucking steamy makes my cock blow crispy cremes. Why don't ya ever let the big man stick it to ya Cyber, I got moves in moves.

The Shark pulls a shot of his thrash inhaler.

CYBER

Fuck off, Crank, ain’t ever gonna roll into my kitty.

SHARK

You god damn dumb ass muscle bound fuck tard. Rembrandt wasn't a god damn deaf music guy, he was a fucking actor. Everyone god damn knows that, he done soft core porn or something. And I told ya a hundred times if not, well whatevers more then a hundred, only The Shark gets to dousey the Cyber. Her holes are mine. I’ll cut ya deep as deep you ever put your cock anywhere near her sweet sugar.

Cyber looks at Shark and smiles, kissing his cheek.

CYBER

That’s right daddy, only your meat gets to slip into my juicy juice.

Shark smiles and grabs her ass.

Shark

That’s my dumplin’.

Looks back at Crank.

SHARK

Now what the fuck you doing here besides perving on me giving my peach a good shagging.

Crank smacks his head.

CRANK

That’s fucking right, sorry boss, so fucking high, high as high in the sky touching myself watching ya ride her ass.

(Insane laughter)

I’m a god damn fucking Picasso, ya know, that fucking rapper from way back when.

SHARK

Why do I keep ya around, must be the saint in me, mercy is what it is, mercy plain and simple. What the fuck do you want, Crank?

CRANK

Yea, yea yea. Sorry, boss. Someone done killed our Candy Man, gave him the blood grin they did, left him in that little dungeon of his. Sick boy that one, sicky sick sick.

More inhale of thrash.

Shark slams his hand onto the table.

SHark

You spit of shitless wonder. You should of said that as you fucking rolled in here. Who the fuck done my guy? Granted he was a fucking pig and piece of shit but he was my piece of shit, and we shared a love of teeth.

He laughs.

ShARK

Who gonna keep the street trash selling my wonderful drug?

Crank shakes his head.

CRANK

Love it when you send me those love letters of gumbo talk boss. No one knows who done it, big man, or I’d already have his head pinned for yas on the wall.

Shark sighs then looks at Cyber.

SHARK

DO your thing Cyber, get on the dark net and tell me who needs to be tombstoned.

Cyber, who was already lifting a cable from a DEVICE on her wrist to her head, looks up.

CYBER

Already ahead of ya, muffin. I’ll carve the digital landscape till I find the blood smear you gonna carve up.

SHARK

Until then get on the street, Crank, and find me something and keep our street rats selling and in line till I figure the play out.

Crank nods and heads out inhaling again. Camera comes back to Shark as he inhales more thrash.

SHARK

No one fucks with the Shark. I’ll have blood before I’m done, feeding frenzy time.

He smiles with his metal shark teeth.

FREEZE FRAME.

GFX: Pull out to map. The reticle moves back to:

INT. THOMAS'S HOUSE - NIGHT

FREEZE FRAME: Tobias sleeps. The camera moves in and...

UNFREEZE.

Thomas, now in a full, dark hooded trench coat, places his dagger in the sheath at his waistband. Idris looks at him with a smile.

IDRIS

So you will continue your atonement?

THOMAS

Yes. Balance must be sought. Blood is ever the Goddesses price. Only one killer taken, six more the promise.

Thomas looks at Tobias.

THOMAS

Will you look after him?

Idris nods.

IDRIS

Of course and might be I teach him a thing or two as I did you.

Thomas looks concerned.

THOMAS

Not like my moth - not like her?

IDRIS

No, not like that. As I said, not all daughters of the moons see the Goddess in those terms.

THOMAS

Good, good. I believe he needs to be shown there is still hope, even in this city.

Close up on Thomas.

FREEZE FRAME.

GFX: We pull back out to the map then move to Demon’s Cove.

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

FREEZE FRAME: A hooker, Lucy, talks to a john.

UNFREEZE.

Lucy leans into kiss man at the door, letting her cleavage tell the story as the late, middle age man smiles from ear to ear.

LUCY

Thanks, beautiful. Remember to come see Lucy again. I give the best bedtime stories.

His smile gets even bigger. He closes door and Lucy begins walking down an alley counting her money.

LUCY

Need to spread these legs at least a few more spins of the midnight. Almost have enough green to get out of this fucking city, go back to school, do more with my life then fuck balding middle aged men with small dick syndromes.

THE PREACHER (O.S.)

I believe the moon has turned it’s last luminescent upon you. Sin has spun it’s revelation of truth and you are found wanting.

Lucy jumps, dropping her money as she spins right into the arms of a man dressed as a preacher holding a giant, blood stained, metal tipped crucifix.

He grabs her arm, his eyes shining mad fervor. Lucy claws his eyes making him jerk back. She stamps on his foot, he releases her. She turns and starts running but his hand shoves her and she falls into the alley cement. He looms above her, his face SCRATCHED up.

THE PREACHER

Low to the harlot, the sinner, the demon whore who has left the grace of the Creator. Woven is the web you were offered which you chose to spurn. That choice now leaves you to my fervor.

Lucy spits on the ground.

LUCY

Fuck you and your bitch of a boss, holy man.

(laughing)

You’re nothing but a meat puppet who has a thing for hurting women.

Searching for something on ground.

LuCY

What? Can’t get it up anymore, big guy? No matter how much sucking and fucking, just a limp noodle. Is that the thing that’s got your panties bunched?

The crucifix comes across her face as she is tossed onto her back.

THE PREACHER

Yes, keep letting your forked tongue dig your bones into dirt. Let your own words show the righteousness that I walk upon. All within these streets shall see another succubus earn the retribution of the Great Spirit.

Lucy slowly moves to her hands and knees and looks up, her face covered in blood.

LUCY

Fuck you and your Great Spirit. The Spider keeps her girls hooked on drugs, takes most of their money, and leaves no way out. That’s why I said no and I’d say no again, I dream for more, dream for a deeper ocean.

The Preacher laughs.

THE PREACHER

Unfortunately, any dreaming within your flesh is about to fall to an eternal sleep. I give you freedom from your sin.

His crucifix falls, but just before it lands, a shadowed FIGURE slams him into the alley wall. The Preacher swings his crucifix clearing his adversary off.

He looks up to see Thomas staring at him from his hood, blades dancing in his hands.

THE PREACHER

And who might you be that dances the Devil’s tune?

He eyes the knives, the ornate runes upon the metal.

THE PREACHER

I recognize those runes, the Three Fold Goddess. A whore for whores.

(laughing)

You should step from this my son, only Death’s furnace waits for you here.

Thomas moves between him and Lucy.

THOMAS

Death is a hand that reaches for you, not me on this night. The Goddess shall see truth in these shadows.

The Preacher’s eyes light up.

THE PREACHER

There is only one God! And he is not a fucking woman.

The Preacher lunges, swinging his crucifix.

Thomas ducks, but the preacher throws an elbow into his face on the back swing, staggering Thomas back. With an opposite 360 swing he connects with Thomas's side. Thomas crashes to the ground a few feet from Lucy who is scuttling back, her face still dripping blood.

Thomas jumps back to his feet, wincing as if a rib is cracked. The Preacher smiles.

The PREACHER

Are you the one that took that fat slob of The Sharks to the heavenly choir?

He smiles as he stalks Thomas.

THE PREACHER

I’m afraid my son, you will find me a different beast.

He raises the crucifix and charges, Thomas tumbles forward underneath the swing and stabs back hitting the Preacher in the side.

The Preacher, yelling, turns and kicks Thomas in the face causing Thomas to fall back against a wall, his lip and nose bleeding.

The Preacher steps forward and punches Thomas in the face, then steps back reaching to his side with his blood covered hand. Thomas grimaces as he gets back up, one hand to his ribs.

THE PREACHER

Enough of this. You die broken. Then the whore. I am the righteous hand of God, his strength my strength. All sinners shall be set free.

From nowhere, Lucy suddenly lands on his back shoving a broken BOTTLE into his neck.

LUCY

Fuck your God.

He screams in pain and then backhands her. He steps forward with his crucifix above his head to end her as blood pours from his neck.

Thomas slides behind him and in one breath stabs him four times. With one arm around the Preacher’s throat, he slams the blade into the Preacher’s EYE.

The Preacher falls, a lifeless shadow. Thomas drops to his knees, holding his ribs. Lucy looks at him, blood covering her head. She then passes out.

FREEZE FRAME: Thomas, on his knees above Lucy. The Preacher’s corpse in the foreground.

DISSOLVE TO: