Going Soft

Story by Philisophical_noone on SoFurry

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#2 of Final Masterpiece


Sammy sat at the bar and just kept drinking. The sun was starting to go down and people were starting to crowd the place. He had a strange feeling that he first passed off as another side effect. However, the feeling didn't leave, so he turned around to see what was going on.

People were talking to themselves, having a good time. A few were playing darts, but most were just drinking. A young woman caught his eye. Of course, she was staring at him so it was almost impossible to miss. He put a hundred down on the bar, "Keep the change." then walked over to the rabbit. She grew more nervous as he approached. "Can I help you?" he said, but not unkindly.

The rabbit was terrifed at couldn't look him in the eye, "I... I heard you helped the army guy. And I was wondering... maybe you could help me, too?" Sammy was interested, so he motioned for her to go on, "Well, it may not seem like much to you, but my child was abducted four years ago and... "

"Let me guess, you want her back?"

She looked up, but still didn't make eye contact, "How did you know it was a girl?" he shrugged, "Anyway, the police gave up on her. She was only ten, and some people would do things to her that I... I... here's a picture. I just want her back..."

Sammy sighed, "Don't say it. I'll vomit. I'll also go get your girl. I still have some contacts, so don't worry. Kind of a double edged sword when you think about it. She may be used as a sex slave, but at least she's still alive. If she's not, she's most certainly dead. Oh, this is gonna be fun. I'll have her back as soon as I can." She thanked him as he left the bar and wandered the city streets looking for a payphone. When he found one, he typed in a code he learned long ago, then said, "Yo, psycho bitch. Come get me if you can." then he smashed the phone back into the terminal.

He walked for another half an hour before coming to a dead end in an alleyway. He smiled as he heard the familiar footsteps, "Took you long enough. I was getting bored." he spun around to see an attractive feline who looked more like a hooker than a killer, but he knew better.

"Well," she said in a seducing tone, "it's hard to find a dead man, isn't it? I though you quit taking contracts? So, why did you... wait, wrong question. Did you just want to see me under you again?" She smiled and Sammy lit up one of his cigarettes. "You... still have those?! Give me one!" She dashed at him, but he deftly sidestepped and smacked her on the back of the head.

He took a long drag on the cigarette, "No. Your body couldn't handle it the first time, remember? I had to take you to the hospital and you were in a coma for three months. Now, you gonna help me or not?"

She picked herself off the ground and brused off the dirt, "That EB-666, I can't believe it. Remids me of the older days, when you were afraid to smoke them. I'll help you under one condition. Tell me why you are smoking like a guy on death row."

Sammy's face was grim, "Fine. Apparently, I have some sort of DNA strand in my body that has quite a violent reaction to a very common bacteria. There has only been two other cases besides me, and both of them were fatal. All i need to know is that I'm gonna die in a few days, so I don't need to worry about the Addiction Effect."

She was saddened, "Right. Excessive use of EB-666 can cause a serious dependency. Everything it boosts has an opposite reaction. Your body loses the ability to repair itself, reflexes become almost non-existant, the body loses all strength and the mind breaks down. Arkham's Razor, as you called it when you were pounding me raw. I actually had to go look it up after I was able to walk again. And it's right, the simplest explaination is the best. So, you want to have another go, for old time's sake?"

"No, you agreed to help, so let's get this over with. I'm kinda on a very tight schedule. Girl was abducted four years ago. Best odds are that she's was taken into a sex trafficking ring. You know of any around here?"

She took a step back in surprise, "Wow, she really did make you go soft. But uh... let's see. Well, the only one I know of resides in the Dead Man's Drop. It's operated on the top floor, but I have no idea which room. I overheard that they used the phrase 'I'm here to see my daughter' as a password. You do remember where it is, right? You aren't that rusty are you?" she smiled as she spoke.

Sammy grinned back, "Naw, the Star Industries building is one of the tallest, and I'm the only one who escaped to the top to survive, remember? That's how it got it's nickame. Oh, and if you doubt my abilities, look up former nuclear processing warehouse massacre. I practically signed my name in blood. See ya." he waved as he left the alley.

There it was, one of the most important buildings in the city. It's surrounded by small businesses and smaller towers, but it is a major tourist attraction. The top half is nothing but glass windows, while the bottom has art work covering the surface. It is twenty floors of offices and the three forbidden floors on the very top are residential suites for the big wigs. The iconic fiber optic star on top gets the attention of everyone. Unfortunately, they have ridiculous security and only a madman would try to go up uninvited. Sammy was the madman.

There was no way to get immediately to the top without attracting a lot of unwanted attention, and if he was going to get up there, he needed either a big gun with infinite ammunition and a private helicopter waiting to take off or a disguise. Sammy opened his wallet to notice that he had about $1000 on him. "Damn, I hope it's enough to get up there. Well, no time like when I'm still alive. Time to get laid." He marched confidently into the building and went up to the receptionist's desk. "Hello, I'm here to see my daughter. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction?"

The woman smiled, "Of course, your daughter is a valued member of our company. She brings in nothing but profits, but I'm sure she has some time to see you. Take this pass and go to the elevator just around the corner. have a nice day!" Sammy smiled as he nodded and made his way to the elevator. He showed his pass to the guards and they stepped to the side. He got on and found that there was a velvet couch against the back wall.

"Huh." he said as he sat down. Sammy examined the pass and felt even worse. It was a simple ID card, but instead of a picture, it had the words "Very Important Customer" written in gold letters. It was while he was staring at the pass that he realized the reason for the couch. This elevator only went to three floors. At the very top. "Lame... but I've got to get this all sorted out. Grab whos-her-face and haul ass. Well, I could take care of the entire business... AGH!!!" a shock rattled his brain. When he looked up, he saw a transparent apparition of Karma. She was moving her lips, but no sound came out. "Karma.... don't go... please..." she vanished as his brain returned to normal. He knew what he had to do. The sick bastards in charge were gonna die.

Sammy clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. His tail hardened as the door opened. "Welcome, to our little 'daycare' service. I understand you are here for one of our girls?"

Sammy fought off every urge to decapitate this dog. He needed to see what he was up against before he could act, "Of course. She's a little bunny, cutest little thing she is." his neurons were firing at an uncontrollable rate. He thought he was about to have a stroke, "Hey, you mind if I smoke up here? Not around all the kids, but once I get my girl?"

The dog smiled, "Of course not. Our customers are much to valued to deny them simple pleasures. Please, follow me so you can get her." he led him into what appeared to me a maintenance closet. When he opened it, there were twelve young girls of all species chained to the walls with handcuffs. Sammy recognized the bunny from the pisture and pointed her out. The man walked over and unchained the broken girl. She might have fought before, but now she was resigned to giving in. All of the cuffs were occupied.

"Am I the only customer today?" he asked, trying not to sound suspicious.

"Well, we mostly have our girls picked up later in the day."

Sammy smiled, "Yes, I would imagine so. I happened to be off today, so..." he looked around, "Wait. I thought that this was one of the most secure buildings in the city, yet I don't see any guards. Is this a trap?!"

The dog was holding the girl and trying to calm Sammy down, "No no no, not at all. It's just, our security is so good at the ground level that we can stop any intruders before they become a problem." Sammy pretended to calm down, "Yes, no good hiring unnecessary help, correct?"

Sammy smiled again, "I wouldn't say that." then he tackled the dog to the ground. He used a marine technique and snapped his neck on the ground. The girl was confused, "Grab the key and unlock the other ones. Meet me here when you're done."

"But... aren't you a customer?" she was brainwashed.

Sammy sighed as he lit up another cigarette, using his hand to protect the flame, "Yeah, your mother hired me to get you out of here. Now hurry, I'll get the guards." the weak and frail girl did what he said as he moved over to the elevator. As he suspected, it was coming up. He looked around, but couldn't find anything to use. The dor opened and four guards all aimed their guns at him. He took a long drag, essentially smoking the entire cigarette in one breath. He exhaled with a cough, "Tingly." then he sprung into action.

He tackled the closest guard and grabbed his pistol. He shot the two to his left then grabbed the last one. With a flick of his wrist, he snapped his neck the nturned his attention to the guard who was slowly falling to the ground, "Overdose is a bitch, ain't it?!" He lifted his foot and stomped down on his head, crushing his skull. "Whoa... didn't plan that one all the way through. I liked these shoes, now they got brains and shit all over them... dammit." The girls finally made their way over to him and were unfased by the gruesome sight. Sammy picked up their 9mms and put them in his belt, "Okay, who want's do do something crazy. Show of hands!" the girls stood there like zombies.

His target spoke, "People have tried before. They stop the elevator and then die. We can't escape."

Sammy sighed, the EB-666 still pulsing through his veins, "Follow me, I know how to get out of here." he led the girls to an hidden staircase and then to the roof, "Dead Man's Drop, lovely sight, right? Come on, through the ventilation." One the side of the building was a narrow exhaust duct that was no longer used. Since it was so large, it would be too expensive to remove it, so they put the fiber optic star at the topp, making it look like it was soaring into space. Sammy jumped in and plnged his fingers through the ducts. He rested his shoes against the sides then slid down some, "Alright, single file. Rest on my shoulders and we'll get out of here."

They did as they were told, and Sammy slid down a little more each time so the next girls could get in safely. After they were all in, Sammy pulled his fingers insdie some and they went shooting down the vent. Normally, he would have lost his fingers. However, the large dose of EB-666 sped up his regeneration and reduced the pain. He couldn't see how high they were, so he had to rely on the cuts caused by his fingers to gauge their height. At what he though was thirty feet, he stuck his entire hands through the vent and shoved his shoes through the front. They slowed down just enough so that when they reached the bottom they stopped without injury.

Sammy kicked out the bottom plate and took the girls out one by one. He had twelve teenagers behind him as the accusing stares increased, "Everyone alright? Good. You, bunny. You're the first stop. Now follow me." he walked up to a man carrying a cell phone and kicked it out of his hands, "I need this for a second." he hung up and dialed in the special code, "Hey, Dead Man's Drop needs it's heating repaired." he hung up and handed the phone back. The girls followed him back to the bar.

When they got in, the bartender yelled, "Hey! No kids in here- oh my god. What... where did you... oh my god!" He jumped the counter and ran up to Sammy, "What happened to them?!"

He smiled, "Don't worry, it's taken care of. Now where's that rabbit woman... there you are." He placed his hand on the bunny's shoulder and walked her back over to her mother, "See? I get things done. I'd keep an eye on the news, too. I heard that the heating system for Star Industries may be a little faulty." he walked back over to the bar, "Yeah... I think you should call their parents." he reached behind the bar for the remote and turned on the news. "Um, all you assholes not moving should help out. No cops, only parents."

Everyone scrambled to ask the girls their numbers and their parent's names. Sammy laughed as the special report on the news aired. The rabbit woman was about to thank him when she saw it as well.

"This is breaking news. Star Industries is on fire in the Northern city block. Earlier today, reports of a feline male coming down the chute with twelve ragged girls had caused a police investigation into the activities of CEO Gary Chalmes. Police found four dead security guards and one dead employee on a level in which they also found a closet with chains and a list indicating sex trafficking activities. As soon as they were out of the building, it burst into flames. Early reports say that a gas main may have ruptured. We will have more on the story as it becomes available"

Sammy laughed, "Now that is what I call art work. See how the flames dance in the sky. Just one part of my masterpiece. I think I can get a few more in as well"

The woman had to ask, "Did you do this? Did you... no. it doesn't matter. You saved my daughter, and for that I am grateful. I don't know how I can repay you-"

"Then don't."

She was confused, "But, you've done so much for me. Why don't you want anything in return?"

Sammy laughed, "I have no use for money, no use for shelter, and no use for possessions. There is nothing you can offer me that I would accept. So relax and go home with your daughter. I have enough to-" he entered a severe coughing fit. "Damn" he said as the room grew fuzzy. He lost control of his muscles and he fell off of the chair, his face smacking into the hard tiled floor. His hand went to his head after the impact. "Ugh... I need a bed now. No hospitals. No doctors. I need rest." he blacked out. He though he could use that much without consequence, but he was wrong.

He dreamt that he was in a well lit room. There were two white wicker chairs with a little table between them. He felt that he needed to sit in one, so he did. The moment he sat, he lost the ability to move. Karma appeared once again in the other chair with a tea cup in her hands. "I am glad you did what you did, Sammy. I wan't sure that you could hear me, but you felt what I wanted. That must mean that you still love me."

"Of course I do. You wanted a world without crime, but you tried to use peaceful methods. I... can't do that. But I can still change the fate of the city in the time I have left. I just wish you were by my side again. I miss you."

She smiled and brused her hand across his face. Her warmth made Sammy feel as though he was in heaven. Nothing bothered him, his body entered a serene state. "I know. We will met each other again soon. I wish that you could live on, but I know that would be asking too much. Please, be good, " her words echoed as she faded from the room.

Sammy woke up in a bed, tears in his eyes, "I will. I will make your dream come true."

"Oh, are you awake? Are you feeling better?" Sammy looked up to see the rabbit woman standing over him holding a damp towel and a glass of water. He noticed that he was lying in her house.

He sat up, "Yeah yeah. I'm fine. Anything happen when I was out?" she said no, but her face was hiding something, "Come on, it can't be that bad."

"Well," she said quietly, "Your cell phone rang. I answered it, but someone said 'Word on the street is that gray is gonna be red.' I didn't understand it at all."

Sammy stood up, still a little weak from the mild withdrawl, "Funny, I don't have a cell phone. This is not going to end well."