Iceman

 

Harry

Tanya Redfield

Marrow

 

Marrow lifted her head up from the shadows, stuffing the photograph in her outfit's pocket. It was something of hers. Something that was taken away from her so long ago, something that she wanted back. Was it possible she was capable of caring... or was it just the principle of the matter?

The bone mistress turned away from the shadows, walking out towards the tunnels leading out of the dead end.

"One twenty two... one twenty two and an eight?" Bobby spoke aloud as he paced along the apartment complex's hallway, glancing down to a piece of paper, then around the hall. "One twenty twoo.. and an eight! Here we are."

Reaching his fist outward, Bobby knocked at the apartment's wooden door. It had been hours since his battle with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and he couldn't help but a little tired.

Moments passed before the door creaked open, revealing nothing but darkness in it's bit of space given from the doorframe. Bobby quirked a brow momentarily at the door, but then spoke softly.

"Uh, hi. Sorry to disturb you so late at night, but are you Tanya Redfield's room mate?"

A young girl's juvenile voice stuttered nervously, as the owner of the voice came partially into the brief moonlight given by a hallway window.

"T-That's one way of p-putting it... who are you?"

"Oh, well, I'm Bobby... don't you have a baby sitter?" Bobby inquired, a crease of concern forming in his brow.

"I'm 9 years old.. I think I can take care of myself."

"Oh..." Bobby smiled lightly. "Is it okay if I come in? There's something you need to know about your uh... mom? I'm not a freak or anything, so don't worry!"

The girl nodded as Bobby spoke reassuringly, and then proceeded to open the door for him.

Something about Bobby had seemed to calm the young girl's nerves. Maybe it was that he was so kind... or on the same level as her.. or maybe he could just come off to be such a dolt at times, she didn't need to be afraid of him.

Eyes flickered open lightly in the tunnel crossway, as Tanya Redfield rose to her feet. She couldn't but squint as the pain from Marrow's bunt to the head had steadily made itself known. The young woman's eyes trailed side to side as she fully sat up, holding the side of her head with one hand, and supporting herself with the other.

"Finally ya woke up."

Tanya frantically looked over her shoulder, drawing her hand down slightly from it's resting place at her temple. Only to see Marrow in a crouched position on a rotting table.

"Now we can finally have some girl talk."

"W-What do you want?"

"Jus' what's mine, upworlder. Give it back to me, and I might just let ya live to see that pretty sky all you pretty lil' upworlder's love so much again in your lifetime."

"Nice place."

Bobby shoved his hands into his coat pocket, glancing around the front room as he walked behind Sherry, the little girl. The living room lights were previously on, along with the Television. Sounds from the famous cartoon show, "Powerpuff Girls" filled the air.

"What was it you wanted to tell me... about my mom?" Sherry turned as they stopped before the couch, looking to Bobby.

"Well, Sherry*," Bobby started, sitting down at the couch. Sherry followed his lead, sitting down beside him. "Did someone come by your house already tonight?"

(* Yes, this lazy writer had the two introduced between scenes. -- Cory)

"Yeah, two big men.. my mom told me I wasn't supposed to open the door to men."

"Wait, then why did you open up to me?"

"Because you're just a shrimp."

"Say what?"

Sherry held in a chuckle.

"You looked like the friend that works at her store. My mom told me she was gonna send someone over to check on me every now and then tonight."

"Oh... well, like I was saying Sherry. Something a uh.." Bobby swallowed hard. "Happened, to your mom..."

"Is she okay?"

"She will be. But for now, I think I should take you to the Police until this is all resolved. You can't be alone at this time of the night."

"The Police?" Sherry shook her head lightly, a bit hesitant. "I don't wanna be all by myself at some lonely police station... and besides, where are you going?"

"To help your mom, of course." Bobby kept the calm voice as he spoke, sure to not upset Sherry. "If you don't want to stay at the Police station, I can have some friends stay with you? Their great people, believe me."

Sherry considered it for a moment, then nodded shortly after. "Okay, deal."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about... I don't have anything of yours!"

Marrow sneered, leaping off the rotting table with great speed, only to land directly in front of Tanya, a bone dagger in each hand. Although her approach didn't seem to be that of a violent one, Tanya was nearly overwhelmed by fear. Wouldn't you be if some scary lady with pink hair and bones sticking out of her back came at you?

"I think ya do." Marrow's face was nearly inches from Tanya's, stairing a whole into her. Tanya trembled slightly, but tried her best to put on a brave face. "I'm not gonna hurt ya, it's just come to my attention that ya do indeed got what's mine."

"Whatever it is..." Tanya started, a bit hesitant. "You can have it back! Just please, don't hurt me..."

Marrow smirked, although a bit disappointed that she can't force her possession out of Tanya in anyway. Well, maybe she will later on in the evening, but for now, she had a phone call to make...

"Thanks a lot, Jean." Bobby spoke into the flip-open cell phone, which his mother had gotten him for his last birthday, as he drove down the dark, city streets. "This woman, Tanya, it's all my fault what happen to her."

"Don't say that, Bobby. You don't know if Marrow had taken her just because you happen to be talking to her." Jean spoke reassuringly from back at the apartment, where Hank had been amusing Sherry by pulling light acrobatics.

"Yeah, well... I need to find her anyway. Tell Hank I said thanks also."

"Will do."

"Thanks again, Jeanie."

Bobby flipped the cell phone's dial cover into place and tossed it onto the passenger's side, drawing both hands onto the wheel. He came to a red light, where he abruptly came to a stop, although no one was in sight.

Few moments passed, before the cell phone began to ring. Bobby glanced down to it, then picked it up to answer, sure to leave one hand on the wheel.

"Hello?"

Stepping on the gas lightly, Bobby continued down the road after the light had turned green, keeping the phone to his ear.

"Snoochie whoochies hoochies." Marrow grinned from the other line, her voice sending Bobby's eyes into a widened expression. Questions immediately filled his head; Has Marrow hurt Tanya? If not, what'd Marrow want in safe return? How did the boned-one get his cell number? Oh, and does 7-11 still sell those mini-corn dogs?

NEXT ISSUE: What does Tanya have that Marrow wants? And DOES 7-11 still sell mini-corn dogs?! Inquiring minds want to know!!