Bat's in the Belfry Webcomic

Akuma: Tales of the Fox-Demon #35
"There's Someone at the Window"
by Heather Alexander

The black 1939 Jaguar turned into the back alley of a very luxurious brownstone and entered its darkened back entrance. A tall, well-built, black man in dark clothing got out of the driver's seat to open the doors to the garage. He then pulled the sleek black car into its regular resting place. The rear passenger door swung open and Akuma stepped from the vehicle.

“Well, two muggers and a burglar thwarted before coming home. Not a bad night. I’m glad you talked me into some exercise before coming home.” John removed the mask and hung it from his sash. Jerome smiled and took off his domino mask and stocking cap.

“Let’s go have a brandy and discuss what to do with the Jade Dragon operation tomorrow night,” the fox-demon said as they stood in the garage, “I do want to make sure we have all our bases covered. I also wanted to talk about the latest illusion. I’m still not sure we have the trade off worked out yet.”

“Sounds good to me. I know what you mean about the thing with the cabinet. I think the door may be sticking,” Jerome said shutting the garage doors. “I’ll check it out tomorrow.” John smiled at his large friend as they entered the brownstone through a narrow hallway leading into the empty antechamber that directed hallways to other rooms in the house.

John undid the bindings on his hair and let it flow down his back as he and Jerome entered the den. Jack and Yumi were sitting next to the fire. Hama was enjoying his new favorite past time of belly rubs in Yumi’s lap. They ended abruptly, however, when she noticed John and Jerome enter the room. She gently placed Hama on his bed in front of the fireplace and ran to John throwing her arms around his neck. Hama sulked a bit. Jack looked over the back of his chair as he smiled watching the girl run to John.

“Oh, John, I’m so glad you are home. Jack and I had a bit of a scare tonight,” she said as she gave the kitsune a peck on the cheek.

“Oh, really?” John said as he shifted forms and became his most human-looking one. “What happened?” he said as he looked down at her and then to Jack for an explanation.

Jack got up from his chair to met them as they were standing on the carpet, followed by Hama who seemed to want John’s attention.

“While we were at her place getting the last of her stuff, I was waiting in the living room. I heard her scream and came running. She told me she saw someone outside the window.” Jack straightened his goggles.

“Yes,” Yumi continued, “and then Jack went outside to see if anyone was there and didn’t find anything. I… I thought it might have been Oni. He and Hypnose did go missing after we found them trying to kill you.”

Jerome had been listening to them and pouring the drinks. He made a couple more for Jack and Yumi. Jerome handed the glasses all around, each taking one.

“You don’t think you were followed?” the large black man asked, sipping at his brandy.

“Nah,” Jack said as he put the snifter to his lips. “Like I said I didn’t find anything.”

“Well we can’t be too careful,” John said as he tossed back the brandy and sat down his glass on a sideboard. “Jack, you and Yumi stay here and turn out the lights. I am going to go get into something a bit less crime fighter and then Jerome and I will go out and search around the house.” Hama pawed at John’s legs and looked up at him. He began to speak in the silent voice that only John could hear.

“Jenochi, there is someone outside the house, but it’s not an adult.” Hama looked up at John as John bent down to scratch his ears.

“Is this so? Do you think they are a threat?” John asked Hama.

“No, but you may want to find out what they want.” Hama nuzzled into John’s hand, and then went to rub against Yumi’s legs, “I will stay here and be a link to you if they come in the house.”

John stood and looked at every one who seemed puzzled. “Hama just told me that we may have a guest outside. However, he said that they didn’t seem to be threatening. He will stay here and let us know if anyone tries to enter. Don’t worry about the lights.” Thus said John went upstairs put on a pair of slacks, button-down shirt, one of his short kimonos, and grabbed his .22 out of its resting place. He then rejoined Jerome downstairs.

“Ready?” Jerome asked, readying his .38.

“Yes, I will go out the back door and you go out the front and meet me behind the house.” John’s form then shifted and he became a large red fox with the mysterious third eye. He trotted to the back door in the kitchen and out the pet door usually reserved for Hama.

Jerome slipped out the front door with his gun drawn and in a ready stance. He cautiously slipped around the side of the brownstone and headed for the back gate of the enclosed garden. Nothing made a sound as his darkened form padded softly in the night. The large black man kept his eyes open looking for lurking shadows as he put his hand on the latch of the gate.

John’s small soft paws made no sound as he entered the garden. He immediately went to one side and slunk into the thickest part of the flowerbeds. He began to scan the garden for the intruder. He looked all about him and then he saw someone in the tree. He began to concentrate and skim a few glimpses of the intruder's mind. As he did this, he found himself looking in the window of Yumi’s old apartment. He heard her scream and he felt the panic of a child as he realized he would be caught. John saw the feet of a boy run to a car... it was Jack's Ford. He then saw the boy’s hands open the trunk quickly and get in.

John almost wanted to laugh as he used the eye to actually get a look at the intruder in the tree. It was a boy. All this over a kid. John chose a good spot and got into position, and transformed into his human form with long dark hair.

Jerome had gotten to the gate and was looking in through the opening. He saw John looking up into the tree above him. John caught his eye and motioned him to put the gun away. Jerome tried to open the gate quietly as he entered the back yard, but the sound alerted the boy. The boy shimmied down the tree with impressive speed and darted for the vines so he could climb over the high wall.

The boy never made it. John had grabbed him by his collar and was holding him firmly.

“Ahhhhhh! Don’t hurt me! I meant no harm! Please don’t call the cops!” the boy sobbed as he struggled to get away.

“We won’t so long as you tell us why you are here,” John said in a voice that was firm.

Jerome was with them in a few strides and took the boy from John and held him easily.

“What should we do with him, Matsumoto?” Jerome asked John calling him by his stage name.

“It’s you? Is it really you?!” The boy ceased to struggle with the mention of the name. “Aww, Mr. Matsumoto, sir. I meant no harm. I…. I just noticed your lady friend and then the guy with the goggles scared the bejeezus out uh me. I panicked and now I’m here… I just wanted to meet my favorite magician.” Jerome loosened his grip on the boy a bit as he noticed that he didn’t seem to want to run.

“Is that so?” John said with an amused smile, “If you promise not to run I will have Jerome let go. What’s your name?”

“I won’t. My name is Roy,” the boy said, looking up at John with his wide, hazel eyes. The boy was wearing pants and a shirt that looked as if they hadn’t been washed for a while. The boy’s tummy growled and he smiled sheepishly.

“Well, Roy. What would you think of getting something to eat and then telling me what you were doing outside of Yumi’s apartment?” John asked as he led the boy to the door that led into the brownstone’s kitchen. “Sure!” the boy said as he smiled up at John.

Roy made his explanation. He had been running away from an abusive carnie in the troop when he ended up on the street outside Yumi’s window. He recognized her from a photo in the newspaper that had spoken about John’s relationship with his latest “lady friend” and the boy had ceased on the wild idea to follow her so that he might get a glimpse of his idol.

Roy was soon introduced to Dr. Twilight, Yumi, and Hama. He then had his tummy filled. The boy ate voraciously as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Yumiko then fussed over the boy, getting him bathed and finding one of John’s old shirts and a pair of pants to wear. The clothing hung from his gaunt 13-year-old frame with a droopy cuteness that only a child can possess.

Hama then played with the boy, as the adults spoke about what to do next.

“Well, what do you think?” Dr. Twilight asked John as they watched the boy tear down the hall laughing with Hama hot on his heels.

“I think he needs a home,” Yumiko said as she smiled watching Hama pull at the chew toy Roy was teasing him with.

“Yes, I agree.” John said seeming to muse a bit about his own past. “A carnival is not a home for a boy, but I did well when I ran away from home to join the Shanghai Circus.”

“You did, and you were given a chance to live your dreams, but you were much older, he is truly a child. Besides, he has no home to return to,” Yumiko said looking at John with a purpose he could read I her eyes.

“Ohh no… No… It wouldn’t be decent. I mean me having you here is scandal enough, but the boy? Not to mention my ‘night life’,” John said as he sipped on a new snifter of brandy.

“Why not? You could give him a job. Teach the boy the magic biz,” Jerome said siding with Yumiko. John was beginning to feel outnumbered. “He said he is a fair knife thrower. Why not train him to be the best knife thrower in town and put him in the show? Besides my ma has worked for you how long, and she still doesn’t have a clue about our late night trips?”

The overwhelmed fox-demon heaved a sigh. “Fine! He will start tomorrow. I guess I should let him know.” John motioned over his shoulder at the boy, “Roy, could you come here for a moment please?”

“Sure, Mr. Matsumoto, sir.” Roy let Hama have the chew toy and came into the den, with the fox following him. Roy came to stand before John as he sat in a very overstuffed wing chair by the fireplace.

“You can call me, John. Roy, I know you really like being with the carnival, but how would you like to live with me and be my apprentice?” John said with a smile.

Roy’s hazel eyes grew wide. “Ohhh!!! Ohh wow?! This is great! Yes!” the boy shouted with excitement.

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