Rise of the Night/Run of Night

Congo walked confidently down the tunnels of the catacombs, Lyla following forlornly at his heels. Everyone they passed said their hullos to Congo, some of them starting to do the same to Lyla until they saw her face. She hadn’t been punished since she was a kid and Congo’s idea of punishment had... changed a lot since then. She’d been twelve, insolent, and angry. He’d spanked her until she couldn’t sit down without cringing. Now... she knew what happened in the darker recesses of the catacombs. She knew what Shiva did to the lesser members of the gang when they stepped out of line.

Lyla had never really had to punish her runners. Mistakes punished themselves in her line of work. Be it broken bones, wounds, death, embarrassment, or capture, being a runner had its own set of rules. So as she followed Congo into his set of office and living spaces, she was unsure what to expect. He sat down in a large office chair behind a simple table and indicated a simpler chair near it. She sat.

“So,” he began, hands folded in front of his face. “What’s going on between you and Shadow?” Lyla mentally cursed herself as she felt the flush of red across her face. She looked away. “I suppose that answers that then. Good for the two of you, it sure as hell took you long enough. I was about ready to let Shiva use her idea.”

“What idea?” Lyla asked, looking up.

Congo grinned mischievously. “Confiscate both your clothes and leave you two locked in a room together until you... sorted out your feelings.” He laughed a little before leaning back in the chair. “I hope this means that you’ll be a little more focused and obedient. With all that’s been going on, I can’t have dissension in the ranks at your level. You know that.”

“Mm,” Lyla murmured, nodding. She was having a hard time looking him in the face. “And... you’re going to punish me still?”

“In a manner of speaking,” he said, lighting a cigarette. “I can’t be seen as too soft. But then I can’t afford to have you look like you just rolled over and took it. So you’re going to punch me.”

“What?!” Lyla near shouted. “Punch you?”

“Mmmhm, the face, if you don’t mind, so it’s obvious.” He stood and walked over to her, pointing at the left side of his face.

"I can't do that!" she balked. "You're my... Well. Leader. Thing."

Out of nowhere, he back handed her hard enough that her head spun. It took a moment for her to regain her senses but when she did, she was leaning against the wall and panting. Her cheek was throbbing.

"You-you hit me!?" she gasped.

"That might have been what I did, yes," he said, standing just behind her. "Do remember yourself and do something about it."

Lyla spun, her foot catching him in the neck and throwing him towards the ground. He recovered before hitting the floor, his leg swinging out to take out her legs. She hopped over it and came after him, managing to land a punch at his face.

But the swing left her defenses open and he twisted her arm behind her back before shoving her face roughly into the floor. He pulled her arm until she yelped. He was straddling her from behind, most of his weight pinning her hard to the floor on her stomach.

"You're getting better, pup," he said with a laugh. "Maybe having Shadow around again will be good for you."

"Get. Off." She barely choked out, his weight pressing most of the air out of her lungs.

"Apologize."

"Fuck o-" her response was cut off by the loud scream of pain that escaped her lips when Congo twisted her arm. Her whole arm and shoulder felt like they were on fire. "Sorry!" She gasped out.

He released her and she rolled to her side, clutching her arm. "Fffffuuuuuck..." she hissed.

Congo relit his dropped cigarette. "You're fine. I didn't dislocate it." He sat back down in his chair and gingerly touched his face. His eye was darkening and swelling.

"You'll have a black eye," she muttered, still rubbing her arm before touching her cheek and cringing.

"Ladies like battle wounds, right?"

They both laughed and he helped her up. She dusted herself off and tested her arm. The movement was limited. Damn.

"Now. I'd tell you to go back to your room but we both know where you're going. Go get 'im, pup," he said, slapping her backside to get her moving out the door.

Lyla shot a guilty glare at him and started back down the tunnels. Though they were trying to be inconspicuous about it, some of the gang was gathered to see the results of Congo's punishment. Hamming it up was not difficult, it really did hurt. By the time she got to Shadow's new home, she was irritated by the stares.

She knocked before letting herself in. He was just finishing putting on his new clothes, Shiva fussing over the details. They both looked up and their smiles turned to surprise.

"Ice magic. Now. Please."

Shadow raised his hand, the glow soft. She snatched his hand and held it to her throbbing cheek. She sighed softly, the initial sting melting away to a certain numbness.

"Shoulder, please," she said, turning so he could place his hand on her shoulder. "Damn near pulled it out of the socket." She leaned back against his touch and closed her eyes. The ache lessened a little.

"Damn, girl," Shiva said, inspecting her cheek. "He did a number on you."

Lyla grunted and lay down on Shadow's bed.

Ow... She thought. Ow ow ow... Punishment sucks. Ow...