Dead Frontier/Issue 76

This is a preview for Issue #76 of Dead Frontier by Walkerbait22, titled ''Down and Out. This is the fourth issue of 'Volume 13. '''The entire issue is planned to be posted the week of May 20, 2013.

Issue 76 - Down and Out
Roxie stands in front of the Hyatt’s gates, gloved hands stuffed into the pockets of her coat. The engines of the cars behind her shut off, leaving the outside in total silence as the two guards and Hiro wait for her to say something. Anything. A few curious onlookers from inside the hotel, including Cole, Alec, Jake, and Aubrey, finally decide to leave the safety of the lobby to observe the commotion outside. Hiro, somewhat confused, notices that this makes one corner of Roxie’s mouth turn up into a smirk.

“I hope everyone’s having a Merry Christmas,” she says, loud enough for each person in the vicinity to hear her clearly. “I just thought this was the perfect day to pay the acclaimed Hyatt a friendly visit. It is the day of giving, right?”

Cole grabs Hiro by the arm and whispers in his ear, “Who the hell is that?”

“She said her name was Roxie,” Hiro responds just as quietly.

Cole thought that name was old news, that mentions of this mysterious woman would vanish. At least that’s what Alexander told him, but here she stands.

"It's probably not the kind of giving you'd expect at Christmas, but I'm here to give, once someone gets that dickhead Alexander out here." No one moves, each set of eyeballs glued on her. This seems to frustrate her; she sighs loudly and repeats, “Once someone gets that dickhead Alexander out here.” Archie seems to take the hint, and he scurries back into the hotel to fetch Alexander.

"Very nice group of people here. Very nice," Roxie continues, the cold air transforming her breath into a crisp cloud at every word. "I really, really hope I wasn't intruding on any Christmas festivities."

"What the hell do you want?" Hiro asks boldly. Roxie's smirk grows into a full on smile, and she takes a few steps towards the gate.

"Patience is a virtue. You'll find out in just a minute."

After that minute is up, Alexander finally appears outside, his face conveying pure terror and confusion. He barks for someone to open the gate, and when it is he stomps toward Roxie, a little too aggressive for her taste.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Alexander demands. Roxie lifts up her hand, palm forward, directing him to stop, which he does.

"Jimmy and Kris weren't at our meeting spot yesterday," Roxie explains. "That's the second time this month, Alex. I agreed to your stupid compromise that we trade somewhere other than the hotel, yet you don't even have the consideration to agree to that deal. I'm hurt, to be completely honest with you."

"I told you, I needed time...C-can we do this someplace else? Not in front of--"

"I told you: I'm not. Fucking. Around. I am speaking English?" She puts her hands on her knees and leans forward, in the position you'd speak to a child, and says especially slowly, "Can...you...understand...me? Yes?"

"Roxie, please. I'm doing--"

"I've given you various warnings. Very nice warnings. Slaps on the wrist, because I like you, Alex. I think you're a good person. But slaps on the wrist can only go so far." She turns away from Alexander, to one of the ominous black cars behind her. The tinted window rolls down and a gloved hand hands her something. A pistol. She waves it toward Alexander as she walks to the gate.