Lion (manxboy)

Chapter 21

"Your papers were turned in late, Lion. Do you have a reason for this morning's absence?" Lion swallowed hard and wiggled his toes. The boy locked eyes with the screen and watched his boss's face change, "this is your fifth day of missing work. I'd like to have an explanation." His boss seethed.

Lion rubbed his scar and seated himself, "I was in the hospital for a few weeks because I got severely injured, and this morning is because I forgot to set my alarm." Lion lied just a tad, hoping his boss would understand, "I'm sorry I couldn't find the time to explain."

The man pressed his hands together and glared into his screen, only making Lion's composure vibrate with anxiety.

"I'm going to guess that's why you have a scar on your neck." Lion released the pent-up air and nodded, "All alright, well, since it was for a medical emergency, I guess I can't be mad at you for that. Let me know next time something happens." Lion smiled at the man through his screen.

Lion received his work and got straight to business. Lion sometimes got lost in his thoughts, and as much as he wanted to crush them and throw them into a trash bin, he couldn't stop thinking about them.

Lion's brows furrowed as he tried his best to concentrate on his task, but whatever was bothering him didn't want to leave. Eventually, Lion took his break and left his office. The boy padded around the open kitchen and stopped once noticing a small paper on the counter. Lion felt a moment of Deja vu as he hesitantly moved towards the form and picked it up. It was signed under 'unknown,' which only made Lion shiver.

Lion slowly unfolded the paper with shaky hands,

Hello Lion. It's been a while. Remember that gift I sent you? It had such a pretty cupcake in it. It's too bad Elijah figured me out, but it's funny he never found me yet. You see, Donovan may have been a big issue, and you survived him. But the real problem is still out there. Anyway, have a nice day. You might not have another one to live.

Lion dropped the paper to the ground and rushed for his phone. He quickly dialed Elijah's number, "Elijah, I got a letter and-,, and I don't know where it came from, I'm scared." Lion sputtered into the phone, tears dwelling in his eyes, "it said something about Donovan, and I'm not sure what else, but then it also said- okay, just please hur-ry." The phone hung up, and Lion sat at the kitchen island, impatiently waiting for Elijah to arrive.

This can't be happening. Lion thought to himself and fiddled his thumbs together. The boy looked around the open space as he felt he was no longer alone.

Just the previous night, everything was going smoothly. Why did it have to change so quickly?

Lion pressed his head against his hands and rubbed his face. The boy then picked up his phone and sent a message to his boss, explaining his absence and why before putting his phone back down and letting the tears flow down his pale cheeks. Lion didn't want this. Lion wanted to have a great life, a life filled with happiness and no regrets.

Before Lion could overthink, his phone vibrated, and a message appeared, 'don't cry,' it read. Lion threw his phone on the counter and walked around the apartment. The boy searched for cameras or anything suspicious. Lion's legs were on the verge of collapsing with how drained he already was. The anxiety that bubbled inside of him made it hard for him to continue his search.

Elijah burst into the apartment with Joshua and Shawn by his side. Elijah looked around the apartment before rushing into the guest room to find Lion sitting on the bed in tears, "Hey, I'm here." Elijah smiled and padded towards the boy, hugging him tightly, "show me that letter, baby. The sooner we deal with this, the better it will get." Elijah reassured and helped Lion's shaking body to his feet.