Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 8 - Remember The Name

 – The fuck, why did you make us come there? That's like, at the other end of the district.

Phase's complaining voice resonated against the studio's glass walls as he let himself fall onto the sofa, between Venom and Claw. The short-haired, blonde, forty-years old woman in front of them crossed her arms, leaning onto the grand piano in the middle of the practice room.

– You know just how busy I am, kiddo, she sighed. I couldn't come to you, and this is too important to wait.

– Then what is it? Questioned Venom, head tilted to the side. All you told me was Downtown.

– And we're not the ones to deal with them, usually, added Claw.

She took a seat in front of the large instrument, observing the three of them with a serious expression.

– Dusk screwed up, she finally said. He screwed up big.

– What did he do? Exclaimed the pink-haired one. He's not the kind to fuck up, usually.

– Atlas sent him to kill a police officer, but he fell on a Downtown's Lieutenant.

– Alone? Interrogated Claw, shocked.

– Alone. And that is the problem. All the men Dusk left there to deal with him got killed.

At these words, the three men looked at each other, startled, before going back to the woman before them.

– Who the fuck was that Lieutenant? Groaned the blonde, crossing his legs.

– Siali Tofezza, she answered. A transfer. An injured transfer.

– What the fuck, muttered Phase. That's Dusk we're talkin' about! That transfer wasn't there alone, or else he would have rawed him.

– Yeah, and that's the problem. We have no idea who killed our guys, nor who went to clean up after that. When he realized they were not calling, he went back there, and all the corpses had disappeared. But the problem isn't here.

Venom frowned at her phrase.

– Then why exactly did you call us, Ether?

– If the girl Dusk was charged to kill is being protected by Downtown, we could get in trouble if we were to pursue this mission. Our peace with them must continue for the sake of our businesses. So the goal changed. Rather than going after her, we're going after the files that's putting Amnesia in a tricky situation.

Phase began to laugh while he was opening the package Dove gave him earlier, as if the gravity of the situation suddenly didn't matter anymore to him.

– Damn, she's so cute, he whispered for himself, before raising his chin up to her. So we're robbing cops?

– Can you even speak seriously, sometimes? Sighed Ether. Yes, in short, we are. Well, one of you. So, a volunteer?

– I'm out, mumbled Venom, waking up. I'm not the type of guy for these missions. Too known by these fuckers. I'll see you all later.

Without wasting more time, he seized his phone and left the room, apparently uneasy, leaving the three others dumbfounded.

– What has gotten into him? Wondered the blonde, surprised.

– No idea, shrugged Phase, showing his snack to the man by his side after taking a bite out of it. Hey, Claw, want some?

– No, thanks.

– That's from Dove.

– ... Give me some.

– Too late, that's mine!

Ether rolled her eyes at the sight of these two men now quarreling over a simple sandwich, but abruptly, this name rang a bell into her mind, and she got on her feet in a blink, a triumphant look on her face.

– Did you say Dove? She asked. The newest member you four are protecting?

– Yeah, acquiesced the black-haired one. She's a nice girl.

– She's pretty, too, added the other.

– Then she'll be absolutely perfect.

__________

– She's coming to eat lunch with me.

Dove's heart had jumped into her chest like she had seen a ghost; Seon was standing there, a large bruise on his right arm and tears into his eyes. She couldn't express what she was feeling at this exact moment; did she feel sorry for looking at him the way she did earlier? Was she scared of what he might do if she said no? It was probably a mix of both, and anxiety began to tie up her stomach. The boy next to her raised an eyebrow while looking down at the other, incredulous.

– I-I want to excuse myself, Dove, he said in a broken voice, I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have treated you like that. Y-you deserved better, I should have been a better friend, I shouldn't have listened to all these gossips, b-but... When I saw Jun's state, I've got scared, I... I had been afraid of you, Dove. I-I know I was wrong, but please, understand me, you're-...

At the beginning of his confession, she had been touched, and her heart had started to scream that she should forgive him, that she couldn't throw years of friendship away for him believing in rumors. However, as soon as he admitted that she scared him, something else broke in her, and she sensed like another stab into her chest. If even someone who was once her friend could fear her, then other humans' reaction would be even worse. She opened her mouth to talk, but Sphinx was faster, and took a step toward him, angry.

– Hey, who the fuck do you think you are? You think you can insult her then come back later with your tail between your legs like that, and hope she'll forgive you?

– I wasn't talking to you, asshole.

Seon approached him in turn, and Dove could feel the tension dangerously increasing between the two. Worried the mint-haired boy would get hurt way more than how he could destroy the brown-haired one, she grabbed his arm, holding him back.

– It's fine, Sphinx, let's just-...

– No it's not. Let go, I'll teach that punk some manners.

– He... He didn't mean it!

At these words, Seon's face brightened: did she just defend him? On the other hand, Sphinx scowled, trying to get closer to him, vainly; she clenched onto him tighter, and the sensation of her chest being pressed against his arm distracted him. In a sigh, he nodded, turning around.

– M'yeah, isn't worth it.

The two left the campus, under the stare of Seon. When they finally disappeared from his view, a grin formed on his face:

– So your name is Sphinx? Better get ready, man, because I'll take back my girl. No matter the cost.