Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 25 - A Mess Like This

 – I am quite surprised you did not tell me about that, Dusk.

Venom didn't, either, thought the Lieutenant, looking downward. He was glad he kept these words to himself; he couldn't out his brother to their boss just like that. No matter what, Atlas should not learn that Venom knew, and stayed silent. Leaning into the black sofa upstairs, a glass of red wine into the hand and a gun in the other, Amnesia's leader almost looked grandiose to his right-hand man. This one raised up, but kept his eyes down.

– I didn't think this would be relevant.

– You are indeed not a thinker, my boy. But you knew it was relevant, right?

Dusk flinched; Atlas could read him just like an open book, and it frightened him more than he would ever confess. He stared at the dark velvet floor, fists clenched; he had to answer, quickly. He had to save himself, but also had to protect Venom.

– Yes, I knew.

– Then why did you hide it from me?

What could he reply to that? He completely ignored it until yesterday, and the shock it brought him prevented him to think about an excuse, a good reason for which he would have hidden it, just anything to say, to protect himself, to protect his friend. Yet, no words left his mouth, and it annoyed his superior.

– Come up here, Dusk. Sit.

Sensing Atlas' life flow so restless made him shiver, and he climbed the stairs with his legs and arms trembling. Taking a seat next to the leader felt like getting closer and closer to a growling dog, and he perfectly knew that if he was to mess up his answers, it would result in a severe bite, this time. Atlas grinned under his mask and passed an arm around his shoulders, and his anxiety increased.

– Tell me, when was the last time I taught you a lesson about lying? Don't let your tongue to the cat, this time.

– ... Three years.

– Perfect. My precious boy passes, this time.

The leader's grip fell onto the back his neck, and at this moment, Dusk was very well aware of what was going to happen next. In a blink, his face got sent into the boss' knee, so violently blood began to run down his nose and mouth, staining both his pants and the ground in red spots. But right after the hit, Atlas' hand started to pat his head, in gestures so soft Dusk himself doubted if he really injured him, some seconds before.

– You do know you are my favorite, right, boy?

– Y-yes, Master. I know.

– Then don't deceive me ever again. It would be such a pity to hurt such a face.

At these words, he seized Dusk's chin with two of his fingers, forcing him to lift his wounded face and look at him. His touch then moved to his broken lips, circling his head and going to its back, pushing it down again.

– Now, see the mess you forced me to make? Lick it clean.

__________

– There's something I want to tell you, Dove...

She nodded and sat back to listen to him, quite curious about what he would say. Somehow, the blush on his cheeks made her hope that... No, it couldn't be that. She had to stay down-to-earth; it wasn't going to happen. She wasn't in a fairy-tale; it was all real. And reality couldn't give her any more gifts more now on. Right, she thought, I've got so much recently, I-I can't hope for more, right? He opened his mouth to talk, and her heart thudded into her chest.

– Since the day I've seen you, I-...

– Aye, move outta here, ye brats! I didn't raise ya to slug aroun' all fuckin' day!

The old, drunk man's yells made the two of them roll their eyes, annoyed at such an arrival in such a moment. Sphinx's nerves immediately went on the edge, but he restrained himself as well as he could. He grabbed Dove's hand and both woke up, facing the stranger.

– We're sorry, Mister, we're leaving, he sighed, scratching the back of his head.

– Who ya callin' Mister, ye ungrateful son!

He threw a slap at the young man's face so fast he barely had time to block it. Dove observed the scene, worried this would escalate into a beating if Sphinx were to lose his temper. However, his reaction stunned her. He put the man's hand down, a smile on his lips.

– I am sorry, Dad. I am going to work, alright? Go back home, too.

– ... Yer not that bad of a son I believe, kiddo. Do well at work.

Without risking to spend more time along such an inebriated person, Sphinx tightened his grip onto the woman's hand and led her away. They passed under the same bridge from earlier, and when they reached the other side, they began to chuckle.

– That was not planned, he giggled.

– Yeah, he caught me off-guard there! I'm glad he wasn't one of these aggressive alcoholics.

– M'yeah, would've turned ugly so fast. Anyways, I'm walking you back the full way, tonight. It's not like Dufferdale's streets were safe.

She nodded, continuing to hold onto his hand. Of course, she could easily defend herself, but she wouldn't miss on that occasion to hang out with him a little bit longer.

The walk towards her apartment felt too short, for once, and both seemed deceived to arrive so soon. Sphinx let go off her hand regretfully, then Dove rearranged her jacket onto her shoulders to protect herself from the cold air, and showed him a smile.

– Thank you for tonight, Sphinx. The training, the spot, the walk...

– You're welcome, that was cool to share it with you. Except for the gramps.

– You dealt with him really well, though. Pretty sure it'll make that dude's day, if he remembers it tomorrow.

– Not sure he will, he smelt of booze like, too heavily.

– Yeah, true.

They shared a laugh, while the young woman put her hand on the knob.

– Goodnight, Sphinx.

– Goodnight too, Dove.

She pushed the door and was about to enter the building when he stopped her, retaining the door.

– Wait!

She turned to him, surprised. But what dazzled her even more was the bright red color onto his face as he looked at her, determined.

– Go on a date with me, Dove.