Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 31 - Monster

 – No... I joined because I had a family.

Sphinx's words surprised her, and she had a hard time hiding it. He had emphasized on because, and she wondered what that meant. Nevertheless, she quickly chased it from her mind as she felt the sadness that came along this answer. It pained her too, and softly, she began to run her fingers into his hair, tilting her head to the side in order to rest it onto his.

– Hey, she whispered, what you told me the other night... It's the same for you.

– I know, Dove. I'm never lost when I'm with you.

She smiled at his phrase, and even more when he wrapped his arms around her waist, keeping her close to him. She was about to reply, but a shout made them jump, thunderstruck.

– I said don't do anything stupid!

Blaze was right above them, leaning at her opened window, a wide grin on her lips. It was amusing her, but it didn't sounded as funny to the others. Sphinx swung around, flipping his middle finger up in her direction, eyebrows frowned. Shit, he thought, why do we always get interrupted? I hate that neon jerk! However, he did not have the time to retort; their cab parked in front of them, and Dove was tugging at him to go in a giggle.

– Let's not miss the cab!

– That old woman's the worst...

He got in, grumbling, and she waved at Blaze with a smile before following him inside.

The ride lasted some minutes, during which they stayed silent, but did not let go off each other's hand. When they reached their destination in the middle of Amnesia's district, he let go off her to pay, before catching her yet again, leading her outside of the car. The building's exterior was quite ordinary; nothing cheap, nothing expensive. But the interior was so clean and well-brightened Dove got surprised from it, watching her surroundings with her eyes widened.

– Gosh, I've never seen a building that spotless!

– M'yeah, the landlord is a true freak... Well, you know him.

At his statement, she tilted her head to the side, while they climbed the stairs.

– What do you mean? She asked him.

– It's one of Phase's building, he replied in a laughter. He's trying to upgrade the whole street, or something like that.

– Yeah, seems like it.

They stopped at the first floor, and he took his keys from his coat's pocket, unlocking the door then entering, arriving directly into the living room. The decoration was simple, but overall, the place appeared cozier than her own apartment. She showed him a smile when he came back next to her, after closing the door.

– Thanks, Sphinx, she told him. I promise it's just for tonight, I'll find a solution tomorrow.

– It's okay, Dove. You can stay as long as you want, I don't mind.

– But I do.

This third, deep voice caught them by surprise and made them turn in a leap: Claw was there, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, a lock pick in the hand.

– Cheap door you have there, Sphinx, he casually said.

– The fuck?! Get outta here, you shithead!

– Or what? You'll hit me?

– No, I'll fuckin' kill you!

The two men dangerously advanced towards each other, and in a blink, their fists flew to their face. But this time, none landed in its target; Dove had been faster than them. She was standing between them, holding their wrists strongly, angered. They both stared at her, stupefied.

– Keep that up and I'm the one beatin' the shit outta you two.

__________

– That's because it'd take ten hundreds of y'all to make it even against him.

Venom's phrase enraged the Morphine's members even more, and their entire mob began to yell, furiously, asking their chief to give them the starting signal. During his friend's speech, Dusk had been busy tying his hair back, but when he realized how much reinforcement Pierce came with, he sighed, and started to unbutton his shirt.

– The fuck you're doing? Sighed the other Amnesia's Lieutenant.

– I don't wanna get dirty, y'know. Hold this for me, hon.

– Please tell me it's short for honorable, and not honey.

– Sorry, second option, honey.

Venom took his clothing, rolling his eyes at this remark. He peeked at Dusk's upper body; the bullet from Royal Red had left another scar, but between the dozens of others and the tattoos all over his back, arms and chest, it was barely visible. But at the sight of so many cicatrices, the others flinched; that man really was the monster they got told about. While some thought of leaving, most believed that outnumbering him would be enough to defeat him, and after a hand gesture of their Lieutenant, rushed onto the blue-haired one.

Jabs, hooks, uppercuts, sucker punches, kicks, elbows, headbutts, bricks thrown... Nothing seemed to attain him. No matter how many of them were attacking him simultaneously, no matter the martial arts used nor the techniques, nothing reached Dusk. He was dodging, blocking, parrying, without a single drop of sweat forming onto him, without a single sign of exhaustion. Quite the contrary: it was amusing him. But on the other side, Venom was getting bored. He yawned and leaned against the wall, next to Pierce.

– See? Your men are no match for him. You're sending them to death.

– Not if I kill you f-...

– Oh, shut up. Just enjoy the show.

In another sigh, the blonde raised his hand in the air, leisurely paralyzing his ancient student.

– Hey, he shouted to his friend, my rats are hungry! Quit the bullshit!

– You're no fun, Ven.

Dusk ultimately resigned himself, and the fight suddenly took a different look; while Morphine's men had been unscathed until now, it had changed in no time. Rather than defending himself, Amnesia's Lieutenant began to truly fight, and both blood and bodies started to fly in the air, under the stormed, yet powerless, look of Pierce.

– You should have listened, chuckled Venom. He's not Atlas' right-hand man for nothing. And if I'm a psycho, then him... He's a monster.