𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 ❦ (𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐝)

Chapter 19

I contacted Mr. Iero, last night. He didn't seem surprised by my decision, but he still asked me if I was certain that I wanted to work with him. At last, he asked me to pack my things and wear something discreet. Pete will come get me tomorrow, at 9 a.m.

After finishing to pack my belongings, I have a hard time falling asleep. Maybe am I too worried about my new life, or maybe am I only heartbroken to give up on my current one.

It's nearly 8 in the morning, I'd better get dressed. I put on my most simple shirt, my usual pair of boots and shoulder straps accompanied with brown pants and my tweed jacket. As I finish lacing my shoes, I hear tires screeching outside. Is Pete already there? I peek outside and find myself in view of... Urie? What is he doing here?

Urie turns off his car and looks up at my window. Taken aback, I hide behind the curtains, shuddering. Urie doesn't hesitate. He heads for the narrow entry. Soon, I hear the sound of hurried footsteps... He is approaching.

Urie knocks on the door vehemently. "Gerard! Are you there?" 

I freeze on the spot, bewildered. Should I... open the door? If he sees me dressed that way, luggage in hand... What do I tell him? I can always lie to him and tell him that I am going home, but I can't fool him... He is too smart for that. He will immediately see that it isn't true!

I can't... I can't open this door.

"Gerard! Open the door! It's me, it's Urie!" I hear the despair in his voice. I decided not to open the door, but I am really on edge. Melancholia overwhelms me as I hear his familiar voice.

He surely came because he didn't get to see me last night. Sarah must have told him that I was leaving... Ah, I don't know if I will ever see him again...

"Gerard! Gerard! Gerard!" His knocking deafens me and makes the door tremble a little. I can't help but to place my hand on the wooden surface, unconsciously. I don't know why, but I am sad. Urie, my friend... Please go.

Perhaps he heard my silent prayer, because the knocking stops all of a sudden. I am all ears, expecting to hear him walk away, but I can only hear a faint noise.

A piece of paper is slid beneath the door. I hear him sigh deeply, then he leaves. In the midst of my confusion,  I pick up the piece of paper.

Gerard, I hope that I can be of any help to you, whatever the problems that you are encountering. Don't forget to contact me.
– Your friend, Urie.

Urie... I squeeze the piece of paper while listening to the sound of his footsteps become more and more quiet and he leaves, the same way my dreams and success are slowly fading away from me. I am about to enter the world of crime to seek the truth...

Tears well in my eyes. To make them disappear, I grit my teeth and blink repeatedly. Pete will be here any second. I must not cry.

As if on cue, I hear another knock on my door. I sniffle. "Come in."

"Mr. Way, I am here to pick you up." Pete grins at me, holding onto his belt. Holding back my tears, I take a few deep breaths and nod.

"Alright, just a second."

I hide Urie's note in my bag. Before leaving, I glance one last time at the flat in which I stayed for nearly a year. Every corner seems to hold traces of my life. Goodbye...

Pete drives around in the city for a little while before taking a turn in a discreet alley. Once we parked, I follow him to a quite ordinary-looking villa. Still a villa though.

Pete knocks on the door. "Boss, Mr. Way is here."

The door opens, revealing Mr. Iero. I expected him to look a bit more casual than usual, fitting the context. But he is wearing a three-piece suit to his habit, with the same silver chain holding a pocket watch.