Dementophobia || Sanders Sides

21. Safe House

I'm feeling kind of under the weather, but here's the chapter lol

TW: swearing, the usual,

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"Why are there other houses nearby?" Roman asked, looking around as the two exited the car. "Isn't this supposed to be a safe house?"

"What better place to hide is there than in plain sight? Besides, each of these houses have so much land that no one pays attention." Virgil pointed to as the house across the street from the driveway they were in. "That's Dr. Emile Picani's house. He's a licensed therapist in the city. He's extremely sweet, and has the largest sweet tooth you'll ever see. The person in the next house over the next hill is Thomas Sanders. He owns the theater in the city with his husband Nico. Both of them like pastries the best out of any sweet."

"How exactly do you know their bakery preferences?"

"Patton runs a bakery from Janus' and his house. That's why it's a perfect safe house. Random cars are in the driveway all of the time, so no one is going to think anything of it, especially since we won't be here for long."

"Hiding in plain sight." Roman looked around. "Well, I guess this is as good of a place as any. Should we just get this over with?"

"Probably."

The door to the bakery was squeaky behind them as it shut with a small click. No one was in the front room, but displays full of sweets and baked goods were enough to prove there was still business.

A small clutter from behind a closed door was heard only a. Few seconds before it opened, revealing a man with soft brown hair and thick framed glasses. He was wearing a baby blue apron with a name tag that said 'Patton' on it, and his face lit up with a smile when he saw them.

"Virgil! This is completely unexpected." The man's voice was sweet as bubblegum, all sugar and lasting sweetness. "What brings you here?"

"We need to use the safe house," Virgil said quietly, giving Patton a pained smile. Patton's smile dropped slightly, and he eyed Roman warily.

"You know that you aren't supposed to bring guests along to the safe house. Janus isn't going to be very happy about this."

"I'm aware," Virgil said with a sigh. "We just need a place to regroup. Hopefully we won't be here for very long."

"Well, I won't stop you." Patton turned to Roman. "What's your name?"

"I'm Roman. Thanks for letting us stay here."

"Oh, I don't know if you'll be staying here yet." Patton sighed. "I'm not going to turn you away or ask why you're on the run, but the decision of whether or not you're allowed here falls on my husband. Janus will certainly have some choice words for you, Virgil. You know the agreement."

"I do," Virgil acknowledged. "Just as you know I wouldn't be breaking it if I didn't have a choice. Janus will hopefully understand that as well, or at least enough that he'll hear me out."

"If you bring any trouble here you know what'll happen," Patton warned.

"I'm aware."

"Then I suppose there's no choice left." Patton sighed, a small smile finding its way back onto his face. "Alright, come on, I'll take you to Janus."

Patton led them through a door behind the main counter and into a hallway. It was well lit and tastefully decorated, colorful tiles accenting the dark floors.

They came to a large loving room, which was filled with expensive looking furniture. The couches looked extremely plush. Another man was sitting on one of them reading a book. It appeared to be The Count of Monte Cristo. He looked up when they entered, and the first thing that Roman noticed was the large scar on the left side of his face. He guessed that this was most likely Patton's husband, Janus.

"I wasn't exactly expecting guests today." Janus, walking over to give Patton a small peck on the cheek before turning to the other two. "What are they doing here, dear?"

"Virgil, you might as well tell him yourself."

"We need to use the safe house, Janus," Virgil explained. "Only for a day or two, and then we can be out of your hair completely, but it's life or death."

"The last time I saw you I made myself very clear," Janus stated. "I told you never to bring around someone else to the safe house. What did you just do? You've brought a complete stranger to the safe house. You know that it puts everything Patton and I have worked for in danger."

"I know."

"Then why did you bring him here?" Janus questioned. "I know you better than to think that you've just grown careless. Either something is seriously wrong or the world is ending, in which case I don't think you'd want to use the safe house. So what the hell have you gotten yourself into this time? And don't just give me some bullshit answer. No anonymity this time. I need the truth if I'm going to risk everything to help you."

"It's a long story..."

864 words.