The Purple Mark

The Aftermath

The next day when Virgil woke up he felt a little lighter. Then yesterday's events came to his mind. He still didn't feel bad. He felt Lucas got what deserved for all of those years of bullying then pulling the final straw when he ripped Virgil's hoodie. Shaking off what he could of yesterday. Virgil brushed his teeth and got ready. Since today was a Sunday, Virgil usually hung out with friends, Janus and Remus, at the coffee shop owned by his dad. Once at the coffee shop, Salty Flower Barista. Salty being Virgil, Flower being Emile and the Barista was Remy. He got ready in his trademate black ripped jeans, purple shirt and his old hoodie since he still had to fix the one Lucas had ruined.

"Hey Dad," Virgil said, sliding into the bar stool at the kitchen island. He took his phone out and texted Janus and Remus about meeting up at the Salty Flower. He looked up when he heard the plate being placed in front of him. He ate breakfast and looked towards Emile's office. "Did Father fall asleep in there again," Virgil asked. "No, one of his clients threw a flower pot at his head. He didn't want to worry you,"Remy said, sipping his coffee. Virgil nodded, seeming calm on the outside. On the inside there was a storm brewing in his mind.

The father-son duo soon headed out and made sure Emile canceled his appointments so he could rest easy that day. Virgil met up with Janus and Remus outside the flower. Virgil had met the two in his first year of college in detention. The three had gotten along well and were good friends. Virgil had a suspicion that the two were dating or had unresolved sexual tension, but he deicded to let the two pick they wanted to continue their relationship.

Once inside Remy set everything up as usual and turned the T.V on and the news of Lucas's murder was on which made Virgil choke on his drink. "Woah you ok Virge," Janus asked and the boy nodded. "20 year old Lucas Wright was found dead outside Rainbow's Art shop. Reports are telling us he was hit multiple times in the head with a brick. So far the police had no leads expect for the murder weapon found in the dumpster next to the body," The reporter said and Virgil was concerned if the police could trace the weapon back to him. "What has this town come to? If you three see anyone who looks like they could hurt you, you turn the other way,"Remy said. The three boys raised an eye at Remy's words since he usually would never say something like that. "Emile is rubbing off on me,"Remy said and began to bake the pastries.

"Damm Virge. I mean we never liked the guy but still can you believe it,"Remus asked. "In my view he had it coming,"Janus said. Virgil nodded. "He was mean but he was still a person,"He said not wanting to sound insensitive. "Well I know Mr. and Mrs.Wright will definitely try to blame Uncle Emile since Lucas was in therapy with him,"Remus said. "He was," Virgil asked, genuinely surprised. "Yeah he was going through some sort of identity crisis. Something about being in love with his best friend,"Remus said and glanced over at Janus. Janus nodded, agreeing with Remus.

Virgil looked down at his hands. Did he do something wrong? No, no he was right when he killed Lucas.Virgil began to breathe a little harder. Not another panic attack. "Virge. VIRGIL," Janus exclaimed seeing his friend on the edge of a panic attack. Remy rushed over hearing Janus's yell. "Virgil. I'm here, son. Janus is here, so is Remus. We're all here Virgil,"Remy said and made a motion with his hand, telling the others to give him Virgil's phone and headphones. Remy slid the headphones on Virgil softly and then played his favorite playlist. Virgil took a few deep breaths and began to calm down slowly.

"You ok Virge," Remus asked after a while. Virgil nodded. "I'm just concerned. Besides, maybe this will be a message. Like people say, ''What you put out in the universe always comes back to you,"Virgil said, trying to hide his fear of being caught. It had to be easy enough to not get found out right. His anxiety was spiking but he began to breathe. In for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and out for 8 seconds. It helped his panic attacks and made him feel alot better. He looked up as Remy put a cup of hot chocolate in front of him.

Virgil smiled at his dad and held the drink in his hands, taking small sips from time to time as he talked with his friends. "Anyway after I pushed Roman off the stairs I went to the art room to red paint to act as blood as my mom forbid me yo use my SFX blood for pranks,"Remus said telling a story about his twin brother. Virgil had met Roman but only for a few seconds and the two never really talked. "Well I'm gonna head out guys. I wanna work on something at home,"Virgil said. He grabbed his phone and put on his headphones and walked back home. He had some planning to do.