Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 92:A Little Trauma Never Hurt- Well...

CW: blood, gore, self deprecating thoughts

The rest of the demons didn't last long, Virgil really got to see the power of a Prince of Hell. He knew that Roman was powerful, but he didn't imagine this! Roman didn't even need to touch the demons for them to burst into piles of ashes.

Several tried running away, but Roman didn't let them. Virgil watched with wide eyes as the demons exploded like pinatas, magic rushing through the air and tearing them up as the prince held him close.

When it was all done, any debris was used to board up the windows. Virgil wasn't able to blink in surprise before Roman grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. They hadn't been to the safe room before, and Virgil didn't even know there was one.

"Remus?!" Roman called, looking around. "Damn it. Where are they?" He reached out with his magic and found a space where it couldn't go. "There!"

He teleported right outside of the room, still holding onto Virgil as he frantically knocked on the door. There was a small beeping from inside as someone punched in a code and the door slid open. Emile peeked outside before Roman pulled himself and Virgil inside, quickly shutting the door.

"Virgil!" Patton and Logan shouted, grabbing the god and pulling him into a hug.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Patton asked, pulling away and cupping his face. "Were you hurt?"

"I'm okay," Virgil said. "They didn't touch me."

"I have no idea how long the boards I put up will last," Roman explained. "We might have to stay here for a while."

"What happened back there?" Logan asked.

"The protection spells broke."

"Where's Janus?" Virgil asked, looking around. He saw Remus holding Janus in the back. The witch looked like he was asleep, bandages wrapped around his head as he leaned against Remus's chest.

Virgil quickly ran over to him, some of the kids looking at him in surprise when they saw his white hair.

"Janus?" he softly asked, Remus giving him a guilty look.

"He's asleep. I healed what I could but... some damage is permanent," Remus explained, his voice quiet. "I don't know if I can heal it. I've never... grown an eye before."

"Oh gods." Virgil covered his mouth. "I'm... I'm so sorry..." He should have done more. He should have been able to help Janus. He's a god for crying out loud! Even if he got hurt, he should have been able to help! At least he can heal easier...

He looked around the room, taking in all the fear he felt from the kids. From everyone. Their glances at the door as if it's going to burst open, keeping as far away from it as possible. Looking for any possible weapons they could use to defend themselves with.

It wasn't just them. In fact, they were the lucky ones. There were so many humans, all around the world who were scavenging for whatever food or clothes or medicine they could find. Having to teach themselves to defend against demons since they don't have any shelter that demons couldn't enter.

Not to mention the ones in Alice's castle. The torture they must be going through... possibly the same that Virgil had gone through. How long can they last before dying? At least Virgil can't die... Yet there were so many people and animals all around the world that were dying right now.

Alice isn't going to stop anytime soon. She's going to look for him, find a way to get him back. And she doesn't care who she has to go through to get him. She'll hurt everyone in this room just to make him cry and beg for her to stop.

Something bumped against his leg, making him jump. He looked down and saw Buttercup, who meowed at him.

"Virgil?" Roman asked, setting a hand on his shoulder. Virgil tensed up and hugged himself, curling up without sitting down. Roman sighed sadly and hugged Virgil tight. "It's going to be okay, we'll get through this."

Tears blurred Virgil's visions as he leaned in closer to Roman, not breathing so he wouldn't cry. He didn't want everyone to see him like this. He didn't deserve to break down when all of this was his fault.

They were safe here, all of them. And now they're not. They're hurt and scared, and stuck in this tiny room all because of him. If he had just stayed with Alice then she wouldn't have done this. If he had just stayed.

But the thought of still being there made him want to throw up. Suffering as he simply tried to breathe. Just living in fear... He didn't want to go back. He really didn't want to go back. He would do everything not to.

But he had to protect the others.

~~~

Virgil laid on his side, staring at the wall. Everyone has gone to sleep except for him and the demons. There was still plenty of fear in the air, making him curl up more. Everyone was questioning if they were really safe, and they were all having trouble sleeping as a result.

He had to do something. Virgil needed to do something to protect them. He had to go back, even if the idea made him tremble.

There was a soft groan and Virgil raised his head, looking over where it came from. The two demons looked up too, broken from their thoughts, whatever they may have been.

Janus was laid down on some pillows, a blanket thrown over him. He tried sitting up, but was clearly dizzy since he almost fell back down.

"Jan?" Remus whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder as he held himself up with one hand.

He tried scratching at the bandages, frowning for a moment. "Rem?" his voice was rough as he looked up to his demon.

"Oh Janny," Remus sighed.

The witch sat up all the way, and Virgil got up too. He watched from where he was, not wanting to move over to them. He didn't deserve to anyway, Janus was hurt because he couldn't protect him.

"Gods, it itches," Janus complained, keeping a hand over the bandages. He didn't itch, knowing that it would make it worse, but he did want to. "My- my eye..."

"I'm sorry, hun... It... It's gone. I don't think I can heal it," Remus told him.

Janus closed his remaining eye and leaned his head on Remus's shoulder. "It's okay... I'd rather you not try and mess up somehow. Just stay with me? I..." He felt tears form and turned to hide it. "Gods... this sucks."

Virgil bit his lip as guilt curled in his gut, making him light headed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and didn't even jump, knowing it was Roman who was making circles with his thumb to comfort him.

He wanted to apologize. He should apologize for everything. It was his blood that summoned Alice, his fault Alice attacked them, his fault for not protecting Janus... Even Patton and Remy were hurt during the fight. They had every right to hate him.

But for some fucking reason they won't. And if he tried apologizing, they'd try to reassure him that it wasn't his fault. They were too good... He didn't deserve them. He didn't need to put his emotional problems on top of all of this.

"It's going to be okay," Roman promised him.

Well... Hopefully that'll be true. Because Virgil was going to do his best to make sure it is. No matter what he has to go through... as long as they're safe.