SECRETS AND AGENTS ~ Sanders Sides

[E I G H T]

TW: discussions of comas

Virgil was not so out of practice that he wouldn't be able to tell that all eyes were on him as they ate dinner that night. Patton's stare was almost unwavering, barely taking the time to look away from Virgil to eat dinner. Logan's gaze was even but tense as if he was trying to figure something out through brief glances but the glances were too brief and he kept needing to look again. Meanwhile, Roman's typical gaze of something Virgil couldn't quite place was still just as ambiguous but he doubted it was just as positive as usual.

Clearing his throat, he set down his cutlery and gave everyone a sweeping stare. "Alright. What's up?"

"Up?" Logan echoed back.

"Yeah. What's the problem?" Virgil crinkled his nose. "You're all being kind of... weird."

Patton paused, blinking once or twice. He turned to look down at the food in front of him, pushing it around his plate and not saying a word. That certainly wasn't normal. Patton always had something to say.

"Look, Virge," Roman said, leaning back. "The thing is, right, that Patton's mom is-"

"She's comatose," Patton said quickly. "I got the call just before you came home and she's... She's in a coma, in hospital, and we've been trying to find a way to tell you."

Virgil blinked. "Oh, shit," was all he could say, suddenly feeling awful how he jumped to conclusions about what could be going on. "I thought you were gonna kick me out."

"No, we weren't," Logan assured. "It's just... a sensitive topic."

"Yeah, it... it is. Oh, shit, Pat, are you okay?" Virgil leaned forward, brow furrowed with worry.

Patton nodded, a little too curtly and avoiding eye contact. "I'm fine. Just... In shock."

"You want a big hug?" Offered Virgil, opening his arms wide for the friendly guy to bring it in.

"No," Patton answered, shifting away slightly. "Not yet, at least."

Virgil hesitated, then lowered his arms. "Right... can I ask what happened?"

Roman took the lead now as Patton bowed his head further. "Attacked," he announced in a grand, solemn manner. "Some idiot kids decided to jump her and she took too many blows to the head. Doctors say she's okay and she'll pull through. Right, Patton?"

Patton nodded his head in agreement, eyes flicking briefly to Roman. "The kids have been arrested," He mumbled. "They're in holding cells right now, awaiting trial for unwarranted assault, attempted thievery and the like."

Somewhere deep down in Virgil, a beast reared its long sleeping head. An angry, vicious beast. "They're in the city's prison?" He asked lowly.

"Yes," Logan confirmed. "Eight of them, arrested last night."

Virgil nodded and he felt that 'beast' want to dig its claws into his mind. He stood up, almost robotically. "I... I might go for a walk," He said. "Sorry but... It's a lot to take in and I want to..." Hit something. Protect you. Hurt someone. Let it out. Let him out. Kill someone. "I want to clear my head." He turned to Patton. "I'll only be a phone call away, alright? If you need me."

"No problem, kiddo," Patton responded quietly. "It's okay."

Roman stood up, too. "Would you like me to come with you?" He asked.

"Nah, I think I need to process this and come back," Rejected Virgil, quietly wandering over to his room. "I'll take keys and... I don't know what I'll do but, Pat, maybe I'll see if any shops are still open; buy you a cake." He tried a smile and Patton gave a thin one back.

It made him want to flinch a little as he walked into his room, letting the door swing close behind him. Then it hit him what he was doing. What he was going to do. Why was he going to do this? Patton's sad face seemed to haunt his head; Logan's nervousness and Roman's apologetic misery were floating in his mind. Some people had upset his friends. Some people had hurt their families.

And family take revenge, an old voice whispered in his ear.

Virgil reached into the drawer of his bedside table, picking up the mask that lay there. Its black eyes taunted him. "Maybe you didn't die," He muttered. Then he tutted and screwed his eyes shut, so he wouldn't have to see what he was about to do. "You son of a bitch."

He put the mask into the deep pockets of his jacket, sensing its weight and wincing a little. The weight felt far too familiar and far too comforting. He took his hand out of his pocket quickly, like the cold metal was burning him, and opened his eyes. There. Now maybe he could pretend he didn't do it.

He grabbed his headphones next, putting them on, and watched his thumb naturally scroll down to the very bottom of his playlist. A spider emoji was the only title he had given it and it was made solely of tracks that played only white noise, that would ring in his ears for ages. He put it on. He felt upsettingly alive.

Virgil put keys in his pocket and walked out his room, quickly leaving the apartment to avoid his friends.

People had hurt Patton. It was unacceptable. And Virgil knew that he would let the beast deal with it as he approached the police station.

He pulled the mask out of his pocket, fixing it onto his face just before walking into the sight of security cameras. Ringing played in his ear, his feet moved silently and the air he breathed was pure and exhilarating. Virgil Song turned his back and the beast happily stepped forwards to take his place...