Broken Dreams, Unknown Means

Chapter 8: Ivory

Everyone around Hino begins to scream and run in mass hysteria. The sight of Jessica's smashed head makes the surrounding crowd run for their life. Ivory begins to feel sick, backing away slowly from Hino. Hino turns to him. "She's gone. She can't hurt you anymore." Ivory struggles to put together any words. All he does is stare at Hino in fear. Hino stares at Ivory with a manic smile. "She's... gone..." Hino says to Ivory again. Ivory clutches Monty's arm. "How could you? You're SICK! G-GET AWAY FROM ME!" Hino begins to walk toward Ivory. "It's okay, I'm just protecting you." Monty steps forward and swings a hefty punch into Hino's face, he flies to the ground with a thud. The note of termination falls out of his pocket. Hino's whirrs and motions stop. Ivory steps towards the bodies and picks up the note.

NOTE OF TERMINATION
Name: Ivory
Reason: Tampering with Animatronics, Slacking, Off Task, Unreported injury, Odor

"Odor?" Ivory questions as he reads the note. "I-I smell fine." Monty swipes the note from Ivory, reading it slowly. "T-tamper.. tampering?" Ivory takes the note again. "It means I messed with you guys in a way I shouldn't have. Jessica lied to me, she reported me earlier than she said she would." Ivory checks Hino's power level. "He's still alive, but he's severely injured and malfunctioned. I... don't think he should be fixed. He's a threat to the customers. Monty, make sure Hino is dismantled. He can't come back. As for... this mess... I can't see her sprawled out like this anymore." Ivory gives Monty a hug around the waist. "Goodbye, Monty. I'll miss you." Monty pats Ivory on the head. "This is a goodbye, ain't it? Goodbye, Ivory. Take care of yourself, okay?" Ivory runs down the escalator and out of the entire pizzaplex as fast as possible. Monty stays at the scene of the murder as the police arrive.

Ivory jumps into his car, tears flowing down his face, speeding out of the parking lot. The scene keeps replaying in his head. The sudden foot stomp, her skull crushing, the blood pouring out, over and over again. His breathing is uneasy, his stomach begins to turn, and his head feels light. All of the adrenaline and what he saw comes flashing at him and then...

Ivory stops the car and rolls his window down. He leans his head over the window and lets loose. Throwing up all along the side of the car and on the ground. He lays there as it runs down the side of the car, waiting for nausea to subside. People stare as they drive by, but Ivory couldn't help it. He rolls up his window and finishes the drive home. Ivory bursts through his door and sits on the couch. He calls Bruno. "Come to my place, please."

"But I thought you were at work! I'M at work! Wait, why are the cops here?"

"Bruno, leave. Now."

Ivory sulks on the couch as Bruno hangs up the phone. Ivory lays with his thoughts for what seems like forever. Once Bruno arrives, he does not knock, he swings the door open. "IVORY! WHAT HAPPENED?" Ivory sits up. "Jessica, she... Hino... I'm fired and..." Ivory begins to break down as Bruno hugs him. "It's okay, it's okay, just breathe. Tell me what happened, slowly."

"Jessica gave Hino this note of termination at the bar. She said something to him that angered him as she left. He ran at her and... grabbed her by the throat and screamed. He... crushed her head with... He stomped on her head and... She went everywhere.. He looked at me, those eyes... Monty knocked him out and..." Bruno lets the hug go, shocked at the news. "She's DEAD?! HE JUST... CRUSHED HER HEAD ON THE GROUND?" Ivory nods as he stares blankly at Bruno. "Bruno... what do I do? I have nowhere to go.. this apartment... I can't pay for it now.. I'm gonna be kicked out and I-" Bruno grabs Ivory by the head. "Pack your things, you're staying at my house now."

"But theres so much stuff, how do I-"

"Bring the things in your room. We have everything else you need. You don't need to pay rent either, we got you."

Bruno spends the rest of the night helping Ivory take his room down and into Bruno's car. They lock the apartment door for the last time and leave the key on the door. Ivory gets into the car with Bruno. "Listen, It's gonna be okay. We'll help you in whatever way we can, okay?" Ivory nods silently. Bruno gives a soft smile. "You'll be okay man, I'm here for you." Bruno leans to Ivory, kissing his cheek. Ivory jolts his head towards Bruno's as he begins to drive. He gives a lovely look back, giving a soft giggle. "Bruno... what was..." Bruno looks back at the road. "I shouldn't hide how I feel towards you, should I? You're important to me. I hid how I felt to come off as tougher than I actually am. But I think you should see me for who I am. I'm bi, dude, I love ya." Ivory sinks into his seat feeling embarrassed. "Bruno... I'm glad you told me. I'm proud of you." Ivory sets his hand on the center console, and Bruno puts his over Ivory's. Ivory slumps into slumber as Bruno takes a slow cruise home.

AUTHORS NOTE
This is the end of the story! This chapter was supposed to be about 3 full length chapters but as my announcement posts have said, I am providing a general description of the end so I can move on to full production of other stories. This is the end of Ivory's story in this universe. The Pizzaplex investigates the trajedy of Jessica's sudden death, and Hino and his attraction are both permanently closed and dismantled. Ivory and Bruno now live with each other and are in a committed relationship.

Let's let them live their lives in private, okay? Ivory and Bruno are at peace at last.