Sweet Dreams - Ace Merrill

Where's John?

The others slowly uncovered their eyes as they believed it now to be safe.

"Still don't actually know what happened." Charlie mumbled.

"It don't take a fucking genius." Alex snapped at him as he pointed between Ace and Vivian.

Vivian sat happily eating as Ace couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

Charlie still looked blankly as Alex leant in and whispered something in his ear.

"Ohhhh." He spoke slowly as he learnt of what had happened.

The group ate in silence as the others waited for Ace and Vivian to finish, though with how hungry they were, it did not take long at all.

As they walked out the diner together Alex moved closer to his sister as he kept his eyes fixed on her.

"Quit staring at me, it's creeping me out." She mumbled as she shivered slightly.

"I just had a question and don't want you to hit me." He replied.

Eyeball laughed but stopped as Alex grabbed his shoulders and yanked him in between him and his sister.

"Are you coming home with me?" He questioned as he looked over Eyeball's shoulder, using him as a personal shield if Vivian went for him.

Vivian didn't react harshly, simply nodded.

"Obviously." She replied as though she was stating the obvious. "Where else would-" she stopped mid question.

Her eyes fell on Ace, who was talking to Billy and Charlie as they lit their own cigarettes. Her gaze fell back on Alex, who was still somewhat hiding behind Eyeball.

"I hope you weren't ever planning on having children because I will be ripping your dick off." She snapped out, as it clicked what he had been suggesting.

"Now now, let's take a small chill pill." Eyeball said as he tried to hold his hands up.

Vivian glared at him. "You weren't gonna suggest it too were you?"

Eyeball was silent as Alex leant to his ear.

"As the cops say, you have the right to remain silent." He whispered.

Eyeball nodded quickly. "I have the right to remain silent!" He snapped as he let Alex gently pull him a step back, seeing Vivian take one closer to him.

Ace, Billy and Charlie all turned confused, hearing Eyeball's outburst.

"So remain silent!" Vivian snapped as the others approached.

"The fuck did they say?" Ace questioned as he looked at the two who was shrinking back away from Vivian.

Vivian crossed her arms as she glared at her brother and what may as well also be her brother.

"Wanna tell Ace your little suggestion?" She questioned sarcastically.

Alex and Eyeball both shook their heads quickly.

"Thought not." Vivian snapped as she uncrossed her arms. "Now come on, I'm tired and I wanna go home." She grumbled at her brother.

He nodded as he relaxed behind Eyeball. The pair clutched forearms and shook as Vivian turned to Ace slowly.

"See you later." She mumbled as the nerves grew in her stomach, was she supposed to say anything else?

He nodded slowly as he felt the awkward feeling in his stomach. Was he supposed to say anything?

Vivian turned to Alex as he gave Ace and the others a small nod and the siblings slowly began walking home.

"Should have kissed her dude." Eyeball mumbled as he flung Charlie into the firing line, just in time to receive a harsh punch to his stomach.

Charlie instantly began insulting Eyeball as they all slowly turned and walked the other way.

Vivian and Alex walked in silence as he glanced down at her. He could tell she was overthinking everything about Ace so he gently looped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him.

"Nice shirt by the way." He mumbled.

Vivian turned and glared at him. "I left my jacket at the bar." She snapped slightly.

Alex nodded slowly. "We'll get it tomorrow."

She nodded as she faced away from him, looking ahead at the quiet street.

"You know you could do a lot worse." He mumbled, knowing he'd probably get a smack but it would be worth it.

Vivian scoffed. "Worse than Ace fucking Merrill?!"

Alex shrugged. "Least your boys got the same name. Might make post confusing though, John Merrill and John Merrill." He laughed to himself as he received that smack to the chest he'd been expecting.

They reached home as they walked into the living room, where Elizabeth sat with her mum.

Alex instantly went over and gently kissed her cheek as he began to sense the awkward feeling.

"Where's John?" Vivian asked as she walked in, looking around as he wasn't in the old cot she used for him.

Silence fell in the room.

Vivian turned to Elizabeth as she saw the word guilt practically written on her forehead.

Alex sensed it and stood up slowly, walking over to his sister.

"Where's my fucking son?!" She snapped just as Alex grabbed her arms, keeping her held back.

"I'm sorry Viv!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she burst into tears.

Her mother tried comforting her as she looked up at the siblings.

"They all came at us with knives." She tried to explain to the fiery Vivian being held back by her brother.

"They said it's the way of the game, that when a gang comes to you with knives, you hand the baby over." She finished.

Alex's head clicked as he remembered how they got John in the first place. As a gang they'd gone at him with knives.

Vivian stared up at Alex. "You said it was just Ace?!" She snapped as she realised what had actually happened.

"We were just trying to-" Alex tried to explain but his sister refused to listen.

Spinning on her heel she stormed out the house, slamming the door as she went.

He felt Elizabeth clinging to his arm as he watched her go through the window.

"I'm so sorry, we didn't know what to do." She continued to cry.

Alex sighed as he wrapped an arm around her and held her closer, gently rubbing her back.

"It's okay, they had knives." He mumbled as he kissed her head.

"Aren't you going to go get her?" His girlfriend asked through tears.

Alex shook his head slowly. "Something tells me ain't no-one wanna be there when she arrives." He mumbled as he knew there was only place she was heading.