TAMED

Arthur

The two unlikely partners clambered into the car they'd been issued, a 2020 Accord. Vince was surprised that they'd actually agreed to giving them the resources they needed, the only catch was they both had to wear an ankle monitor at all times, and if they were to be removed then the authorities would be notified immediately. Fortunately, the style they were given were thinner and less conspicuous.

Vince leaned against the seat, still feeling a bit nauseous from the meeting the day before. Levi drove calmly and with silent purpose.

"So, the cards you showed me..." Levi began as he made a gentle left turn onto a separate street. "There's no contact information?"

Vince sighed and shook his head no. "I just don't get it."

The two sat in silence as they made their way downtown with the sun shining brightly through the windows.

"You realize that theres no promises here, right?" Levi mentioned after a time. Vince listened but kept his gaze toward the world outside. "They might take all of the Hounds, assuming we find them, and put them all down even. There's no telling. I just want you to be ready for whatever may happen."

Vince couldn't help but worry, his hands were clammy and his jaw was tightly set. He was fully aware that there was no telling what was going to happen. This wasn't some 007 movie, and he certainly wasn't any version of Sherlock Holmes, but what he did know was that he wanted his friend back. That was all. The younger of the two tossed the seemingly useless cards up onto the dash and leaned back into the seat once more.

...

Finally, the group pulled up to the market where Levi and Vince had first met. The place was bustling with artists and their wares, each looking to make sell as much of their handmade work as possible.

"Why are we here?" Vince wondered, turning to lock eyes with his driver. He watched as the ex-agent pulled onto the side of the road and shut off the engine. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a hair elastic, then pulled his slightly curly brown hair back into a messy bun. It had gotten quite long in the last year or so. A few stray wavy hairs escaped the binding and hung loosing around his face and neck.

"If we want to get Ares attention, we should probably have things to jog his memory." The Italian explained as he pointed to the tables and vendors down the way.

The memories came flooding back to Vince now that he could see the shops all set up.

"Wait-wait-wait..." Vince interupted as Levi opened the door to get out. "How do you know we came here? I hadn't even met you yet."

"You're the one that told me, remember? On the car ride to my place after I took you both into custody." Levi explained. "Now, if you want to have a chance with bringing him home then you have to give him a chance and trust him, trust that he will remember you." He replied as he climbed out. Vince shuddered a bit beneath the very real threat of death but shook it off, also climbing out of the car.

...

Vince tried to dismiss his racing thoughts as they made their way through the shop, he lead the way while Levi followed along.

"Is there any particular shop you remember him being interested in?" Levi wondered after a moment, stuffing a lazy hand into his trouser pocket. Instead of answering, Vince looked around, eyeing the place for a very specific salesman. The wind blew just enough to cool them off as the sun beat down while they observed the area. Finally, Vince caught sight of a familiar old man beneath a canopy which shaded a table full of hand-crafted knives.

"Come on." He said hastily as he rushed over.

"Hey there, have an eye for a fine blade?" The old timer commented with a cheerful smile as he rose from his folding lawn chair. Something about this guy reminded Vince of Santa Claus, but he would never admit it.