Vices and Maces

Chapter 75: This Chapter Title Is My Only Apology

CW: blood, slight gore, shock (medical condition), death (not main character)

When they had gotten to the store, Virgil told himself he was only getting a few outfits. He could re-wear them or get them washed fast enough that he won't run out. But Roman practically got everything he looked at with the slightest bit of interest. It was annoying, slightly endearing, but mostly annoying.

"Hopefully this should be enough for now," Roman said as he set the last bags of clothes in the trunk.

"I'm sure it is," Virgil told him. "Seriously, I don't need you to get me any more clothes."

"I guess you do have enough outfits to last at least ten days."

"And that's all I need. Thank you, though."

Roman patted his shoulder. "Of course, it's no problem. Now let's head home before Janus starts to worry."

Virgil nodded but before he could walk around the car, Roman's phone started to ring.

"Hello," the vampire answered, and Virgil waited before climbing into the car. "Wait, where?" Roman looked around, crouching slightly as if to hide.

Virgil looked around as well, and was going to hide but someone shouted, "Virgil!"

Roman almost freaked out when a purple blur engulfed Virgil, but relaxed when he saw it was just his sister. Then he started to freak out again because it was Virgil's sister and he's not ready to see her again! She could think that Roman kidnapped him or- or-

"Anna! What are you doing here?" Virgil asked, pulling away from her hug.

"What am I- Where did you go?! You disappeared from the hospital! Do you know how worried I was? Are you hurt? Of course you're hurt- Were you kidnapped? What happened?" Anna bombarded him with questions. "What's going on?"

"I-" Virgil tried to come up with something and looked at Roman for help.

"Daff, I'm gonna have to call you back, stay there," Roman said into the phone before hanging up. He tried to go around the car to get closer to them but Anna put herself between them, pulling out pepper spray.

"Who are you? Virgil, who is he?"

"He's a friend!" Virgil quickly told her, grabbing her wrist to keep her from spraying Roman. "He's not going to hurt us, I promise."

"How do I know that you're not being forced to say that?"

"Anna, why would I be out here in public with him if he's forcing me to do anything? He's been helping me, the hospital wasn't safe."

Anna took deep breaths to calm herself, looking between them. Well, he's not lying. And the hospital definitely seemed shady, especially with the fight in the parking lot and the nurse trying to cover up his disappearance. "I don't understand."

"It's... it's a long story," Virgil said with a sigh. He looked over at Roman, who nodded for him to continue. "I should have told you at the hospital, but I... I don't know. I don't want you to hate me."

"Hate you? Virgil, I'm your sister, I can't hate you."

"You will- or- should."

Roman was going to say something but his phone started ringing again. He was going to deny the call, but saw it was Sal once more. He didn't answer the call and instead looked around in panic. His eyes widened.

"Get down!" he yelled, grabbing both Anna and Virgil and pulling them down between the cars. He shouted in pain when his arm was hit as bullets sprayed over them.