Vices and Maces

Chapter 82: Virgil Seems to be Wrong About a Lot of Things

CW: mention of abuse

It took a while, but Virgil finally finished stitching the thin metal onto one of the gloves as Cecil did the other. There were tiny half clamps to hold the small bottles they had ordered, and they double checked to make sure they would fit before sewing.

"We probably should have sewed this on before we sewed the two sides of the gloves together," Cecil said.

"That definitely would have made it easier, let's just hope that was our only mistake," Virgil said before sliding the glove on. He carefully tested the fingers, which were connected to the metal on the back of the hand instead of the glove itself. It was just a prototype after all.

The fingers bent nicely, though it felt stiff. That was to be expected though, at least they didn't pinch. He placed one of the empty bottles on the half clamp that was on the index finger, the clamp wrapping around the neck of the bottle. He formed his hand into a fist, and it fit nicely.

"Ooh, looks like it worked!" Cecil said in excitement. "Too bad we'd have to manually move it, but maybe we can make a version that can move the bottles on its own!"

"Yeah, it's just a prototype, it could definitely use a few adjustments," Virgil agreed. "I think we should be done with this today, we can pick it up later."

Cecil nodded. "I'll just ask for different types of potions from the potions lab so we can test it out down at the testing lab. We should have them by the end of the day."

"Sounds good, I want to try out the explosion potion." Virgil took off the little bottle and set it back down with the rest of them.

"I'll go take these down to them and ask for them to start on the potion now." The genie picked up the case of the small vials and left the room.

Virgil took off the glove and set it down, looking over the other one. It wasn't done horribly, but he'll have to come up with an excuse to take it home. A few of the fire crystal ceramic plates and bulletproof vests were brought home, Roman's working on having them mass produced to give to the rest of the gang. Well, those that are fireproof.

A plan has formed in Virgil's head. It wasn't a good plan, but if it can get rid of Black, that's all that he cares about. All he has to do was get to Black, and kill him. What happens after doesn't matter. He should visit Anna first... but there was no time.

He'll leave soon, maybe attack tomorrow. It'll have to be during the day, when Black is at his office. But for now, he's going to be doing what he can to help. He'll work with Roman a little bit more before he leaves. Maybe he'll help Anna while Virgil's gone, hopefully he will.

~~~

Virgil found an extra bag at the house, a draw string one. He snuck the gloves into it, along with some potion bottles which he had wrapped very carefully, a bulletproof vest, a couple of knives and even a loaded gun. Hopefully that's all he will need... The plan is to sneak into Black's office and quietly kill him, then leave. But it's probably not going to go that way, hence all of the weapons.

He felt guilty for taking these things. Maybe he can return it, but that was doubtful. He was never much of a fighter, chances are he's gonna end up using everything he has. Should he wait and plan this out more? Probably, but that just risks someone else getting hurt. Someone getting killed. He wishes he could rest his injuries a bit more but he just didn't want to risk it.

It is late at night now, everyone must be sleeping. Virgil pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil, and tried to think of what to say. They're going to look for him no matter what, at least Janus will. They know where Black's office is, so he can't tell them everything because they'll either try to stop him, or join. Both would put everyone at risk.

He wanted to say something. He didn't want to just disappear without a trace. They should at least have a good bye. Either he gets killed doing this, or he'll go to jail. Should he write a different letter to Anna?

She made him promise not to disappear again... guess he's a liar. It's clear she won't hate him, but she'll definitely be mad at him. If he survives this... maybe she can visit? That would be nice.

Virgil doesn't want to die, and he doesn't want to go to jail. But he can't do nothing, he has to take down Black, and that will have its own consequences. It would be smarter not to do this alone. He really shouldn't, he's not strong enough if he messes up the plan. But he refuses to put anyone else in danger. He refuses to put Roman in danger.

Is that who he's so afraid of getting hurt? It's clear to Virgil now that he'll help no matter what. He doesn't know why Roman would go to such extremes for him, it's not like he deserved it. Maybe in a different life, neither of them got into this huge gang war. They could have been friends...

Virgil put a hand on his shoulder, where Roman bit. The wounds had healed in only a day, and didn't leave a scar. Maybe... maybe he would have been lucky enough where they could have been more. They could have had the time to actually be together.

But he never was lucky enough, was he? Why would Roman fall for him? Even if he did, even if Wolfsbane never got him disowned, Virgil's parents would have never allowed them to be together. When they found out about his first, and last relationship with a guy, they forced them to break up and his mother slapped him. It was the only time they ever laid a hand on him, but he was terrified of them nonetheless.

No, he was never lucky enough. That's why he won't be returning home. That's why he needs to write this note before he leaves, and wait for sunrise. Wait for Black. Wait for the perfect time to strike.