Cover art ^^
Summary:
Her chest heaves, "Shadowsan?"
They lock eyes, worry slipping through Carmen's relief as she notices the...
OR
Shadowsan is captured by VILE— held as a hostage should a certain red cloaked thief come to tear him from the burning hands of hate.
But it all goes wrong... and now VILE have beaten two birds with one stone.
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The faculty member admires her work in a breathless grin.
Two cuffs seal Shadowsan's wrists from the open air, steel and stiff chains draw them to the walls. Purple bruises blossom from beneath each sliver of metal, flowering horrifically across every limb.
He's still shaking. Her fist twitches.
Shadowsan's arms slink into a poor V, slack due to his poor posture... and surely nothing else. Shadowsan spat the blood from his lip, glaring all but kindly.
"Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" Coach Brunt demands sharply.
Shadowsan may be locked up, but VILE were still only half winning with his weapon in red still on the loose... She takes a menacing step forward.
A rare tick caresses his face— the ghost of a grin, "Like I would... tell you that." He pants.
She grins, ensuring something enough to make him glare. Brunt hoists a chain in one fist, considering tying it around his neck and endi- "Maybe I ca-,"
Brunt's phone had rung, choosing that moment to vibrate in her pocket.
She growls, using the fist prepared for a punch to dig for it, "Do you mi-!" She yells to the line.
A pause. "Yes, and I would-,"
"Oh." There was something about the way she said it that makes him straighten. How a villain's demeanour is capable of morphing from frustration and such a height of enragement to... charming.
Like how one responds to an unexpected gift.
If the look on her face was any indication.
Shadowsan had been in captivity for a month, and yet his former colleagues never seem to tire of the bloodshed and sick satisfaction his peril brought. Each unearthly noise of pure agony after the next.
Like he was an antique of age dispensing joy when assaulted.
The reality was that this world was brighter for his team with him out of the way— he keeps VILE distracted, entertained.
But his mind churns for a problem besides the obvious one... and he can't help but think, this way... Carmen, Zack, Ivy, and Player may be more vulnerable. He can hope they eat well, talk to each other, and forget... but from such a distance what can he do to ensure such a thing?
Carmen was impulsive and with disposable beliefs, Player did not know his limit and the siblings are about as attached to the 'no man left behind' belief as he was to VILE's basement wall.
But he can sigh through his bloodied mouth and put out. So long as they stay away... they'll all be okay.
The people that matter will be okay.
He blinks at a screeching of metal grinding against the aged concrete fall. His eyes snap upwards to Brunt'd retreat and the cage across from his left... open?
YOU ARE READING
Behind closed doors
FanfictionA series of angsty or comedic one shots, so many you'll find exactly what you need! "...Recovery is not a straight line, the both of us have been dealt enough loss to recognise this. I am not ready to give up hope, but I see your tired hands shake;...
