I can't escape this now (unless you show me how) TODDBLACK - NOT ME THE SERIES

3 - unanswered calls and consequences

To his own surprise, Black had broken his own promise. Something he'd never done before. Apparently running into Yok wasn't enough of a warning, but in hindsight it was a good decision. Merely two days after vowing to stay away, he revisited the hospital only to discover an empty bed.

In that moment, a mixture of emotions flooded Black's senses. He experienced a combination of surprise and confusion, if Todd wasn't here in his room, where was he? Worry gripped him that Todd might be plotting a revenge of some sort. Yet, concealed beneath the surface, Black detected another emotion: relief—perhaps even a hint of excitement.

That was well over a week ago and Black hadn't heard or seen Todd ever since.

Black's finger pressed into the fabric of his jeans, observing his brother embracing his boyfriend. He learned to drown out the feelings of his brother. All these butterflies and lovey-dovey gazes made him sick to his stomach.

Although he couldn't deny (even if he'd never admit it out loud) that Sean might not be as horrible as he thought, a knot formed in his stomach every time he saw them together.

Nonetheless, he found solace in White abandoning his previous life of privilege to stand alongside them in this fight, even if that path of life excluded him.

Black forced himself to avert his eyes from the couple and looked around. And just like he thought, a man in dark clothing was watching them from across the street, pretending to look at what to order from a street shop.

Black had noticed this man yesterday, as he made his regular check-up on White. It truly astounded him that White seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that he's being followed. Not even Sean noticed (which was just one more negative point added to his very long list). Sean was blinded by his emotions, they clouded his judgement. If they'd flirt less and cared more to check their environment, maybe Black wouldn't need to keep an eye on them.

Black waited until Sean and White rounded a corner and the guy dressed in black started walking. He stood up, he was on the opposite site as his brother, closer to the stranger. If he tried anything, Black would be at his throat in mere seconds.

But the guy didn't do anything, he only followed them down the street. Black suppressed a groan, if they kept walking like this, they'd lead him right to the garage.

As they neared the little parking lot, where their motorcycles were at, Black decided to step in. He grabbed the guy by his arm from behind and pulled him into a narrow alleyway.

As the man struggled and spun around, raising his hands in a defensive stance, Black pushed him against the sturdy brick wall. In a swift motion, Black's arm found its way to the man's throat, pressing him further back. The guy's needed a full second to fully comprehend the situation that had unfolded.

The man stared at him, bamboozled, but then there was a noticeable shift in his expression.

Just as Black was about to give him a piece of his mind, the man spoke.

"Are you Black?"

It shouldn't have been a surprise to him that the man stalking his brother knew about him as well, but it was something in his voice that made Black feel uneasy.

"I should deliver something to you."

Black lowered his arm to the man's chest and increased the pressure to keep him secured. "From whom?"

The man struggled under Black's pressure, but he managed to hand him the black plastic bag. Black took it with his free hand.

"He said you'd know who it's from."

He maintained his hold on the man against the wall, his gaze fixed upon him, contemplating whether to release him or question him further.

Before Black could make a decision, the plastic bag vibrated and a melody started playing.