Ven: Part 2

Ch. 14 The return of Vick

*Vick*

The ground rumbles around me and takes me up to a doorway. I step out into the brilliant red light of sunset. I frown and check my watch.

It's definitely time for the sun to be setting.

But the walls of this place always made it dark around this time.

I look around.

The walls are gone.

People are lined up in front of tables laden with bowls and a cauldron each of something savoury. A team of teenagers stands behind them handing out heaping portions of some kind of stew to everyone. I walk over, waving a greeting.

"Hello." I say flatly. "I'm..."

"Get in line, buddy, there's plenty for everyone," a bald young man points to the back of the line with his ladle. Closer to I can see familiar faces gaunt with starvation.

"I'm not here to eat. I was called here by Ven, where is he?"

"Oh, makes sense I guess, you've got too much meat on you to be from here," he nods, "Ven's inside the castle somewhere."

"Any idea where?"

"Dunno," he shrugs, "Although, hold on. 'Moire! Where's Ven?"

A pale, black haired youth looks over from his cauldron.

"He went to talk to Tasma, he likes her," he smirks.

"Well that much was obvious," a young girl says while handing a steaming bowl to a thin man, her pointed face showing an eagerness to share, "You know I saw them kissing at the gate? Yesterday they were strangers and now they're making out. I guess watching Ven slam those World Government goons this morning stirred something in her." She shrugs.

"It was scary if you ask me," another girl says, "could you imagine if he was that mad at you, I'd be running for the hills."

"Dunno if you could run fast enough," the bald guy shrugs.

"Who's Tasma and where might I find her?" I cut in.

All four of them point behind me.

I wheel around and find myself face to face with a young woman with black hair, a bright smile, and a curvy figure.

"I'm Tasma," she puts her hands on her hips, the smile fading, "And who might you be?"

"My name is Vick." I state. "I'm here to see Ven."

"He just fell asleep, it's been a long day."

"It's imperative I see him."

She gives an exasperated sigh before beckoning me to follow her.

As we walk through the castle I ask, "What happened out there?"

"We got here this morning, Ven tore the World Government a new one, made an oath, extorted information from a third in command, turned the wall around the town into lightning and then back into bricks, attended a funeral, got everyone moving, disappeared with an old guy for a while, then came to see me, and then fell asleep." She explains, leading me down a few short corridors. "It's been a big day."

"And he's still here? He hasn't left yet?" I ask.

"Nope, he said he's going to stay as long as they need him to, he swore he'd do right by them." She smiles and opens a door.

Inside Ven is slumped in a chair fast asleep.

Seeing him sound asleep like that I can see how young he really is.