TRIBULATIONS

10.

"Explain everything."

And Bennett did so. The Man listened intently, his attention never swaying, and Bennett was grateful for that. He finished speaking, and let out a sigh.

The Man removed his glasses, clearly that entire story made him rethink his life choices. He furrowed his eyebrows and stayed silent for a moment. Slowly, he asked. "..And your friend, he surely did not know what the Government was planning?"

Bennett nodded rapidly. "Yes! At first, I also did not believe him, but he was being honest. He truly did not know."

Bennett smiled sullenly. "We Upsiders are selfish, useless, and only care about money. Not once did we ever doubt the Government, now look what happened. My family members, my niece.. All dead. Same thing with Arthur."

Pierre raised an eyebrow at the name. "Arthur?" Bennett stared at him. "The one that came here with me."

Pierre nodded. His eyes moved to spare a glance at the stack of papers with the number three. He was itching to read them, but fear held him back. A part of him wanting to know of his future but the other part wanted to experience it.

Pierre swallowed down his thoughts and crossed his buff arms. "Alright, I'll let you stay here in the spare rooms we have. If your friend wakes up, we'll bring him in for some questioning. Afterwards, you may stay in one of the apartments we can offer you."

Bennett widened his eyes, the undercity... They were so kind. Bennett wondered, he truly expected them to be ruthless and rude. But it seemed like that wasn't the case.

He was speechless. "..Why? Why are you so kind to us, sir?"

The Man frowned at that. "..Should I handle you carelessly?"

Bennett shook his head. "No.. I was just shocked that you were so kind and willing to let us stay here."

He chuckled. "The Undercity may be dangerous with all of the gangs, and assaults, but the rest of us are decent human beings."

And that stuck with Bennett for the rest of the day.

The white headed lady escorted him to the room he would stay in, she brought in the necessities he would use, and excused herself. He thanked her, and sat on his soft bed. The tears ran down his face as if he did nothing to stop them. It had been a while since he had laid on a bed, he eyed his bathroom, I should wash up, he thought. He was forever grateful to them. For now,

He would wait until the day Arthur was well and fit to wake up.

A few d☠ys later.

Arthur's face looked less pale and much more fuller. Bennett overheard the same redhead's voice, Ravena, speaking to the low pitched smoky voice.

The woman's voice said, "..He's fit enough to be healed, should I use my ability?"

The man's voice answered, "..I'm getting impatient, please, if you can do so, then do so."

The woman's voice answered, "Alright."

The footsteps started to get closer, so Bennett quickly retreated away from the door, and sat back on his bed. Arthur would finally be waking up, he couldn't contain his excitement. He missed his friend.

Friend.

Bennett rolled his eyes, he had become so close to Arthur, it was insane. He made up his mind and decided to visit him after he was sure he had been healed.

☠

Arthur was writhing in his deep slumber, his eyes flew open and he confusingly observed the room he was in.

The last thing he remembered was that man who threw crazy punches at his stomach. Just thinking about it made him hold his stomach tightly. It didn't hurt..

Arthur looked down to stare at his stomach, he no longer wore his dress shirt and a fresh white bandage was wrapped around his stomach. He felt lighter, the pain had long subsided. Where was Bennett? He thought as he looked around the room.

A Redheaded woman sat besides him with her eyes closed. As if she had sensed Arthur, her eyes opened. Arthur was speechless, her eyes were pitch black, he wasn't sure if she was truly staring right back at him. The words failed to escape his mouth as he gawked at her.

The woman bobbed her head at him. "Ravena Precious, are you well enough to get up?"

Arthur was even more shocked at her politeness. He hummed at her, "..Mh.. I think." He carefully lifted his legs up to throw them over the bed he was laying on, using his hand, he pressed on the bed and raised his upper body up. Eventually, he sat on the bed. Still, he felt no pain.

He knit his eyebrows in confusion and disbelief. "..How long have I been unconscious for?"

Ravena thoughtfully blinked, "Almost a week."

Arthur muttered under his breath. "...Why don't I feel any pain anymore...?"

Ravena instantly answered, "I healed you."

Arthur was dumbfounded. "What? How?"

Ravena stayed silent. She just looked at her, but a smile broke out. She stood up and nudged her head towards the exit. "Good thing you're well, I have to bring you in for questioning."

Arthur got up rapidly, still no pain. "Questioning? Where's my friend? Is he safe? Where did he-"

"All of your questions will be answered later on. For now, follow me." Ravena cut him off with an impatient tone lingering around her words. Arthur shut his lips, her eyes were terrifying. Instead, he stuck to following her.

☠

They stopped in front of a massive pickel green door. Ravena turned around, "Go on." She walked right past him after showing him a small smile.

Arthur took a few deep breaths and opened the door. He didn't feel like knocking. The door opened, revealing a burly Man who sat behind a huge desk. He had a drink in his hand which he moved around, swirling the liquid inside. His dark brown eyes locked themselves with Arthur's. The Man had brown long wavy hair, a clean looking beard, tattoos on his skin, and a sensual tank top on.

Arthur couldn't help but check the man out, until the man cleared his throat to his blatant eyes. Arthur blushed embarrassingly, he stepped forward slowly, his mind was in a jar filled full of thoughts, why is he looking at me so weirdly? That's when it hit him.

Arthur looked down at his exposed upper body, and he let out a small gasp that he instantly closed his mouth. His face become more red, his head burning up with embarrassment. The Man's face morphed into an annoyed expression.

Arthur had a great body, so there was nothing to be ashamed of. But he wanted to be proper whilst meeting one of the Rulers of Mispair. He felt something slap against his left cheek, his left eye closed instantly. And he caught the thing that was thrown at him, an oversized shirt.

The Man intensively stared at Arthur as he wore the shirt that was thrown at him. "Sit when you're done."