TRIBULATIONS

15.

Bennett and Arthur made another turn and proceeded to walk straight towards the Club.

The letters were in bold neon purple, FEROCIOUS.

The building was very big and in pink, purple, and dark blue lightening. Arthur's eyes examined the front.

The doors were wide open, you could hear the loud music and feel the way it vibrated against the walls and floors. Bennett confidently started to step towards the front doors, and Arthur followed him without questioning his motives.

But there were none, he simply wanted a drink.

A lot of people were on the dance floor, and.. Half naked. It didn't bother Arthur, who was he to judge? It just wasn't what he was used to. Women passed them and Arthur smiled politely at one woman who stared him questionable. Her dark brown eyes widened as if shocked that someone had been kind to her.

She was so beautiful too. Arthur felt his heart flutter, her dark skin was luminescent under the purple and blue light. Her Afro was big and thick, she looked unreal, she did not belong in this club, but somewhere else. She was simply far too beautiful. She wore many piercings, her makeup was dark and intimidating, and her clothes showed others that she was more on the "Alt" spectrum.

Sheepishly, she returned a hesitant smile and disappeared.

Bennett grabbed Arthur's arm and they walked together towards where Bennett suspected the bar was at. Luckily, they found it.

Arthur sat on a stool as did Bennett. The Bartender was a very burly Man, he had a buzz cut and scars littered all over his muscular body. He was preparing something until Bennett pressed the bell and he turned around swiftly. His hazel eyes stared at them as Ryan had done, most likely weirded out by their unusual clothing.

Arthur smiled at him because he knew Bennett didn't have the time for that. He wanted a drink.

The Man was shocked, he returned the smile shyly. It was funny, a burly intimidating man being shy around someone who was polite. Arthur could tell that he wasn't used to anyone greeting him, and that was sad.

Bennett deadpanned. "Give me your strongest one."

Arthur waited patiently for the man to finish, when he was done, he turned around after mixing bunch of liquids together, and passed the drink over to Bennett who eagerly grabbed it and downed it.

Arthur widened his eyes shockingly at him. He slammed it down, and begged the man, "Again, please." Arthur could see the tears in his eyes, and he himself wanted to drown himself in alcohol.

But he couldn't. Who would take care of Bennett once he was drunk? These streets were dangerous, no matter where they were, being alone, especially at night, could be a risk.

The burly Man pressed his lips in a thin line and he awkwardly took his cup up, and poured him some more alcohol. Arthur's hands raised up slowly attempting to take the cup away but Bennett downed it very quickly.

Arthur shook his head as he observed Bennett's state. He had been so strong, he had been the one knocking some sense into Arthur, so it made sense that he needed his break. Arthur looked around as a way to keep himself busy.

Amongst the dancing crowd, he spotted poles in front of stairs that lead to somewhere unknown. Purplish pink neon lights illuminated that area, and Arthur could visibly see a woman sitting there,

Staring right at him.

The woman smiled, but it wasn't a smile of malicious intentions, it was a reassuring smile. She lifted her hand, and gestured a finger at him for him to come over to where she sat. Arthur squinted his eyes, he turned his head around and looked at the burly Man.

"Sir.. Could you do me a tiny favor?" He asked the Man who surprisingly did not glare at him like Pierre did.

Arthur internally rolled his eyes at the name he just thought of.

The Man bobbed his head as a sign for Arthur to speak his mind, and he did. Hesitantly though, not as bold as he was when he posed the question. "Could you watch my friend?"

The Man stayed silent, his eyes roamed over Bennett's state, and then back to Arthur's pleading eyes. "You know Pierre?"

Arthur gulped. "Yes..?"

His eyebrows raised up knowingly. "Arthur Bloomlock?"

Arthur was speechless.

The Man smirked. "Pierre has.. Connections."

Arthur tauntingly tried to hide his surprise and annoyance. "So he's watching me?"

The Man clicked his tongue repeatedly, shushing Arthur as if he were speaking to a cheeky child. "Now don't get any wrong ideas, you're not special." He grinned sensually.

Arthur rolled his eyes, and stuck his tongue out. "Blegh! Honestly, what are you thinking about. Now, could do me a favor?"

The Man crossed his arms and thought carefully. Then, he faced Arthur with a loyal expression. "Alright, since you've asked so nicely."

Arthur rolled his eyes again, this man was just teasing him.

The Man chuckled. "Now don't give me attitude or else I might just take my word back."

Arthur jutted his lower lip out, and sighed out. "..Thank you, I'm going now."

He was about to get up and turn around, until he realized he had one last question. "What's your name?"

The Man answered, eyes tearing away from Bennett who was drooling on the table. "Arial Bail."

Arthur nodded at him, he finally got up, and made his way through the crowd. There were struggles, until finally, he made it to the other side. His steps quickened when he noticed that the woman was no longer sitting there. His curiosity got the best of him, and he found himself going up the stairs.

The door was already open, and Arthur went inside. He looked around, and whispered. "..Hello?"

He sensed a presence behind him, his eyes widened, and he rapidly stepped to the right and at the same time swiftly turned his body around in time to dodge the bat that was swung at him by an unknown person.

He stared at the man but not as frantic as he would expect. He was reassured because now that he wasn't heavily injured, nothing could stand in his way. Before the Events that conspired, Arthur had a personal trainer, and was excellent at boxing.

But.. He never applied his skills in real life.

Arthur lowly inquired. "Who are you?"

The Man sneered. "You think because that red headed bitch got you to daddy's arms, you're invincible now? Even with Pierre's protection, we'll make sure you know that you don't belong here."

Arthur was confused. He has never seen this man, and yet he felt as if he they met somehow.

Another voice emerged, a bald man sitting on a tire, his elbows hanging from his knees as his cold eyes bored into him. His eyes were beautifully peculiar; His right eye was green and the other brown.

"..Sleeping beauty, you've awakened, have you not?" He smirked. "It seems like Ravena has already brought you to the empire of the Rulers."

Arthur scoffed. "I'm flattered you think I'm beautiful, and yes, she has. But that's not why I'm here."

The man's smile disappeared. "Why are you here then?" He stood up very fast, approaching Arthur before he was forced to stop abruptly because of the way Arthur had barked very loudly.

"I came here because of a woman who gestured for me to do so. Stupid, I know.." He loudly announced.

He then grinned madly. "But I'm thrilled I got to meet you,"

The Man scowled at him. Was he a fan or what? He wondered.

Arthur continued. "Because I have unfinished business with that Motherfucker that decided to put his hands on my BEST FRIEND.. Who also punched the shit out of my wounded stomach."

His heart was racing as the adrenaline rushed through his veins. Arthur growled. "That fucking hurt like a bitch, so I'm thrilled I got to meet you today, because that means I'll be able to speak with that Motherfucker."