TRIBULATIONS

26.

Arthur's heart almost stopped for a split second when he heard Pierre, "..Come in."

He reluctantly opened the door, eyes slightly widening themselves at Pierre's disheveled state. His hair was messy, most likely from him pulling at them in frustration. His eyes were distant, his breathing uneven.

Arthur was curious.

He shut the door, even locking it because Pierre had told him to.

Pierre motioned over for him to sit down. Arthur hurried his steps towards the chair, he sat down, and waited for Pierre to speak.

He wondered. Pierre was always so angry, and his curiousity was growing  the more he stayed here. Why was he so angry?

Pierre posed a question at Arthur. "..What locket?"

"Huh?" Arthur was startled.

Pierre slammed his hand against his desk, becoming more demanding. "What locket?!"

Arthur scowled at the man. "..My mother's locket—" He forced out through clenched teeth.

Pierre asked even further, his curiosity already breaking through his nonchalant demeanor. "How does it look like?"

Arthur huffed, Pierre kept interrupting him. But he knew how angry the Man could get, so he decided to give in a little bit. "..Some kind of symbol, I'm not sure."

Pierre let out a worn out grunt, he rolled his eyes and threw his head back. "..Fuck. Where did your mother get it?"

Arthur thought carefully, Pierre banged his fists against his desk. "WHERE?"

Arthur bit his lower lip in order to keep himself from becoming disrespectful. But he was unable to keep shut. "Would you stop yelling at me! Why do you care so much about my Mother's locket?!"

Pierre swept off everything that was on his desk with his thick arm, fury was written all over his face. Arthur backed up at the movement, he tripped, and his chair fell along him. His back met the floor, but he managed to crawl away from the terrifying Man that was approaching him.

Pierre grabbed the chair from the floor, and threw it against the wall. It made a loud crashing noise, the chair broke. Arthur finally turned around, and started to crawl towards a bigger space in the room, in hopes that there was a place he could hide in. He cursed, why did he lock the door!?

Pierre grabbed the back of Arthur's hair, Arthur screamed in fear, his heart was thumping so loudly in his chest, and his eyes stung with fresh hot tears. "..Turn around." Pierre whispered next to his ear.

The tears ran down his face, tears of frustration, knowing he wouldn't stand a chance against Pierre and his beastly body. Pierre questioned again, "..Where?"

Arthur let out a defeated groan. Pierre's hold weakened so Arthur's head dropped. "..She told me.. A scary Man gave it to her in a club."

Pierre shook his head in disbelief, one more question, and he would be set free. "..When?"

Arthur sighed.

"Ten years ago."

☠

Pierre walked backwards very slowly, he let out small breaths.

Ten years ago? So the Superhuman really went to Dreamaspira. Why couldn't I find them?

Pierre beat himself up in his mind as Arthur collected his thoughts and sanity on the floor where his tears stained the floor.

Pierre zoned out, his eyes swelled up with tears. He was deep in his thoughts, his lower lip quivered as the tears ran down his face freely.

Freely after years.

He could feel his heart soften as he shed more tears. Soon, he brought his hand up and covered his face from Arthur.

Arthur, who was on the floor, curiously stared at the Man who was weeping across the room. He slowly stood up, and approached the Man, not wanting to go like this. He crouched down in front of him, and mustered up all of his courage to ask. "..Why are you always so angry, sir?"

Pierre cried, ignoring Arthur's question. He too, had no idea.

Arthur awkwardly fiddled with his clothes as he stared at the Man. He remember the way Pierre patted his head, and he lifted a hand up to place it on Pierre's shoulder. Carefully, he slowly caressed his shoulder, and Pierre became more okay with his tears flowing down so freely.

Arthur sighed. ".. I'm sorry for always causing you trouble. My Mother is a sensitive topic, after all, she's..."

He shook his head when tears welled up in his eyes, Pierre needed attention, not him. Even though it wasn't his job to make sure that the Man was alright. It was the least he could do, after all, he let him stay here, in Mispair.

Eventually, Arthur wrapped his arms around Pierre's shoulders, who stiffened. His breath hitched at Arthur's sudden movement, but he secretly relished in the moment.

☠

Arthur shut the door as he walked away from Pierre's office. He absentmindedly walked towards the room he was staying in, not wondering why the door was open and why Bennett leaned against the wall.

His eyes trailed up, "Bennett? What's wrong?" He asked as he noticed the regret on Bennett's face.

Bennet clicked his tongue. "We're so stupid."

"Why?" Arthur frowned.

Bennett groaned, pulling at his head. "Before we came here, we should've checked our houses! Maybe we could've found some information."

Arthur stayed silent, but then he let out a dismayed and annoyed huff. "You're right, we're so stupid! We could've checked our Parents' rooms for documents regarding the Government' plans."

Bennett nodded. "I doubt your parents had anything to do with it though. My father on the other hand..."

Bennett thought of what his father had told him.

On the day the unfortunate event happened.

His Father, Bumble Thunderstorm, an Attorney general, a legal advisor, Most likely knew something of the events. Bennett remembered the way his dad reassured him when he told him he wanted to go home.

"It's gonna fine, son. Trust me, you'll like the plans the Government will reveal to us tonight!" He said with a mischievous grin.

Bennett widened his eyes, he cursed out loud. "..Fuck! We're truly so stupid."

Arthur raised a brow. "You remember something?"

Bennett nodded. "Mmh. We might have to go to Mispair after all. Seems like my Father had something to do with it after all."