Rivers Flow Through Empty Canyons Sometimes

Friends or Enemies

River woke up and was surprisingly rested. He usually didn't sleep very well. This bed felt comfier than his own... but... why wasn't he in his own bed? He quickly sat up and looked around, his eyes falling to Rain beside him. The memories from the night before came rushing back.

He didn't want to wake Rain up. He had already bothered him enough the night before. He saw that the sun was starting to rise through the window but that meant he still had a few hours to sleep. So that's exactly what he did. He laid back down and fell right back asleep.

The next time he woke up he couldn't even see the sun in the window. That was very bad. Rain was still asleep next to him and he was a bit worried that he was late for his duties too. He looked at his phone and he was almost three hours late. He didn't know why no one had come to find him.

He quickly scrambled out of bed and he frowned when he heard a small whine come from Rain. He hurried to his own room and got fresh clothes on. He was trying to move too fast though and he struggled to get his limbs in. What slowed him down the most was his shoes though. It took him over a minute to get them both on.

When he finally made it to Nihil's office, he could see the smirks on his pack mate's faces. They knew that he was in deep shit. He knew he was in deep shit. He took a deep breath and entered the office.

He didn't even get a chance to say anything. The second he was through the door he was being berated.

"You are supposed to be my best ghoul! You have fucked up too many times these last few days! What has gotten into you!" There was strain in Nihil's voice. It wasn't often he had to yell at his ghouls.

River watched as Nihil got up and approached him. It was a little hard to watch him struggle to get over to him. He knew what was coming when Nihil reached him though. He braced himself for it. He cowered as Nihil raised his hand and slapped him. There was a surprising amount of power in the old man's slap.

He looked down. He knew he was supposed to apologize now "I am very sorry, Papa. It will not happen again." He didn't try and explain himself. He knew Nihil didn't care about the reason.

"I have some things to discuss with you, ghoul. Sit down."

River knew that he needed to be on his best behavior now so he sat down. He didn't want to make his papa angrier. He was supposed to be the well-behaved ghoul. He cringed a little as Nihil had a coughing fit. He just stayed silent and patiently waited for it to end and for him to start talking.

"I will be joining The Ghost Project on the upcoming tour. You will be coming with me. At least you will if you keep up your good behavior. If your bad behavior continues, well, I'll choose another ghoul."

River didn't know why Nihil was going on tour but he knew this was not a good idea. He was going to tell Nihil that. He didn't care if he got in trouble, he needed to show that he was concerned.

"Papa, I-"

"Do not interrupt me! I was going to tell you why but I don't feel like it anymore. You had better be on your best behavior."

"May I speak now?" He was a little afraid to speak up now.

"You may."

"I don't think this is a good idea. Your health... it's not the best. I can tell that you are excited to do this but I am concerned. I do not want you to do anything that will hurt you. I think it's-" he whimpered as he was interrupted again.

"I do not care about what you think! This is my decision! I did not ask for your opinion!" He got up again and approached River.

River knew whatever was going to happen this time would be worse than before. He let out loud whimpers as he was slapped multiple times but then he yelped as his tail was stomped on. He didn't try to get away. He knew he had to just take it or else it would be worse.