Crimes and Affairs || Wriolette

Chapter 5

It was the first time in years Fontaine's Fear decided to leave behind notes and play little games. After reading the note, he instantly looked around him. But there was nothing. Neuvillette saw absolutely no one that matched Fontaine's Fear appearance. Crickets could be heard around him. He was worried. He knew that someone was watching him right now, so he left as fast as he could. He didn't dare to look behind, not even for a second. He fastened his pace as much as he could until he finally arrived home.

The walk home was exhausting. At least, that's what Neuvillette found it to be. He let out a sigh of relief as he finally checked his surroundings. When he was sure there was nobody around him, he unlocked the door of the house and went inside.

After such a tiring day, he really needed to sleep. Neuvillette tried to sort his thoughts, and he finally accepted the fact that the bartender wasn't the criminal. One could say he was relieved. He thought maybe he deserved an apology for the way Neuvillette snapped at him. But, if it wasn't him, then who was it? Who was the criminal? That thought has been bothering Neuvillette for years now.

He shrugged and tried to forget it. He knew he had some work to do, but that could wait. As soon as he arrived home, he saw how messy his room was. He didn't have any time to clean it, and that bothered him. He might consider getting a maid someday.

Neuvillette changed clothes and went to bed. He tried to fall asleep despite the fact that this stupid case never left his mind, not even for a second.

The note didn't leave his mind either. Neuvillette didn't know if he should actually go to that club by himself. It was risky, but at the same time, there was no other way to catch the criminal. Maybe he was finally letting himself get caught. Maybe he finally got bored of this on-run lifestyle and decided it was time to retire.

Neuvillette sat and thought what the consequences could be for Fontaine's Fear. Such thoughts only an idiot would have. He really needed to sleep but couldn't help but think how the criminal would probably get executed if Neuvillette managed to find him. After all, he ended many lives of innocent people. Neuvillette wondered if there actually was some reason for his killing, but it really didn't seem like it. It wasn't his first time thinking about the man's reasons.

Neuvillette remembered investigating every single victim of Fontaine's Fear, starting with his very own parents, to a random man he saw on the street. Was there really any reason to all of that?

In the end, Neuvillette managed to go to sleep peacefully, getting his mind off of this strange man.

The next morning, Neuvillette barely woke up. The sunlight layed directly on his face. He was already in a bad mood, and that sunlight not letting him sleep only made it worse. He wished that everything that happened the other day was just a bad dream, but it turns out it wasn't. He accepted it and continued with his day. As usual, he got out of bed, brushed his teeth, and combed his long hair. He decided to put it in a ponytail since the weather outside was really warm. Going outside with all that hair really was painful. He felt like melting every moment. After finishing doing his hair, he got dressed and put his shoes on.

The first thing he decided to do was to visit Lyney and check on Charlotte and Lynette. He arrived at the hospital and saw that the two girls weren't there anymore. Seems like they've finally left. He thought.

He talked to a doctor and went into Lyney's room. He entered the room and noticed lots of flowers and sweets on the table next to his bed. Neuvillette assumed they were left there by Lynette. That poor girl really thought her brother was gone. He moved his eyes to look at Lyney. He was peacefully sleeping, the sad look on his face still present. Neuvillette sighed and sat down next to the boy's bed, the chair letting out a small noise as he did so. Hospital chairs really were weak and made out of poor material.

He knew Lyney couldn't hear him, but he still started rambling, his tone soft, as if he tried not to wake him up. Even if that was the whole point, Neuvillette didn't think about it.

'Lyney, I'm sorry this had to happen. Don't be sad. I'm gonna try my best to catch that criminal and rescue Freminet.' Neuvillette said in a breath. He didn't believe his own words. He wasn't so sure he was able to do that, but he still said what he said, as if he tried to reassure Lyney everything would he fine. He sat by his bed for a little longer, staring at the young man. Finally, he decided it was time to leave.

Neuvillette didn't want to bother Lyney anymore, even if he couldn't sense him. He also had an important meeting to attend to that afternoon and wouldn't dare miss it. He slowly got up and made his way to the door. When he put his hand on the doorknob, he glanced back at Lyney. Fortunately, the boy's sad face was finally gone. He was smiling. Somehow, Neuvillette managed to smile back at him.

He made his way out of the hospital. He didn't regret tying his hair in a ponytail, as the weather outside was extremely hot. Neuvillette walked down the stairs of the hospital and started walking to Palais Mermonia. He had some documents to bring to Lady Furina and some papers to sign.

His steps were fast and precise, not like usual. He would usually walk at a slow, calm pace. However, today, he had a good reason to change that habit. And it wasn't because of the documents and papers he had to sign, nor the meeting he had to attend to.

He quickly made his way behind a building and tried catching his breath. This is bad. Neuvillette thought. He peeked at the group of people he was hiding from. They were still there. Neuvillette stopped breathing and tried to look around to find a shortcut. Unfortunately, there were none. He looked back at the group of people and decided he had to make his way quickly and quietly.

What stressed out Neuvillette so much was a group of men from the club last night. He wasn't one hundred percent sure they would notice or remember him, but if they did, that would've been very awkward. Imagine Fontaine's Judge going out in a gay club! After some more thought, he finally started walking again. A thick layer of sweat started to form on Neuvillette's forehead. Neuvillette walked right past the group of men and hoped they wouldn't remember nor notice him.

Neuvillette let out a sigh of relief when he made it past them. They hadn't said anything, didn't even spare a look at h-

'Hey there, cutie! I saw the boss really took a liking for you last night!' One of the men yelled after him.

'Yeah! Are you thinking of coming again tonight??' Another one screamed.

Neuvillette didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He watched as the men started to walk towards him. He wanted to disappear. What the fuck did they mean by 'boss'? He didn't remember talking to any bosses.

The men were now surrounding him.

'You should definitely come again tonight!'

'Yeah, bring that little friend of yours too!'

'Boss is giving free drinks tonight! Please do come again!'

The last line made Neuvillette curious. What that man said made him think the boss would finally show up. He spoke up right after.

'The boss is coming? I'll think about it. Now, please move aside. I have to leave. Thank you.'

If Fontaine's Fear kept wanting him to go to Le Club, then that could mean one thing: he was the boss of the club. It all clicked in Neuvillette's mind. His thoughts finally sorted out, and that was his chance to lay his hands on that criminal.

It all made sense what he meant when he said he's been watching Neuvillette. The boss, basically Fontaine's Fear, was probably disguised and hidden among the innocent people. If he wanted Neuvillette there, then he was just giving himself in, and that made Neuvillette's job so much easier.

The group of men finally left. Neuvillette sighed in relief and made his way to Paradise Mermonia. He met up with Lady Furina to give her the documents, then shut himself in his office to 'sign some papers'. The office was messy like he had left it before. He never had the time to clean it and didn't have any now, either.

Neuvillette knew what he had to do: he picked up his phone and dialed Charlotte's number. Even though he knew Miss Charlotte was busy taking care of Lynette, he had to tell her about his plan. He wouldn't make her come all the way there, to Palais Mermonia. A simple call would be perfect.