The Sanders Sides

30 - Bullying

The midday sun beat down on Janus and Remus, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn of Patton's college. Perched on a rickety wooden bench outside his Language Arts class, they resembled oversized crows, their black suits and sunglasses a stark contrast to the vibrant campus life around them.

Janus, ever the strategist, adjusted his tie and peered through the classroom window. Patton, oblivious to their presence, sat nestled amongst a sea of bobbing heads, diligently taking notes.

"Still think this is a good idea?" Remus grumbled, fanning himself with a stolen pizza flyer. "Sitting here like a couple of googly-eyed fools waiting for Poetry Boy to finish his sonnets."

Janus shot him a withering look. "Patience, my dear brother. We don't want to spook him. Besides," he added, a sly smile playing on his lips, "this is far more entertaining than whatever chaos you usually drag us into."

Remus scoffed. "Says the guy who collects porcelain unicorns."

Janus ignored him, his gaze fixed on Patton. Ever since the incident, Patton had become an enigma. Withdrawn and secretive, his visits to the underworld had become less frequent, replaced by cryptic messages and fleeting glances.

"Something's off," Janus muttered, his voice laced with concern. "He's hiding something, and I intend to find out what."

Remus snorted. "Maybe he's finally realized hanging out with us is a bad idea and is trying to go straight."

Janus chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "As likely as pigs sprouting wings. No, there's something more to it. Something that ties back to that whole near-death experience of his."

The memory of Roman lying pale and lifeless on the hospital bed sent a shiver down Janus' spine. He still couldn't understand how the mortal boy had survived such an encounter with the underworld.

"Maybe he made a deal," Remus mused, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Traded some information for his friend's life."

Janus' eyes narrowed. The idea was intriguing, but highly unlikely. Patton, for all his flaws, wouldn't stoop to such a bargain.

"We'll find out," Janus vowed, his voice steely. "One way or another."

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students flooded out, a cacophony of chatter and laughter filling the air. Janus scanned the crowd, his gaze finally landing on Patton.

The young man emerged, a backpack slung over his shoulder, a thoughtful frown etched on his face. As he turned a corner, oblivious to the watchful eyes following him, Janus and Remus exchanged a silent look.

"Time to follow our little bard," Janus said, a glint of determination in his eyes.

With a coordinated movement, the two brothers rose from the bench, disappearing into the throng of students like shadows amongst the sunlight. Their presence, a secret buried beneath the bustling campus life, a secret they were determined to unravel.

Virgil rounded the corner, his arms laden with textbooks, and nearly collided with a pair of identical figures clad in black. He skidded to a stop, blinking in surprise. Janus and Remus, their faces obscured by dark sunglasses, loomed over him like crows casting an unwelcome shadow.

"Janus? Remus? What are you two doing here?" Virgil asked, suspicion lacing his voice. He knew their presence couldn't be a coincidence.

Janus, ever the diplomat, offered a tight smile. "Virgil. Fancy seeing you here. We were just, uh, enjoying the... collegiate atmosphere."

Remus scoffed, his voice a low rumble. "Yeah, the screaming teenagers and overpriced pizza crusts are truly enriching."

Virgil ignored his jab, his gaze flickering between the two brothers. Their presence made him uneasy, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck.