Eminence

Note 17 - A Messy Summer Night

Theo had been walking the streets of downtown to pass the time. It was almost two in the morning when he checked his watch, but he had nothing to do. Theo had visited Emanon earlier that day; she had texted him saying she needed clothes for the weekend and decided she wanted to spend his money instead of Jack or Warren's. As long as it made her happy, he thought. He never really imagined he would see her again after all these years. Seeing her so thin and weak that day was unbearable; it made his blood boil. He knew it was wrong to use a blood trap on her, but he felt whatever means necessary, it was justified if it was for her. Theo had no idea that Jack and Warren had no connection to Jeremiah. He was worried she was being abused, and he had promised her mother he would take care of her. How did it end up like this? What happened to her? They used to be so close. She reminded him of who she was when they were younger, but she was not the same woman he said goodbye to. Maybe Eminence was gone, and all he had left of her was his memories, their bond, and Emanon. He decided to try to make peace with it so he would cooperate to keep up the illusion that they would be together. All he can do now is-

"Come on, my place is just over there. You can sleep there; my bed is soft and warm." 

Theo looked over to see two men having a loud conversation. 

"I said I wasn't tired; please let go of me!" the younger man yelled. 

"There you are; I've been looking all over for you..." Theo said as he intervened and pulled the younger man towards him. 

"Tch." The older man scoffed and walked away. 

"That could've been bad. Are you okay?" Theo asked, letting go of him. 

"I'm fine. I didn't need your help..." the man replied, turning to face Theo. 

"-Jack?" Theo asked, shocked. 

"Oh, it's you..." Jack replied, annoyed, and started to walk away. 

"Wait, Jack, you're tipsy; don't go alone. I'll accompany you." 

"Don't wanna. Go away."

"Jack, please, I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Oh yeah? Will you hurt me then?! Like you hurt Warren!" 

Theo stopped walking after him. It made sense; why would he want to be near him? Although Emanon never brought it up, Theo could tell it bothered her. It wasn't right what he did; he knew that. Theo saw it through Warren's memories. He wasn't saving Emanon from Jeremiah's men but was attacking Emanon's lover. His anger blinded him, and he felt ashamed. 

"Jack, I'm sorry." He told him.

"Why are you apologizing to me?!" Jack yelled back at him. 

"Because I hurt someone important to you, and I- I scared you as well. I'm sorry. Please don't wander alone, drunk. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Jack stopped walking and turned around. 

"Fine! But you're buying me drinks."

"Sure, I've got plenty of money to spend." Theo joked and caught up to Jack. 

For the next half hour, while the bars were still open, Theo and Jack hopped from one to the next until they eventually ended up at Theo's apartment. Jack could barely walk even while hanging onto Theo. They were both drunk, but thankfully, Theo's place was within walking distance. Theo brought Jack into the apartment and turned on the lights. 

"Do you want the couch or the bed?" Theo asked. 

Jack raised his head and looked at Theo with glazed eyes.