Mad God's Love [Dark, enemies-to-lovers BL]

19 V 5

The ambient temperature was a delight. Expectant faces not so much, but they still reminded me of the happiness I used to have. They all looked at me as though at an enemy now. In their eyes I was a kidnapper, at very best.

"You may all be wondering why I've gathered you here today... and that's because one of you is a most heinous killer," I misquoted some movie I've partially seen long, long time ago. Joke hadn't landed, and from the tension I realised they too must have stashed away a body or two. Now there was more agitation and not just from sullen brat.

I threw an arm out, "None of you seen that movie?"

"No, asshole, we don't sit on our asses all day!"

They must be too young. There weren't many TVs even back when we've been little. The shop in which we'd catch occasional glance had theirs stolen years ago. Guess who got blamed. In truth, we would have – but the task had been beyond our amateurish capabilities at the time.

"Isn't that exactly what you do?" I asked of the apprentice pickpocket. Granted, that involved a lot of running too – but only if he was very bad at it. And I suspected this punk peddled other things on the side, which did in fact involve staying put.

"We've been promised some answers," Tom calmly put forward and that's when I knew time was up. As the (formerly) blind man he always had to be careful with words and spent more time listening than interceding and potentially causing problems.

I also knew I forced familiarity too much, but kept hoping that maybe it would trigger something and maybe they'd remember anything. The cold stares were difficult to withstand.

"Citrine, I lied. There's no party. I just didn't know how to say this," looked away from the confused young woman into entirety of the group. "There has been monster attack on the city, it's destroyed. Everyone's dead. You are the few survivors, and perhaps several more of your friends will arrive later."

"Ya... are jokin', right?" Citrine eventually disturbed fireplace's peaceful crackling and attempted an unconvincing smile. Tom shared same broken expression. The younger two just looked mystified. In summary, they all thought they're in a company of a maniac and are about to die. Dangerous state of mind to have right now for everyone involved.

"I realise I didn't establish myself as the most genuine guy in the room thus far, but I'm serious about that bit. It's true. It's real."

"Nonsense, troops are armed to the teeth! Militia too. Everyone's armed. There's cannons, perimeter."

"Ah yes, the deeply porous perimeter wall everyone crosses to loot or dump bodies," I pointed out. "And you are, of course, aware that not all monsters die to bullets." If they did, the whole of humanity wouldn't sit barricaded indoors.

"Still, that's a lot of people! Half a million, at least! You've got audacity to claim everyone's just gone? And I don't remember any of it. How did we get here? Did you drug us? What are you playing at?" Dentist stood with fists balled up again.

I could argue that abducting handful of losers living on the fringes was way too much effort and perhaps these particular few would lack imagination and believe impracticality of it, but my heart wouldn't be in that explanation. I knew better. I could also point to the almighty demon in question, but did not want us to become the reason of their demise. There would be no salvaging that first impression.

"What is the last thing each of you remember?" I misdirected instead.

Warm light danced on frowning faces. Tom, as if noticing it too got up and walked to a window.

"There's snow," he sounded aghast. "And firs. Where are all the flats? Are we in a rich neighbourhood?"

"No way," Dentist strode up to take a gander too. Intrigued, girls followed.