Keys // Nicolas Brown

Act. 3 From Boy To Grown Man

We crossed through the street and we'd be at big mama's in a few minutes or so. Humming along, I felt multiple feet's vibrations underneath my own feet.

"Doug, stop," I rested a hand over his shoulder as I stood still, the vibrations coming closer.

Bending down, I put both my hands over the flat ground, sensing about three or four people, coming from behind us.

My keys clinked together as I stood, making me become hyperaware of the two silver metal keys. In a spilt decision, I pulled the chain from my neck, snapping it open as the chain and keys slid onto my palm.

"Hold these," I handed them over to Doug as his eyes widened on my actions.

"No, you can't do th-"

"Just listen to me," I ordered, watching him put my keys away in his pocket.

Pulling the chain that held my tags, I closed it around my neck, feeling my strength immediately go down as my vision saw spots of green and purple.

Ignoring the burn, I put my hand on the ground, the tags swaying together in their chain.

"Just a few seconds," I muttered, moving Doug back into the alley as I stood in front of him. "You got your knives?"

"Always," he nodded, concern flashing through his eyes at my state, gripping onto my keys in his palm.

He eyed the tags around my neck, looking away when three shadows loomed next to us.

"You've arrived," I spoke, turning to face the men.

What?

They weren't twilights.

Are you kidding me?

I mean sure, I'm not as great as I am with my keys when I wear my tags, but seriously?

They thought that a few measly normals could kill me off?

I'm still a rank A/0 with my tags.

Or are they taking advantage that Doug is with me?

Do they not know his rank?

With a smirk, I pulled a knife out, knowing the gun would attract too much attention since we were closer to the main street.

"Son," I sang, gesturing Doug to step forward. "You take the two big ones on the sides, and I'll take the small one in the middle since he seems to have a grumpy look on his face. Oh, and don't worry about cleaning anything up."

With a nod, Doug flew forward, slicing through their flesh before they could even move. The one in the middle pulled out his gun to shoot as I stepped forward, cutting his gun in half.

"Sorry," I placed a finger over his lips. "But we can't make a sound to wake up any children this late at night, we wouldn't want that."

Giving a wink, he stumbled back as I stood with my legs on either side of him.

"Say good night," I smirked, throwing the knife down into his heart as he gasped.

"Mom, we're done here," Doug pulled me out of the alley as I put my knife away.

Looking at myself, I frowned.

"DouG, I got blood on my clothes, and on me," I whined, tugging on his shirt.

"I can't believe I call you my mom," he sighed, pulling me to the street as we stood before big mama's building.

"We're here!" I jumped up, dragging Doug inside behind me as I entered, everyone greeting us warmly.

"Mom!" Doug rushed to pull me back by my arm before I could take another step, his hand reaching to my cheek.

"Do you want to kiss me?" I questioned, looking at him. "Aww, my boy has gotten so big," I pulled him into my hold.

Grunting, his hand went to my chain as he tucked the tags under my shirt so they weren't as visible as before.

"My shirt is sheer, so I don't really see the point," I sighed.

"Let me go," he struggled against my hold as I held him even tighter.

"My baby," I cheered, rubbing my cheek against his. "But find another girl to kiss, this one isn't for you, she's taken," I winked down at him as he rolled his eyes.

"Mo-"

"Every time I see ya, you are smothering that boy with affection," I heard a voice call out from behind me.

"Big mama!" I exclaimed, going to greet her, dropping Doug onto the floor as he grunted.

"That poor boy has to put up with a witch like you," she sighed.

"No way, mama! He's a man now," I looked at her with stars in my eyes. "He wanted to kiss me!" I exclaimed with joy and as Doug stood straight again, I pulled him into my hold.

"I WAS NOT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING OF THE SORT MOM!" He shouted, trying to break free.

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow at Doug. "My, my, Y/N. You sure have raised a fine man, he's got quite the exquisite taste," she said, eyeing my shirt. "You've got blood on you, again," she sighed. "This happens every time."

As someone entered through the doors, big mama was called to greet them. Not paying any attention to the new guests, I turned the other way, heading to the bar.

"THEY HAVE PINEAPPLE DRINKS!!" I yelled, causing every pair of eyes to fall upon me, hearing big mama's sigh and Doug's frustrated grunt.

"You are not getting drunk," Doug argued as I pulled him along.

"It's one drink! And I have a high tolerance to alcohol!"

"Yeah, not when you're wearing your tags. One sip and you are out," he muttered.

"I'm not that bad, come on," I went to sit up on the bar stool, Doug laying his head on the counter beside me.

As I went to speak to the bartender, he signed to me with sign language using his hands. My eyes widened as I grinned at the green haired bartender, pulling him into a hug over the counter.

"DOUG, LOOK!! HE KNOWS SIGN LANGUAGE!!" I exclaimed, pulling Doug into the hug as well. "I told you that it would be useful someday to learn it!!"

"You're crazy," he muttered, sitting back down as I faced the bartender again.

'What would you like to order?' His signs were a bit sloppy so I could tell he was a beginner.

'A pineapple drink,' I signed back slowly and clearly, making sure that he was able to read what I was saying.

As the drink was placed onto the counter, I held it and turned around in my seat, going to stand. Before I could, my eyes locked onto a dark haired man with dark eyes, a katana by his side, a red ribbon tied around it.

Wait, that sword and ribbon.

I knew them, but from where?

Just as soon as I had saw the man, my tags burned against my skin, causing me to stumble, my vision spotting over once more. Falling back, I heard Doug's muffled shout as he rushed forward to hold me up.

There's something familiar about that man with the sword.

And that red ribbon.

NiCOOOOOLAAAAASSS