Apocalypse [Pentatonix AU | Kavi / Scomiche]

Chapter 24 - Ignorance

Scott woke up early the next morning in a cold sweat. For some reason he couldn't work out whether the glass bottle shattering was a dream or reality.

Frantically he hopped off of his cot, racing toward the other end of his cell and throwing off the sheet that was covering his backpack. He unzipped the smallest compartment, reaching in and feeling around until his palm landed on cold metal. Quickly he pulled the syringe out of the bag, hastily laying it down on the floor next to him before reaching back inside to find the small bottle. His fingertips landed on the cool glass.

He breathed a sigh of relief, falling backward into a sitting position and toying with the container, which contained exactly 6 oz of clear liquid. He couldn't even begin to imagine what he would've done if it disappeared.

"You okay?" the voice made Scott jump, and although he immediately stuffed the bottle into his pocket, he forgot about the syringe that was still lying out in the open.

He turned to see Kevin standing in the doorframe of his cell, looking at him with suspicion in his eyes.

"Yeah- yeah fine," Scott stuttered, scratching his head as he stood.

Kevin nodded toward the syringe. "Might want to put that away."

Scott's stomach fell as he scrambled to stuff the syringe back into his bag.

"I know it looks bad," he said slowly once he'd turned back to Kevin. "But believe me-"

Kevin was shaking his head. "We've all got secrets," Kevin said. "I hope you can trust that yours is safe with me. What I saw, it'll stay between us"

Scott opened his mouth, but shut it again, giving a curt nod. Kevin gently nodded in return before walking past the cell and toward the cafeteria.

Scott was still trying to calm his racing heart. He'd always been so careful, but the nightmare had left him so shaken, so disoriented. He shouldn't have taken the bottle out of his backpack to begin with though, regardless of circumstances. How could he have been so careless?

Now Kevin knew. Well, he obviously didn't know, but even the small part he did know had Scott more worried than he'd been in years. Even if Kevin did promise it would stay between them, how could he know that he'd uphold that vow? He'd met the guy only days ago.

Scott didn't think things could get any worse. That was until Travis appeared in his cell minutes later, fortunately after the syringe and bottle were hidden once again.

"Morning," Travis said, making his way inside without invitation.

"Morning," replied Scott, eyeing Travis cautiously.

"Might as well skip the pleasantries, don't you agree?"

"Didn't realize you could be pleasant."

"Don't test me, Scott."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here to ask you to stop fucking my boyfriend."

This took Scott completely by surprise. "I'm sorry?"

Travis scoffed. "Don't play the victim again, not this time. I don't know what's going on between you two, but I don't like it. Whatever it is. You think you know Mitchell, you think you understand what he's been through, but you can't. You think you do, but you don't."

"I know more than you think."

Travis rolled his eyes. "Oh, of course. He told you about the massacre, so now you know everything right?" Once again Scott was taken aback, and by Travis' expression his shock was apparent. "What, you thought I didn't know he told you? I see the way you flirt with him. Of course he told you. I'm a lot of things, but oblivious is not one of them."

"Why are you like this?" Scott said, grinding his teeth with rage.

"Because it's kept me alive. Mitch keeps me alive as well, the same way I keep him alive. I know in your mind I'm the villain, and maybe I am, but I'm also a man who will do anything to make sure I get what I want. And don't think, for a second, that I don't want Mitch. And if you- or anyone- tries to take him away from me, don't think there won't be consequences."

"Is that a threat?"

"Maybe so. Just stay away from him, and we won't have a problem."

Travis turned to leave, but Scott grabbed his shoulder forcefully.

"I will not stay away from him. So I guess that means we do have a problem."

"I guess it does."