Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 30

The Protector

Pilate’s heart thudded as he sat with his head bowed, once again finding himself in Life’s office. The vacant walls hovered over him oppressively, his mind no longer finding solace within its interior. He fidgeted with the collar of his sweater, cold sweat on his neck.

He stared down at his phone. He couldn't believe Victor actually called him yesterday! Life may have caused his stomach to be in knots, but the sound of Victor’s voice had set his mind buzzing. Stress had sent him in a dark tunnel, but the thought that he had a friend was a guiding light.

Pilate’s pencil scratched across his notebook, filled with a new inspiration as he sketched a fox. He felt that this was the animal that resembled Victor the most, the intelligent eyes and thin face resonating with him.

“Pilate?” a voice asked, Hawkins standing by the door.

Pilate grew tense, moving his sketchbook to his lap. “Yes?”

Hawkins leaned against the door frame, his sullen, harsh expression attempting to become softer. “I was just makin’ sure that you were okay. Someone said you ran out yesterday freaking out.”

“It was nothing,” Pilate muttered, hunching his shoulders as Hawkins took a step forward.

Hawkins turned his head, checking both sides of the hallway, confirming they were alone. He placed his hands on the back of Pilate’s chair, moving close to his ear.

“Don't trust the boss,” he growled, Pilate shuddering under his hot breath, “He may seem nice, but he's crazy. I don't want a kid like you caught up in all this crap.”

“Hawkins, what are you doing here?”

Hawkins didn't flinch when Life strutted into the room, arms folded behind his back.

“I was escorting the kid from school. Didn't want some thug getting his hands on him,” Hawkins seamlessly lied in response.

Life smiled. “You're one to speak, Hawkins, as a low-life thug yourself. Now, I wish to be with Pilate alone.”

Hawkins bowed his head. “Yeah, Boss.”

A chill ran up Pilate’s spine once he realized he and Life were alone. Numb, he watched Life shut the door, the click of the lock making him want to throw up.

“Am I correct to suppose you thought over my offer last night?” Life said innocently, laying a hand on Pilate’s shoulder.

“Yessir, I thought over it.” He hadn't slept at all, too out-of-sorts over Life’s offer.

“This is an amazing opportunity for you, Pilate.”

Pilate shrugged, his voice trailing off into a half-hearted mutter. He avoided Life’s severe gaze.

“This is a chance to gain power beyond belief, Pilate,” Life murmured, his voice growing more intense. His jaw was clenched tight, his pointed teeth exposed. “You will need my power.”

He reached across Pilate, snatching his notebook from his lap. He tore the lock of hair that was taped to the inside cover, waving it in front of Pilate’s face.

“Especially if you want to protect the person you love.”

A shadow passed over Pilate’s eyes, his pulse pounding in his ears. He watched Victor’s hair with blurred vision, the words slipping off his tongue almost uncontrollably:

“I accept.”

Author's Note- HAHAHA
ok question time:

-fav character
-a theory
-fav arc

remember to vote and comment! ty for reading!!♡♡