You're Mine

Confessions of a Frenchman

They woke up early the next morning and Alex refused to acknowledge John at all. He was still in a state of shock from what he had done. But it was all for me. But... how could he?

Alex shook the thoughts of sympathy out of his head. He needed to focus on other important things. He downed nearly an entire pot of coffee and was out the door. 

"Classes don't even start for another hour! Where are you going?" John called though he knew Alex would never answer. He simply shrugged and made another pot. What if he's gone to tell someone? No, no. He promised he'd keep it between us. He promised, didn't he? And that's good enough for me.

John still couldn't help but feel anxious. He didn't know if Alex meant it, as much he liked to think Alex would always love him. And maybe he would. Maybe he just needed some morning air? Doubtful, but still.

An hour later, John arrived to theatre and found Alex sitting by himself. He knew he probably shouldn't, but he sat with Alex anyway.

"Hey," was all he could manage. Alex seemed uncomfortable. "Where'd you go this morning?"

Alex looked like he took the question as a threat and slid over just a bit, "I went to talk with Mr. Washington."

"For why? I'm just curious."

"I just wanted to know if he happened to know anything about Eliza and Hercules and he said that the principal told him that the two had allegedly dropped out but of course, Washington didn't believe this, but he didn't push the issue. So, I went to ask the principal and he told me nothing. They said they can't find them anywhere and they're afraid that they've...died. I thought you said you didn't bury the bodies."

"I didn't," John was genuinely confused, "What happened then? I know Eliza died, I watched it, but I left Hercules. I wonder if-"

"Enough. Please, let's just not talk about it anymore," Alex had become teary-eyed again.

"Sorry," and John was. If time machines were real...

Class soon started and allowed them to take their minds off of horrors and mysteries. Acting was something they had both come to enjoy and when they were on stage together, they were lost in the spotlight glimmering in the other's eyes. Alex seemed to forget entirely what John did, if not for a few seconds when the spotlight was at its peak, making John shine like he was an angel. Alex, however, would shake his head and remember harsh reality. John would always notice. 

"Hey, can we talk?" Alex asked John after class.

"Anytime," John paused packing up his things and listened intently.

"I... don't really know how to say this. But, uh, do you think," he dropped his voice down to a barely audible whisper, "Hercules is still alive?"

"What? No, of course not. I hit him in the abdomen. He'd have bled out for sure. Tough as Herc is... was."

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around  John's neck and a small French voice hissed into his ear, "What was that I just heard? Are you two talking about Hercules?"

"Yes," Alex said immediately, "let go of John."

"Not until he tells me what happened! Where is he?! What'd you do to Hercules?!" he hadn't raised his voice enough for anyone else to hear but the headlock was drawing attention. And not the good kind.

"Lafayette, just let him go and I'll tell you what I know," Alex tried to reason with the furious Frenchman. Slowly, Lafayette let John go and asked again, calmer this time, "Where is Hercules?"

"We don't actually know. Nobody does. He and Eliza seemed to just disappear. Not even the principal knows," Alex sighed.

"You mean you asked about him?" Lafayette sneered.

"Of course," John played the part of an innocent child, "he was our friend too."

"He was more than my friend, you idiot. Et maintenant je n'ai aucune idée d'où il est. Merci à toi," Lafayette wiped a few stray tears from his face as he moved away.

John seemed shocked, "More than a friend? Did he mean-"

"Yeah. He told me he liked Hercules once and I'm sure he thought I had forgotten, but no. How could I?"

John's face returned to its stoic state, "He knows too much."

"John?" Alex seemed frightened again, "John, no."

"What if he talks, Alex? What then? You said yourself that you didn't want to see me end up in jail... or worse. I'll do what I have to, Alex." He began to make his way toward the exit, ignoring Alex's screams for him to stop. He ignored the pleas to spare another life. And he cried. He cried as he walked away because he didn't want to kill anyone else. But Laf was a risk. And he would take no risks.