Burn (Barlyle) (COMPLETE)

20

Barnum groaned, a headache thundering away against his temples, fingers tangled in his hair. He was practically facedown on the desk when somebody knocked at his door.

"Come in," he sighed, barely summoning the energy to lift his head. All he could think about was the argument with Phillip...the pen snapping in the younger man's hand—

His young partner walked through the door.

"Oh." Barnum immediately straightened up and folded his hands at his desk. "Hello, Mr. Car—"

Barnum paused. He sucked in a breath.

Phillip didn't just walk into the office, he limped. A nasty, dark bruise swelled underneath his left eye and his lip and cheek were cut deep, his cheek especially so. Though his attire kept up his typically neat appearance, his hair was disheveled and he clutched at his side.

The same side that had been burned.

Barnum nearly went slack-jawed watching the young man stumble into his office. Phillip's eyes were bloodshot - almost wild, but not drunk.

Barnum's partner licked his chapped lips, took a deep breath, and winced - though, Barnum noticed, he tried not to show it. He squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering as he spoke.

"I quit."