Love & Deceit

Chapter 28: The Illicit Tomes

The next thing I know I'm falling on the hard wooden floor with a thud. Ouch I think I broke something...god why can't teleportation ever just be easy? I quickly got up, rubbing the side of my thigh where I landed, eyes roaming my surroundings in an attempt to get my bearings. I'm at...the HQ dojo? Thank god it worked...but where are the others?

My answer came a second later when multiple groans were audible behind me. When I turned around, Ash, Masao, Mary and Charles were all sprawled on the floor. Ashton was sitting up rubbing his temples.

"What the fuck happened?"

"Fuckin' James happened..." Charles replied, while getting up.

"At least we're all in one piece. I will consider that a victory." Masao was getting up off the floor, brushing himself off, to get rid of any dust or debris.

Mary looked distraught, as if her world had been dropped out from under her. Charles realized this, getting up and sitting next to her, cradling her in his arms. I was about to go and sit next to them when I realized that Matt was nowhere in sight. I felt fear grip my chest.

"Matt! Where's Matt?!"

I heard his voice from behind me, at the far end of the dojo.

"Right here, Angel."

I quickly turned around, and ran towards him practically tackling him in a hug; he lifted me off the ground hugging me as tightly as he could; showing me all of his love through such a simple gesture. I was about to let go, when I could feel his arms tightening around me, almost like he was afraid that if he let me go that I would dissipate like dust in the wind. A few moments later we both let go.

I looked up, taking in his face, which looked paler than usual; I just realized that I hadn't gotten a good look at him back in Dominican. The bruising around his eye, his tattered wardrobe, his muzzled hair. Come to think of it, he's not standing entirely straight either, almost like he can't... fuck; what did James do to him? I could feel tears welling in my eyes. This is my fault...

"Hey...don't worry."

"Don't worry...? LOOK at you!"

"I'm fine." he brushed it off nonchalantly but I wasn't going to have any of it, he looked like he got hit by a truck. I just shook my head and dragged Matt over to Masao, who took one look at Matt, furrowing his eyebrows.

"My how the wildflower wilts..."

"Masao, I'm fine, no need to get all poetic on me."

"Tsk, tsk...dear Matthew. The fish that swims against the current, ends up in a whirlpool."

Matthew looked at me in confusion.

"That's Masao for: you're going to the infirmary whether you like it or not."

"Rave-"

"Whether you like it or not, Matthew."

He still looked like he wanted to argue, but something about the expression on my face must have changed his mind, as he took my hand in his own, and looked at Masao.

"Lead the way, Poeticule."

"Hey! I resent that comment."

"Maybe you should write a poem about it..."

"I just might." Masao gave Matt a playful wink before walking off, gesturing for us to follow him.

He led us straight to the Infirmary where he told Matt to sit down so that he could examine him. When he was done Masao gestured for me to speak with him outside. We walked out of the infirmary and sat down on a nearby bench.