The Diamond Cult

Francis

The loud music drowned out Unknown's thoughts. He'd emerged himself into his work.
He'd rolled himself under a car. He recognized the clicking of shoes.

"Azra?"

He rolled back and looked at Azra who was turning down the music.

"Cerberus really does know you."

"What are you doing here? I never gave Cerberus the address of-"

"Is that your biggest concern?"

"Right now? Yeah."

"A quick call was all I needed, if you want to know."

"Hmm, take a seat sir."

Unknown wiped his face with a handkerchief and took out a chair.

"What do you need from me?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Thank you for your concern."

"How are you dealing with it?"

"I'm not, that's my way."

"I know, but I think-"

"I apologise for interrupting you, but are you here to lecture me even though it's your fault he's dead?"

"I-"

"No, no not you Azra."

Unknown took a deep breath.

"I've dealt with countless deaths, family, friends, comrades, but none of them have hurt like this. I don't want to hear what you think. Let us grieve, Azra. Give me time to find a place for this. To find a way to forgive you. He had a family, a son, Azra. That little boy is going to grow up without a father. Have you told his family?"

"I haven't, I won't until we get his body back."

"He will be missed. When are you planning to get his body back?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know!"

"I don't know, okay."

Unknown's coworker peeked in.

"Dave, there's someone who claimes to have a package for you."

"Thanks Brian, I'll handle it."

Unknown stood up and looked at Azra.

"Leave, I don't wanna see you in the next few weeks. Think Azra."

Unknown walked away and by the time Azra had made his way out Unknown was nowhere to be seen.

-

Cerberus smiled at his date, Francis. He kept his eyes on her as she ordered fries and a burger.

"Cerbi, aren't you gonna order?"

"Oh yeah, uh large fries, two hamburgers and a chicken box please. Oh and a large Cola."

She smiled at him as she played with her earrings.

"You're always hungry, huh?"

"You know me. How do you like my city?"

"Your city?"

She giggled and put her hand on Cerberus' hand. She gently caressed his bruised knuckles.

"I'm really happy to be here, Cerbi."

He stared at her brown eyes, almost getting lost in them.

He snapped out of it when the waiter brought their drinks.

"Strawberry milkshake for the lady and a large Cola for you."

Cerberus watched the waiter walk away.

"I don't like the way he looks at you."

"Oh, people can't look at me now?"

"His eyes aren't worthy."

"Your knuckles are bruised enough. Please, don't get into a fight again."

"I- okay. All I'm saying is that you're too beautiful for him to look at you."

She rolled her eyes, slightly blushing.

She suddenly started frowning.

"What?"

"Where's your necklace?"

"Oh, I left him in my bag at the apartment. He almost got stolen last weekend, so I don't really want to walk around with it, especially not in this part of the city."

"Wow, Cerberus is taking safety measures. Old man in changing you."

"Oh, shut up."

-
Sometimes you gotta bleed to know
That you're alive and have a soul
But it takes someone to come around
To show you how
She's the tear in my heart
I'm alive