Inkblot [A Splatoon2 Fanfic]

Chapter Thirty-Four

When Tres and Hachi returned home, Spyke was waiting with Maury. Noticing the distraught look on Hachi's face and Tres's messy wound, they both quickly went to work—whike Maury spoke with Hachi in the bedroom, Spyke cleaned Tres's wound, having to remove a bullet and stitch it up.

"I'm amazed you're still alive. Had he shot you a little further up, you'd have probably bled out." He said.

"I kinda wish I kept the gun. It'd be nice to have a relic from before the flood—OW!" Tres cried out as he felt the needle pierce his skin. "Fuuuuck, this sucks ass!" He hissed.

"Calm down, you're not the only one with issues." Spyke smirked, although they both knew he was serious.

"So that guy you were with, Maury was it? He was taking care of Átta, right?"

"That's right."

"And she's escaped..."

"Under Zero's control, no doubt. She's a strong girl though. If we're lucky, she can push through." Spyke started to bandage Tres's leg.

The squid frowned and looked toward the shut door where he knew Hachi and Maury were talking.

"I didn't want Hachi to be the one to pull the trigger... I mean—I know he's killed before when he was taking those damn tests in the subway, but... this was different... he was able to see him die... he didn't just burst in a puddle of ink, Hachi could actually see Conway's blood and see him slowly die..." Tres said quietly. "And I just sat there and watched it happen..."

"You can't blame yourself, you were hurt."

"Injury's never stopped me before."

"You put way too much pressure on yourself, kid." Spyke shook his head.

Although, Tres didn't want to admit it, he knew the urchin was right. He didn't know why he held himself accountable for so many things that were out of his hands. Life was rough and unfair. Tres knew he was gonna have to accept that sooner or later.

"Alright, I'm done. You'll feel some pain for a few days. But, soon enough, you'll be walking just fine, you won't even notice they're there." Spyke stood up with a grunt. "Also, avoid changing to a squid or changing skin tone. It can mess up the stitches or increase the irritation."

Tres gave a nod and stared at the stitches on his leg. They felt weird, but he figured he'd get used to it. Maury came out the other room just then, carefully shutting the door behind him. For a second, Hachi could be heard crying.

"Is he ok...?" Tres asked.

"He needs some time to relax... poor boy, he's been through so much." Maury folded his arms and looked down.

"He'll be ok. I'm gonna try and get in contact with Marina and find her location. With a murder in these parts, police'll be going door-to-door to find witnesses."

   Tres winced at the thought.  The victims were always the ones getting in trouble...

————

   It was raining a little. That combined with darkness wasn't something Regal liked. He stared out the car window with his headphones in to avoid hearing his baby brother's loud whining. His mother, in the drivers seat, looked at him and tapped his shoulder.

   "Give Bay his bottle, I don't want him making so much noise." She said.

   "We shouldn't have to worry, mama. There's not a lot of people out right now." Regal said, turning to give his brother his bottle anyway.

   "You've seen what's happened on the news! The people rioting at the pharmacy, the looting in the grocery stores, we can easily get hurt out here!"

   "Mama, don't worry! I'm capable of protecting us. Remember, I'm Rank X?"

   Regal's mother sighed. She always was the worrisome type. Nearing an apartment complex, she pulled the car to a stop.

   "Is Cliff out here?"

   "Yes, mama, he's coming." Regal pointed out his friend hurrying toward the car with a bag over his shoulder and his jacket over his head to block the rain.

   "Hey, Regal. Hi, Ms. Luana." Cliff said as he got in the back seat.

   "Ubba!" Bay squealed in his carseat.

  "Hi, Bay-Bay..." Cliff poked the baby's cheek.

   "Cliff, is your father leaving with us?" Ms. Luana asked.

   "N-No, I couldn't convince him to go... I tried hard, I swear."

   "It's alright. I'm sure he'll sleep easy knowing his son is safe..." Ms. Luana started the drive again. "Listen boys, I'm only saying this once. The city is almost overrun with Inkblot. In the morning, the whole city will be quarantined. Nobody gets in, nobody gets out. We'll be staying in a motel until I can get in touch with my sister so we fan move in with her. Under no circumstances are either of you to talk to anyone or go anywhere without my permission, do you two understand?"

   "Yes, mama..."

   "Y-Yes, Ms. Luana...!"

   "Good. The drive will be long, we're not stopping for anything until we get out the city. We have food, drinks, and books to keep you both busy. Cliff, you're in charge of keeping Bay quiet. His bag with all his essentials is on the floor in front of you, understand?"

   "Yes, Ms. Luana..." Cliff nodded.

   "Mama...? How long will we be out there...?" Regal asked.

   "I don't know."

   "Do you think we can see Tres at some point...? It's been a long time since we've talked, I remember him saying he was out—"

   "Nuh-uh. Out of the question." Ms. Luana shook her head.

   "But, mama—!"

   "Out. Of. The. Question."

   Regal shut himself up. When his mother made up her mind, there was no arguing against her. He went back to staring out the window at the rain while Cliff pulled one of the books out and started reading.

   This was gonna be a long night...