Words In The Dark

Chapter Five: Tenebris

Chapter Five: Tenebris Is Forgiven, But He's An Asshole

     Tenebris was curled up in a ball on his bed when Elise came and found him. He didn’t pay her any attention when she stepped through his doorframe, though. Her mouth was pressed into a firm line, and her hands laid confidently on her hips, a sure sign that she was pissed. Tenebris rested his head on his knees and stared at his feet so he wouldn’t have to look at her—definitely angry—expression any longer. He could feel Elise’s gaze burning into him like a fiery furnace, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. They sat in silence. Elise, stared at him while she waited for him to react or even just jump to defend himself, and Tenebris stared at his sock covered feet, lost in blank thoughts.

     “Tenebris.”

     Elise’s tone was rough and sincere, but Tenebris detected a hint of pity underlying her firm words. He grimaced. Pity was the last thing that he wanted at the moment. He didn't deserve it.

     Taking a moment to focus, Tenebris felt his anger slowly pour out of him like water out of a vase. The grip on his knees loosened and he adjusted himself into a more relaxed pose. Looking up at Elise, he gave her a sad look. “I get it.” He stated quietly. “I’m in trouble. Just lay down the law already and get it over with.”

     The mint haired girl let out a staggered breath. “Ten, I get that you’ve had it tougher than any of us at the group, but just because somebody new comes along doesn’t mean you can torment them to wits end.” She ran a hand down her face, and Tenebris noted that she looked really tired. “You really scared the hell out of that poor kid.”

     Tenebris rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I seem to do that.” He muttered. Elise scoffed. Tenebris could almost hear what she would say next. There is just no getting through to you, is there?

     “You don’t get it.” He said before she could. The black haired boy’s tone was quiet. “I’ve told you before. I’m trouble. I mean, I get why you keep Solis around. He’s all bright and bubbly and he can heal the whole team.” He sighed and looked down again. “You only keep me around because we’re a packaged deal.”

     Tenebris lifted his head and watched Elise. She frowned at him, but didn’t reply. She opened her mouth a few times, as if she was going to snap back a remark, but then she’d close it again and resume her thinking. “I want you to know I’m pissed at you.” She said calmly. “Hell, I was going to scream and yell once I got here, and maybe punch you once or twice.” Elise crossed her arms. “On my way over here, though, I decided forcing you to apologize to Cesar would be punishment enough.” A sickly sweet smile graced her features.

     Tenebris groaned and fell back on his bed. “I don’t even know the kid that well.” He complained, staring up at the white ceiling of his bedroom. “He just happened to be a target for a succubus, and I just happened to be there to save his scrawny ass.” He grumbled, glaring at the white above his head. He heard Elise breathe in sharply.

     “What?” She practically screeched. “You’re telling me that this boy was hunted by a succubus, and you thought it was in your best interest not to say anything? Why didn't you tell us?” And just like water evaporating off of hot concrete, all of Elise’s pity for him had vanished. Tenebris groaned at his ceiling and wished he just could fade away or get swallowed up by the ground. “Get up.” Elise demanded. He felt her hand grip the front of his shirt as she hoisted him upwards.

     “Hey!” Tenebris protested.

     “Go apologize to that boy!” She yelled, steering him in the direction of his bedroom door. Tenebris struggled and grunted in protest, but all of his squirming had no effect against the enraged woman currently throwing him around like a rag doll. Before he knew it, he had been shoved out of the comfort of his small, secluded bedroom, and into the hallway. He could hear the rest of the team’s quiet chatter coming from the living room even from in the hallway. He sighed heavily. Elise stepped in front of him, her eyebrows creasing. “I’m going to go check on the rest of the group. I expect you to hold up on your apology.”

     Tenebris didn’t respond, and instead watched her walk away. He wasn’t particularly keen on the idea of apologizing for something he wasn’t really sorry for. He had gotten off on the wrong foot with the boy. Cesar hadn’t done anything wrong, per say, Tenebris just didn’t feel like his happy attitude was good for anyone. Being around Cesar too long gave him a raging migraine. With a resigned sigh, he peered into the living room where the team sat.

     Emmet and Solis were laughing over some video game, and Elise was in a chair watching them play. As per usual, Quinn was nowhere to be found. Elsie turned her head, and when her eyes landed on Tenebris, her mouth hardened. It was a warning look. Go.

     Tenebris rolled his eyes and turned around, making a move towards Solis’s bedroom where Cesar was currently occupying. Each step he took was hesitant. Tenebris wanted more than anything to turn back, go into his room, and curl up in the comforting cocoon of his blankets. But he knew that if he skipped out on the whole ordeal, Elise would have his head. Not literally though.

     Or at least he hoped not literally.

     Not bothering to knock, Tenebris barged inside his brother’s room. Cesar was laying on his side in the middle of the bed, the blankets hoisted adorably up to his shoulders. The boy looked like he was attempting to sleep, but his eyes were shifting beneath his eyelids, giving away his cover. Nice try, dumbass. Tenebris cleared his throat. Cesar’s eyes fluttered open, and his eyes glided over to Tenebris.

     “Hi.” He greeted glumly. Tenebris’s frown deepened. There was no trace of Cesar’s usually unending cheeriness.

     And it was all Tenebris’s fault.

     “Look,” Tenebris started off roughly. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry I made you believe that I hurt Solis. He’s fine. You’re just a vulnerable dumbass, and you’re very easy to manipulate. In truth, your overbearing happiness sucks and I hate you.”

     Cesar sighed heavily and sat up in the bed. The sheets rustled as he shoved them forward. He looked up at Tenebris, his mouth wavering. He wasn’t frowning, but wasn’t smiling either. “I’m tired,” he began with, his gaze avoiding Tenebris’s, “So I’m going to say this: apology regretfully accepted.” He drew in a breath.

     He walked toward the door, but stopped just before, turning around and looking Tenebris dead in the eye.

     “Oh, and you’re an asshole.”

Word Count: 1,182

Written By: Atlas