Temptation and Reason

Chapter 11

A beam of light hit Pete's face causing him to roll over with a groan. He pulled his body up and scanned the room. To his surprise, there was no one else in there with him. Normally, Ryan would be sitting on the dresser, waiting for Pete to wake up to badger him about Patrick. 

Moving the sheets aside, Pete got out of bed and walked out of the room. He made his way to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. After it was done, he went to the living room with a cup of coffee. Pete notice Brendon sitting at the edge of the couch.

The man had his head hanging down, shoulders slouched forward and elbows resting on his knees. As Pete got closer, he saw Brendon's body shaking slightly. Brendon's hands were clenched tightly together. Pete slowly moved over and sat beside him, setting his coffee down. 

"Hey Bren," he spoke quietly, not wanting to startle the man. When Brendon didn't respond, Pete looked around, hoping to see Ryan walk into the room. He knew Ryan could make Brendon feel better. He was confused when he didn't spot Ryan and turned back to Brendon.  

"Brendon, where's Ryan?" Brendon let out a shaky sigh, but didn't answer. "Brendon?" No response. "Where's Ryan?"

"Ryan," Brendon repeated softly. He slowly unclench his hands, revealing a couple white feathers he was holding. "He's gone..," he whispered. He gently blew the feathers out of his palm. Pete followed the feathers as they drifted down to the floor. 

"What do you mean gone?" He turned back to Brendon. He waited for a response, but was only met with more silence. "Brendon," Pete rose his voice to get Brendon's attention.

"He. Gone," Brendon spat each word through gritted teeth. Pete sighed in frustration. Brendon clenched his fists at the sound. 

"I don't know what you're talking about. What do you m..."

"He's gone Pete!" Brendon was on his feet, body heaving with his deep breaths. "Gone."  His voice was loud and clear, filled with venom. "Andato! Borta! Disparu!" Pete flinched as Brendon shouted each foreign word at him. Brendon grabbed the first thing he could get his hands on and hurled it at the wall. Pete didn't need to watch it hit the wall to know it was broken now.

Brendon brought his hands to his hair and gripped the roots tightly. His eyes were shut tightly as he pulled at his hair. Pete watched him try to convey all his feelings through a strangled scream. Brendon dropped himself on the couch, looking exhausted. Pete barely heard him speak two more words before silence fell on the room again.

"He's gone..." Brendon shut his eyes while a few tears streamed down his face. 

"Why is he gone?" Pete asked hesitantly after they'd been silence for a little bit. Brendon's chuckled turned into a growl while he clenched his fists.

"The deal," he answered plainly. 

"Deal? You have to be more specific buddy." Brendon growled irritatedly.

"It's a long story," his voice clearly showing his annoyance. Pete motioned for him to continue. Brendon rolled his eyes and leaned back on the couch with his arms crossed over his chest. As he started speaking, he stared forward, seemingly getting lost in the memories of his story.

"Ryan and I were assigned to you. We were fighting for you soul to bring back to our bosses. The thing about you though, you were a freebie to my side. A born bad boy, natural trouble maker, the perfect edition to our collection of souls. For Ryan, you were a lost soul that just needed to be guided back to the right path." Pete could see the eye roll Brendon was holding back. 

"He tried so hard to get you doing the right things. I really just sat back and threw out a few suggestions, which you took," Brendon added with a devilish smile. "But that stubborn boy was determined to guide you. A few times, he almost got you." Brendon paused and bit his lip. He took a small breath.