Because he loved him..

35. Pride

*Third person's point of view*

John waited till he heard the footsteps disappearing downstairs and then sat on one of the chairs in the room; the perfect picture of a concerned guest.

"Did you know that so many of our customs are also observed in the animal kingdom?"

Amay didn't reply but his body tensed at the voice.

"For example, Lions. Their social structure is fascinating." Wander started eagerly.

Amay sniffed.

"A pride of lions has an alpha lion or two, a few lioness and some cubs. You know, when a lion wants to claim the pride for his own, he challenges the alpha." He gave Amay a smug smile.

Amay appeared rattled.

"If he wins, the pride becomes his to command."

"It's a lot similar to how we operate. I killed the alpha of the Merchant gang, so I became their leader." He smiled self reassuringly.

Amay's eyes welled up at the casual mention of Karim's murder.
It was still crystal clear in his memory even though it felt like it happened an eternity ago.

"There are just two differences in our case. Can you guess what's the first thing the new alpha does after taking over the pride?"

Amay frowned at that.

"He kills the cubs, every single one of them." John stated, a threatening tone in his voice. Realisation dawned on Amay and his breath shot up in dread.

"Please.." Amay pleaded.

"It's always cleaner to eliminate the whole tribe, no scope for vengeful retribution." John stated matter of factly.

"Please.....I beg you. Please don't hurt Arlo."

"Oh don't be stupid. Why would I hurt an ally? He has been so useful. Didn't you wonder why your senses are addled today?"

Amay stared at him.

"He drugged you. Of course, he didn't know that but still, he has been a great help."

Understanding appeared very slowly on Amay's features and when it finally sunk in, he stared at John in fear and contempt.

"Don't look at me like that. Don't you wanna know about the fate of the lionesses of the pride?"

Amay raised his eyes in consternation. He was certain that he wouldn't like it a bit.

"The new alpha gets to claim all of them. It's his right." He shrugged, without breaking eye contact.

Amay paled.

"Nobody protests it. So, after Karim died, his wife, or in your case, his husband; excuse me, was supposed to be my property." He pointed a finger at Amay, "You broke the custom."

Amay appeared horrified and repulsed at the prospect and started panicking.

"You know, like you; sometimes, a lioness decides to escape after the alpha is killed, which is obviously a loss for the new alpha. So what does he do?" He raised his eyebrows.

"He keeps one of the cubs as captive and promises not to hurt it as long as the lioness stays in his pride." John leaned casually back in the chair.

"It almost always works. Now it's upto you to decide if it's going to work in our case or not." John declared.

Amay understood the implications of that threat. If he were to leave again, Arlo's life wouldn't be spared. Amay's despair just increased a hundredfold.

He was struck here. He didn't want to stay, He couldn't leave. It was the second time life was trying to cage him into being somewhere he didn't want to be.

The first time destroyed so many lives. He didn't know he even had the strength to survive it again. Not after he knew what it was like to be free.

Footsteps on the stairs broke Amay's thoughts and Arlo swaggered his way into the room, his opened shirt hanging loosely on the sides.

John raised his eyebrows.

"All done. I have also opened the windows to let the air in and changed the old bedsheets." Arlo informed.

"Such a nice kid. I was just keeping your da company. Though, I am afraid he'd rather have you." John smirked at Arlo.

Arlo avoided meeting John's yes. "Did you need anything else?"

"Ahh. No..I just came up to check why the screams had stopped. I will leave you two alone. I am sure you two must still have a lot to catch up on." John winked at Amay and patted Arlo's shoulders.

"Don't let him out of your sight."

Arlo nodded and watched John walking downstairs. He waited outside for a few more minutes and then burst into the room. Amay flinched despite himself and tried to sit, bracing himself on the bed.

"Arlo! You..You need to get out of here." Amay told Arlo.

Arlo smirked. "I am not going anywhere."

"No. Arlo! That....that man is.... he is dangerous..he threatened to kill you if I left." Amay whisper shouted.

"He did?" Arlo asked but he didn't look convinced. Amay only looked more desperate now.

"And why would you wanna leave? Don't you like it here?" Arlo asked.

"Like it? Arlo, he kidnapped me! He even got you to drug me! That's why I can't move around much! Please, just leave. You have to leave."

Arlo frowned.

"Well in that case, you know how to save us both, right? Just stay here, with me. We can both be family again."

"It's not safe!" Amay's voice was filled with emotions. "Please Arlo, go get Ray or Samar."

Arlo's eyes hardened immediately. Amay also realised his mistake, The rapport that he had established with Arlo had been lost again.

"I see what this is about now. You just want your lovers back! You were just trying to trick me. You will regret this." He took his shirt off and threw it on the floor.

"I will show you." Arlo pushed Amay on the bed again. Amay whimpered in distress. "I will show you that I can be better than them. I will prove it to you."

Amay didn't know what to do except cry in frustration and imminent agony.

Like so many of his nightmares, his hands were held all over again. That sense of being crushed under someone, that utter feeling of defeat. That demeaning touch of another body. He had shut his eyes. He was tired. His body was shaking.

Shadows moved in front of his eyes but he didn't dare open them. He just couldn't. He couldn't watch himself being destroyed all over again.

There were goosebumps on his body. The Shadow was speaking something but he didn't want to hear those mocking words. He couldn't stand it. The unrelenting need of people to be this violent. It was cruel, it was heart wrenching.

He wanted it all to stop, he wanted it to end. Why wouldn't it be over? He wanted to scream but he didn't want to open his mouth. No. He would just keep quiet or was he screaming already? Where was this voice coming from? Who was shouting?

*Phew!This took so long to be out here but I am glad I picked it up again, I hope I am able to finish it this time. Votes will be very encouraging, thanks.*