Twist of Fate

Chapter 7: Heartbreak

Klavier was weaving his Hog through the streets as he raced to get to a certain brunet's apartment. A million different scenarios played out in his mind- none of them good.

He kept hearing Kristoph's voice, telling him that Apollo was fine, it was just the flu. But there was something in his older brother's voice that ate at him. A nagging voice in the back of his mind that whispered it was a lie. Klavier couldn't leave Apollo alone, no matter how much Kristoph tried to tell him otherwise.

Kristoph had taken over as the attorney that day. He said it was because Apollo wasn't feeling well, that he had come down with the flu. Klavier wanted to press him about it, to get some smidgen of truth out of his brother for once, but the rockstar knew that that wasn't the time to do so. Klavier knew that he wouldn't get any answers out of Kristoph, so he would have to check on Apollo himself.

So they continued with the trial, Klavier working to prove that Machi shot and killed Romani LeTouse and Kristoph working to prove that he didn't. Klavier knew that Machi didn't shoot the man, he was much too small to shoot without being severely damaged by the recoil, but Klavier always prided himself on his value of justice. He knew he had to push for a verdict to find the real killer, Daryan, or else Machi would be put to death for smuggling the cocoons.

It had hurt at first, realizing that it was Daryan who was the real killer. But it made sense, more sense than Machi. Klavier had wanted to confront his friend about it before the trial, but Daryan wouldn't have admitted to it. So he had to drag it out of him. In the end, it was Daryan's own conscience that caught up with him. The bass player said that he wouldn't have been able to sleep if a kid had been put to death because of something he did and said that he forced Machi to help him.

There would be a new trial for Machi, for smuggling in their country, so he wouldn't face any death sentences.

Klavier shook his head to clear the memory of Daryan's face from his mind. He had more important things to worry about than a finished trial. Klavier sped up the moment he saw Apollo's apartment building in the distance, adding more broken laws to the list of ones he broke that afternoon.

He jumped off the bike as soon as he got the chance and bolted into the building. Apollo's apartment was on the 3rd floor. Klavier was too impatient to wait for the elevator so he ran up three flights of stairs. He was slightly out of breath by the time he reached the correct floor. Klavier was sure he looked unpleasant, but couldn't care less as he pounded on Apollo's door. Anyone looking in would have seen a disheveled drug addict eager for a quick fix pounding on some poor innocent man's door.

It took a few moments for Klavier to hear the tell-tale signs of shuffling followed by a quiet, "I'm coming calm down..." Klavier put his arm down, sighing in relief. Apollo at least sounded fine. When the door opened though, Klavier's heart stopped. Apollo was definitely not fine.

There were bags under his eyes, showing that he had slept poorly. His brown locks were all over the place making him look like he had just gotten out of bed. He was still in his pjs that were ruffled and baggy. What was most concerning was the bandage on his cheek and the splint on his right arm.

"Apollo what happened?" Without thinking, Klavier reached out to the brunet's cheek. Apollo sucked in his breath but ultimately leaned into the touch. Klavier gently rubbed the bandage with his thumb, causing a small hum to escape the short man's lips. "Are... Are you okay?" Apollo closed his eyes before pulling away. Klavier let his arm fall to his side as Apollo opened the door wider to let him in. He walked into the apartment being followed by the attorney.

The couch was moved from the last time he was here. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to notice. One of the side tables had been chipped somehow. There was a bundle of blankets against the wall, where Klavier saw a familiar calico cat sleeping. Though, she was injured judging from the bandages around her middle.