(Old Version) The Blood of the Covenant

Chapter Fourteen: Matthew

Matthew sweated behind the orange and white paper mache fox mask that plastered his face, blinking through the holes that he had cut for the eyes. He pulled the hood of his sweatshirt further over his head and followed the eager tug of Cecilia's hand as they weaved through the crowds of Amberchase civilians.

"The Uber is just around the corner," she called back to him, switching her attention between the area around her, her phone, and then Matthew. "How much time do we have until that idio fades?"

"Uh, it depends. Usually, new idios fade pretty quickly." Matthew panted.

Cecilia cursed and changed her pace, causing Matthew's hand to slip from hers. God, he was exhausted. He still knew how to fight, but his body's performance suffered from malnourishment and the many years spent away from physical conditioning. His lungs burned and he doubled over as Cecilia stopped and turned. For her, a well trained and conditioned hero, this was probably nothing.

"Matthew? You okay?" She was barely even tired.

"I just—" He raised a finger, choking on his words, "need a breather."

Cecilia bit the inside of her cheek and glanced around. A few people passing by glanced at her, eyes-wide, others tried to sneak photos. It was hard not to notice her, which might've been part of the reason they were running. She quite literally stood out, like a white flower in a field of dead grass.

Cecilia's costume had changed many times over her years of fame, but the one she now wore was probably Matthew's favorite of all the designs. It was a white latex suit that covered her arms, legs, and neck. A pair of gloves accompanied it, as well as a mask that covered her whole face, save for her eyes, lower half of her face, and a hole in the back for her to stick her fiery ponytail through. But the centerpiece of the outfit was the grey design of a lotus in the center of her chest.

"Can we continue to walk as you catch your breath?" She asked with eagerness.

"Sure," Matthew breathed, straightening.

The people sneaking pictures frowned with confusion when they saw him, turning to whisper among themselves. He didn't need to hear what they were saying to know what they were saying.

Who's that with the fox mask?

He's a little on the short side, isn't he? Is it a kid?

Does White Lotus have a little sibling?

Matthew turned away from them and fixed his mask, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he followed Cecilia down to the end of the street. By the time they arrived, his breathing had calmed. And, to both of their relief, a black sedan was idling at the curb.

"There's our Uber!" Cecilia exclaimed, grabbing Matthew's arm.

She pulled him over to the sedan and opened the door, slipping into the backseat. The smell of stale cigarettes, plastic, and air freshener clogged his nose. But, one specific smell caught him frozen in his place. Mint. He could feel Pardus's stifling arms closing around him, that smell stinging like embers in his mind.

Cecilia must've seen the look on his face through his mask because she reached out and offered her hand to him. "Matthew? You okay? Come and sit."

Matthew snapped back into reality and joined her in the backseat, but couldn't shake his anxiety about that strong smell. It was like all the other smells in the car had faded, singling out the most prominent one. He looked down at his hand that held tightly onto Cecilia's and let go, just barely hearing fragments of her conversation with the driver.