𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 | 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧

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5:38am

The thick scent of sulfur mixed with Richards body odor woke her up. The clash of his nice smell and the disgusting one caused her to sit up scrunching her nose in disgust. The room didn't necessarily reek, but the scent of death had stuck itself in the back of her throat. Looking down to her side, Richard was sleeping soundly: his hair hung loosely above his face, he looked so calm— so handsome. As she attempted to shift off the bed, the frame of another figure slept— squinting her eyes, she made out the golden messy curls: which belonged to Michael. Scoffing quietly, she crawled away. "The nerve of these two.." Tip toeing away, she stepped out and grabbed Richards cigarettes and a sweater on her way toward the balcony. Pulling a blanket along, she made her way out and plopped down on the large couch stationed on the long balcony. The view was amazing,

Quietly humming to herself, she lit up a cigarette and silently smoked her way through it— the taste was horrible, but the smell replaced the scent that remained with her. "Stupid ritual." Rose sighed, flicking the cigarette away and curling up in the seat. It was still pretty early, she could probably get in some more sleep if she managed to get comfortable. Crawling back into bed with Richard and Michael sounded uncomfortable— the loft had more than four rooms, she didn't understand why they had to sleep in the same bed with her. Once again, she got comfortable and shut her eyes, the blanket draped over her small figure.

—
12:52pm

"What do you mean you can't keep track of her?!" A voice boomed, it was enough to wake Rose up. The introduction of the sunlight hitting her eyes, made her squint and quietly groan, shielding her eyes from the bright beam, she blinked a few times. "She does whatever she wants, she'll be back." Another voice replied, "Let's not forget that we wake up, and she's not in sight."  Bringing herself up, the girl made her way back inside while staring at the arguing males. "What are you girls blabbering on about? It's too early." Both of them stared at her, "were you there the entire time?" Michael asked, earning a nod from Rose. "I woke up and was suffocated between both of you, stepped out into the balcony and somehow managed to fall asleep on that couch— ooh is that coffee?" She pointed to the mug Richard was holding, he didn't even get to answer before Rose grabbed it and took a sip.

Her face scrunched up in disgust, "You're drinking this early?" she forced herself to swallow and coughed a little, "Coffee with a little whiskey never hurt anyone." Licking her lips she nodded with a shrug, "So after the occurrence last night, I'm sure you have reassurance and a plan now?" Rose asked curiously, obviously interested in whatever Michael was going to say. "Oh yes— of course." His eyes looked darker, the same child like innocence he had carried, seemed to have diminished over night. "I have to do nothing besides set off all their nuclear weapons." The answer made her stomach drop, "They have spent years building up the power of these devices, just for them to be the cause of their demise." What the actual fuck. Rose tried hiding the uneasiness she was feeling and nodded, "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." It was as if he knew what she was thinking, "Like I said, you'd become a flower in a field of decay and nuclear waste." He traced his fingers over her temple with a small smile prying on his lips. "Richard will obviously survive the explosions, but he will be kept near by as well— you will both become my aid...I just need you to swear your alliance."

Rose grabbed the mug from Richard and willingly took another sip, she could hear a chuckle escape his lips at her reaction. "I will be in alliance for you..not what you stand for." She swallowed hard, "I want to remain neutral in all this.." Regardless of her answer, Michael seemed extremely pleased and nodded his head. "I'm going to return to Constance today and finish getting my belongings." He moved his hair away from his shoulders and trailed along quietly. "Who's that?" She asked while following behind, "My grandmother..she kicked me out a few days ago." He began to look through his bag and sat down.

"Are you sure you want to go along with that plan?" Rose mumbled silently, she was horrified of what was to come. "It has to happen Rosie, it's my purpose." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, "But— all the destruction and death." She planted herself beside him and glanced down to her lap, his hand reached for her face and tilted it up so she could face him. "Don't fear the uncertainty of the future, you're by my side." His eyes looked so dull, so cold. "I don't fear that, I fear the loss of innocence." He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, "The world is a fucked up place, It's a beautiful rose bush covered in thorns— everyone is hurting..and deserve the pain that comes.." Michael paused, "Don't fear the end, now..if you don't mind." He moved away and changed his shirt and pulled on a yellow one that complimented his khaki pants, "I'm going to head out to talk to Constance and get my stuff.."

Richard peeked his way in and nodded, "We'll wait for you here in that case." Looking up at him, Rose nodded with beady eyes and reached out for his hand. "Be safe Michael." He extended his arm and touched her temple, "Of course, here you go." He paused, taking off a ring he had on his pinky and slipped it on the girls ring finger. "I'll be there for you, even in the toxic rain storms." Michael joked, pointing back to the way they met during that storm. Although all his actions felt distant, this felt genuine for Rose. "I'll be back in less than an hour." He grabbed a denim jacket and slipped his shoes on, before disappearing toward the front door and exiting.

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