The Difference Between Us

{57} Maru strikes

T H I R D   P E R S O N

Logan's prediction turned out to be correct when he heard noises outside his window. He barely slept throughout the week as he anticipated a break in from Maru and sure enough, here he was. Before all this happened, Logan stayed in Scarlet's room to lull her to sleep and when he saw that she was far in sleep his nightly routine started.

If his intuitions were correct, his father would come for him today and Logan didn’t want to be caught off guard. He completed the message he wanted to send to Scarlet and sent it to her phone before walking to the table in her room and dropping his there. Taking a last glance at his beloved, he bent forward and kissed her forehead. “I trust you, Scarlet.” He muttered and left her room silently.

“Chimera, lock the house down except for the window in the guestroom.” He commanded his AI which was still connected to the house. The sounds of electronics shutting filled the air for some minutes until there was silence and the wait began.

When Logan was about to give up on his wait, the noises came from the only window opened in the house which was his window. Logan stood up abruptly and silently from his bed and moved to the end of the room in wait of his father’s emergence. The man in question stealthily climbed in through the window which closed immediately he got through.

“I see you’ve been expecting me, how clever of you. It seems like my lessons to be alert are paying off.” The man’s ominous voice sounded as he talked without even looking at his son.

“Father.” Logan seethed with venom. Maru faced him then, his mask was on but Logan could see the telltale signs of a wicked smirk. The golden contacts that the man wore did nothing to hide the evil glint in his eyes as they raked over Logan's body.

“I dropped a visit at the bus stop previously, you didn’t seem thrilled to see me.” Maru faked being hurt but smirked wider when Logan's eyes widened. Logan gasped at the revelation, that wasn’t an illusion?! It made the younger one curious as to when exactly his father found him but he decided against questioning it. “So you latched on to the one who possesses the valkeye sannin.”

At this, Logan tensed. He had been right after all. “You will stay away from her.” Logan threatened which only seemed to amuse his father.

“Oh?” the man mused, taking one menacing step after the other towards Logan who tried to remain in position. Even after all these years away from him he still managed to affect Logan and the latter hated it. “Is that an order I hear from you?” Maru questioned, daring him to say further.

Logan swallowed and looked him in the eye. “It is a negotiation. Chimera open the window to the guestroom.” Almost immediately, the window opened and Maru frowned. “As you can see, I have control over this house. If you try to double cross me, I can lock you in with me. The only other person with access to this house is Scarlet. If you haven’t noticed my cell phone is nowhere to be found, that is because I left it at Scarlet's room. All I need to do is tell my AI to send a message to call the police and that you are here with me locked in this room and it’s over for you.”

Maru stepped back which Logan appreciated. The younger swallowed and tried to keep his voice from shaking as he chose his next words carefully. His father was a smart man, a genius, so if he chose his words wrongly the man could figure out his plan. “In exchange for some answers from you, I would give you what you require of me.”

“And what would that be?” Maru asked sarcastically.

“The dragon sannin.”

Logan's heart pounded in his chest as Maru grew quiet as if to ponder upon his options. After few minutes of excruciating silence, Maru finally agreed to his terms and conditions causing him to sigh of relief. Logan however held his breath back when his father took steps towards him again. “Empty your pockets and raise your hands.” The man commanded.