True Deceit

Chapter 7: Janus

Roman leapt forward, dragging Deceit and rising into the living room. Janus flipped, hastily jumping to his feet and grappling for a broom handle on his right which he held in both hands like a sword.

Roman did likewise, gripping a cushion in one hand like a shield and a long, plastic TV remote like a short sword. Deceit's eyes widened when he noticed that Roman had the cell keys attached to his belt, which he threw to Thomas hastily.

"Free them Thomas, go, go, go!"

"How did you get those?!" Deceit hissed angrily, dodging as Roman thrusted his weapon forward. Deceit did his best to sink down, but Roman pulled him up and threw him onto the floor. Roman went for the blow, using his superior height and strength.

Janus however was more agile and snake like, and easily rolled of the way as the remote control came crashing down on the floor where his shoulder used to be. Deceit parried as Roman striked once again, stepping back before jumping forward and thrusting Roman in the ribs. Roman fell back with a pained gasp, allowing just enough time for Janus to slip down into the dark side living room and bolt to the cell door.

"Give me those keys and get out the way," Janus spoke threateningly to Thomas, who was inches away from unlocking the door. "I wouldn't want to hurt you too."

"No, I'm not giving up on my friends!" Thomas froze for a few moments before running away, as he was in no position to fight without a weapon.

Janus rolled his eyes before bolting after him, but not before Roman re-appeared behind him and grabbed him by his scruff. With one swift movement he had Deceit on the floor again, this time wrangling the broom from his hand and holding it forcefully under his chin.

Janus chocked back, wriggling helplessly. "Remus, help!" He shouted.

Remus soon appeared, lunging onto his brother with a playful laugh. "Just like old play fights, right bro?"

Roman quickly fought him off, but with the distraction Deceit had long run after Thomas, cornering him against the shadowy, corridor wall. Thomas leaned back as Janus trapped him, reaching out his arm and pressing his palm against the wall.

"I need the keys Thomas. Give them to me, and I won't harm you." Thomas shook his head, clenching his fists bravely.

"you'll need to take me down first!"

Its suddenly occurred to Janus that the only reason Thomas was being so Roman-like was because he hadn't imprisoned him. Perhaps Roman was a more important asset of his personality than Deceit first realised.

Deceit grabbed his arm, wrangling the key's from his grasp. Thomas managed to bash Deceit's nose with the key holding hand the process, and painful sensation flooded his face and a sharp cutting feeling slitting from his lip to his chin.

Deceit tore them off him before bolting back down the corridor, but Remus and Roman we're both nowhere to be seen. He glanced through the bars, an instant second wave of sorrow washing over him as he looked into Patton's soft, pleading eyes.

"Janus, stop, before you or Roman get really hurt!"

"You mean before Roman gets really hurt," Deceit hissed bitterly. "You don't actually care about me."

Patton reached his hand into his pocket pulling out a handkerchief. "You're bleeding, come here, I'll clean you up. It would be immoral not to help you, no matter how evil you are."

Deceit hesitantly found himself walking forward. "You mean you would actually help me?"

"Off course!"

"Is this just a distraction?" Janus questioned suspiciously.

Patton shook his head. "Hold still, everything is going to be okay."