Warmth In The Snow

Chapter 2

My head ached as the morning sun shined its bright light onto my eyes. I couldn't recall much of anything that happened the other day, but all I could remember was that boy... It was not a dream for certain, no. He was extraordinary, different from the others I've met before.

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"Victor Grantz, a demon. Nice to meet you, dear human, Andrew Kreiss"

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I got up from the couch and stretched making my way to the kitchen. On the way there, I heard faint whimpering coming from behind the bathroom door. No one else was here besides Victor and I, he must be troubled. I knocked on the door and got no response. I opened the door and to my surprise it wasn't locked. Behind the door stood Victor, in-front of the mirror with blood on his hands. The crimson liquid was scattered all over the sink and ink kept pouring out of his eyes. Victors face looked like he was in pain. Just then, I saw what he has done to his lips. His stitches were all loose but have not come off.

"Were you... Trying to forcefully remove your stitches?" He opened his mouth attempting to talk but his once loosened stitches went back into place by itself. Victor's scream was muffled as his stitches only got tighter for each sound coming from his mouth. 

Looking me dead in the eyes, "Help me." I got hold of Victor's wrists as he struggled to try and remove his stitches.

Holding the boy back I yelled, "Victor, you're hurting yourself!" After a short while, Victor panted and stopped resisting, his body relaxed on mine. I sighed at the scene right in-front of me. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

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Victor was sitting on the couch, staring at the floor expressionless. The ink from his eyes left a trail down his face as if it were his tears. At this point, I haven't a clue on what to do next. I had not been to work for the past 2 days just to take care of him. We're running out of supplies too but I can't just leave him alone here. I'm concerned he might try to remove his stitches again. A few hours passed, I looked around to see my phone vibrating on the table. I went over to it and it seems like someone was calling:

Luca Balsa

I answered the phone. "Ring, ring~ You finally picked up!" Luca laughed, "anyways come open your door, I have a surprise for you." The call ended and I walked on over to the front door with Luca standing there giving a casual smile. "Surprise! I'm back home!"

"I thought you weren't supposed to be back until next month," I looked at him confused yet shocked.

He put the tip of his index finger on his chin, "the convention ended early so I came back as soon as I could." Assuming that he was tired from his trip, I let him inside and warm up. "So did you do anything while I was gone or did you just work your butt off the entire time, as usual?"

I shook my head in disagreement, "I did work but, there's something else." Since Victor is temporarily going to stay here, I must let him know. I took a deep breath and explained the current situation, even the fact Victor was a demon. Luca is someone I can trust with this secret. Expecting to see a frightened reaction, I instead saw amusement in his eyes.

"This gives me an idea for my next invention!" He smiled slightly showing his fang. Distant footsteps came closer and revealed Victor's slim figure at the doorframe of the living room. He looked the same as I found him. Fair skin and blonde hair, no horns or traces of demon in his appearance. Luca put down his stuff and immediately approached the other. Victor took a step back and Luca stopped in his tracks. He then apologized for his behavior, "sorry if I scared you there, I got too carried away." Victor was silent before using telepathy like he's been doing before.

"It's alright, I was just startled is all." The two gave each other a sincere smile. "I overheard Mr. Kreiss already telling you about me, sorry." The brunette then shook his head making it clear that there was nothing to be sorry about. I gave a relieved sighed under my breath leaving the two to talk. I went into the kitchen and made coffee, just how Luca preferred it.

When I came back, Luca was sleeping on the couch by the fire with Victor right next to him. I set the coffee down on the table and grabbed a nearby blanket tucking Luca in. He really must be tired from his long journey.. "He's a kind soul," Victor spoke in a silent voice. "Ever since I felt his presence, there was something off about him. In a good way I mean."

I gently petted Luca's messy, but soft hair. "Luca has always been open to new ideas, wether it is crazy or not. I'm not surprised that he wasn't afraid of the fact you weren't human," my body relaxed on the side of the couch still gently petting Luca's hair.

Victor didn't make eye contact and gazed at the flames, "you guys are very close.. I'm jealous."

I stayed silent for a moment before responding, "he was the very first friend I've ever had." I looked at Luca's black eye, "He works very hard and puts his heart and soul into every invention he creates. It saddens me that some people would take advantage of that..." The other didn't respond to this, nor did he question what happened. Perhaps he refused to be involved in this type of problem. The sun had already set and sooner or later, Victor and I drifted to sleep without realizing it.

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What?

Oh...

I see.

Thank you for telling me..