True Deceit

Chapter 41: Virgil

Roman was weeping, the amulet shattered in his hand. He could barely sit still, he was itching with discomfort. Now everyone knew what kept him up at night and hijacked his most painful thoughts.

"Roman..." Remus gripped his shoulder from behind, leaning over to see his brother's face. "Hey, everything's okay. I'm safe, and so are Virgil and Patton, deep breaths."

Roman dug the amulet shards into his pocket and dragged his twin towards him, embracing him around his torso. "Please don't leave me, I don't trust deceit, I really don't."

"Okay, you have my word," Remus murmured. "I love you so much."

"Are you okay now Virgil?" Patton questioned, helping him to his feet.

Virgil nodded with relief. "Thanks Dad." 

He turned to Roman, who sat coiled on the floor beside Remus.  "Virgil-"

At that moment, the sound of feet trotting along the corridor alerted the quad.

"Quick," Patton fleeted, "Hide!" The four dove under Princey's bed, pressing their bodies flat against the wooden floor boards. Virgil gasped slightly, his flight reflexes kicking in.

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Roman circling his palm on his back, soothing him like a skittish foal. Virgil felt himself relax as he whispered. "Thank you, I'm sorry I've been worrying you, i didn't mean to be a burden-"

Roman pressed his lips against Virgil's briefly, before pulling away with ruby cheeks. The pair gazed into each other's eyes.

"Hey love birds, they're gone." Patton giggled sweetly.

"You guys are hilarious. I'd love to watch you make out, but I've got a plan, so listen up." Everyone focussed their attention on the younger twin.

"We need to find the banisher so we can get rid of Vengeance, and I bet it's in Logan's room."

"Well, let's go," Patton smiled bravely. 

                                                                                      *

Thomas woke with his mind swept in chaos. Every emotions seemed strong and vivid, like it had suddenly been rammed into existence. He ran into the living room, croaking uncertainly. "Logan, Roman, Patton?" When no one rose, he closed his eyes, calling once more. "Virgil, I probably need you buddy, help me." 

Then he heard something, a feeble cry of Logic. "I'm so sorry Thomas..."

He turned on his heels, facing Logan who had risen beside him. His wrists were bound together with a black shadowed rope, and the white's of his eyes had turned to coal. "Everyone has gone, the spirit of evil has won."

Thomas breathed sharply. Gone? How could they be gone? He could feel their presence in the light side!

A terrible, evil cackling filled the room as the shadow of evil made his appearance, grinning elatedly. "Finally, you will bow to me! Grab a kitchen knife, were about to go on a murder spree." Thomas froze. Who was that, where was everyone else, what the heck was going on?!

"No, I'm still here, we can be logical," Logan whimpered.

The shadow of evil pinched Logan's chin, staring into his desperate pupils. "Thomas has no more morality, there is nothing you can do to stop me."

"What about Roman and Virgil?"  Thomas swallowed courageously. 

"Gone, I made sure of it."

"W-what about Janus?"

"Why don't you go take a look?" The shadow purred, leading the pair slowly through the corridor and entering the prison. Behind the thick transparent screen sat Janus, hugging his knees to his chest against the cell wall.

"Roman?" Janus questioned, before noticing that it was in fact Thomas standing before him, alongside Vengeance and Logan. His eyes widened as he heaved a tight breath, feeling the leash's restraint. "Vengeance? What's going on?"

"You know him?" Logan's voice came out vulnerable and pained, sending a wave of desolate through Janus's chest. He nodded tautly, flinching as the shadow galed.

"Oh, you are hilarious, pretending that you are surprised to see me." He laughed smirkingly. "I warned you, offered you a swift redemption for your betrayal, yet instead you defied me. Well, since we're all here I might as well punish you. Let's start with humiliating you, shall we?"

"Leave him alone," Logan attempted to intervene. Thomas was on the verge of tears, this was too much for one man to handle. 

                                                                                           *

Roman dashed to the cell room door, peering through the crack in the doorway. In his arms he held the banister, readying himself to dispose of the shadow. 

"You can do this,"  Virgil whispered, glancing over at Patton and Remus who were nodding in agreement. Roman was quiet, listening to the conversation being held between Deceit and Vengeance. 

                                                                                          *

"Did you know he is terrified of Prince Roman? He thinks that the man will take away his son-"

"Shut up!" Deceit hissed, his face a deep red and his heart pounding his chest. He was near hysterical with panic, his worst fear coming to life before him. "Don't you dare say anymore!"

The shadow laughed. "He dreams vividly each night. Sometimes he is afraid the prince will harm him, Remus or Virgil physically! It's so irrational!"

"I'm not afraid of that!"

"Really?" The shadow raised his brows playfully. "Then why do you dream about it?"

"Play times over, Vengeance!" Roman suddenly yelled as he barged through the door. "Time to put you back where you belong!"