True Deceit

Chapter 44: Virgil- The Meeting- Part 2

"Okay," Thomas felt his heart throbbing in response to Virgil's fear. "Let's continue onto the fourth topic. Should Janus be pardoned, or should he wait out his sentence?" Janus made a hissing movement with his lips, but no volume emerged as he attempting to refrain from the action. He didn't want anyone to see his anxiety tearing through his chest.

"I'm not sure if much has really changed," Virgil whispered, avoid his father's eyes. "I mean, even if he's not as evil as we thought, he still imprisoned and hurt Patton and Logan."

"I forgive him," Patton responded heartily, "He seemed really scared and uncomfortable the whole time, i think it was just a mistake. Plus, he released us both in the end."

"Yeah, well, what about Logan?" Virgil tried defensively. "He injected him with venom!"

Logan breathed, looking Janus calmly in the eyes. "I'm not going to tell a falsehood, you behaviour was inexcusable. You harmed me quite severely, and have given me a decent volume of trauma which I now must cope with. I not only lost faith in my own friends for a brief period of time, but dealt with nausea and panic, and was weakened enough to be possessed by an spirit." Janus turned away evasively, too cowardly to own his well deserved guilt. "However, you certainly appear to feel remorseful, and you too have suffered emotionally. I am willing to agree to a pardon."

"You are?" Janus voiced with wide eyes. He hastily collected himself, doing his best to sound confident. "Well, that's..." his mind went blank. Logan's words weren't shrouded in the irritation or falsity he expected, only mercy and forgiveness. "....Good?"

"Ok," Thomas spoke slowly. "Well, I suppose he's pardoned. Topic number-"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Virgil yelled. Everyone jolted, turning their eyes towards him. "Are we really just going to let him get away with this, with no consequences? He is a snake, he is a lier, what if he turns back, what if he decides to hurt someone? I've said this a thousand times, he can not be trusted!"

"But I'm sorry-" Janus stammered.

"But there is obviously something wrong with you, you used to..." he stifled a whimper, building his courage to muster. "Beat me!"

"Hey, it's not my fault your a lousy son!" Janus spat. "Remus did his chores, and closed his mouth when I asked him to. You doubted my every word and ignored my every choice until finally I had to beat you."

Thomas looked shocked. Was that the reason Virgil first came to him bloodied?

"That's because you were always lying to me! But a monster never devour me in my sleep when i didn't clean under my bed, mushrooms never grew behind my ears when I refused to wash, my drink was never poisoned because I left it out over night, and Thomas was not delivered to his parents via a flying stork! Everything you told me was a lie, how could I trust you, or respect you?"

"Because I am your Father, and I told you all that because you refused to do as I say and I needed you to stay hygienic and safe."

"You were manipulating my natural fear and paranoia, and using it against me. That was a violation of my rights!"

 "It was the only way I could get you to listen, besides, most other normal kids could handle that nonsense. If your going to point fingers at anyone, look towards your stupid paranoia."

"Hey!" Virgil barked. "My paranoia was the only reason I was critical enough of your abuse to move in with the light sides! There is still a scar on my arm by the way, do you want me to show you?!"

Janus exhaled shakily. "Fine, I get why your upset, it wrong for my to hit you. But what else could I do? You never grew up like Remus, you were so much worse! You may never have broken a window with a hammer or hid rotten eggs behind the radiator, but you were argumentative and disobedient!"

"I was just trying to be a child," Virgil wept, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I just wanted to feel safe."

Janus was trembling. "I know, I know." In a moment, he too was sobbing. "I love you, I know I failed to be a good parent, but I love you."

Virgil was flustered and stammering until finally he gritted his teeth and spoke. "Thomas, next topic, now."

"Uh, ok. Where should we put the banisher?" 

Remus wrapped his arms around Virgil, answering the inquiry. "We should destroy it, so it can never be used again. As Janus has mentioned, I am handy with a hammer."

"Sure Remus. Well, I think that covers all my topics. Does anyone else wish to discuss something?" 

Everyone was silent until Patton spoke up. "This was a great meeting Thomas, but it might be time for us all to take a break."

Thomas appeared crestfallen. "Sorry."

"Don't be, there's nothing to be sorry about," Patton voiced reassuringly. "It's just that you haven't eaten or showered, and most of us are tired from the void. Or being possessed or imprisoned. Maybe we should meet back in a few hours?"

"Okay Pat. Logan, can I have your help choosing what to eat?"

"Indeed, their is nothing that some crofters can't fix."