Austin shook his head. He had been having a good day, but this was crushing him for some reason. He had never before craved the appreciation and acceptance of anyone. Anyone but his father. But there was something about the professor that made Austin want him. He wanted to be appreciated by him.
He stayed silent. âWe should go.â He finally muttered. It was almost a growl.
âWhere?â At once all of his attention attached itself to Austin. âPeople will see you if you leave with me- I thought- thatâs why I wasâŠâ The urge to speak evaporated; Angel looked to Austinâs eyes, trying to find some sort of answer.
It was in Austinâs tone. His snarl. His expression had seemingly switched in an instant. It startled Angel, bewildered him and confused him. Like he had been living in some sort of fantasy, a book, and had just been pulled into reality with just the faintest knowledge of what was occurring.
âTo get the file,â Austin said. He gave Angel an even stare. âAnd then youâre coming with me.â He needed the file, but he could have easily killed Angel like he had with so many other witnesses. He had already helped the professor more than any one of his so called âvictimsâ and he was almost startled by it. It was as if his brain was acting of its own accord. No. Not his brain. His heart.
âAh, alright.â His gaze broke its connection to Austinâs, and swept downwards. âI guess Iâm- Iâll be getting the files by myself? Or will you be joining me?â
There was a spot on the blank, canvas walls that Angel chose to stare at. He could no longer will himself to look at the man beside him. The professor was cloaking himself; undeniably and perpetually. There was a feeling within him, an expression that took the form of a horrendous creature. It was a sly and angered beast, brimming with temptation. It leered at him, it spoke the indisputable truth. If he stole the files, if he presented this information to Austin, then he would not turn back. He would not offer a second glance to this life.
He would abandon his life.