Vi and Hollow
Vi takes care of his flock, even when sometimes they come home covered in blood.
Hollow stumbled back into the music center at 2:00 AM. Vi was sitting at the piano bench next to the entrance and stood up. Hollow looked down at the blood on his shaking hands. He had been assigned another mission and if he refused, he and all his friends would be in danger. It’s been like this since he was twelve. “Come on,” said Vi, turning around and expecting him to follow. Hollow did so and walked past the rooms of his sleeping friends. He glanced at Bea’s name on her door and looked away quickly. Vi turned into the bathroom and Hollow followed in.
“Here,” said Vi, picking up a bucket he had already filled with soap and water. He placed it in front of Hollow and Hollow sat down in front of it, placing his hands into the water and rubbing away the blood. Vi walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a fingernail scrubbing brush and took one of Hollow’s hand in his, and began scrubbing the blood out from under his nails. They did so quietly every time Hollow came home after an assignment. Vi never asked questions. How it went, who he had to kill, what he was thinking. Hollow spoke when he wanted to and Vi listened. It’s been like this since Vi found out about his situation.
Hollow decided to speak this time. “I want out, Vi. I want out so bad.” Vi stopped scrubbing.
He didn’t look up. “I know. I know, and I promise I’m working on it. I won’t rest until you’re out of this situation.”
Hollow took in a shaky breath and Vi continued scrubbing. Once he was done with that hand, he moved on to the other. “Did you get any on your clothes?” asked Vi.
“It’s on my shoes and my pants. But the rest of it is clean.”
“Alright. I’ll get them washed. Go to your room and change and we’ll take care of it, alright?”
Hollow nodded slowly. “Okay.” He stood up and left the room. Vi stood as well. He walked out and looked over at the door Hollow had glanced on his way over. Hollow cared deeply about her. But he didn’t want them finding out that she was especially important to him. She didn’t know what he did, but she trusted him.
Hollow came back out of his room and handed Vi his stained shoes and pants. “Go get some rest,” said Vi. “I’ll have them back in your room tomorrow. Let me take care of the bucket.”