You notice her hands are cold as you touch them. You're sweating, your face is flushed, and you're crying. She is not breathing. You can't breathe, or at least you can barely breathe. Your best friend is dead and it is your fault. Was it not your idea to use your brother's car and drag her out for a drive?
You're bleeding and your head is thumping. All you can hear is the broken car alarm and the approaching ambulance and police vehicles, but atop of that you can hear her last words ringing, saying; "stop the car! Stop it!" but you are unable to because it's late and there are no cars at this time of the night.
None of you could tell that there was an incoming car from the intersection, hell, you didn't know it was actually a truck. Instead you keep driving, hit the gas, swerve because it felt great to feel the terror in the person sitting shotgun. Before that, you remember knocking on her door, still in your pajamas and yawning, spinning the keys around your fingers. She answers the door with a confused look--you probably woke her up from her sleep--and just agrees to go out with you because she loves you.
It didn't matter if she loved you that way or the other way; you didn't want to know and you wouldn't ever know. Both of you slip into your seats and no seat belts because you're daredevils for all you knew. You step on the gas again. Laughter and then tears, you're confused and you didn't want to hear it; you didn't want to remember it.
But you do.
This was no accident. You escaped with a few broken ribs but she didn't escape it at all. Her legs are caught in tangles and her torso has been impaled by a rouge metal bar. You don't know how it happened but it did. You scream because that was the only thing you could do. You can't go back in time and hit the brakes, or change the way you thought about taking a drive. It should've been me, you think, but no, it was her and nothing could change that.
The light flashes like some kind of transition from a video game you picked up on the way home. It’s bright, obviously, but it’s the type of bright that renders you immobilized for a few seconds. You just woke up from a nap. No dreams, whatsoever. You find yourself staring at a computer screen.
Thirty minutes later I see some of them arriving at the dock armed with rifles and shotguns and their unconventional luggage. I sit in total silence from the ruined building that sat across the bay. I didn't need to approach them, I only wanted to see them off. I could've given them a grand send-off, but I reckon she'd only want to keep this a secret. She didn't even tell me where she was going exactly.
And then I remember the red-headed angel that saved her from falling from grace. She's gone now too, and she's probably with him now. Isaac. I didn't want to remember, but I can't not remember him. He's everywhere; where I eat, where I sleep, where I slay zombies and kill my feelings.
Last night on the beach, she told me she needed the space. She had me cut her hair in a way that she would not be recognized. I still did, though. I've known her for the longest time, so it was hard not to. She told me she needed to start over again--and she will. I will as well, but not the same way that she is.
"Are you leaving?" That is what I ask her and she looks at me, reluctant of answering.
"Red," She coaxes me by just saying my name. "I need to do this."
"Can't I come with you?" The Bitch places her hands on my shoulders and looks at me. I knew that she meant to say no but she couldn't say it.
"There are people who need you, you know."
I know.
"But what about me? I need you." It was selfish of me but it was the truth. I don't think I can handle such an amount of emotional stress. "You're going to leave me too?"
She pulls me into a hug. "You'll be a Queen, a great queen, and you'll lead a kingdom, Taft will be strong under you." What was she supposed to tell me? Yes, I am leaving you. This was the acceptable method of parting and it was more than enough for me.
"Is that an order?" I ask her.
"Don't take orders from anyone, Red."
We let go.
I let go.
I stand up.
I didn't need to see them off. It was alright this way. That was enough of a send off. All she needed was my support and that is exactly what I am granting her. I need not worry because I know she wouldn't want to make anyone worry at all. I know she'll come back. And when she does, I'll be a real Queen and Taft will be the best zombie hunting capital.
It's dawn and they've probably set their sails, but I did not look back as I headed off towards my quarters.
The tower also has a number of bridges that extend to rooftops and roads for easier access to those with cycles and stallions. Before that, you must also pay respect to their god who has monuments placed at the side of every entrance.
The highest level is the royal family's private reserve. No one is allowed in there without permission from the King/Queen.
The level below that is reserved for the knightmares and their armory. Below that is the one for their families.
Aristocrats who can afford to live in the tower stay in the next few floors. They are mostly the ones who do not like mingling with commoners.
An array of facilities are accessible if you have been granted a pass by someone in authority here. Typically first tier pilots and knightmares need no pass.
Beneath the facilities is known as the plaza, where common people may be allowed to get in with close inspection. This is where the stables are located and the bridges begin.
The lowest level is off limits to everyone but of those who are of royal blood. Since the current Queen does not share the blood with her husband, she cannot get through the gate. The gate primarily requires blood as a key to enter it.
It is rumored that beneath the tower is the ultimate secret of the city and as well as its power source. Some say it brings ultimate happiness as well. Since no one has accessed it in a very long time, the people believe it to be an old myth.
The Prince, however, has access to this. He tells no one about it.
The Prison Hole is also a key in the city. The higher level you are placed, the lesser the crime you've committed. It has been modeled after a sink hole and is oftentimes known as the black hole and the bottomless pit. The lower you get, the faster you are to lose your sanity.
Location wise, the Tower is in the middle of the city, just greeting the bay by a few hundred meters. As many revolutions have passed, it has been proven that it is indeed indestructible.
She had her fist planted on the Jabberwock's broken snout, electricity surging from her gloves. What made it look more interesting was that she was wearing his coat of redemption, and it was burning. Robin wondered if he looked that cool when it was ablaze. She was panting heavily, and scrunched her hands together before stretching.
"Uh, damn, and I thought I was the dragon slayer around here." He complimented, scratching the back of his head. Nine hadn't taken notice of him before this, so she turned, a bit shocked.
"Sorry about that," She muttered, their eyes meeting for the very first time while they were on this so-called journey. He stared back at her solemnly. "Listen, Robin--"
"I don't get it."
"Don't get what?"
"Why is your name 'Nine'?"
"And why are you 'King'?"
Robin walked over to her, eyes not flinching. They frowned at each other in silence before he asked her: "Why?"
Nine could not give him an answer. Instead, she swooped his coat off of her, effectively extinguishing the flames as well, and handed it to him. "Your coat saved my life for the second time around."
"Always," Robin whispered to himself, shaking his head. He took it, and from then on, avoided her gaze. After all, she was clad in nothing but a ringmaster's costume that was now torn and tattered. As much as he'd want to lend her his coat once more, he knew she wouldn't accept it. Instead, he decided to distract himself and examine the fallen wife.
Nine talked no more, and from the distance looked at Noelle. She was carrying Max on her back. "Nine!" She shouted, and the older girl responded with a wicked smile as Noelle came tumbling down the stairs.
"You know her name, right?"
"She said it was Noelle."
"No," Nine kicked the Jabberwock's neck. "That's not her name. She doesn't even know."
Robin glanced at her. "I don't understand what you're saying."
"Disassociate yourself from her. You'll be in danger."
"Are you telling me what to do?"
"You make me wor--" Worry? No. "You make me work harder than I should, Robin. Leave after tonight."
Before Robin could react, the girl in plaid had rushed over to Nine, asking for medicine. He bit his lip. He couldn't leave her just yet, could he? But she--Nine--he makes him wonder.
It was a Friday, approximately seven o’clock in the evening. The hot spell somehow never faded as the evening passed over the busy streets of Manila. Though the temperature might have dropped considerably for most people, Hector did not think so. The heat remained as he leaned idly on the bar’s glass window, watching people enter and exit his gaze. Hector was sure the bar would brim with people in the next few hours. Pretty women, who were hired by the bar, clad in dresses that exposed their thighs would garner twice the amount of men today rather than any other day of the week.
He clicked his tongue.
He thought it was absurd for women to be dressed so scandalously—it was almost as if they were asking for it... Hector wouldn't really mind if they did ask for it, though. He closed his eyes for a second. The image of him holding a woman to the wall, working his hand beneath her dress, caressing the hind of her ear with his tongue—He clicked it again. He was throbbing. Now was not the time to fantasize, no, not when he knew he could just turn it into straight-out reality in a snap of his fingers. See, he was a man of natural beauty, a body fit for an athlete and a face that sits well on his head. It would be easy.
About nine thirty in the evening, Hector decided to find his prey. The heat had him stirred. As predicted, the bar was now full of individuals and these individuals were all too busy rubbing their bodies against each other. There were lovely ladies from afar, but it seems it was just the strobe lights making all the magic. None had captured much of his interest; maybe that one girl who—oh, apparently she’s with her boyfriend—and now they were twisting tongues. He clicked his own tongue once more.
At ten, he was about to give up. It became a bit cooler than a while ago. He found decent company, he supposed, girls who wore daisy dukes and fitted tops, but later on they’d find another man to deal with. The furthest he got tonight was a grind to his crotch and that was it. Were the men inside the bar all more attractive than he was this evening? No, it couldn’t be possible. Maybe the problem were the ladies? Too much alcohol, perhaps? Yes, that must be it. Alcohol did a lot to a person’s sight. He needed a drink.
Ten thirty, it became cold. Hector had settled down on the bar itself, and that’s when she came in. Heads turned, the music seemed to lower in volume, and for that moment, she was all everyone could see. The man tried to regain his composure, because he swore he almost spilled his beer. He took hold of a fork nearby and let his hands fumble with it as he scrutinized the woman.
She wore red velvet heels and had magnificent long legs that were accentuated by her tight black dress. He notes that the dress fell perfectly on every curve of her figure. His eyes met hers for a moment and he knew they gleamed brighter than the lights. Hector noticed her pouty lips form a small smile—he returned it!—before running a hand through her short, dark hair that glistened with luster. As everyone else in the bar composed themselves, the maiden made her way through the thick crowd and soon she stood in front of Hector. The music picked up again and the noise seemed to be back to normal. His hands kept the fork in his pocket.
“Agatha,” is what she greets him, the tip of her finger caressing her bottom lip.
“Hector,” is his response.
He offered her a sip on his beer. She did not refuse. The man took another drink and did so again. Agatha did not refuse. A few more of that and throw in a good laugh, she might’ve been hit. He took it back when she was finished and gestured her towards the dance floor. Again, she did not refuse. When their feet began move in circles, he felt it rise. The heat was back. In a matter of minutes they were tangled in their own hands, and then their tongues. Hector was pleased, for tonight, he will feast.
“Red! What happened to you?! Are you alright? Oh lord, we need to get you dry quickly!” Sister Maria exclaimed as she stood in front of the gates to greet me.
“It’s okay! I’m not that injured,” I forced a grin as I hopped off of my stead, Peter the rabbit. It was the giant rabbit hopping around Taft during the war, and Matthias gave him to me as a present. I led him back to the base as I walked with Sister Maria.
“But your dress, golden child! Look at all the tears and dirt and blood and oh, Alexandra will question you the whole evening if we don’t get you treated!”
“That’s not blood, that’s my hood!” I giggled, shaking my head. “Seriously, I’m fine. No need to be so worried.”
Entry #3
I took a day-off today because I don’t feel all too well. Every time I try to move, my head just goes all fuzzy. Maybe it’s the sudden temperature drop. Right now I’m having a small tea party with the Duchess. I invited her over because I wanted to share some intel with her and likewise. She thinks I might be sick, but that can’t possibly the case, right? She’s going to take me to target practice to prove her point—hahahah! I’ll show her. Red can’t be sick! I’ve got an immunity system as powerful as the Avatars!
Entry #4
I accidentally shot the alarm yesterday and everyone panicked. Okay, fine, she’s right. I could be sick. Saxxon’s back but he thinks I’m doing fine so we went out mini-treasure hunting. Really, it’s not that bad. It could be worse, like, I could get a sprained foot or a broken arm.
“How are you feeling, Golden Child?” Magdalene holds me in her arms protectively as I wait in my room for something…to happen, I guess? For someone who doesn’t fancy being around people, she sure is okay with being with me.
“I’m okay.” I’ve been telling them that over and over, but my crusaders refuse to leave me alone. I’m touched, really.
“Are you hungry?” She pats my head like I’m still a child. Well, I’ll be turning 18 soon anyway.
“Hmm…A bit?” And as if she was a ninja—I really think she is—she was out of her position and I hear her on the other side of the room on her phone.
“The Golden Child is hungry! Prepare a feast!” My eyes widened.
“NO NO NO NOT THAT HUNGRY! I just want a potato and I’ll be fine!” I exclaim, waving my hands in front of her face.
“Alright, fine,” Magdalene nods before turning back to her phone. “Prepare a potato feast!”
I facepalmed myself. It was going to be a long night.
Entry #5
I am sitting on my throne, waiting for Price to make his report when suddenly, Therese storms in with needles in her hand and spare red cloth. Sister Maria storms in right after and so does Saxxon. Last night was a handful. I have no idea where the alcohol came from, but people got drunk last night and I had to take them all back to their rooms.
My head hurts. Price tries to talk, but he’s too annoyed at the fact that Therese is taking my measurements and thinks I’m not paying attention to him. Sister Maria and Saxxon are engaged in a very cocky—okay, intense, Maria doesn’t like that word—conversation and Price is trying to get Therese off of me. My head hurts. They’re all shouting now.
“You guys, quiet down.” I say. They continue to shout at each other. My vision is spinning.
“Just leave her alone for now! You can take your bloody measurements later!”
“No! The Golden Child must be growing; her clothes need to be adjusted!”
“Step away from me, blondie!”
“YOU’RE BLOND TOO YOU DICK”
“Please shut up you guys…” They aren’t listening to me, and my head is pounding. I stand up from my throne and though I’m shaking I frown before screaming that I demand respect in my own throne room. I point towards the door and they all stare at me before turning around in defeat.
My head hurts.
Price catches me before I could’ve hit the ground.
Entry #6
They all went out to get me medicine. It seems I’ve really gotten the fever. It looks bad. No one’s here to look after me but Ellie, and she’s outside playing with Peter and Ember. I think I’ll just sleep for the remainder of the day. I wished Nina was here, or James for that matter. They’d get me well in no time.
Entry #7
Aaaah. Tony came to visit today. He’s quite alarmed that I didn’t take medicine before it got worse. His dukes are with him too, and they do anything they want him to do. I wonder when my crusaders will be back? I’m going to go back and sleep.
Entry #8
So I wake up to find the lost dukes have slept over because they don’t trust Ellie as much as I’d like to. One of them, I think his name was OJ? He went out to play with Ellie and he returned with what they thought was a broken arm. It’s nothing serious though. They’re all resting in my room. Oh! And I think my crusaders have returned! Yay! I don’t think the medicine’s still necessary.
“RED! WE’VE GOT YOUR MEDICINE!” Saxxon opens the door to my room and tries to catch his breath. His expression was initially of joy, but as he saw Tony tending to me, it faded in a snap. Price also comes in with a pouch in hand.
“Don’t be so noisy—What’s he doing here?” His nose scrunched and his eyebrows furrowed. I could see it from my bed.
“Welcome back, guys,” I greet them with the brightest smile I could manage. The nun squad starts to pour into the room, and Maria stares at the line of dukes in leather jacket on my carpet. Both parties just stared at each other in confusion.
“Who in the name of god let these men—” She pauses to look at the female dukes who had their eyebrows raised at her. “—and women, IN THE PREMISES?!”
“Yeah, welcome back, guys.” AJ stated with sarcasm. “The Queen’s fine with us around so you all can leave us alone.” Price could only grit his teeth in annoyance and walked over to the edge of my bed.
“Honestly, we leave for a day and you have them over.”
“Don’t be so hostile to them, they’re guests! Tony took care of me while you guys were gone, and I think my fever’s gone down.” I say, smiling at him. Price’s look softened and he just shook his head. “Thank you for getting me medicine.” Tony just stared at Price in silence as he took the pouch from his hand.
“YOU! You don’t dare touch the Golden Child!” Sister Maria exclaimed, pointing at Tony. “You’re not allowed to defile her grace with your filthy hands!”
“Maria…he’s a guest, please don’t—”
“EEK!” I was confused for a second on who screeched, but realized it was just Sister Maria. AJ was behind her, and his hand was on her boob. Well.
“How’s that? A filthy hand on your filthy clothes.” He rolled his eyes before slapping her ass and pushing her out of the room. Saxxon was staring at him too and in a mere second, the dukes and the crusaders began to brawl. In my bedroom. Price had also joined the fray.
My head hurts.
I looked at Tony, who handed me a glass of water and a tablet of medicine. “They’re too noisy,” I frown. Tony nods, and out of nowhere he brings out a sub-machine gun, loads it with bullets and uses an imba point.
After a few seconds, the room was still and empty, save for me and Tony. He walked over to the door, locked it, and back to his seat. The chaos continued outside, but for now it’ll be quiet. He patted my head again.
“Thank you,” I smile. At least I don’t have to deal with them now.
"Are you really going to just sit here and smoke with Tony?"
"Mhm."
"You're not even going to help him?"
"Nope."
"Jesus Christ."
MJ snatched the cigarette from his hand and threw it to the ground before stomping on it with the sole of her boot. AJ stared at her; his lips thin as he leaned back on the couch and settling his feet on the coffee table. Tony watched them mutely, as always.
Currently, the Lost Dukes were located at an abandoned building around UN avenue. It was a decent place to stay in, fully barricaded and all. Someone probably used this as base once.
"Oh come on, that was gudang!" AJ stated exasperatedly. "...women."
She might've imagined it, but Tony chuckled.
"Do the moving yourself, first." MJ crossed her arms, nose scrunched in disgust. "I mean, YOU are the man, right?"
He shook his head. "OJ can handle it. He's a Duke, after all. I don't see why you're so upset about it."
“Yeah, right, a Duke with one arm in a sling.” She grimaced, setting her foot down in the gap between AJ’s legs. The male raised an eyebrow and a casual smirk.
“I hope you’re not going to give me a foot-job.”
“AGH!” MJ grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and glared at him. “You son of a—“
“Now you want to kiss me?”
He was mocking her!
“DUDE—OJ is in NO CONDITION to do manual labor!” MJ didn’t know, but her face was flustered, colored in a bright shade of pink. Was it out of embarrassment or anger? She wouldn’t really be able to tell. “He might not even be able to carry anything properly, you know? If you were injured like he was, he wouldn’t let you carry anything at all!”
AJ tried his best to avoid her face, but he ended up glancing anyway.
“Yeah, he wouldn’t. But that’s OJ and not me. Now, how about that kiss?” AJ winked, and then laughed.
“You arrogant fuck.”
Her eyebrow twitched as she pushed him back on the couch. Tony snorted as he picked up the lighter on the table to light another stick. AJ shrugged as he dug into his jacket’s pocket to take out his cigarette stash, but did not find it.
“The fuck did it go…?” He looked at Tony, who in response just showed him that he carried nothing but the smoke. And then it hit him. He turned to MJ, who was now staring him down with an annoying expression of victory as she waved the cigarette pack in his face.
“Looking for this?” She asked, a smug grin on her face. “Do your job or you’ll never get this back.”
“My job is to smoke and look incredibly cool, which I was doing right before you stormed in demanding that I do OJ’s job.” He replied, reaching for his pack, but MJ took a step back.
“You know what I mean.” She carefully took one stick out and smiled. “Or else.”
“You…little…bitch… You wouldn’t dare.” He gritted his teeth. At this, Tony stood up and switched glances between the two of them and slowly walked out of the room. He must’ve figured it would turn a bit ugly. This wasn’t something he’d want to feel responsible for.
“Oh, I dare alright.”
His eyes widened.
With no hesitation, the female duke tore the cigarette in half.
+ + + + + + + + + +
OJ watched AJ as he brought the remaining pile of boxes up to the room. He raised his left arm, and it stung a bit, but then let it rest back into its sling. AJ caught him staring, and forced a stupid smile at the fellow duke. He set down the box in front of OJ and sighed.
“AJ?” He adjusted his cap to get a better look at his companion.
“Ano?”
“Why are you carrying those boxes? Akala ko ako yung magdadala lahat…”
“Huh.” AJ rolled his eyes and dismissed OJ by gesturing his hand. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss how MJ tore one cigarette in half and how he felt like it was the cruelest thing someone could’ve done to him. That bitch. He’ll get her for this, he swore it. It was an apocalypse for god’s sake, and cigarettes were items that might’ve had over +50 rarity. Not to mention how hard it was to find a pack that works.
“AJ…? Okay ka lang?” OJ tilted his head, staring at his friend curiously. “Your knuckles are paling…”
AJ snapped out of his trance and finally noticed that he was gritting his teeth and clenching his fists. Smoke. He needed to smoke. If only there weren’t three more boxes down the building, he could get one. Right! Just three more boxes of ammunition and weapons. He almost wondered how OJ managed to carry all of those alone.
Then again, MJ could’ve had helped him before bursting into the room. Well, whatever. He turned to OJ once more, and for the first time, he noticed how tired the smaller duke looked like with his sling. “Magpahinga ka.” It was supposed to sound like an order, but it came as a suggestion instead.
OJ smiled. He didn’t mind. “Sige! I’ll get you some orange juice when you get back up.”
“’Geh.” AJ proceeded downstairs and mentally cursed himself. Why did he have to end up being teammates with that guy?
+ + + + + + +
“OJ? You want some more orange juice?” MJ walked into the room with a bottle of the said beverage in her hand. Tony was back on the couch, drinking coffee. OJ sat beside him and blushed slightly.
“K-kung okay lang sayo,” He muttered, looking away as she plopped down the couch across them. MJ handed him the bottle and sank back.
“Too bad AJ can’t join us here right now.” She snickered. OJ frowned a little.
“Si AJ… did you want to spend time with him?” MJ looked at his direction with a horrified look.
“What? No thanks. I’d rather spend it with you than him any day.” She chuckled, taking out AJ’s pack of cigarettes and taking one for herself. “Tony, lighter?” The leader of the lost dukes threw her a small one. “Thanks.”
MJ never took notice at how OJ gulped and began to rapidly drink down the bottle of orange juice, face all red. She lit the cigarette and inhaled before puffing out a small cloud of smoke. And then it dawned to her why AJ didn’t even think twice about agreeing to her terms.
“Sino ba talaga kayo?!” Shouts one blue duke from the other side of the mangled road. His hair was swept back with some nasty gel.
“We’re not obligated to tell you,” MJ retorts, crossing her arms across her chest. OJ is behind her—was he sniffing her hair?—and he seems to be out of focus right now.
“Maayos kaming nagtatanong!” Another blue duke chimes in. “Kung di ka lang babae pinatulan na kita eh!”
That might have hit a nerve.
“YOU SAY THAT AGAIN!”
“KUNG DI KA LANG BABAE PINATULAN NA KITA!”
It didn’t even take a bat of an eyelash for MJ to bring out her shotgun and shoot the guy straight in the head. Fortunately, AJ had caught her arm before she could’ve pulled the trigger. The blue dukes looked quite alarmed, and they all had their weapons out. There were about five blue dukes, and there were five leather dukes. Clearly it was an even fight.
“Calm down, MJ.” AJ whispered to her, lowering her arm as if to lower her shotgun. She was reluctant but let him do it anyway. “Don’t get too carried away. These guys are still dukes.”
The other dukes were already in defensive stances, but there was one of them who walked up in front of the Lost Dukes, hands in his pocket and chewing gum. “Which one of you’s the leader?” He asks, eyeing each of the ones in leather jackets. “Certainly it can’t be the girl, or the dude with the orange cap, not the pipsqueak and not the spare…so…could it be you? Something’s off…” He gestured towards AJ.
AJ shakes his head and points towards the smallest one in the group. Short cropped hair, a pair of googles and a scarf over that leather jacket. Tony. “Close enough. It’s this guy.”
The guy raised an eyebrow before chuckling. “You kidding me? Hindi naman si Kenneth yan eh!” This guy walked over to Tony and grabbed him by his shirt. “Gago pala kayo eh! Posers!”
“OI! No touching our boss!” EJ frowned, about to knock the guy off. Tony remained quiet and perfectly still. AJ, MJ and OJ were all just staring at their leader, pondering what he must have been thinking all the while. They waited for a signal—attack or to step back?
“Oh ano ka ha?!”
Tony shook his head and formed a peace sign with his hands at his captor.
“Anong peace ka dyan! What the fuck can you give us in exchange for this peace you say?” His grip was significantly less tight now and eventually had him back to where he was. The rest of the blue dukes had lowered their weapons as well and stood behind the man with the gum. Tony glanced at MJ and nodded. She seemed to have understood, but somehow her cheeks were a bit flushed as she walked over to him, handing him a pack of cards.
“Are you sure you want to give this to them?” She asks, a bit confused at his decision. Tony nods again as he begins to wave the pack in front of the other dukes. It wouldn’t take an idiot to notice the curiosity in the foreign squad’s eyes.
“Ano yan?? The fuck?”
AJ coughed. “That is the boss’ secret weapon.” He announces. “He’ll give it to you if you agree to our terms…” The man then begins to educate them on what the Lost Dukes are and how they’re different from Duke Morrison’s dukes, also implying that they could step into any duke territory since they are, in fact, real dukes. The blue dukes were silent, as if contemplating about how reliable the information they gathered could be, all until their leader spoke.
“Oh sige, pero pano naming malalaman kung secret weapon talaga yan? What the hell does it do?” Yes, this guy knows how to make sure of things, does he? Tony raised a smirk and MJ merely face-palmed herself. OJ looked back and forth at everyone, deciding not to intrude on the conversation.
“That thing Tony’s holding is Limited Edition.” EJ stated as a matter-of-factly. “It’s really called Limited Edition for a reason. It brings absolute happiness to whoever looks at them. Even the slightest glance.”
The blue dukes looked at each other for a second.
“Pare, rinig mo yun? Absolute happiness? Pano nangyari yun?”
“Gago, imba siguro yun.”
“Payag na kayo boss! Sayang oh!”
“Wala naming mawawala kung kukunin nga natin…”
They turned around to face the Lost Dukes. “We agree to what you want, now hand them over!”
Tony smirks once more before letting them get their hands on it. The five of them watched the blue dukes as they pulled out one card after another from the pack, and the one with the most notable reaction was with the leader. His gum popped as he gazed at the card, and no later his nose began to bleed. The others were shouting, notably happy about what they’re seeing, tossing them aside one card after another.
Those aren’t ordinary cards, however. All of them are photos—various photos of Tony’s ‘girlfriend’, Red. There were photos of her in bed wearing bunny pajamas; Red wearing glasses; Red signing different papers, Red in her training clothes, Red trying out clothes and other ones with Red being an adorable potato. Basically, Red being moe, and none of them were real shots. All of them were candid and stolen.
“Should we pick it up, boss?” OJ asked, staring at the cards on the ground. The blue dukes were screaming for some odd reason and started running in circles. MJ and AJ shook their heads to the sight and began to search for anything useful around the area. EJ simply laughed at them. Tony nodded, and OJ began to follow the trail of cards, stacking them back one by one.
Tony hoped Red wouldn’t hear of what just happened, after all, her cards were all limited edition.
Refresh her memory again? Why was he running with a shirt off in the open? Has he been doing someone again? Not that she had a problem with that, no, Rae would like to think she didn't feel fucking pissed at the moment just because she knew he was fucking some chick.
"May the gods damn you," She cursed, clenching her fists as she staggered to get back on her feet. She could not, however, because every time she tried, she felt arms grasping her by her waist. She felt fingers brush against her neck. She felt tongue everywhere! It was ridiculous at how vivid it felt at the moment, but she feels it, she feels it on her mouth, on her chest, her navel.
She could hear his voice, calling her a nasty, kinky, bitch. She felt her own nails dig into that non-existent flesh that wrapped around her. She felt every single thing; his hand fondling her breasts as the other masterfully slips in her maidenhood. She hears another dirty comment in his damned intonation. She could feel ropes and chains around her body. She was confused.
But she was free. There were no restraints to hold her down. She was in the showers, feeling pretty aggravated from seeing that unclaimed bastard they call Reese. That handsome devil that he is.
"Bullshit! Fucking--BULLSHIT!" She slipped. "JUST. Get out of my head!"
For a second she just lay there. Let the water run her skin. Quietly. She breathed in the scent of her misery.
She smelled chocolates and gave in.
She was hungry, and she was determined that she would get her treat.
He too apologized a thousand times more than she did. They were fools, thinking they could slip away from the pain brought from a break-up, thinking that they could both move on by using each other? They're idiots, and he knew that.
Wesley had left Iris with nothing, not even an explanation on why he would go for Sherri. And as for Scott--he was used, Sherri threw him away like a chewed doll.
It left sour tastes in their mouths, sans the part that the kiss was actually quite blissful for both parts, but none of them will admit to that. They both knew. There was no chance for this to work out, and they knew. They could stand the thought of being left alone by the person they love, but the thought of the two of them paining each other with a complicated romance would turn them into sand.
Scott placed his free hand over Iris' shoulder, letting their gaze clash for the first time ever since the kiss. Her mouth twitched slightly before softening into a small smile. The male shook his head and squeezed the palm of her hand as did she.
"No." She says.
"Never again." Scott agrees.
They will never speak of it, and neither will they remember it. Surely when they do, the faces they would see would not be each others, but Sherri and Wesley's.
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