Chapter 82 - Him? As a gentleman? (never)

Note:

- Warning: Description of a panic attack and light depiction of violence

- This chapter is a lot shorter than the last couple of ones because I just kind of wanted a break from writing long ass ones. Also because I'm really winging this entire conflict.

- If I was good at describing, this and the last chapter would be a lot longer. Sorry

- I also have been reading a lot more than writing so chapters are gonna be coming out a lot later I'm sorry. the stories are too good to drop.

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Previously...

"... What?"

"I said sit me up."

Brad growled and curled his fists. "Who do you think you are telling me what to d–"

"I'll fucking talk so sit me up you absolute poor excuse of a human!"

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POV: Aiden

"AIDEN!" Nero was looking at me like I've gone mad and honestly, I think I was halfway there.

They sat me upright eventually but not before getting two more punches in. This left my temple bruised and more blood to be coughed out. It was a lot more difficult to breathe as well and now I was really regretting ever telling him to put in a more comfortable position. The world being sideways wasn't all that bad.

"Ok, so talk." Brad had his arms crossed over his puffed out chest and gave off pretty serious vibes, like he meant business.

"I didn't know the Killucs were the mafia until that night, that much is true." Ok so maybe I'm not telling him the full truth but he'll never find out anyway. "But do keep in mind, I did approach with the intention of... getting in your pants (bile built up trying to push that out) and having a taste of your money. I already knew that you either drug your conquests or get them drunk to the point of forgetfulness, so you don't have to worry about anything said the night before. I just thought it was you gossiping about other important people and that's why you wanted to keep it under wraps. Being affiliated with the mafia would make more sense wouldn't it."

"That's not the answer I'm not looking for," Brad looked at me with a bored expression. "Was it you who leaked the information on the new drug?"

My breath hitched and I looked over to Nero, who looked pissed and anxious. His eyes were to telling me to stop this and deny everything. We both knew that would lead to bloodshed, with us on the losing end but like hell I'd let him go through.

I look back at Brad with determination. "I know who leaked it and I'll give you the name–"

"Aiden, I swear to fucking god–"

I ignored and cut him off. "–under the condition that my friend over there is released. He has nothing to do with this and I refuse to let him take the brunt for my mistakes. He'll make sure not to tell anyone your real identity or secret. You can even give him an amnesia drug of his. Point is, you let him go and I'll give you the name."

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU BEFORE HE DOES, YOU SELFISH ΣΚΥΛΑ!" Nero was thrashing in his seat again and I pointedly make sure I don't make any eye contact with him, opting to just staring at the man in front of me.

Brad looked at me sceptically but slowly nodded his head. He told his lackeys to come by his side. "Sure, your friend will be free. Scouts honour and a promise. I won't do it now due to the risk of him running off and calling the cops but a gentleman never goes back on his promise and I'm one hell of a gentleman."

I was very much against this but considering how he probably won't have it any other way, I reluctantly nod (and roll my eyes internally because really, him as a gentleman? Never). "Before that, there's lanthanum in the ropes. Do you think we're both Oddity users?"

"Huh? No. This is just for precaution's sake. Rumours have it that the failed bank heist didn't work out because they forgot about Oddity users and didn't get anything with lanthanum. Boss took it as a learning experience and makes sure every rope has lanthanum in it now."

Of course, that robbery was going to fuck us left, right and sideways. "Right. Well, the person who leaked your information was indeed me. I guess playing hero decided to bite me in the ass didn't it?"

Brad had a triumphed grin and his friend was patting him on his back out of proudness. The lackeys just stood there. Nero on the other hand turned red (and probably saw red) as he whipped out the Greek. "Θα σιγουρευτώ ότι θα σε βγάλω και θα σε τρέφω καρχαρίες. Ακριβώς αυτό που νομίζετε ότι κάνετε, θυσιάζω. Σταμάτα να είσαι ηλίθιος και– MMMPHM (I'm going to make sure I gut you out and feed you to the sharks. Just what do you think you're doing, you sacrificial fucker. Stop being an idiot and­– MMMPHM)."

(A/N: Google translate sucks ass)

Nero got gagged with a silk cloth (they produced that out of thin air I swear) and I winced at his outburst and now his muffled outburst. I also learnt that when you know you're about to die, Nero's Greek doesn't really scare you that much anymore.

What still got to me though was the unshed tears building in his eyes. Tears of helplessness and frustration. Tears because of me. I immediately felt awful and the fact that he doesn't cry easily made it a hundred times worse. I wanted to apologise, beg for forgiveness but this was for him.

I refuse to let him get harmed for my mistakes and carelessness.

"I kept my end of the deal, now you keep yours and take him away. I'll deal with whatever consequences."

Nero heavily protested against it, if his muffled screaming meant anything and the audience found it highly amusing. Made me wanna kick them in their balls.

"Oh, I'll keep my end of the deal, don't worry," Brad began sporting a devilish smirk and took off his white blazer. He rolled up the sleeves of this shirt and cracked his knuckles. Both mine and Nero's eyes widen, knowing what's coming and dread washes over the both of us. "But before we do that, we should give him a little sneak peek of what's to come for you. You know, just a small demonstration of what happens when you mess with us."

Fucking shit was the last coherent thought before the limbs come flying towards me.

POV: Nero

I was screaming but I've been screaming and squirming and thrashing ever since Killuc started treating Aiden like a punching bag. He was ruthless, having absolutely no mercy on the other man. Brad punched Aiden's pretty face a couple of times before kicking him in the lungs, stomach. He dragged him off the chair as well and threw him against the wall.

All Aiden could do was groan in pain and endure the hits.

The sight was so painful, I had to look away before reminding myself that I had to get myself free. I felt the tears run loose as I kept rocking back and forth, in hopes for something to happen.

But they tied the ropes perfectly and they wouldn't budge. Furthermore, Brad's groupie was holding down the chair, in hopes of me not actually achieving escape (although I don't know how falling would do anything).

Every muscle of Aiden's was seizing up and his body was struggling to try to rapidly recover and repair the oncoming damages. Aiden was trying to keep awake, refusing to accept the darkness that wanted to take over him but each punch and bruise was making it a just bit more difficult.

A sense of helplessness, incompetence, dread overwhelmed me and he found himself succumbing to it. All of sudden, the scene ahead of him was becoming eerily familiar from his time then.

He's attacked with another wave of flashbacks and suppressed memories.

Memories of being chained up, chained to my fellow captured. His heart clenched and went at a hundred miles per hour

Flashbacks of my friends from that dreaded place being beaten and tortured for pure entertainment or out of spite or just because they were bored. My head was throbbing harder before, it felt like it was about to split in half.

Recollection of the countless, dingy cells we had to move to, constantly. I couldn't breathe.

Memories of the helpless being sold and being used, seen as objects. I couldn't see anything but the nightmares.

Tears, so many tears. Cries that could be heard from a mile away. Pleading for mercy but receiving none.

The thoughts were accelerating, my pleas to slow down were ignored. They refused to let me breathe. My breaths came out in gasps and I felt spots of black every so often. My heart was trying to escape out of its cage, like a rabbit gone rabid inside its cage. The room was spinning and I looked down on my lap, in hopes to slow down everything that's happening internally and externally.

Aiden was screaming my name, finally noticing my panic attack but they don't register. Raziel was yelling at me to capture my attention. His attempts to calm me down weren't working.

I felt so sick, I needed someone to get me out of my misery. Our phone was confiscated, no close contact to the outside world.

Leo.

I wanted Leo. I needed Leo to save me but he wasn't heard and I couldn't ask for help. I wanted to help Aiden, save him from his pain. But I couldn't.

Helpless.

Useless.

Weak.

Everything was too far away. The light was running away, the blackness using the opportunity to creep in. But the blackness could be comforting as well. It could be warm, like a blanket curling around you.

I just as I was about to fully drown myself into the darkness, there was a small spark. Spark of hope.

That spark of hope was in the form of a comforting voice.

He called out my name but it was too late.

The blackness had already taken over.