Category: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Nootau (Bad Idea)

7/18/2016

Chapter Ten: Nootau
Bad Idea

For several beats Aegeus stared at Nootau, then he asked. "Are you a walker?"

They had both had semi-outed themselves, but Nootau saw the need in Aegeus's eyes. The desire for Nootau to answer honestly. They both knew the answer, Aegeus obviously needed the words. Too bad his throat was as dry as a blacktop on an August day in Chicago. Nootau swallowed several times, desperate to work past his fear. They trusted him. He should trust them. Simple as that.
Funny thing about fear, though. When it has been engrained throughout a lifetime, one filled with secrets and hiding, then it held power over people. Even when their minds screamed "safety!" No danger! They looked for the first sign of betrayal. What that was, more than anything, was a fucked up way to grow up. Nootau knew that, but he did have reason to fear.

"Hey, hey," Aegeus said, reaching for Nootau. "It's okay."

He jumped back, hands up, balled in fists.

"Sorry." Aegeus took a step back, his expression wounded. "I'm sorry."

Nootau sank to the floor, his hands on his thighs and head bowed. His hair hung in front of him, covering his face. Small graces. But his locks couldn't hide the fact he was shaking. Fuck, if he trembled any harder he'd be a walkershake. Hopefully he tasted good. Nootau cringed.

Aegeus knelt down on the floor, then scooted forward an inch at a time.

Nootau watched warily. Four words. I am a walker. That's all he needed to say. It should be so simple, but it wasn't. Not even with the image of Aegeus's joyful smile when he said them could shake the fear off.

Not completely.

Fingertips traced over Nootau's forearm. The tentative touch sent his fight or flight into flight mode. He shuddered instinctively, but he was proud of how he didn't draw away. The corner of Aegeus's mouth twitched into an almost smile. He scooted closer. Nootau held his ground despite his head screaming to leave.

Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, Aegeus wrapped an arm around Nootau's shoulders. His nervous hum filled the air, but Nootau found himself relaxing, even leaning, into Aegeus's hold. So much warmth sounded him. Why would he ever want to leave such quiet strength such as this?

This is what it's like to be protected.

"How we doing?" Aegeus whispered. "Better?"

All Nootau could do was nod.

"Do you want to tell me?"

Again, he nodded.

"Then that's enough for now." Aegeus snuggled closer, pulling Nootau in his lap. "Yes, Edie and I are part of the Underground. Have been for years. We won't let anything happen to you Nootau. Just let us know let us know why you need help so we can protect you."

Nootau's throat didn't feel so closed off anymore. Still, he couldn't get any words past.

"What's got you running? Why are you so scared?"

Scared, him? Not of the evil men at Camp Stone, but of what opening up to Aegeus could mean.

"Who hurt you?"

No. Not him. Ahanu. "Someone... " Nootau descended into a coughing fit before recovering his voice. "Someone is selling walkers to the highest bidder. Dead or alive. Preferably dead."

"Dead?"

"Yeah, they're working from inside the camps." His voice shook, more than he liked. "Ahanu stumbled over it. That's what killed him. I still don't know they why, but... But I'm hoping I can find out."

"Was Ahanu the accidental death from Camp Stone?"

"Yes." Gods above. Why did it hurt so much to say?

"And the wolf attack?"

"No."

"Are you sure? You're pretty beat up, Nootau."

"That was... A disagreement."

"Pretty big disagreement."

Nootau nodded. He couldn't say it was him. Who knew what Aegeus would say? Do. When Nootau felt Aegeus relax a fraction against him. The telltale action only made him more aware of how much that answer cost both of them.

He'd lied. It was one he'd have to take to his death too.

Aegeus rubbed his back, holding Nootau closer. "Then we'd better find out who's behind it."

Nootau nodded.

"And I think I have an idea where to start."

"Me too. The box, the one you and Edwige were holding, has information from Ahanu."

"Then maybe we'd better look at what's in the box, see if we're on the same page."

"All right."

Aegeus moved Nootau off him and stood, hand out, waiting for Nootau to take it.

"Thanks."

The brilliant smile he received made his heart hurt.

"Thank you, for wanting to help."

"Edwige knows a good heart when she meets one."

Oh fuck.

Aegeus gave a rueful smile. "Prepare to grovel. A lot."

"What's a lot?"

"Starting on your knees might help."

* * * * *

The three of them stared up at the building. Four stories. Brick. Non-descript except for a sign made from metal next to the door:

Bureau of Skin Walker Affairs
Est. 1528

Just the name made Nootau's hackles raise. He growled.

A foot came down on top of his. "Quiet!"

Nootau hobbled in a circle, swearing under his breath. Edwige looked far too pleased with herself. How many times was he going to have to say sorry? She sniffed and turned to the door. Aegeus offered Nootau a shrug, mouthing "Give her a little longer."

Yeah, okay. She deserved to be angry.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Nootau asked again, because it certainly didn't seem like one.

"Oh, don't worry so much," Edwige replied.

"And how exactly do you plan to walk right in?" It was dark, after hours, and on a desolate street in a bad part of Chicago.

"With her help." Edwige pointed down the street then readjusted the backpack she had brought with them, leaving Nootau to check out their new companion.

A woman walked toward them with an air of confidence. When she stopped in front of them she flashed a brilliant white smile. Her bleach blond hair stood in a mohawk, and piercings were in enough places Nootau wondered where else she might have them.

She clapped him on the back. "Alway walk like you own the world. No one will question it."

"Nootau, meet Olive."

They shook hands, but he couldn't see how she would be of any help. One more person locked out of the building wouldn't do anything.

"Now," Olive said, pushing past them. "If you'll excuse me."

"And what is she going to do?"
Edwige grinned. "Olive happens to be an excellent locksmith."

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Chapter Ten: Ashe (Pain)

7/14/2016

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Chapter Ten: Ashe
Pain

The hospital staff had gathered up Kino’s remains and placed them in an urn someone had rousted up. Doctor Garcia had wanted to have the coroner examine Kino’s ashes. But Ashe had been adamant. He was not leaving his father here in this sterile place, and he was not coming back here again, ever.

Nurse Rosalind had handed over Kino’s remains. Someone had thoughtfully tied a bright yellow ribbon around it. So much for dignity in death.

“Thank you,” he said, managing not to burst into tears. “How much do I owe the hospital? I don’t have much—”

She stopped him. “I’ve filed your case under the indigent client code,” she said, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. “You don’t need to pay a thing.”

He threw his arms around her, overwhelmed by the simple kindness, the urn pressing into his chest between them. “Thank you,” he whispered.

She nodded, and squeezed him tightly before letting him go.

He looked around once more at the place that had unexpectedly become his father’s last nest, and sighed. He was truly alone now.
He turned to Jaxx. “I need to get out of here.”

Jaxx nodded. “I’ll take you back to the motel to get your stuff, then you can come to my place.”

“I’ll take my bike.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea right now?” His tone was that of a father to a recalcitrant child.
Ashe’s anger flared, but he pushed it back down. “I don’t want to leave my bike here. I don’t ever want to come back to this place.”

Jaxx studied him, his big brown eyes narrowed in concern. “Are you sure you’re ok to drive?”

He’s just worried about me. Ashe nodded. “I’ll be okay.”

“I’ll follow you back then. I can take the urn, if you want.”

Ashe considered. “All right,” he said at last, relinquishing it. “But be careful with it. I want to scatter his ashes tonight up on “A” Mountain. I think he would have liked that.”

Ashe and Jaxx knew “A” Mountain well. It had been one of their favorite places to hang out when they had been in school together.
Jaxx nodded. “I’ll be right behind you.”

* * * * *

Ashe rode his bike the short distance back to the motel, aware that Jaxx was following in his little red hatchback close behind. Ashe was still working out how he felt about having him back in his life again, but that whole emotional mess had been pushed aside by his father’s death.

So now, he was supposed to go back to Jaxx’s place and… what? Would they sleep together, reaffirming the power of life and all that bullshit?

Or worse, would they stay up talking about all of his feelings until the sun rose the next morning? He wasn’t in the mood for either.

Ashe parked his bike and climbed the stairs to his room two at a time, not waiting for Jaxx. He knew he was acting irrationally, but he didn’t care.

He was ripped in two, and he couldn’t spare much thought for anyone else’s feelings.

He unlocked the door and let it slam behind him, and dropped into the old upholstered saguaro-green chair that sat by the window, faded across the top where the sun had bleached it. He put his head in his hands, wishing he could just cease to exist, evaporating like a monsoon puddle and emptying all his pain and anguish into the dry desert air.

There was a tap at the door.

“Come in,” he growled.

Jaxx pushed it open and looked into the dimly lit room. He stepped in, blinking as his eyes adjusted. “I brought this up with me… I didn’t want to leave it in the car.” He held out the urn.

Ashe looked up. “Leave it on the dresser.”

Jaxx set it down and turned to stare at him. “Are you… ready to go?” he asked, looking around at the unpacked clothes and belongings.

Ashe knew pity when he saw it. “I want to be left alone, Jaxx.” He didn’t need anyone’s charity.

“You can be alone at my place. You’ll have your own room and everything—”

Ashe felt the warning signs, but he had lost his filter. The goose bumps spread up his arms, and his anger kindled from a hard red core inside him into open flame in an instant. “I don’t…. want… to go… to your place. I just want to be fucking left alone!” He jumped up as his arms came alight, still conscious enough of the danger to keep from burning the place down. That would have been a fitting tribute to his father.

He saw fear on Jaxx’s face, but the satyr held his ground. “Let go of the anger. This isn’t you,” he whispered. “Ashe, this isn’t what you are.”

Seeing the fright on Jaxx’s face doused Ashe’s flames like a bucket of cold water. To cause of such fear in someone he had loved, just like his father had done to him… Oh god, my father. Ashe sank to his knees, shaking. Kino was lost to him, irrevocably gone. “What am I going to do now? What the fuck am I going to do?”

He half expected Jaxx to run, to get away from the crazy phoenix as fast as he could.

But instead, he sank down onto the carpet text to Ashe. With his back against the old stained mattress, he pulled Ashe in next to him. Jaxx’s chest was warm, and his hairy arms encircled Ashe.

Ashe closed his eyes and cried for the second time that day, deep, wrenching sobs that hollowed him out inside. His pain flowed out of him, not into thin air, but into Jaxx’s arms.

After a long while, he exhausted his anguish, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * * * *

He woke to find himself still in Jaxx’s arms, his body cramped from the strange position he’d fallen asleep in. He carefully pulled away from Jaxx, checking to make sure the satyr was still asleep.

It was dark outside now, and only the light of the street lamps in the parking lot shown through the gap in the curtains.

Jaxx was sound asleep. Ashe looked down at him, silently thanking him for being there at the moment when he had least wanted someone, but had most needed them.

He didn’t want to involve Jaxx in this any deeper than he already had. So he quietly gathered his things, along with his father’s makeshift urn, and packed them into the old army duffel bag. He left enough coin on the dresser to pay the bill.

Then, with one last glance at Jaxx’s sleeping form, he left the room, pulling the door closed behind him without a sound.

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Chapter Ten: Mal (A Midnight Breakfast)

7/11/2016

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Chapter Ten: Mal
A Midnight Breakfast

Mal had to hide his erection as he climbed off his bike out front of a twenty-four-hour café. It had been some time since Mal had ridden his bike with someone as cute as Kaden pressed up against him.
Kaden handed him the helmet, then climbed off the bike.

"Shall we?" Mal asked as he motioned to the front entrance. Kaden nodded and headed for the door. The little bell on the door jingled as they opened it and walked inside.

"Just sit where ever you like," an older woman said from behind the counter, the scent of coffee thick in the air. "I'll be with you shortly."

"No worries," Mal said as he motioned Kaden to one of the empty booths. They sat down opposite one another. Mal got a good look at Kaden and leaned forward so he could talk quietly to the other man.

"You might want to think about going to the bathroom and cleaning up a little."

Kaden furrowed his brows. "Why?"

"You have dried blood on your face, neck and arms."

Kaden lifted his arms to look, his eyes widening at the sight of the dried blood. "Excuse me," he said as he scooted out of the booth and glanced around for the toilets. The woman behind the counter must have seen him as she pointed to her right and Kaden disappeared around the corner.

Mal sat and waited. The waitress came over a minute later and left a couple of menus on the table for them, promising to be back once Kaden returned.

Kaden didn't take too long cleaning up. When he sat back down, his face and neck had been washed; Mal could still see little droplets of water where Kaden hadn't dried properly.

They didn't talk as they both studied the menus in front of them. The woman came back and stood at the end of the table.

"Do you gentlemen know what you'd like this evening?" She stood poised with her notepad and pen at the ready.

"I'll take the big breakfast thanks," Mal ordered.

"Can I have the buttermilk pancake stack, please. No fruit." Kaden ordered.

"Certainly. Can I get you anything to drink?"

It was far too late for coffee for Mal, so he went with a cold beverage. "Can I get a malted strawberry thickshake please." The little giggle from across the table had Mal staring at his companion, his cheeks heating slightly. He wouldn't apologise, though, as strawberry, although pink, was his favourite flavour. "Something wrong with that?" he asked Kaden.

"Not at all, in fact, I'll have one too. And a bottle of water for the table as well please."

Debbie, as per her name tag, nodded, collected their menus and disappeared behind the counter.
Mal leaned back, as far as the booth seating would allow him to and placed his hands on the table; fingers interlaced as he glanced at the man opposite him.

"So," he said.

"So," Kaden replied.

"You want to tell me what all that tonight was about?"

"Not really" Kaden responded quickly. "You want to tell me why you're out and about at this time of night when you're a dragon ranger? Shouldn't you have work tomorrow?"

Mal cringed at the thought of not having to go to work in the morning. He loved what he did, and hated that they'd benched him.

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours," Mal said.

Kaden looked uncertain for a few seconds then nodded.

"Sounds fair."

"You want me to go first, or will you?" Mal asked.

Kaden sighed resignedly, ran his hand through his hair and then stared at Mal.

"It's fucking stupid," he said.

"Isn't that always the case?"

Kaden nodded. "So, I've known Johnny for years. I've been best friends with his younger sister since middle school."

Mal nodded. "Has he always been such an ass?"

"Oh hell yeah. I've no idea what the hell went wrong with him and his siblings are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Him, though, not so much."

"So what happened?" Mal asked.

"It turns out that Leena is pregnant. Johnny found her positive test today. Fucked if I know what the hell Johnny was doing digging through the trash. There's no way Leena would have just left it sitting on the top for all and sundry to see."

"Oh shit," Mal said. Then nodded his thanks as Debbie came back and placed two massive metal cups on their tables with straws sticking out the top. She then set down a cold bottle of water and two glasses.

"Your food won't be long."

"Thanks," Mal said as she walked away. He picked up his thick shake and took a sip. It took quite some times to get anything through the straw as the shake was so dense. Just the way Mal liked it.

"This is awesome. Thanks for suggesting it."

Mal nodded as he finally got to taste his drink. He had to agree with Kaden; it was one of the best he'd tasted in quite a while.

They sat in quiet for a few minutes as they both sucked down on their drink. "So why did he come after you because his sister is pregnant? It's not yours, is it?"

"Hell no," Kaden replied adamantly "I love Leena like a little sister, but she doesn't have the right parts to interest me in sleeping with her."

Mal filed that nice little piece of info away to be looked at later. "I'm not seeing the connection."

"Johnny confronted Leena, who didn't want to tell her big brother who the actual father was, so she dropped me in the shit. Everyone knows I'm gay. Hell, I've been out since high school." Kaden shrugged, and Mal nodded for him to continue, “Apparently Leena told Johnny we were both drunk, and I took advantage of her."

"Fuck."

"Yeah, you can say that again. If I can't get Leena to change her story, then I'm basically fucked."

"Nothing you can do about it?" Mal asked.

"Not really. Johnny isn't the kind of guy who would listen to reason. The only thing I can probably do is ask for a DNA test, but that's still God knows how long away."

"You have any idea who the actual father is?" Mal asked. "You could talk with him."

"I haven’t got a fucking clue."

Debbie came back and placed their meals on the table. Mal stared at the massive plate filled to overflowing with everything you could possibly want in a cooked breakfast.

"This looks amazing," he said as he smiled at Debbie.

"Enjoy boys," Debbie said as she walked away.

Mal reached to the end of the table and grabbed the syrup for Kaden and the tomato sauce for himself.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"So, I've told you mine; now it's your turn," Kaden said as he smothered his pancakes in maple syrup.

Mal nodded, took a large bite of hash brown, eggs, mushroom and bacon, chewed and then swallowed. He then started telling Kaden about everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks as they set about devouring their food.

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Chapter Ten: Nootau (Bad Idea)

Chapter Ten: Nootau
Bad Idea

Chapter Ten: Ashe (Pain)

Chapter Ten: Ashe
Pain

Chapter Ten: Mal (A Midnight Breakfast)

Chapter Ten: Mal
A Midnight Breakfast

Archives

About Marionettes in the Mist

Character Art (by Mila May)

Supporting Characters

Categories

Chapter Ten: Nootau (Bad Idea)

Chapter Ten: NootauBad Idea​

Chapter Ten: Ashe (Pain)

Chapter Ten: AshePain​

Chapter Ten: Mal (A Midnight Breakfast)

Chapter Ten: MalA Midnight Breakfast​

Archives

About Marionettes in the Mist

Character Art (by Mila May)

Supporting Characters

Categories

Chapter Ten: Nootau
Bad Idea

Chapter Ten: Ashe
Pain

Chapter Ten: Mal
A Midnight Breakfast