At first, there was nothing but a deafening silence, long and dreary.
I thought some grass or dirt must've gotten in my ears... Maybe the red caterpillar that I had seen while I was following the Head of Bristol like his shadow, had crawled inside my brain and gnawed its way through my every thoughts, destroying every bit of them. Or maybe my eardrums had just exploded from the blasted gunshot that the Head of Bristol had so kindly and generously suprised me with. I must've been hearing things, right... I must've been so shook to my very core that I had lost sight of my train of thoughts and missed every station that led me to any reasoning, right... I must've been, right... Right? But the more I waited for the pounding in my heart to ease back to its regular rhythm of clarity, the more an unsettling feeling clenched my stomach in its iron fist, letting me hear the batting inside my chest some more. And when the silence finally lifted, I knew I hadn't completely lost my mind when the entire crowd of people began to protest against this crazy man's wish.
"Phew, I thought I was hearing things," I sighed out of relief before gasping with my hand clutching my chest. "Wait! What are you saying!"
"I don't suppose I stuttered," the peculiar man, who was supposed to be the villain, the most wicked of the evil present here, said with a calm smile on his face. "I simply wish to give you another chance."
"Oi, Vincent, have you gone crazy!" Danny yelled. "Since when are we doing that now? What are you doing, catering to her wishes!"
"Am I doing such a thing?" he said to Danny with a side glance. "It is not her wish but mine, is it not?"
"Vincent," Danny started, but he quickly shut his mouth seeing the serious look on the man's face.
"Ha..." I ignored the uproar around me once more, drowning in the clamor inside my head that made it hard to breathe. I was too startled by the sudden smirk on his face to speak, frozen by the all-knowing look in his gaze. From the corner of my eye, I found Anthony with the same confused expression, but even now... I couldn't find it in me to turn to him to beg for help. It's not like it would change anything.
"Ha... this...this has to be some joke," I whispered, but even among the din, he heard. That man with the perplexing smile and an even more breathtaking look in his eyes. "Why... why would you do that? W-What's in it for you?"
He cocked his head slightly to the side, pretending to be in deep, pensive thoughts before giving me another disarming smile. "I merely wish to see what you are capable of. I am... most interested."
"What." I dug my fingers into the satiny fabric some more, panting to catch my breath. What was that... that look in his eyes–
"Perhaps you don't wish to," he said, slowly lifting the cape around his shoulder to let me catch a glimpse of the gun under the fabric.
"No! No!" I quickly shook my hands in front of me. "Of course, I accept! I accept! If you want me to, who am I to say no, haha..." The smile on my face was trembling and faint, but I think it was good enough for him to lower his hand. The silver was once more hidden under the thick, black fabric like the moon in the night, and my breaths suddenly returned as if I was brought back to life. So this is how it felt to be at someone's mercy. It felt...
"Well, I don't like this!" Louis turned to the Head of Bristol with a violent head shake as if he hadn't told me to go to his house but the old man's house to get rid of him instead. "Just what are you trying to do, listening to this impudent girl? How did she get inside! Guards! Guards! Get rid of this girl at once-"
"There's no need," Vincent Bristol said before the boulders around Louis could even take a step towards me. "After all, she is not your guest but mine."
"Vincent–"
"Then, we'll be on our way, if there are no more matters to be discussed."
"This man," I whispered to myself, not liking the knot twisting my stomach when I realized I was in more trouble than I could ever imagine. "Just what is this man doing... He's so handsome, but I think it's all a facade. I think... he's crazy... He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he is handsome and tall... Who's even this tall. I haven't met a man this handsome and tall in my entire life, so it has to be a facade. Maybe he's not even real– He must be–"
"What was that?" The Head of Bristol watched me with an intrigued look on his face as if I was the entertainment for tonight when I trembled my way out of my thoughts to snap out of it.
"N-nothing! I was just saying, how generous the H-Head of B-B-Bri-"
"Girl, I suggest you learn the name of your savior if you want to live," Louis said with a threatening voice. "If it wasn't for him, you would've been long –"
"Louis," the Head of Bristol suddenly spoke with a menacing glare, getting that old man to bite his tongue from finishing the thought that we all had in our minds.
"Ha... my savior?" I said under my breath, almost wanting to laugh at the sound of that, but the piercing gaze of that man on me made me swallow back a bitter chuckle, shutting me up in a heartbeat.
"There is no need for formalities," the Head of Bristol replied before I could even think to tell them, I knew. I knew this man's name. I knew... all that I needed to know about this wicked man. I knew... what he had done to me. But it seemed like he had no idea who I was... He didn't know my name. He didn't know me. I couldn't tell if I should be grateful or curse at the thought of that.
"My...my savior!" I ended up rejoicing in the end because it would be more fun this way. Since he had no idea who I was, it would only feel more satisfying to witness the desperate and miserable look in his eyes when he remembers after I do a number on him. And he was going to remember... I was going to make sure of that. With a clap of my hands, I smiled wildly with sparkling eyes at the thought of that. Seeing those beautiful eyes... I felt my heart race with pure elation as I locked my gaze with his, imagining how much more enticing they would be once they're full of agony. "How kind and benevolent you are for sparing my life! The Head of Bristol is so—"
"You are mistaken." So effortlessly and swiftly, the Head of Bristol rained on my parade, reminding me of the lingering, pending doom on my bucket list.
"Ha—" I lowered my hands back on my lap slowly, gulping at the same time the funny fellow, who stood behind his master, shook his head and let me know I was a fool to assume things about the Vincent Bristol so easily.
"I say we get rid of her, Vincent. This girl dared to come here and ruin everything for a pathetic excuse for attention and God knows what else," Louis scoffed.
"She fucking messed shit up," Steve grumbled, scratching his ear.
Louis scoffed again as if he was agreeing. "Just look at the stunt she pulled. Even you won't let this slide by, will you? Be sensible for once. What are people going to think?"
"I don't suppose you believe she came here on her own."
"What are you suggesting?" Louis glared at the man in front of him. "That she's not a sneaky rat that slipped inside, and that someone helped her break in!"
"Who is to say?" The Head of Bristol replied, suddenly looking smug when I bit my lips from screaming out anything that might dig a bigger hole for me to sink in than I already was in. "I don't suppose you believe you are suggesting that your men were merely incapable of keeping such a sneaky rat out themselves."
"You–" Louis' face burned red at the man's words before he violently whipped his head around to glare at the panic-stricken guards, who suddenly found the freshly mowed grass equally as interesting as I did before.
In that moment, I didn't know that my heart could race any faster as if it was determined to jump out of my chest after hearing such admirable words from the man I was supposed despise, to kill.
"It still doesn't change the fact that she was sent here to kill you," Danny said, making me want to cry in frustration. Why did he have to say it that way... in front of all these villains? "Not only that, look at the mess we're in. I almost broke this bastard's neck because of her."
"Ha," Steve laughed. "Maybe I hit this shit's head too hard."
"That's true. I suppose her behavior is most troublesome," the Head of Bristol agreed, being the reason for the same burning sensation strangling me and the same hot tears returning in my eyes. "Forgive us. She was merely here to surprise me. You know such events hardly suit me. I was rather... bored alone, isn't that so?"
"Ha... hm." I slowly nodded, breathless. "This Mister was all a-alone..."
"But Vincent—"
"It's rather good fortune that she showed up."
"I don't get this at all," Danny whispered loudly for everyone to hear, for the Head of Bristol to hear, for me to hear... But the strange man didn't think to answer him, and I was out of my wits trying to keep up with everything to even think about where to start. "She came here to—"
"You mustn't worry," the Head of Bristol said to reassure the eyes watching us, but in my spiraling state of mind, I deluded myself to think he hinted those words at me. I had to, or else with my lost senses, I'd easily mistake the grass for the sky, the clouds for the flowers, and his cunning charades for kindness. "Since matters are settled, we will be on our way. Get the car."
"Yes, sir."
I watched with wide eyes when the quiet, buffy giant with the permanent scowl nodded at once and walked away with a hasty gait upon hearing his master's one command.
"Mister... a-are you really giving me another chance?" I dared to ask with a pounding heart, trembling fingertips. I couldn't tell if it was out of admiration or fear. All I knew was that it was because of him. And unless I wanted to lose my everything once more to him, I had to keep my own head screwed on tight while I got rid of the Head of Bristol fast.
"Perhaps you don't believe me," he said with a subtle arrogant smile beneath the mask of a collected expression.
"My boss never lies," the bodyguard with the crazy smile and highlighted hair said, rubbing his nose proudly. When I didn't reply, not being able to really believe his words when his master wore an unreadable smile on his face, the bodyguard shrugged. "It's best you believe him when he's giving you the chance."
"I-I do!" I nodded immediately after he twirled his gun on his finger behind his master, smirking over his shoulder. "I do believe him. The Head of Bristol is so generous! He's so kind! He's so—" I did believe him, it's not like I had another choice.
"That's quite enough," the Vincent Bristol said with a sigh when whispers from all directions reached our ears.
"So...kind...for giving me another chance."
My words suddenly became his reason to reveal yet another one of his killer smiles, dangerous, lethal, more than the poison seeping deeper into the bed of grass around his feet.
"There is one condition."
"Nothing comes for free!" the bodyguard said with an uplifted spirit when I only felt the days exhaustion finally brewing itself inside my pumping head.
"A condition...W-what would that be?"
"You have but a month."
"I only have a month to live!" I cried, digging my hands in my hair to pull on it hard.
"See, this is what I'm talking about," Louis said as if he was a proud dad, patting his son's back after he caught a ball. "I knew you'd come around–"
"Not necessarily," the Head of Bristol cut in. Behind him, his bodyguard pressed his lips in a thin line as if... he was trying not to laugh once more.
"What do you mean?" I sniffled and rubbed my nose. This was confusing. He said I had a month, but now he was saying I didn't. These villains were on another level than Anthony, who was pretty confusing himself with his elaborate plans... but the Head of Bristol seemed even more cunning and puzzling than anyone I had ever met. "Then... I don't have just a month to live?"
"That depends," he said with a blatant amused expression, seeing me struggle to keep up. "I shall give you one month to fulfill as you wish."
"Ha... one month."
A month living with the Head of Bristol. The thought had never occured to me before as I only imagined the many different ways I'd enjoy my freedom once I freed the world from his reigns. But now, he kept saying it, and my heart only felt more inflated with a great sense of ego, that kept growing bigger and bigger until it felt like it was going to pop inside my chest. Me... living with the Head of Bristol for a month... Just what kind of adventures did that include... Following him around, making sure no one was around when I made my move... all the many ways to get rid of him and enjoying his pain as it reflected mine. It was too good of an opportunity. What did he call it... a rather good fortune? Me... He called me that and no one else. Only me.
"One month," I said in a trance, aware of the humor returning in his eyes, but too out of it to hide the truth in mine.
"That's right," the Head of Bristol said. "One month. However, if you fail to do as you please within the month, you will tell me who sent you to me. If you don't… Well, I don't have to spell it out for you."
"Tell you... who I work for?" I thought about it. If I didn't accept the offer then he'd kill me. Right here, in front of all these eyes who truly didn't see me anything more than a bug that they desparately wanted to crush— and they would've too, if it weren't for the Head of Bristol and his sudden change of heart. If I did accept his offer, I had another chance to kill him. But if I was unable to... then I'd have to tell him about Anthony. If I didn't, then he'd kill me– No, it was fine. I wasn't going to mess up again. Next time, I'd make sure to get rid of him. "Mister, you really know how to bargain!"
"Am I to assume you made up your mind?"
He didn't once raise his gaze off of me to glance at the resentful folks around us. And I didn't break away either, smiling a little better now no matter how much I shook like a fizzy can of soda. The talks were true, blaring and deafening even now. But there was no denying it. I wanted to play...this game with him before I made him say his final good-byes just how he made me say mine.
"One month? I accept!"
"Is that so?" He stood up straight and tall, handsomely smiling like a devil who had signed another successful contract with a pitiful creature.
"Deal! Deal! I accept!"
"I had a feeling you would," he said deeply, sending a shiver down my back. "Then there is no need to wait. Let us be on our way."
"Ha..." Just like that? I couldn't believe it. the Head of Bristol was more cunning than I could ever imagine.
----------
The car ride felt... unbearable!
I had never experienced such an enthralling yet overwhelming sensation of wanting to faint out of exhaustion and sink into despair as I thought about the whole situation. Me...in this fancy, shmancy car that could transform into a robot the next time I blinked. It was a vehicle of silence and class, both spacious yet suffocating at the same time. I didn't know where to look without wanting to look nowhere and everywhere all at once. My heart pounded more than my head now at the thought of being watched, while I stole glances left and right, up and down to catch glimpses of some features, like the smooth leather seats under me, the sunroof over my head.. and the grumpy man with his hand still on the door's handle as if he was prepared to open the door and push me out the highspeed car if I got any funny ideas.
Well, you had to give him props for being thoroughly ready for the worst. Too bad for him, my head was already spinning and my heart was in no better condition, thumping louder than the engine of this fine vehicle . I had no strength to pull any surprises for today. Whatever I had left, I had to save for the man in front of me...the Head of Bristol, who made no effort in hiding how cool, calm, and collected he was, even in this bizarre situation.
Taking a woman home, who was about to be his final demise, to give her another chance was no better reason to consider him crazy than the fact he was comfortably taking in my restlessness as I imagined all sorts of unsettling scenarios in my head. In this long, jittery silence, I got the brilliant idea of wondering about what his angle was only to freeze in my spot with my blood running cold.
The reason he was this calm...could it be because he knew my end was creeping up the corner? With every new mile, was I that much closer to my doom...with an inch closer to his home, where he could silence me and not a single soul would ever fine, he could torture me...he could—
Savior...my savior was right in front of me, the man that I tried to kill an hour ago, and his dog whom I also injured. That made two who should be in a very bad mood. And... I gulped, taking a side glance at the bodyguard whose anger was a big, fat neon sign of pure hatred for me. Next to me was someone who would enjoy having his master get rid of me while he watched with a bucket of popcorn in his hands, wouldn't he? He didn't seem like it, but in that scene, I imagined him no less than a cheerleader, and the other crazy man would throw confetti if you asked me.
The air around us couldn't feel heavier.
"S-so is he fine? Your pet?" I pointed at the dog with a shaky finger. But the silence had to go or else I would jump out of the car myself just to avoid the lingering traces of my insanity. I was being paranoid... The Head of Bristol could've easily killed me when he had the chance. He didn't need to waste his breath on someone like me, he didn't need to carpool with me back to his house, and he definitely didn't need to pretend to be in a calm mood if he was truly upset... Right? Right, I nodded in my head, breathing a little better before I stiffened the moment I saw the color inside his eyes again.
"Friend. She's a friend."
"O-oh, right!" I did remember him calling it Fiona. Such a pretty name for a...fine beast, I forced a smile at the snarling dog.
"You mustn't worry," he said, caressing the paw that I scratched.
"I...I didn't mean to," I started, but I only ended up getting choked up and sniffling before I could finish my thoughts.
"She'll be alright," he said with no trace of bitterness in his voice, so naturally I felt much better in a heartbeat. "How about you?"
"Ha...me?" Why was he asking that—how did he know... "Oh, you mean my head?" I placed a hand on my head, rubbing it softly where I felt the hammering the strongest on the side. "I was yanked down from a ten feet wall after jumping in the air, but it's not like I lost any braincells... I can still think of brilliant ways to...ha... to finish my mission."
Vincent let the corner of his lips lift slightly as if he was pleased to hear my words. Oh, so he could make that face, too. It was rewarding to see such an expression. "I am glad."
"Were you worried you have to take me to the hospital and pay for the bills?"
"Is that something I should be worried about?"
"No," I replied, unable to make sense of the perplexing look on his face. There was no way that the Head of Bristol would be worried about me. We were strangers. More than that, he knew why I was here. Still, the fake sympathy was comforting after such a hectic day. I beamed, leaned back in my seat slightly, and squeezed my bag in my hand, knowing exactly what I was going to write in my journal tonight.
"No need to worry about me," I said. " I didn't hit my head too hard." No matter how hard he made it to think straight, I had to continue with my plan. "But my arms hurt way more." I looked at the man sitting next to me, and the other one was the one personally driving us to my doom. "You two nearly crushed my bones!" That only made one break into a cackle and the other scoff, so I sank back in my seat.
"I apologize on their behalf." The Head of Bristol widened my eyes for the millionth time today. Anthony never said anything about the Head of Bristol being a courteous man...
"It's okay!" I nearly cried with glee this time. Don't tell me, the Head of Bristol liked playing the role of a distinguished and polite gentleman when he was actually the biggest villain of our lives! He liked acting... like me! "We're even! A head for a paw," I told him, amused him until his fake worried expression dissolved into a small smile.
"What is your name?"
"My name?" I thought about telling him a fake name to match his fake kindness, but it's not like he had any background information that he could dig up. There were no records of my existence nor traces that I left behind in any of my past missions; Anthony made sure of that. "My name," I repeated with my arms hugging my bag closer to me. "My name is Sunny."
"Sunny?" He looked pleased upon hearing it for some reason. It made me terrribly restless when he did, wanting to squirm in my seat at the sound of it. Hearing my name coming from the Vincent Bristol's mouth... Would he say my name in his final words?
"Ha... It's not my real, real name, but it's a nickname that I got when I was younger! I use it because I like it! It's a great alias, isn't it!" I couldn't help but to smile at the thought. "Someone special gave it to me, so it makes it that much more important to me."
"Ha...is that so?"
"You say that a lot, Mister," I said, giggling when he looked taken back for a moment. Then, I pointed to the man next to me. "And he doesn't say anything!"
"Sometimes silence says more than words themselves," the Head of Bristol said. He was looking out the window with an unreadable look in his eyes before he turned back to me with that handsome smile again. "Isn't that so...Sunny."
"Ha... I—"
Fiona's barks suddenly ripped in the air, making me shrink back with my hands over my ears in the same way you'd cover your ear from a blaring siren.
Vincent Bristol held back his pet hellhound from pouncing on my frozen body, looking right at me with a smirk when he caught my gaze with his. "We're here."
It was then when I realized that I had only exchanged a few words with this mysterious man, blinked, and found the time fly by so fast that I didn't even catch a glimpse of it.
We were here. The place that was going to be the end of me or the fall of Vincent Bristol. We were here. Finally.