Victor broke the silence and looked down at the puffy eyed children.
"You're not going to let go are you?" he asked gently
They shook their heads.
Violet whispered, "Do you want to go?"
That thought had occurred to him. What happened was probably the preview to his life becoming disaster. Although when he looked at the scared little ones clinging onto his clothes...he couldn't just leave them.
"I blame my soft heart that can't keep up with my cruel mind." he thought with a chuckle
He picked them up and placed them on his shoulders. Victor stood up and groaned slightly.
"He saw all of us. We're stuck together." He smiled
Violet asked, "Do you think....we'll be able to do that? Make something so beautiful"
"Who knows. Now you have a goal, congratulations." Victor told "You're no longer aimless"
Alexander and Violet were surprised and let the words sink in. A small thought sprouted in their minds: If I could make something stronger.
"Where's the book?" Alexander realized
Victor answered, "I have. Grabbed it during the fight but your bags are probably gone."
"Hmm..." They sulked
Victor sighed, "I'll get you new stuff."
Alexander and Violet smiled at each other as Victor slowly walked to town. The Southern Dam as it's name implied was in the south of Goldenville further away from the town boundaries. Luckily it was so late at night no one was the scene of a man in tattered attire, bruises and blood limping with two children who looked just as bad as he did.
They entered Victor's house and locked the door. Victor fell backward into his large sofa and closed his eyes.
"I'll get up in a few minutes so just wait-" he told as he dozed off
~~~
RINGING*RINGING
Alexander opened his eyes and saw Victor who acted as his pillow and Violet on the armchair beside them. The ringing was coming from the door and he pulled his body out of Victor's iron grip.
Outside the door was woman with a displeased face.
"Who are you? You know what nevermind and take them back." she fumed
She dropped two medium-large crates on the floor and walked away. Alexander was curious and opened it with interest. Whatever was inside pushed him out of the way and dashed to the living room with Alexander running after them.
Alexander saw two German Shepherds licking Victor's face happily and one hopped onto his chest.
"Bella, Blitz...you're back?" Victor yawned "Now, hush."
They became silent, Victor stretched and wrapped a bath robe over his tore clothes. Alexander looked at the dogs with interest and it seems Victor noticed.
"Come on buddy." Victor smiled
He held his hand and directed into Bella's fur. The noise woke Violet up and her eyes sparkled asking to touch the dogs too. Victor let them stroke Bella to their hearts content.
"Bella is the calmer one of the my two dogs. They're not good with strangers but I know they'll love you." Victor smiled
Alexander frowned, "I...I...don't want to go to school..."
"Me too." Violet sulked
Victor smiled, "I can't not let you go to school. Why don't you take Bella and Blitz with you? Griffon also allows animals and they need the exercise."
The two dogs looked at Victor with surprise. Alexander liked the idea and began preparing to go with Violet.
Victor whistled and the dogs followed him into the a room with dog beds and toys in a corner. He took out a blue and white collar paired with a leash. Victor crouched down and rubbed their necks slowly.
"I need you take care of them for me. I trust you, both and they need you." he told softly
Bella and Blitz rubbed on his hands and made a confident bark which made him smirk. He gave Blitz to Alexander and Bella to Violet and drove them to their respective houses to clean up.
When he returned he opened the Maxwell's Journal and found new text written:
The most difficult enemy is like a lizard
Clipping its tail when danger is near
But
Even remains can lead to something
Nothing is truly hidden forever
"I agree with that." Victor sighed reading the page about ether
In moments he manifested orange and red flames. The embers spun around according to his will and he wondered why the children said it would be difficult.
BANGING
He extinguished the flames and opened the door. Two familiar strangers were at his doorstep and he knew that today would be a long one as well.
"Good Morning, Mr. Glade. I'm Detective Hollow and my colleague Detective Oscar. Could you come with us?"
Victor smiled, "May I get dressed properly?"
He nodded
Victor shoved his bloody clothes down into his incinerator and dressed in a black shirt with pale blue jeans. The detectives lead him to the station on the east of town and he was now in an interrogation room.
"My life is happening too fast. It feels like it's been several days." Victor thought remembering its only been a day meeting the children
The woman, Detective Oscar walked in with files probably about him and so forth. It wasn't his first time nor would it be his last.
"Vanessa Page was last seen at your casino." she said bluntly
Victor smiled, "No small talk? Fine, yes. I met her and she questioned me about some strange behavior. I told her I sell alcohol and strange things happen daily. It's a consequence that fills my pockets."
"How do you know Vanessa Page?" she asked
Victor told, "We're drinking buddies. She wanted to rant about her boss not giving her a vacation and I don't like drinking alone. May I leave?"
She looked at him with a frown.
Detective Oscar scoffed, "You seem to be in a hurry-"
"I had a rough night. My bed is calling me." Victor interrupted
She pushed forward, "But no one saw you leave work that day. Where were you?"
"I used the back. Check your cameras, I use that route when I'm running away from work." Victor smirked
Victor's eyes became sharp and his playfulness vaporized.
"Are you going to unlawfully detain me, detective? Last I remember you can't do that." Victor questioned
She stood up and left. Detective Hollow was looking through the one way mirror with a sigh.
"He's right, Lola. We can't detain him without evidence, release him." He told
Lola Oscar yelled, "HE KNOWS SOMETHING!"
"They were just Drinking friends. We investigated and everything matches, they only met when Vanessa was off and went separate way when the alcohol was done." He informed
Lola released Victor with dissatisfaction.
"What do you know?" she asked with a stern face
Victor's neutral face looked down at her with a haughty gaze, "Then show me some evidence."
With those parting words Lola watched him leave and felt her blood boil hot.
A young officer blocked Victor's path with determined eyes staring at him as he asked, "Did you do it?"
"How many time should I say it? No....." Victor sighed until a devious idea bloomed in his mind
He moved closer to the youngster's ears.
"But someone in there knows. Friendly advice." Victor beamed looking back at the police station
He left with a smile on his face. Whatever happens happens. He found a letter on his doorstep and he frowned.
"Did that idiot, Karim finally answer me?" he scoffed ripping the cover as he entered
It read:
'Victor
If you're reading this I'm dead-'