Crying Soul Part 2
"Duo, you should really go to the hospital," Howard repeated for the hundredth time.
Duo just shook his head and flexed the tightly bandaged arm. "No need, uncle." He poured himself a glass of red wine and leaned back into the big and comfortable armchair standing in the middle of the living room, tucking his legs under him.
Howard sighed and started to pace around the room again. "Duo, you had to have seen something. Anything, give us a clue. You saw the guy killing our witness and two of my colleagues. He even shot you! So there has to be *something* you can tell us."
Duo swirled the wine in the glass looking at his man who took care of him since his parents and brother had died. "Howard, I don't know how many more times I should repeat it - I didn't see anything. I know you're a cop, but I'm not the assassin here, so stop interrogating me."
Howard sighed again and sat heavily down on the couch opposite Duo's armchair. "I know, son, I know. But it's just... this guy got in and out without releasing the alarm and if it wasn't for the phone the guys weren't answering, we wouldn't have known for hours that something happened! He is good. Really good. And I want him!"
Duo looked down into the swirling red in his glass and asked: "Do you want to get him so that justice could be ensured or do you want to catch him so that you could get your revenge?"
Howard's head jerked up and he looked closely at the boy he considered his son. "This is not about me, Duo."
"No?"
"NO! It's about you. The guy knows you have seen him and he knows he has to get rid of you. He will come to get you. Maybe tonight already."
"So?"
"SO? You are behaving as if nothing happened today. The guy is a common murderer."
Duo smiled to himself. If you only knew, uncle. "Relax, Howard. Your guys are sitting in the cars in front of my house. Chill out, nothing will happen."
"I want to post some of my men here in the house."
Duo froze. He gripped the glass tightly almost shattering it in his fist. "No way! I won't allow it!"
"Duo, please, be reasonable," Howard pleaded with him. "The guy is a professional. He *will* come for you..."
"Howard..." Duo's voice was unnaturally cold.
"...and look around." He waved his hand around. "You are sitting in the middle of your living room where there are French windows leading to the balcony. Big windows. And if that wasn't enough, they are open, because you didn't allow me to close them."
"Howard!" This time there was a warning in his voice.
"I know you hate all the cops being around after what happened with your parents, but..."
"Enough!" Duo stood abruptly and threw the fragile glass across the room shattering it in the burning fire in the huge fireplace.
Howard looked at him with a shocked expression and stood slowly.
"I refuse to have cops all around my place. I refuse to have them in my garden. Should I see them anywhere near the house without a good reason I will file charges! You hear me?"
Duo didn't scream during his speech. Just the opposite. His voice was so cold that it chilled Howard to the bone. It had been a long time since he had seen Duo this angry.
"Okay, okay, son. Just calm down. Calm down, please. The policemen will stay in their cars. But you have to agree on a compromise." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box with a square red button on the top of it. "This is a 'panic button'. You press the red square on the top and my men will be here in a matter of seconds." He offered the box to Duo. "Do you agree?"
Duo took the box reluctantly, turning it over in his hands. "Okay. If you promise me that my house won't get overrun by cops, I will take it."
Howard sighed with relief. "Thank god for small miracles. Obviously there is some small part of a brain left in your head."
Duo smiled slightly.
Howard looked at his watch. "I have to go now, but if you should need anything, just call me and I will be here as soon as I can, okay?"
Duo nodded silently with a grateful look in his eyes.
Howard stepped closer, engulfing the young man in his arms. "I don't know what I would do should I lose you too. Your father was a good friend of mine and I promised him to take care of you. And I have every intention on keeping my promise."
Duo embraced Howard, gently patting his back. "I know, uncle. And you are doing a fine job here."
Howard pulled back and with a last pat on Duo's shoulder, he left the room heading for the main entrance.
Duo waited until he heard the front door closing. Then he opened the small black box pulling out the batteries from the back of it and tossing them on the couch together with the box. He won't need it tonight.
He stepped to the window, switching the light off on his way. The gentle breeze was moving the thin curtains. It was getting colder outside. The moon was shining...
For just a moment Duo felt bad because of what he intended to do. It would kill Howard surely. But on the other hand... He couldn't live like that anymore. To live for the sake of living wasn't enough for him anymore. It hadn't been enough since his family had gotten killed. Tonight it will all end. No more pain, no more sadness, no more emptiness anymore...
Duo looked at the night sky, the full moon, the millions of stars. Yeah, tonight was the perfect night to die...
TBC...
Back to KatiKat's Fanfictions Page