Betrayal Is My End

Chapter 16

Tsu

"Why we have to do this?" Jay and I had been practicing our hand to hand combat together for the past few hours. The minute the meeting had ended, Dylan had stood and walked from the room. As far as I knew, no one had seen him since. I gotta talk to Timothy. I thought, thinking back to the look on his face after we'd been dismissed. He'd been thoughtful, and clearly worried, he can't really have feelings for Jake can he? I mean... Stockholm syndrome is a thing but-I was clearly more into my thoughts than our sparring.
Jay and I had both decided about an hour ago to just kind of lighten up so we weren't putting our all into it. So, it's not too hard to think she'd get the better of me in an instant and knock me up off my feet onto my back in the span of a millisecond. "Ha ha!" She said drawing the second part out and laughing at me, "I told you, what is you can teach me? I already know it, come on," she was clearly rubbing it in and I sighed dramatically to show I wasn't mad. I watched as she smiled before she held a hand out to me and I sighed- again- as I took it.
"Sorry, I'm just thinking about- things," I said finishing lamely. She didn't necessarily comment but she did give me the side eye, "eh, hello? Did you not know that could be killin you? If you gonna fight you gotta be in attention, not in your head." To emphasize what she said, she decided to flick me in the head a few times. I slapped her hands away laughing and she rolled her eyes, "whatcha thinking about anyways?"
I pursed my lips as I looked at her debating whether or not I should say anything. Just as I made the decision to open my mouth, the door opened and Jerome walked in.
I was surprised to see he wasn't alone, however I was annoyed to see who was beside him. I have to work to show any emotion now, so it's not surprising when he doesn't notice my annoyance at his presence, until I speak. "Mark," I say disdainfully, looking him up and down with clear disgust. He rolls his eyes and stares blankly back at me.
I can see a hint of amusement in his eyes now as he does, we're clearly on a different level than we'd been before. I could never be friends with him, and I don't think I could fully trust him, but I mean, neither of us had stabbed each other- or tried to- in the past hours so, we were getting better.
So long as that whip was in my sight at all times, which it was now, we were totally fine. "Tsu, I need you. Jay you and Mark can tra-" Jay surprised me by scoffing loudly, effectively cutting him off. I watched as Jerome closed his eyes slowly, trying to reign in his clear frustration, when he turned to her I could practically see murder in his eyes.
"Something you'd like to say?" He asked staring at her intently, I felt as Mark and I made a silent pact for this moment and silently stepped back from whatever was happening. "You just gonna come up in here and demand 'this is that' and 'you go here?' No." Her tone was that of a person who really really hates authority. "If you gonna come in here and interrupt our training, that you told us to do, then I want specifics. Or at least a better partner. I mean, come on," she says gesturing to Mark who frowns, "I don't recall ever having done anything to offend you?"
His tone surprised me because I figured it'd be playful since they were coming from the same side. Instead, it was genuine curiosity. Like he was trying to figure out why she didn't want anything to do with him. "Look, it's not personal," she said barely
glancing at him, "I just know I can kick your ass." I watched as her eyes flicked from his face down for a moment before going back up to his and smiling.
It was a quick millisecond movement and I felt confusion until she spoke again. "What's that gonna do? Scare me, yea right. I don't fucking think so, Little Man." Mark's hand had instinctively gone to his hip and I'd seen a flash of anger in his eyes but at her words, he'd stopped. I shook my head, "what if we got Jason and Julia to train with you, and when I'm done, I'll come back?" Ever the peace keeper.
She didn't seem overly pleased with the suggestion, but she didn't immediately punch me in the face either. So, ya know, small victory.
"Doris would be proud, ya know." It wasn't a question but a statement, I rolled my eyes and looked at Jerome sideways as we walked. He didn't say anything else but I could see a soft smile gracing his lips.
"She's freaking mental, dude, I'm glad you took over as leader. Dylan's great and all but he doesn't really know how to lead," Mark seemed uncharacteristically chatty and I found myself really listening to what he had to say.
He seemed a bit annoyed even as he spoke, like he was disappointed in who he'd been stuck with. "He's not terrible but he thinks with his heart too much. It gets him everytime, sleeping with Timothy? Do you think that's smart? No. It's not," he was shaking his head now and it was clear he was mostly venting. He didn't have anyone else to talk to, maybe talking to the head of the rival organization isn't that smart a move but, he's already doing it so- who's to stop him?
I pondered over the Timothy thing for a minute before mentally shrugging, makes sense why they're so close. I thought back to how they'd been and how Stahsi and Dave constantly flocked Timothy. Maybe that's why he felt so awkward, he had bodyguards. I made small 'huh' sound as I figured things out with myself.
I couldn't help but tone Mark out slightly, but Jerome had had enough. Jerome turned faster than I thought humanely possible and got right up in Mark's space. The younger took a shocked step back before regaining his composure and Jerome spoke. "I believe this is where we part ways," I looked around and noticed we were in an area I'd never seen before. Wait, I thought looking around us now studying the surroundings.
If we're still in the bunker- for lack of better terms for the tunnels under Ash's house- how are we in an area I don't know? There can't be that many down here, can there?
I tried to hide my confusion but in the end I don't think I did such a great job because Jerome sighed annoyed and tapped my shoulder. "If you're going to be in the position you're in, you need to get better at hiding your emotions."
I grimaced but nodded and he sighed glaring at Mark still. Mark muttered some nonsense before turning back and leaving the way we'd come. Jerome watches him go before continuing, "though," he says watching Marks' retreating figure. "You did do amazing in the meeting. None of them could tell the difference between your true feelings and the lie. You played them perfectly."
He bowed his head to me and I smirked softly, "none of them know you're a player on the board now, so, again I applaud your skill." He gave me one moment longer to bask in his praise before continuing. "Now then, this is important. So, focus."
His tone has once again changed and I felt myself beginning to get whiplash at his mood swings. How can anyone deal with this? We walked in silence and I noticed the walls changing- again- they went from white halls that were bleached to death and sterile to more tunnel like. The walls were dirt, the floor was packed dirt and there were few lights.
I frowned, looking at the shadows shimmering and swirling. "Stahsi is here, isn't she?" He scoffed, "now you pay attention. Good. She's not here here but her power is being implemented." He turned so suddenly I had to stop short so as not to run into him. "Her power infiltrates your mind and brings the darkness to light. She manipulates shadows," he said it plainly as if to break it down for me. Why does he want me for this job and not the boys. "She makes you see your worst fear if she wants. You're with me, so she won't now. But you will feel a little scared, that's normal."
I felt my eyes widen fractionally as my heart dropped while he spoke. "What's in here, is top level, got it?" He stared at me for a moment and I realized he was waiting for an answer so I nodded. He rolled his eyes and turned again, before I could move he sighed and reached out grabbing my wrist firmly in his hand. We walked through the dark network of swirling shadows and I felt the temperature drop immensely. My skin raised in goosebumps, and I could see my breath as it puffed out around me.
My footsteps were slow and uncertain as he tugged me along. When we finally stopped, it was in front of an old looking wooden door and I frowned looking at it in confusion.
How do we have so many random old doors that no one's seen or noticed until Jerome leads us to them? This is like the third one- isn't it? I did a mental note to count all random wooden doors from here on out. After that, I stared waiting for him to speak. When he didn't, I looked to him and back to the door before frowning in confusion and finally letting my curiosity get the better of me.
"I don't-" he held his hand up to silence me and pointed around. Before I could say anything else, he opened the door and shoved me in. "When I tell you 'silence' I mean, silence." He practically hissed, I nodded again and he glared at me for a moment before turning and that's when I took in the room. It was dark, but in the center was a single chair with a man sitting in it, there was light coming from a single lightbulb above him.
His hands were tied behind him, his eyes were blindfolded, and I could see his clothes were dirty. They were torn here and there, blood was pooling and dripping in places where skin was exposed, and his chin was bruised.
And- most noticeable of all- he was crying. It wasn't calm, quiet, sobs. But, body wracking throat choking sobs. I looked from the man to Jerome and saw him roll his eyes but nodded to someone just out of my sight. When I turned back, I noticed Kai and Davi standing on either side sentry-like, guarding the crying man.
They were both stone faced but I could tell the crying man was wearing on Davi. Jerome sighed, "good. Speak," the man's head shot up and I heard him sniffle as Jerome put his hand in the man's thick, black as night, hair and yanked.
I was surprised to hear the man cry out loudly, I don't know why, he wasn't overly masculine or anything but the squeal seemed to shock me. Before I could stop them, the words tumbled from my mouth and I froze "who is this?"
Jerome turned to me slowly, it was clear he was on the verge of murdering me now. Clearly I couldn't listen to simple instructions. I bowed my head and I bit my lip, having spoken out of turn. I was waiting for the punishment but it didn't come, instead Kai answered in the most disinterested and bored tone I'd ever heard. It was like I'd asked him what the weather was like outside. "Just someone who thinks he's more important than he is."
I looked from the man to Kai, and from Kai to Davi. Where Kai seemed bored, Davi looked ready to murder. His eyes were filled with annoyance and malice and before them the man shook, "o-obviously I'm worth something! You took me, honey." I felt my head snap as I stared at the man again, his voice was higher pitched and quite overwhelmingly whiny. It shook with his fear and I had to stifle a laugh.
When I looked him over again, I took my time, really taking in the details of him. I noticed his clothes weren't normal street clothes but actually a uniform, "he's a cop." I said calmly, Davi nodded but didn't speak and I could see him practically vibrating with annoyance. "He is," Jerome said cheerfully, "I'd like you to meet my friend Tsu,"
He leaned down and ripped the blindfold off from the man's eyes, and the man started gasping in breathes as he took in his new surroundings.
To be honest, he looked- pitiful. His face was tear stained, and red, his eyes had black smudges around them as though he'd worn cheap eyeliner. His skin was a tanned color and, as I focused, I saw his eyes were a hazel looking color. He sneered up at me and I couldn't help but chuckle at his attempt to be menacing. "She's- not impressive." He turned his head away and that was the final straw for Davi.
In one fluid movement he scoffed and pulled out a gun pointing it directly to the man's head and cocked it.
"Can I shoot him, now?" The man instantly shriveled and tried to get out of range of the gun but it was no use, Davi had it pressed directly to his temple. He's started sobbing quietly, this time, and closed his eyes waiting for the bang that would end his life.
When it didn't come, he peeked his eyes open slightly, Jerome had titled his head to watch but hadn't said anything thus far. I took the initiative to try and steer the conversation back on track, "I'm Tsu, hey, look at me." I leaned down so I was on his level and met his eyes, they were filled with tears and I could hear his quiet gasps.
"Ignore them," his eyes widened and he did this god awful attempt at a laugh but it was just a lot of choked 'heh' sounds. "Ignore them!? Oh yea, I'll get right on that." He rolled his eyes and jutted his lip out in a pout and I frowned before standing. Jerome leaned forward and smacked the man so hard his head snapped back and hit the gun.
He cried again and I stood, "alright I- I tried. I leveled with him," the man scoffed, "you're kidding right!? Honey you kidnapped me! How do you level with me!? Jesus Christ," Davi groaned but Jerome motioned for the gun to go away so Kai kicked the man's leg instead.
"So, Tsu," Jerome said, "as I was saying, this is my good friend Jerald. He works in the Elsinore police station." My eyes widened and I looked over the man, Jerald, with new interest. "Does he now? My my that's quite impressive. Do tell, what do you do there?"
Jerald kept his mouth shut and Davi sighed stepping forward with a folder in hand and giving it to Jerome. He thumbed through it for a moment before chuckling, "my, my," he said mimicking me, "you have an impressive record here. Great track record, though I suppose that's because people have coddled you, hidden your failures, and made you look better than you actually are."
Jerald looked absolutely furious now, he shook with rage and his face was red, and his eyes narrowed. "Do tell me, are you near sighted?" I looked to Jerome in question and back at Jerald and saw he did, in fact, appear to be squinting out of desire to see not rage. I mean, he was still mad, but.
"How are you all so nonchalant and cavalier? You're the villains! You hunt us and kill us, you prey on us, look what you did to Mikey!" I felt taken aback by that did they not know about Mikey? What he's done to us, what he is?
I opened my mouth to ask but Jerome spoke before I could, "some people see us as bad, some see us as heroes. We're what we've been made to be, nothing more. Nothing less." He says it with a shrug and goes right back to looking over Jerald's folder with interest.
"Now then, let's talk about you, Jerald. If not, I suppose we'd have to take things to the next level." I pursed my lips, not really sure what 'the next level' was. Jerald will talk, he's not that strong willed.
"Tsu, I'd like you to take front and center on this interrogation."
"I- what?" I asked calmly and saw Jerald sigh in what appeared to be relief, "get the information out of him." With that, Jerome walked back out the door he'd come through and I bit my lip staring at it, willing him to come back.
Information? What information!? I chewed my lip silently staring at the door with my back facing the three men in the room with me.
"Oh, I can't wait to see this, honey." I turned slowly to look at him and watched as he leaned back in his chair content with the world.
I looked to Kai and Davi who both looked uncomfortable but determined. I took a deep breath steadying myself, "ok, I can do this." I muttered the words to myself quietly and Jerald laughed even more.
"Don't think less of me," I said to both of them before squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath. I had to force myself into that calm mental space I now inhabited. The emotions slipped away from me, and I felt my demeanor change and watched as Kai and Davi both raised a brow to each other. "Now, Jerald, I know you don't think much of me but, I promise I won't disappoint."