The Revenge of Devil | Irondad, pepperony

Chapter 54

"I'm glad you told me," Michelle said after a moment as Peter told her what had happened yesterday and today. She wasn't as shocked as she had been in the fall, after all, living with the Starks had taught her that life was really full of surprises, but it still struck her. All the more so when she knew she was Peter's sister. She looked at him. "But please don't tell me you're okay. I know you're not. After all, who would be okay after all that?"

He looked at her gratefully. "Thanks, Michelle," he whispered.

She nodded and took his hand. She intertwined her fingers with him and squeezed it tightly. "Don't worry, we can do it. It will be solved somehow," she promised him, and although she had no idea how something like this could be solved, she was convinced of her words.

"Michelle, I... I have two pleas," Peter began cautiously, rolling his eyes. MJ quietly urged him to continue. "The first one... if my parents go on their honeymoon, do you think it would matter with yours if you stayed with us? I don't want to be there alone. I... I know it's probably not the safest, so I'll understand if you say no to me, but -"

Peter didn't get to the next (stupid) argument because Michelle wouldn't let him. She put her index finger to his lips and he turned to her in surprise. "Stop talking nonsense. Of course, I'd love to stay with you if no one minds," she replied, smiling slightly. His offer pleased her and warmed her heart, though she probably wouldn't admit it out loud. But that meant to her how much Peter trusted her, how much he cares about her, and that he loves her. Something like that will please everyone. "And now the second request? But I swear, if you have other similar nonsense up your sleeve, I don't know," she warned him, and he had to laugh.

"Good. Is this... what would you say if we didn't talk about this today? I don't want to talk about it with everyone, because I'm exhausted, repeating everything over and over and convincing them of something. It's clear to me that I'm going to have to talk to my parents about it at lunch or after lunch, so... I'd like to take a break and try to forget about it... at least for a while," he explained carefully.

"If you're asking me if I don't mind, I won't, believe me," she grinned. "I want you to feel at ease, at least as far as I can. I don't mind. So what if we went for a walk and didn't talk about it? " she suggested, and Peter agreed. Yesterday, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get in that happy mood anymore. And he was sorry because it was his parents' wedding and he wanted to enjoy it with everything. Plus, this was a really wonderful place, and he'd be very sorry if he didn't enjoy it. So a walk with Michelle sounded like a great idea.

"I'm looking forward to your pictures," he told her after a moment as they went out, hand in hand. Peter noticed that Michelle wanted to head for the woods, but the idea of returning there didn't make him any better, and so he motioned for her to head more to the other side. If he wants to try not to think about it, it's best to be as far away from it all as possible. On the one hand, he was glad that Teresa was not just an illusion, but at the same time her arrival clouded his memories of the wedding, and he was sad. It was ironic. She was brought up as a murderer, like Mary's weapon to kill him, and yet he tried to protect her from being hurt by anyone from his family... Enough, he shouted in his mind, you said you wouldn't think about it anymore. By force of will, he returned to the ground, sensing Michelle's warm hand in his.

She probably answered something, but he didn't hear her. My God, at first he neglected his parents, now he starts neglecting his girlfriend, just because he thinks too much about his unpredictable sister. He sighed and ran his free hand over his face. "I'm sorry, I... I'm not in my element today. I have no idea what I should say."

She smiled and pointed to a white bench. "It does not matter. We can still be silent together," she suggested calmly, waiting for him to sit down, then sat down next to him. He laid his head on her shoulder and snuggled up to her. She rummaged through his soft curls and enjoyed the April sun, which warmed them both with its warm rays. They were so far away that there was absolutely no noise or conversation between the guests, only the two of them and the beautiful nature. The chirping of birds, the smell of grass, the rustle of a nearby forest. The silence and peace caressed their souls. And Michelle enjoyed being so far from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Were it not for the events of last afternoon, the time they had spent here could not have been more perfect.

"I love you," Peter muttered after a moment of silence that was exceptionally not embarrassing at all. Michelle liked it. They don't just have to talk to each other all the time. Where else not to take advantage of that silence and just be with the other and enjoy his presence than right here?

She smiled. "I love you too."

•••

She stood in the hall, barefoot, in her favorite pajamas, with a teddy bear under her arm, looking out the door, behind which a black shadow was visible. There was a click of the lock, the handle moved down, and a woman entered. The girl beamed when she saw her mother. But the woman just smiled devilishly, there was a soft click, and she then aimed the loaded pistol at her daughter's head.

"Hi, little one," she whispered, her eyes flashing, "did you miss me?"

Teresa jerked awake and looked around disoriented for a few seconds. Her heart was still pounding, but as the dream slowly faded, she calmed down. She must have fallen asleep while training to shoot, as her mother had taught her then, but now with the difference that she was alone. It was light outside the windows, and a pistol lay on the floor not far from her.

She must have smirked. Strange that she had such a dream. Maybe it was supposed to be a warning. Warning that the task is not performing well enough. Teresa knew that perhaps it would have been more effective if she had suffocated the Starks a little more and let them live in ever-increasing uncertainty before attacking again. But she didn't have much time left. And she won't miss a new chance this time. She won't wait anymore.