SO BAD [MXM] [MAFIA] ✓

36: ALONE

Skylar frowns, instantly confused. "What? I thought you killed everyone."

Actually, wait, now that Skylar thinks about it, Crimson definitely left that building alive. Something that stood out, since Skylar is pretty sure he was basically the only person to do so. Ash had said something about using him for information.

"I kept him alive for intel purposes and for leverage with his connections. He had to have escaped by working with one of my people, because it would be impossible any other way."

Skylar nods, because going off the reputation of the accorders, that's the only thing that makes sense. Clearly they are a very powerful, tight-knit group of people. It doesn't sound like they have much room to be making mistakes, generally speaking. Crimson having corrupted one of them is the only thing that would add up, but it also sounds like it is a really big deal.

If the accorders are as powerful as everyone says they are, which Skylar is pretty sure of, then saying this is bad would be an understatement.

"So you're going to work." Skylar states the only part of this that really matters to him. Ashton is going to work, Ashton is leaving him alone with the worst drug withdrawal someone can experience. Skylar's not there yet, but he's only got four pills left. Ash said that was all he was getting, and Skylar hasn't made enough progress in terms of how long he can go without a dose for this to be anything less than the most excruciating experience of his life.

"Yes," Ash affirms, and Skylar is quite let down. A ball of dread curls in his gut, and despite Ash's presence, loneliness is already setting in. Just the fact that Ashton is leaving him is enough to drain all the hope from his body.

"I don't know when I'll be back, since I'll have to run an entire investigation on the accorders and a manhunt at the same time."

Skylar expected that. This is a massive deal, of course Ash's list of priorities don't put Skylar above his super important job, especially with Crimson on the loose. The last time Skylar saw Crimson, the guy was trying to kill him. He doubts anything about Crimson's intentions have changed, and it's entirely possible that he'll be coming after Skylar now.

So, Skylar's not surprised by Ashton's next words. "I need you to stay in the house while I'm gone, where you're safe. God—I should've just fucking killed him."

Ashton grumbles the last part, looking pissed off, and Skylar doesn't want the guy to beat himself up over this. It sounds like Crimson escaping was about as unfeasible as Skylar living much longer than a week after he's inevitably cut off.

This is about to really suck.

-

Ash gives Skylar access to the rest of his pills before he leaves, but Skylar doesn't take long to go through it. He really has no sense of self discipline or restraint, and he's given a brutal reminder of that when he goes through four pills in less than a day.