To Be or Not to Be | hamilton

nine : thomas

"Doesn't it suck to lose a customer?" The lump on Thomas' bed sighed.

"Mulligan?"

"No," it sighed.

"H... Hamilton?"

"I heard he was a drug dealer too."

Thomas shook his head, eyes wide. "He has anxiety! A... and we promised..."

"He's a liar, Thomas. But... c'est la vie, I suppose."

"Lafayette?"

The lump chucked. "Sit down, Thomas."

Not Lafayette. The voice had a demeaning tone, one that made him overly willing to comply. He moved and sat down next to the man.

The lump- the man- was a muscular, grotesque man. He was unkempt and disheveled, eyes rimmed red. His clothes were tattered; however, he was clearly middle class- he smelled and presented cleanly. "Listen-"

Thomas moved away. "I-I don't know you." He was nervous. "Get out of my dorm."

He laughed. "Can I tell you another story about Alexander?"

Thomas shrugged, one leg bouncing anxiously. "I... suppose."

"He raped Eliza."

That made Thomas stand up in anger. "He's gay, you idiot!"

"That's why he got away with it! Sit down, Thomas. We have a lot to talk about."

Thomas shook his head, grabbing his phone.

The man yanked it out. "I said. Sit. Down."

Thomas sank down, trembling.

"Thank you." He dropped Thomas' phone on the floor and stomped on it, effectively destroying the phone. "I also heard he locked you in his closet until you finished his course work!"

Thomas shuddered. He knew where this was going. "What do you want from me?"

"Do you not recognise me?" The man pouted. "I suppose that is natural. You've never met me. I'm John's father. The boy you found dying on the beach?"

Thomas gasped. There was a long silence while Thomas formulated a response. Finally, he said, "John tried to kill himself. You were part of the problem."

On cue, he yelped and jumped backwards, his hand flying to his chest. "Me?! He called me when he was walking to the beach. Begged for a reason to live. Told me what he was going to do..." The man began crying. "J-John... I- when I-I talked t-t-to him... h... he... th-threw h-his phone o-out."

Thomas felt a sweep of pity. "I'm sorry, sir..."

"I-it's okay..." he paused, recollecting himself. "I have a court case soon. Are you willing to help me?"

"No."

"Let me try again. If you do not help me, I will kill you."

"..."

"One more try. Will you help me?"

"I..."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes," was the immediate response.

"Good." the man smiled, his white teeth glistening in the moonlight. "Alexander will be there. If he goes against me... remember what I said."

Then he was gone.