The Marx Brothers

Chapter Thirty Seven - 'Arrested'

Lying on his back, Phoenix was down and out. His eyes were closed, his body limp. Blood seeped from his eyebrow, bruising and swelling visible on his left cheek, his right eye and his chest.
I couldn't breathe, my lungs were stinging, dry and constricted with panic.

Jett had his fingers on his brothers neck, eyes wide as he searched for a pulse.
"I knew this was going to happen" He mumbled, lightly slapping Phoenix on his undamaged cheek, attempting to wake him
"He needs a hospital" I stuttered, my fingers tracing his ribcage, the bruising severe

Jett's gaze lifted to me briefly, shaking his head

"He could have internal bleeding Jett, he might not be dead yet, but it could still happen" I told him angrily

"No" Jett snapped, rubbing his temples
"He's been worse, he'll be okay" Nova added, looking over his friend casually
I couldn't believe the downplay over Phoenix's condition.

Suddenly, Phoenix began to shift, his eyebrows creasing in the middle as his eyes fluttered awake.

"Eden" A new voice entered beside me as I leaned down
I glanced up and saw Gonzales standing there

Slowly standing, I felt my temper rise
"You're a lot prettier in person" He smiled, proud of himself, sinister "I'm sorry about your boy" He continued, his voice tinged with a Hispanic accent.
I had always loved the accent, until now

I shook my head "No you aren't, this is what you wanted"
Bravery had inserted itself in me, taking over alongside the fury.

"This needed to happen, this has been coming since before you even knew this world existed sweetheart"

"It needed to happen to what, fulfil your ego? You haven't taken enough of him already?" I snapped back

He took a step towards me as a crowd grew around us, curious ears and eyes anticipating another fight

"I can see why he likes you" Gonzales reveled "My brother told me you were a sweet girl, quiet and shy, I can see now that he was wrong"

"Oscar" I stumbled, recalling the new information

Like clockwork, perfect timing entered, Oscar joining his brother's side, his eyes on mine, wide, just as surprised as me to the revelation of involvement

"Eden" Oscar looked the same as he did the last time I had seen him "What are you doing here?"

I wondered if he was playing stupid, or if he really had no idea as to what was going on

Gonzales smiled and threw an arm around his brothers shoulder, I watched them carefully, their eyes suddenly moving from me to something, or someone behind me

I turned and noticed Phoenix standing upright, one hand wiping over the blood on his cheek. He had quickly recovered from his unconscious state, leering towards me and the men in front of me. Jett stood beside him, worried he'd drop back down at any second.

"Wakey wakey Princess" Gonzales sighed proudly, smirking

"You got what you wanted" Phoenix began, standing closely beside me, his voice rougher than I'd ever heard it, broken

Gonzales nodded "I'm a man of my word Marx"

"I'm sorry, I'm still not following" Oscar was shaking his head, narrowing his eyes on me in an intense gesture of confusion "I thought he was just your neighbor?"