14 Chapter 13 - Toll

Thong's tears eventually dried up and he found himself standing back in the large room where initially he got persuaded into the mission. His eyes were weighed to the floor, taking notice of Jason's shoes. Jason was talking to someone, but Thong didn't care who. His mind was blank yet rushing all the same. His vision was blurred yet his eyes went without tears. The world seemed warped. He saw Jason's red glove place something in his pocket. Thong noticed his arms were bandaged up.

Thong's thoughts: When… did that happen…?

When he blinked, he stood outside his home, unsure of how he got there. Thong pulled out his keys, entering his home. Thong's eyes twitched as he was overcome by a feeling of dread. As he stood in the hall, staring down at his parents and his room. Thong felt off. He was home, but he felt unwelcomed. He felt like a stranger in his own home.

Thong's thoughts: I'm… tired… Today was… tiring…

Thong walked to his room, locking his door before looking all over the room. He limped his way to his bed before collapsing, his eyelids getting heavier and heavier.

Thong's thoughts: Where were we…?

…

Thong opened his eyes, the light of the sun burning through his window. His body was aching, his stomach growling. Thong pushed himself up, feeling the pain in his arms.

Thong: What happened?

Thong felt weak, pushing himself off his bed, stumbling as he went to the door. As he opened it, he looked down, seeing a tray of rice and pork. The meal was the nicest it had looked in a while. Next to the tray sat a note. Thong picked it up, his eyes in shock.

"Hello honey,

You haven't left your room in 3 days, and I'm getting awfully worried. Did we do something to upset you? Your door has been locked this entire time. Me and your father will be out shopping for groceries with the money you left us. Here is some food that we initially went shopping with.

Stay healthy,

Ma"

Thong stared in shock. He had been asleep for three full days.

Thong's thoughts: How did that happen? What made me sleep for three days?

Thong's head started pounding, Thong grasping his forehead with his free hand. Memories came flooding into his mind. The match within the group of people, the man in the red clothing, the villa. He remembered the fight Jason had with Akuma.

Thong: They were exchanging blows. I was so focused on their fight, but what happened after? I… I can't remember…

Thong grasped his stomach, feeling hunger overtake him. Instead of going to a table, Thong immediately dropped to the ground, eating the warm and tender pork with the fluffy white rice beside it. It was the nicest meal he had at home in months. Tears filled his eyes as he felt himself get full.

Thong: I really got lucky, Jason got Rinsel for me…

…

As another four days passed, Thong removed his bandages. The bruising has weakened, with his arms no longer a bright red. He could clench his hand easily. Thong could feel his former strength returning. As he walked over to the old dirtied clothes of that night, an envelope fell to the ground. Thong crouched down, feeling the thickness of the envelope.

Thong: When did this get in there?

Thong opened the envelope, his eyes were in shock at what sat inside. A check with a stack of green inside. Thong pulled out the bundle, with enough hundreds to make it a stack of one thousand dollars. Changing his glance onto the check, Thong's jaw dropped. The check read "nineteen thousand dollars." Thong could feel his mind coming to a halt at the extremely high amount. Before he could come to accept the amount, his phone began ringing. Thong stashed the stack of cash into his pocket and dropped the envelope on his bed. Thong picked up the phone, noticing it was Mike calling him.

Mike: Yo, haven't seen you around recently. Did the fight with Hugo scare you that much?

Thong's thoughts: He doesn't know…

Mike: Well, me and Tiana were pretty scared, so I thought we'd hang today. Well, if you're up for it, of course.

Thong: Yeah, that sounds great.

…

Thong walked outside, Mike waiting with Tiana in his car. They both waved to him as Thong jumped in the backseat. They drove to a nearby mall, the trio first entering a men's clothing store.

Mike: Why are we here first?

Tiana: We need to get Thong some proper clothes. He basically wears the same black shirt and grey pants everywhere. Even his mask is black. He needs more taste in his style.

Thong: I'm fine with what I have, thanks…

Tiana: Nonsense! You only stayed in college for two years, your wardrobe will reflect that! You need to seem more welcoming to people, or you'll never leave that quiet shell of yours.

Tiana grabbed Thong's wrist, dragging him along. Mike put his back against the store entrance as he watched Tiana force Thong to try on several articles of clothing.

Mike: Looks like he's happy.

Mike felt a tapping on his shoulder as he turned his head as he stared at a shop clerk whose other hand pointed at a sign that said "no loitering." Mike grumbled as he walked in, meeting up with Tiana and Thong as they wrapped up their shopping spree. Tiana grabbed Mike's card, paying for all the clothes she grabbed, Mike's face turning red as he raised a fist. After paying for the clothes, the trio left the store, walking around the mall as they spoke of whatever thoughts came to mind. While Thong didn't say much, he smiled under his mask as he watched his two friends bicker or fawn over whatever random topics came to mind. The trio eventually came to a halt, entering an All-You-Can-Eat buffet.

Mike: Try not to dump the entire check on me.

Tiana: Today was your idea, so you have to treat us!

Thong: I can try paying a bit of the cost.

Tiana: Thong, it's okay. I know you have to tough, so let Mike handle it.

Mike: Nah, if he says he can help pay, he can do it.

Tiana glared at Mike before standing up.

Tiana: I'm going to get some food, you two can get your meals later.

Tiana stood up and walked away from the table, entering the food court as Thong sat across from Mike, Mike's expression being tougher than it usually was. Mike looked up to the ceiling, spreading his arms on top of the seat. Thong gulped as he could feel the tension between himself and Mike get tighter. Thong stared down at the table, clenching his fists on his lap.

Mike: You did it, didn't you?

Thong's head sprung up, meeting Mike's deadset eyes. Mike had lost the usual lighthearted energy he held himself in.

Thong: Did… Did what?

Mike: You went on that assassination mission, didn't you? You didn't leave with me, you went with Jason. And by just looking at you, I know you did something.

Thong could feel sweat begin to form on his forehead as Mike's eyes didn't change. Mike's glare feeling like he was held at gunpoint.

Thong: I… I went, but I didn't do much… I beat up some guys, but that's all… Jason… Jason killed the guy!

Mike: Jason killed your target?

Thong: Yeah. I was scared, so he took him out. I can't remember much…

Thong held his forehead. Mike stared as he let out a sigh. The two didn't continue the conversation as dinner passed. After they finished their meals, Mike dropped each person off. Thong watched as Mike's car pulled off, not having said a single word to him since Tiana left for her meal.

Thong: What… am I getting myself into?

Thong passed by Beatrice's store, seeing how it closed earlier than usual.

Thong: I hope everyone is okay…

Thong looked down at his hand, clenching onto the bag of clothes as he felt a chill go down his spine.

Thong: Paying for my own meal was… nice.

Thong smiled under his mask, his worries fading.