Chapter 3

Eventually, after another gas station stop, we got to my house and unloaded the car. Though, I wouldn't say 'unloaded', it was only like 6 boxes, but anything for a ride in the SUV.

Honestly, Yuna did most of the work while the rest of us argued on where the television should go.

As if I had a television.

Tom had a great time puking in my toilet, but I'm not going to dwell on that. You know what, I am going to dwell. I could hear his ear-wrecking vomit noises, and it was annoying.

"Quiet down, Tom!"

He responded with another loud retch, and I think he exaggerated this one to mock me.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm exhausted." Taurus fell into the couch, which Yuna had just dusted.

"What you are is an annoyance," Yuna mumbled under her breath, silently despising him for his mere presence.

"Yet you can't help but love me, can you?" he smirked.

She snorted her denial, "Pests aren't loved, my sweet little brother, they're exterminated."

"Ouch," Jerry snorted, coming out of the bathroom. The amusement didn't stay on his face though, worry was etched in the downturn of his lips as he sat on the arm of the solitary sofa. His eyes stared at nothing in particular as he asked, "How much did he really drink, Yuna?"

Sure as hell wasn't one bottle. I wasn't going to bet on two either.

"Jerry I - I'm... not really sure. Before we left, he'd already downed three-"

"Shit." The boy silently cursed under his breath, then he sighed and was looking into the air again.

"Jerry I swear I would have stopped him if I could, but-"

"I got it, Yuna. You don't have to worry. "

About half an hour after that, Tom woke up and they left in an orderly way. Tom ruffled my hair, then exited, followed by Yuna who kissed my cheek, then Taurus who kissed my cheek (wait what?!), and finally Jerry who gave me a fistbump.

After a short shower, I was in bed, snuggled comfortably in my Spider-Man pajamas (patterned just like Spider-Man's costume) and fell into a dark, dreamless void.

...

The tempting aroma of bacon sizzling on the stove dragged my mind back into the world. I was out of my bed and out the door before I realized that no one but me was supposed to be in the house.

I slowed my steps and tiptoed to the kitchen doorway, peeking inside tentatively. I saw the back of the old man, and sighed loudly in relief. "Hey, Chief, for a sec there I thought you were -"

The kitchen door slammed closed behind me, and turning around, my breath caught in my throat as I faced a temptation incarnate.

"Not even a good morning?" He smirked a devilishly alluring smirk. He was in an orange jumpsuit, heavy black boots, handcuffs broken at the chains, and with a coffee mug in hand. The cuffs dangled at his wrists as he sent his hand up to take a sip of his steaming coffee.

It was then that I actually heard what was coming from the old man's radio.

"...from the Citadel Detention Unit. He is a dangerous felon and arsonist, convicted for murder of a Clan leader and nineteen innocent souls, burning of a Clan house, along with 38 people, torturing and dismemberment..."

Holy shit.

I could imagine my horrified expression as I gaped at him. Drinking coffee! In my house!

Insinctually, my hand went into my pajamas pockets, for the gun I always tucked in there just because. But I found nothing.

"Looking for this?" he threw it to me, and I caught it fast enough before it could break my nose.

"M-my room? You-"

"Thought of killing you right then and there, but your pretty face convinced me otherwise." He winked, and I looked away, faking a cringe to hide my heated face.

He raised his coffee-less hand and patted me on the cheek, then put it into his orange pocket, walking past me and sitting at the kitchen island.

All the while, I stood there dumbfounded. "Wh-what in the..." I rasped.

"Oh for crying out loud, Mica, I told you to take off the jumpsuit." Chief scolded, serving bacon on a plate which my stomach lusted after.

"What the fuck is going on here?! That is a criminal, Chief. A first rate criminal. What is he doing in my house?! And how do you even-"

"Relax, Loess. Deep breaths, it's okay. I'm going to explain everyth-" A loud ring cut him off. He answered the phone, dashing out and leaving me with - my eyes fell back on him. Evil sitting in my kitchen. Drinking coffee.

Mica. Was that even his real name?

"Nice to meet you... Loess," his eyebrows furrowed as he seemed to be... thinking? "You're Ivan's son?"

I choked on my breaths at the mention of that name, coughing a little and then straightening up. "Um, I - wait, how do you know my dad?"

His eyes slightly widened in realization of something, and a nasty, evil grin spread on his lips. "Wouldn't you like to know,"

"Why else do you think I asked?" I growled, grabbing a small knife from the island and stepping closer to the devil.

"You seem to have a death wish, Loess. Don't make me be the one to fulfill it for you. I'm on a morning hiatus from criminal life. After 12 though, you can wish all you want."

I was just about to lunge forward and stab him when Chief came in again. "Oh for fuck's sake, put the knife down Loess. I'll explain everything. "

I stole a glance at the man, relaxed and drinking his coffee, then looked back at the old man. "Talk."