Dark Places, Part 1

I sauntered through the streets, hands stuffed within my jeans, without any particular destination in mind. I didn't want to stay in that house for another second. I doubted I'd be able to fall asleep, and I hoped that a change in scenery may spark an idea.

Something trembled next to my hand, and I took it out instinctively. The light emanating from the screen blinded me for a while, but I still managed to read who the caller was through my blurry vision.

"What is it, Logan?"

I had considered contacting him earlier, but the fact that he did so on his own made things a lot easier. No, if I were to give the matter some actual thought, then how the hell am I supposed to ask this man whether he's willing to put his life on the line? It was completely absurd. Only now did I realize I didn't have it in me to propose such an idea...

"How's it going, brat?" the scratchy, deep voice on the other end of the line asked.

"Nothing special," I replied, discarding the idea. "What about you?"

According to what Ava told me, he probably woke up just now. His work as a night guard must've been quite taxing. That much could be told from his tonality.

He only let out a long yawn. "Awful. I've slept for hours, yet I don't feel like I slept at all. Do you get it?"

"Obviously." I sighed, knowing full well what he meant. Even sleep couldn't solve all of our problems. "So, what about work then? Did you have any problems... maybe some drunkards to deal with?"

I had never worked as a security guard before, and I lacked the confidence to do so. I guess I just wanted to know how things are going on his end.

Logan's appearance, despite his laid-back demeanor, is more terrifying than you might expect, which I suppose helped him deal with most guests visiting the club where he works, as opposed to mine, who act as though I were a child they could trample on.

"They treat me like crap and barely pay me anything. I'd rather they hand me peanuts instead. We're afloat because of the grocery, but it only makes me feel worse. I mean, I'm supposed to be the guy around here, to provide and so on..."

I chuckled, my gaze falling toward the sparkling lights ahead. There was nowhere I needed to go, so I might as well talk with Logan for a while longer.

"If Ava heard any of it, she'd knock your teeth out."

"I know, I know."

Because that's exactly what she'd do.

"How is she?"

"She came home, mumbled something about wanting hamburger steak with onions, and then left me alone on the couch," he paused, then sniffed like some sort of dog. "Oh my goodness, I can smell it from here."

"Couch?"

"Uh-huh. I don't remember what happened. I just woke up on it."

"Are you certain it's not because of your snoring? Ava tossed you on it for sure."

Everyone knew that Logan snored like a truck when he was sleeping. Even the most horrendous creature's growl paled in comparison. There was a time I was anxious his poor sleeping habits might draw unwarranted attention.

"Even though my wife is incredible, I doubt she can do it... Or perhaps she can?"

Well, if we were to give the matter some serious thinking, the answer would be no. Logan was too heavy to be carried around even by someone as strong as Ava. He most likely passed out on the couch as soon as he got home, and that was the end of it.

"Enough about me, Gray! What about you, huh? Ava told me some bastard screwed you over. Your day must've been even worse than mine."

"I wasn't even compensated," I said grudgingly.

"Do you want me to have a chat with that them?"

As far as I'd like to see that, I answered, "I'm afraid it's a little bit too late for that, but I appreciate the thought."

"Sometimes you don't have it in you to fight. I get it," he grumbled. "It's just that I was ready to take some action. When you're used to pounding monsters' skulls left and right, it's difficult to adjust to society's rules. I think the mercenary side of me isn't something I can get rid of that easily."

"Society's rules..."

Even if there were rules to play by, that didn't necessarily mean that everyone was following them. I'm convinced of that.

"Did you see the news, Gray?"

"About Artemis—" I halted, realizing I had fallen into his trap. I held my breath, trying to hear the noise in the background on Logan's end. As expected, it was probably the television.

"Did you participate as well by any chance?" he pressed further. "All kids are interested in that place after all."

Denying it would be pointless. I had to admit Logan's instincts were quite frightening at times. "Your hunch is right..."

"That explains why you took a break from work recently, doesn't it? You are quite the workaholic, Gray. Sitting around without doing anything drives you insane," Logan murmured to himself rather than to me. "I just don't think of you as the type of guy who would take a nap because he was sleepy."

Although I couldn't admit it, the reason why I took a break was to focus on my studies. And I doubt that even if I took a few days off to relax I'd be able to rest well.

"Don't bother hiding anything from me," Logan snarled. "Tell me what happened. Are you worried about the results or something?"

"Not really..."

I did everything I could. What happened from now on was outside of my hands.

"Then why aren't you talking to me?"

I grasped the phone tighter in my hand.

"It's because—" the words got caught in my throat.

"Don't tell me... You murdered someone there?"

"Of course not."

There was no way I'd get away with murder, especially in that kind of institute.

"Then talk about what happened. Don't be shy," he urged, and I had the sensation Logan was wearing that unpleasant grin of his.

"It's about the scholarship," I explained. "I think I'll pass... but not on a paid scholarship."

Those that took the highest scores didn't need to worry about money. Not only that, but they were most likely from wealthy families as well. I, on the other hand...

"Is that so...? I'll be as honest as I can, Gray. I'm not sure whether you'll get in, but that doesn't change the fact that you tried."

That surprised me. I expected him to make a joke. To say something about how stupid of a choice I made.

"And we might be able to do something it if the only problems are money... I'll talk with the others and see if we can scavenge something from the 4th District."

"What about Natasha?"

That was the name of their previous porter. I didn't want to take her spot or anything like that.

"Don't worry; she's still outside the city. You don't have to feel bad about replacing her," Logan reassured before adding, "Hell, I'm a mercenary so I shouldn't be saying this—but it's not the end of the world if you don't pass, you know?"

His comments aside, things were finally heading in the right direction. That's exactly what I wanted, isn't it? But for some odd reason, my response was the opposite: "You don't have to do any of that."

"Bah, you can't even enter into that wasteland without a party," he scoffed. "And you have no reason to feel guilty, Gray. You're better than most mercenaries out there, and you don't even have a license! I'd rather work with you than with any other oddballs this world has to offer."

I bit my lower lip, trying to keep my expression from quivering. Compliments weren't easy to come by for me.

"Do I have to remind you that I'm not a child?"

He chuckled. "In my eyes, you're always going to be a child, brat. Pun intended."

I rolled my eyes.

"You'll be a kid even if we share a beer. Did you get that through your thick skull?" Logan then gasped, as if reminded of something. "Oh, and be prepared to work at the grocery store if things don't go as planned! You know Ava will take all the help she can get."

That wasn't something I wanted. I didn't even want him to consider the possibility I might fail.

"I've got to go now, Gray. I'll call you after I've got in touch with the others. I'm confident you'll do an excellent job as a porter this time, too! Take care, brat."

"Thanks," I answered. "And send Ava my regards, too."

"Wooing my wife, eh? You're treading on a tightrope, aren't you?" Logan snickered. "Jokes aside, don't worry. I'll send her your well-wishes."

"See you around, then."

The beep I heard as I hung up the phone was satisfying, but it didn't stop the thing gnawing at my insides.

I couldn't tell him there was no medicine. That would have completely ruined everything. Even now, if I called and told him about it honestly, I knew we'll figure things out. That was the sensible thing to do, and—

Instead of doing any of that, I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

'Just leave, and don't touch anything in this place ever again. Don't expect to be paid for almost breaking my furniture, either. Got it? Who thought hiring this brat was a smart idea in the first place...'

'This brat, he's working here, isn't he? He should do it himself.'

Relationships are an equivalent exchange. When one side is insufficient, they're discarded. I've always tried to be as helpful as possible in order to prevent anything like that from happening, yet my efforts up until now weren't enough.

Or maybe I just didn't want Logan to think I was a nuisance like everyone else does.