CHAPTER 24- NOT A HERO

"Creep!"

Allison scoffed, pushing the memory aside. She impatiently glanced at her watch once again and it smiled "9:30pm". Urgh! Where is he? She took out her phone and tried calling but his cell appeared switched off. Just then Esra called her.

Hey what's up?

Allison you won't believe it!

What is it?

There's supposed to be a firework going on outside just a few feet from Burkhart.

I love fireworks, are you sure, I don't see any.

Just walk outside, there should be in a few minutes.

Well Davian seems to be running late. I'll go look.

Hangup!

The night sky was ablaze with the vibrant colors of fireworks, casting a kaleidoscope of hues on the faces of the spectators below. Allison stood just by the side walk her eyes wide with wonder and amazement as she watched the breathtaking display. Her eyes fixed on the colorful bursts and crackles of the fireworks show above. As the fireworks exploded overhead, bathing the air in a flurry of colors.

Allison stood transfixed, her eyes wide with wonder. It was a beautiful sight, one that could make even the grumpiest of people crack a smile. Suddenly, a black sedan came speeding towards her, its engine roaring like a hungry monster on the prowl. The car lurched forward, heading at her at full speed. Her eyes widened in alarm as she realized that she was in danger, she froze at the thought of coming face to face with death.

SNATCH!

Just in the nick of time, someone swiftly seized her by the arm and yanked her backwards out of the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Oh my goodness! She gasped, relief washing all over her.

What did I say about going out today? Hades asked, displeased, tearing his eyes away from the driver of that black sedan. The man wore a mask, his eyes red with only the aim to kill.

How did you get here? And this had nothing to do with your warnings, it was only an accident. I got so lost in the fireworks that I didn't see the car heading my way.

An accident? He scoffed. This was no accident. This was a deliberate attempt at assassination.

Wh...what?!

Fear gripped her for a moment, who would want to kill her?

You can't be certain...

I am.

But...but who? Oh my God!

Are you alone?

Yes. Well Davian's supposed to be here.

Him again?! Hades flared, upset. Where is the son of a bitch whenever you need help?!

Stop sounding like he's in control of what happens to me.

What were you doing outside anyway?

Esra told me about the fireworks so I..

Your supposed best friend? He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Yes? Do you have a problem?

Hades slipped his hands into his pockets, shaking his head. Davian plus Esra, a connection? He wasn't sure. Stop being obnoxious!

I told you to keep a close eye on her once.

Yes?

Well now keep a close eye on them both.

I see no reason why.

You're too naive pet, way too naive.

I'm not! I just know who my friends are and I trust them. That must ofcourse be a foreign term to you.

An attempt at sarcasm? Well noted! What you need my dear is one big bang incident to change your mentality forever.

What?

To change the way you see the world. You obviously think the world is painted in all the colors of the rainbow, with roses trailing along each path. Hades shook his head.  Tsk, Tsk, You need domething that'll shake you so bad, you would without any doubt, be harden forever.

Like you? Never!

Hades smirked. And who said I ever saw the world in roses? I was never a good kid even back at the orphan...

What?

Never-mind. He frowned at himself for almost being so careless. Go home Allison.

I can't just...

I warned you once, saved you once. Never again. I'm not gonna play the goddamn hero so go home. He said, curtly, walking towards his car.

Allison watched as he got in and drove off, disappearing into the distance. The evening breeze swept through her body, causing a sudden chill. Davian wasn't answering. She checked the time on her phone screen. It was 10:00pm. An hour late. He obviously wasn't going to make it. It'll probably be best for her to go home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you call her?

Ofcourse I did. Esra smiled, wrapping her arms around Davian's neck.

Good!

How do we know Hades showed up?

We'll just have to wait until tomorrow.

And how are you gonna explain sitting her up on a date?

Leave Allison to me, I'll handle her.

Are you sure?

She'll believe everything I say, she's that naive.

How pathetic of her!

Enough about Allison. She sorts of ruins the mood. Davian said, kissing her all over,  causing excited giggles as He led her to his bed.

LENSHAW CORPORATIONS.

GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE.

8:00am.

Davian...oh...it's too early in the morning...shouldn't we be working.... Esra's voice trailed off into moans.

None of that darling, I want you now.

What if someone comes in...

Bull crap! Take off your clothes!

Knock, Knock.

Come in...

Davian how could you....Allison came to a halt. She suppose, seeing Davian and Esra in the same space wasn't a problem as they were boss and employee afterall but why was Esra looking so flustered and disoriented?

Oh babe, come in.

I'll leave the files here sir. Esra immediately jumped in, changing the scenario and doing her best to erase every trace of suspicion Allison might start to sniff out.

Ofcourse and don't forget the copies I asked you to print yesterday. Davian replied, playing along.

I'll have them done immediately sir. She said and took her leave.

Your friend is exceptional babe, she's a good help around here.

Allison stared at Esra suspiciously as she hurriedly walked away, avoiding even the slightest eye contact with her.

Keep a close eye on them both.

I see no reason why.

You're too naive pet, way too naive.

What the hell? Was she actually taking that creep's advice in consideration? He was wrong! And the last thing she would do was let that devil manipulate her into distrusting her loved ones. Davian and Esra were the world to her. Urgh! She felt so ashamed for daring to doubt them.

Aren't you over working her a little bit?

What? Davian asked, although he was relieved she wasn't suspicious.

She made a slight complaint the other time. Just don't push her too far.

Ofcourse darling, I won't. Davian said.

The only place he pushes her too far was in bed afterall and she loves it. Esra was the excitement that Allison wasn't so He found her more appealing.

What happened last night? I waited for you but you never showed up.

I'm sorry darling, I'm so sorry. I have no excuse.

What really happened?

I got an urgent call, there was some work that needed by attention.

And does this "work" have a name?

Are you doubting me Ally?

I'm not, it's just...I almost got ran over last night and your uncle seems to think it was an assassination attempt.

I'm so sorry I wasn't there darling but an assassination attempt? That's ridiculous. Davian chuckled.

I thought so too but He doesn't seem to think it's a mere accident.

Nothing is normal around my uncle. It's a shame he isn't locked up in some mental facility.

Why? Allison looked at him, surprised. He seems perfectly fine. She added but deep down she already concluded that there was a possibility. For someone who tortures people for leisure. She shivered at the mere thought..

Insanity comes in stages, my uncle is probably just among the lucky ones that can still wear a suit and hold a briefcase.

Do you really think he's not stable?

Allison, Davian leaned in. Can I trust you with a secret?

Sure anything.

Hades was the cause of my grandfather's death.

She gasped in horror. Isn't your grandfather supposed to be his FATHER?!

Yes. He murdered him in cold blood.

And he got away with the crime?!

There was no evidence against him so the case died a natural death.

That's horrible! I'm so sorry.

It's fine. It's been a decade now.

Ten years? Isn't that the same duration Hades stayed in self isolation?

Yes it is and I strongly believed it was some sort of self punishment for the guilt he felt after killing his own father. Now you know why I always warn you to keep your distance. He's dangerous Ally and I mean very very dangerous.

LENSHAW MANSION,

BASEMENT,

11:30pm.

The frost from the organs he had taken out from the fridge a few hours ago, had finally melted. Gallbladder, liver, heart, brain, kidneys. Hades sat on a raised wooden stool in front of a table. It had been awhile since he had the time to paint. He squeezed the gallbladder squeezed into the palette.

It was the easiest and his favorite since it was the only one he could  to extract the paint directly from. As for the others, he usually has to blend them and mix them with certain chemicals to form the desired paste. He stared into the blank canvas in front of him and set to work on it. Few minutes into his work, his phone rang. He put on his earpod before answering.

What the hell are you doing up by twelve midnight?

Asks the one who called. Hades using a liner brush as he carefully intricates the detailed features on the artwork.

I guess I'm not sleeping because you're also not sleeping. We're soulmates afterall. Bruce said, mockingly.

Humph! Hades scoffed in return.

So tell me, what are you doing?

I'm....painting.

Oh at such an hour? Anyways who am I to question a man's hobbies?

Thank you. He replied, sarcasm evident in his voice.

So what are you painting? Or who?

Don't you have something to do Bruce? Stop pestering me like a lover on a late night call!

The man chuckled. Atleast you feel that way. You should be grateful you have me.

I am grateful but I'm currently in the crucial phase. You're sort of distracting.

Alright fine.

Hades sighed, taking one look at his almost finished work. It was the first time He had done a portrait.

Allison...

What about her?

I have a feeling she's going to hit rock bottom soon enough.

How so?

The people around her, the very ones she loves. They're going to break her so hard, she might never find the pieces again. He said, hanging up on the call as He exhaled, staring into his masterpiece.

"Red-hair" "Round glasses" "Blue eyes" "ALLISON!"