Disclaimer: Still don't own it.
Well I would like to thank all of my lovely reviewers for supporting this story. So here's chapter two of Retribution.
Italics are thoughts.
xXxRealizationxXx
Lights.
Colorful lights.
The luminous glow disturbed the sleeping teenager, causing his dormant body to stir. Two eyes cracked open, revealing a beautiful shade of turquoise. His silver hair was disheveled, multiple strands glued to the sides of his face due to sweat.
The thing he was occupying couldn't even be called a bed. The mattress underneath his tired body was worn out. The pointy metal of the many springs in between pierced his back, allowing his mind to believe that he might be bleeding. The sheets held a musty scent to them, causing his stomach to churn.
Well at least he hoped it was the sheets. It would be quite embarrassing for his body to be the habitat of that type of odor.
His head was pounding. He could've sworn that his heart was beating in his brain, the blood flowing around his mind, colliding into his ear drums, causing thunderous sounds to echo off the interior of his skull.
The articles of clothing covering his body didn't belong to him. They were too big, too long. They weren't his. He wanted his. But you don't always get what you want. Isn't that what they said in that one song?
Aside from all of that, he didn't have a clue where he was. The room he was in looked nothing like his own bedroom. Boxes weren't scattered around the floor and his parents hushed tones couldn't be heard from the kitchen. The smell of freshly cooked food wasn't drifting around the house, tickling the boy's nostrils causing his stomach to grumble in response like it usually did.
He held no recollection of anything that happened yesterday. And no matter how hard he tried to remember, all that came up was a blank. Like anything that happened the day prior was erased from his memories, leaving only darkness to take its place.
It bothered Riku tremendously, he felt like something important took place that day, something he should very well remember. But he couldn't recall anything for the life of him, and the nagging voice in the back of his mind kept telling him that forgetting was for the best.
But his mind was set on retrieving his newly lost memories, only giving up after a few tries. The memory loss was causing him stress, worsening his already throbbing head. The pain was nothing he had ever felt before, causing him to clutch his head in pain and fight down the urge to scream.
A groan from the other side of the room was heard., making Riku fully aware of the fact that he wasn't alone, which he would've preferred. A tousle of sheets followed by a loud thump came next. A head of flaming spiky hair could be seen popping out of the cocoon of sheets.
Limbs went wild as their owner went on a rampage. Curses could be heard spewing out of their mouth, mostly revolving around the " fucking sheets." Riku actually found this person quite amusing, allowing a slight chuckle to escape his throat, despite all the immense pain he felt.
A couple of seconds passed with Spikes over there still fussing with the covers. Eventually finding their way out, letting a triumphant "Hallelujah!" leak from their thin, pale lips as they stood up. Riku eyed the stranger carefully.
His silhouette looked masculine, long arms and a lanky build. He wasn't overly skinny, either. Muscles were noticeable on his biceps, even in the dark. Well it wasn't that dark, the sun could be seen making its ascent into the sky. Its light flowing through the fabric covering the windows, bouncing off a round, shiny object attached the ceiling.
It looked a helluva lot like a disco ball in Riku's opinion. But like hell if he knew.
The lean man took a few steps toward the silver-haired boy's direction, after giving the sheet he was previously entangled in a small kick. Said boy's entire body tensed as the other's presence drew near, hands clenching into tightened fists.
But they weren't noticeable nor threatening if they were even visible. The unknown being walked straight past Riku, pulling the curtains apart. Riku eyes followed him the entire way there, regretting it soon after as the sunlight poured in through the newly exposed windows, hitting the poor boy straight in his face, catching him off-guard.
His loosened fists flew, grabbing the foul-smelling pillow, his head thrusting itself underneath it while he laid on his stomach, hiding his tortured eyes. The light, it was something he was starting to despise. It set his eyes ablaze, tears prickling the insides of his eyeballs, causing his already excruciating headache to alter into a painful migraine.
"Wakey, wakey princess." The older man smirked, his lengthy arms crossing over his chest as he leaned against the windowsill. "Come on kid, I don't have all day."
"It's Riku, not kid." He gradually pulled himself from underneath the pillow, tossing the unpleasant-scented thing across the room. He placed his body into a sitting position, legs crossed Indian style as his eyes glued themselves to the cryptic person standing in front of him.
Well, the teen was right, it was a man and he sure was lanky. His fiery red hair was styled in spikes that stuck out in all directions. It was certainly different, nothing Riku had ever seen before. The man had a thin but chiseled face, his features holding an attractive quality to them.
His eyes were what stuck out the most to Riku, though. They were a lot like his own, a shade of green, but different. They didn't have that little tinge of blue that Riku's had. No, his were full out green, more on the jade side if the teenage boy could say so himself.
They were mesmerizing, piercing into his very soul with just one glance. Making him feel like this person could figure out everything about him, from his past to what he was thinking at that exact moment, with just staring at him with those eyes.
He tried breaking his gaze from the older man, but failed miserably. All he did was observe more, exploring every inch of skin he could find on the older man. His own eyes traveled, becoming aware of the strange little marks underneath the man's eyes. There weren't bags or dark circles, like most people would have.
There were teardrops, tattooed teardrops. The violet used to make them contrasted beautifully with the man's slightly pale skin, jade eyes and cerise colored hair, giving him an exotic appeal.
Certainly nothing Riku ever came across before. Was it even normal to notice that much about a guy?
"Alright, Ri-ku," the older sang playfully, letting each syllable roll off tip of his tongue, as if trying the name out. It made Riku's eye twitch from annoyance, he already disliked his name, no need for the bastard to make it sound worse.
"Lo-"
"I'm Axel, A-X-E-L, Got it memorized?" That smirk was still perfectly evident on his lips, his eyes gaining a type of mischievous glint to them. It all made Riku's blood boil." And from now on, I'm the only one speaking."
Oh hell no.
A loud beep rung throughout the house, causing Axel to leave his position against the windowsill and trudge into another part of the house, returning with Riku's clothes a couple of seconds later, which he flung at the silver-haired boy.
"I think I got most of the blood out."
"Blo-"
"Didn't I say that I'm the only one that talks from now on? I'll explain everything else later. Now hurry up and get dressed."
Axel walked quickly out of Riku's sight, leaving no room for any arguments or rebellious acts. Riku grumbled, examining his freshly-scented clothes hastily before throwing them on. Even though his clothes were quite clean, the silver-haired teen couldn't help but feel disgusting.
He wasn't even given the chance to take a shower nor brush his teeth, and now he was being rushed to leave where ever the hell it was.
A weary sigh escaped his lips and he ran a hand through his hair. At least the clothes smelled a helluva lot better than the sheets did.
They had been driving for about a good five minutes, neither saying a word at the moment. Riku had previously been trying to coax some answers out of the older man, resulting in tiny arguments and Axel almost running over a little old lady with a very nasty mouth.
And there Riku was thinking she was innocent. Boy, he was wrong.
They were currently at a stop light, Axel's nimble fingers tapping against the steering wheel impatiently.
"Come on, come on, come on..."
Riku sat there in the passenger seat, amazed. And here he was thinking he was a short-tempered person. But he was saint compared to this guy. A frickin saint. The light's dull red changed to a vibrant green, a mumbled "Thank you, God" could be heard from the driver as he sped off.
Usually Riku hated seat belts, despised them with a passion. He never wore one while he was driving with anyone, even when he was by himself. He liked feeling the rush of the drive, not being restricted by the annoying belt that latched itself across his torso.
He felt limited with it, which is why he never wore one. He never feared getting in a car accident, he tried to keep that thought outside his mind at all times. The silver-haired teen never really saw a point in worrying about something that ruined his fun.
Anyone that knew Riku knew how reckless he was, how he liked to live his life to its fullest potential. Which is why they never questioned nor commented on his " no seat belts" thing. But if any of them saw the boy now, they wouldn't believe that it was actually him.
Because here Riku was wearing a seat belt and clutching onto it for dear life. It wasn't his fault, though. You couldn't help but have thoughts about crashing into things with Axel driving. That psycho.
"Kid, do you seriously not remember anything?"
What exactly was he supposed to remember? Riku didn't know if he could answer, not with the dizziness the view flashing before his eyes had causing him. He gulped, shutting his eyelids tightly, attempting to block out everything around him for the sake of his already ailing stomach.
"Kid, ya dead?"
Riku refused to answer, if he did, the vomit his stomach decided to launch into the back of throat might pour all over his clothes and Axel's car. Not that he really cared about the latter.
"Shit, I killed him. The boss is gonna have my ass!"
The silver-haired boy couldn't help but smirk at the comment, it becoming a full-fledged grin when the car began to slow down. He could feel the vehicle make a right turn before coming to a complete stop. He heard Axel step out of his car with a mumbled," Let's go."
The teen opened his door, glad that he had reached the destination with every piece of his body still intact as he stepped out. If no one was around, Riku would've gone on his knees and kissed the ground he was standing on.
Yes, he was that happy.
The door was flung shut with an audible thump, Riku turning around to see just where exactly this lunatic had brought him. His eyes widened a fraction at the choice of location. Burger King.
Joy.
Riku wasn't ready to be back in the car. Hell, he wasn't sure if he could handle being back in the car. Not with Axel driving. His stomach was finally starting to feel better, the junk food seeming to ease the urge to vomit every couple of seconds and his migraine.
But Riku knew once he stepped foot back into that car, everything would return. He was one-hundred percent sure that it would. He couldn't guarantee that his stomach would be able to keep all the contents recently placed into it down, though.
"Shit." Now usually Riku never cared for things, but just for the sake of small talk, he could pretend to.
"What's wrong now?" He could fake concern pretty well, it was the least he could do since the guy bought food for him, after flirting with the cashier so he could get a discount. Which he was told he would receive, but never did.
"I gotta be at work for 9:30." Riku took a quick glance at the clock attached to the dashboard, its lime- green digits spelling out 9:27.
"Well, you'll never make it, so tough." The teen watched Axel out of the corner of his eyes, noticing the strange glint that appeared in his cat-like eyes.
"That's what you think."
Axel pulled the cars' gear into reverse before backing out of his parking space, changing it to drive before speeding out of the fast food restaurant's parking lot, and zooming down the streets with Riku clutching onto his seat belt for dear life again.
He was starting to fall in love with the thing.
How the hell Axel reached all the way downtown in two minutes flat, Riku would never know. Axel was beside himself, giddy at the fact that he still had a minute to spare. He gave Riku a look that just screamed, " And you thought I wouldn't make it."
Oh yes, this man annoyed Riku greatly. Even if he had his amusing moments. Which Riku would never admit to him, of course, in fear that the compliment would go straight to his balloon-sized head and inflate his ego even more than it was already swelled.
"Come on, I know you want answers to all those questions floating around your pretty little head." Riku could feel his eye twitch again, how the hell was he pretty? That was like a stab at his manly pride.
Axel had long ago disappeared behind the double doors at the entrance of the building. The police station to be exact. Riku didn't understand why he was brought here, but followed the red-head, regardless, thoughts swirling around his confused mind.
Was Axel a cop? No, he couldn't be, he didn't come off as the "cop" type, either. But it would explain the way he drove, which was honestly wicked in its own sense, but still dangerous as fuck. Maybe he was turning Riku in for some crime he committed.
Axel did say something about blood being all over his clothes. Maybe he killed somebody, or ran someone over like Axel almost did earlier that morning. Or maybe he was in an accident of some sort, but then he would have bruises, wouldn't he? Or may-
"Yo, silver! Haul ass man, haul ass!"
Riku had already carried himself into the department without realizing it, his rambling clouding his thoughts as his feet decided to take control and lead him to wherever it is they took him. He could see Axel up ahead, talking to some guy with a mullet.
"Hehe, mullet-head," Riku snickered. Oh Jesus, did I just "hehe?!"
Secretly, Riku blamed the junk food. Who knows what kind of stuck they loaded into their burgers. He felt someone grab his hand as they dragged him down the crowded halls. "This ain't no time to daydream, pretty boy."
And the stabs just continued at poor Riku's pride.
He was tugged into a vacant room, the only people occupying it was Axel and some blonde guy he didn't know. There was a desk and one chair behind it and one in front, which Riku was forcefully thrown in, while Axel took a seat across him, the other guy choosing to stand.
"Alright, Riku, Demyx. And vice versa. Now onto the case." He opened one of the draw at the side of the desk slowly, the hinges giving squeaks that sounded like baby chicks dying. Demyx gave Riku a sheepish grin,"Sorry, we're kinda low on funds at the moment."
The teen only made an O-shape with his mouth, his head nodding slightly, as a response. Axel had pulled out a burgundy folder with a few sheets of paper stuck inside, placing it on the desk as he gave it a little shove in Riku's direction. "Prepare yourself kid, this might not be something you're ready to see."
He nodded again, his hands trembling as they took hold of the folder, gulping as he opened in slightly. He took one last glance at Axel, who gave him a bored look, before taking his first look at the papers, wishing he hadn't. Oh how he wished he hadn't.
They were pictures, horrible, horrible pictures. The first being a women's body, her dress torn at numerous places. Her body was was placed in an awkward position, a deep gash noticeable in her chest. Blood was everywhere on her body, drying up against her pale skin.
Her head was detached from her body, laying at the side of her. Her eyes rolled into the back of her skull as her tongue hung out her slightly ajar mouth. Riku's grip tightened on the folder. It couldn't be.
Underneath the picture spelled out a heading that would forever haunt Riku in his dreams. Rena Hikari. No, it couldn't be his mother. This wasn't real, why the hell would they even show him something like this? Why would someone want to see such of morbid picture of their mother?
He flung the folder back onto the table, his mind set on not seeing anymore. Demyx gave him a pitiful look, knowing that Axel's plan was absolutely horrible, but did the man ever listen to Demyx? No!
Axel was picking away at dirt that somehow found its way underneath his nail, giving Riku a quick glance with his jade eyes before returning them to their previous position.
"Alright kid, I'll make this short. Yesterday at around 8:30 pm., Demyx and I were sent to your by an anonymous caller. We found your parents both beheaded in different parts of the house and you collapsed on the middle of the living room floor. "
He took a grab at the folder gently sliding a couple of picture in front of where the teen was seated. Riku didn't want to see anymore, crossing his arms as he hmphed, fixing his gaze onto the many certificates addressed to Axel.
"Riku please take a look," It was Demyx this time, the blonde giving him an encouraging smile," They might help you remember any details that might help us solve your parents' murder." The mullet wearing one placed his hand on the pictures, leaning across the desk as he scooted them closer towards the boy.
Curiosity got the best of Riku, his eyes betraying his mind and peeking at the photos on their own accord, widening at the realization that he did recognize some of the stuff. The picture on the left was of the wall next to his kitchen, bloody letters forming the sentence "You're next, boy."
Everything returned, hitting him like a ton of bricks as he choked on air. The guy chasing him, his maniacal voice, even the umbrella. That stupid umbrella.
But what disturbed Riku the most was all the blood he recalled, painted on the walls and bleeding into the furniture. It was so much blood, and now knowing that it belonged to his parents' just made his headache return.
"I-I remember." His voice was raspy, his throat feeling parched. "I remember e-everything."
Demyx lit up, shoving the other picture in Riku's face."What about this one?"
Riku backed up a little, eyes roaming over the photo but not really paying attention. His mind had drifted elsewhere, losing interest in everything around him. "Kid, just look at it."
Axel's stern voice snapped the silver-haired boy out of his thoughts, forcing him to return to reality. He eyed the picture, which was honestly the only photo he looked at today that didn't include blood everywhere.
The picture was more of a sign. The top resembling a cross, the horizontal lines being about the same size as the verticals as they grew skinnier towards the bottom, swelling as they attached themselves to bottom of the sign, which resembled the top of a heart, but turned upside-down in this case.
It was painted a dark black color onto a random wall in Riku's blood-stained house. The drawing looked rushed, the lines a little messy and out of place, but it didn't matter. No matter how horribly drawn the picture was, the sign was still legible. At least to Riku,anyways.
It was the symbol for one of the most feared gangs inhabiting the town.
The room was silent as Riku examined the pictures, his face twisting in all sorts of fashion as he realized more and more. Axel couldn't help but smirk, thinking that now might be the best time for him to make that important phone call he knew his boss was waiting for.
He picked himself out of his seat, carrying himself with confidence as he left the room, throwing back a grumble that sounded along the lines of "I'll be right back." He didn't care if they heard him or not, its not like it would've mattered.
He wandered down the the multiple halls until he reached the mens' restroom, pushing the door open as he entered, examining the space below every stall to make sure he was alone. He smirked as he trudged into a random stall, pulling out his cellphone and dialing a number as he shut and locked the door.
He leaned his back against the door, one hand holding the phone while the other was shoved in his pocket, pulling out his lighter as he began to play with the trigger. Flicking it every so often, watching in amazement as the fire sprung into the air, only to disappear two seconds later.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Axel, do you have the boy yet?"
"Well I wouldn't be calling you if I didn't."
"Excellent." Click.
A man miles away sat in his study, legs perched on top of his organized desk as he gazed out the window placed perfectly at the side of him. A smile was visible on his cracked lips, slightly yellow tinged teeth exposed.
"Just excellent."
Oh, he couldn't wait for the fun to begin.
Well review please, or leave me tips on how to improve my writing. Or both if you're really nice. : )