Chapter 2: Game Over
(Bernard's POV)
This chase is over.
I've been after him all the whole night... to end here, in front of the old L'il Gifted High School. The school of his childhood. Why this place? Why not the Scott Mansion? Too many questions are invading my mind... and any answers.
"Mmh?"
Damn, he heard me! All I can do now is keep my mouth shut and...
"Stop that."
Oh no... No no no no...
"I can see you. Why are you following me?"
I've been a fool. It was obvious, these bushes of his "garden?" couldn't hide me... I guess that I was just too afraid to approach him, yet.
Time to be honest, Bernard. He's not stupid. Sure he knew all the time that I was following his steps... and he didn't try to stop me until now. Why?
"Ok, ok... I..."
My hands are shaking again... God, why all the bad things just happen to ME? I'M PATHETIC...
"I... I need..."
He just smirked... at me?
"Boy, you're shaking as a baby sparrow in the snow. Relax, ok? Give me some minutes in my house... and later we can talk. If I can, I'll help you. Don't worry."
I guess he doesn't remember my name. Great.
At least he's being very nice. He just went inside that old school... What are those strange noises? It sounds as an old machine working... Another fact, proof that Music Man is Metro Man. Surely, he wants to hide everything related with his superhero past... and I just can wonder how's he doing it. Two options: A. Maybe with his super powers? or, B. perhaps using a complicated system with secret doors?
"Hey! You, boy!"
He's calling me! And he's sweating under his housecoat... I guess A is the right option... Fanservice much, my dear Music Man? Maybe he didn't realize it, but all this situation is starting to turn me on...
Agh. I hate myself.
"Come, sit here. This seat is very comfortable." He offer me a couples of cups. "Coffee or tea?"
"Tea. Thank you."
He takes the coffee. For a moment, we just drink in silence. This is the closest feeling to heaven I've ever feel. But this isn't a dream, the warmth in my stomach is enough to keep me awake.
"I'm not sure... but I believe that I saw you before. Maybe in the concert?"
"Sure. I was there with my niece, Jess. She's a big fan of your songs."
"Sweet! I guess you came to get an autograph, right? You're a good uncle..."
"Well... to be honest... I came here to ask you something..."
Stop this stupid conversation. You didn't come here to talk about Jess. It's time to be brave.
To be strong at this point, is all I can do.
"Well, it depends of many things. First, who are you? And second, are you a reporter or something?"
Yeah, he definitely doesn't remember me. This is going to be harder than I expected.
"My name is Bernard Jones, and no, I'm not a reporter. I was a museum curator... the curator of YOUR museum."
He should get this hint... It's very easy, right? Just watching how his eyes widened in surprise, now I'm sure he got it.
"W-what do you mean? I NEVER had a museum... I am Music Man, an artist, a singer..."
Of course, he had to deny the truth. Bitting my bottom lip won't help him. Instead, my hands gripped the collar of his shirt, and my eyes met his own.
"Game over, Wayme Scott, before known as Metro Man..."
Oh, no... I'm shaking again... Damnit! Only when my emotions reach this point, this happens! This is the worst moment to show my weakness! I can't allow that, but...
Tears are dribbling in my face. Tears are falling.
My eyes are betraying me, and my voice soon follows the same path.
"Bernard... are you... crying?"
"WHY..."
It's a broken voice. The voice of many broken dreams. The voice of a shattered heart.
"Why did you leave the city... all the people... me...? I don't understand... You had a dream life... and then... all my world changed... and now you're a singer? IDIOT! Why? Why? WHY?"
Tears mixed with a deep sadness and a sudden anger led me to punch him, with my bare hands, in his chest, again and again. I almost can't see anything... In a second, my glasses fell to the ground.
"Bernard, STOP!"
And I see him. He isn't glaring, he even doesn't seem to want to to punish me. But his hands... his hands are caressing my own. And my hands are very red... the right one is bleeding a bit...
"Oh..."
I barely could say anything. What was I doing? I'm not here to judge his actions... I was following him to confess my feelings, to show that I actually care for someone... for him.
"I guess you deserve the truth... too. It's ok. Sit and listen, it's a very long story."
His hands didn't leave mine. It gave a warm feeling of relief, something like "I'll be with you, not matter what". Enough to erase all the winter which kept my heart frozen.
"Don't worry. I have all the night for it."
