Chapter 6 is here!
And, Chapter 13 of Separated Souls is really long. Most likely going to make it into 14 chapters.
Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter!
"You dated one before you dated me?"
"Yep. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to eager to help me with what I wanted," Elliot said.
"And what would that be?" I asked. We were currently lying on my bed in my room. Elliot was laying in a way so his head was resting on my chest. Our legs were wrapped together, and I had my arms loosely around him.
"Well, to be honest, I was the stupid one. If you eat the flesh of a merperson, they say you'll live forever. I was alone, and he apparently heard me, because after that, he broke up with me. I didn't even want to do it to him. I didn't even get to explain anything to him. He wouldn't let me," Elliot sighed softly.
"Oh, Elliot," I said softly. I hugged him close. After a while of silence, I looked at him."Before anything else, Yami told me that you threatened to punch him?" I asked. Elliot went stiff slightly, before relaxing.
"We were….debating about something. I admit, I let my temper get the best of me. But, I would never actually do it. I love you and I love your little brother," Elliot said.
"I believe you," I smiled.
"Now, Keiji-sweetie? I had a question. Maybe you could help me?" Elliot asked.
"What is it?" I asked.
"If I were to capture a merperson, where would we keep it? I mean, we'd obviously need to study him or her before, you know, partaking in eating them. I'd want to share immortality with you, your brother, and maybe even that boyfriend of his," Elliot said.
"Boyfriend? Are you talking about Atem? The way I see it, yes, they're close, but, they aren't dating. Yet, anyway," I chuckled. Elliot giggled. "But, I mean, hm. Where would we keep them?" I said.
The two of us thought for a moment.
"I know where I could get a tank. We could keep them in my basement," Elliot said.
"Alright. How would we catch one, though?" I asked.
"Just leave that to me, my sweetie. I just need you nearby when it's time to take them to my basement," Elliot said. I nodded.
~A~
"So, how many days do you have left like this? I'm really liking hanging out with you like this," Yami said. I counted silently. It had already been a few days. I bit my lip, and lifted three fingers.
"Only three more days?" he asked. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. When I nodded, he took my hands. "I wish you could stay longer," he said softly.
I do, too I thought. We sat down on a few rocks, and I quietly reached my hand over to hold his. When I did, I saw a faint pink color on his cheeks. But, he didn't pull his hand away.
When Elliot and I got together, I hadn't gotten to know him, first. But, with Yami….
Yami was nothing like him. Yami was kind. When I told him about what Elliot had planned to do to me, he was horrified. He even told me of him trying to hint at his brother what kind of person Elliot was. I told him everything. And, being here with him…
I loved him.
There was no denying it anymore.
Yami opened his mouth to say something, when his brother suddenly ran over to us.
"You two! Follow me! Elliot and I, we..you have to see it!" Keiji said quickly.
"What's wrong?" Yami asked, standing up. He helped me to a standing position. Standing and walking were getting easier, but, I knew it didn't matter.
"You just have to see. It's at Elliot's house," Keiji said. I gulped. We had to go to the devil's den.
"What's so important there?" Yami asked. He shot me a glance, and squeezed my hand. It was reassuring.
"It's impossible to explain until you see it! If I tell you, you won't believe me," Keiji said. Yami sighed.
"Fine," he said. He looked at me. I nodded once, letting him know I was okay.
"Alright, so, Elliot said we probably shouldn't crowd it, so, he's letting you two go into the basement on your own," Keiji said, getting off the phone as we walked.
"It? And you're keeping it in the basement?" Yami asked.
"Well, there was nowhere else to put it, and it's still a bit feisty from its initial capture, so, yeah," Keiji said. We walked up to the door, and I took a deep breath as we went in.
"Ah, cool! You brought them," Elliot smiled.
"I know where it is," Yami said. As he led me towards the basement, I looked back at Elliot. Keiji wasn't looking, and he had the biggest smirk on his face.
That worried me.
We got to the basement door, and just before Atem opened it, I heard an all-too-familiar voice.
"Hey! Let me out of here, dammit!"
Yami threw the door open, and we both went inside. He shut the basement door, and I went immediately to the tank.
'Aeron…!' I lip-synced.
"Atem..? Atem!" Aeron said, his expression changing to that of one mixed with relief and worry. Yami came over.
"What happened?" Yami asked.
"I was coming to see if you two were going to the beach today, and I thought I was out of sight, but then a net covered me. I almost pulled them into the water, trying to get away, but, they were stronger than me. I forgot about my wave ability until it was too late," Aeron said. I put my hand against the glass of the tank. I felt tears starting to form. Aeron placed his hand over mine.
'This is all my fault. I'm so sorry, Aeron,' I lip-synced.
"It's not your fault, Atem. And, Yami. I know it's not your fault, either. It's mine. Right now, I'm fine. I promise. They haven't hurt me, yet," Aeron said.
"Don't jinx it. They captured you and had you out of water to bring you here. Besides….it's Elliot," Yami said.
"I know. I know, I know. But, like I said, right now, I'm fine," Aeron said. A tear went down my cheek. "Atem please don't cry," Aeron said softly. The door of the basement opened, and I turned around. Elliot shut the door.
"Enjoy the surprise, Atem?" he asked. I glared at him.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You even manipulated my brother," Yami growled.
"All I told him was that I'd share the eternal life with him, and you, of course. And, I guess you too, if you plan on sticking with this human schtick," Elliot said.
"You're sick," Yami growled.
"Thank you very much," Elliot smiled.
"What if I told my brother the truth, then?" Yami asked.
"And tell him that you've known about merpeople existing for almost a year, didn't tell him, and expose the existence?" Elliot asked. Yami looked away from him, his eyes shut tightly in frustration. Elliot laughed before leaving the basement.
"I'm sorry, Aeron. I….I'll….We'll get you out of this," he said after a while. I nodded at my brother.
"I know you will. But, Yami, I have to ask you one thing that you have to do for me," Aeron said.
"What is it?" Yami asked.
"I know he turns back in three days. Please. Make sure he gets back to the ocean safely. Don't worry about me right now, just keep my brother safe," Aeron said.
"I will. I promise," Yami said, nodding.
So.
Elliot's my favorite new antagonist.
He's my asshole son.
And, I already have planned how a rescue's going to go, so, yeah.
It'll come soon. But, maybe, not in the way you think.
Until chapter 7!