Chapter Ten
Warren grinned at his reflection in the nearest store window as he walked past. With his tight black jeans and white muscle top, he looked hot. It wasn't very often he dressed with the intention of looking tough and sexy at the same time, but today it would serve his purpose.
He yawned a little and shook his head, regretting lying awake in bed, although it wasn't something he could control lately. He leaned against a nearby tree and lit a cigarette, opting to use a lighter instead of his powers. The street was just a little bit crowded for that and he was already drawing enough attention to himself with the way he looked.
He sighed as he looked at his cell phone as it signaled yet another text message from Will asking where he was. It was eleven o'clock on Friday morning and Warren had decided to take the day off school to investigate further, and go down to the last resort to finally get what he was looking for. If he couldn't get the creature in his basement to talk, he was sure there was something or someone there that could help him. If Parker had taken Zach there, it was safe to say he was a regular and since the creature was obviously working with Parker and his father, perhaps someone could tell him something of use.
He took one last drag on his cigarette before throwing it onto the ground, stubbing it out with his boot, ignoring the slightly judgmental look an elderly lady passing him on the street gave. He began walking again, his destination fixed firmly in his mind. Before heading to the bar later on, Warren knew he needed something for protection. Although he had many of his mothers weapons at home, Warren wanted something of his own. As strange as it seemed, he felt as if this was a mission of his own, and buying a new weapon seemed like a good way to celebrate it.
He quickly turned down an alleyway that lead off from the main street in Maxville and entered into the first store. Inside was dark and quiet, with no other customers other than an old man who stood in the corner staring at the stores extensive range of rifles. The place was a dump, but Warren loved it. The owner was a very shady man, but if you had cash, he would sell you anything, regardless of your age.
"And what can I do for you today kid?" The owner said from behind the counter, barely bothering to look up from the magazine he was reading.
"I'm looking for a knife. Something decent sized and intimidating."
"How intimidating are we talking kid?"
"Very. Money isn't an issue. I want the best." Warren said. He had learned a long time ago that when dealing with people like this, it's best to get right to the point.
The owner bent down and rummaged beneath the counter for a moment before placing a black box on the counter. Warren lifted off the lid and smiled. The knife inside was a little over eight inches long and the handle was covered with intricate carvings.
"You like?" The owner asked
"Sure. Where's it from?"
"Uh.. it's Chinese I think."
Warren smiled. Perfect.
-
"Will relax. You know what he's like, he's probably just having a day to himself or something." Layla said calmly as Will ran his fingers through his hair and stared at his cell phone as if mentally trying to will it to ring.
"Layla... I'm worried because I know exactly what he's like."
"What do you mean?"
"He... he keeps secrets from me. He does love me, but he...well I know sometimes he lies. To protect me."
"From what?"
"I don't know. That's what worries me the most. Warren will try to deal with whatever it is himself, no matter how much he needs help."
"So what can we do?"
"I don't know Layla. Sometimes I just don't know with him."
-
"Warren!"
Warren looked over to the bar where his name had been called from. He smiled briefly, not quite enough to suggest he was happy to see the man, but just enough to be polite. It was wise not to start fights here. He walked over to the bar and sat on a stool, quickly glancing at the surroundings. There were a few people sitting around the bar and a couple of tall, thin men playing pool in a corner.
"And to what do we owe the pleasure of your company Mr. Peace?" The man who had greeted him said as he sidled over to the stool next to Warren.
"Hey Craig." Warren said slowly, not looking him in the eye.
Craig Warner was a regular at The Last Resort and was a man to be taken very seriously. Although at only 5'4 he didn't look like much of a threat, he carried a lot of weight in the criminal world of Maxville. Craig knew everything and everybody and wasn't known for giving up information without a price. But luckily for Warren, Craig had always had a particular fondness for him.
"Well, we haven't seen you around here in quite some time."
"Yeah, I've been pretty busy I guess." Warren said, softening some. The best way to get to Craig Warner was to be as vulnerable as possible.
"With what?"
"School mostly. I've been trying really hard to settle down after my mother..."
"Yes, I was very sorry to hear that. If there is anything I can do...if you need any financial help, or anything else...you only have to ask."
Warren smirked inwardly "At what cost?" He thought, but aloud he only muttered thanks.
"Would you like a drink Warren?"
Warren smiled genuinely for the first time that night. A drink certainly would take the edge off of things.
"Do you remember my drink?"
"Of course Warren!" Craig said, and signaled to the bartender, who came over immediately, apparently also intimidated by him. "A mojito if you will."
"Thanks Mr. Warner."
"How many times Warren, call me Craig."
"Thanks Craig." he said, ignoring the feeling of disgust rising in his stomach. Playing innocent and vulnerable around this man wasn't the most fun way to spend a night.
"So is there anything I can do for you?"
"Actually Craig... I do have an ulterior motive for coming here tonight. I'm looking for some information."
"I thought as much." Craig said and laughed deeply "What is it you're looking for?"
"I need to know anything you can tell me about a guy named Parker. About my age, thin, kinda emo?"
Craig laughed again.
"Oh yes, we all remember Parker. He didn't exactly blend in."
"Thank you." Warren said to the barman, who placed his drink in front of him. Warren took a large sip from the glass and smiled.
"God that's good!"
"You're first drink in a while huh?"
"Oh yeah!" Warren said "So... what do you mean he didn't fit in?"
"Well he was a little...effeminate...to say the least.."
"Did he come here often."
"Oh yes, far more often than you do these days."
Warren shrugged and smiled. "Being busy can suck."
"So why are you looking for Parker?"
"I think he has something to do with a murder... and a few other strange occurrences."
"Why not just go to The Commander and Jetstream? I hear you are close with them now."
"Kinda... I guess I just wanna carry on my mothers work. I... I need to be there when my fathers plan comes to a head. I wanna be the one to finish him off once and for all."
"That's very brave... or stupid. I'll let you know which when it's all done."
"Ok then. So, what can you tell me about Parker?"
"He used to come here four or five times a week. Rents a kind of storage room in the back. I know he's still paying for it, but he hasn't been there in months now."
"And the chances of me getting in there are..."
"Slim to none. Doors locked by a code. No way in without the code."
"Great..."
"Cheer up Warren. If it were easy would it be fun?"
"Yes."
"Well... have another drink or two and maybe it will seem better."
Warren laughed, and aware that he wasn't going to find any answers tonight, signaled for the bartender.
-
Will shivered as he landed in Warren's garden. It was far too cold of a night to have flown over without a jacket. He knocked on the door and waited for a moment, his stomach tightening with fear. As many secrets as Warren kept, he had never gone the whole day without contacting him at all.
"Come on Warren." He muttered "I'm fuckin' freezing."
He knocked again, but after another long moment with no reply he shook his head and pulled the keys to Warren's home from his pocket.
"Screw this." He said as he unlocked the door and stepped inside to the warmth of his boyfriends home.
"Warren?" Will called "You home?"
He walked around the house slowly from room to room checking for signs of Warren. After finding the house was empty he walked back into the living room and sat down.
"Fuck!" he shouted and rubbed his temples "Where the fuck are you?"
Suddenly, a loud thud sounded through the house. Will jumped up off the couch.
"Warren?"
Thump.
"Where are you?"
Will stepped out into the hallway, waiting for another sound.
Thump.
Will span around,. the sound was coming from the basement. Slowly, he walked to the door that lead to the basement and turned the handle. Slowly he pushed the door open. As he reached for the light switch, which hung from a frayed rope attached to the ceiling, the front door burst open.
Will span around.
"Hey baby!" Warren shouted as he stumbled through the door "You're here!"
Will pushed the door of the basement closed, forgetting about the sound at the sight of Warren in such a state. His eyes were half closed as he leaned against the door frame for support. His hair was a tangled mess and in one hand he held a cigarette, in the other a bottle of vodka.
"Are you drunk?" Will asked incredulously.
"Yep!" Warren said. He hiccupped slightly and slid down the doorframe onto the floor. He then tossed his cigarette outside, lifted the near empty bottle to his lips and drained the rest. Will could only look on in disbelief as Warren then threw the bottle outside, laughing as it shattered on the driveway.
"Will!" Warren yelled "Come here baby! Gimmie a kiss!"
"Uh... I think maybe I should get you into bed..."
"Mmm, yes please." Warren growled and began to undo his jeans
"Uh no... I think you'd better sleep this one off."
-
A:N Updated! Woo. I have very limited internet access, (a dollar for ten minutes!) so its been hard, but I have figured out how to write on my laptop and use the keydrive thing to transfer it online, so it's all good.
Chapters 1,4 and 5 of life's a show have been edited (or in some cases fully rewritten) check it out!
Will aim to update once a week :)
love y'all - Dylan
(Oh and as usual, I swear I have a plan.)