I really have no excuse for why I haven't updated in so long. *hangs head shamefully * I'll try for sooner this time around.
Daniel picked at his pasta, twirling the sauce covered noodles around his fork with dull blue eyes. The meal looked good to Vlad: spaghetti with melted cheese on top, but the teen had barely touched it.
"Daniel," Vlad started, trying to make his tone light and friendly. "Aren't you going to eat anything? This diner has quite a nice reputation. And I've take a risk bringing you out in public like this," he added, taking a bite of his own steak.
The diner did have a surprisingly excellent reputation, especially with it being in a small town like Elmersville. One of his business allies had recommended it a while back. Vlad never imagined he'd end up taking the man's advice, specifically after they'd gone separate ways after a spat about the stock market. No matter: he had not been a very valuable asset anyway.
"Sorry," Daniel said, but not proceeding to eat anything. He looked so small in the booth, trying to attract the least amount of attention possible.
During the limo ride to the diner he had been dead silent, not opening his mouth even for a single comment. Vlad knew that wasn't normal: he should have been going on and on about his troubles, his emotions running wild, yet his face was a blank slate devoid of any of that. Pain hidden behind a mask of calm, he suspected.
Waiters and waitresses passed by their table, notebooks and pens in hand ready to take orders. Their own waiter was a young man in an impeccable wrinkle free suit and tie with a serious stature. His tired eyes drooped as he stopped and asked how their meal was going.
"Very well," Vlad replied with a curt nod.
Daniel was still mindlessly twirling the pasta in his still full dish.
"Children these days," the waiter commented, sneering distastefully at him. "They just don't know when to be grateful for the things they receive."
Daniel barely acknowledged him, running a hand comfortingly through his hair. His composure was remarkable after the day he'd had.
Vlad however, swallowed back the urge to leave his seat and slam this man into the wall headfirst. "I disagree, my good man," he said slowly, making sure he got the message. "This child is a far better person than you are making yourself out to be at the moment. In fact, I bet you don't appreciate this job much either."
The waiters eyes widened in shock and he quickly muttered, "Sorry," before scurrying off to another table with his head down.
People at other tables watched the scene intently with widened eyes, turning back to their meals quickly to avoid being seen. The conversation in the room increased noticeably after this.
"Why don't we get going?" Vlad suggested, pushing his lunch to the middle of the table.
Daniel nodded and did the same, sliding out of the booth and standing in the aisle with its black shiny tiled floor. His jeans and T-shirt were dirty, spattered with dots of dried blood and dirt in places. He was pale as a ghost-no pun intended- and looked ill.
Apparently it was not overly concerning or noticeable to the restaurants other patrons , as no one had yet asked about the boys condition or held much of a lingering stare. Their eyes passed over him as if he were no more than a stain on one of their elegant suits or dresses, waiting to be washed away.
Vlad scowled in their direction and slipped an arm around Daniel, pulling him closer. No one dared say a word as they passed out the front doors of the diner and out to the limo, where a driver waited patiently for them and held open the doors.
Daniel climbed in back and took a seat at the farthest end of the long car, looking out at the busy street through the tinted windows.
The whole limo was lined with polished black leather seats and a mini bar stood against the very end of the car. Bottles stood secure in their holders, some labeled in foreign languages. Vlad could read them without a problem though: He was multilingual and spoke fluent Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin. His life situation was reasonably secure and he had the free time to learn each language.
He thought about having a glass of Bourbon to relax himself, could almost feel the bitter liquid pass his lips, despite the fact that he usually didn't drink very much at all. But no. Daniel needed his full attention right now.
He scooted closer to the unmoving teen, cautiously wrapping an arm loosely around his shoulders.
Daniel tensed but didn't complain. To him, it looked like the plush velvet carpet of the limo was the most interesting thing in the world right now. He ran his sneaker across the soft surface.
"It's not your fault," Vlad said, bending over so gray eyes met blue. "There are things in this world that we cannot prevent."
A strained, choked out whisper. "But it still happened. Because I exist. And know He's probably out there looking for his next victim."
"Daniel," Vlad started soothingly. "If He was truly free from his prison I'm very sure we would know it by now. Clockwork would have brought up something of such vital importance I'm sure."
He nodded slightly, but it was more of an effort to end the conversation than of acceptance. It appeared he was at the very fine edge of how much he could take today. Vlad understood. It felt like he was getting there too.
Danny couldn't sleep that night. He tossed and turned in bed, tears clouding his vision and small sobs escaping him. His pillow was wet, alerting him to how much he was actually crying. He was sure Vlad couldn't hear. The last time he had seen the man was about an hour ago reading in the library, thoughtful and rarely turning any pages.
It was dark. You could hide in the dark, he mused. But not from yourself. What a shame.
Sorry it's so short, especially after such a long time without updating, but I have major writers block for this. I'm working on it though.