Chapter 38: À la fin de la fin

With Ms. Carriedo running out after Antonio's departure there were many questions Francis still had. Surely he wasn't the only one in the group who had such questions. What little information he had managed to gain about the secret double life of his and his friends' parents sounded more like a SyFy novel than reality. Tension could be cut with a knife in this room.

"Perhaps it's a good time to take a breather." Ms. Hedervary suggested.

"Good idea Magdalena. We can resume once we've digested some of this."

Taking advantage of the break, Francis decided to wheel his mother outside. In the back yard, the tension within the house slipped away for a moment. There was just so much that he needed to process. On the top of the list was the death of his father. So much happened so fast and now everything he knew about his life was turned upside down. Even wheeling his mother around provided him with mixed feelings and a sense of dissociation.

"What's on your mind?"

"A lot." He responded to his mother's sudden question.

He knew that he had to address all the things in his mind before anything else happened.

"Are you still concerned about your father?"

The question stopped him in his tracks. They hadn't talked in depth about his father's passing. The information of the lengths his mother went through to get away from the monster overshadowed the man's death. Just thinking about his father left a horrible feeling bubbling at the pit of his stomach. Francis knew neither of them would be able to let go of the man. They needed some sort of closure, which neither of them knew how to get.

"What are we going to do about him?"

His father had died no longer than a day and with them rushing out of the hospital at the end of a gun they hadn't made plans for what to do with the body.

"I'm sure his family will take care of it." His mother spoke in a hushed tone.

Francis wasn't sure what his mother meant by that. His father's family had disowned him long ago. If she was right then it meant they wouldn't be allowed to attend the funeral. He wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. Right now, however, he didn't want to see his father's remains. The uneasiness would never leave him even if he were to see his father again. In the back of his mind the mental image of the monster lurking, whispering that he would return. To have this on top of the revelations made by his mother, Ms. Hedervary, and Ms. Bonnefoy made it hard to distinguish what was real.

"I'm sorry." His mother spoke just above a whisper.

Placing a hand on his mother's shoulder he could feel her start to shake. Without looking he knew she was crying. His own eyes seem to be holding back tears. Francis wondered if this crushing feeling would ever fade.

"I know he did terrible things... but...I... I loved him. I'm sorry for not being there for you."

"You are here now."

"I have failed you as a mother."

"No, you haven't."

"I promise I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up all those years I missed out on."

"FRANCIS!" Gilbert's voice irrupted.

"What's wrong?"

"I just received a call from Matthew. He found Antonio. He seems very worried so I am going to get him."

Glancing at his mother she gave a small nod telling him to go.

"I'm coming!"

He wasn't sure what to expect after Antonio's storm was said by Ms. Carriedo was hard to hear, hot-tempered yet the call from Matthew made the situation look worse. He'd expected Antonio to be out calming himself with Lovino besides him. Despite Lovino being a hot-tempered individual he knew Antonio easily calmed down in the Italian's presence.

Finally, they met up in the center of the along with Alfred and Arthur was surrounding a very shaken up Antonio."

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure." Matthew said.

"We just ran into him. He kept spouting off nonsense." Arthur added.

In a single motion, he and Gilbert moved to Antonio's side. Antonio was mumbling under his breath. Even with this close proximity, it was hard to tell what was being said. The only word he could make out was Lovino. A sudden realization hit him, Lovino had left with Antonio and now was nowhere to be found.

"Where is Lovino?"He asked.

Antonio responded with more mumblings and a wide-eyed look. Turning his attention to the rest of the group Alfred just shrugged.

"He was alone when we found him." Alfred explained.

"What's going on?"Asked Arthur.

"We don't have time to explain now." Gilbert said tying his long hair back. "We are going to take you back."

Antonio fought against their attempts to make him stand. A quick glare shot by Gilbert stopped the struggling in a blink of an eye. Francis had to know what was causing such a reaction from their usually laid back friend.

"Thank you for calling me." Gilbert smiled at Matthew once they got Antonio onto his feet.

"Do you think he will be alright?"

"He's just a little shaken up right now." He said as they lowered him onto a nearby bench.

/

Matthew wanted to talk with Gilbert about their relationships, however once again there was no time to talk. Knowing Gilbert loved him was enough to get past moments like this. Right now Antonio was dealing with shock from something and that was more important than his insecurities.

"Please don't worry." Gilbert said as he took hold of his hand.

Gilbert looked so beautiful in his drag, yet Matthew wanted to see Gilbert's usual form.

"I want to help."

Lipstick covered lips pressed onto his cheek. The sensation was odd even if it set off the butterflies in his stomach like the other times Gilbert kissed him.

"Sorry about that. I forgot I had lipstick on." Gilbert chuckled. "Things are a huge mess. I won't keep pushing you away from it. If you can handle the unending craziness come with us. I could use your strength right now."

"Arthur and I are at your service as well." Alfred jumped in.

"I didn't agree to anything." Arthur protested.

"I am not going to get in trouble again for leaving Matthew unsupervised."

"We could use as much help as possible." Gilbert said looking over at Francis and Antonio.

/

"Antonio... Antonio can you hear me?"

Antonio's mumbling didn't stop for a second as Gilbert talked with the others. Francis tried his hardest to catch onto more words. So far he could make out the words Lovino and gone, which was repeated over and over.

"Lovino is gone?"

"Not."Antonio clearly said before returning to mumbling.

"Not what?"

"Not...Lovino...Gone.."

"Antonio you need to speak more clearly. I don't know what you are trying to tell me." He said gently taking a hold of Antonio's hand.

Antonio nodded in understanding. Taking a few deep breaths Antonio slowly began to speak.

"I...think I've lost my mind."

"Why do you think that?"

"Lovino...I thought... One second he was Lovino then he wasn't."

"You're not making sense."

"Nothing makes sense."

"You're right. Things haven't made sense in a long time."

Emerald eyes turned towards him peering into his own eyes. They were both searching for something.

"I'm a horrible person." Antonio said, turning away.

"You're not."

"I wasn't there for Lovino or you."

He was stunned at the sudden turn in their conversation.

"I never knew of anyone's suffering. I'm so selfish."

"You can't know everything and even if you did it didn't mean you could do anything about it. I have never thought of you as a bad friend. You helped out even when I told you not to. You got me through some tough times...Now What happened with Lovino?"

"A tall man came out of nowhere. Lovino knew him..ran into his arms then changed. He physically changed into someone else. They left ...said they were sorry."

Antonio's story was hard to believe, then again so was everything he had heard today. If it were any other day he would think the story was a result of stress and laugh it off. He wouldn't laugh it off today, not when Antonio had reacted so violently from it.

"Let's go back to Elizabetas'."

"You don't believe me?"

"I do believe you. It's possible that someone may know something about this."

"I don't want to see my mother."

"She left soon after you did. I'm not sure if she will ever come back."

"How are you doing?" Gilbert asked kneeling in front of Antonio.

"Better."

"We are here for you." They spoke in unison.

"It just all happened so fast." Antonio said.

"Which is why we should get back to someone who can make sense of it."

"I'm not sure if anyone could make sense of it. One moment it was Lovino then it was someone else. That's impossible."

"What you say is more possible than you think." Gilbert said.

There was something about Gilbert's face that told him his friend knew something. He studied those familiar features for anything that would give way to what he was hiding.

"Let us help you Antonio."Matthew spoke in the sweetest tone possible.

Antonio gave a nod and they proceeded to lift him up once again. The shock of what Antonio witnessed was still affecting his ability to stand properly as dead body weight put pressure on his shoulders. Even with Gilbert sharing the weight Antonio's body felt like the heaviest thing on Earth.

/

Matthew once again felt useless in this situation as he watched Gilbert and francis struggle to help Antonio the rate they were going, stopping every so often to rest, he guessed they would make it Elizabeta's house by night fall.

"These dam shoes." Gilbert huffed in irritation. "Why did I decide to wear these?"

"Because they look good on you?"Alfred offered.

"Thank you."

Not being able to take it a second longer he scooped up Antonio's left arm and draped it over his shoulder. Wordlessly Francis followed his lead lifting up Antonio's right side. Matthew was thankful that working at the humane society had built up what little muscles he had. He was also grateful that no one protested his actions, though there were a few short lived wide eyed looks as they started to move. Carrying Antonio truly resembled carrying a large bag of kibble in difficulty. If it weren't for Francis offering leverage he doubted that he would be able to move much. By the time they reached the doorstep of Elizabeta's house he felt utterly exhausted. His shoulders screamed when Antonio's weight was finally removed from had little time to think as a flurry of faces came asking what happened. Among those faces he noticed Roderich, who was rather distant from the others. Matthew knew Roderich cared as much as the others and he could very well understand the feeling of being on the outside that he was sure the man was feeling.

/

Matthew's strength had been surprising, still it was literally weight lifted off his shoulders when the soft-spoken man had taken over Gilbert's place. Now that they were back they were swarmed with worried faces.

"Everyone needs to calm down. You aren't helping with the chatter!" Alfred spoke up over the noise.

The crowd stepped aside allowing them to guide Antonio onto a chair.

"Where is my fratello." Feliciano's voice spoke out into the worried silence.

The longer Antonio remained silent the more the tension grew. He was sick and tired of the uncomfortable silences and secrets. Once all this was over he wanted to return to a simpler life with his mother and Roderich.

"I don't know where Lovino is."

"What do you mean?" Feliciano asked with tears welling up in his eyes.

He watched as Ludwig took Feliciano's hand as Antonio looked away from the Italian's questioning eyes. All eyes were on them.

"Lo Siento."

"No!" Feliciano yelped.

"Please calm down."His mother spoke.

"Antonio explain what happened."Gilbert prompted.

"I was so upset about what my mother was saying..I dragged him out with me and we made it to the park. All of a sudden a tall man appeared, I swear I met him before...I can't remember where. He took Lovno only Lovino turned into someone else before he was taken away."

"That's not possible."Arthur commented.

"If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it were possible either."

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a look exchanged between his mother and Ms. Hedervary. He had grown to hate those knowing looks. Nothing good had come out of such looks so far. He needed some air. Slipping out he exhaled. Things were much better out here.

"How are you doing?" Roderich asked from behind.

"I want this day to be over. I want all of this nonsense to be over."

"So do I."

"I...I'm sorry about.."

He knew they had to talk things over, what he lacked was the words to do so.

"I am the one who should apologize."

"You have nothing to apologize for. Please stay with me out here for a little while. I can't bare to go in there. I'm sick of the secrets and unknowns."

"Francis...I love you."

"I love you too."

/

Matthew was at a complete loss of what was going on. Everyone in the room was on edge and the slightest thing was sure to set anyone off. His brother and Arthur looked as equally troubled by the situation they found themselves in. If it weren't for Gilbert clutching onto his hand he would have followed Francis and Roderich's exit.

"If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it were possible either."

"Can you elaborate?" Ms. Hedervary asked.

"Lovino transformed into someone else before my eyes. One second it was Lovino and then he changed. He had blond hair and fair skin."

As Antonio spoke he watched Elizabeta flip through her camera.

"You said he was with a tall blond?" Elizabeta asked not looking up from her camera.

"Yes. He was about Ludwig's built but wore glasses."

"Did he look like this?" Elizabeta asked showing off a picture.

"Yes, that's them."

"Why are Tino and Berwald involved?"

"You know these people?" Antonio asked, suspicion evident in his voice.

"They stopped by the cafe a few times."

She paused trying to figure out something Matthew couldn't begin to attempt to wrap his mind around. Something must've clicked as her eyes darted to her mother.

"They are a part of the corporation?"

The meaning of these words flew over his head, yet everyone aside from Arthur and Alfred knew the implication of them.

"I have met Berwald, the taller one, once before. You could say he's a part of the research branch."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I do not know all the details. Isabella refused to speak about them."

"Great another thing for her to hide!" Antonio complained.

/

"You two should be inside."

Francis didn't have to turn around to know who the voice belonged to.

"Then again inside is a mess."The voice added.

"Why did it become this way?"

"The truth is it was always like this, only now you are seeing it first hand."

The sky was taking on a pink tint, signalling the end of the had passed by so fast while feeling like a year's worth of events had filled its time.

"Where have you been all this time?" Roderich asked.

"Gathering information from the others. And avoiding facing my son again."

"All things considered it was the best thing you could possibly do Ms. Carriedo."

"I'm surprised you two are talking to me."

"I'm still trying to understand everything to do so I need to hear all sides out." Roderich said.

"And I've calmed down enough to see that the choices people make aren't always easy..You all did what you thought was necessary."

"I wish my son thought so...How is he?"

"Freaked out." Roderich said frankly.

"He says that he saw Lovino turned into someone else."

They both studied 's features as he spoke. Her face remained somewhat neutral as her eyes ever so slightly widen. She had already known this, her reaction as much told him.

"Let's go back in. It's not wise to discuss things in the open."

"I still don't understand!" He heard Feliciano's voice saywhen they entered the house. "Where is Lovino?"

A sigh escaped Ms. Carriedo before she spoke up.

"The corporation."

/

"This is like some drama show. I should've brought some popcorn." Alfred whispered loudly.

"Hush!" Arthur said, slapping the back of Alfred's head.

Ms. Carriedo held a stern look directed at the other mothers. Ms. Carriedo was doing her best to remain tough, something he often saw in his own mother during hard times. That stance with a half frown and eyes unwavering reminded him of how his mother stood when he had returned home after spending the night with Gilbert. It was just one of those things that all mothers seemed to do, even Gilbert held this look at one time.

"What does Berwald and Tino have to do with the corporation?" Elizabeta jumped in.

"They are under the corporations' thumb more than anyone and I was the one who put them in that position."

"You knew!" Antonio said. "How long did you know that he wasn't Lovino?"

"Since the day I asked you for the delivery to the hospital."

In a flash Antonio rushed at his mother enraged. A gasp escaped all but Ms. Carriedo as Antonio grasped her face remained straight as Antonio's eyes welled up.

"How could you?"

"It was not I who assigned Tino to take Lovino's place. I warned you and Lovino when we first met that being together wasn't wise...I didn't want either of you to be hurt. When I found out Tino had made the switch I went looking for answers."

"Why should I believe anything you say?"

"Because I am your mother and I am working to free your boyfriend."

"You've seen him?"

"He is alive. We have prevented him from any tests."

"Tests?"

"Wait how was Tino able to.." Elizabeta inquired.

"Tino has the ability of shapeshifting into anyone for a period of time. He along with Berwald are the remains of child experimentation that took place before you were born. I worked in the facility with a woman who publicly opposed the experimentation. She was forced to give up her life in exchange for the children test subjects. The corporation didn't keep their word as they continued children experimentation while using her. The Beilschmidts assisted me in trying to free her and through the actions I took to grant her freedom Tino and Berwald were taken into the arms of the experimenters and the Beilschmidts lost their lives. I was pregnant at the time so the corporation didn't punishme as harshly. All the sacrifice was in vain when the woman we worked so hard to free was captured."

"Why would they want Lovino? He has nothing to do with the corporation. He's just a normal guy." Antonio opposed.

"He's not normal." Feliciano chimed in.

Eyes snapped to the small Italian.

"What?" Antonio asked, finally lightening his grip on his mother's collar.

"I...We.." Feliciano stuttered as he tried to hide behind Ludwig for safety. "We aren't human."

"So you are like superman?" Alfred asked excitedly, earning another slap from Arthur. "Ouch. Stop that."

"Stop being an imbecile for a moment." Arthur retorted.

"You have abilities?" asked, ignoring the unnecessary comment.

"I guess...I don't know... We were born with them." Feliciano said peering out from Ludwig.

"I need to go." Ms. Carriedo said suddenly.

"You just got back." Antonio protested, returning his firm grip on her collar.

"If you are going to hit me go ahead. I have endured much worse." Ms. Carriedo said with a hard stare. "I need to see what's going on back in the research facility. News of Tino's failure must be hushed and now...What's the ability?"

Feliciano mumbled something which Ms. Carriedo understood, giving a nod. Antonio at long last released his mother and she straightened out her clothing. Matthew could tell she was trying to hold back tears.

"If they find out your brother has abilities it's going to make it all that more difficult. The researchers love new toys."

"What is preventing them from testing?" Ms. Bonnefoy asked.

"Berwald and Mathias are doing their best inside. It hadn't been an issue until your brother caused some trouble earlier today. Luckily Berwald did some clean up...I have to go."

"Can I go with you?" Feliciano pleaded.

"No. You need to stay safe. Keep an eye on him. I will return."

"You expect us to wait knowing Lovino is held up somewhere?" Gilbert interjected.

"Yes I do. There are plans being set in motion as we speak. If we do anything to disrupt them not only Lovino's life is at risk. I will not repeat my mistakes by rushing into a hastily put together rescue...I swear this time everyone will be saved."

#####

Translation:

French:

À la fin de la fin- Nearing the end