Chapter 7

Childish Lies

He made his way to the door, letting go of Vanessa. Vanessa smiled and thanked Alastor before heading into the hallway and to the stairs. She stared at them with uncertainty in her eyes. Alastor noticed this and came over to her left side, allowing her to drape an arm over his shoulders. They made their way down the stairs and onto the ground floor. Vanessa quickly noticed Idiot and waved at her. Eric walked up near the end of the stairs giving her a forced smile in an effort to seem positive, he didn't know her well, but he wanted to be there for her. Idiot was about to wave back to her friend until she saw him. Alastor. Idiot froze, going into fight or flight mode. Her mind was full of the endless ways she could die in this. She started to step back.

"Idiot. It's alright. I don't think he plans on killing us," Vanessa tried to reassure Idiot.

"OH. OKAY." Idiot said, continuing to step back.

Vanessa let go of Alastor and began to make her way towards Idiot, limping as she went. She was wary of Idiot because, shit. She could do whatever the fuck she felt she needed to do and without anyone getting on her back about it. Idiot stopped backing up and walked forward to support her friend. Vanessa stopped Idiot and hugged her, wanting her to feel more at ease around the wendigo. Idiot was more focused on keeping her friend steady. She walked them over to the bar and sat Vanessa down.

"Thanks, man. Y'know, at some point I'm gonna be insisting on walking on my own and you're gonna be pulling me back so you can help. You're too reliable sometimes. And that ain't a bad thing," Vanessa said, smiling and chuckling.

"Well, that will happen when you stop limping you doof, and I don't need you stroking my ego," Idiot said, grabbing some bourbon from the back of the bar.

"Could you pour me a glass of wine, gal?" Vanessa asked her friend.

"Sure," Idiot said, grabbing a bottle of wine and glass from the bar.

"Thanks," Vanessa hummed, watching her friend pour the wine. Idiot handed her the glass and opened the bourbon and started to drink. Vanessa picked up her glass and took a few small sips. She subtly motioned for Alastor to join them, trying her best to not make it noticeable to Idiot, so she didn't freak out again.

Alastor began to shift over to the bar, coming more from Vanessa's side. Idiot might notice, but it wouldn't be that bad (hopefully) because there was someone between her and Alastor. Idiot did notice, but she knew that her friend wanted her to stay so she just sat, drinking the bourbon and looking at the floor. Her nerves were on full blast. Vanessa felt bad, but she didn't want this kind of tension between two people she has gotten to know so well. Alastor slid onto a bar stool beside Vanessa and just chilled, admiring the back of the bar and all of the little details.

"So. Why are you guys down here?" Idiot said, keeping the shake out of her voice.

"We finished our little talk and decided to come back down here to be with everyone else," Vanessa said, keeping her voice steady and calm, moving an arm to rest on her friend's shoulder.

"Ok. Well, why are we just sitting here doing nothing?" Idiot stated, calming down a little, but still tense.

"Because. The only thing to really talk about is whether our boss should die or not," Vanessa growled, one of the few times she's truly frustrated or angered. Idiot knew the shit he's done and had to deal with it longer but the topic never really upset her until her friend was affected. She never thought about killing her boss, mainly due to the fear of being fired.

"Doesn't he have children?" Idiot stated, continuing to think.

"Yes. And that is a highly effective tactic of not being killed," Alastor chimed in, keeping his voice low as to not freak out Idiot (that much). Idiot shuddered at his words. 'Did he just read my mind? What the hell?' Her mind filled with more questions.

"Ummm. Thanks?" Idiot responded trying not to be rude. Alastor piped up again.

"I'm only saying so because that's how he got out of being killed the last time this happened."

"I know. You destroyed my workplace." Idiot said, remembering the sight, and realizing that in fact he didn't read her mind.

"And that's the time when I got my scar," Vanessa chimed in.

Alastor wanted to respond again, but knew he would only cause more damage. So he stayed quiet, with a slightly broken look on his face.

"I can't really do too much about my boss. I'm a bit busy training his daughter. As of yesterday we found out that she won't be inheriting his job," Idiot said, changing the subject a bit.

"Sometimes that would alter one's opinion, but I want to hear what you think our boss deserves, Idiot," Vanessa said, keeping her angry, boiling thoughts to herself.

"I don't like him! I fucking hate him! I HAVE SEEN HIM DO THE SAME THING THAT JUST HAPPENED TO YOU OVER THOUSANDS OF TIMES! But I can't do anything about it. I'd rather not be set on FIRE. So, I follow him," Idiot exclaimed, losing her temper, but cooling down. She seemed to forget that Alastor was even in the room.

"I know what you mean and I can't blame you. Sometimes keeping people around means keeping memories around. And I have a feeling that's where you're going to be staying for a while. Because it's home and it feels right," Vanessa hummed, remembering what her life was like before this. Wondering how her parents were doing.

"I'm not keeping memories. I'm keeping my physical well-being intact. I have no issue with you killing him. I have an issue of what will happen. I stay for two reasons. 1, I don't want to lose a fucking limb and, 2, I have no other means of protection apart from my weapon, but what will that do! I mean. Look at me. I'm a fucking weak piece of shit!" Idiot stood on the chair.

Vanessa jumped up, ignoring her pain and staring at her friend in shock. It took her time to find her words.

"You always have the option of joining me here. I mean, I'm a weak piece of shit, too. I cry at every scratch, bump and bruise. And if I'm strong enough to push through what I have, you can, too. And I feel like this is a good opportunity to just be ourselves and be free of an asshole of a boss." Idiot paused. She took a few moments to think, she grabbed her arm, thinking. Her mind filled with every single thing that could happen. Idiot looked up to Vanessa's eyes. She saw those eyes, the eyes that got them into this issue in the first place. She squeezed her arm, her brows furrowed.

"No," Idiot said finally.

Vanessa felt hurt and left behind, but held down those feelings and smiled at her friend. "You always have the option if you change your mind and want to leave that place. You have a killing machine right here if you need her. The option is open. Always."

"No. No. No. I'm not going down like this. I'm not going to end up like you or MANY others like you. I'm not going to be mutilated for such a childish lie! I'm not weak like you. I'm not going to be." Idiot stepped off of the chair and headed towards the exit, her claws in her pocket.

Now, Vanessa had called herself weak, but her friend calling her weak? That was a new and painful experience. Vanessa watched her friend move towards the exit, letting out a choked sob. She tried to find something to say, but the only thing she was able to mutter was, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm so stupid and pathetic. I'm sorry…"

Although Idiot was moving towards the door and probably couldn't hear her, Vanessa crumpled, her knees thudding as they hit the floor. She began to break down, her sobs tearing her body apart. In all her time here in hell, she had never felt so broken. So hurt. She didn't care if Idiot heard her or not. She knew that at this point she had fucked up and Idiot wouldn't care.