A/N: Thank you to Emoen (haha, since you asked so nicely, I made a chapter bonus at the end for you), Ice T (Yeah, I know I should focus on Shilo, and you are right. But the way I made the story, it would have ended much earlier. I changed my original storyline for it to progress longer, and I just wanted to write what would happen after the Opera), The Nobody Prince (No worries. It's just one chapter less you don't need to worry about commenting, but I'm thankful you had the time to review each chapter and even did so now. It really made me smile) ladyzydrate (Thank you so much for your kind review. I tried my best to put forth every part of emotion that makes a story fun and exciting to read), and lmnopq6482 (Haha, I'm very glad you like this story) for the reviews! Unlike the chapters from before, I made a bonus for Emoen at the end of the chapter. It was actually kind of fun to write, though it took a bit longer than I thought. Sadly, this chapter has only Shilo, Mia, and Lina in this. In this, the readers will find out what the girls talk about in their meetings, and continue to talk about the mystery of the dead Repo men. At the end of the chapter, there is a bonus extra about Pavi. I wasn't sure if there is enough Pavi fluff for you, Emoen, but I hope you like it. And also, I might even do bonus extras once in a while if anybody wants one. I won't make a promise, but I did have fun, so I most likely might make another one if anybody asks. I just wouldn't make them for every chapter. I also concluded that I might end the story around the thirties and make a sequel continuation, so it will end very soon.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shilo, Mia, and Lina were in the kitchen/dining room having another meeting. Shilo had a look of concern while Mia sat calmly with composure while sipping her tea. Lina, on the other hand, had her arms over the table with her head on top. She looked drained.
"From the examination by Louis and Pierre, it is confirmed that the last body was also done by the same culprit or culprits. Though there is a difference in the way the Repo bodies were killed, the small holes on the arms and the brain being stolen are the same. Look at these," Lina started.
She sat up and pick up the manila envelope on the right side of her on the floor. She opened it and took out the pictures of the arms on the body and the disgusting images of the missing brains of the Repo men. Shilo cringed at the images. She was about to puke inside her mouth as well.
"Look at the arms," Lina said while pointing at the pictures of the arms, "There are three dots on them, making an almost triangular shape. From what Pierre told me, these three dots are made by a three-pronged weapon. It's bigger than a needle but smaller than a blade. It could almost be the size of a small nail except it may be a little bigger. It's very sharp and could pierce through the Repo man's suit. To add to it, Louis found out they were electrified inside. These weapons are like stun guns, except they could kill a person instantly. But because of the suit, the voltage inside didn't kill them. Instead, it stunned them enough to stop their bodies from moving."
Mia stared at the pictures with great concentration as if trying to make connections.
"As for the brain, they used a saw after the Repo men weren't moving, giving them time to make an incision and take out the brain. They died from their brains being removed," Lina finished.
"Why would they want the brains of the Repo men?" Shilo asked, more to herself than the two women. Shilo was also in deep concentration by looking at the pictures. It seemed Shilo got used to it during Lina's explanation.
"I understand why they electrified the body inside," Mia said. Shilo and Lina looked over at her and waited for her to continue. "Stunning them, they could make incisions so that the brain continues its activity. The brain will still remain alive. And with the right voltage, the brain also stuns itself from dying and remains active when taken out."
"Couldn't an organ still be alive when a body is dead? Why must they keep the Repo men alive in order to get the brain?" Shilo asked now more into the case than before.
"It actually depends, Shilo. Each body reacts differently, and taking out an organ while they are dead could also mean the organs would also possibly die. But usually, if the body dies, the brain will die with it if it is not taken out in time. But the way these culprits continue to get the brain this way, it seems the brain is still active when they took it out," Mia explained. Lina sighed, not understanding a word Mia said though it sounded simple enough.
"Okay, if the possibility these culprits are aiming for the brain, why is it only the Repo men?" Lina asked. Mia sighed and shook her head.
"I do not know. There aren't enough connections to really conclude anything, and everything I explained are only a hypothesis. There are too many variables needed considering and we only have only a few that aren't helpful to solving this case," Mia told them. Lina pounded her fist on the table, making it shake a bit.
"If this continues, the Largos might think Shilo is involved with this," Lina said with much aggravation.
"There is no need to remind us, Lina," Mia said rather calmly, "We need to find out where the brains are taken, who took them, and for what reason."
"I've got some people checking on it," Lina answered, "With each call, a Repo man dies. I'm getting sick and tired of going out to look at dead bodies." She sighed and shook her head before leaning back on her chair. Shilo was rather worried for Lina. She noticed how drained she looked ever since she got back from her so-called training.
"Did you get some rest?" Shilo asked. Lina leaned over and groaned.
"Only two hours a day. Can't really sleep at all," Lina said with a sigh.
"Nightmares?" Shilo asked. Lina paused before she let out a chuckle.
"Don't worry about me, Shilo. I'll be fine," Lina told her before leaning over the table to pat Shilo's head softly.
"Other than that," Mia said all too calmly, "we should talk about the Largo brothers."
"Yes, of course. With the brothers staying here for two months, we must find out what to do from here on out," Shilo said with agreement. Lina scowled and started massaging her temples.
"I don't want to think about it. Ever since I recovered, that face-stealer needed massaging every night. Not only that, the loud mouth keeps on getting on my nerves every time he yells. Two more months of them staying here is going to drain more energy from me," Lina said with a frustrated sigh. Shilo giggled at this, making Lina glare. Shilo immediately stopped but smiled.
"You seem to enjoy their presence though," Shilo said. Lina blushed and turned away with irritation.
"I do not," Lina told her.
"Well, you seem to enjoy venting your anger on Luigi Largo. At least, you've got someone to help you get relaxed," Mia said, "As for Pavi Largo, you seem rather close with him."
"I am not," Lina denied with a bit of red tint playing across her face. "And what about you, Mia? You seem to be taking an interest with that loud mouth."
Shilo's eyes widened and looked over at Mia, who seemingly continued to look calm.
"I didn't know you had an interest in Luigi Largo," Shilo said to Mia, "Actually, I can never really tell how you feel."
Lina sniggered before saying, "Let me give you a hint, Shilo. She's been trying to avoid the loud mouth as much as she can. Usually, she wouldn't mind anybody's presence no matter how annoying they are unless it's someone she highly dislikes or someone she's interested in. And since she's been avoiding him, I conclude, my dear Watson, that she is interested in the loud mouth."
"But doesn't that mean Mia may also avoid him because she dislikes him?" Shilo asked. Lina smirked at the question. And in the way they concentrated on talking about Mia, they completely ignored the woman in the middle, who had quietly sipped her tea and seemed not amused about them talking about her in her presence.
"See, here is the trick in understanding Mia, Shilo. The smallest hints are the biggest hints in Mia's case. For instance, loud mouth tries to keep a distance with her. She gets farther away. The more he tries to get closer to her, the more she tries to avoid him," Lina stated with a smile playing across her face.
Shilo looked confused and did not understand. Lina noticed and sighed.
"How does that hint answer anything?" Shilo asked.
"You see, Mia's a special case, you've got to have time to understand her and notice the way she does things. It took me all my years of knowing her to understand her. Trust me in this Shilo," Lina said clasping Shilo's shoulder as if gesturing her to trust her. Shilo sighs and nodded.
"I wish I understand Mia like you do," Shilo said. Lina chuckled in response. And once again, Mia sat calmly and let them talk on even if they did not notice she was still present.
"Shilo, even in the time span of knowing her, I know only a bit. I almost know nothing about her," Lina said, "You've got heart, Shilo. You learned to understand Mia faster than I did." Shilo's eyes widened but smiled from the comfort of knowing that.
There was a short pause before Mia finally cleared her throat to show the two young women that she is, evidently, present.
"If you are rather finished talking behind my back when I'm still very present, I would like to say a few more things," Mia said. Shilo and Lina looked over at her and realized what they had done. Shilo apologized and Lina rubbed the back of her neck nervously and just looked over at Mia apologetically. After that was done, Mia continued to finish. "For Shilo's sake, we cannot waste our energy on the Largo brothers, so I suggest we don't get near them," Mia said. Lina froze for a bit before she cracked a sad smile.
"I know. It was fun while it lasted, but I want to help that face-stealer out until his face is recovered," Lina told her, "Until then, I will try not to use all of my energy on him and instead use as much of my energy on uncovering the culprit." Shilo noticed the difference in Lina's expression and felt guilty.
"I'm sorry, guys. All because of me, you both have to work so hard," Shilo said. Lina and Mia looked up at her and sighed.
"Damn it. Stop apologizing," Lina yelled quietly in anger.
"But…" Shilo started. Mia laid a comforting hand on Shilo's shoulder.
"We make sacrifices because we know what we are in. There is no turning back with what may be a civil war nearing," Mia said ever so seriously.
"The Repo men getting killed and the rumor of a rebellion against GeneCo, are they really connected to each other?" Shilo asked, a frown placed on her lips as she was reminded of her father.
"Probably. It had been a month after Rotti Largo died and the news of rebellion started. The deaths of the Repo men started only two months ago. And all of a sudden, the Largo brothers are here to learn how to "behave". It seems this is all suggesting that you are part of the scheme," Lina explained.
"With this kind of stuff happening, both sides are using you as a sacrifice, Shilo. They need someone to blame on, and you are the target to do just that," Mia said flatly.
"Those kinds of people are the ones I hate the most," Lina scowled.
Shilo sighed and shook her head.
"Why is it me? I just want to live. I don't want to be involved with anything. I've caused so much trouble that everyone I care about are in trouble as well," Shilo whispered. Tears slowly brim her eyes.
"You've got to be strong, Shilo. We cannot show any weakness," Mia told her, a caring expression finally shown on Mia's face.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Shilo said, shaking her head and trying to not let the tears fall.
"Again with the apologizing," Lina said exasperated by standing up, "You really need to learn to think, "Damn them all" and put an iron fist down. Show them all that Shilo Wallace is not one to mess with."
Mia stood up and walked behind Lina and slapped the back of her head.
"She's not you. Now sit down and calm down," Mia demanded. Lina grumbled and sat down with crossed arms. "No one has made a move yet, so we still have time to figure this case out before chaos ensues in Sanitarium Island."
"Easy for you to say. The ones that could kill a Repo man so easily are not just average people. Though it may be different culprits, the way it's done quietly and almost clean have told us assassins are involved. Good assassins I have to say though a bit sloppy with their handiwork. I'm guessing they are assassins that have learned to kill for five years," Lina explained, "I have to round up some of my old and new comrades for this in order to get a fair hand at this. I've just got to find a way to persuade them."
Mia nods in agreement.
"If you need help in persuading, I can always manage to come up with something," Mia said. Lina smirked mischievously before shaking her head.
"No need. I've got my ways in dealing with them," Lina said as her grin turned wider; almost in a Chesire cat way. Shilo shivered when Lina was like that. With such glittering mischief and confidence in Lina's eyes, Shilo knew Lina's way was going to be highly successful in getting some people, whether they don't want to or not.
Extra Bonus: Pavi Needs Comfort
On the second day of appearing into the Wallace's household, Paviche Largo had taken a liking to Mia's mysterious vibe while he seemed quite scared of Lina's aggressive nature. In all, Lina reminded him of his brother. Though it is fun to tease his brother, there is a certain line he would not cross. Therefore, he would not take a liking to someone that may kill him in his sleep. But as soon as Lina took away his beautiful face, it angered and scared him greatly. His face was the only precious thing he would never let off. He hated her, hated the woman that took away his precious face from him. Without it, he was not beautiful. He was ugly. He felt ugly. All of his air of confidence suddenly disappeared, leaving a little whimpering boy.
Just as he let sleep overtake him, he whimpered at the nightmare that caused fear in him. During his terrible nightmare, he felt a sort of warmth he had never felt for a very long time. He slowly opened his eyes to see Lina staring directly at him. Her hand was on his shoulder, and he looked at her oddly.
"What is wrong, bella?" Pavi asked.
Lina scowled before she touched him with her thumb under his eyes and wiped away his tears.
"You were squirming in your sleep and crying," Lina told him angrily in a whisper, "I can't sleep when you're like that."
"The bella won't hurt the Pavi, will you?" Pavi asked, scared of what the woman before him would do.
Lina rolled her eyes and started untying him. He watched in confusion before the binds were undone. Lina stood up towering over him with much authority. Pavi whimpered at the scary woman before him.
"Get onto that couch," Lina ordered him and pointing at the couch opposite of where Luigi and Pavi slept.
Pavi frowned and stood up, but he fell due to not moving and being tied up for so long. Lina huffed and helped him up. Pavi suddenly felt warm from her mere touch. When he was able to stand, Pavi walked with Lina supporting him. He sat down and looked over at Lina.
She sighed for a moment before she cracked her knuckles. Pavi flinched at such a disgusting sound from a woman and he also felt fear as well. He wondered if she was going to beat him up.
"Lay down on the front of your body," she ordered with much authority again. Pavi felt reluctant but listened. He could always use the Largo family excuse to get away from his punishment.
"Do not hurt the Pavi. I will give all the money the Pavi has, so please do not hurt the Pavi," Pavi pleaded. Lina rolled her eyes again.
"Very tempting, but I must decline," Lina told him before he got over him.
"Wh-what are you-" Pavi started, almost yelling before he felt her hands massaging his back. He started to groan from the pain yet he felt soothed immediately afterwards.
"Shut up, you idiot. You are going to wake up your loud mouth brother," Lina whispered angrily. Pavi tried his best to lower down his moans, but he couldn't stop himself. It felt too nice.
After a while, Pavi's whole body felt relaxed. He sat up when he felt her body was off of him. He looked over at Lina and saw her soothing her hands.
"Is the bella all right?" Pavi asked.
"Hm?" Lina sounded looking over at him. Pavi pointed at her hand. "Oh? My hand? Yeah. I just haven't massaged anyone in a while. Now get over there, so I could tie you up again."
Pavi frowned at the thought of being tied up again. It felt uncomfortable, and it made him ache. He continued to sit there, but Lina wouldn't have it. She roughly pulled him up and started pushing him to sit down on the other side of the couch.
"B-Bella?" Pavi questioned, surprised at the sudden roughness.
"If I don't tie you up, how would I know you won't do a sneak attack? Now, sleep," Lina advised him before he watched her work in tying him up.
He was amazed at how fast she could tie someone. Before he even knew it, his wrists and ankles were already tied up. Even though he was in his binds, he felt a little relaxed when Lina started to massage his temples. It felt so nice that he started to fall slowly into slumber.
Lina smiled before she stopped and made her way to her couch. She sighed in relief.
"Good night, idiot," she whispered before going to sleep herself.
As of that night, Pavi never had any nightmares after Lina massaged him. He found his comfort through Lina's massages whenever he had a nightmare. And for some odd reason, he would always feel rather excited every time he had a nightmare. She was always so willing to help him sleep peacefully. He tried, once, to pretend he had a nightmare, but Lina knew better. She had hit him once for faking it and told him that she wouldn't massage him anymore if he did it again. How she knew he was faking? It was still a mystery. Pavi never tried to fake a nightmare again, but he would always hope for one to come up. And of course, it was unheard of someone wishing for a nightmare before. For that, it is a mystery in itself. But in the end, Pavi found his comfort when he needed it the most.