Huh..?
Skull woke up drooling on the ground. Ssssssph. Why did he fall asleep on the ground? Meh. Vlad didn't come back yet?
"Ah~ Harahetta(I'm hungry)~ "
Skull grudgingly made his way to the refrigerator and found it empty.
"Damn, Vlad ate my chocolate pudding! I saved it for last too!" He looked at the clock which informed him it was nearly 8. "Guess I'll eat out today~! I'm going to have a best steak in the world when YOU'RE. NOT. HERE. Muahahahah~!" He jumped out of the balcony. Saw the twinkling street lights below him. Ah right, it's 20th floor. He would have been screaming for his life if he didn't do this for 568th time; it was a lot faster than what elevators could offer. As the humid, cold wind swished past him, he felt icy rain drops on his neck.
"Ah-ha! I knew this would happen!" He proudly brought out a dark purple umbrella as if he had predicted this will happen and NOT informed by the weatherman on television beforehand. He promptly opened it and you know what happens. It flipped to the other side by the force of the fall. "Noooo! It was my favorite one too!" Skull cried out miserably. People down below heard a strange bird cry that night.
The restaurant was known for its delectable dishes while being cheap. As expected, the restaurant bustled with people. Skull set in the counter eagerly waiting for his meal when a maid set hors d' oeuvre in front of him.
"Um, I didn't order for an appetizer?"
"That gentleman over there ordered this for you." The lady gestured at the man standing near the corner of the counter, approaching him. He was wearing a brown coat with matching fedora with a suitcase. One of his request makers?
"Uh, thanks for the food." The man sat next to Skull as if it wasn't the first time they've met each other.
"No. It's nothing. I wish to discuss something with you, 'Skull from Hell.'" Skull narrowed his eyes at that. Why was his nickname getting more gruesome each passing months? Others may find it cool but... just his opinion.
"Sure. So, what is your request?"
The man - we'll call him Jock for no reason - set the suitcase in front of him and clicked open its lock. The friendly smile he gave at the maid seemed to disappear immediately and pulled out a document.
"Please sign your name here." Oh is that all? Okey-Dokey! Do I have to sign my full name?—did he seriously expected him to do that? Just how far of a fool did he think he would be?!
"What is it for?" Skull tried his best to conceal his anger.
"We wish to recruit you to our Cavallone Familia."
"Huh?!" Now that was out of blue. "What is this Cavallone you talk of?" Jock propped up his chest with pride.
"The Cavallone Familia is the third strongest mafia in the world! It's a privilege to-" Skull cut him off.
"No. I have enough troubles already, I don't want any more." Silence~
"You know other Familias will come for you after this."
"I'll manage." The two had a staring contest until the maid served their steaks. They said their thanks and resumed their contest. Jock sighed.
"Let's eat before it gets cold." It was a delicious meal for rainy days or days without it, basically palatable for any days. Silverwares clanked in cool silence, each taking their time to savor the steamy steak's flavors. Skull finished while Jock only got through half of the beef. When Skull got up, Jock hastily brought out a picture from his pocket and handed it to Skull; his eyes widened in surprise. It was a picture of a blond teenager wearing a smirk he knew so well.
"Wha..? Why do you have Vlad's Picture?"
"We have him in our custody at this moment. You better agree our request if you know what's good for you and that boy." Jock jerked at the menacing glare Skull shot at him. His eyes seemed to glow in purple under his bangs. Jock wanted to hid in a hole but he had his duties assigned to him. "I-If you wish to see him again he'll be at Pier 44 at Aganippe Mansion. This may as well be your last time you see him." Jock got up and quickly left the restaurant. Skull's head processed slowly. 'What did he say? Vlad is… What?' He looked at the picture in his shaky hand. 'Vlad!' Skull took off.
Knock knock.
Knock knock knock.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Arggghhhh! Anyone there?!" The door clicked open and Asari found himself facing rather vexed purple figure.
"How may I help you?" They almost headbutted each other.
"Denis! Have you seen Vlad this afternoon?!" Denis walked out of his shower.
"Asari who's there - Skull? What are you doing at this hour?" Bewildered, Skull looked at Asari, Denis, and then at Asari again.
"What..?"
"Ah! This is Asari, my distant cousin."
"O-Oh..."
"What's up? You seem to be in a hurry."
"It's Vlad! He... is missing. I haven't seen him all afternoon! Have you seen him?"
"No? How long have you been out? He probably is back at your apartment at this hour. Want me to look for him with you?"
"N-no... That's probably what happened. Sorry for disturbing!" Skull took off and Asari watched him go.
"Is that your friend you are worried about?" Denis gazed down sadly.
"Yeah... I hope someday he would share some of his loads like yours." He chuckled his gloom off. "I guess I better prepare more band aids."
Skull huffed heavily alone through the eerie, deserted streets. No. This was his problem. No way he was going to expose Denis to some wacky mafia world!
Bam! His apartment door opened.
"Vlad-! You there?!"
Silence~
"Tch!"
Bam! The door closed. At least he checked. Pier 44 huh? He'll probably reach there by sunrise.
Sunlight glimmered in cobalt blue waves. It was bright out at the dock with seagulls flying about above the swimming fish. Not too far away, a lot of guards stood in their position on stand by. They were all equipped with arms and sunglasses. Behind the sea rocks Skull was drooling. A seagull approached him, quit arrogantly, and cawed. Can't blame it really. Sleep deprived Skull just looked so vulnerable.
"Whaaa~~!" The bird snickered. "Deme~~~~!"
"I heard something! Who goes there?!" They gathered in front of his hiding spot. Aw, his plan was ruined! Whatever! He wasn't confident on snicking anyway! He jumped on top of the rock.
"It's your indestructible stuntman Sku-" Cue gun fire. "What?! You're not going to let me finish my introduction?!" Skull hopped around rock to rock until he slipped. Shimata-!
Splash!
What should he do?! The moment he poke his head out of water it'll be full of holes! He saw something red through his stinging eyes. Is that..?
(On the surface)
A bald man among all others in black called with his phone.
"Yes. There is an intruder. Don't worry we will subdue him. He is quite a fool to try to barge Aganippe Mansion so blatantly." A husky voice came from the other side of the phone.
"Careful. He may have his skills to back it up and possibly a back-up."
"We'll keep that in - What is that?! It's huge! Ta-" Beep. Beep. Beep...
A man inside the mansion shut off his phone. He swiftly turned to Jock who was sitting on an elegant sofa.
"Seems like he had come."
"See? I knew he would. I saw great potential in him." He set down his cup of tea. "Let's see how this will play out."
"Hai, hai~ All the damage fees are onto you."
"Wait what?!"
"Arrrgggghhhhh!" Many men were swept like broom sweeping dirt while shooting at the giant octopus. Certain stuntman cheered in the sideline.
"Go, Oodako! You're awesome!" Oh, you're asking how Skull came up with that name? Don't look at me. Who knows what goes through his imaginative mind? I think the name is fine: It's easy to remember anyway.
Every men in the dock were rendered unconscious.
"Thanks Oodako! I'll go on my own from here. It's up in the mountain and all." Oodako gave him a firm nod and slithered back to the sea.
"Now~ What to do from here~" He grabbed one pistol lying around the dock. "Yooosh! Let's go!"
A frail grandpa was lying in bed surrounded by men in black. The bedroom door burst opened.
"Father!"
"Vlad... My son... Is that you..?"
"Dad! What happened to you?! You're so... pale..." The old man chuckled.
"I have all those years behind me, of course someday I'll be here in my bed. You never thought you'd see your repressive ojichan to be in this state huh? ... Vlad... I wonder if I have been too harsh for you. Being a tyrannical father to the point on having his only son to runaway from home... I'm sorry for pushing my ideals to you... I always wanted to say that."
"Ojichan..."
"My son... I'll leave my legacy to you... Please treasure them when I'm gone..."
"Please don't say that. I told you; I won't take the Familia."
"Onegai... Lead them... to the right path..." He took his last breath.
"Dad..? Dad..! Don't leave me..!" Jock tapped Vlad on his shoulder.
"Primo told me to give this to you." Vlad hesitently grabbed the letter and opened the seal. Not long after, the door danged open revealing tattered Skull.
"Vlad I finally found you!"
"Skull?!"
"So this is where they've held you! Let's get out of - Who is that old man?"
"My... father. He has passed away..."
"What?" Everyone is surrounding him like an important figure... Could it be that Vlad's dad is the head of the Familia? "Vlad... Let's leave this place. You can still live as an ordinary jobless guy with me. You'll eventually find a job and live a typical wacky life instead of this dangerous mafia thing... How about it? Ne?" Vlad shook his head.
"No Skull. I'm staying." Color drained from Skull's face.
"Why? Why take this dangerous job when it is obvious that death will be at your door any minute?" Vlad clutched on the letter.
"Sorry, but I can't let Cavallone Familia to fall." Skull gritted his teeth.
"So this Familia value more than the bonds you have with Denis and me?! Is that so important to you now?! After all this time of avoiding this!" Vlad flinched a little before taking a firm step.
"Sorry. The situation has changed for me. Remember me asking you quit the stunt acts?" Skull stiffened. "You have managed to survive life or death situations and by now, many other Familias will keep an eye on you and try to recruit you in any way possible. It would have been better if you had not started the stunt at all after that incident."
"..." Skull stood stock still and kept quiet.
"... Skull, will you join my Familia? At least that way others won't try to recruit you." Skull looked up and gave Vlad a sad smirk and replied jokingly.
"Nah, it's okay. I can't handle those complicated stuff. Don't worry, I won't do anything that will harm your precious Familia. Come visit some time, 'kay? Oh! And don't worry about Denis, I'll think up an explanation for your leave. Then, ja-" Skull stomp out of the room with a frown and his bangs hiding his eyes.
"Skull..."
(While going down the mountain)
Any life in the deep green woods were barely audible and sole crunching sound of dry leaves were heard in an eccentric pace. The place was shaded from bright sunlight and resting guards perked up at the distant sound.
"Who goes there?" They spotted a male around teenage year with messy purple hair. The abnormal aura around him made them hesitant on approaching the boy. "You are not permitted in this area. What Familia are you from?" The mysterious boy flinched at the word. He slowed gazed up to the guards under his bangs that covered his ghostly glowing eyes and dark, murderous aura sipped out of his body which paralyzed the men.
"I'm sorry." Sudden detached voice surprised the guards to bring themselves back to senses. They would've used their limbs to rum far away from the boy if it wasn't for their duty to secure the area. The boy swayed a little like he was sleepwalking. "I'm not myself at this moment; will you get out of my way?"
"No can do, my boy. Why are you out here?" The boy hunched down, ignoring them, and mumbled in a low voice.
"That's too bad then..."
Cavallone Familia lost contact of all the guards positioned in the east side of the mountain. They later retrieved all the guard, either unconscious or dead, with no physical harm found in any of them.
During his shopping with Asari, he suddenly felt the urge to return home. Leaving his awkward dad with Asari again, he dashed to his home. Upon arrival, he found Skull tattered, leaning against the door.
"Yo Skull! Need to patch up again?" His cheery mode turned off when he saw the dead look in his eyes. "Oi Skull, what happened to you?" Skull looked up, drained and empty. He spoke in a stained yet soft whisper.
"Denis... Vlad... He..." He looked so broken and betrayed as he tried to word it out. Denis grabbed Skull's arm firmly and seriously before he gave him a skeptical smile.
"Let's go inside, ne?" He brought Skull to a comfy sofa with a hot chocolate. "Drink." Skull tried his best to do as ordered, gingerly holding on to the cup with his shaking hands. Seeing as Skull focusing on other things he began to treat Skull with first-aid kit. It took quite a while for Skull to compose himself, but no matter: He had all the time in the world for his friend.
"Denis..." He shot up; his full attention on his friend.
"Yeah?"
"Vlad... got himself a job... and he might not return to us anymore."
"What?"
"I... I feel betrayed..! He could have easily picked the other option to be with us but he didn't! I... I..." Denis hugged his quivering friend. Skull choked back his cry and Denis hugged him tighter feeling the water droplets fall onto his shoulder. Orange glow fell upon them in the dark living room, clock ticking ever so slowly.
"It's okay Skull... I'm sure he had his own reasons... You just have to be patient... We'll just wait for him to return to us... And when he does, let's give him a big smack in the head, ne?" Skull nodded anxiously hanging onto his friend, recollecting his broken world. Denis looked at the orange hue of the sunset through the partially curtain-covered window fading into the shadow of the night. Denis said to himself with determination.
'Next time I see him, the first thing I'll do is to give him a good punch.'