Diamond on a Landmine

~Chapter 2~

Maidenholm was a decent place, being a lot bigger than Hamlyn. He had already found a spot for himself, and after clearing out his new safe house, Arthur went to unpacking. The bed was just as thin and cold as the other places he had been. It made him sad, honestly. What he wouldn't give for a clean, warm bed in a better setting. But, he would be fine with everything for now. Just as long as he could get to Percy.

The people who inhabited Maidenholm were decent, too. Sure, everyone in Hamlyn were nice to him, but these here were new people! A new start, he had told himself. At least, until he started bashing people's skulls in just to get back home. But, that wouldn't be for a bit. And for now, he would try to enjoy himself.

He enjoyed the sunset walks he took that day, smiling as the sun hit his face. It was almost a surprise he could be happy considering he wasn't on joy. He only wished Percy could be there with him. Percy was always a quiet boy, and his only friend was Ed MacMillan. He wondered how the kid was doing. Arthur always tried to get Percy to stay after school with Ed, seeing as how his brother needed someone else to hang out with. It made him smile.

How far was Percy now, though? Not in England, he was pretty sure. He felt his heart grow heavy. His little brother was all alone somewhere in the world. Probably Germany, or Russia if he were lucky. God, how he hated what the world had come to. He hated that Percy had been taken from him.

Shaking his head, Arthur made a sharp turn to go into one of the alley's, leaning against a stone wall and sighing. He removed his glasses, going to rub his teary eyes. Was he a bad brother? Did letting Percy be taken away make him a bad person? If he could have prevented it, he would have! But he couldn't, and now here he was, standing in Maidenholm, crying in one of the alley's because he felt like shit about all of this. He needed to make it into the Parade District, and from there hopefully find someone who at least had a clue about Percy's whereabouts.

It had been a few minutes before Arthur finally composed himself. Everything was okay, as of right now. He was in a new location, he had a plan, and he was going to follow it. And no one was going to get in his way. So, he put his glasses back and exited the alley, hoping no one could see how bloodshot his eyes had gotten. Luckily, no one paid him any mind.

The stars were pretty when they started to show through the sky, the sun slowly setting and leaving the clouds with a beautiful pinkish color. He always loved seeing it. Too bad he couldn't spend most of his night outside, since the bobbies didn't want anyone out after dark. How he would love to stargaze and revisit the constellations. Really, he wanted to see Vega. Or, could he see one of the planets from where he was? God, he would love to.

It was 7:30pm by now, and he only had an hour and a half. He slipped inside one of the shops, smiling at the shopkeep. Though, the man couldn't return it.

"Is something the matter?" Arthur asked, taking a glance over at the guard, who seemed not to pay attention.

"It's just Mrs. Chaney," he told him, "She's been acting a bit strange. Do you know her?"

"Can't say I do," The man, Mr. Adam as his name tag said, only gave him a sigh.

"She's bought some of my items, but I'm afraid she's doing some risky things with them," he continued, "And I can't have my name slandered because of her! If you have time, would you mind checking on her? Just to make sure she's alright?"

"I'll see what I can do tomorrow," he promised. Mr. Adam just thanked him, and after buying some food with the money Arthur had stolen from other Wellies, he was on his way. Mrs. Chaney, huh? He wondered if what the shopkeep had said was true. It wouldn't surprise him, actually. Was she trying to make a new type of joy? Something stronger? Or was she a forming downer that wanted something to make it look like she was on joy?

He pondered this for a while before he noticed something up ahead. A bright light shining at a house, as two bobbies stood out front. One stood on the sidewalk, arms crossed as he watched people walk past. The other was pounding on the door, yelling at someone to open up.

"Excuse me? What's going on?" Arthur had walked up to the man who was only guarding, and he was greeted with an agitated look.

"Nothing to see here!" he told him, "Move along! This is something for the constabulary!"

"Is everyone okay in there?"

"I can't say. We've been here for a while, but Mr. or Mrs. Chaney will open the door."

"Chaney?"

"Yes! Do you know either of them?"

"I don't, actually."

"Well, then, this isn't any of your concern! Move along!"

Arthur walked away alright, but he went behind the house. If he was already here, then he was going to figure out this mess right now. He tried the door, only to find it jammed. He let out an irritated sigh, before he caught sight of the window. That was his ticket in. And with his luck, it was already unlocked. When it opened it though, he felt his stomach twist. Blood was splattered all over the closed curtains.

"Come on, Arthur," he spoke quietly, "It won't be too bad! Probably old anyways!"

He knew it was a bad idea, but he promised Mr. Adam he would go in. And besides, the bobbies were right outside the door! All he had to do was open the door if anything happened. Besides, what kind of person would he be if he turned away now? He was sure he would come across worse when going to find Percy. So, with this in mind, he hopped in. The house was dark, being hard for him to see. If he was correct, the old torch he carried around still had some power in it.

Click!

Yes it did! He felt better now, having some light. The house was relatively silent, much to his relief. He walked forward, frowning when he noticed a couch and table blocking the way to the door. So much for his idea of letting the bobbies in if he ran into trouble. He looked around, noticing a great amount of blood on the floor. Was this… fresh?

"Oh, god!" He couldn't contain his surprise. He found at least three bodies in the kitchen, all bloodied and dead. One woman even had half of a broom stick sticking out of her! What kind of creature would do this?

"Who's there?!" He supposed that creature was the one who heard him. He felt his body tense up, his blood running cold. He had to leave. And as he went to run for the doorway, a woman beat him there. Her dress was torn and soaked in the blood of these people, part of her mask gone. She seemed enraged when she saw him, holding up a bloody cleaver and running at him.

"Cook for yourself!" she cried, bringing it down and cutting Arthur's arm. He let out a cry, falling to the ground. His torch fell under one of the fallen cabinets, flickering some before finally going out. Now, the only thing Arthur could see was the woman raising her cleaver up, ready to strike again. When she did, he did his best to move, having the blade cut his calf. Another cry came from him.

"Help me!" He knew it was useless, but he tried to call out for the bobbies outside. He was on the ground with two cuts and he was by a dead body. He wasn't ready to be like this poor person by him.

"Mrs. Chaney! Open the door!" This must have been her. This crazy, bloody woman must have been Mrs. Chaney. Honestly, Arthur didn't expect this. He didn't expect or want any of this. And as she raised for another strike, he curled into a ball. This was it. This was how he died. Inside a slaughterhouse, next to an already dead person, not knowing where Percy was or what he had become after the war. But, as he sat there, he never felt anything. He just heard Mrs. Chaney give out a cry, the cleaver falling to the kitchen ground and a horrible, horrible cracking sound. It made him sick, and he slowly looked up. He watched the woman's body fall to the ground, her neck bent at an odd angle. And to his surprise, Rodger stood there, smiling down at him.

"All right?" he asked, holding his hand out. Arthur hesitated, before finally grabbing it and being hauled up.

"Y-yeah. Thanks," He avoided his gaze, now feeling a bit guilty for not going to meet him after his shift.

"Of course! It's my job to protect others!" Arthur leaned against the counter, putting his weight more on his uninjured leg.

"Why are you here? Don't you work in Hamlyn?" he asked, earning a chuckle.

"Well, I live in Maidenholm originally, but work in the next island over," he explained, "My question is: why didn't you come visit me like I had asked?"

"I-I'm sorry," he sighed, "It slipped my mind. I have a lot of things going on."

"Heh. That happens when you're not on joy," Arthur tensed up. He knew. He knew he was off his joy and he knew what would happen. "Oh, don't be so tense, Arthur! I'm not going to hurt you."

He reached out, going to pick Arthur up and hold him like he was a princess. He felt so embarrassed. What the hell was going on?

"Now, let's get out of here," he continued, walking towards the window. "I don't need you seeing anything else or tampering with evidence. I'll let the others know what went on in here later."

"W-wait! I need to get a couple things for Mr. Adam!" he told him, earning a shake of the head.

"Not today! I'll let you come back later, after I get you fixed up," he told him. Arthur just frowned. This wasn't what he wanted. Sure, he was grateful Rodger had saved his life, but he wasn't happy about being taken away from what he needed to do!

"No! Lemme down! I don't want to wait!" he cried, almost sounding like a child throwing a tantrum. Rodger just laughed at him, going to walk out of the large grassy area that was behind the house, carrying him down the street. Other bobbies saw them, but didn't say a word. Why?

"I promise I'll bring you back later," he spoke calmly, "But for now, we're going to get you all fixed up.