Chapter 8

The next two days, Eve felt, were somber and uneventful.

Unless one counted Train attempting to contact Creed; it was quite a challenge, but after a bit of hacking, Train had finally been able to call his former enemy.

"This was unexpected," Creed said once contact was reached. "Not many can get past my security system."

"Well, you know Sven," Train said with a dry smile over the receiver (they had him on speaker). "He's a genius at this sort of thing. But I didn't call to small-talk, Creed. Rins was killed by your brother who decided to finally show himself."

"Bade? He killed someone?"

"Rinslet Walker, the thief I was acquainted with, was murdered by him trying to protect the Princess."

Silence came from the other end of the line. "What do you want me to do?"

"Help us capture him."

"But why would Bade target Eve, is what I want to know."

"He's got his mind on killing me to avenge you and he wants Eve to help him."

Creed burst into laughter. "That idiot," he chuckled. "I guess I can try and contact him."

"Creed," Train growled. "I don't want you to contact him. I want you to help me stop him before someone else important to me is killed!"

"I know that," Creed answered. "He won't understand if I just one day show up fighting along side you. But I will try and stop him. The best way for me to do that is to try talking to him first. If that doesn't work, than I'll help you do something to stop him."

Train groaned, rolling his eyes. He looked at the others; what else could be done? Jenos stood and stomped over to the phone. Sven stood and grabbed the newest ex-assassin by the shoulder. Jenos glared at Sven.

"Calm down," Sven reassured him. "We're doing the best we can."

Eve sat on the couch saying nothing.

"And what he'll do is enough?" Jenos growled. "How long will it take him to get in contact with Bade? And if Bade doesn't listen, then what? Will Creed really let us kill his older brother?"

"I sympathize, Jenos," Creed said from the phone. "However, I will do all that I can to take care of my brother. Even if it means killing him."

"No actual brotherly love in your family, is there?" Train joked.

"Brotherly love? Of course there's that. Otherwise Bade wouldn't want to avenge me; brotherly sacrifice, not so much."

Though it brought some smiles to faces, they vanished. Even Creed knew that humor wasn't the best approach that moment.

"If I can't convince him to stop, than I will do everything I can to help you," Creed said after a moment. "You have my word."

Sven lit a cigarette, Jenos scoffed, Eve stared on gloomily, and Train smiled a small, sad, smile. "Thanks, man."

Click. The room went silent. Jenos sat back on the couch and Sven went to go make breakfast. Eve's eyes met Train's.

I need to speak with you, they seemed to say. He glanced upwards. On the roof; Eve nodded and waited for Train to leave the room. She noticed Jenos glancing at her curiously.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing, Jenos," Eve said, a knot tightening in her stomach. "It's nothing."

That said, Eve stood and walked to her room to grab a coat, it was still early spring and the mornings were chilly.

She headed to the staircase leading to the roof.

It seemed as though she climbed for a long time, but when she reached the roof, she noticed how short the time was.

Train was already there, staring off in space. He turned to her. "How are you doing?"

"Okay, I guess," she said, zipping the coat up and leaning against the brick chimney. "I don't know anymore." Tears spilled down her cheeks, though Eve had willed herself not to cry. "I should have stayed with her! Why did I leave? She wouldn't have died!"

Train strode over to her and embraced her. "Shh," he soothed. "I know, I know."

"No you don't!" Eve muttered. Train gently pushed her off, his gaze hard.

"That would be the last thing to accuse me of, Eve. I know exactly how it feels to loose someone precious to you."

Eve bowed her head in shame and Train embraced her again. Eve wasn't sure how long she was held by Train, but when he tried to release her, she grabbed his shirt and wouldn't let go.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"No," Eve answered. "How can I be hungry at a time like this?"

"Well, I'm hungry," Train laughed. "If there's anything I thought I would have taught you by now, it would be that we honor the dead by living with a smile," he smiled broadly at this and Eve nodded somberly.

"That doesn't change how I feel."

"I never said it would. Come on, let's go eat."

Eve's lips curled into a smile as she followed him to the roof entrance. "Train," she said.

"Yes?"

"You've gotten better at comforting girls."

Train laughed, rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "Not really. To be honest, I was freaking out. It took all my willpower to keep calm."

"Well, I'm glad you gave it some effort," Eve said. They descended the stairs and into the kitchen. Breakfast went by differently than the day before, as though everyone was trying to be cheerful despite the approaching funeral in another five days. Though sorrow still lingered in the air, Eve felt slightly better.

This however, didn't change her mind about killing Bade. It just made her feel a little better, a little less responsible.

Meanwhile, Creed Diskenth had researched his brother's whereabouts and was able to get through to him.

"Who's this?" a gruff voice asked.

"I'd like to speak to Bade Diskenth. It is of uttermost urgency."

"I don't care how urgent your message is, you're not talking to him unless I get a name."

Creed snarled. "My name is Creed Diskenth, his younger brother. Now may I talk to him?"

"Of course, Mr. Diskenth," the voice answered. Not even a stutter at hearing his name!

"Hello?"

"Bade, it's Creed."

"Creed, how have you been, little brother?"

"I've been better," Creed said. "Bade, did you kill a woman recently? A woman who was helping a little girl named Eve?"

"Yes, I did. That bitch shot me in the leg!"

"She was innocent, Bade," Creed explained roughly.

"Since when did you care about innocent people, Creed? When that bastard Train Heartnet put you in a wheel chair?"

"What I want to know is how you knew I'm confined to a wheel chair?"

"Is it not my duty to know how my younger brother fairs?"

Creed held the receiver away from his ear and rubbed his temples. This wasn't good. He brought the receiver back to his ear. "Bade, I want you to stop trying to avenge me. I don't want it. I appreciate your concern, but I'm not resentful towards Train."

Bade was silent on the other end of the phone. "He really has turned you against your big brother, has he," Bade finally said.

"No, that's not it at all," Creed said. "I let go of all desire for any sort of revenge, is that so bad?"

"Creed," Bade sighed. "Why are you rejecting my help?"

"Someone's dead because of what you're trying to do!"

Silence followed. "Where's Creed," Bade growled at him.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're an impostor!"

"No, I'm not! It's really me, Bade!"

Click.

Creed blinked at the buzzing that now greeted him. He set the phone back on the receiver. "That went well," he muttered sarcastically.

"What's wrong?" Echidna asked. Creed looked at his wife and shook his head.

"We're in for some rough times ahead, Echidna," was all he said, steering his wheel chair towards the living room.

Sorry about the angst, but it takes a while for people to come to terms with death (said from someone who knows how hard it is). But I hope it was cute anyway and not as fluffy as usual. What'cha all think about Creed and Echidna being married?