Chapter 15

Hong Kong – Leon
Canada – Matthew
USA – Alfred
Seychelles – Shelly
Australia – Kyle
England – Arthur /Artie
France – Fran / Francis
Denmark –Mathias Norman
Norway – Lukas Norman
Sweden – Berwald Oxenstierna
Finland – Tino Väinämöinen

The big family car barely stopped in front of the house as the kids already open the doors and jump outside. They run inside the house and Berwald, who joined Arthur to help him keep the kids in order, walks behind them. He reminds them to be careful around the small tables with vases or pictures in the hallway and to not push each other into doorframes. But Arthur spotted something else catching his interest. He sees Mathias bent over the engine of the old pick up he complained about to him earlier. He locks the car and then strolls over to the other man.

Mathias wears a sweaty shirt, stained with oil and dirt and his hands are more black than their usual colour. As he looks up at Arthur arriving he straightens up some and smiles at him.
"I hope you don't mind me fixing it."
Arthur shrugs and nods towards the tools and replacement parts spread around him.
"Seems you know what you're doing. Can't get any worse with it anyways."
Mathias chuckles and turns back to his work. With a last turn of a wrench he loosens up the rinser and takes it out.
"You got a nice place here. Lukas and I always wanted to have a house out in the country too."
"I'll sell you this one," answers Arthur with a smirk. Mathias laughs and shakes his head as he works on installing a new rinser. Arthur's facial expression changes from a playful smile to a more serious one with his thick eyebrows lightly furrowed and lips pressed together before speaking:
"It means a lot that you help us here." He takes a deep breath, shakes his head as if dismissing a thought and continues:
"I just want to say thank you."
Mathias stops working, takes in the thanks but then turns his head to Arthur, eyes grave and all his optimism wiped away.
"I can't take the thanks. I didn't want to come first."
Arthur tilts his head, trying to understand how this optimistic fellow, who so eagerly declared to help them, didn't want to come in the first place. He just opens his mouth to ask, as Mathias already continues to explain:
"It was Lukas. Lukas convinced me and how can I say no to him anyways? When he has a plan in his head nothing can stop him." A small smile softens Mathias' expression, though not for long as he stands now in front of Arthur, wrench still in his hand.
"Whatever he sees, feels, touches, it helps people. But it also takes a toll on him. Little pieces each time." The smile disappears and Mathias' face makes Arthur uneasy in his shoes, like facing a wolf defending its pack from any kind of danger. And if it's a fox he needs to explain its territory to him so the fox won't take away the food.

Mathias sighs and throws the wrench into the box of tools with a loud clanking before locking his vibrant eyes with the forest green ones of the smaller man in front of him.
"A few months ago we had this case… We presented it when your husband met us for the first time. When he performed the exorcism, Lukas saw something…"

A man in a white shirt sits trembling on a wooden chair and spit is running down his mouth. His eyes look haunted and his short hair is soaking wet from all the sweat running down his face and neck. A priest is continuously reading aloud the exorcism and witch each word the man rocks more back and forth, his eyes rolling back and forwards again. Lukas steps closer, trying to wipe off the blood coming out of the man's eyes and the spit trailing down from his lips. Suddenly the man jumps up and grips on both of Lukas' arms. Lukas squirms and tries to push the man away but the possessed man holds onto him with an inhuman strength. He tries to pull Lukas even closer and his eyes are wide open, irises gone, rolled into his head. He rambles on and on in Latin and as Lukas glares into the man's face everything seems to break down on him.

He screams in pure horror and can't close his eyes at first at the sight that is only offered for him. His eyes fill with tears and his whole body repels against this gross man. With the help of another pair of strong hands Lukas manages to break free and he falls on his knees, arms wrapping around him, choking and crying, screaming out in horror. Mathias, who had to first restrain the man from getting to his husband again hurries quickly at Mathias side again. He lies a hand on the other's back and turns with his head towards the cameraman, still filming the scene. Face filled with rage and worry, defending his everything in the world he gestures wildly to get everyone and everything away from his hurting love.
"GET OUT OF HERE!"

Mathias ends his story with a breath that seems to carry the world.
"As soon as we came home Lukas locked himself into our bedroom. He didn't come out, didn't eat and didn't speak for eight days."
Arthur listens stunned and is feeling guilt crippling inside of him for asking this couple to help them with this case.
"What did he see?" Arthur asks, not being able to contain his curiosity even if it may not be very polite to ask. Mathias shakes his head.
"I don't know. And I will not ask him."

I want to thank everybody who follows this story or leaves reviews or even both! You really encourage me to continue writing it and it always maes me smile when you leave a comment! I am always open for criticism too. This way I know what I can do better next time so we can all profit! I hope you have a nice day!
~Prunormis