"We've got to take care of this guy."
I ignored Spot and continued to limp about the room.
"Do you think woolen curtains are too early? It makes the room darker but also warmer."
"Violet...you can't ignore the problem any longer or me."
Spot shut the trunk I was rummaging through and stopped my hands.
"Violet."
"Spot."
"Will you listen to me?"
I sighed "Fine but only if you'll carry me back to bed. My leg hurts and I don't feel like walking."
Spot glared but didn't complain. "C'mon then" He grabbed my arms and pulled me up. He slung me over his shoulder and I let out a high pitched screech.
"That's not what I meant! Spot you're cheating!"
"No you said to carry you. Its not my fault you didn't say how."
Spot plopped me on the bed and laid down on the other side. He took a moment to pull the curtains closer even though they were already shut.
Before he had a chance to speak I pulled his face close to mine and kissed him. I was hoping to distract him.
Spot let himself be sidetracked for half a minute before pushing me away. "Seduction will only get you so far."
I huffed and let my head fall on the pillow "I think under the circumstances you wouldn't but otherwise..."
"You'd never try that unless you were avoiding something which you are."
"Which I'm not"
"Yes you are. This psycho isn't going to go away if you just ignore him."
"Spot what exactly do you plan on doing ?"
"Well I was thinking we could find this guy and then talk to him..."
"Talk to him? Your plan is to talk to him after what happened?"
"We'll do more than talk to him. We just have to see how he responds to our approach and then go from there."
"That sounds like a terrible plan. I say we just sit around and wait for him to do something."
"No because we are vulnerable to the unexpected so we must strike first."
"I'm going to have to reject that thought and move on with my life."
"Violet your not going to make me take care of this by myself are you?"
"You don't have to take care of anything Spot. Just leave it alone."
"Why are you just ignoring it? Do you not realize what you're facing?"
"Spot I know what I'm facing. I realize that this isn't going to go away...maybe it wouldn't be bad if I.."
"If you left?"
"Yeah." The words came out as whisper.
Spot's gaze burned into my cheek.
"Get your shoes. I want to show you something."
"Spot are we going much farther. Just because I'm not on crutches doesn't mean I can walk like a normal person."
"Just hold on."
He turned towards an alley and headed for a green door. I limped as fast as I could after him.
"Spot my leg is killing me. We have been walking for ages. I swear what ever this is better be good or I am going to make sure you die."
"We're almost there." He slammed his shoulder against the door until it opened. Pieces of the green crackling paint fell with each time he hit it.
"You better be showing me the Queen of England." I slowly followed him into a dark room. The ground was dirt and the walls were filled with large holes. The scuttling sound didn't make the situation any better.
Spot took out his cane and started to push things out of the way with it.
"This is absolutely ridiculous."
"Will you wait?"
"Maybe I'd be more willing if I knew were I was going."
"If I tell you you'll only make fun of me."
"Spot I'd never-
A rat fatter then my thigh ran in front of my toes. My scream was silenced by Spots hand.
"Be quiet. It was a little mouse."
I was shaking but that didn't stop me from slapping his hand away. "I'm leaving. Right now."
When I turned around Spot reached for my arm.
"Violet it was just a rat. Nothing new, C'mon. You'll be curious for the rest of your life if you leave now."
"If another rat.."
"Yeah, yeah I'll kill it now lets go."
I huffed but I followed him further into the building. I flinched every time something creaked. You'd think that after living in the city for so long I'd get used to the rats.
When the stairs appeared I was ready to bite Spot's head off.
"You've got to be kidding me."
He just shrugged and started up the stairs.
"You're lucky I think you're cute."
For the rest of the flight of stairs I made sure to complain and whine.
"What is this place anyway?"
"It used to be a tenement but the man who ran it died and his family didn't want to care of it. They're just waiting for someone to buy it."
"No one's buying it if looks like this."
"Exactly. It works out perfectly for us."
"When was the last time you were here?"
"A year."
"A year?"
"You're a lot of work. I barely have any time for myself anymore."
I scoffed "I'm work? You're the real work around here. You know from time to time it would be nice if I could go see you without worrying that someone will find out about us."
I paused and gave myself time to breathe "You know Spot I respect a lot of your decisions and I trust you to make the best judgment but I've always wondered this. Why can't people know about us? I'm sure there are newsie leaders that don't hide their girls. You always give me a vague answer and I'm tired of wondering."
Spot kept going on up "Follow me will you?"
"Spot I'm not moving another foot until you tell me why."
He stopped and made an abrupt turn and walked down the three steps that separated us. "You know why. Do I need to remind you of what happened?"
"Spot-
"No Violet. Until I leave my position no one can now about us."
"When will that be?"
"I gave you the choice and you turned it down. Now you have to wait 'till I'm eighteen"
I fought my frown, I didn't want him to know how I felt "You're being unfair. You asked too much from me"
"I asked for what I deserved"
His words hit me like a concrete slab "What you deserved! What you deserved! I cant belive-
"Oh shut up. You're letting those dykes get to your head"
"What's wrong with you?! Their not d-dy-"
"See you can't even say it. They just feel left out because their too ugly for anyone to notice so they waste their time with those stupid pamphlets you read"
I reached down and picked up handful of dirt to throw at him.
"We're done for today. Go find someone that can put up with you're tantrums"
The dust fell around him and covered his face in a grey cloud.
As I walked away I heard his coughs.
"You're leaving over some dykes?"
"There you go again Spot! You think so little of anyone different than you! You're so arrogant! I can't stand you when you on your power rant! Its gets tiring hearing how many fights you were in and how you scored at poker!
"Oh and you're and easy bite to swallow!"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"I've had to jump through more hopes in one month than I have in three years! I was shot in the arm because of you! And don't even get me started on your preferred topics. Look Spot you'll never believe what this lady was wearing. Listen Spot a dyke came up to me in the park, My jobs so boring, I hate my job" He was waving his hands in the air in a mocking way "Maybe you should get a new one!"
I wanted to hit him" Don't talk to me that way! I'm not a child! I needed that job"
"If you had married me you wouldn't have to work but no you go and talk to those dykes in the park!"
"Are you still on that?! Spot we're too young! I'm not ready to leave my family yet!"
"But you love me isn't that enough?!"
"It would be if I-
"If you what? If you had no other options? They got in your head Violet! Us two, we don't have a chance at a better life. This is it! We don't get to have a good life!"
"Why?! Why can't we have a good life!" He grabbed my shoulders and squeezed
"Because we're as poor as the dirt you're standing on! Can't you see that there are only two options for you! To marry me or to slave away at a factory! You'll have to choose one day Violet! Why make it harder than it has to be?"
His voice had turned soft. He was trying to use words to manipulate me.
"I'm not ready to give it up. I have two years left before I have to face reality."
Spot let me go "Fine but I don't know if I'll be here in two years."
He didn't mean death.
"I thought you were the one that was scared that I'd leave you."
Spot sighed and crossed his arms but didn't say anything.
"Who is it?"
"What?" His body turned stiff.
"Who have you been seeing?! I don't see any other reason as to why you'd act this way! You want to get rid of me."
Spot groaned "Are you kidding me! Violet I love you! You and only you!" He tapped the side of my head "I don't know what's going on in here but its making you go crazy"
I let out a frustrated huff and did the only thing that wouldn't make me feel so tired. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling like a dirty and sweaty sock. A pathetic sweaty sock
"I'm sorry. I'm confused and emotional"
Spot was still tense and I could tell he didn't want to give in but after I squeezed him tighter he relented.
"Its all right. Everyone has their moments"
Just like that we had come to the consensus to stop fighting. I was being unreasonable and he was being a jerk. But what was new? The fight went up in smoke and disappeared to never be seen again. I just hoped everything we said could be forgotten. Spot stroked my hair and I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent of his shirt. It smelled like soap and a twinge of clean sweat lay underneath it.
"You sound like my Aunt"
"Yeah and you walk like her now"
I gave his lame statement a light chuckle and tried to pull him closer.
After a while of just standing there I decided to open my mouth.
"Are my conversations boring?"
"No I just think you talk about yourself a lo- wait that came out wrong."
"That's okay. I know I can be self-centered."
"Are my conversations boring?"
"No. You just get really excited over how many punches you threw or if you got a good hand dealt at poker"
"Is it just me or was this all just really silly and immature?" I asked looking up at him.
"That's the first reasonable thing I've heard all day" He answered kissing my nose shortly after
"You're welcome"
"Lets go do something fun."
"Weren't you going to show me something?"
"It can wait. I don't want it to be spoiled by our fight"
"Really? Was it that special? Now I feel guilty for being a brat"
"Its okay. This place has at least six more months"
"I'm sorry. It's just I don't know what to do with myself. I love you and I want to stay but I'm scared of what will happened if I do"
"Well whatever happens. I'll be here for you in two years or in twenty"
Well its been three weeks but I had midterms and chemistry is kicking my butt. I hoped you guys liked this chapter. If you didn't that's okay too. Let me know which way you lean in the reviews but if you don't that's okay too. Also, look at the good news midterm is over and I have all weekend to right the other two chapters I didn't write.