Chapter XX. Flash Hider & Flash Fire
As Jafar started the engine, Frollo's mind wandered back to that fateful day, May 21st.
Jafar would forever remember the day Frollo held a gun into his studio. But for Frollo, it was more than that.
During the break of Jafar's stream, Frollo went to his bedroom, locking the door so no one would come in. He polished the flash hider of AKS-74U, yet the reflection on its conical surface IRKED him.
Setting the flash hider on the desk, he gazed at the contorted image before him, releasing a subdued growl. "You worthless coward full of lust, who slaughtered one of your subordinates like killing a pig, who brought nothing but disappointment to those around you, whose sole purpose was to kill."
He slammed his fist on the desk while his other hand held a gun aimed at his temple. He continued his venomous rant against the figure, his words filled with spite:
"I hope you die alone, slowly, painfully, in a dimly lit ditch-"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The yell of Jafar snapped Frollo from his storming thoughts.
Is he safe? Has he encountered danger? Did someone invade our home? These concerns prompted Frollo to raise his gun and rush to the rescue. He swung open the door and yelled:
"Jafar!"
Jafar would forever remember the day Frollo held a gun into his studio. But for Frollo, it would be more than that.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"Hello, I would like to report a murder I just witnessed," Frollo talked on his phone while Jafar drove them back to the dorm.
"...Frollo, what the hell are you talking about?" said Jafar. He was confused why Frollo looked calm after...whatever happened in Hades' house.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Can you please provide me with your location and the details of what you saw?"
"We're currently driving back to our dorm. The incident took place at 2292 Harrison Street, San Francisco," said Frollo. He placed his index finger on the lips, instructing Jafar to be quiet.
"Thank you for providing the location. Please remain calm and stay in a safe location. Are you in immediate danger? Is it possible to pull over and park your vehicle in a safe area?"
"We're driving away from the scene, but I am not sure whether we're safe right now. I'll find a suitable place to pull over," Frollo looked out the window. It would be the last time he could appreciate the view along Bayshore Freeway. What a pity that he would remember the shore as nothing but darkness.
"I understand your concern. Your safety is of utmost importance. Please find a safe place to pull over as soon as you can. Stay on the line with me, and if you observe any suspicious activity or feel threatened, let me know immediately."
"Uh...I think the murderer was nearby," said a blinking Frollo.
"I need you to stay calm. If you believe the murderer is in close proximity, it's crucial to prioritize your safety. Do not approach or engage the individual. Find a safe location to pull over and remain in your vehicle. Lock the doors and keep your windows rolled up. Can you provide any additional information about the potential whereabouts of the suspect?"
"...I am the murderer," said Frollo calmly.
"FROLLO WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO 911?" Jafar couldn't believe his ears, but Frollo already hung up his phone.
"Drive," said an obscurely nonchalant Frollo, "Focus, don't miss the 398A exit, or you'll drive us onto US 101."
"Ok, but what do you mean by you are the murderer..." Jafar turned the steering wheel and muttered, "You did it for self-defence...I can even say you did it for Hades and me."
"We are almost home," Frollo whispered. The noises from the engine almost drown out his voice, "Jafar, please. Just drive."
Thus Jafar decided to shut his mouth on the way until they returned to the dorm. Frollo took a bottle of wine and two goblets to the living room. He set the table up in front of the golden casings of YouTuber Reward-which Jafar frowned upon, but he was too shocked to ask Frollo NOT to drink next to his medals.
"Please take a seat, would you?" Frollo gestured. Not until Jafar took the seat did Frollo go on pouring the wine into the goblet for both of them.
"...Frollo, you don't have to do this," Jafar insisted. He even smashed his palm on the table, the split wine from his own goblet splashed on his face, "What you did in Hades' mansion is NOT murder. He was about to throw a chair at you. It's either him or us!"
Frollo was not listening. He went into the bedroom and got out a few seconds afterwards, holding a key ring in his hand.
"Jafar, I've watched some other videos on your channel. Your birthday is November 21st, right?" Frollo returned to his seat, placing the key ring to Jafar-it was a brown-and-white tabby, with a plastic bag like a helmet on his head.
"...Frollo, it's still October..."
"I know," Frollo nodded slowly. He wanted to make each of his last actions clear, "But I won't live long enough to see that day. So happy birthday."
"Frollo, I need you to stop ALL OF THESE! RIGHT NOW!" Jafar stood up abruptly, even knocking down his chair in the process. But Frollo just looked up and listened-it would be the last time he listened to this ...interesting individual anyway, "I don't want to hear you mention ending your life, nor do I want to see you even TRY! I can't...Frollo...I have seen Hades leave me without a word. I don't want to ever relive that again..."
Jafar then broke into tears. He stumbled and fell into Frollo's arms, to which Frollo answered with a hug.
"So I've left some words for you, Jafar."
"But I don't want you to leave me," Jafar raised his head, almost hitting Frollo's chin, "LIVE, YOU COWARD!"
Frollo didn't argue as if he agreed with Jafar's comment. Yes, I did call myself "coward" again and again when I saw the reflection of my own, he thought. Then Frollo drew out his Bible and opened it to Psalm 51, there were two envelopes attached to the pages-one had "To Whom It May Concern" written, and the other had "To Hades". Jafar watched Frollo put these two envelopes on the desk and return his Bible to his chest pocket.
"Jafar, could you have your seat? I am not used to a grown man sitting on my lap..." Frollo sounded a bit troubled, Jafar decided to get up and sat across from his dormmate.
"The man I just killed was Hades' little brother-now I am telling you some in the letter inside Hades' envelope, I think you need to know the truth about him," Frollo lowered his head. He found numerous similarities between the man he had slain and himself. The knowledge of being Zeus' murderer gave no solace in freeing himself from the guilt.
"Frollo, no matter what you did, you could at least save you from yourself..."
"Jafar, LISTEN," Frollo raised his voice. He seldom did so, it kind of hurt his throat. After Jafar stopped his plea, Frollo continued:
"Don't resent Hades for leaving you...he left so he could spend his time helping his younger brother, that man was charged with sexual assault. I believe Hades also thought the lawsuit would stain both his and your career once the press found out. It was a sacrifice on his part, no matter what you think about it, he did it for you."
"...What?!" Jafar was confused by this news.
"I thought speeding up the lawsuit would help Hades willing to return the career of your kind, so Hades could be with you again…now it doesn't matter at all. What I just said is the truth, but you should hide it inside your heart just like Hades did. Both for your sake and for Hades' sake," Frollo looked into Jafar's eyes and opened the "To Whom It May Concern" envelope. He pulled out a dog tag and raised it into the sky.
"...In the end, I still created the same scene that haunted me the most, didn't I?" Frollo smiled in self-deprecation, recalling how he put a bullet between a man's eyebrows. Twice.
"Frollo, you are not beyond salvation, you...you aren't the villain in my story!" Jafar shook Frollo's shoulders, but all he got in return was Frollo's cold stare.
The man had made up his mind-this was what Jafar received in the signals of Frollo's eyes. So Jafar let go of his hands and let him talk.
"When I was in Iraq..." Frollo placed down the dog tag and choked on tears. Jafar could see the name "PHOEBUS" engraved on it.
"...Isn't that the name in the broadcast this afternoon...?"
"I...I wrote it all in the letter. Every detail," Frollo picked up that envelope and wore a wry smile, "My motivation, how I did it, how I got away with it...I wrote them all. He was a subordinate of mine, the reason why the police officer call me. The one I reported as MIA but in reality, I killed him. Now his remaining was found, it's my turn now."
Frollo shot a glance at Jafar, but the man just...mouth wide-opened.
"Yes, I deserve a thousand bullets penetrating me..."
"NO NO NO THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO SAY!" Jafar roared and glared at Frollo, "I know it was BAD...at least you think it's BAD...But don't. If you have your reason to kill the man...you don't have to serve the rest of your life in jail! WHY? WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO END YOUR OWN LIFE WHEN YOU MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE? NO! I REFUSE..."
The sirens outside interrupted Jafar's outburst, and they were getting closer. Jafar dashed toward the window, he could see red and blue from the police cars in the dark.
"Jafar," Frollo called his name, he wanted to sound calm so Jafar could feel less distressed, "After I die, open the door for the police so you don't have to repair it. They might storm into our dorm directly."
"No, Frollo," Jafar pointed his finger and advanced furiously towards Frollo, "Don't tell me the day you drank too much wine because you wanted to get away with it...Don't tell me today you dove in the ocean for far too long because you wanted to GET AWAY WITH IT!"
"Jafar...could you promise me one thing?" Frollo raised his gun, "Could you just listen to me for one last time?"
"FROLLO NO!"
"It has been a pleasure to have you in my life, I hope you feel the same," with his temple against the flash hider of his pistol, his tear rolling from his face was somehow...colder, "Good night, Jafar."
BANG.