Varun - Chapter 38

1

Varun and the others dumped their car in a river, leaving the handbrake off and letting it roll down the bank into the current and let it drift away as it sank. Then they were on the move again. They took the footpaths as if they were on a walk before getting into a town and Varun contacted Christian.2

“Hey Wicklow, you there?” Varun called for Christian.3

“Yeah, mate,” Christian sighed as Vixen helped Cathy dump Nathaniel in the car and they piled in, not after Christian had set the corpses alight.4

“We had to lose the car. We’ve walked to the nearest town to us, East Fall,” Varun said.5

“You had problems too?” Christian asked as he got into the car and Vixen drove. Christian removed his top and handed it to Cathy, so she pressed the shirt on her wound. It wasn’t too deep. She had been lucky that it hadn’t hit anything major.6

Christian explained what had happened and Varun gave his side to Christian.7

“They’re everywhere, man,” Christian groaned, “Wherever we go.” 8

“We have to try, Wicklow. There’s barely any of us and thousands of them,” Varun said.9

“Yeah I know,” Christian smiled a little, “Hey, I’ll get these guys to the place, then Vixen will come out to get you four, okay?”10

“Sure,” Varun said, “Just as long as she knows where she’s going and what to do.”11

“She’s not stupid, Varun,” Christian smiled a little more, “Trust us.”12

“Whatever,” Varun replied, “Get her to stop outside…” he looked around and saw a pub, “Two houses away from the pub ‘The Fall’s Arms’, the house with the hanging plant outside its door.13

“Okay, gotcha,” Christian replied, “I’m out.”14

“Out,” Varun said. Then he turned to the others who were trailing behind him, “Stick to the alleyways. And when we have to go out into the open, look as normal as you can be.”15

“Right,” Toushirou nodded, “So can I pretend to be Sky’s boyfriend?” He grinned widely. Varun suddenly turned his glare at him but Toushirou wasn’t fazed. 16

“We need to look convincing, right?” Toushirou said.17

“I’m the same age as her. You’re shorter than her. It’d look less convincing if you did it and Charles is way too old,” Varun said, walking to an alleyway and slipping down there for a minute, watching the pub. Charles just raised an eyebrow at him. Too old?18

“So basically YOU want to pair up with her,” Charles smirked, “Well if you want to.”19

Skylar blushed darkly but Varun scowled, lips twitching in irritation, “Do you mind? I’m trying to not get ourselves killed seeing as I’m bleeding out my face, you out your back and Toushirou out his shoulder and ear.20

“Oh I forgot about my ear,” Toushirou said thoughtfully, hand cupping his ear. Varun rolled his eyes and sighed once everyone had joined him in the dark alleyway.21

“Fine. Toushirou, you be her boyfriend. Hide that shoulder of yours against her,” Varun said.22

“I got no problem with that,” Toushirou chuckled, putting his arm around Skylar’s waist, making her blush in embarrassment. It hid the wound on his shoulder seeing as it sat at the front of his shoulder more than right on top. However, the way Toushirou held Skylar so close to him rather annoyed Varun. He really didn’t like that. It was like he was…he was…he was man handling her? What was his excuse?23

He turned his gaze to Charles, doing his best to ignore it seeing as he could find no reason to be annoyed. Maybe he was just over protective seeing as she was the target and she was amongst dodgy males, not including himself. Despite them being his ‘partners’ he still couldn’t trust these two one little bit.24

“Toushirou, I want you to go buy me a beanie hat, okay? Get Charles a new coat and get yourself one at that. Cover those wounds. And go to the chemists and get some things for our wounds. Make sure you buy Sky something to tie her hair up with and a cap and a new outfit. There’s a clothes shop nearby,” Varun said, “Pretend it’s like an outing and you’re treating her.”25

“Where’s the shop? I don’t know this place,” Toushirou said, “Do you even know this place?”26

“No, but the shop’s just there,” Varun pointed out of the alleyway where they could just see the end of a shop name.27

“Ah, I see. Smart,” Toushirou grinned, nudging Varun with his elbow in a friendly manner.28

“You’re touching me,” Varun frowned.29

“I know,” Toushirou smirked, “Leaning on Varun’s shoulder, “Because you’re my mate, Mate.”30

“Shut up,” Varun shrugged him off, rolling his eyes, “Hell, you guys are so immature.”31

“Better than being a grumpy old fart like you,” Toushirou shrugged, still grinning.32

Varun cracked his knuckles but just mumbled something under his breath and handed Toushirou his card, “This is a blank card. Okay? No traces on it. I got a few so it should be empty. Get it on that.”33

“Hm,” Toushirou took the card and looked at it, “Sweet! I could so nick money with this and not get caught!”34

“Don’t even think about it. Don’t do anything drastic. Taking a large amount of money out is a pretty big ‘hello’ to the enemy,” Varun said.35

“I know I know, don’t ya worry. I’ll treat her good, like the princess she is,” Toushirou winked at Varun while Skylar went into heated blushes.36

“I’m not…that much…you know,” Skylar hesitated.37

“Sure you are,” Toushirou chuckled, “You’re cute and really pretty. You’d look stunning in a beautiful dress.” He winked at her, making a clicking sound with his mouth. Skylar blushed again, fiddling with her hair but she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face. He was so sweet!38

Toushirou walked up to Skylar and put his arm around her like he was supposed to, “Come on Sweetheart.” He almost sang it and while he had his back to Varun, Varun was tempted to punch him in the back of the head for the sheer pleasure of it.39

When the ‘couple’ were gone, Charles turned to Varun, “You got a problem, Boy?” 40

“Don’t call me ‘Boy’ Charles,” Varun didn’t look at him, keeping an eye on Toushirou and Skylar and their surrounding area for trouble.41

“Hey,” Charles grabbed Varun’s shoulder and squeezed, bringing Varun’s attention to him. For a split second there was surprise on Varun’s face.42

“Look kid,” Charles said, “You got to control that side of yours.”43

“What are you yapping on about?” Varun pushed his hand off of him.44

“I’m talking about THAT. What you just did. You treat people like crap or worse,” Charles put his hands into pockets, “If you keep that up I’ll treat you like you treat them.”45

Varun rolled his eyes, “Back off Charles. I’m just trying to save our lives.”46

“I know you got a lot on your shoulders,” Charles said, “But we’re here to help you with that. We make a good team and you know it. We’re all here to protect Sky. We care about her, okay? Even someone like me who hasn’t known her that long.”47

“Why?” Varun asked with a rather irritated expression on his face.48

Charles chuckled, “She’s a cute kid. She’s shy but she’s generous and kind. Very thoughtful and giving. You can tell she’s the type to sacrifice herself for others. I can tell in her eyes that she hates this. Us protecting her and risking our lives for her. It doesn’t feel right to her, I’m sure. Oi, look, seriously, there’s nothing wrong with friends-“49

“Friends get people killed, Charles,” Varun interrupted, folding his arms, “The more friends you have the more likely they’re used against you and are hurt or killed for it. Or it could get YOU killed because they could be used against you. You of all people should know the risks.”50

Charles held his breath for a moment, tensing, before saying lowly, “I would rather risk having friends than spend a lonely life alone.”51

“What you think you’ve been living, Charles?” Varun angered a little, “You drinking your life away over what happened. You needed to get over it and I told you that but you wouldn’t listen.”52

“Since when have you been in love, huh? Boy?” Charles snapped, growling, “Since when have you cared for someone? Never, Boy. You’re just a hollow shell,” he poked Varun in the chest hard, then pushed him against the wall, pinning Varun there with his hand. Charles towered over Varun and Varun recalled how intimidating Charles was when he was sober. Charles continued, “You don’t know at all, you heartless shell. You don’t give a crap at all. But you know what? I stand by what I said. I know I screwed up my life, reminiscing on the past but I decided to make a fresh start. Colin and Spencer helped me see that and now I’ve quit the drink. And I am LETTING friends in again and I like it. I’ve missed it,” Charles stepped back from Varun, “I hope you see that soon BOY or else you’re letting the Fins control you still. THEY’RE the ones who said you couldn’t have friends.”53

Varun ground his teeth. He believed the Fins were right in that one sense. People could be used against you and he sure as hell didn’t want to risk unnecessary lives because of friendship. 54

* * *55

“How do I look?” Toushirou grinned, wearing a woman’s straw hat just to make Skylar laugh. Skylar laughed behind her hand shyly, “Suits you.”56

“Does, doesn’t it?” Toushirou joked in a woman’s voice, twirling in front of the mirror. They had already bought everything they needed except the outfit for Sky. Skylar walked up to him and asked, “Toushi. You sure you want to hang around with us? I mean…I cause so much trouble…” Skylar saddened a bit, averting her eyes from his to the floor, fiddling with the ends of her hair again. 57

Toushirou had turned to look at her, then when she’d finished he just smiled, “Of course I want to stick around. You’re the one that needs protecting, right? This is a big event in life, Gorgeous. I want to be a part of it, especially when the target is so cute!”58

Skylar blushed again, “You always call me cute and stuff. But I’m not.”59

“Huh? The heck? What makes you think that?” Toushirou looked completely stunned.60

Skylar was surprised at how stunned he seemed. She thought it was just common sense and obvious that she wasn’t ‘cute’ like that and the like. She felt embarrassed at being called ‘Gorgeous’. What if someone heard and thought ‘yeah right!’61

“Um…” she started, “Just…people have always-“62

“You gotta ignore what jerks like that say,” Toushirou said, looking around at the different racks of clothes, “Seriously. I don’t like lying and would certainly NEVER lie about what I think of a woman and you’re cute and very pretty Sky. You shouldn’t think down of yourself.”63

Skylar pursed her lips, unsure, and when Toushirou caught her expression, he sighed and walked up to her, taking her hands, “Look at me, Sky.”64

Sky looked down at him seeing as he was shorter than her.65

“I would never lie, okay? Those jerks would have said those things because they’re either jealous or they just want to see you hurt. Don’t let guys like that beat you,” Toushirou said. He smiled, patting his fist against his chest, “Trust me.”66

Skylar tucked her hair behind her ear though she wanted to hide behind it, “Okay.” She still wasn’t so believing but she couldn’t help but like the compliments he gave her. He was so nice to her.67

“You’re nice Toushi,” she said gently, “You’re much nicer than Varun. Much more understanding.”68

“Than Varun? Meh, that guy’s just got an opening up problem. That guy seriously needs a lay,” Toushirou joked.69

Skylar blushed at the image of Varun in bed that came into her mind and she ruffled her hair hard to get it out of her mind. Toushirou just chuckled at her antics, “You like that guy, don’t you?”70

“What? No!” Skylar tried to deny but Toushirou just tutted, “Hey hey. I won’t lie to you so don’t lie to me, okay?”71

Skylar bowed her head, feeling guilty, “Well…okay…I…I….”72

“Do?” Toushirou suggested and grinned widely at Skylar’s nod in agreement. 73

“There? See? Not that hard,” Toushirou said, turning back to the clothes, “But hang in there, okay? The guy’s tough but he’ll come through. He has a good heart.”74

Skylar was silent for a long moment. He’ll come through?75

“What do you mean he’ll come through? A good heart?” Skylar asked, “I know he’s good but…he’s so hard to…read.”76

Toushirou smiled a little as he picked some women’s things out, “I wasn’t kidding when I said I can feel hearts. He has a good heart. It’s just hurt and locked up in a cage, to put it into a picture. Once you open it…we’ll see.”77

“Once you open it?” Skylar said thoughtfully.78

“I didn’t mean ‘you’ in general, you know,” Toushirou said matter-of-factly.79

“You mean…me?” Skylar’s voice weakened.80

“Well you’re the one he’s protecting, right? He’s protective of you more than he should be. Maybe he considers you more of a friend than most? I don’t know,” Toushirou said though he had a knowing smile on his face that made Skylar plain curious.81

She opened her mouth to ask something but Toushirou threw the clothes into her arms suddenly, “Wear those.”82

“Huh?” she blinked, looking down at the heap in her arms, then nodded, “O…okay.” She then went to the fitting room to get changed.83

She got dressed into a strap green top and blue jeans with a green butterfly print on the outer side of the knee about the size of a basketball. Another print the size of a saucer was on the back left pocket. Both were outlines of a butterfly and it’s wings, looking down on it from above, wings outstretched, with green patterns in its wings. A black string of a necklace was there with a silver butterfly frame with two green stones, one in either wing. A black sweatband went on her right wrist, a watch on her left, and a black cap sat on her head. The peak shaded her eyes. Black trainers went on her feet which proved good to run in and were sturdy. A good strong pair of shoes she needed.84

Toushirou had also picked out a pack of black hair bobbles so, seeing as the clothes fitted, she got dressed into her old clothes and Toushirou bought them on his card. Then she dressed again and dumped her old clothes in the plastic bag Toushirou had packed the new clothes in. Then he dumped them in a bin outside.85

“Let’s go Sky,” he said back inside, “I’m calling you…Princess from now on.” He grinned, “Need an undercover name and I like pet names.”86

Skylar giggled a bit more confidently, “You odd.” She had her hair tied up and the ponytail went up into the cap, only the hair either side of her face dangling free. Toushirou had changed his top and put on a new shirt which was blue with a red and white stripe on it, keeping his old trousers despite them being part of the Fire Cons’ uniform. They looked normal however with the shirt so he could get away with it.87

He kept his arm around Skylar as they headed back to the alleyway, the odd woman or two telling their friends how ‘cute’ they looked, with the boy being shorter than the girl and Skylar felt somewhat embarrassed that they were being thought of as a couple, though it actually made her want to laugh too. She didn’t mind being thought of as a couple with Toushirou. He was sweet and lovely to her and she couldn’t help but like that.88

“We’re back,” Toushirou said as he stepped into the alleyway. There was no sign of Varun or Charles. Where had they gone?89

“Guys?” he called again but still no answer.90

“You think something happened?” Skylar paled, her hands reached her face, eyes wide with worry, then she called, “Guys!”91

Silence.92