Issues

Dean gets up and the terrible back pain makes him grunt; sleeping on a couch is not pleasant at all. However, it was a decision Dean himself made. Senna's bed was available to him but Dean preferred not to make it. He already owes Senna enough favors, and he didn't want to add to the bill. So it was okay even if his back hurt like hell.

Yes, that's just what he deserves for everything that's happening and for causing problems for the only people who were ever there for him, his friends. He really didn't want to turn to anyone, least of all Senna, who is now sleeping peacefully in his room.

—Why did I do it? —he asks himself and then shakes his head.

I was an idiot to do it, he thought.

The plan was to run away and not mingle with anyone, much less the people he appreciated. However, he was tired and needed someone's help and that person ended up being the one he wanted least involved.

Ironic, but that's how it was.

He sees the clock and confirms that it is still early; it is 4:00 am. The blond man won't wake up for a few hours and that gives him a chance to leave without him noticing. That's the plan now.

Dean goes into Senna's room and makes sure he's asleep; after checking, he goes to his closet and looks for something more in line with his style, and above all, something that will make him go unnoticed. He finds a black leather jacket and a simple white T-shirt next to some black pants that might fit him.

Dean takes the clothes and goes into the bathroom, he gets dressed quickly and quietly; he either wants to look him in the eye when he ask him why he's leaving, or if he's coming back. Dean doesn't want Senna to see him run away, simple as that. However, if he thinks about it, he still looks like a coward.

Dean looks at him one more time and feels a strange discomfort inside, as if he doesn't want to leave his side. Yeah, maybe that's just what's happening here. Dean doesn't want to go away and leave him worried; he doesn't want Senna to wonder if Dean will be alive or dead, if he will come back or not. Should Dean leave a message for him? That might work.

Dean looks for a sheet of paper and a pen, which he finds on his small desk. He writes just enough and ends his writing with an "I'll be back". It's not a lie at all, but it's not the whole truth either. Dean wants to go back to his side, of that there is no doubt, but Dean must first solve a couple of things.

—I'll be back, I promise. —he whispered and then left the note next to his pillow.

Dean then left Senna's room and took something to eat, at least to get something on his stomach while he worked out some issues. Not all of them, of course, but some of them.

Dean walked the streets until he reached his destination, his home. Or what used to be, he couldn't call it "his" anymore even if he wanted to. He looked carefully and there didn't seem to be anyone there so he entered the house. He took a deep breath so he could go on.

He looked at the walls which had dried blood on them as well as the floor. Memories came to his mind and he tried to get them out, but he couldn't. He stopped and put his back against the wall, tried to breathe, but his brain wasn't working. His lungs stopped doing their job; he was going into a panic attack.

Blood, and screaming, a death struggle with a knife, and a dead body on the floor, then everything is dead silent. Suddenly everything was quiet and there was a peace that was totally unknown, it's that kind of quiet that someone feels when a big problem has come to an end.

—Dean. —Someone calls your name from the darkness.

Dean stood still and noticed that he was on the floor with his knees on his chest, like a frightened little boy. He stood up slowly and faced his companion who stood in the darkness.

—I didn't think I'd see you here. —He whispered.

—I've been waiting for you. —Said the other person as he came out of the darkness.

His smile is wide, as wide as his existence. That reminds him then how fucked up Dean is too. He's not the only one with problems after all.

***

Shaun got in his car and started driving as if his life depended on it. He tells himself he's an idiot for not setting the alarm so he can attend his private accounting classes.

—Stupid, stupid. —He said and then took a bite out of what appeared to be his breakfast, a banana.

He stopped at the light and tapped the steering wheel with his index fingers counting the seconds he was losing right now. He looked at his watch and paled. He was 30 minutes late. His father will be furious if he finds out about this, no doubt about it.

—Please change. For the love of God, change quickly. —He exclaimed.

And as if his pleas had been heard the traffic light changed, he started the car again and prayed to God that the teacher would not be there, or at least that he would have mercy on him for being so late to class.

A class he certainly does not need, but his father and older brother believe him incapable. So they make sure he takes extra classes so there is no margin for error, or so they say. In the same way it happens with other things, although it's annoying for Shaun he doesn't usually complain about it. He also doubts his abilities sometimes. No, all the time to be exact.

—Ahhg! —Shouted a lady suddenly and he stopped the car.

His body went forward through the sudden braking and then returned to its normal state.

—You almost killed me. —Shouted the lady, who now has a hand on her heart.

Shaun got out of the car and apologized, but she didn't seem to want to accept his words. People came to find out what was going on and Shaun could only complain about his bad luck. Those 30 minutes of delay now may turn into 40 minutes or more.

—You have to apologize. —Said one man.

—Yes, and also pay you for the damages. —Said one lady.

Her face was probably not the best as she walked away and hid among the other people there.

—There was no damage. The light was green.—muttered Shaun.

Was it? Shaun thought he saw that it was, although at this point he didn't know if it was a mirage or if it was reality, he was so immersed in his inner problems that perhaps he lost a little bit of his sense of reality.

—No, it wasn't. —Said one boy.

"Oh, come on. This can't get any worse". Shaun thought.

—If it does, I'll take him to the police station. —Said one man. —I'll take care of it, don't worry. —He added as he flashed his badge.

Great.

—Get in the car, young man. We're leaving right now.

Shaun looked at him seriously and then rolled his eyes in annoyance, as if it could be worse. "Accounting class, I'm sorry but it seems that it will be impossible for me to attend at least for today". Shaun thought.

The "policeman" waved his right hand at him, he turned around and put the handcuffs on him, Shaun's hands were held prisoner right behind his back. It looks great, like a real criminal.

—Get in the car, right now. I'll drive.

—But it's my car. —Shaun complained.

He looks at him seriously and Shaun prefers not to make him angry. He reluctantly obeyed.

—Well, that was it. You can go back to your business. And you, ma'am, will soon be called to file your lawsuit. —He concluded, and then got in the car.

He didn't let her talk because he put her in a car. He looked at Shaun through the rearview mirror and started laughing so hard that tears came to his eyes from the laughter. A strange feeling came over Shaun's stomach, like butterflies flying. Shaun told himself that it was because he didn't eat breakfast properly, and not because he was with the person he once loved.

—People can be so silly sometimes. —He muttered.

—And others are good at cheating. Like you, Saint.

—That's right. You are absolutely right.

He wiped away his tears and laughed a little.

—I think you should at least be grateful that I saved you from that conflict and you won't have to deal with the consequences of your actions. —He added, and then looked at him through the rearview mirror again. —The traffic light hadn't turned green.

—I had sworn that it was green. —Shaun answered.

Shaun thought maybe he was asleep after all, or maybe his mind played tricks on him. The good thing about the whole thing is that nothing bad happened.

—I didn't ask you to save me. Besides, how can I be grateful and happy if I'm wearing these uncomfortable handcuffs around my wrists?

—Don't complain, Shaun. That could have been worse. —He said as he walked down the streets that are unfamiliar to Shaun.

—Where are you taking me? —He asked as he looked out the window.

Saint said nothing. Shaun then began to get nervous. Saint went into a parking lot and turned off the car. He took Shaun's bag and then opened the door for him to get out of the car. However, Shaun did not do this.

— I'm not getting out of the car. I don't know where I am, and even if I did, I don't want to go with you.

Saint sighed and pulled out his phone, seeming to write a message. Then he put it away. Saint looks seriously at Shaun and grabs his arm tightly until he gets him out of the car completely. Shaun complained as he squirming under his grip which does not give way at all.

—Stupid Saint, let me go! I'm going to sue you, this is unacceptable! —He exclaimed angrily.

Saint ignored him and dragged him to the elevator. Shaun continued to complain and Saint rolled his eyes in annoyance. After going up a couple of floors, they reached their destination. Saint took him out of the elevator, this time climbing his left shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Saint was much stronger than Shaun.

Saint opens the door of what seems to be his apartment and without hesitation enters it. Saint throws Shaun on the sofa in the small living room.

—Why have you brought me here? This is a kidnapping!

—Geez. Just shut up. I just want to talk to you, it's no big deal. Stop yelling and fighting or I swear you'll regret it.

Saint approached Shaun dangerously as he put one of his knees between his legs.

—To hell with your threats, Detective Saint. —Exclaimed Shaun as he squirmed again.

Then Saint grabbed him by the face and stamped his lips on Shaun's which became as static as a stone. Shaun's mind went blank; he could not believe what was happening. Shaun had his eyes wide open so he saw how Saint kept his eyes closed during the kiss.

What should he do in a situation like this? He can't move, his body has been completely paralyzed, and he doesn't know what to do!

Shaun felt confused. The softness and warmth of Saint's lips over his own makes him feel strange and confused; he felt unsure of following the kiss and also unable to move away from it.

—Apparently this is the only way to shut you up. —He concluded as he looked into his eyes.

Shaun swallowed thickly, he must have thought of something to defend himself. However, the warmth he feels in his cheeks and ears does not let him think clearly. He is blushing! Like a girl in love who has been kissed by the boy she likes.

That is unacceptable. Shaun would be a fool to let himself be carried away by the softness and warmth of her lips, by the brightness of her eyes and by her pleasant smell. Shaun would definitely be a fool if he fell in love with Saint again.

—Go to hell. —Said Shaun.

"No, I don't intend to fall into this again". He thought, and then he walked away from Saint as much as he could.

***

Nathan read the message his friend had sent him, and laughed softly, as if Saint's plan to capture Shaun had been put into action. Nathan only hopes that Saint will not be as disappointed as he was with Keith.

Although it's stupid if he thinks about it.

Nathan and Saint betrayed the trust of their old friends by lying to them about their college careers and about their entire lives in general. Lying was a bad decision, but it was the only way to get things done.

That's kind of stupid considering they moved to a new city and were left behind without even being told why. And if that's not enough, then they reappear as the enemy whose duty it is to capture Dean. Honestly, Nathan doesn't think Saint has any better luck than he does, while Keith is sharp. Shaun is like an angry mother who takes care of her children no matter what.

—Can I come in?" asked someone as he knocked on the door.

Nathan immediately put his thoughts aside.

—The boss wants to see you. —Said one of his colleagues, who then left.

Within two minutes Nathan was knocking on his boss' door. After getting permission to go into his office, Nathan entered and greeted him before sitting down on the chair in front of his desk.

—Apparently we still have no sign of Dean Hanks, his stepfather's killer. —He added.

—We are in the search for the suspect. He is not guilty until all the necessary evidence is found," Nathan concluded.

His boss looked at him calmly, not upset by Nathan's answer. They know each other well enough not to take his words the wrong way.

—Nathan, you asked me to help you take this case. I thought you would try harder for that," she said.

—You do what you can, the boy is elusive.

—If I'm not mistaken, he was your friend, wasn't he? It should be easy then, being his old friend you could know where he might go or who he might turn to in a situation like this. It should be easy, Nathan. Why is it so difficult for you?

—People change; he's not the same guy I knew. You know better than anyone that people change," Nathan concluded.

—That's right, people do change. But many times they keep their habits, or at least certain things that are meaningful. You are an example of that. —Said his boss.

—Maybe. But just because I'm an example doesn't mean Dean Hanks is the same. —He added.

—Oh, Nathan. Maybe I should leave this job to someone else. I think those kids are still important to you, and that's why you're so sweet.

Nathan clenched his jaw and his boss smiled as he noticed this.

—Should I call someone else and assign the case?

—No, don't do that. I will, no matter what, solve this case. —Nathan said.

—No need to solve it, Nathan. —His tone changed dramatically.

The older man approached Nathan as if to tell her a very important secret.

—You just have to capture the boy and bring him in, he will spend the rest of his life in prison for murder and that will be it. Case solved. That's how it should be.

—But he is only a suspect, it has not yet been concluded that he is the killer.

The older man stood up in a rage, as if annoyed by Nathan's words.

—I feel that you are underestimating what I am saying. If I say he is the killer, he is. Period, and if you don't like it then I can give the case to someone else who is not as tactful as you. —He added in a thick voice.

—I didn't mean that...

—I should call Min to take the case. You seem to have lost your way. I thought your sister meant more. I guess I was wrong.

The blood doesn't seem to get on Nathan's fingers because of the pressure on his fists.

—I will take care of this. I have not lost my way; I am clear about why I took this specific case. I will bring that boy in no matter what. —Nathan said.

—All right, that's what I wanted to hear. It's good to know that you're still the Nathan I knew before, the one who was willing to do anything to enforce the law, and that justice is done as it should be done.

Nathan nodded slightly.

—You can leave now, you have a job. —He said and then turned his attention to some documents.

—Thank you. I won't let you down.

—I know you won't.

Nathan then left his office and went to his own. Then he started to hit the wall a couple of times. Nathan cared if his colleagues listened to him, he needed to get out the anger he felt.

His knuckles turned red but did not bleed, he laughed ironically about this. Nathan doubted that anything could hurt or make him bleed at this point, he felt like a living dead person. This is when he remembers that his reality is dark.