Chapter 18 - Distressing trigger

When you have something you wish to forget about, you must be prepared for the endless triggers that will turn on you. The slightest of movements will cause the trigger to become a fishing rod, which tries to bring up that which you wish to forget.

Sometimes the lures are big enough for us to notice before it happens, giving us a chance to dodge. But there will be times when the bait is small and sneaky, trying to trick you into taking you by surprise.

― Missing persons? Inside Dreamland?

― I don't know the details yet, but we seem to have become a starting point for an investigation.

Everything seemed to be going well before dinner. Ray annoys Aslan and Leonardo, Benjin sticky as ever. In those two weeks, the young master had gotten into the rhythm of those main attractions to the point where he felt comfortable with them. It was a short time before he would make Dreamland Mansion his home.

Until he noticed Vincent's stillness.

Now he understood the reason for his silence.

After all, he had also begun to feel uncomfortable with the news.

― And what did you do?

― I spoke to the legal department and we verified in the system that Giovani Monteccello is, in fact, an accredited police officer. Then I confirmed that Dreamland World & Comp. will cooperate with the investigation. ― Vicente continued eating, although he did not look hungry at all. ― We must warn the employees that right after the closing of the attractions, they need to stay in the park.

― I'll make the announcement. ― Aslan readied himself, having a piece of meat stolen from his plate by Ray. ― You...

― Ah, it's delicious!

― This is worrying.

The icing on the cake of surprises was noticing Benjin's apprehension. It was not for nothing when no one expected the circus to become a place for people to disappear. It was like being wrongly accused. Or worse, finding out that someone would stab him in the back.

If it was proven that the park had something to do with that situation, it would mean that someone thought they owned the place to use it in their dirty plans. Leonardo didn't like to imagine such a hypothesis.

Just like the other time.

He still remembered the crimson stains on the grass.

Now he understood the clown's stillness.

Shaking his head to push away the unwanted memories, Leonardo had followed the same step as Ray: the smile and indifference. If he didn't give so much importance to that damn trigger, maybe he'd survive for one night.

― Let them investigate all they want. Just keep an eye on them so they don't disrupt the park's activities.

― Oh, is the young master doing his job as heir?

Leonardo grinned mischievously at Ray's slight nudge. Surely his implication was enough for the young master to forget his anguish. This time he was willing to follow that path.

― As long as I don't finish that project with Barley, I don't care about anyone getting in my way. That's all, you magical turd.

― I am honoured that you are concerned about us, young master. ― smiled Aslan, much to the magician's chagrin.

― I think you are forgetting one small detail. ― Ray hummed, managing to steal another piece of meat from Aslan's plate. ― The young master is now on the staff. So he will also be interrogated.

The other four chuckled, dropping their cutlery. Vincent put his hands to his head and started mumbling, while Benjin got up from his chair.

― I will also be investigated then!

― All of you will be, you idiot. ― murmured Leonardo. ― It's okay as long as he doesn't know who I am.

― You are a novice, young master. You will be on the list of suspects for sure.

― Are you trying to get me arrested, Ray?

The magician had laughed, even though his answer was clear and obvious. He had definitely become the target of Ray's thorny words.

― 'Of course not! Imagine that!

― Then there's no reason to despair. ― Leonardo said when finishing dinner, getting up from the table. ― I'm going to study a little, good night to everyone but Ray.

― Hahahaha, the young master is really abusive. ― smiled the magician, clutching his fork tightly.

He didn't like, not even a little, to know that the park would become the target of investigations. Irritating memories insisted in returning to his mind, leaving him distressed. Leonardo didn't want to think too much.

He didn't want to remember.

Leaning against the wall of the corridor, the boy swallowed the cake that formed in his throat. The regret of going back to that place was growing after two weeks of being forgotten. He had been interested in the automation project, dedicated to it as much as he was to his studies. And so he had forgotten why he was there in that mansion.

Dragging his feet through the corridor Leonardo didn't go to his room. In fact his blind steps led him to the office that had once belonged to his late father, leaving a crimson trail of memories. It was there that he had taken refuge, sitting down on the cushion below the window staring into the darkness outside.

When he blinked, he realized he was staring at the framed photo on the table. For those four in the picture.

Doesn't that mean something was repeating itself?

For a few minutes, Leonardo had closed his eyes wishing to wake up from that nightmare.

― I thought you would be here.

Benjin's soft voice woke him up suddenly. The trapeze artist had moved away from the door to close it and approach Leonardo. However, he kept a considerable distance by leaning against the table and crossing his arms.

― You're a damn chewing gum.

― If you tried it you'd find out what gum tastes like. ― Laughed Benjin ― Why did our young master come to hide instead of going to study?

Leaning his head against the glass again, Leonardo pressed his lips together.

― I don't know. I feel suffocated.

Resting his hands on the table, Benjin watched the university student cowering against the window as if he wanted to hide from the world. A sudden change in his behaviour, since before dinner he seemed fine enough to fight with you over nonsense.

― Are you afraid that Dreamland will become the stage for some brutality?

The question had been so sharp that Leonardo had once again startled Benjin. Squeezing his fingers in the fabric of his trousers, the boy noticed the bloody lure of the fishing rod there, big and chubby. Letting out a low chuckle to chase away the fear, Leonardo had leaned away from the window to sit facing Benjin.

― I'm not afraid. I don't care what happens to this place.

― If you really didn't care, no matter how persuasive Vincent was, you wouldn't come here. Much less seek refuge in Master Evilian's office.

― Stop talking nonsense, you stupid puppet.

― Curse all you want, Leo, but I told you I'm the only person who knows you deeply. Lying to me is impossible.

It would be a waste of time to get into that argument again. Benjin was sure that Leonardo was an open book, probably to use his own perversion to dominate him again. Getting up from the upholstery, Leonardo approached the table where he had picked up the picture frame.

Perhaps Benjin would understand him since he thinks he knows him so well.

― This is not the first time Dreamland has gained the attention of the police. ― whispered the boy, holding his gaze on each face in that photograph. ― An artist recently hired to play the role of the puppet in the circus hid his shadows well. An ex-convict accused of pedophilia.

― I heard from Vicente. ― Whispered Benjin, crossing his arms to control his impulse to touch the university student. ― That's what made you wish never to come back here, isn't it?

Trying to contain his anger, Leonardo gritted his teeth clenching his fingers into a fist. Just admitting such painful memories made him want to blow up the whole world. To try anything that would make him feel better and avenged. That fishing rod had managed to pull in a hell of a fish.

A warm touch had rested on his fist. Benjin's loving fingers had undone the grip until it was entwined with Leonardo's, even though it didn't gain his attention. His warmth was cozy when he found himself in the midst of anger. Cozy, rather.

― If it weren't for me, Lucca would never...

Benjin had glanced at the photo on the table. The boy on Master Evilian's lap had features identical to Leonardo's, but he was smiling, pointing at the camera. Twins. It was the person with whom the university student had a strong bond.

Lowering his eyes to his hand joined with the college boy's, he could feel the warmth coming from him. Not the usual warmth. How could he pull him back so he wouldn't be shot down?

― Never forget that Dreamland belongs to you now. ― Whispered the trapeze artist. About to scold him, Leonardo stopped himself when he saw Benjin's seriousness. A rather unusual physiognomy. ― We all depend on you. If you don't want this place to become a stage for things like that, then you'll have to make an effort to protect us.

It was the first time anyone had ever placed such a responsibility on your shoulders.

― But I...

― No more running away, Leo. Dwelling on this isn't gonna bring anyone back to life. All you need to do is move on and protect those who are still standing.

He was getting a pretty good ear-lashing from Benjin. Which was news, since until then the trapeze artist only seemed to care about trying to kiss him. It would be the first time he had ever heard him speak so seriously, in order to keep his head up.

― You can be as annoying as that damn magician.

Benjin opened a wide smile, taking Leonardo's hand close to his lips depositing a simple seal on the back. Keeping eye contact, he could see the blush on the young master's face.

Apparently he had managed to drive away the cursed trigger that was flying over Leonardo's head. At least for the moment.

Pulling his hand to let go of Benjin, the university student went around the table about to leave the office.

― I'm going to study, and don't follow me.

― I can read between the lines that you're calling me to keep you company.

― Shut up!

Letting Leonardo go ahead, Benjin took one last look at the photo on the office desk. And then he ran outside, performing a countdown loud enough for Leonardo to hear him. A few seconds later, he heard him running through the mansion, trying to get away from you once more.