Fear

There was something intriguing about the strange man to Rue. He wanted to open his brain, and pick apart his secrets. Hs wanted to know what he hid behind his eyes that told countless stories waiting to be revealed.

Something in Rue called out to the retreating figure he watched disappear out the open doors of the store.

Apart of him knew by instinct he should chase after him. That if he did it would be one of the best decisions he would ever make. Yet, he didn't. He stayed rooted in place next to Fen, held by invisible chains forcing him to watch as the man disappeared completely from sight.

It took a moment for Rue to come out of his daze state, when he did he was once more stun for a different reason.

He was momentarily taken aback by the dark look in Fen's eyes as he looked past him to the same door that he was staring out moments ago.

"Fen?"

The dark look was gone replaced with a warm, and confused smile. It was if the look moments ago was nothing more than an illusion that Rue easily let go the moment Fen smiled.

"He was strange. Another fan?" Fen questions, moving forward in line to check out their things before the customer behind them complained.

Rue shrugged for once not put off at the idea of a fan. Except the man didn't feel like a fan. There was something else to him. "Wouldn't be the first time." 

He didn't bother mentioning the man staring at him from across the store earlier. He's sure Fen picked up on it with their conversation previously.

"Stay away from him if you see him again. No need for another incident."

"I will. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me." Rue assures, paying for his computer in the process, forcing himself not to think of the man more than he already was.

At the sudden feeling of a hand holding his own hand Rue looked up mildly surprised, and partly disgusted at being touched. His disgust melted away when he realized it was Fen.

Fen didn't look reassured, he looked tense like a string pulled too far ready to break. Obviously every that they went through was at the forefront of his mind after meeting another person again. A person who was staring.

Rue waited until they was back inside the privacy of their car to talk without eavesdropping.

He didn't give Fen the chance to look away anywhere, holding his head in place with his hands. Their eyes locked together, hiding nothing, and everything.

"Listen Fen, I'm okay. Nothing won't ever happen to me again. Don't you remember I have my trusted cast with me." In response to his words Rue tapped his pants where his metal cast was holding his leg.

It wasn't the most convenient cast, nor the most comfortable one. he preferred his black one that held his leg better, but it was good enough when it came to kicking people. It would do plenty of damage with one kick alone.

"Let's say you can handle one person, what about two, or more? What then? More people hate you than they Evan Graves." Fen words gave away to his fears. The fears he kept hidden when he first found about Rue going to college.

"There's no words I can ever say that will be able to reassure you that I will be okay. I'm not even sure I will-"

Fen interrupts, his voice now raised in panic, and frustration. "Then why go? Why risk it? Is college really worth all the risk?"

Rue smiles bitterly, pulling away from Fen as if it burned him to touch any longer. "I can't tell you." A strained laugh slipped free as Rue placed his head against the wheel, folding his hands to hold his head up as he remained looking at Fen. "A risk every once in awhile is worth it. 

Fen looked displeased by Rue's avoidance of a "real" answer. Fen wanted something more concrete, more concrete than vague words from Rue. Something Rue will never give.

"If you're going to lie to me just shut up." Fen grumbles, facing the window with a pout. If he's acting like a child he didn't care. He was allowed to be annoyed.

Rue laughed again, it was less strained, but the strain from earlier wasn't completely gone. "Shutting up." 

The car started up with a loud purr, filling the now silent car. 

They didn't head home immediately, choosing to drive around as the sun sets, a hum of a song in the background.

Different thoughts played in both of the men's head, none giving away their true feelings to the other with their distant looks, the setting sun highlighting their youthful appearance.

Rue was no longer in a speaking mood- specifically no longer in a mood to deal with emotional problems.

He wasn't an emotional problem, or a person to care for the state of people's emotions. He could barley care for the people he cared for. It would be there for a moment, then begone the next.

After digging into things that shouldn't be brought up, he was reminded of something. He was reminded of the why. Why he had to be careful to begin with.

That's probably why Rue found himself downstairs in the basement a place -Fen wasn't allowed to go to- soaking in tub staring up at countless photos of dead people.

The large photos Rue stared up at was on that fateful day. If he closed his eyes he would be able to taste the metalllic blood in the air alone. He would be able to hear their screams as if they was standing right beside him.

Just like the case is called the scene really does look like a scarecrow massacre. They was hung on crosses, each person expression different. On was horrified, the other smiling, one had their tongue hanging on their chin with their eyes in their hand.

No matter how messy the scene looked it was a work of heart. Rue took pride in it. Of course the clean up was draining to say the least.

The sound of his phone going off, alerting him to a message had him leaning to grab it from on side of the tub, his fingers making the screen wet.

An amused snort left Rue before he could stop it. The message on the screen was nothing funny, but the thought of someone knowing what he was thinking or doing was amusing.

Unknown: thinking about them?

To humor them Rue texted back, waiting to see what comes next.

Rue: what if I am?

He didn't have to wait long for a response from his stalker.

Unknown: don't. Their a waste of your thoughts. Think about me instead. :)

Rue: already am.

This time Rue didn't wait for a response he replaced his phone on side of the tub before letting himself be submerge under the water, eyes open still staring at the photos.

What stared back of him was nine different faces, all looking down at him with endless hate, waiting for something- or someone to be his undoing.

A mocking smile took over his face, as their hands reached out to him, wishing to hold him under until he drowned.

Rue couldn't help, but mouthed his next words, taunting the ghost of the past.

You. Can. Try.

He won't fall. Not now.

Not until every piece is on the board. Only then will the king fall. Beheaded by those filled with vengeance.

When the time comes he will accept his death with open arms.