Ch8: Catastrophe

"Woah, chill, dude. Lighten up a bit; why are you so mad? I came in peace. I mean no harm, man." Shane chuckled strangely; his hand was about to pat Nero's shoulder, but the boy brushed it off roughly and refused to be touched.

"All those women chasing after me—not many people get this kind of attitude or friendly treatment from me. Well, as Valeska is special, she's an exception." Shane folded his arms across his chest, feeling both intimidated and challenged by the boy's unusually possessive behavior. They were both men, and Shane knew all too well what kind of attitude this was.

Shane just didn't expect Nero to be so riled up and defensive towards him. Shane girded his loins; he pointed at Nero. "You're acting weird. Are you her little brother or—?"

"None of your business!" Nero growled madly, and his hatred was obvious. "I won't let a bastard insect like you near her! Back off! You think I don't know what kind of person you are?"

"What the hell? What did you say just now? Bugs?!" Shane burst out laughing; he had heard it all right, his six-pack abs churning with ridiculous pressure. It wasn't a gesture that showed his brother's affection or concern for his sister. As a fellow man, Shane knew better. The boy was burning with jealousy. He was having fun teasing this insane boy.

Then Shane said it in a haunting tone. "As siblings, you don't look alike at all. This is so suspicious, isn't it? I smell something wrong here. If everyone here knew the fact that you're not siblings, can you imagine the worst part? You'll be forcibly separated! And sent to social services if none of your families recognize you. You won't be able to see Valeska again, even with tears of blood. It's the most horrible nightmare."

Nero's hands were clenched into fists, his rage boiling in his head. He wanted to cut off Shane's head now. 

She's mine!

"I don't need to be wary of you, boy. Move aside; I'm dealing with V, not you." Shane waved his hand, ordering Nero to move away. He held up the bouquet of flowers in his hand. "Don't you see? I dressed up like this and brought her flowers. Or do you want to make a deal with me?"

"What do you mean? Deal? Don't think you can bribe me!"

Shane kneeled down, whispering to Nero. "If you help me get Valeska, I will fulfill all your wishes; I will give you anything, everything you want to buy. As long as V becomes mine. Come on, man. I'm in love with her at first sight. I'm also willing to keep my mouth shut about you not being siblings; it's fair enough, right?"

"Get lost!" Nero cursed once more, unable to contain his wrath—Nero's ruby eyes focused on Shane's luxurious car. "Or you're fired—"

Something terrible happened; a reddish-black, horrible flame ignited, blazing and burning Shane's luxury car.

Shutting that mouth of yours up by killing you... good idea...

"FIRE!" a passerby shouted in panic. "THE CAR IS ON FIRE! Someone called the fire department!"

Shane jolted up in fright, his eyes widening wildly. Dropping the bouquet of flowers, he was confused and panicked, not knowing what to do. "Oh hell! No! My Bentley!"

"Get away! Move!"

"No! My car!" Shane howled in anguish, unable to do anything but lament the flames that continued to grow and devour his car.

People crowded around; other neighbors came out of their shops, running around with fire extinguishers, before the bad explosion really happened. They doused the bizarre red-black flames from all directions.

"Stay back! The fire is growing! EVERYONE STAY BACK! That car might explode!"

"What's wrong, Nero? For heaven's sake! It's fire!" V came out of the shop door; she hugged Nero defensively. Watching the black flames that are larger, carrying Nero into the L&C. 

Firefighters rapidly arrived, and among the screams of horror and panicked townspeople who kept their distance, they were still trying to extinguish the flames that were raging and nearly destroyed the luxury car in a horrific blast.

Nero smirked, smugly hearing Shane's lamenting as the most pleasant melody in his mind. 

***

"It's bucketing down; the festival is canceled. My mistake, Nero. We can't see the fireworks." V uttered apologetically. "But luckily I still could buy everything you need."

Nero snorted. I don't wanna linger there either. I hate useless crowds. "Why are you shopping so much?"

"As I intend to enroll you in school. Don't you see they're giving a discount? I can buy all this at half price; that's what's great about festivals."

"School? What is it?"

Valeska's eyebrows narrowed. "You don't know anything about school?"

Nero shook his head firmly, the look in his eyes saying that he indeed didn't know what school was.

"How about this? School is where you seek knowledge and form skills, where we learn to obey rules so that we are moral and civilized. That knowledge won't make you a fool to others—in short."

Oh, like the ridiculous classes I had to attend at Sunhaven Academy? I already graduated as a 'Scarfox' there.

"I have to think about your future too, Nero. As our life improved. " V patted Nero's shoulder. "I want the best for you. As long as you're with me, you should live a decent life."

"And what's all this for?" asked Nero, feeling strange; his brows furrowed in wonder. He couldn't fathom how every night V was always busy making things at Sir Walker's desk.

V smiled meaningfully; she tidied up all the utensils. "Gifts; I made them just for the two of us." She continued, showing a silver chain necklace with the Sun & Moon and sterling silver pendant black rope wristbands. "This is supposed to be a good luck charm that will protect us wherever we are. Yet it's not much; I hope you like it. I have a special name for this thing, only you know—Aliferous."

Nero didn't resist or comment when V put the necklace around his neck and the bracelet on his wrist. They glittered. This was Nero's most precious treasure, as V had made it. 

Finally, V gave her a hand-sewn flannel sweater. "Tada, this sweater will definitely suit you."

"You're really multitalented, huh?" Nero stated flatly, trying to hide the warm feeling that welled up inside his chest so that the blood rose to his jaw.

"I take it as a compliment; you're welcome, dude. The best gift I ever made, special for my lovely brother." Valeska kissed Nero's head.

Nero was jolting up, his hands cupping his face. He bowed deeply, then fled to the back of the kitchen. 

"Hey, why, where are you going? I have your favorite cake. Eat it first, Nero. What happened to him?" V muttered strangely, "I'm gonna take out the trash first."

Nero sneered, his cheeks blushing crimson now, heated by the boiling blood that rose to his tiny cheeks. Almost choking, he glanced at V, who had gone to the back of the kitchen, humming. Nero pressed his head. He was having trouble controlling his heart rate, which was racing so fast—making him short of breath.

"I'm so exhausted, I wanna hit the sack rapidly," V muttered, pushing the door with her back, enduring the aching pain in her left arm; she would need a cold ointment to relieve the sore. Under the raindrops that stabbed into her skin like icy needles. Valeska wanted to take a warm shower ASAP, then climb into a mild bed.

V lifted the lid of the trash can and headed back into the café—she was completely unaware of the black figure that had appeared before her; she was unprepared for the brutal attack. A crowbar smashed into her head and sent her crashing to the asphalt; bloodied.

Under the patter of the rain and the blazing lightning, rumbling as if a firing range in the sky. V could recognize the scarred face of the black figure, who now grinned viciously, standing smugly before her. Evil chuckled and echoed. "You think it's that easy to get away from me, bitch?!"

"Ugh! Ha..." V's tongue twisted, even screaming for help she was unable to. Three other black-robed men were also surrounding her. V was well aware; her life was in minefield right now.

The image of Nero flickered through V's mind, but that was all she was worried about—her brother's safety. Valeska was terrified of never seeing Nero again. There were so many hopes they had yet to realize. She was helpless as the two black figures shackled her hands, dragged her roughly, and crammed her into a van that seemed more like a rusty tin can.

"Nero..." V whimpered incoherently, the sore sapping her strength. Tears dripped down her cheeks as blood seeped out. The coldness of the rain was no longer felt on her skin.

Nero was frozen with horror; he dropped the plate in his hand when he felt the pressure of a burning pain—slashing his heart. Nero staggered from suffocation; his breathing labored, as if all his bones were crushed. All this intense, excruciating pain was not without cause—something bad had happened to Valeska. "No! V!"

From the back kitchen window, Nero's eyes bulged fiercely as he watched the five-robed gangsters kidnap V. The van sped off under the thunder and rain that was now falling heavily. Nero jumped out, trying to reach the damned van, but he was too late—the van was already out of his reach. Waltzed away, taking V by force.

"VALESKA!" Nero roared furiously. Breathing hard, his whole body felt the sore that was inflicted on V. Nero ran with all his might; he screamed in terror under the lashing rain—can't lose V like this. "I'LL SAVE YOU, V! HOLD ON! NO ONE CAN HURT YOU! Nobody can take us away!" he vowed. "I'll kill them all!"

***