Page 32 of Ravaged By the Dark

“I keep telling you, brother, that you really need to start watching the news.” Trev laid down the tablet and pressed play.

“So, can you tell us what happened here,” a pretty brunette reporter asked the manager from yesterday.

“These masked men came in and started shooting the place up. People were screaming and running in every direction. I thought I was a dead man. He had me on my knees with a gun to my head.” The man rambled, his voice shaky. “They kept telling me to beg for my life, or they’d burn the place down with everyone in it…all those people.”

“I know this must be difficult to talk about so soon, but can you tell us how you survived? How did all these people get out,” she asked.

“There was this man. He came out of nowhere like a superhero, and he shot the men. I hope the police never catch him. He saved our lives. Whoever you are, stay hidden,” the manager yelled at the camera.

“Well, it seems L.A. has a murdering vigilante on its hands. Although no video can be found of who this man may be, we do have a composite sketch provided by the police on our website. If you see anyone matching the description, please call the police right away.”

“No! No, don’t call the cops! He’s a hero! Run—” The feed was cut before the man could say anymore.

Arek rubbed at his temples, the beginnings of a headache wanting to form. “That could’ve been anyone you know. Why did you assume it was me?”

“Come now, brother, you must know by now that I don’t draw any conclusion without having airtight evidence to back me up. I managed to get my hands on the preliminary autopsy findings, and it shows that the men had a perfect kill-shot to the head. Right between the eyes, I might add.”

“Have you seen the sketch,” Arek asked, not confirming or denying his brother’s claim.

“Of course I have, and it looks more like Arnold Schwarzenegger than you, so you are safe unless one of the people from the arcade sees you on the street. My suggestion would be to lay low, and by that, I mean no more fun day excursions. In the meantime, I am preparing myself for anyone thinking that I’m you.”

“Anyone could’ve made that shot. It doesn’t prove it was me,” Arek weakly argued.

“Oh, trust me, I know it doesn’t. But, here’s the funny thing, when I checked Delilah’s GPS, guess what she told me?” Trev feigned surprise, and Arek wanted to punch his brother and then himself for not thinking to wipe the info from the Hummer.

“Okay, fine. I was there with Renee for a relaxing day that definitely took a left turn. Actually, it went sideways off a steep cliff. She was terrified, and I had to kill three people, not exactly a great second date.”

Trev walked over to the cappuccino machine and set the machine to start. “And let me guess, you just couldn’t help getting involved. You just had to jump into the mix? Play the hero as the man said?”

“Trev, it wasn’t like that. We were trapped in the damn arcade. And yes, I probably could’ve made it out the back door, but you wouldn’t have been able to leave all those kids behind to die either, so don’t even start that shit with me. I made sure that all traces of me were wiped. I can’t do anything about those that saw my face unless you are fine with me killing a bunch of terrified children. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of saving them, though.”

“Hmm, I guess you’re right about that. I don’t like assholes that shoot up kids. Do you know who they were?” Trev sipped his drink and leaned against the counter as they stared at one another.

“No. But the one I got up close and personal with did have a very weird tat on his neck. It did look gang-like, but shit, it looked familiar somehow. The guy was white, maybe an emerging white supremacist group or homegrown terrorists? I’ll send you the photo.”

“Okay, so tell me what else is going on? You wouldn’t look this haggard over a little gun-play. Normally, you’d be rejuvenated.”

Arek leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face.

“How do you do it,” Arek finally asked.

“Do what exactly?”

“Go so long without sex. You’re like a fucking sex camel. How do you go so long and still look awesome? I look like I’m dying of a terminal disease.”

“This is one of those moments where I’m not sure if you’re actually complimenting me or making fun of my personal life.” Trev glared at him from across the room.

“No, I’m fucking serious. This girl…I don’t know what to do, but one thing is for sure she is giving me blue balls, man. It’s been like three weeks since I’ve gotten laid. Even deployed, I had a steady supply of ass every night. I can’t handle this.”

The corner of Trev’s mouth pulled up, and Arek knew his brother was amused.

“Oh, I’m very well aware. I shared a room with you, thankfully for a very short period of time. Remember? Most of the time, you kept a sock on the door like it was a fucking college dorm room.” Trev wandered over with his cappuccino and one of the fresh scones off the platter on the island. “There is a reason I took to sleeping by the bonfire, and it wasn’t because it was comfortable.”

“Whatever, the point is what am I supposed to do?”

“Are you really asking me this question?” Trev tilted his head and stared at him. Arek had a sudden urge to throw something at his brother.

“Of course I’m actually asking, and don’t look at me like that,” Arek grumbled. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his perfectly put-together, cool-as-a-cucumber brother.