Misfits - Chapter 27 (Patreon)

A rare moment in life. What is that? What do you consider your rare moment? Something that hardly ever comes right? Or maybe, a moment of peaceful solitude, where nothing can kill your mood or desire. Maybe even a vision of some sort, something that you will never see again.

My rare moments in life now, are being with Rue. I barely see her. I'm busy all the time, doing jobs for Vitale. Trying to find out where this man is located, to take him down. I miss her. I don't even get to come home and pull her close to me. She knows what I do now. She knows what happens when I'm out. And she shows me she knows. I see it when she stares at me in disappointment.

And now, was another rare moment. She's quietly laying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. I guess she didn't hear me enter. Either that or she's ignoring me. I don't care though. I study her. Because now, she's the woman I fell in love with.

She's wearing a tank top and a pair of loose-fitting shorts. I can see her form perfectly. I can also see her thick lashes reaching towards the sky as she lay on her back. I can't help but wonder what it is she's thinking about. What is it that she's so occupied within her mind? I miss her smile. I miss that carefree girl that she used to be, once she realized she was free. Now she was constantly thinking about her morals and what was right and wrong.

With each job, I finally located Boris Viktor. But I've been stalling to carry out the plan. Because once I hit him, I would have to keep a sharp eye on Rue. School begins again for her in 2 weeks. But she can't go back. She'll be a sitting duck. But I can't bring myself to tell her she can't go to the one thing that makes sense in her life.

I feel irritation bubbling up within me at Vitale. Now that I had someone that I actually cared about, it forces me to realize what a nuisance he really is. What a coward. And how much I dislike him. I never paid much attention, because I had no one to worry about, and I did what he asked purely for enjoyment. But now that Rue would be in danger because of his plans that he was too weak to do himself, I found an issue with him.

"Princess." She blinks but doesn't respond to me. I'm literally at a loss.

"what do you want me to do," I say. She furrows her brow slightly and turns on the couch meeting my gaze. I take a step forward, just needing to be closer to her.

"Just tell me what I need to do, baby, and I will do it." Once I'm in front of her, I kneel down so that my eyes are level with hers.

"I can't take this anymore. I need you. I miss you. I miss your smile. Just, tell me what I need to do Rue. Please," I say. She studies me for a moment and sits up on the couch.

"Stop killing people," she says. I stare at her in confusion. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. A sad smile crosses her face, and she reaches out, pressing her palm flat against my cheek.

"Apparently not everything, Callum." My heart stops. I feel a tightening in my chest. Callum. She called me, Callum. I shake my head at her in disbelief. I can't remember the last time I felt any physical pain, but this was probably the closest thing to it.

I stand, still watching her in confusion, and exit the room.

* * * * *

Cal is sitting next to me in the driver's seat. He hasn't spoken a word to me in 3 days. Not that it would have changed anything. I haven't bothered speaking to him either. I tried to make it work, I really did. But my moral way of living made that impossible. He wouldn't even change for me, that's how far gone he is.

Cal is speeding to the upscale side of town. He woke me up this morning, with barely a word and told me to get in the car. I look over at him and his face is blank of any emotion. He has one hand on the steering wheel, and one lightly resting under his chin. I want to ask him what is going on, but I feel like he wouldn't tell me.

The ride takes us 30 minutes, and we finally reach our destination. Cal pulls up to a gate, and punches in a code, causing the gate to slowly push open. We pull into really nice apartments. Like really nice.

Cal pulls around to the front of one and still doesn't speak. I wonder what we're doing at apartments of all places? Cal gets out of the car, and I follow suit. He walks to the door straight ahead and pulls a key out of his pocket. He unlocks the door, stepping inside and I follow suit.

The apartment is beautiful. White carpet adorns the floor, with deep red paint on the wall to set off the white. There is expensive furniture and a large flat-screen TV. Cal motions in front of him, and I begin walking through the apartment. There's a bedroom down the hall, and I look in it. The room is a soft peach color, and the sheets are white lace. The room has a vintage feel to it. It's very beautiful.

"Do you like it?" Cal's voice startles me. I turn to look at him, completely shocked by his tone. He's cold. And detached. He's never spoken to me like that. I slowly nod my head, and finally, he gives me emotion. But it breaks my heart. I feel dread settling in the pit of my stomach.

Cal is smiling at me. But it's a sad smile.

"Good." He walks close to me, grabbing my hand and placing the keys in it.

"It's yours."

My heart drops into my stomach and quite honestly I'm at a loss for words. My mind goes completely blank as I try and think about what the hell is even happening.

"What?" I ask in utter confusion. He reaches out lightly grabbing my chin. His usually bright and intense eyes are filled with deep despair.

"I'm letting you go. This is your apartment. It's completely paid off, so you can go to school without interruption, and get your degree." A small laugh escapes his lips. As he snaps his fingers together.

"And be a... teacher," he says. He glances at me, but I can't move. I feel numb but he continues not paying attention to my lack of enthusiasm.

"I kinda knew all along. Just loved teasing you," he says with a small smile.

"Vitale said the strangest thing to me. He told me that when you love someone, you put their needs before your own. I love you, Rue. More than my next breath. And this is what you need. To be away from me. I'm no good for you. But I can do good for you," he says. He bends over, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. I feel warm liquid running down my face, and realize I'm crying.

"You're leaving me?" I whisper. Cal looks devastated at my words but pushes curls out of my face.

"Not leaving you. Just... doing what's best for you. I'll never be the man for you, Princess." I'm full-on crying now, and I look away trying not to let him see. He places his hands underneath my chin, bending over and giving me a smile.

"You're good. And kind. I'm not. I can never be. And I never will be."

"I love you, Rue. I always will," he says. He kisses me on the top of my head and turns to leave. I act out of reflex.

"Wait! Cal...," I whisper. I grab onto his arm. I open my mouth, but I don't know what to say. He stands still with his back to me. He takes a deep breath and jerks his arm out of my grasp. It's so sudden I stumble a little bit. He looks at me, and I want to shrink from his gaze. He's a complete stranger standing before me.

"I've killed 7 people this week." Tears well up in my eyes and I open my mouth, but I don't know what to say. Not in the very least. He raises his brow at me and throws his hands in the air.

"And out of those 7, I was only authorized to kill 4 of them. Is that what you want, Rue?"

"Cal stop.." I beg him, not wanting to hear anymore. But his eyes only narrow more and more at me.

"You tell me to stop, you tell me we'll work it out, you tell me you love me, when will the lies end Rue!" I flinch from his tone.

"This is the truth, Rue. This is me! The ugly, horrible me. And I can't change that. I never will!" He steps closer to me, in my space, and grabs ahold of my cheeks, pleading with his eyes.

"Please. Just let me do this. Let me be the man that you love." I stare at him in horror, tears falling freely on my face. A sad smile appears on his face.

"I love you. And now, I've proved that to you." He leans in giving me a kiss on the forehead and lingers before he pulls away. He immediately turns away from me, not sparing me a backward glance, as he heads out the door and out of my life.

I don't know how long I sit here crying. I cry until my sobs are almost nonexistent and I can only moan my pain. He left me. He's gone. Just like that and he's gone. The light that once streamed in through the windows has transitioned to darkness. The moon casting its glow on the walls.

A low knock sounds on the door. It's so low, I almost miss it. But it's there. My heart accelerates as the thought of who it could possibly be running through my mind. It's Cal. It has to be. He came back to me! I jump up from my spot on the floor, sprinting to the door and swinging it open.

* * * * *

Cal

Rage. An emotion I've become all too familiar with. And it's all directed towards Vitale. Giving Rue up is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. By far. I don't like to lose. And I sure as hell don't like giving away what's mine. Especially when it comes to anything personal.

Vitale won't even give me the evening off to sulk about it. He calls me as soon as I step foot into my house, telling me he has some important news. Maybe he's pissed because I still haven't discovered Viktor's hiding place. Or maybe he figures I'm stalling on carrying out the plan. Which I am. For Rue's sake.

I pull the vial I keep with me. The only blood I've ever collected, and the person is still living. Rue. I miss her already. I want to go back and tell her I'm a fool. But I can't. I love her, and this is what people do for those they love. They do what's best for them.

I pull up to Vitale's, getting out and walking up the steps. The front door is opened before I even place my hand on the knob. Two of Vitale's men are gazing at me, with a steady gaze. I vaguely note that their guns are at the ready. Hm.

I stalk past them, and Vitale is already making his way towards me. His usually boisterous charm is absent.

"Callum. My friend. Welcome." He offers me a smile, but it's off. Way off. I also notice the slight tremble of his voice. As if he knows something that will set me off. That will put him in harm's way.

"Hey," I say, trying to keep my composure. I don't want him to think I already know something is up. He comes up to me, placing his arm around my shoulder.

"Walk with me," he says. He leads me up the stairs, his men following closely behind with their fingers hovering over the trigger. Hm.

"Callum. I have been nothing but good to you all these years, have I not?" Vitale asks. I nod my head slowly.

"And you have been absolutely great for me as well, I won't lie," he smiles.

"But.. there seems to be a bit of a snag in our relationship as of late, and you have been harder and harder to control," he says stepping away from me. His smile disappears, and he's watching me with a calculated expression. I finally realize that there is a large door in front of me. Before I can question anything though, Vitale steps in front of me, turning the knob and pushing open the door.

I hear the sound of guns shifting, and I don't have to look to know that they're aimed at me. I take a step into the room, and the lights are turned on, casting a warm glow across the lavishly decorated bedroom.

My stomach drops and my heart stops as my eyes land on the bed. Rue. My footsteps falter as I take in the scene in front of me.

She's literally chained. There's a collar around her throat, with a chain keeping her locked on the headboard. There are also cuffs around her wrists with a chain locking her to the bed. Her eyes slowly open, and land on me. She's only in a tank top and underwear. And she's here. In Vitale's home. Chained.

"Cal?" Her voice comes out soft and shaky. She's obviously scared. I don't think. A roar emits from me as I charge at Vitale, already reaching for my knife. But he's smart.

"Ah ah." He scolds just as a shot echoes throughout the room, but instead of hitting me as I expect, I hear Rue's scream. My heart jumps and I look over to see a chip in the wooden headboard. But Rue is thankfully unscathed.

"Don't do anything stupid, Callum. I'd hate to see your precious flower harmed because you can't control yourself." I can feel my body vibrating with rage. How dare he. At this moment, I hate Vitale. Any kind of reserved feeling I had for him is out the window. He has crossed the line.

"Listen to me, Callum. And listen well. I want Viktor's head on a platter. Understand? And I will not let you stand in the way of that any longer." His gaze turns sinister.

"Do as I say, and your flower will live. But if you so much as stray from the plan, I will end your flower faster than you can say sorry." I gaze at Vitale with all the hatred I can muster. I'm going to kill him. No matter what. I always expected someone to use Rue against me, but not Vitale. He just signed his own death warrant.

"Ok," I growl out. I turn away from him, heading over to Rue. He doesn't stop me. He doesn't need to. He knows he's got me.

I take a seat on the edge of the bed. She's shivering. Her gaze wanders up to me. I feel my heartbreak. I move my hands and grab ahold of the chains around her wrists.

"Damn," I growl out.

"I'm going to get you out of here, princess. I promise," I say. She stares at me, with wide eyes, and I pull her into a hug.

"I'm so sorry. I should have never left you. Never." She's shaking under me.

"Can you at least put some clothes on her?" I say loud enough for Vitale to know I'm talking to him.

"Not until you get me some kind of result," Vitale says. I stand and turn to face him.

"Unlock her hands. I'll get you your damn results. Just unlock her," I say. Vitale motions to one of his men, and they immediately come over to take the cuffs off of her wrists. She doesn't hesitate to throw her arms around my neck and squeeze me. I close my eyes, reveling in the contact.

"I love you, Rue. You know that." I feel her tears as they soak my shirt. She slightly nods her head.

"I'm going to get you out of here," I say again.

"I love you."

She sniffles in the crook of my neck.

"I love you too," she whispers.

And I hold her for as long as I can. Because I know, the moment I leave, it will be a while before Vitale allows me to touch her again. He has me locked in and he knows it. But what he doesn't know is that he has crossed me. And I want him dead. And I will not rest until that "want" is fulfilled.