THE SUN HAD long lowered beyond the horizon when Silver left his cardboard hut.
He hated moving around at night. There was something about the dark that made humans less tame. It was disturbing to know that people would commit the most heinous of acts so long as they were certain others weren't there to witness it.
Ironically, that made it the safest time for him to sneak around, the cover of unveiled chaos allowing him to slip right past others' attention.
Silver stayed close to the buildings as he slunk closer to home. It was smarter to stay on the side of caution. Jay could have eyes out for him still; He seemed pretty pissed that Mr. Important was offed.
The sound of heavy feet crunching over broken glass had Silver reacting instantly. He scurried back as quiet as a mouse and folded himself behind an overflowing trash can.
The rancid smell of decomposing garbage stung his nose, and something was stabbing into the soft spot just below his left rib but Silver was stock-still. The chill air on his sweaty skin made him tense to ward off a full-body shiver.
"Dammit, can't see shit in ahhh~"
A loud yawn interrupted his complaint.
Footsteps came to a stop as he continued to mumble under his breath, forcing Silver to hold his own.
"How long does it take to find one fucking kid... Where's the flashlight?..."
The area lit up with the small beam of artificial light. Silver curled his shoulders in closer as the light seemed to sweep around the area.
He let out a burst of air as the light vanished and darkness blanketed the area once again.
"How much longer do we have to do this shit?"
Silver was still even after he was alone on the street again. So Jay was still looking for him and by the sound of it, he had gotten others to help.
He hesitated before stepping onto a main road from the small one he was on.
Going home right now is a bad idea. Do I go back to the dumpsite? But what about Erik?
Not seeing or hearing anything, Silver stepped out.
He froze.
The spotlight now on his back instantly burned through his clothes.
Silver turned, only to squint into the flash.
He jumped at the boisterous laugh that cut through the night.
It took a moment longer for his eyes to adjust to see the man holding his phone out as his shoulders shook with mirth. One of his hands moving up to wipe away a stray tear.
"That was so funny, I got ya good didn't I? Saw your shoes sticking out so I just had to make sure I wasn't hallucinating or some shit. Anyway, someone wants to see you, so let's go. I'm just about ready to pass out."
Silver would have long bolted, but the slow approaching shadow just behind the man caught his attention.
He stood in horrified fascination as a large, gloved hand covered the man's mouth and a knife cut through the delicate skin of his neck, dark blood pouring from the gaping wound before he slumped forward.
The phone clattered from his hand, taking the spotlight on Silver with it.
Two large hands were on his shoulders, shaking him before his brain could fully reconnect with his body.
"Goddammit Silver, the fuck have you done? Why are all these lowlifes looking for you?"
Erik looked roughed up, blonde hair untied and tangled. If he squinted, Silver could see the begins of a light bruise disappearing under his beard on his cheek.
Silver ripped himself away from his grip when he finally regained control of his body. Heightened emotions made him spit fire at the man. He couldn't even tell where his eyebrows were on his face, not that he gave a fuck.
"Me? It's all your fault for killing that important guy! Why'd you let me take the watch?"
"Is that why they're after you?"
"Yeah, I was at Tony's when some guy named Jay-"
"Stay hidden. I'll find you later."
"Where are you going?"
"To the house, there's something important I left there."
"Jay is there."
"I know."
There was no word of assurance, no check-up or glance over to make sure he was alright. Erik just melted back into the blackness like he was shadow itself, leaving Silver without another word.
Silver huffed, brushing himself off to distract himself from his hands that still shook.
He would like to say that he did what natural self-preservation dictated he do and stayed away from his damn house. Erik was a grown man and a killer; He could take care of himself.
Unfortunately, the truth is much more disappointing.
Thirty minutes... He lasted thirty minutes hiding before he said fuck it and ran towards his home.
Strangely he didn't run into a single thug scouring the streets for him. Perhaps the search was called off. Silver wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
The matchbox house was deceptively quiet when Silver finally turned onto his street.
With the help of the dim moonlight, he could make out lumps around the vicinity. A few yards closer, it became clear they were dead bodies scattered about like sprinkles.
The dim yellow light from inside shone past the front door that hung open by its hinges. Where the handle and lock used to be was now a mangled mess of splintered and marred wood.
Silver paused at the sound of voices floating out. The first muffled before turning into loud curses and unveiled threats.
"Who paid you?"
A hoarse chuckle, followed by a pained cough made Silver's shoulders stiffen.
DammitErik.
"I never know who pays me."
"Bullshit, no decent hitman is dumb enough to take a contract and not have a plan in case things go sideways."
"Not for this one. It was supposed to be my last."
"Trying to be a better father to your kid?"
The silence was deafening, and within it something moved in Silver's chest. He would have never guessed that Erik cared for him that much.
"Too bad. If you really have no information, then I can just kill you now."
"Stop!"
Silver rushed into the room without a single thought in his head. He just didn't want Erik to die. He wasn't sure what he would do if Erik died.
Jay's eyes light up as if he just recognized an old friend.
"Silver, you're a little late to the party but not to worry. You came just in time for cake. Here, eat up."
Silver flinched as a balled-up piece of paper rolled to a stop at his feet.
His gaze focused on the image that became more visible as he smoothed out the photo.
A woman standing beside a man contentedly, the serene smile on her face pointing slightly downward to the bundle nestled in her arms. She leaned against the man, who stood sturdy with a look on his face that mirrored hers. Complete and utter joy.
Silver almost didn't recognize Erik. He was clean-shaven, a lot cleaner. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen him smile.
Silver looked up at where Jay was waiting patiently over his injured father, as if waiting for a big outburst.
Disappointment awaited him.
Silver could tell the picture was old, and he knew for certain that the baby the woman was holding wasn't him. This was Erik's past, and that's all he needed to know. It changed nothing.
Seeming to recognize, Jay's shoulders slumped.
"Well, that was pretty anticlimactic."
Turning to Erik who knelt on the floor, Jay scratched at his hair with the butt of his gun.
"Is there any way I can persuade you to tell me any information you have, of course, with life of your son and this other family you have on the line?"
Erik heaved a deep breath before a wince crumpled his brow as the movement aggravated his open wounds.
"Haven't even spoken to them for over ten years. Couldn't even tell you what they look like now."
Jay clicked his teeth together in annoyance.
"I don't have time for this bullshit."
Erik didn't so much as flinch as the gun found its way back to his head.
"We both know you were bound to die this way."
The gun banged loudly in his ears; The ringing subsided moments later for Silver to realize someone was screaming.
Silver ran toward where his father lay in a splatter of his own blood, the hole in the center of his forehead blurring as tears gathered, blocking his vision. Silver gripped him by the collar as if shaking him would bring him back to life.
He was rude, an asshole, and barely held enough etiquette to consider him human... much less a parent or father figure. But damn it all if he wasn't the only thing Silver had in this godforsaken place that didn't work against him.
He was screaming.
"Dad!"