Vaughn stepped inside slowly, grunting softly as he did so. His expression was a constant grimace, and his hand only gripped Kaz’s arm tighter. He glanced around the entryway of the home, an uneasy feeling in his stomach. This was not the time for his mental illnesses to be acting up again.
Kaz led him gently to the couch, making sure he was comfortable before fishing his phone out of his pocket. “I’m gonna call Cas, you’ll be okay,” he said softly before beginning to dial a number
Vaughn hummed in response, nodding slowly. He tugged up his button up and undershirt, checking the bandages. Sure enough, he was right. A few small spots of blood had begun to seep through the wrap.
Kaz began to talk quietly on the phone for a minute, nodding along as he spoke. He hung up a few minutes later, tucking his phone back into his pocket. “He can’t come in person, but he’s sending some high dosage pills.” As he put his phone away his hand knocked against something, and he pulled out a small pill bottle. He unscrewed it, dumping two blue-green pills out that shimmered oddly. He handed them to Vaughn before putting the bottle back in his jacket
“That’s fine, thank you,” Vaughn mumbled, taking the pills from Kaz. He didn’t feel like taking the pills. He wanted to sleep. Maybe it was the blood loss, maybe it was that he had barely slept the past few days, but he was absolutely exhausted. He popped the pills into his mouth, swallowing them dry.
“Those should have you patched up in n hour. You'll just get really, really drowsy after they fix you,” Kaz exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Vaughn gently as he spoke
“I’m already drowsy,” Vaughn said in a quiet tone, leaning against Kaz. It was true. Though he always knew that some people who were injured like he was have closed their eyes and never woken up. Yet his eyes still drooped shut every once in a while before snapping back open.
“It’s alright, love. Just take a little nap, I’ll be right here,” Kaz said softly, rubbing at Vaughn’s back soothingly as he hugged Vaughn a little closer to his chest
Vaughn bit his lip softly as he leaned back against Kaz’s chest. He let his eyes flutter shut, exhaling softly as he drifted off to sleep. Despite the dull pain in his stomach, this was probably the most relaxed he had been the whole time.
"Nor I any to you. I'm sorry for being nervous, but I hope you understand why." He did his best to match her tone, trying to level the conversation, "If I'm being honest, the only reason we're here and not on the road is because my friends got hurt. I don't ask favors from strangers unless I have to."
Dylan wasn't going to lie. He'd promised that much. But why they got hurt wasn't her concern. Yet.
Of course, if he was going to figure out why she was here, he might have to give his own reason. That wouldn't be necessary yet.
"So what did you need to talk to me about?"
"Why are you here? You can't be drunk tourists, you yourself stated you weren't so it's quite obvious." Artemis said.
(And Avery's just sitting in the truck, all alone. Lol.)
Dylan debated just letting Avery explain it. She had a better handle on the situation in full than he ever did.
Avery probably wasn't in the mood, though. She was still injured and, from the look on her face, not very happy with Dylan.
But if he didn't want to lie, it was better her than him.
"If you want the fast version, we're looking for a bad guy and a very powerful rock," he said, "The longer version might be better left to Aspect to explain. She's the girl we brought in. What about you?"
"Okay, so basically the plot of Avengers 1. Correct?"
Dylan smiled, shaking his head again, "I wish. As I said, there are more… intricacies than that. But for now I guess that works."
"How… insignificant. But as for why I am here, I am investigating a series of unusual murders."
Dylan raised an eyebrow, "Murders? How unusual are we talking? Keeping in mind that this is Africa."
"The internal organs are gone, except for the bones, brain, and eyes. And the bodies are also branded with an "X" symbol."
(Have you read back from the start? I just want to know because one of the antagonist's name starts with X, and he's got a couple guys working with him that could probably manage that. I didn't know if you were trying to get at that or not.)
(Have you read back from the start? I just want to know because one of the antagonist's name starts with X, and he's got a couple guys working with him that could probably manage that. I didn't know if you were trying to get at that or not.)
(Lol yeah kinda. Also I just wanted some gore sorry lol.)
(Wow, I'm here for a whole two seconds, guys!)
I guess I'll just sit here until I'm needed, Avery thought as she stared out the window.
The X symbol part of that was the one Dylan payed the least attention to at first. He was too busy imagining the bodies of victims who had nothing inside them but bone. It was only after a fair bit more shivering internally that he actually began to debate the X's meaning.
X. X as in crossed out? Or is it a name? Xavier, or…
Xelnarin.
His father's plans involving the Galaxy Stone apparently also involved gruesome murders and payed assassins. Lovely.
"I don't suppose you have a lead on the killer?" he asked, looking her dead in the eyes.
(Wait, isn't she still wounded?)
"No, no leads so far. Only bodies."
"Well I do. Let me go get Aspect fixed up. We might be able to work together on this." With that Dylan sat up and strode off towards the truck.
(Wait, isn't she still wounded?)
(Yeah. So she really can't do anything… She's just… bored, I guess.)
(Well, Dylan's inbound, so.)
Avery turned to face the house, wondering when someone would come to get her. Just as she was watching, she saw Dylan walk out and make his way over. She gave him a small smile as she waited for him to reach her.
"Avery! What the hell are you still here for?" Dylan exclaimed as he helped her out, taking her up in his carry, "You need to get patched up. Artemis! We need those meds!"
He began to trudge towards the house.