Dead.

Mikey's P.O.V


Sweaty palms, distant voice, and a headache. I was experiencing all of this and much more. This was...hard. This was scary-Gerard the Raven, Frank the partner-me, the friend. I was stuck on the couch, not wanting to move. Frank's hand brushed against my back. He tried to comfort me through his words, but I blocked him out. I knew Frank for so long, and I knew he lies his way through everything but murder?

I looked at Frank. We locked eyes, "H-how...many did you...?"

Frank didn't move, "I don't think it's good to tell you-"

"How many?" I asked again.

Frank quickly replied, “Just 03...or 02...I can’t and really don’t want to go into detail, okay? I’m not the enemy here.”

“Yes you are! I could care less right now if you’re my friend-you killed people, Frank...don’t you see how cruel that is? Taking someone’s life away with the stab of a knife? Don’t you see how bad that is?” My emotions were all hope as I stared at him, waiting for an answer.

Frank stared back at me for a bit before sighing loudly, covering his face in the palms of his hands. He shook his head, “No...I don’t. It felt good, Mikey...and just a little-I regret killing. Gerard introduced me to it, and I would’ve been fine without it...but I also liked it. It made me feel light on my feet...you wouldn’t understand.” His face moved away from his hands. There were tears forming in his eyes as he added, “And as soon as things got chaotic with Toro, I knew I had to stop...but if it weren’t for Toro and his up closing on the case...I would have never stopped.” Frank didn’t make eye contact, “Now the only thing I care about now is protecting you from Gerard. He thinks by killing you, he’s protecting us.” Frank’s hazel eyes sparked, “You have to promise me that you will not tell anyone-especially Toro. If you do, I’ll be put in jail and Gerard is on the loose, looking for blood and for sure he’ll have your head.” Frank’s hand held onto mine, “Do you understand?”

I glanced at our hands, “You can’t protect me forever, Frank.”

Frank nodded, “I know. That’s why when Gerard makes a move on you, I’ll have to make a move on him.”

“What does that mean?”

Frank reeled me into his arms. I was stunned by his unexpected empathy. He replied softly, his words brushing through my hair, “It means...I might have to put an end to The Raven.”

Notes