Radley Blackfare :: Nine (fin - CB 4/5)

He sits, drumming his fingers against the wooden table, the soft glow of a candle illuminating his face. His eyes are cold, vast and empty like the ice that coats the streets. Across from him sits a man, calm and composed, the wrinkles on his face briefly illuminated as he takes a sip of his drink, before pointing a slender, accusing finger at him.

"You don't just abandon family, buddy."

Radley sighs, listening to the muddles sounds of the bar as the night drags on. He waited here for hours, observing every lonely face that walked through, watched the moonlight drip from the windowsills into the room, peaceful and powerful. His eyes flicker to the window as, suddenly, a crow perches outside, eyes black as he peers into the bar. He returns his attention to the man in front of him, sitting up in his chair.

"What you misunderstand, is that I left for his protection."

The man snickers, rolling his eyes and sitting back in his chair, smirking all the while.

"The biggest mistake I ever made was joining them. But I can't back out now."

Brothers and broken promises, he'd cleaned the bloodstains from his knuckles in the bathroom sink when he'd first gotten here. He leans forward now, face stern in the candlelight.

"There is something coming, and I don't want him to be a part of it." 

The man he speaks to narrows his eyes, breathing a long and heavy breath before he replies. 

"Fine. I'll shadow him for a few weeks. But Radley, you owe me one."

The boy rises, tossing a few bills and coins onto the table, nodding slowly as he gathers his things. 

"Here's the first payment. Meet back here each week, midnight."

He stops for a moment in the street, peering at the crow from before. 

Please be okay.