Page 49 of A Dead Man's B-Side
This information only solidified my beliefs that something worse was at play, like the formation of a cult. But for now, I chose to not draw any attention to myself. I’ve dodged the reaper on countless occasions, and if force was placed upon me, I would do it again.
Death and I have gotten to know each other quite intimately, in fact. Like a game of tag one of us was winning.
The space I occupied felt too tight, and my long legs, although stretched out, ached. I lifted my arm over Paris and placed it along the couch behind her. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mind, only crossing her arms and asking what I knew we’d all been thinking, “What happens if we change our minds after this meeting?”
Thaddeus smiled again, a strangely familiar, eerie smile. “I hope you all understand the importance the board places on secrecy.”
She leaned back, and I could feel the heat of her against my arm. “Oh yes, of course, sir. But… humour me.”
I suppressed a smile at the slow narrowing of Thaddeus’s eyes, delivered after her words. It didn’t look like he took offence to her tone or words. More like, he took offence to the inconvenience shewas now causing him. “You’ll be disposed of.”
She didn’t mind his bluntness and only hummed in contemplation.
I wondered how everyone else was taking his words.
They say when an animal is fearful to the point of death, their body releases all of the urine in preparation for such. August was most likely holding it in.
And from the looks of it, Marigold as well.
“Any more questions?” Though, he didn’t sound as though he was open to answering any.
I looked at his ring finger.
Ah.
I spoke but only for the hell of it, my mouth moving and the words coming as if by second nature. “Are there any methods the board is prone to? If so, are we privy to such information? Are we allowed a choice on how we wish to go?”
There was a small voice in my mind telling me that I’djustmentioned keeping a low profile.
I ignored it, watching his heavy gaze land on me instead. The smile he regarded Paris with turned into a shark’s grin. “Are you preparing for anything, Miroslav?”
I shrugged and pursed my lips, enjoying the adrenaline slowly pumping into my veins. “Just curious.”
Thaddeus tilted his head and seemed to genuinely consider my question. “Well, I’ve never been on such a receiving end. I suppose you’ll have to figure that out on your own.”
I liked this man. He was direct, honest and didn’t shy away from harsh responses. I would much rather him than someone who’d placate me with pretty lies decorated in white bows.
August spoke then, “Do we get back to you on such information?”
Thaddeus glanced at his watch. “I prefer that you act as though you don’t know me outside of this room. High school students are entirely too dull to be around.”
Ajax scoffed with slight offence. “Why is that?”
“I can assure you, everything you know, I already knew twenty years ago. The conversation would be least beneficial.”
“But you don’t know how we’ll be disposed of?” August, unluckily, seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back, and ended up being on the receiving end of Thaddeus’ ire. “Get out.”
“What? But he–” August squealed out loudly and pointed to Ajax, who reared back with a curl of his lips at what would have been an accusation if Thaddeus had let him finish. He most likely was imagining all the ways the board woulddisposeof him. I watched the ground for any traces of urine but didn’t find any.
I was impressed. August was stronger than he looked.
“You’ll stand outside for sixty seconds, and I want you to count them out loud, with your left leg up. You can return to your place silently upon the completion of your punishment.”
August looked almost relieved that he wasn’t being sent out to his death, and shoved up with a grumble, stomping out but sliding the door shut quietly like a good little boy, not wanting the sixtyseconds to turn into sixty minutes.
Twenty years ago.
At Thaddeus’ words, I wondered how old he was. And though I would prefer not to find myself standing next to August right outside, I couldn’t help but ask, “How old are you?”
