Thanks to the people who enabled me on this post, here's that spoiler I promised hehe.
From his spot atop a billboard, Robert watched thick columns of smoke rise in various places. Shouts, sirens, and cries for help began to fill the air as the harsh sound of tires squealing and glass shattering accompanied it, like a terrifying symphony of panic and terror.
He tapped the pack of cigarettes thrice against his palm before fishing one out, cursing at the fact that it was his last one, before lighting it up with the cheap lighter he'd swindled from a convenience store earlier that day.
In the past, Robert would have had a panic attack if he'd witnessed this scene slowly beginning to unravel. like an ugly flower blooming in an otherwise beautiful garden. He would have felt the terror of the people.
Now, he took a drag of his cigarette and watched.
A hero would have jumped to help. A villain would have joined in on the action. The worst thing any person could do, though, was remain stagnant as the world burned around them, unblinking and unwilling to care.
So, Robert reamined where he was and watched, knowing this was the Red Ring's doing and why it was being done.
Shroud was a smart man, even before he essentially installed a superpowered Windows 11 system into his head. Shroud thought he knew Robert.
Shroud's worst mistake was not seeing him for himself. If he had taken a look at Robert with his own two eyes, then he would have known something substantial had changed. Shroud's greatest flaw was that he virtually did none of his own dirty work unless it was to make a statement, so there had been no need to go after Robert himself. Not when he could send Toxic, or any other version of Red Ring underling to observe Robert or try to weasel their way into his life. Shroud was under the impression he was ahead by miles.
But you cannot predict a variable that you cannot see.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and warmth forced its way into his chest when he pulled it out and saw that Flambae was calling. Despite knowing the reason why he was calling, it was still nice to hear from him. They hadn't seen or heard from each other in two weeks, after all.
"Where the hell are you?" Flambae asked the minute Robert picked up the phone, his tone more concerned than it was angry.
"Torrance," Robert replied, taking another drag. "Watching."
There was a long moment of silence before Flambae said softly, "It's a mess out here. I know you wouldn't come back to help them. I'm not asking you to do that, Blu--Robert."
As foul a taste as it put in his mouth, Robert couldn't say no to Flambae. Especially not when he sounded so sweet saying his name like that.
"I have your location," Robert said, flicking his cigarette off the billboard. "Wait for me."
Happy spoiler, all you lovely people! Have fun chewing on this while I finish up Chapter 8 hehe. Lots of love to you all!
