#declan vera

"Freaky Weather"

For @cabintober (Featuring Declan Vera from Black Monday/Cabin Tales 2.6)

Cabin Tales 2.6

Black Monday

Who do you think is listening to you?

Uncensored below 👇

Even though the kid would not understand anything he says, he wanted to apologize. To say sorry for being a failure of a father to them. He opened his mouth, but all he could muster was a murmur.

He could feel himself almost sob, but then he heard the doorbell ring. He stepped away from the crib, and straightened his posture as he headed to the door.

When he answered it, he almost gasped in shock. It was someone who was holding a fruit basket, a look of concern or pity on their face. But that wasn't what made him shocked. That wasn't what made him scared.

It was who waited at his door.

"Wh-why the fuck are you here?"

"Quiet, now. You wouldn't want your child to hear that kind of language, do you?"

Matthew tried to contain his shaking. How was he here? How did he know where he lived?

Oh right. He's the founder of that stupid news program.

"....What do you want?"

"I just want to send my get well wishes. I'm really sorry about what happened before. We met at such a bad time. I've been thinking... Maybe we can start things off on the right foot?"

Matthew scoffed. "That's rich coming from the person who shot me."

"In self defense."

"Yeah. Right."

The older man walked into the apartment and set the basket down on the table. "I made sure to pick some for your wife, too. She must be so tired." He smiled. "You know, I used to sing a song to my wife when my two young ones were born."

"I don't want to hear your life story. Say whatever you want and get out. If you don't, I'll get a restraining order."

Declan tilted his head. "Ordering restraining orders on someone who was worried? That doesn't sound like something a stable person would say."

"I-I'm fine! I really-"

"I know of some good doctors in the area. They can help you out there. With everything that happened, no doubt you're gonna..."

"Stop!! I know what you're doing! You were the one who shot me and then did whatever you did! Spun some story to make me look like a monster! Y-You ruined my life!!"

"Did I? Or did you go on a drug bend and attacked me out of nowhere? While I was out with the archbishop?"

Matthew tried to speak, but Declan held his shoulder in a tender way. "Forgiveness is a virtue. Holding on to hate is not good for you."

"Stop... I'm serious. I will kick you out if you don't leave."

"Hmm... You seem to be really struggling. I can tell." He slipped something into his pocket, making Matthew tense up. "I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to make things right."

Matthew reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. It was for a local bar. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

Matthew stared at him. Why would he want to talk to the guy who ruined his life?

Declan turned to leave, but stopped short when he reached the doorknob. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I know you and your family are struggling. Dealing with lawsuits and all that... I would suggest you drop it."

"What...?"

"You have a child now. You don't want what happened to tear your family apart. You don't want your child to hate you once she's old enough to understand, do you?"

Hate. His child is going to hate him when they grow up. They'll see the news before he can do anything to stop it. Who would believe him at this point? His friends left him, blocked his number - Even his own parents seem to be ignoring him. Maddie and the baby are all he has left.

"From one father to another, I would suggest dropping this. If you do... I'll retract everything."

Matthew blinked. "What?"

"If you drop the lawsuits, I'll retract everything. I will say it's me making something up for my dying news station. Dementia setting in for this old man."

Is he serious? Would he actually drop everything if he dropped the charges...?

"Of course, even if I do that, no one's gonna come back to you. Your friends won't come back, no one would hire you - Forgive my French, but you're fucked, my friend."

Matthew fell to the floor. Why isn't he saying anything? Why isn't he screaming? Why isn't he fighting back?

"I think your wife wants to take you out to dinner. An Italian place? Haven't been to one in a long time. You should invite me there sometime."

Matthew didn't look up as Declan left. He couldn't get up to throw away the card, throw the basket out the window.... because he was right.

No one is coming back to him. No matter how hard he tried, he can never get back what he lost. He had been struck down in the prime of his life.

"Wait!" A voice behind him says.

He looks to her direction. "Yeah?"

She spoke quickly, and she sounds more nervous than him. Strange. He should be the one more nervous, considering he's the one with the meeting today.

"I... I think I should go with you. You might leave something by accident."

He thinks for a moment, and nods. He didn't want to upset her, and she looks insistent on doing this. "Sure, just until we get to the building. I can take it from there."

"Thank you. That means a lot. And remember, dinner tonight."

Matthew chuckles. "Of course. I'd never forget that."

----

This was going to be a bit difficult than she thought. Madeline was already experiencing New York traffic first hand. The train was packed with people trying to get to work, some of them engaging in heated arguments. Matthew tapped his foot, looking at his watch. "C'mon..."

"This is New York transit. We're currently experiencing some delays, but we'll be expected to be running smoothly in a few minutes. Thank you for your patience."

"Are you kidding me?!"

Madeline held his hand. "Matt, remember. Be cool."

"S-Sorry. Looks like we're gonna be walking. Stay close to me."

The couple exited the train, weaving through the sea of people as they left the station. The sick feeling in Madeline's stomach only grew as they walked. She hoped it wasn't another round of morning sickness. She didn't want to throw up in the middle of the sidewalk.

Luckily, Matthew was there to help her as he leaned her against him. At that moment, his phone rang. "Great..." He muttered before he answered.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

"Yeah, the J was backed up. I'm gonna be a bit. Sorry about that."

"Look, just start without me, okay?"

"No, yeah - excuse me! - Big day, I know, I know!"

There was a bit before he smiled.

"Okay, you're a lifesaver! I'll see you soon."

He hung up, sighing. "Sorry about that. They're riding my ass already!"

"Yeah, I can tell. Promise me you'll keep your cool today?"

"Yeah, I will. We still on for dinner tonight?"

"Hmm... What do you choose?"

Matthew screwed his face in a way that made her giggle. "I don't know. You pick."

"Usually, I'd go for Japanese or Chinese food, but I'm not feeling it today."

"Hmm... How about an Italian place? Haven't been to one of those in a long time!"

"Oh, that's wonderful! Okay, we'll go there after the meeting."

"Okay, great! You're the best!"

"No, you are!"

Matthew rolled his eyes and gave her a nose kiss.

Soon, they were at Matthew's work place. The New York Stock Exchange. They were supposed to be having a meeting about the new AI technology that could corner the stock market. Madeline had no clue how the stock market worked, but Matthew was the expert.

"Okay, I can take things from there. See you tonight?"

"Yeah. See ya!"

With a quick kiss, Matthew started up the stairs. As she watched, she could feel herself starting to calm down a bit. Maybe this whole thing really was just a dream. Maybe the meeting will go off without a hitch, they'll go to dinner and she'll surprise him with her little one.

As she turned, she heard Matthew scream something. "Hey! Watch where the fuck you're going, pal!"

She sighed. Didn't she just tell him to keep his cool? Rolling her eyes, she turned back to scold him only to freeze.

There, standing in front of her husband, was him. The bastard that took everything from her. He had his back turned, but she could tell from his hat that it was him. As Matthew continued to rant, the man pulled a gun out of his back pocket.

She was already running, pushing through the crowd. Please, please let me make it in time! I don't care if I die! At least my husband will be spared!

"STOP IT, PLEASE!!"

The gunshot that echoed throughout the street rendered her immobile. She could do nothing as Matthew's abdomen exploded. His suit, freshly pressed for the big meeting, was now stained in red. A strangled scream escaped her as he fell to the ground.

Everyone that was walking past the debacle was now staring, eyes widened by what just transpired. Some of them were running away, screaming to call the cops. The once bustling New York Street had devolved into chaos. Matthew writhed on the ground, coughing up blood as he looked at this man. He recognized him.

DeClan Vera. The founder of the Global News. What was he doing here? Why was he here? But his questions were already answered. Looking into his eyes, he could see nothing but boredom. Through his blurring vision, he swore he could see him smirking at him.

"P-Please..."

DeClan said nothing as he pointed his gun at him again. There was no doubt about it. He was about to kill him. Matthew was nothing more than a pig ripe for the slaughter.

"No, no, wait! Wait!!"

DeClan still held his smirk as he put his finger on the trigger. Matthew, the once confident man with a hot temper was reduced to a cowering, sniffling mass of flesh bleeding out on the ground. DeClan saw no need for humans begging for their lives like this. It was part of the hunt, the thrill.

He began to hum a tune. Matthew was bewildered when he realized what he was humming. Is he... humming the Star Spangled Banner?!

DeClan rocked back and forth, continuing to hum as he tapped his finger on the trigger. He was playing with his prey, giving them one last bit of hope for living before snuffing it out. He was like a giddy little kid, excited for the newest toy. As he neared the end of the song, he mouthed - no, sang the last verses.

"O'er the land of the free."

He pressed the trigger ever so slightly.

"And the home of the brave."

Before he could pull the trigger, Madeline tackled him, catching him off guard. The scuffle lasted only a few seconds before DeClan slipped and fell. The two of them tumbled down the stairs before sprawling out on the ground. Madeline scrambled back to her feet. Since she was young and more agile, she was able to get up with ease. DeClan, meanwhile, was having trouble getting up. Looking to Maddie, he smiled. "Huh. You're the wife."

"Get away from my husband, you fucking psycho!"

"Hehehe. He ran into me. He provoked me first. Self-defense, y'know?"

I hope his kids get the inherritance money and fast