Chapter 14: Torment

The bar was empty.

Keon sat on the stool near the door, TV playing in the background, rain cascading down the windows in rivulets. His eyes followed their path, mesmerized as the water split, only to meet up once again or completely stray altogether.

What was he doing with his life?

He groaned and leaned back against the counter, eyes staring at the drab, cracked ceiling. A fan whirred above him, a light breeze brushing over him. The bar was close to closing, but he couldn't even force himself to clean up.

His mind wandered. Cassius had been out of the house for the past few days. There was some kind of important meeting coming up, so his master currently lived and breathed politics. Since it was never a conversation that was brought up at home, Keon never asked. Although, he had promised to introduce him to Jaye soon when he wasn't as busy.

He looked like a kicked puppy on the walk home from the bar that night, those few weeks ago. Not that big of a deal. Well, the Jaye part, anyway.

That day at the bar, Lucky had ignored the slew of questions Blue threw at him while Cassius easily deflected them. All Blue really wanted to know was if Jaye was attractive. Lucky said no, but Cassius thought otherwise. It would have been more amusing if Keon didn't feel a little betrayed. Of course, his master had friends, and it wasn't something to get upset about, but why didn't he know? He didn't really know anything about him. Not his life outside their home. Not more than a clone should.

Keon stretched in frustration. Was he only allowed to work at Lucky's bar because of that connection? Was Keon not to be trusted? That was a stupid question. He was a clone, an investment.

He needed to stop. It wasn't getting him anywhere.

"I feel like I pay you to work here, not sit around sighing."

Keon didn't even bother to turn around. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough."

There was a pause. He was deciding how much he could pry without getting himself into trouble.

"You know, I tell you everything about Cassius."

"I'm not telling you about Jaye," was his quick retort.

Keon faced him then, annoyed, arms crossed. "Why not?"

Lucky frowned. "It's not my place, man. Jaye likes to keep to himself."

"I feel like that's a bullshit excuse."

"I feel like you're really annoying today."

Keon was about to fire back, playful banter entering an area filled with emotions he wasn't ready to explore when the door jingled.

He straightened up, his customer-service smile ready for action.

Lucky cleared his throat behind him, and his own eyes finally landed on the customer who turned out to be Blue. She was standing in the doorway, soaked from head to toe, brown hair matted against her face, clothes dripping wet.

Her hands, once in her pockets, now held out in front of her as she walked forward, rocking as the light slowly illuminated them.

It looked like red paint had exploded all over her hands.

Her voice was raspy as she said, "I... I killed him."