Chapter Text
A year ago.
The minutes ticked by slowly, counting down the seconds before the library finally closes down.
“Do you think he’s going to find us here?” Parrot whispered, he peered through the shelves, the smell of paper and dust hitting him straight on.
Wifies yawned. “I hope not. But it's almost the end of the day. Probably he’s gone back to his dorm by now?”
He clutched his shirt a bit tighter.
“Probably.”
For once, could he hope that fate would hide them from his college’s deadliest assassin? It’s been weeks ever since Clown jumped him in the hallways and beat his face to a pulp, and from then it hasn’t been easier.
Not like he could tell anyone about this. Parrot was already in deep trouble after messing with Zam’s gang to get Wifies back. Repeated visits to the the nurse’s office raised enough suspicion then it should.
“I’m sorry Parrot.” It was barely a whisper, and it broke the tense silence.
“Huh?” He blinked, “sorry for what?”
“You know..” Wifies waves at their little sanctuary of books, “for dragging you into this mess.”
“What are you talking about bro. At least half of this is my fault. I shouldn’t have beefed with Zam in the first place.”
“Even so,” Wifies tugged at his sleeve, “I’m happy we’re in this together.”
Parrot hummed in agreement, a slight smile sweeping his face.
Then, he hears footsteps.
It wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough to send waves of panic through Parrot.
“Oh no. Wifies. Wifies. He found us!” He stood up, ready to run.
“Parrot calm down! You’ll help him locate us!”
Clown emerged from the bookshelves. His stance was towering, a menacing mask strapped on to hide his identity.
“Too late.”
The duo didn’t miss a beat. They shot off down the walls of books, cold wind biting at their faces.
Next thing they knew, an entire shelf came crashing down behind them. Parrot said a silent apology to the librarian.
He felt a cold hand pull his arm over.
“Parrot, we’re going to make a break for the exit.”
Letting out a wheeze, Parrot nodded numbly.
Their shoes dug into the carpet as they turned another corner. Blood was rushing in his ears when finally the library’s glass doors presented itself.
“There!”
They burst through the doors and leapt down the corridor.
Parrot’s legs were on fire, and his vision was getting blurry from running. How much more does he need to hold on for?
He looked up, eyes squirming with tears.
“W- wifies… I don’t think I can keep running. I think you should just-“
Wifies looked back, his face growing paler. His grip tightened.
“No you aren’t. We’ll be safe soon. I promise.”
Clown was relentless, calculating and blunt. He also never had a target escape from his clutches before.
Suddenly, right before Parrot’s eyes, a door swung open, revealing a girl in a pink sweater and heart sunglasses. Her attention was at the two figures currently barreling her way.
“Psst! In here!” She motioned.
Parrot felt Wifies’ body still, his eyes narrowing at the new girl. However, Parrot knew they didn’t stand a chance outside, so with all his might, dragged his friend into the classroom.
They collapsed onto the rough floor. A beat passed, and they weren’t dead yet. How?
“Hey!” She hovered over their hyperventilating bodies, “are you guys alright?”
Parrot finally mustered the courage to look up. Clown was no where to be seen. The girl stretched out her hand, pulling the two up.
“Yea…Thanks. What’s your deal with us?” Wifies got straight to the point.
She continued smiling despite the hostile tone. “Glad you asked! I’m Jumper, Jumperwho. This is Leo,” Jumper signalled towards the guy in a suit, frantically typing in a sleek computer, “and we’re the leaders of B.A.T!”
“B.A.T?” Parrot echoed (or parroted), he has vaguely heard of the spy organisation before. They were loaded. What could they possibly want with them?
“Yes! Here’s the deal: we protect you from ClownPierce, and you corporate with us to take down the assassin. Is that clear?”
Before Parrot could say anything, a sharp tug pulled him back. From the corner of his eye, he could see Wifies staring at Jumper with unsure eyes.
“I’m not so sure if we can trust them,” he whispered.
“I don’t know, they saved our lives, Wifies. And Jumper’s nice. I’ve seen her in lectures before.”
“Are you sure Parrot? Because—“
“What other choice do we have dude? Like, genuinely?”
Wifies blinked, not once did doubt leave his eyes.
“Dude just trust me this once, okay? If anything goes wrong, I’ll think of something.” Parrot assured him, before turning to face Jumper, who stood beside Leo, expectantly waiting for their response.
“So? What’s the answer?”
“We’re in.”
.
.
.
That was a year ago. After that many things have changed. He got Nufuli in the hospital, he emptied all their funds and put their spies in critical danger.
And that was a summarised version of it.
Would they really talk to him after this? Could Leo even stand to look at his face? Would Jumper look at him with the same fond look again? What about Derapchu, Nufuli and all the spies he hurt?
Parrot’s hand lingered over the door. He guessed there was only one way to find out.
“Is someone knocking at the door?” A muffled voice asked.
“Hold on. Wait here. I’ll go get it,” Another voice said, “could be an enemy.” It was definitely Leo. He was always paranoid, even towards Parrot.
Slowly, he heard a click, then another, before the door swung open. Leo was holding a bat, ready to strike any moment, which made an amusing sight.
However, once he laid eyes on Parrot, his jaw slackened, pupils widening. “Parrot…?”
“Parrot?” A shout came from the back of the room.
Soon, his old friends were gathered at the door, all adorning shocked expressions on their faces.
Waves of panic swept through Parrot.
He shouldn't have came here, he shouldn’t have bothered them after what he done—
“Parrot!” Nufuli shouted, much to his astonishment, “It’s been so long man!”
“Y-yea. Why are you here?” Jumper couldn’t look him in the eyes, “we haven’t seen you since…” Jumper’s voice died in her throat. Like she swallowed something bitter.
There was a guilty pang in his heart, but Parrot struggled to speak up.
“…Wifies. Till Wifies.” Leo finished. What followed after was a mournful silence.
There was an understanding between them. As cold as their shared experiences was, just from a glance they could tell something was wrong.
“Do you want to come in?”
.
.
.
The room was almost exactly as he’d remembered it. A spacious, dusty classroom with shelves full of paperwork never to see the light of the day.
The leaders of B.A.T did good work repurposing the space they had. In the corner, sat a small living area with some pillows and sleeping bags.
A wave of nostalgia hit Parrot. Back in the days he and Wifies would huddle in the corner during overnight stakeouts, somehow managing to find sleep admist the chaos.
Now, it was just them. Jumper, Leo, Derap, Nufili and Parrot, sitting in the same meeting table with uneasy eyes and scrunched up eyebrows.
Parrot drew in a breath. He supposes it’s his turn to speak.
“What did Wifies do to you guys?”
Jumper eyed her friends nervously, “well he kinda just, blackmailed us. He used my spies and Nufuli as leverage. I’m so sorry Parrot—“
“—You don’t need to say sorry Jumper.”
“But…”
“You had no choice. Everyone here had no choice. If anything I should be sorry for dragging you guys into the mess.” Parrot rambled.
It didn’t soften the tight grip around his chest, but the thoughts were lingering at the back of his mind for far too long.
Derapchu spoke up. “We sent you death threats, Parrot. And made you fear for your life. You deserve the apology.” He had a tone that sounded absolute. He sounded more sure than he should be.
“What? B-bro. I don’t understand.”
“We’re telling you it isn’t completely your fault Parrot.”
“But your spies? Nufuli? Your base?” Parrot’s voice shook. He vaguely recalled Leo’s harsh words ringing as he screamed about the things he lost. About all the things Parrot dragged down with him.
“You think too much Parrot,” Nufuli tried soothing the boy, “as you can see, all my injuries have recovered. And I'm sure Leo got over his losses.”
Leo faced Parrot with a soft expression, something so contrasting to the Leo he knew back then.
Has everything really changed since? Was he just left behind?
A glance at his former friends told him everything. While they were rebuilding their lives, he was still hung up in his own nightmares. A wave of frustration coiled in him.
“Parrot…?”
“I need to go.”
“Wha—“ Derapchu sputtered, “but you just came!”
They made no effort to stop him though, Parrot stood up and made his way to the door. He could feel their stares on his retreating back.
“Wait!” Jumper called, “you’ll come by again right? You’ll talk to us?”
No, he won’t.
But Jumper’s too kind to him. She’s clearly guilty over things that were out of her control.
“I will,” so Parrot lies through his teeth, “It’s nice seeing you all.”
Then he slams the door shut.