Stats: Written: 4/8/18; Prompt: The Modern Typewriter; Time: 30 min. max – 31 min.

Prompt: “I’m yours,” the sidekick said carefully. “You know I am. And I don’t expect you to spare them, I know you can’t but – I only ask you show them mercy. A quick, dignified death at least.”

“You know I’m not one for personal favors.”

“I know.”

“You must care about them a lot to use one of yours. You may not get another.”

“I know.”

---

“You might wish to speak more respectfully,” the antagonist said, coldly, despite the way their blood boiled. “Considering they’re the only thing keeping you alive right now.” The protagonist's face flickered shock at the defense. “My mercy,” they continued, taking a step closer, “is for them, not you.”

His student came silently into his home office. He didn’t make a peep but closed the door with a click. It was quite unusual for him to let himself be read like a book. Concerning.

“I’m yours. Loyal and true to my last breath,” his words came out carefully spoken. “You know that. And, I don’t expect you to spare them, I know you can’t but – I only ask you to show them mercy. A quick dignified death, at least.”

“You know I’m not one for personal favors.” His eyes narrowed on the teen, a year away from being an adult.

“I know.” The boy uncharacteristically wrung his hands, stopping after a moment like he had been unaware of the action at first.

“You must care about them a lot to use one of yours. You may not get another.” He frowned at his student’s nervousness.

Before, he didn’t realize their past relations. He needed to do more research.

“I know.”

After sending him off on a mindless errand, he stood from his desk. If he was going to get answers, he might as well go straight to the source.

Ah, the truth of the matter. He should have known. The boy had previously been hired at a grocery store and gas station. Of course, he’d run into some troublemakers and misfits, all looking for fun and games, not knowing the price such things cost. As he’d been told and had retold, everything had a price, even peace.

Last time he checked, his apprentice had quit soon after buying him a gift.

“You can tell that cock-“ A punch to the gut silenced him, It came quite quickly to his notice they had not parted on good terms.

They were spies. Hoodlums hired to get information to pay off their gambling debts. It wouldn’t be hard for even an amateur to figure they had connections with his student and attempt to exploit it.

“You might wish to speak more respectfully,” the man spoke coldly in his prisoner’s ear, his blood boiling just underneath. Despite his anger, he couldn’t help to smile in satisfaction the way the man trembled. “Considering he is the only thing keeping you alive right now.”

The hoodlum blinked in shock, much like his partner had in the other room. “My mercy is for him, not you.”

He had them tossed out on their asses.

They never spoke of the favor, but he could the feel the regret radiate from his student. He knew that was a dark road to travel down.

Were they worth it?

Would I have regretted turning my cheek? Will I regret not turning in the future?

The more he watched, the less indifferent he became to the situation. There was nothing to be done. This was something he’d have to figure out alone.