Part 577 – Twin Soliloquies Of Cluelessness

It’s my fault.

He’s gone for good.

I’ve chased him away.

He ain’t there.

I told him to leave.

Robin choked back a cry.

So, he left.

He really left.

I’ve lost him.

It’s my fault.

He ain’t gonna come back.

And I’m alone.

Robin’s day exhaustion hit him hard. He collapsed into the snow and rolled onto his good side.

His world was all a blur.

I ain’t got anyone.

I’m alone.

***

Isellta sat quietly between the two thugs in the backseat of the black and silver Cadillac Seville.

His mind raced with questions, but he couldn’t quite decide which one to ask first.

Bulldog and Squirrel Man were equally quiet.

Isellta couldn’t help wondering what they were thinking about.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Ain’t nones of your biz.” said Squirrel Man.

“That answer doesn’t even make sense. It is my business to know where you are taking me.”

“Shut it, fey. We’re taking you to wherever Caten tells us to take you.” said Bulldog.

“So. You don’t know.”

Bulldog snarled at him.

Isellta thought about Robin.

Something inside his chest hurt. He touched his chest trying to pinpoint the exact spot.

Is it here?

Or here?

His hand stopped above his heart.

Here?

Bulldog slapped the back of Isellta’s head. “Hands down now. Or I’ll break them off.”

Isellta put his hands in his lap.

I hope he’s okay.

I hope he isn’t upset.

No. He won’t be upset.

He’ll be fine. I know he’ll be fine.

I’m nothing to him.

Nothing but a constant reminder of what I should have done, what I could have done.

What I did not do.

He’ll be happy that I’m gone.

That thought failed to make him feel any better.

If anything, it made him feel worse.

And he had no idea why.

I wonder if I’ll ever see him again.

***

Maybe Isellta’ll come back.

Stupid. Why would he?

I ain’t done nothin’ but yell at him.

Made him feel unwanted.

Unloved.

But he don’t even want love from me. He just wanted to be my friend and I shot him down.

He won’t come back.

Robin curled his knees up and cried.

I know he ain’t comin’ back.

***

A couple of hours later, the car stopped.

The two thugs ushered Isellta out of the car, grabbed his upper arms, and marched him into a building shaped like the Greek Parthanon.

I could try escaping, but what’s the point?

Where would I run to?

Back to Robin?

Isellta shook his head.

Why bother? He’d just yell at me again.

He doesn’t want me.

They entered the front door and walked across a black and gold marble floor. Red streaks veined the marbled walls.

Isellta’s wings flattened against his back.

I don’t like this place. Reminds me of home.

They crossed the hall to Mark Caten’s office

But I’ll bide my time and see what happens. Maybe this Mark Caten fellow will let me go.

Maybe he won’t want me either.

I hope so.

I hope Robin’s okay.

***

I hope he’s happy.

Wherever he is.

I’m sure he’ll be plenty happy without me yellin’ at him over every little thing.

I hope Isellta’s okay.