Windows shattered.
Doors broken.
Betrayal has corrupted our sanctuary.
Each night, I park my bike at the gate and stare as I try to understand where it went wrong.
Where I failed.
But it all mocks me instead of giving me the answers I seek.
Coco had nothing for me.Her devastation at Monster’s betrayal was too real.Bambi had to finally give her something to knock her out.
I stare down at the headless body at my feet before spitting on him and tossing his head away.
Using my shoulder, I wipe away the blood coating my face and turn to Cyanide.
He watches me warily, not used to this quiet side of me.
There’s nothing left.
No smile.
No quip.
No fucking song.
There’s just emptiness that grows with each useless fucking lead we get.
“Tell Cypher to find me something else.This one had nothing.”
“Pope, you can’t ride through the city with blood all over you,” Gavel points out.“This isn’t our territory.”
I nod and turn to Joker.“Find me a place to clean up.”
“You need to sleep,” Gavel says.
“I can sleep when I’m dead.”
“Which you’ll be if you don’t fucking rest.”He places his hand at my nape to hold me in place.“I know what you’re going through, son, but they need you in top shape.They’re trusting you to come for them.But you can’t do that if you burn out first.”
My gritty eyes burn when I close them, knowing he’s right.“Fine,” I sigh.“Giblet?”
“Yeah, Prez?”
“Do you have something that will knock me the fuck out?Because I won’t be able to do this on my own.”
It’s not a weakness I would normally admit to.
Right now, I just can’t find it in me to give a fuck.
“I have something.”
“Good,” I say with a nod and turn back to Gavel.“I want you inside my room.”Then I glance at Cyanide.“I want you at my door.If anyone comes for us, fucking kill them.”
“You always have our backs, Pope.Let us have yours.”
Joker finds us a rundown motel not far from where we’re at.Pretty Boy and Basilisk stay behind to wait for our clean-up crew while the rest of us ride out.
