The Villainous Cruz Family - Chapter 27

Albert stood in front of the large mirror in his bathroom. Reflected in the clear glass was the figure of a boy of eleven years wearing a white dress shirt and black hoodie. The shirt was not completely buttoned, the first two buttons undone. Albert flipped the collar up and slowly moved his fingers to the second button all the while staring at himself in the mirror. His breath was shortening as if he had just sprinted 50 metres. As if to stabilize himself, Albert took in deep breaths, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth. By the time he was on his fifth cycle, the button was finally done. All that was left now was the first one.

‘I got this.’ Albert encouraged himself and continued the breathing exercises. His fingers touched the button. Slowly but surely, the shirt tightened around his neck, button meeting the button hole.

Hah-hah-hah- cOUgh cOuGh…Albert released his grip, hands raised to wrap around his neck. Looking into the mirror, he could see his tear-stricken eyes. Eyes filled with irrational fear and despair. But he wasn’t looking at his reflection. He saw a child begging for mercy as a much bigger figure walked over and ruthlessly held him up by his neck. The figure wore a sadistic smile, a gleeful gleam flickering in his eyes as slowly, he increased the force of his grip. The child kicked his legs in sheer desperation, his mangled fingers clawing at the devil’s arms.

KnockKnockKnockKnockKnock!

Albert swung his head round in the direction of the door. His fingers that had subconsciously tightened around his neck relaxed and his laboured breathing soothed to normality.

“I-I’m almost done.” Albert tried to sound as calm as possible. He wiped his tears away and threw the tie around his neck. Loosely tying it, he double checked his appearance in the mirror before sporting a gentle smile and opening the door. “H-hey, Ian. What’s up?”

“…”

“Ah, I think I saw it in the sink.” Albert went back into the bathroom and came back out with a tie. “Here it is. Do you need help wearing it?”

Ian shook his head. His gaze demonstrated his desire to be able to do it himself.

“Oh, okay. Well, I’m gonna head out first, so yeah.”

“…” Ian just stared into Albert’s eyes, not saying anything with his gaze.

Albert walked out of their room and shut the door behind him. His steps were hurried and forceful as he made his way into the backyard, his safe haven.

‘What was that? What the hell WAS that?!’ He grit his teeth and shook the flashing images out of his head. ‘This didn’t happen last time so why now?’

The previous times Albert has done something similar, he would only see a pair of glowing eyes looking back at him. As his breathing got shorter and shorter, the eyes would get closer and closer until he couldn’t bear it anymore and gave up. However, this time he got a full on vision, of an assault no less!

‘I was fine with not remembering. I was fine and yet-!’ Albert clenched his chest, his face distorting with the fear and sorrow that assaulted his heart. ‘…Why do I feel so empty?’

Albert just stood there, staring at the grass. He was frozen like a statue, his palpitating heart slowing to normality once more. Albert’s eyebrows furrowed and his lips trembled in a straight line. ‘I don’t need them! What’s been lost, need not come back. I don’t…need them.’

It seemed that no matter how hard he tried to convince himself otherwise, the sense that he was denying a part of himself still prevailed. ‘…F8ck it. If it comes back, it comes back. It’s not something I can control. There is no point worrying about it.’

Having made up his mind, Albert took in another deep breath. With a renewed resolution, he walked back into the house and into the living room where the whole family had gathered. Kin was busy taking photos with his cold face and Joan was having fun fixing everyone’s ties.

“Oh, Albert, would you like me to fix your tie too?” Joan asked, seeing that he hadn’t even buttoned up his first button yet.

Albert shook his head and smiled. “No thanks, Mother. I like it loose like this.”

“Hmm, so it seems.” Joan accepted it readily. She did notice that he only wore baggy clothes or clothes that didn’t touch his neck much. She suspects that he may be ticklish.

Meanwhile, Victoria was making demands to Cain. One arm on her hip and the other waving in the general direction of the man, she made her wishes loud and clear. “Listen, I want to see everything, EVERYTHING. Got it?

Although Victoria’s smile was as sweet as sweet can be, Cain felt a chill running down his spine. “O-of course, Milady. How could I not obey your orders?”

“Well? Hurry and leave.” Victoria turned back to the children and pat the little ones’ heads with a warm smile. “Have fun everyone.”

The twins let out happiness noises before hugging Kin, Joan, Victoria and Cotton as they would be staying at home instead. They excitedly put on their masks as did Vin, Ian and Albert and waved them all goodbye. Wearing the masks, they became almost unrecognisable in an instant and exuded an aura of mystery for they lacked the sinister vibe most experienced villains adopted when switching personas.

Once the van was moving, Cain spoke to the kids, “Do you all remember the plan?”

“””Yes~”” The children replied with a sing-song voice.

“Alright, make sure you don’t do anything dangerous and just watch as per the agreement.”

“””Yes~”””

A little while later, they arrived at their destination. A few others had already arrived and scouted the location for any potential dangers. Usually, this type of mission would only require a team of two or three but the concerned Kin had increased that to six just in case. The six men scoured the entire area before giving Cain the okay to park the van carrying the Boss’ children.

“”Young masters and miss!”” The suited masked men greeted in loud voices.

“”Hello~!”” Greeted Atlas and Iris with a wave. The others just nodded back at them.

“What’s the current situation?” Cain was in his business mode, dressed in similar attire to his colleagues.

“Reporting, sir! The client is currently resting in his house. There have been no suspicious movements thus far.” Brian responded.

Cain rubbed his chin from under his mask. “Alright. Proceed with the plan. Three of you go guard the back and the rest follow me to the front.”

“”Sir yes sir!””

As Cain and the others were busy dealing with the details, the kids whispered behind his back with gossipy tones.

“Cain looks like a boss.” Giggled Iris.

“Even though he’s just Cain.” Chuckled Atlas.

“Alright, enough chattering, children. It’s time to have fun.” Cain cleared his throat and turned to face the kids. “Follow us.”

They waltzed over to the door and watched as Brian pressed on the doorbell. Once. Twice. Thrice. Not a movement was detected inside the house.

“We know you’re inside, Mr Joel Quaint.” Brian plainly stated with an even tone in voice. “If you don’t open up in three…t-”

The door creaked open before Brian could finish counting. A rather nervous looking man popped out from behind the small opening. His hair was greasy and clearly not washed in at least a week or two. “Isn’t the collection date in a few days?”

“It would have been if you weren’t two months late in payments.”

Joel’s lips straightened into a thin line and didn’t speak. Annoyed by his silence, Brian glared and him and stuck his foot in between the gap and swung the door open with great force. “Don’t forget that we’re the ones who saved you when no one else would.” He reminded in a low, threatening voice.

Joel took a few cautious steps back, staring into Brian’s eyes. “I’ll have the money in a few days just as promised.”

“That’s what you said last time.” Brian violently kicked the door and the loud bang was followed by a cracking sound in the old wood.

Joel eyes bounced back and forth when he heard whispering and giggles coming from behind Brian. Landing on the source, he found five children standing around a man that was dressed the same as Brian. The man took a protective stance around the children but was still rather relaxed. The children wore different uniforms from the other men but the similar concept and attitude of the adults made it apparent that they were together.

“…Children?” Joel muttered.

“Heyo!” Atlas waved excitedly at the debtor.

Cain took a page from Victoria’s book and smiled like a salesman, speaking with mockery and sunshine. “They’re on a field trip to learn what to do when someone doesn’t pay their debts.”

Joel’s eyes narrowed into angry slits. He grit his teeth and clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. “What debt?! I’ve already paid back the initial loan! I’ve paid more than double of what I borrowed! What more could you possibly want?! You-You money hungry fiends!”

A high pitched laugh echoed from the back. Iris skipped to the front despite Cain trying to stop her. Stopping just in front of Joel, she looked him right into his eyes. Somehow, the eight year old still managed to assert a domineering force over the grown man despite looking up at him. She grinned and mocked the man. “You’re so dumb, mister. You borrowed money from villains. Villains, you understand? What did you expect?”

“Kuh-!” Joel scoffed. “Villains are criminals! I don’t owe anything to criminals!”

His eyes glowed as he grabbed the shoe rack and threw it straight at Brian with all his might. Not expecting the sudden retaliation, Brian took a step backwards, almost falling on the slightly elevated platform.

“Kyahhh!” The scream snapped everyone out of their stunned states.

“Iris!” Atlas yelled out, his voice quavering.

“S-stay back!” Joel waved around a crude knife at the villains.

Iris clenched and unclenched her fists in fear. She wanted to use her ability but knew that it was useless in this situation. She didn’t have any strings that would free her.

“Ian!” Albert’s roar was everything Ian needed to hear to know what he needed to do.

“Sleep!” Ian shouted with all his might.

“Wha-?” Joel staggered back unsteadily, shaking his head to wake himself up.

“Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!” Ian kept yelling but it just wasn’t working! Instead, he was the one getting sleepy, barely able to keep standing in place. While Ian was failing to use his ability, Vin’s eyes glew and he attempted to wrestle the knife out of the crazed man’s hands.

“S-stop that!” Joel noticed their actions and placed his knife on Iris’ neck, a trickle of blood flowing down the knife.

Cain’s glowing eyes deepened in colour as he suddenly whipped his head back and stared at the streets instead of the scene of the crime.

“What the-?!” Joel screamed, disorientated from the sudden change in scenery. Taking advantage of his confusion, the three that snuck into the house earlier attacked! One knocked the knife out his Joel’s hands, another rescued Iris and the last tackled Joel.

“Iris!” Atlas ran ahead, wrapping his arms around Iris’ trembling body. “I was so scared! Are you okay?”

“Atlas!” Iris leaned against his chest. Her tears soaking into his new clothes. For awhile, the two just hugged and cried their hearts out.

“I apologise, Iris, Atlas.” Cain knelt down on one knee in front of the two. “It was my carelessness that led to this. Please punish me.”

The six others also knelt. “”Please punish us!””

“We can decide the punishments later.” Albert’s voice rang. “First, we gotta deal with this.”

Albert stared down at the now incapicitated man. “Oi.”

“Hieee.” Joel shrunk back like a coward.

Albert frowned and bent down. He sniffed the air and with a look of realisation stared at Joel with disgust. ” Fess up before I force it out of you.”

“W-what?” Annoyed by the man’s constant stutter, Albert gave him another kick.

“Where’d you get them?”

“Pardon?”

Albert growled and stomped his feet on Joel. “Where’d you get the Lotus?”