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Abolish leans against the wall, observing as the rest of the people present in town push into the tower. It's a tight fit for ten bodies, but they manage. A grim silence stretches through the room.
A frown pulls at Avid's lips, his fingers tapping incessantly on the buttons of his vest. Abolish is unsurprised when he's the one to break the tension. Avid seemed to lack impulse control in general. His baseless accusations, while somewhat correct in this instance, spoke to that.
“I told you that something was off with Scott and Pyro. Now Shelby and Owen have gone missing! This wouldn't have happened if you all listened!”
He waves his hands as he speaks, something that is unappreciated by Cleo and Martyn, who are standing either side of him.
Legundo's eyebrow twitches, his mouth pressed into a thin line. His voice is flat, though Abolish picks up on the dregs of anger that slip though his gritted teeth. Avid always seemed to be able to get on the doctor's nerves.
Whether that was something to be said about Legundo or Avid, Abolish hadn't yet decided.
“I think you mean that all four of them have gone missing. There is no evidence that suggests Scott or Pyro had anything to do with this.”
Abolish notes the uncertainty when the doctor says Scott's name and puts it to the back of his mind.
From what Pyro had told him, Scott and Owen were vampires, though it's possible Shelby was also turned. Abolish has his doubts that Scott would have turned Pyro, at least not yet. Scott seemed clever enough, and Pyro had been scared enough of him that Abolish didn't think Scott would feel the need to down himself a food source.
“I'm telling you! Something is wrong with Scott.” Avid insists, his voice pitching up.
Legundo pinches the bridge of his nose. “Fine. Say, hypothetically, that something is wrong with him. Why bring Pyro into it?”
Avid crosses his arms. “They're conspiring. What– what he said before, what Scott said about them sleeping together, was a cover up. I know it was.”
No one in the room looks comfortable at the reminder of what Scott admitted to earlier, though the reactions range from embarrassment to concern. The doctor in particular looks unnerved by the reminder.
A carefully repressed feeling of sickness rolls uncomfortably in Abolish's gut. The excuse mixed with how scared Pyro had gotten when Abolish had asked about Scott didn't paint a pretty picture. Abolish didn't doubt that Scott was using those tactics to keep Pyro on his side.
The feeling affected him more than he wanted it to.
The meeting drags on, mostly filled by Avid and Legundo glaring at each other. Abolish considers how it would benefit the situation to admit what Pyro had told him, but decides that he doesn't trust this group not to do something rash or reckless.
When everyone files out, Abolish moves to follow Legundo. Out of everyone there, he was one of the more rational, and seemed to have the most concern for Pyro.
Legundo turns when he notices someone following him quickly enough, though Abolish notes that his expression loosens when he sees it's him.
“Do you need something?”
Abolish tilts his head in the direction of the doctor's house, a silent question.
Legundo nods, letting Abolish inside and taking a seat on a chair pressed into the corner. The doctor massages his right calf and under his knee, wincing lightly as he does so. Abolish had noticed similar motions from the doctor before, though he isn't surprised by Legundo having an old injury.
He knows well himself what combat can entail. The cane leaning against the chair side speaks for itself.
Legundo points to the other chair with his free hand. “You're welcome to sit, Abolish.”
Taking the offer, Abolish sits down. He looks over at the window to the side, though he keeps the doctor in his line of sight. “I wanted to talk with you about Pyro.”
Legundo blinks at him, frowning lightly.
Abolish continues. “He talked to me before he went missing with Scott.”
Legundo's eyebrows raise. “And you didn't say something sooner?”
Abolish tilts his head. “I wasn't sure that was the best course of action. And even now, I'm only trusting you with this information.”
The doctor leans back in his chair, running a hair through his short hair. “Okay. What did you want to tell me?”
Abolish hums quietly as he considers his next words. “I'll start with this. Scott is the one who took Pyro away from town. I know that for sure.”
Legundo nods, gesturing for Abolish to continue.
“I know you don't believe in the supernatural.”
Legundo raises an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Abolish watches the doctor for a moment before he goes on. “Avid is right about some things, though the way he goes about it is wrong. Vampires exist, though they aren't how he says they are, for the most part.”
Legundo stays silent, though he doesn’t appear irritated yet.
Abolish takes it as a sign to keep going.
“Pyro gave me confirmation that Scott and Owen are vampires, though I had my own suspicions.”
Legundo looks for a moment uncomfortable, before nodding slowly. “And Scott and Owen did what? Turned Pyro and Shelby?”
Abolish straightens the cuff of his sleeve. “No. I'm not sure about Shelby, but Scott didn't turn Pyro. From what I understand, he's keeping him as a resource.”
The doctor's eyes widen, that same concern from the meeting returning. It's what Abolish was counting on.
“I told Pyro I could help him, but I imagine that Scott has gotten in his head, if not only using fear.”
Legundo stares at the far wall before responding. “I saw Pyro that second night in town after he went off with Scott and Owen. Their clothes were muddy and I thought I saw blood. I couldn't say for sure in the dark, and they insisted they were fine.”
He pauses, looking down at his scarred knuckles.
“Scott had brought them back to town. He looked no worse for wear, but I thought Pyro looked scared.”
Abolish nods. “That was probably when Scott first threatened them. If Scott or Owen fed from them that would be why they were bleeding.”
The doctor huffs to himself, his expression twisted in a mix of concern and guilt.
Abolish stands and walks over to him, slowly placing his hand on the doctor's shoulder.
“It's getting late. I'll work with you on a strategy tomorrow morning. In the meantime," Abolish's eyes flick over to the cane. “Get some rest.”
Legundo rests his hand on top of Abolish's gloved one. “You too.”
Abolish nods, pulling away.
He had some planning to do.