The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 14: Chapter 14: A Plausible Lie

Read chapter 14 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 14: A Plausible Lie Marco and Mili shook their heads, distraught and a bit hesitant to believe in Lucius’s sudden claim, but hidden beneath all that fluster was a suspicion that could no longer be deterred. They wished to deny it, of course: to claim that it all must be a misunderstanding of some kind. But the evidence was plain as day. Nothing could puncture Lucius so cleanly save for a weapon wielded by man. “What do you mean?” Marco asked. “You sayin’ Jack lost his mind? That can’t be… he looked fine when we were walkin’ around together before. I can understand being a little on edge, but to attack someone ‘cause of that—I don’t get it.” Mili fiddled with her fingers. “It’s not that hard to believe, big guy. If you weren’t with me after that damn wall fell, I think I’d go crazy, too. This place isn’t right . It’s like something’s constantly trying to worm into your brain, and ol’ Jack-o was just another victim. Probably couldn’t stand it anymore and gave in, or that’s what I want to believe at least. It’d sting real bad if he turned out to be just another scumbag. I’ve seen the types: actin’ all nice and stuff before taking advantage of you at your weakest.” The spunky musician seemed to have no end of stories about her encounters with so-called scumbags - such was unfortunately the price of fame. But was that how she truly regarded Mister Thames? No, Mili spoke as if she had actually grown fond of his awkward nature, and Marco shared her sentiment as well. Lucius wasn’t surprised: going through a near-death experience with someone was the perfect shortcut for forging a quick bond. But a bond built upon a shaky foundation was all the easier to topple. They bore witness to Jack’s heroic sacrifice, true, but it was exactly because they saw him then that Lucius could now tell a different story. One of the most important things in creating a convincing lie was plausibility. In order for something to be probable, it had to be plausible. There was no end to what a person could make up if they create a believable background: weave a narrative, let the others connect the dots, and watch as they come to a conclusion of their own. For Lucius, his starting point was already determined. The injury Jack suffered, the reason he garnered such goodwill from his fellows… it would now serve to drive a wedge between them. “Mister Thames did not act out of malice,” Lucius said, pleading towards the group as he shed a single, meager tear. “He was ever the same, a jovial youth with a strong heart, even after our unfortunate separation. The man I know would never fall for such temptations so easily, however…” Marco and Mili leaned in close, absorbed in Lucius’s passionate story. “However…?” the two asked. Lucius pretended to look conflicted with himself, before speaking again in a big dramatic pause. “Mister Thames was infected by something. It wasn’t noticeable, at first. The man simply seemed tired during our journey—honestly, who wouldn’t after experiencing such danger? I paid it no mind and resolved myself to find the two of you as quickly as I could. But after a while, his condition deteriorated. His skin grew sickly, his breaths became increasingly more savage, and when I looked at him once more… his arm had changed. It oozed a liquid I dare not describe.” Mili froze, and horror dawned on her face. “His arm? Then… oh no, was it when he protected me?” Lucius nodded. “Some kind of poison or virus must have been laced within that monster’s claw. It passed onto Jack upon the moment of contact, and it festered within him until he lost his wits.” “So it’s my fault.” She clenched her fist and squeezed her eyes shut. “Damnit, I just had to be the slowest of the group.” There was a dark spiral settling inside her. The musician cursed at herself, stood up, and nearly punched the wall as if doing so would somehow alleviate her faults, but Lucius quickly stopped her before she could. “Do not be rash, Miss Mili,” Lucius said, catching her fist w