Human Nature (Book 4): Human Nature IV by Borthwick, Finlay (book recommendations website .TXT) 📗

Michelle had quickly realised that this was more than just a debriefing. Noticing just how much desperation there was in the eyes of Gwen and Annabelle as they wait for answers, she quickly realised there was something larger in play here.

“Why haven’t they attacked us then?” Gwen asked.

Rajan shrugged, “Going off of what the late Benji told us, it seems like what’s inside of these four walls isn’t what they want—They want the streets outside.”

Gwen shook her head in an idle confusion, “This doesn’t make any sense,” she asserted, “They’ve had years to reclaim this place, and it would be far safer than out there. What’s the logic behind that?”

Innocuously, Rajan stated, “Garry and Benji both told us one thing that lined up perfectly: The Bandits have a martyr.”

Annabelle scoffed, “A martyr?”

But Gwen continued to glare at Rajan with firm eyes, “Who?”

“Well Garry thought his name could’ve been Kye, but then Benji’s rambling confirmed for us that it was Kyle.”

Elliot sighed and turned away from the table dismayingly.

Gwen and Annabelle shuddered upon the mention of ‘that’ name.

“You know him, don’t you?” Michelle butted into the conversation, having been monitoring the mother and daughter’s uneasy expressions ever since the interrogation began.

Annabelle had quickly become too distressed to answer.

“Kyle was the man who killed my husband.” Gwen stated bluntly as she wrinkled her nose up in abhorrence at the saying of his name.

“I’m very sorry to hear that.” Rajan expressed his condolences.

“Don’t be. I evened the score.” Gwen affirmed proudly, snivelling lightly as she did so in order to hide a lonely tear.

But this remark had led Rajan down another train of thought, “What do you mean you evened the score?”

Gwen took a deep breath, “I mean I killed him.” Although she would rather not have thought of such a long ago time, she was still proud of her act of vengeance.

Upon hearing this verification, Rajan squinted dismayingly.

“So, you’re the cause of all this, then.” Michelle stated exactly what her comrade was guiltily thinking.

“Excuse me?” Gwen turned to Michelle in astonishment.

 “Like we already said, Kyle’s their martyr,” Michelle reminded her new rival, “If you’re the one who killed him, then the reason these bandits are so batshit crazy is because of you.” She intently pointed at Gwen with a blameful finger.

“It’s on them for killing my husband, actually.” Gwen rebutted with a sarcastic smirk.

“And were they territorial psychos back then, too?” Michelle further asked. “Because if you stepped into old Kyle’s territory, then I’m guessing that’s why your husband—”

“Michelle, enough!” Rajan spoke over her, despite not realising that Michelle was actually right. “This woman is a widow, let her be.” He instructed her.

Michelle rolled her eyes and shook her head in revulsion, “When one of our friends is dead, Raj, then you can tell me that it’s not the widow’s fault…” She forewarned him before walking away from the table, without giving so much as a parting look.

“Bitch.” Gwen quietly mumbled to herself.

Annabelle was still in complete disarray, looking to the floor as her mind was flooded with memories of what happened.

“If it really is the same group,” Mac weighed in on the situation having been silent at the table the whole time, “Then it’s also because of them that Cora was separated from her mother. That’s what happened, right?” He enquired, “The Bandits’ attack on this place separated the two of them up, didn’t it?”

“More or less.” Elliot answered, in spite of the question not being directed at him, though he could tell that both Gwen and Annabelle already had way too much on their mind now in order to be dealing with questions.

“If you don’t mind,” Rajan rose from his seat to excuse himself, “I’d like to go and see my friend.” He referred to Michelle who had very recently just stormed away from the restaurant.

“And I think we’ve got a few things to discuss as well…” Elliot further stated in reference to what this revelation meant for his kin.

Michelle had made her way to the canal which ran through the safe zone; the same canal that Olivia had once used to make a quick escape on.

Sulking on the railings, Michelle stared down at her reflection on the face of the water.

Rajan cautiously, and caringly, approached his friend from behind, “Not thinking of going for a swim, are you?” He asked in jest. “I hear the water’s pretty cold this time of year.” He referred to the bitter and freezing feeling of winter that was evident in the air.

Michelle ignored him, continuing to stare into the water instead.

“Come on, ‘Chelle, what’s the matter?” Rajan enquired.

Michelle tittered, “Like you said, once upon a time, I was holding a gun to your head—And now look at us, you’re out here consoling me whenenver I need it.”

Rajan did not see her point, “…And?”

“And?” She turned her entire body to face him, getting up off of the railings now, “How can you be so forgiving, Raj? How do you do it?”

Rajan took a deep breath, having waited long for somebody to ask him such a wise question, “I adapted.”

But this blunt answer was hardly what Michelle was looking for, “When I was growing up in Spain, my family were at the mercy of a street gang for years,” she elaborated, “If I ever saw any of their evil little faces again, I’d drop them right on the floor where they stood without a second thought… I did similar things to you once upon a time, and yet you can live with me at your side, how?”

Rajan smiled at her, “Because you regret it.”

Michelle sighed, “Only because you weren’t a total asshole. If you’d have given me even the slightest bit of a cheek, I’d have blown your head right off.”