The Feeling of Rust Coursing Through My Veins (70)

[victoriousscarf]

The sun was starting to inch back down toward the horizon, sending golden beams through windows. If anyone in the room had their eyes open, they would be squinting against the light.

However, though there was a form in the chair, it was not actually stirring, though it's eyes were still open.

[qualapec]

Rum Tum Tugger Hollister, who went by Tugger, returned from his final day of training. His mind was reeling with the written test. Then he'd be a beat cop. He caught himself smiling as he stepped through the door of his house-not-home --- the words felt right to him, just like the uniform felt natural on his shoulders.

Then he'd be out of this God forsaken place. The idea of freedom dragged at him. No more cage, no more Deuteronomy.

He walked into the living room and froze at the sight of the back of his father's favorite chair, his seat of power in a castle made of muck and broken dreams. The fact that the chair was there wasn't unusual, but that he could see the back of his father's head was.

He swallowed on a dry throat. Dammit. His father wasn't supposed to have been home until later that evening... his heels snapped together and he stood up straight. "Father, I'm s'rry I'm late," he said, already searching for an excuse.

[victoriousscarf]

There was no response.

[qualapec]

At the silence, Tugger realized the old hog was just sleeping. The thought of sneaking upstairs crossed his mind...but something seemed off, he couldn't quite put his finger on what just that something was wrong. He circled around the chair. "Father?"

[victoriousscarf]

The body in the chair continued to not respond.

[qualapec]

The open, staring eyes got to him first. The stillness in his father's chest shot away any lingering thoughts of life. He sat there like an ugly gargoyle and at first, Tugger's mind couldn't quite catch up to the instinct that resonated at the first sight of that blank stare.

Deuteronomy Hollister was dead.

Tugger stood there, blankly staring at his father like he'd just watched the Kaiser slain.

[Meadowlark]

Munkustrap opened the front door, his ears flickering at the near silence of the house. He set his briefcase down at the foot of the stairs, making his cautious way to the front room. He paused at the sight of his brother in the same room as their father. Hesitating for another moment, the silver tabby finally spoke quietly, "Tugger?"

[qualapec]

Tugger barely registered that Munkus had come through the door, eyes glued to Deuteronomy. He swallowed again, thick, uncertain, and drew his eyes up to meet his brother's. "He's dead."

[Meadowlark]

Munkus blinked at that, making his cautious way over to see for himself. "Well...that's, not exactly what one expects to come home to. Are you alright?"

[qualapec]

Tugger felt lost. "I...don't know," he replied honestly. "He looks kinda harmless now. Hard to compare."

[Meadowlark]

Munkustrap bit back his first comment, but he nodded, "Well, we'll have to call someone to deal with him. I'll call the funeral home."

[qualapec]

"Okay..." he ran a paw through his headfur. "And you'll let Mac know?"

[Meadowlark]

The silver tabby nodded, "Yeah, I'll let him know in the morning."

[qualapec]

"I don't know what to feel" He glanced from Munkus to the corpse, as if to make sure it wasn't going to get up any second. "Is it bad that I'm...relieved?" he was relieved that he could say that in that room, with his father in front of him, and not have to worry or be afraid ever again.

[Meadowlark]

The lawyer shook his head, "No, it's not. Relief is one of the more acceptable emotions you could be feeling now."