Well, there it is. The surprise of the century. Sure, Melvin had been firmly in the camp that Jack was involved in some part of this from the outset, and it should have been vindicating to be at least partially right about something for once.
That feeling never comes, though. The confession brings little relief - thereâs something just off enough about it that he canât quite place that makes the annoying tightness in his throat worse. Jackâs efforts to seem flippant about the whole thing werenât helping either. This has to be over soon, thereâs been too much happening, itâs impossible to focus on just one thing, but does he even care enough at this point? Itâs not worth itâ
Viper Fenna bore the brunt of her anger whereas Jack received an almost pitying gaze.
Viper âŠYa havenât killed anyone before, have ya?
Hold that thought a moment.
Despite how easy it was to get a rise out of him, Melvin had developed a habit of just letting shit slide. Actually bothering to respond instead of just stewing on it when something didnât seem fair, or right, or whatever, wasnât worth the effort. It never changed anything, so what was the point of trying?
⊠But watching Viper crawl over here right in front of him (and worse, Fenna) to speak so gently to Jack as if he wasnât equally guilty, as if he had given anything even resembling a good reason why, was beyond infuriating. And sure, maybe he was kind of pathetic. Nothing coming from him was ever gonna matter or get through to her, but seeing this so soon after sheâd been tearing into Fenna the way she had⊠well, how was he supposed to let that go? How courteous of Viper to come close enough that he doesnât have to shout over anyone else to get right at her.
âWhat the HELL is your problem?! He gets a pass, but Fennaâs suddenly the worst bitch in the world?! You got so fucking mad at her that you swing at whoever gets in your wayââ a sweeping gesture in poor sweet Harukaâs general direction, ââ but now you suddenly care about feelings when itâs the asshole who STABBED YOU?â
It doesnât make sense. There were two killers and Jack was the one Viper seemed to take any pity on. Melvinâs never been very good at any shape of math, but that just doesnât add up. The only form of communication Viper understood seemed to be violence, huh? Well, fine, sheâs close enough that just this once maybe heâll sink to her level.
âŠ
Literally. Sheesh, heâs not gonna swing at her or anything. Despite the severely heightened emotional state, itâs just not his style. Sorry, fight club fans, itâs not happening. But the situation does, perhaps, warrant getting a little in her face about the way sheâs been acting.
âYou donât get to pull this shit with Jack after what you did to Fenna and Haruka. You think she ever hurt anyone like that before? Say youâre sorry and get the hell back over there before you piss anyone else off.âÂ
Itâs a very vague and hollow threat. Even taking it this far was a monumental effort on his part, and heâs running out of steam pretty quick. Whatâs he gonna do if she doesnât listen? Probably nothing, thatâs what. This sucks, man.
