[Scarlet Needle System Activated]
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"What is going on?" Neel asked.
[Inferno Class: Neel West]
"Inferno class...like Falan..." He whispered.
'You've entered the inferno class.'
The voice of the system came out in his head before a light show filled the room. The fire around him grew, and soon engulfed him.
He screamed as he was surrounded by flames but the sound quickly turned into a growl. It didn't feel as hot but it burned all the same. His eyes widened as he saw a figure come out of the smoke that surrounded him. A man with pale blond hair tied up in a ponytail with an eye-patch. A large scar covered most of his face, with a single blue eye piercing through the fog.
"Calm down kid! I see you activated your system!" He shouted.
Neel's eyes narrowed, what did this have to do with anything?"Who are you?!"
"It doesn't matter who I am, the only thing that matters is that you need to calm down." He said, placing a hand on Neel's shoulder.
Handing the boy clothing , he began explaining.
"If you want to live, then you must learn how to control yourself. The more you fight, the worse your flames will get."
"Who are you?" Neel asked.
"Kane, but Falan...I don't know what he has planned for you."
The door opened to find Falan staring back at the two. He glared at Kane helping the boy dress.
"Finally, you're finally awake!" Kane yelled excitedly, looking between the two.
"You left him here on his own?!" Kane argued.
"Neel is mine so it doesn't matter what you think." Falan explained.
Neel felt dizzy afterward feeling the heat from his ability spiral in his veins disappearing afterwards. He fell forward landing on the cold floor below. His body still ached from the burning, but now it felt dulled compared to before.
"Hey are you alright?" Kane asked, running over to help him sit up.
Neel nodded slowly, taking notice that everything felt weird.
His ears weren't ringing anymore.
"You should be more careful if you use your ability, or at least tell me beforehand next time. You'll only hurt someone if you accidentally use too much power without thinking. I know how reckless you can be with using your flames." Kane scolded.
"Have you forgotten who we are Kane?" Falan shouted.
[Can you hear me?]
Falan asked Neel.
[Good. We need to get going. Follow me.]
"Falan, please I beg you what if something happens to this one?" Kane begged.
Falan ignored him. He walked past them, ignoring their calls for him to stop. Once they were far enough, he stopped. Neel didn't understand for mere seconds till he was holding his head in pain. Everything was spinning as if he just took too many pills. Falan continued speaking.
"What he needs are people who will help him control his flames, not run off and hide behind everyone else!" He shouted.
Neel finished getting dressed and standing on his two feet after feeling suddenly sickened. He was confused not understanding what Falan wanted from him completely after being handed an address.
"Why is this important?" Kane questioned.
"This mission is for Neel and Neel alone if you follow him I will kill you Kane." Falan stated plainly, walking over to the other side of the room.
Kane sighed before turning to leave as well.
He waited a moment before nodding slightly. He began heading towards where Falan had directed him earlier. taking the first steps outside of the door and walking down the stairs.
On the streets he followed the directions and signs of streets until he reached a small apartment building. Walking inside it was empty as he stepped into one of the elevators. As he arrived at the top floor he pressed the button labelled 4 and exited the elevator. Making his way up there he knocked quietly once he reached the door.
"Just open the door." The voice commanded.
He pulled open the door and found himself face to face with a beautiful girl. She wore pink pants and a black blouse, paired with a dark jacket. Her hair was pulled back into a short pony tail, showing off her bright blue eyes.
"Are you Neel?" She asked.
"Um yes sir, may I ask who I'm speaking with?" He asked politely.
"I'm Harlow, Falan's right hand," She introduced herself.
She held out her hand "nice to meet you Neel.
"Nice to meet you Miss Harlow!" Neel replied shaking her hand gently.
"Let's step inside shall we?" Harlow suggested gesturing inside.
He stepped into the room, which was furnished with bookshelves and a desk with an empty glass on top. On the wall near the table were two posters of a young male and female. A pair of wings was drawn along the left one, while an arrow pointed to the right.
There was also a bed with grey sheets and pillows with a red blanket laid out on it, the frame decorated with intricate designs. There was also a chest of drawers. There was a desk on the opposite side of the room, with a laptop on it and a picture frame.
Next to the desk was a chair set with a cushion. On top of the pillow were a couple of papers with writing on them. In front of that was a window overlooking the city. He walked over to the window to peer outside, only to freeze upon seeing two silhouettes outside. One stood taller than the other.
He glanced at a box of condoms peeking out from under the pillow on the bed and gulped nervously.
"Falan sent me to retrieve you." Neel stated.
Handing her the note she gave him a smile pressing her hands against his cheek.
"Oh my you are adorable...don't worry darling, you'll make it. Falan just isn't the best with children..." Harlow told him.
He turned around to see Harlow grab his wrist. Neel hesitated before shaking his head.
"Well I guess I will be heading back now!" Neel said.
"Wait!" She shouted.
He turned around to see Harlow grab his wrist.
"Did Falan tell you what I was?" She asked.
Neel hesitated before shaking his head.
"No, and why does it matter?" He questioned.
"I...I am a whore..." Harlow whispered before pulling him into a kiss.
Before Neel knew it, he was pinned against the wall, Harlow's lips moved against his desperately. His eyes widen in surprise, not expecting the kiss.
The kiss quickly became heated as Harlow pushed him back onto the bed roughly pushing her tongue into his mouth, forcing it to move and move and...and....
A sharp pain cut through his arm before he could even register what happened. His eyes went wide as he watched blood drip onto the sheets and stain the white pillowcase. He gasped for air before trying to pull the covers over him to protect his wound. But Harlow didn't seem to mind as she continued kissing him passionately.
Neel tried moving his hands to cover his wound, but his arms were weak and soon fell limp again. Harlow removed herself from the bed climbing onto Neel and straddling his hips, making a trail of blood down the front of his shirt. She grabbed a knife and held it above her knee.
[Mind imprisoment]
Harlow murmured before slashing the knife across his chest, leaving behind three deep cuts. Blood poured out of his chest covering Harlow, staining the bed-sheets and the sheets below. He screamed. Tears falling from his eyes as tears of blood started pouring out of his eyes.
"It is for Falan." Harlow repeated.
Her voice echoed throughout the room as she climbed off Neel. He let out another scream before collapsing onto the floor unconscious.
The next day Neel woke up patched up to the best of his abilities. It was a strange sensation, but at least he wasn't bleeding anymore. He sat up carefully trying to take in all he observed. When the door opened he looked to the door spotting Falan stepping into the room.
"How is the wound?" Falan asked walking over to the bed.
"What happened to me?" Neel asked.
"You passed out from exhaustion, and when we picked you up we brought you here to heal." Falan informed, sitting next to him on the bed. "Do you remember anything?"
"Not exactly...." He mumbled rubbing his forehead.
"Do you feel any different? I mean other than the healing." Falan inquired.
He paused for a bit before nodding silently. Falan sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"It seems the effects are already starting to fade away." Falan noted.
Harlow came in with food and placed a cup of water in front of him before grabbing the bowl of fruit. She then sat down next to Falan while feeding Neel some of the fruits.
"Did you enjoy our time last night?" She winked.
"I don't remember anything, but did something happen good?" Neel asked.
"It was nothing, Neel don't worry about it." Falan replied.
"How did I get injured?" He questioned.
He nodded his head.
"I think we should try to talk about last night. What you saw must have been traumatizing for you so it would be better if we start there." Falan explained.
Neel nodded, still a little shaken from what happened.
"You are going to do a good job for the agency as you are a good boy and my son." Falan said.
"Thank you Dad." He responded simply.
Falan took a few deep breaths before continuing.
"I am sorry about what I put you though Neel. You weren't ready yet. If there is anything you would like to know about it I can tell you." Falan offered.
Falan nodded and explained everything that happened, starting with how he was born into the mafia and ended up in prison. When he finished he was silent, looking at his own lap in thought. He couldn't help but feel bad, thinking that he might've caused a bit more harm in this world rather than help.
"Neel?" Falan asked cautiously.
"Oh..."
"You look lost in thought." Falan commented "you must think something's wrong."
Neel shook his head 'no'
"I promise you that nothing is wrong, if anything I am the one who's sorry. This whole situation has put a lot of pressure on you to handle what has happened since joining the organization. It is only natural that you might think you are a burden." Falan reassured.
"I am sorry I got hurt..." Neel responded.
"Don't apologize, you need to toughen up." Falan replied.
Harlow grabbed her purse and rushed out the door closing it shut quietly. Falan stood up slowly.
He stretched out his arms as if waking up from a nap before walking over to Neel and crouching down beside him.
His eyes trailed over his body checking to see if any damage had been done, before reaching up and taking Neel's chin between his fingers.
"I'll leave you to rest now, get plenty of sleep." Falan told him.
"Okay! Bye!"