"What do you mean by that? Is your image more important than your health?"
Jones rebuked him upon choosing to stay inside the storeroom rather than going out to face Kayden and Medusa. Malcolm lifted his head and chuckled sarcastically which made Jones bite his own words.
"Do I have to mind you that I'm in this state because of your son!? Who are you to lecture me on this?"
Jones sighed upon his words and could not counter reply, he patted on his shoulder and released Malcolm's arms. He ebbed and went to pick up Kayden's shoes, Jones cast a last look at Malcolm before exiting the storeroom. There was utter sympathy in his eyes regarding the boy, after all he was just a kid too.
"Fine. I will send them off soon. And will be back to take you out. Okay?"
Jones was persistent to help him out considering his son required Malcolm's powers as a teamwork. Moreover he did not want him to hold a grudge and backstab Kayden at crucial moment. It was wise to bring both of them in front of each other before some big event.
Malcolm nodded and Jones headed out of the storeroom, leaving him sitting on the trunk. Kayden dusted off his hands and glanced at his father, Medusa was also done with the food. He was already getting late whereas Medusa sat there lazily, she was totally unaware of Jones' plan.
"What took you so long, dad? Nevermind, I'm ready to leave and will be back in about four hours if everything went well."
Kayden shoved the last bite down his throat and took the shoes from his father' hands. He did not wait for Jones' reply due to the delay and hurriedly tied the laces. Kayden was about to leave for the institute when Jones called him from behind.
"You are not going alone from now on. Take Medusa with you."
Kayden' gaze immediately turned towards his father and then glared at Medusa who averted her stare to display her thoughts of not going with him. However Jones was persistent in sending her with Kayden.
"But why would she go with me?"
He tried to protest because taking Medusa out would have been risky. And she was no less than any lethal weapon. Medusa nodded at Jones while agreeing with Kayden' statement, she wanted to first figure out her own emotions for a while before getting close to him again.
"Why not? Didn't she and Malcolm vow to protect you? If he is not around then you should take her with you, just say she is your girlfriend, cousin or whatever if anybody asked."
Jones raised his voice a bit to ensure that Kayden would comply to his orders. Medusa on the other hand choked on the water upon hearing those words. The old man was deliberately provoking Kayden and setting the ground for both of them.
Whereas Kayden was unwilling to commit to his father's words. He burst out in annoyance which disclosed the secret which the three of them had been keeping from Jones.
"I won't take her with me, neither Malcolm nor her. The last time we went outside, I murdered Jack and you know what else!? That bastard Malcolm made it evident that he was killed by some outsider. Hell no, I'm taking her out again!"
Mr jones became stunned upon the revelation, it came out as a surprise for the old man who could not simply believe it. He staggered backwards when Medusa approached and wrapped her arms around his shoulders to support him.
Jones sat down on the wooden floor along with Medusa while Kayden stared at his father with a nonchalant gaze. He did not feel any remorse for killing Jack instead was just angry and frightful that he might get caught by the cops.
"You...you killed him!? You killed that fucker!"
Medusa was unable to grasp why Jones was overreacting because according to her killing Jack was a necessary act. However Jones was enraged and leaped towards Kayden while Medusa had to hold him back in the place.
"I never knew that my son would be incapable of choosing between wrong and right. Did I not teach you well, Kayden?"
Kayden saw mixed emotions coloring his father's face, guilt and sadness was fused with disappointment. His heart clenched upon witnessing that his dad regarded the act evil, Kayden stepped closer to him with a heavy heart.
"But that was no wrong, dad. He kidnapped Medusa and was literally about to **** her when I reached there."
He tried to reason out with the explanation because now it was impossible for him to leave for the academy with a disturbed mind. Jones shifted his painful gaze towards Medusa to confirm Kayden's words, while the succubus nodded and placed her hand over his shoulder to console him.
"What he did was wrong, I know that. And you killed him for justice, you could have called the cops or beat him black and blue if you were unable to control."
Jones raked though his hair in panic and became worried, Kayden and Medusa could not comprehend why he was making a big deal out of it. Kayden wanted to end all of it to avoid getting insulted even more in front of Medusa.
"Here I am trying hard, searching and reading through stuff to help you control this demonic power of yours. But you are willingly submitting to its tempting strength. I'm warning you Kayden, you are liking it now but soon you will regret making it flow in your veins to eventually cloud your heart and senses."
Medusa became suspicious about his words, Jones seemed to know more than he revealed in front of them. Kayden on the other hand quietly listened to his father and waited for him to finish so they would not end up on a bad note.
"You are making it sound as if I am a serial killer. It had happened only once, okay. I can still work on it to control this strange power in me. Why are you persistent in creating a fuss about it?"
Kayden was totally unaware what he did to Malcolm which was clear from his words. Whereas Medusa did not find herself in a position to butt in, thus she stood there silently because both of them appeared to be right at that moment.
"Once!? Just once!?"
Jones shouted as he stood up to disclose Kayden about his horrible deeds. But he immediately recalled that Malcolm did not want to be seen at that time. He had to keep his word thus clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
-*-*-*-*-
2 more chapters coming in a few hours.
I will try to make up for the remaining two in upcoming days!