damnation

The stairwell is quiet, except for the shuffling of Justin’s feet as he tried not to fall down the stairs as Daniel pulled him along. “Wait! Where are we going? Why are we running?!” Justin asks in desperation as he stumbles and falls forward. Daniel catches the blond before they both start to tumble. “Steady now,” he calls, catching his breath before looking at Justin. “Come on.” Taking Justin’s hand, he opens the door marked exit and takes a step forward. Squinting from the direct sunlight, Justin looks out at the busy road in front of him. Cars and taxis speed by. “We’re outside?” He knows it’s an obvious question and should have come out more as a statement, but he was baffled. “Why?” Turning around, he knows there isn’t parking lots anywhere near them so he isn’t sure what was going on. Shit, this was not part of the plan. “This way,” Daniel gestures towards the large fountain in front of the museum and walks quickly, causing Justin to stumble yet again as he attempts to keep up. “The fountain? Wait…” Justin frowns as he’s being led away from and down a ramp. “Are we going to the Sculpture Garden?” “No.” Daniel answers quickly, leading them to a door and pushing it open before leading them onto the busy sidewalk. “Then where? Daniel, the museum is opening in two hours, I need---” Justin can see that the man in front of him is clearly frustrated, but stands his ground. “My art is in that building, Daniel. Art that people are going to---” Taking a calming breath, Daniel takes both of Justin’s hands into his and speaks calmly, “Justin. Both you and Olga spent weeks discussing the layout of your exhibition via the phone and internet. Her staff put everything up in the exact arrangement that you requested.” “How do--” “I already did the tour, everything is exactly how you envisioned it, Justin. It’s perfect. Now we have to go.” “Where?” Justin demands; pulling his hands away from Daniel’s. Sighing, the older man looks around the near empty sidewalk and out towards the road before returning his attention the blond artist in front of him. “People are trying to kill you, Justin. We need to leave right now.” “What are you talking about?” He asks, hoping he can hear over the loud pounding of his heartbeat. “The same people who killed your family, Justin. I’ll explain later, come on!” he urges, grabbing Justin by the arm and starting to walk away from the museum. “No!” Digging his heels down, he pulls his arm away. “Tell me now!” “Fuck, Justin!” Daniel argues, wanting to shake the young man in front of him, “Understand what I am saying to you: there are men who are waiting to kill you. I’m saving you. Now come on!” “Where? And who are these people? How did they know I’m in D.C.? I’m not using that name anymore!” Justin tries not scream; however his voice is laced with warning. “It doesn’t matter.” “Yes it does! Is my sister in danger?” “No. No, I don’t think so.” He pauses, “No. I’m sure of it. I’m not sure if they even know that she’s still alive.” Justin sways, his head becoming light. Feeling Daniel’s hands on him quickly brings him back into reality. “What’s happening?” Daniel sighs, his eyes searching the road behind Justin and himself before speaking. “The man who ordered the hit on your family is dead. His son wants to maintain his father’s honor by making sure that every member of the Taylor family is gone.” Justin swallows hard as he wills himself not to scream, rant and rave and then sob. “But I’m supposed to be dead. How did he know I wasn’t?” He whispers, knowing the answer already but needing to hear it from the asshole’s own mouth. Instead, Daniel continues with the explanation, “The son found out that you were coming here. He doesn’t know why. He doesn’t know you’re using the name JT Kinney. That’s why we’re leaving the museum. I don’t want your alias to have any ties to you.” “Why does he think I’m here?” Justin asks, his voice shaky as he lets Daniel guide him a few steps farther from the museum. “Visiting a friend: me.” “You?” Daniel nods, “He sent his men here to locate and kill you.” Justin fights the urge to fall down as he knees weaken. It didn’t matter how many times he said or heard it, it still took his breath away when those words were spoken. “So they’ve asked you to hand me over?” “Something like that,” Daniel admits, but quickly adds, “But I have my own plan.” Justin nods his head. He figured as much. “We’re leaving. My car is less than a block away,” Daniel gestures with his hand before taking Justin by the arm, “They won’t tell Eddie that they couldn’t find you.” “You know this for a fact?” “Well, no, not really,” Daniel admits, “However I’ve met these men before, and they’re not going to admit defeat. So when they realize you’re gone and can’t find you… they’re not going to tell Eddie that they failed. They’ll say they killed you.” “And then what?” Justin asks softly. “Then you and I hide out for awhile until the dust settles. You come back as JT or whatever other name you might life for yourself. We can move to Italy even. Wherever you want.” Daniel replies with a hint of a smile. Justin blinks slowly. Everything felt so surreal. Here it was: this choice in front of him. Checking his watch, Daniel looks up quickly, “We have to leave now..” “This has to end,” Justin announces softly, and Daniel isn’t sure if he’s saying it to him, himself or to no one in particular. Nodding, Daniel agrees, “Yes. That’s why you need to follow me and get in my car so we can leave and finally end this once and for all.” “End this once and for all,” Justin repeats softly. Would they really be safe? Would leaving just add another life into jeopardy? Would Molly and Brian really be safe? Closing his eyes, Justin thinks briefly about what life could offer him. “Justin?” Opening his eyes, Justin stares at the man in front of him. This man who offers salvation yet was also the cause of his endangerment. “Are you coming?”