Arthur Ruth - 2018, 2:45 P.M.
"Mister Ruth I don't understand why you have come to me today." The doctor inspected him with disdain and near impatience. Arthur crossed his arms defensively over his chest as the doctor glanced down at his papers, pursing his lips in his prissy, all mighty glow. "There is nothing physically wrong with you. All the tests we have conducted show that you are perfectly healthy, if not a little over weight for a man your height..." The doctor pushed himself from his desk, towering over Arthur's hesitant form. This had been the third time in the year that Arthur came for inspection. The first one had been planned ahead of time, for Arthur was fully aware that there was a possibility of some form of cancer returning. The second one was due to pains similar to that when he was first diagnosed. They had inspected him and claimed that he was in perfect shape, if not a little underweight for his height. This time around he had troubles running with his cousin and his friend Gwendolyn, which was an occurrence not common for the man. He made sure to exercise constantly, whether it be dancing and teaching those in his life how to dance, or simply taking joys around the neighborhood. But the last week had been tiring for Arthur and once again, he feared the worse. His original doctor as a younger man welcomed these check ups, but as he grew older he found that they became more common. The results were always the same, he was healthy, and perhaps a little under or over weight. This began to annoy Arthur, and while he was grateful he was not sick, he knew that there was something wrong in his head. He kept finding ways to express physical ailments, and whether or not they were false was not apparent to Arthur.
"With all due respect sir I was just making sure that I don't have any other form of cancer. I know leukemia is much more common in the younger population, but I am aware that in some cases, even after recovery, cancers can come back. Even if it isn't the same kind." Arthur glanced sheepishly down at his swinging feet, chewing at the inside of his cheek in his anxiety. "I appreciate the check up sir. Is there anything you need to inform me of before I go?"
"Only that your insurance still manages to cover everything...somehow." The doctor mumbled, a tight smile pulling at his lips. "You are healthy Mister Ruth. I highly doubt you will develop any similar illnesses in the future. I hope you have a good rest of your day." The doctor trudged to the door and held it open for Arthur, who let out a sigh as he hopped up from his seat and exited the office. He didn't bother to book another appointment on the way out.
The weather outside was none too surprising. Crummy and damn near pouring. Arthur grumbled under his breath as he plucked his cousins unbrella from the depth of his coat pocket, which happened to be decorated in the bane of Arthur's existence. Ladybugs. He popped the umbrella open and sighed his relief, his body shivering from the cool breeze that travelled by. He was going to request a famous Cyrus Booker hug when he got home to their apartment, and then perhaps convince him to visit Izzy and Gwen. He did not wish to admit his visit to the doctors, however, and gnashed his teeth as he thought about it still.
"At least I'm not sick..." He mused to himself, feeling a gentle figure fall into him as he trudged on the sidewalk. A man, a half foot smaller than Arthur had collided into him, his hands clutching the sides of his coat desperately. Arthur realized that the strangers knees were buckling quickly, and his hands grabbed for him. Gently he helped him to his feet, watching the man's breath become labored. Arthur wouldn't be surprised if this man was drugged or drunk. "Sir are you okay?" The man's head tilted to view Arthur, his beady, weary eyes locked with the young man's
"Help me. I...home. Home is not too far..." the man raised a gnarled, wrinkled hand that was decorated in veins and purple splotches. He pointed towards the group of homes packed together near the office, his finger trembling as his free hand held onto Arthur with desperation. "Please..."
"Do you need a doctor sir?" Arthur inquired as he placed an arm around the man and made sure that the man's grip upon him was strong. "You don't look too well."
"Doctors won't serve me now...home..." Arthur, while hesitant, followed the man's direction and slowly guided him, not a single word spoken between them as the rain pounded against Arthur's ridiculous lady bug covered umbrella. The man's grip did grow weaker as they continued their way, Arthur's vision nearly blinded as the rain came down mercilessly. His eyes squinted and surely enough, as they reached the first house, the man tugged at his sleeve. "Here." Arthur's attention was directed to a warn out home, the front door barely hanging upon its latch.
"Okay..." Arthur muttered uncertainly, leading him in and closing his umbrella on the way in. "Are you okay sir? Is there anything I can get for you? Water?" Arthur offered, but was stopped by the man with a stubborn wave of his hand.
"No my good boy. I must do something for you." The man explained quietly, hobbling deeper into the depths of his home. Arthur bit his lip, the hairs on his neck standing straight up. He suddenly wondered if he should escape, but before he had the chance, the man returned with a box, gently tied with a blue bow. He shoved the item into Arthur's hands, a smile on his withered, tired face. "I never thought I would find someone worthy to wield this. I think you might have a chance good boy. Can you promise me something?"
"What?" Arthur inquired, confused that this man had a gift for him prepared. His heart hammered in his chest in near fear.
"You shall not spill blood. You shall not kill and taint your soul."
"What?" Arthur questioned again, pale "I'm not going to kill anyone sir...I don't plan on killing anyone and find that notion to be disturbing."
"Fucking close enough." The man mumbled, patting Arthur's shoulder. "Thank you my boy. And take good care. Remember the promise."
"Okay?" Arthur scowled in thought before the man smiled sweetly, asking of him.
"Good. Now get out of my house."
——
Arthur, still confused about the man, decided that staying at his apartment was the best decision. It took him a good twenty minutes to return home, his gift tucked safely underneath his arm. Taking the key from his pocket, he clicked his way into his home, noticing that Cyrus was not home. "Must be out still." He mused, making his way over to the tight living corridors. He plopped onto their couch, his fingers almost instantaneously ripping the parchment from the box. Once there was a clear lid, Arthur pried it open to reveal something very odd.
A checkered masquerade mask stared at him, it's details worn and faded. "What the hell?" He questioned as he took the mask within his hands. Faint voices began to echo within his head. Fear bubbled within his chest, but instinct told him to put on the mask
"Finally that old man decided to give it up." A man's voice boomed through his skull, husky and demanding.
"I don't blame the poor dear. He was getting old...but he served us well." A gentle woman's voice bounced, causing the fear to travel to Arthur's throat.
"It doesn't matter who gets the mask at this point." A bland voice echoed, a yawn soon following after. "Hey kid. Whatever your name is. Welcome to your void."
"Don't talk like that Hill! You were always so cruel to Gabriel...don't be rude to this poor boy." The woman pleaded.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Arthur finally exclaimed, his fingers tracing the mask in panic.
"Ooo dear dear relax honey you are alright....oh dear oh dear..." the woman attempted to soothe, her voice as sweet as honey. "Ignore hill...listen. You've been chosen for a great service...to protect those who cannot protect themselves..."
"There are people in my head...there are people in my head..." Arthur whimpered and placed his head in the palms of his hands, the mask smooth against his skin.
"Trust me we aren't happy about it either." The first voice claimed, before stating. "You are gonna be alright though kiddo. But for the meantime, take off the mask. We don't need you blowing up the apartment."
"What?" Arthur choked, struggling to breathe evenly.
"Sweetie raise our your hand." The woman asked politely, to which Arthur did so. "And now focus. Just breathe. In...and out...do you see that spark?"
"Yes." Arthur replied, shocked to now see a red spark growing in his hand. It festered and grew, causing more panic to bubble within him.
"That's why sweetie. Take off the mask for now. Put it back when you know you need it. Quickly sweetie. Quickly now..." Arthur did not need another demand, and swiftly removed the mask from his face and put it back into the box. The energy disappeared, as well as the voices. Arthur took five minutes to fully calm himself, but at that point, his roommate had entered the room.
"Arthur...you okay?" The young blonde man inquired as he placed himself next Arthur, staring down at the box "What's the deal with the mask?"
"I think I'm cursed." Arthur muttered, shoving the box onto the coffee table before retreating into their shared bathroom to scream.