Roman was conflicted.

Should he tell his friends about what happened? Was that really the right thing to do? 

They would be disgusted with him, surely.

He shook his head. No, he couldn’t think like that. Virgil and Patton told him not to think like that. Then again, was that really them? Or was it just his subconscious trying to stop him?

Murdering Remy Lavalle was easier than escaping, but was that really wise? Would he want his friends to eventually learn of two murders committed by his hands? Would they look at him the same? 

"Roman, babe?"

Roman’s head shot up, and he quickly looked over at Remy.

The scientist was staring at him, a slightly concerned expression on his face. “You okay?” He tilted his head. 

Roman blanked for just a second, just staring at Remy. “...Yeah. Yeah, sorry.” He shook his head, trying to snap himself out of it. “Just zoned out.” 

“You’ve been doing that all day, babe.” Remy pointed out offhandedly. “What’s on your mind?” 

Killing you.

“Nothing.” Roman laughed a bit. “Just tired, I guess. I barely slept last night.” 

“Why’s that?” Remy implored. “Something bothering you?”

“I guess you could say that.” Roman shrugged. “The apocalypse, mostly. Didn’t think I would live to see the end of the world.” 

That was true. To think, those crazy men he would see on the street, preaching about the end of times, were correct. The world as they knew came to a time where everything was shut down. How many were dead? He hadn’t even thought about it. 

Were the kids at Roman’s school dead? How many of them had survived? Were his friends in the archery club hiding out somewhere? Maybe they were faring about as well as Roman was, the ones with good aim, at least. 

“I didn’t think the world would be continuing for much longer, honestly.” Remy admitted. “But never, in a million years, did I think it would end like this. It’s something right out of a comic book, taken and placed in our reality.”

“Do you...really think you can create a cure?” Roman asked hesitantly. “Do you really think it’s possible?” 

“I have to.” Remy told him. “Otherwise, I’ll have no reason to continue.” 

Roman understood. Deep down, he knew that if a solution didn’t exist, he wouldn’t have a motivation to live. After all, why bother? He couldn’t run forever, and they would run out of food eventually. It was only a matter of time.

The two of them were alike in that aspect, it seemed.

“What happens if you die before you find a cure?” Roman questioned. “What hope does the world have then?” 

“Well,” the millionaire chuckled weakly, “I’m sure the world has more nerds like me to rely on.” 

Roman pursed his lips.

Remy Lavalle was the brightest mind in their generation, according to Logan. If he couldn’t find a cure, what hope did the rest of them have?

The world needed a cure. Remy Lavalle was their best bet for finding one.

If Roman were to kill him, he would be stealing the chance of a cure from the world. 

He decided then, or maybe he had decided the moment after his dream. 

Remy could test his cure all he wanted, but not on his family. As terrible as it was, he was willing to let the scientist test on someone else. The world needed a solution, and a scientist needed subjects. 

"Okay." Roman nodded.

They would leave. Tonight or tomorrow night, depending on how quickly he can make a plan. 

First, however, he needed to tell them the truth.

---

When he went back to the tent that night, his heart was pounding erratically in his chest. He was scared, more terrified than he had ever been in his life. 

What would his brother say? What would Janus say?

God, what would Logan say?

Would he look at Roman in disgust? In fear? Would he want Roman to leave the group, lest he kill one of them too? 

“Stop it.” He hissed to himself, taking a deep breath. “Just go for it. It’s like ripping a band-aid.” 

Virgil had said that a lot.

He ignored that particular thought.

Roman opened the tent, and all three of them looked up at him in surprise. 

“Ro!” Remus lit up. “You’re early!” 

“Are you okay? You’re not feeling sick again, are you?” Janus asked.

“Did something happen?” Logan tilted his head.

Roman stared at all of them, feeling his throat close up. He was about to tell them. He was about to reveal that their friend was a murderer. 

“...hi, guys.” He gave them a little wave. Tell them. “How are you all?” 

They all frowned, exchanging glances with each other. 

“How are you, Roman?” Logan rebutted, looking at him in concern. “Are you okay?” 

Roman opened his mouth to respond. “I--” Tell them. Tell them. Tell them.

He looked away, biting down on his tongue. They were going to hate him. They wouldn’t be able to look at him. They would abandon him.

“Ro?” Remus spoke up, frowning. 

Tell them. Tell them! TELL THEM!

“I killed someone.” Roman gasped out, wrapping his arms around himself. Immediately, tears sprung to his eyes.

He did it. He said it.

Silence.

He didn’t dare look at them, too scared of the expressions on their faces. What were they thinking, he wondered. Were they angered? Repulsed? 

"...what?"

He didn’t know who said it, but their tone made Roman instinctively look up. 

They weren’t angry, nor disgusted.

They just looked confused, mostly. 

“What do you mean, Ro?” Remus asked quietly, scooting over so Roman could sit down next to him. 

Roman sat down heavily, heart still pounding in terror. “Remy--He found the man who stole my bow.” He whispered, curling in on himself. “And I--” He inhaled shakily, tears on the verge of spilling over. “I--”

Remus quickly pulled him into a hug, resting his chin on the top of Roman’s head. “Just breathe.” 

“I killed him!” Roman burst into tears, squeezing his arms tighter around himself. Remus gently shushed him, rocking them back and forth.“Remy put the gun in my hands, and I was so angry. I wasn’t--I didn’t--”

“Wait.” Janus spoke up, eyes widened. “Did you say Remy put the gun in your hands?” He asked, brow furrowing. “Why?” 

Roman frowned. “I--I don’t know. It was like he wanted me to shoot him. The way he was speaking, I--” He shook his head. “Still, I pulled the trigger. I’m the one who--” 

“So he manipulated you?” Remus questioned, voice shaking. “He made you do his dirty work?” 

“That bastard!” Janus slammed his hand on the ground, rage swirling behind his eyes. “That dirty bastard!”

Logan didn’t say anything, staring blankly at Roman, who paled. 

Roman was sure of it. Logan hated him now. He absolutely despised him. He would convince the others to leave Roman behind and--

“I’m going to fucking kill him.” Logan snarled suddenly, expression darkening.

Roman blinked.

“Is that why you’ve been acting so weird?” Logan continued, a fiercely protective expression on his face. “How long has it been since this happened? Was he making you keep it to yourself?” 

Roman, stunned, just nodded mutely. 

“We can’t stay here.” Remus spat, tightening his hold on Roman. 

“That’s what I came to talk to you about, actually.” Roman murmured, pulling away from his brother. “Remy isn’t what he seems.” He began, wringing his hands together.

He explained what Valerie had told him. He explained what happened to the citizens of New Myrtbaie, the real reason why all of the citizens stayed with Remy, and why he was allowing the four of them to live there.

When he finished, he glanced up at all of them.

They all looked horrified. 

“He’s planning to kill us?” Janus whispered shakily. 

“I won’t let him.” Roman quickly told him, expression becoming firmer. “That’s why we need to leave. Tonight.”

“Tonight?” Logan’s eyes widened. “Do you have a plan?” 

Roman pursed his lips. “Uh--” He looked away. “Well--”

“Roman, there are dozens of guards patrolling every day.” Janus frowned. “How are we supposed to leave? Ask politely?” 

“You have us to rely on, dumbass.” Remus playfully flicked his head. “Let’s make a plan together.” 

Roman felt strange, like the pressure in his chest had been lifted. Virgil and Patton were right, as per usual. They didn’t hate him. They didn’t hate him at all. 

“Oh--” Remus’ eyes widened.

“Roman, you’re crying.” Logan murmured. “Are you alright?”

“I love you guys.” Roman told them, a relieved smile spreading across his face. “I love you so much.” 

Logan went red, while Remus and Janus just huffed fondly. 

“Tell us immediately next time, yeah?” Janus told him. 

“I will.” Roman nodded.

And he would.

A/N:

It is comfortably warm in the room I'm rn, might just fall asleep.