"Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Because you're paranoid. Wherever you are, you need to move on. No one has the time to keep grudges."
"Grudges? I killed his men. He didn't have an army, just a few of us. And look how many are left? Only three or four. Sean hates me. He's after me, I know it."
Stewart chuckled. "Since when did you start getting scared of him?"
Xavier sighed. "Since I started caring about someone other than myself."
"Well, I don't know what you plan to do, but the gang is busy."
"What do you mean?"
"The police have arrested John."
"The new kid?"
"Yeah," Stewart said with a sigh. "I don't know what Sean saw in him. Now he's gotten himself arrested."
He waited. "Wasn't there an alliance with the authorities?"
"We were on good terms, yeah. But ever since you killed that Abbott guy, this new detective has been on our asses. They’re all in hiding."
It took Xavier a moment to understand. He asked, "And you?"
"I ran before things went to shit. Ashley's with me." He could hear a smile in his words. "We're in Ark City." He paused. "You should leave. John may not know that you were the one who killed Abbott, but he knows that you were a part of the gang. And even though he's scared of Sean, it wouldn't take them long to break him. He's gonna spill names."
"What if he knows?" asked Xavier.
"I wouldn't know. Maybe he knows, or he might even figure it out with all the problems you've been creating with the gang. You need to be careful."
He nodded. "So, you're not in Petrichor?"
"Do I look like I'm stupid, Xav? Don't answer that. Besides, I don't care. I've got everything I need right here," said Stewart. Ashley giggled in the background.
"What about the orphanage?"
There was a pause. "Sorry, but you need to start caring about your head."
"Yeah..." he whispered.
"I gotta go, man. I just wanted to tell you that it's safe to leave Petrichor, now that the gang's in hiding and can't afford to search for you."
"Stewart... Thank you." Xavier gulped. "You've been a good friend. I don't know where I'd be without you. Thank you." His voice shook.
Stewart let out a bark-like laugh. "I think the screws have come loose in your head. You've never talked like this before. Are you dying or something?"
He sighed. "No, not yet."
"Good. So, you're going to your girl?"
He closed his eyes. "Yeah... Soon."
"Okay then. Hope our paths cross again, mate."
I hope not. "Me too... Goodbye."
And he cut the call.