Chapter 1
"Hey come back blue eyes!"
"Oi, where're you going pretty boy!"
"Hey!"
The cacophony of voices blended into one ugly catcall as the gathered boys chased after their prey. Farther and farther they ran, kicking broken crates and debris out of their way. Water splashed ahead, letting them know that he was still there, not too far away yet.
"Leave me alone", the shout came back. "I don't want any trouble."
The blonde they were chasing gasped as something pierced his side. He cried out but forced his legs pump faster. Farther, darker, narrower. The maze didn't end. He exhaled then squeezed himself into such a close area between the dilapidated buildings that for a moment he feared he might get stuck. He was able to move though and pressed himself against the wall until he could get to the open space on the other side.
Why had he run? He should've just faced them down. But tonight he didn't want to hurt, not when he was still licking wounds of a different sort. Tidus's face pulled into a grimace. Why? Had he done something wrong? Why was Yuna leaving him now?
"I just feel like you don't love me."
He was still young. What was he supposed to tell her? He didn't know that...love...
Shouts and the sound of splashing. They'd passed him by. He felt remorse for the cat that had probably distracted them but shook his head. He had to keep moving. If they caught him this time, he'd be dead. The cat screeched as their laughter rose, confirming his suspicions. He shielded his ears and ran again, sick with fear.
Sweat dripped into the gash on his side and he hissed, hating how loud his breathing was. How dark and close and putrid the walls were. Tidus stumbled, not expecting the abrupt clearing. He cast around in a panic, feeling more exposed than comforted despite his claustrophobia. Abandoned buildings reared up like obscene tombstones as they clawed at the night sky. It was eerie, beautiful and….
A spark of light caught the corner of his vision and before he could turn to run, his whole body froze. A man was suspended on the edge of the exposed steel skeleton in one of the surrounding buildings, leaning against the vertigo tease like it was the most comfortable place in the world. It was the tip of his cigarette that caught Tidus's eye, he realized; that orange glow that caressed the man's face like a lonely lover in the dark.
Tidus shook himself as the sounds of the boys got closer again. Before he could make his escape they filed into the area. Blood spattered some of the boys' clothes. It had only whetted their appetite for more.
Tidus's eyes flicked to the figure again but the man hadn't moved.
The blonde's attention snapped back to the group of boys as they corralled him against one wall.
"Couldn't hear us?"
"Why are you so scared?"
Low chuckles tickled down Tidus's spine, but he dove and hefted a steel bar. He would not go down like this.
"Come on", he snarled, giving one good swing at the nearest guy's head.
"Dogs shouldn't", the farthest boy fell as a chop was delivered to the back of his neck. "Bark", The man finished. Tidus gaped as he tugged one of his black gloves with his teeth and flexed his fingers. The cigarette remained, miraculously, in place. The other boys whipped around then pulled up short.
Nobody had seen or noticed the man sneak up on them. He was fast..
The man's brown eyes flashed, the glow from his cigarette making them look demonic as his lips pulled into a smile. The group gave a collective gulp then turned tail and bolted. "Dammit", he snarled softly. "There goes my nap." The man tsked and watched them go, working the cigarette from side to side before inhaling.
He looked back at Tidus and lifted a brow as he blew a pillar of smoke out. Coughing, the blonde waved away the putrid stench and glared.
"Aren't you going to say thanks?"
"Why should I", Tidus snapped. "I could have handled it."
The brunette shook his head and took another deep drag. "Whatever."
Fuming, the blonde made to walk away as well. Now that the threat was gone he could get back to Yuna and…
His vision swam as he crashed to the ground, the dull ache in his side erupting into a thousand dirty chains to pull his mind into the dark.
*throttles plot bunny* There, you little bastard! I finally caught you! *turns and blushes, hiding bunny behind my back* Erm, yeah. Sorry for this lame excuse for a pilot chapter. I wanted something light and haven't quite worked up the guts to do that intricate Sherlock oneshot I'm still mulling over….This is going to be my light one I think, if I don't bumble too much. My writing turns so damn dark, it's exhausting. Also, cookies for whoever guesses the man's identity~
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*kicks self* I know. Freaking lame. It's so obvious I kinda just want to throw tomatoes at myself, and I'm allergic LOL.. …. =_= Mm. Anyways, thanks for reading!
Review?