Gone Too Far
Part I
Disclaimer: Not mine
Ingredients (aka Warning): Dark matters, implications and a particularly twisted bout of logic.
Italics: can indicate either flashbacks
Or represent the true content of what is being said
The vein in Kurogane's temple was throbbing dangerously.
"Nya-"
And the dam burst.
„Stop that obnoxious behaviour, it's disgusting! Can't you just one time pretend to be a decent human being! And what the hell are you doing here anyway? Haven't I made it clear that I'd love to be out of your company! Need I spell it out! Listen, slowly – I'll only repeat it once: I hate you."
The pale hand stopped short of his left shoulder, wavered uncertainly for a moment before sinking. Blue eyes widened fractionally and for a second the happy mask slipped. Usually hidden sadness surfaced, pain and hurt reflected within sky-blue eyes, then were vehemently repressed at once.
Left was a broken smile on a delicate face.
Turning back to his drink, Kurogane toasted his words silently – the barb had drawn blood and with this particular wizard that posed a reason to celebrate. Quite smugly he noted the ensuing silence, meaning the other was too lost for words.
Another novelty.
Perhaps he would treat himself to another drink – whatever the concoction was called in this world – if he could get Fai to leave. Perhaps he was overreacting – but today he wanted peace and no annoying voice quaking nonsense into his ear.
Just him and his drink – and the world would be perfect.
It was fine that the kids had stayed back. This world was decent during daytime, yet they had been warned that tensions ran high and when mixed with alcohol results could get ugly.
And indeed, most men in this establishment were heavily armed under their jackets and coats.
His eyes came to rest on the blond wizard again, who – surprisingly - looked like he was about to cry and was hanging on by a thin thread. Even the smile was quivering.
Tonight was no place for sympathy. Under other circumstances he Kurogane might have been more considerate, perhaps even might have taken pity on the wizard, who was looking so out-of-place in this crude establishment.
Right now he had promised himself a nice evening and Fai had no place in those plans.
"Leave."
Blue eyes clenched shut in a wide grin.
He didn't quite know where he was going – it was a reflex.
Run from the pain,
Run from the people,
Run, run, run.
It was becoming a habit. Perhaps he should stop. Perhaps he should just sit down and wait for fate – in this case named Ashura – to catch up with him.
And perhaps he should stop thinking thoughts that were hazardous to his health. If he wanted to survive…
If…
Sometimes Fai doubted there was much sense to his continued existence. For the time being he had the quest for Sakura's lost memories as a motivation, but beyond …
Glaring emptiness made not for a welcoming future.
Death seemed not only inevitable, but also quite inviting.
Yet it would defy his purpose. He was running because he wanted to live, to live in spite of what had happened back in Celes.
In spite of what Ashura had done.
A large hand suddenly clamped down on his arm, swinging him forcefully around and he found himself starring at a broad, muscular chest that wasn't truly covered by the ripped and dirt-stained cotton shirt the man wore.
Another hand grabbed his chin and tilted his face up.
Cold dark eyes scanned his face carefully, as if inspecting a piece of merchandise. The man's face fitted the cliché image of a great brute; the mouth was hardened, surrounded by lines of anger. Furrowed brows revealed a level of concentration and focus that send shivers down Fai's spine.
The smell of alcohol and dried sweat finally brought Fai back to his senses. Trying to squirm out of the man's iron grip, he was taken by surprise, when the hand under his chin shifted, clasped securely around his throat.
And squeezed.
"I wasn't finished looking, pretty."
Fai wanted to protest, but the pressure increased, cutting off his air supply completely. A small gasp was all he could produce, and it brought a sick smile on the other's lips.
"I think I like you." ,he stated, leaning in closer.
And once more, Fai bitterly reflected, nobody around saw it fit to help. Nobody intervened, nobody spoke – they only observed.
Just like everyone in Celes had done: Watch how the others suffer, watch how they slowly crumble and waste away.
Running away brought no escape.
Another's hands on his skin, forcing him and the silent pleas for help remains unheard as well.
Perhaps Kurogane was also watching, like Ashura had done…
Fai's vision started blurring at the corners, gradually growing darker. He would have completely given up.
Yet the man brought his mouth to his ear and whispered something.
The reaction came instantly, a foot kicking forcefully against one broad, muscular shin. It made the man's grasp slacken, present an opportunity for escape.
"No!" ,Fai yelled, loud – distantly surprised at himself – stumbling backwards.
The physical attack had only surprised the man. No harm had been done; Fai had never been able to deal out any real damage in a physical fight.
He'd never been strong enough to …
Pressing his lips together, chasing the memories away, Fai turned on his heel to flee, but before he could take a second step towards security, his right wrist was grabbed.
Violently. Thick fingers pressed down, cutting off the circulation, nails digging into his skin until it burst open. Red liquid started trickling down his hand.
And slowly but certainly the man twisted his arm so far, that tears sprung to his eyes.
A silent plea for stop was answered by an excited, unholy light glowing in the other's eyes.
"Nobody disobeys me! Nobody!"
The nerves in Fai's arm were screaming, turning out the man's loud voice.
"Learn it!"
A sick crack.
For a second, pure blackness fluttered through Fai's vision and he wanted to loose himself into the oblivion, yet strong hands on his shoulders shook him back into reality.
"You listen to me! No spacing out! You do as I say, understood!"
Rage was colouring the man's cheeks red, redder than they had been from the alcohol. Brows furrowed dangerously –
Yet somehow, he didn't care anymore. There was nothing new about being used and treated as an object or a pet – he had yet to meet somebody who didn't. Well, normal people like Kurogane didn't even want his company.
Eyelids fluttered closed, bowing his head to his fate.
Perhaps being a puppet was the best he could wish for.
And all of a sudden a fist collided with his cheek and sent him to the ground. Automatically he tried to soften his fall, stretching out his hands – only to remember too late that his right arm was broken and useless.
Pain shot up the limb, searing through his body, blackening every other thought.
When he regained his senses, his entire body was trembling violently and he tasted blood on his lips. There was even some glistening on the floor.
A boot on his left hand, crushing all the bones with sadistic pleasure. Something wet sliding down his face – tears?
Darkness was swirling around him, numbing emotions, voices and sensations. The pain didn't register that strongly anymore… Somebody was pulling his hair, shouting.
Suddenly there was a second man, and then another. And they all had mean faces and were starring at him like … like …
… starved vultures.
They kept laughing and shouting, degrading him and cajoling to each other. Fai could hardly hear them. Too much pain, too many unshed tears, too many memories.
Desperation and desolation.
Lost.
Once more in a place and position where he didn't want to be. Once more left to his own devices, once again helpless.
A metal bar descended towards his head. Fai saw it coming in slow motion, heard the air sloshing and feverishly hoped it would kill him.
By now an impressive collection of empty glasses stood in front of Kurogane, yet his head remained clear. Behind him he felt the air crackling with tension – it wouldn't be long until the infamous brawl started.
He was more than ready.
The only surprise was that the wizard had indeed not returned. Kurogane refused to be worried – Fai was usually the one who made a lot of acquaintances.
Most certainly he was having a good time.
To be continued.
Questions? Comments? Critic? Random thoughts?