The rain was brought down to earth like a thousand needles, so dense, anything further than a meter became imperceptible. The air has long reached its saturation point, making breathing seem like such a great challenge. The weather was cold and uncomfortable. My drenched maroon hair pasted to the back of my neck. Blood, adhering onto the surface of my skin, was mixed with soil and rainwater. I began to dread every feeling of even being alive. Yet, I forced myself forward, biting hard into my lips, which soon brought a warm metallic taste across my tongue.
I felt my knees growing weaker, losing control of my balance, I tripped and fell. Broken street lights flickered as if they were snickering at how worthless I was. My nails clawed on the hard asphalt ground, pushing myself to stand, I failed miserably and fell down again. A sudden shock of pain forcefully pushed me to the ground, my hand reached for the reopened scar, the scar I received 13 years ago was ripped open on the exact same spot. I let out an dry laughter at my own helplessness.
I let my finger swept past the long wound on my chest, the once healed scar which had been slashed opened, blood gushed onto my hand, staining it a deep red. My thoughts and sensation were once again melting away, even though I was ordered to "live", maybe I would just die meaningless on this deserted alley. In spite of those negative thoughts, I pulled myself up and dragged forward aimlessly. I pulled out from my small bag, a small plastic bag containing a red pill, it clawed at my dry throat when I forced it down in agony without the help of any form of liquid. I knew it wasn't really the best thing to do, the effects would take over me in a few minutes and I would be able to move for at least 2 days, yet I couldn't lose myself just yet.
I could only depend on fate to carry me forward, what was left over of my strength was being slowly drained away. Silently cursing gravity, I dropped down once again, but before I reached the hard black concrete, something warm and familiar caught me in mid-air. Through the tiny slit of my eyes I could force open, all I could see was a pair of deep blue eyes hidden behind that pair orange-tinted goggle. Time was never my ally, before I could react, darkness had already brought itself to my conscious.
Humans are just the same as ants,easily getting crashed into half, being ripped apart. Anything living loses its life just as easily as taking life away from others. Struggling, suffering, and dying. Then why are we still living on? Dying is easier than blowing a birthday candle, yet living is worst than escaping from quick sand.
13 years ago, at that one moment, he was holding my tiny hand in his comparatively large ones, having a gentle smile on his face as usual. "Mia." he whispered into the empty space, I didn't know who he was referring to. "I'm sorry." And the next moment his fresh warm blood was pouring over my stunned expressions, his frozen smile slowly melted away.
I vividly remember the dark cloaked figure, even after 13 years, she was wearing the same long white dress, time seemed to have no effects on her, she was frozen in her appearance as my memory had recalled. Her face was pale, strands of platinum blond shone a glimmering sliver under the same bright moonlight. Her emotionless ice-blue mirrored my own, she raised that ebony weapon, the blood-covered scythe came slashing down on me.
Lost.
Blank-out.
I couldn't scream, couldn't cry, couldn't runaway, it doesn't hurt at all. I just obeyed gravity and dropped onto the hard cement floor.
"Live... " it was an order I was forced to obey, the voice was yet so gentle, stirring as if she was crying. I felt helpless as my conscious silently drifted away, somehow, a slight piece of my mind told me it would not be over. My thoughts drifted on.
…
Everything around me was pitch black, it was freezing cold. I hugged my knees and rolled myself into a ball yearning for warmth, it has almost become a habit. I could hear someone singing in the background, the voice filled with sorrow and regret, my tears flowed out uncontrollably. Without warning, I felt a cold, smooth hand clenching onto my throat, with a murderous intention, the singer in the background was suddenly stripped of her voice.
"...Save ...me...save...me..." I gasp through stolen breathes.
As if answer my call, a gentle warm finger caressed my cheek, brushing away the tears which were streaming out of my control. The hand without any body temperature was now gone from my neck. Surrounding me was a bright light, and before I knew it my conscious moved on yet again.
"Nnn...." I swept a hand over my face and blinked open my eyes, toxic fumes of cigar smoke drifted into my nose. Memories flooded back to me, as I scanned the unfamiliar territory I was residing in. My body was still numb, the effects of the speed regeneration pill has decided to stay in for a while longer. I stroked the scar through my ripped shirt, it has healed, once again, though it still remained as the disfigurement it had always been. Summoning all my strength, I pushed myself up from the bed. A picture frame sitting next to the HD plasma TV caught my eye. I hobbled towards it trying to avoid all the various networks of wires, gaming devices and empty instant noodle cups on my way.
Framed within it was a picture of three kids sitting. A blond hair boy was munching on his chocolate while trying to steal a glimpse at the gameboy advance a certain goggle boy was playing. Next to him was a little girl staring intensely to catch what was going on in the game with her large ice blue orbs. The small curve brought to the corners of my lips was almost unnoticeable. As metallic sound of the unlocking front door came echoed down into the room, summoning my desire to head towards it, a sudden intense pain struck through my body like lightning. Having lost all my strength through that impetuous attack, my knees melted and gave way to the ground. Bracing for the impact of a heavy fall, I was embraced by a strong cigar scent and strong, warm arms, providing me with a sense of security.
I looked up to my savior and met with that familiar pair of orange goggles. "Matt..." I murmured. "Thanks..."
"Don't just go around causing trouble as soon as you get up." Matt smirked and I received a soft knock on my forehead. "And you better go take a bath and change." He said, I swore I saw a slight blush on his face, as he tried to look away.
"?" I looked down, my shirt was ripped up and part of my bosom was showing. In my usual flat tone I questioned. "Didn't we use to take baths together?"
"When in hell have we ever done that!?" Immediately letting go of me, removing my body from his warmth. Matt raised a finger to indicate the direction of the bathroom at one end of the room, gloomily I dragged my feet towards the door.
I sank my body down into the warm waters of the bathtub, letting out a sigh I splashed the liquid on to my face. Soon, the water was stained a slight red. I rubbed myself with soap, my slippery fingers stopped at where the wound was, it was gone and replace by the scar that was originally there.
"Sep, I'm leaving the towel and clothes here." Matt's voice echoed into the bathroom.
I dunk face into the water and blew air bubbles through it. Gu...gu...gu... "Ahh...Hungry..." murmured into the soapy waters. I shampooed my hair and rinsed myself as fast as I could, my stomach was reacting too strongly. How long has it been since I have last eaten, I should have been paralyzed for at least 48 hours... I took a peek into the room through the bathroom door, after a through inspection that it was empty, I slipped my hands out for the towel and clothes he had placed outside and changed into them. It was a plain white suit shirt and a pair of jeans. I was surprised, the shirt was the kind I normal wore, except it was not in my usual lady's cut. I have never once seen Matt out of his black-and-stripe shirts. The size didn't really fit me, making me feel so small inside of it.
I walked past the bed I was lying on, it was bloody, I made a mental reminder to myself to do the laundry later. Scanning around, I realized that it was a three-room apartment, one being the bedroom, the other was used as a living room and the smallest was a kitchen. If I had been using the only bed, then Matt must had been sleeping on the sofa. I strolled into the living room where he was lying on the sofa and tapping on his PSP with a cigarette placed between his lips.
"Warm..." I buried my cheeks into his cherry-wood strands, strong cigarette smoke mixed with disappearing traces of shampoo. A familiar scent. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, fingertips stealing heat from the nape of his neck.
"Cold." He replied, not taking much care in my actions. He was used to this, years ago, but it felt just like the day before yesterday. Though I must admit, his shoulders had became broader, but my arms had also became longer to make up for it.
…
The rain splashed heartlessly against translucent glass window, clouded by hand prints of children curious enough to that a peek of the world outside. I stretched the thin hem of my sleeves to cover my fingers, frozen by the cold September rain. It has been a week since I arrived, I had no more interaction with the flock of people here had I have in my father's isolated private library. A screechy background music accompanied by the seemingly distant echoes of the rain. A rare event that evoked my interest as much as finding a strand of hair stuck on the chemistry teacher's lab coat. Someone else was skipping crime psychology class. I peeked through the small gaps between the books, a strong scent of yellowing papers filled my lungs. Between the shelves sat a boy, begoggled and stripe shirted. The third in the queue to succeed L, often seen with the chocolate-leather guy. He looked warm in those long striped sleeves. To me, he was nothing more and nothing less. I voluntarily sat down next to him. Hoping to steal a little warmth.
He ignored me, just as I ignored him.
We sat in silence, those cheap-sounding melody and occasional battle cries ringed from his hand held console. As sitting next to him didn't help much with the cold, I shifted my skirt to cover more of my legs, hoping it would help with the chilling sensations biting into my skin. He seemed to have taken notice of my discomfort, before I knew it, a warm fluffy vest was draped on my shoulder.
…
The clock on the wall showed a sign of noon.
"Can I borrow your kitchen?" I asked in my usual monotonous voice.
"Suit yourself." He replied sitting up, though not sparing me a glance from his PSP. I wrapped my arms around his neck once again and pushed my face into that accustomed route in his soft brown hair, taking in his scent. "I'll do the laundry later, thanks for the bed." I murmured.
"Care to give me an account on how you got into that state?" his voice felt so close, I pressed harder onto him.
"If you care to have lunch with me."
....
First chapter of the revised edition complete~ My just randomly crapping and adding weird stuff lol