one

As soon as Allen Walker stepped foot into the metal gates of the headquarters, he knew what his purpose was. It was something that was branded at the back of his mind the moment he was born in the world.

He's an exorcist.

For quite a long time he thought that everything was peaceful, he found friends that accepted him for who he is, he found people that trusted him the same way he trusted them. He felt happy.

But in a blink of an eye, everything was taken away from him.

His happiness was dragged away from him, pushing him back to the hell he once knew.

It was obviously simple that he would never betray his friends, he'll do everything to protect his friends. Even if it means, sacrificing himself and his happiness just for them. It may sound stupid to ignore yourself just or the sake of others but that's him. That's Allen Walker. Why would he lie to himself?

But then despite every single thing he ever did for the sake of his friends, they left him here. Rotting and suffering in this miserable dungeon. The word 'friends' left a bad taste in his mouth. He ignored it though, he know he's Noah and of course he deserves to be here.

Thousands of thoughts crossed his mind, from his friends' safety to his own death. It was awfully lonely and quite just sitting in here. Usually he just sits down and hope that someone will save him and let him out his misery. But still… He deserved this misery, doesn't he?

Allen carefully touched the small cross at the side of his forehead, cringing at the pain. He looked at his fingers, the red liquid dripped down his fingers. It was painful, for a second there, he felt something clawing in his mind… something mundane. Wanting to take over him and change him. The memories of the 14th lingering at the back of his mind. For a while he felt that he wasn't human, hatred bubbling in his core. But then he's human… isn't he?

He looked over to his side and frowned at Link's serious expression "Hm?" Allen asked, he couldn't find the right words to say because confusion filled his mind stuffed cotton. Link's lips twitched at side "One stigma has already appeared, Walker." His voice was stern but Allen saw a bit of worry in his eyes.

Allen knew of course, he can feel it burning on his skin. He can hear thoughts that doesn't belong to him, unknown feelings mixing up inside of him. It was unavoidable. Sooner or later he'll be turned into a Noah and wouldn't be Allen Walker anymore. He have to make sure that he'll be dead by then.

"The future is imminent, even if I tried to stop the 14th it will still be the same."

His tone was bitter as he held back the black bile spreading over his tongue like sweet honey.

Link made a look "Are you giving up on us?" His hands grabbed Allen's collar "I've been observing you for months, Allen Walker and I know that you wouldn't be such a coward to let the 14th take over. That isn't the Allen Walker I know."

"Maybe I'm the Allen Walker you know anymore"

….What?

What did he just say? Those words slipped out of his mouth because it felt so right to say it. But why? Why would he say such a thing? It was horrible and he never thought he could say such words. Link lightened his grip on Allen until he completely let go, Allen almost wanted to take back what he just said but no words came out anymore.

Link stood up from the cold floor and glared at Allen. Without even saying a word he left the room and slammed the metal door angrily. Allen stifled a laugh even though there was nothing to laugh about, all he felt was…

Oh. It was cold, he never realized how cold the floor was until Link left the room. His stomach twisted painfully because he suddenly feel dizzy. His heart raced and cold sweat dripped from the side of his forehead, he took a sharp breath in and his sides automatically felt like it was stabbed.

"W-what?" Blood filled his mouth and he could feel the warm, metallic liquid down the side of his lips. His eyes frantically searched around the room, the way he is now he knew that he can't even reach the door.

Then he heard a loud noise he flinched because the sound made his head throb even more. Then hurried footsteps was heard from outside his cell "Walker! There's a lot of akuma around, we need to—" he was cut off by a soft laughter. His eyes narrowed before something… no someone threw him across the room. Link slumped on the floor and Allen could see blood pooling at the side of his head. Something floated behind Link and Allen's blood ran cold.

Akuma.

His eyes didn't activate and he can't even use his innocence. How useless. The Akuma seems to stare at Allen for a few seconds before ignoring him and moved away.

"Allen~ We are really sorry for coming this late!" Road Kamelot jumped out of her heart shaped door, her hands wrapping around Allen's neck. Allen didn't move and he couldn't even think straight, his breathing was shallow and his head shook with pain. What more could he even do?

Her hug on him was light, as if she knew that even her touch could add up to his pain. He let the petite Noah hug him "R-Road." He didn't realize that he unconsciously wrapped his arm around the Noah. She was warm and Allen could smell sweet licorice from her "Road." He muttered more loudly making her look up "Hmm? Did you really need us that much to rescue you?" A sly smile formed across her lips and Allen saw something twinkle in her golden eyes.

Wait… We?

"Yo! You look horrible, boy" Tyki Mikk greeted behind Road, he didn't notice the other Noah behind Road. His comment made Allen chuckle but it turned out to be a cough that made him spit out blood.

"Get away from her!"

Allen whipped his head to find two familiar exorcists standing in the door way, Lenalee and Lavi. Their innocence was activated and judging by the wounds and scratches on their body, the just fought the akuma that was once outside his cell.

"Lenalee, watch Allen and I'll move Link to a sa-" Lavi stopped talking when Tyki's tease passed through his shoulders "Are you serious? You think we'll let you go after we take Allen?" Tyki's smirk was sinister and Allen could feel a murderous aura surrounding him.

Lavi let out a stifled scream "No… I know you're going to fight…but our first priority is Allen" his right arm slumped and he held his hammer only with his left. Road let go of Allen and stood up "Sorry but were taking him" before he could even realize, he was dragged into Road's door.

His head is fuzzy that he can't even notice his surroundings, he can't move due to the pain that ached his body "L-let me go" he screamed and Road did. He fell on the grass with a loud thud and he yelped at the sudden pain on his back.

"We're kind of far from the exorcists now… and I'm pretty sure that they won't reach us here because of all the akuma around" Tyki added and helped Allen up… Timcanpy behind him. The golem is still gigantic and Allen doesn't want to know how they dragged him here.

"We need to talk, boy"

Allen flinched at the way Tyki said each word, it was simple that the Noah is serious and angry. Road looked the same way too "They hurt you, don't they?" her fingers pointing at the fresh wounds on Allen's back.

Allen doesn't want to answer because if he did, he'll be ruining the name of The Order. He bowed his head and didn't reply instead he asked "Why did you help me?" his words was soft and filled with unknown emotions. Why would the Noah still help him? He already said 'No' but they keep coming back and helping him. They're as stubborn as exorcists.

Road looked at him as if the answer to that question was in front of him "Because were family." She smiled wrapped her arm around Tyki "It's obvious that we can't let one of us die." She said the words so clearly that Allen felt his heart lighten. As if all the burden was taken away from him.

"Seriously, Allen. How long will it take for that to go through your thick skull?" Tyki sighed casually as if they talked about this topic many times. Allen ignored him and looked behind, he could see smoke puffing up the sky and he could here slight gun shots from The Headquarters. "That's not true. I'm not a Noah" he mumbled and Road puffed out her cheeks "Jeez. If we keep this conversation going, we'll be running circles." She then opened a door. It was the same, heart-shaped and checkered door but it felt… different.

"We want to ask you, do you want to be stay here and die pitifully as an exorcist? Or do you want to come with us and make your decision later?" Road held out her hand and Allen knew what to do. He answered in such a low whisper just to make sure that only the Noahs would hear him.

"I'll come."

Road smiled and pressed her lips unto Allen. How long has she waited for this moment? Allen could taste sweet candy and his own blood when their lips met. He didn't get the chance to struggle because his vision went blank and the darkness filled his head once again.

Road Kamelot stares curiously at Allen's sleeping body, her golden eyes scanning every single detail of his body. Her eyes reflected worry as she saw the whip marks on his body… but she have to admit... it was rather appealing. Allen shifted slightly, his breathing was shallow and his body twitched with his every movement.

Tyki who was beside her, frowned at Road's gaze to Allen "Hey, you might wake him up." Tyki muttered, Rhode whipped her head and bit her lips "I'm giving him good dreams." she said simply and looked back to Allen. Tyki cocked his head to the side before letting out a sigh "You better take care of him, the Earl will be mad if you don't" he then walked to the door and closed it slowly as he walks out.

Road let out a childish squeal before snuggling against Allen's chest and giggles. His eyes snapped open as he scanned his surroundings slowly, it took him a few seconds before he sat up and moved slightly away from Road. His vision was slightly blurry but he knew that he recognized the appearance of the Noah.

She had a huge smile etched at her face, it was almost impossible to smile that big. Allen tried to let out a yelp but it ended up as a cough, blood trickled at the side of his lips and dripped unto his fingers.

"Ehh? Allen-kun you shouldn't push yourself too much." Road mumbled before taking a small handkerchief and wiped the blood off Allen's face. It surprised him, at how gentle Road's action at him. He then smiled a little bit "Thank you." he said, it was noticeable at how Road suddenly blushed and giggled at his comment. He didn't mind the Noah beside him, he tried to get off the bed but his body refused. Everything felt heavy and loose, he grunts and sat back the bed.

His arm didn't cooperate either it won't even move a single inch but it stings slightly. He carefully touched his forehead and as he expected pain flared. Road was looking a little bit worried looking at his innocence "Maybe we should cut it off?" she suggested.

Like instinct Allen covered his arm "W-what? No!" he clutched on his arm tightly, while glaring at Road. What kind of suggestion is that?! Road chuckled in response "I'm just joking, Allen… Even if we did it'll regenerate right away." her tone was as innocent as ever but her words had a different meaning.

He didn't reply. He don't even know what to do.

He wanted to run away and escape but he can't even go back to the order due to the fact that he is a Noah and they'll probably hunt him down.

He kept quiet for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling of the room. Road didn't seem to disturb him but she held unto his hands squeezing it slightly.

For what seems like forever, he reflected.

He felt the pain that wasn't there, the faint trace of his experiences, the cold knife dragging across his skin, the prickling pain of the whip and the screams that'll never leave his ears. It was marked forever on his skin and mind. Nothing will ever remove it.

It was pathetic.

He's useless.

His existence is pure nothingness and it hurts.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

That he found it so funny. He should be used to all the pain by now, the feeling of numbness has always been his escape from the pain. But why does it still hurts?

His eyes stung and everything was so misty and blurry.

It hurts.

Hurts.

HURTS.

Hurts.

His whole world was shaking uncontrollably.

"ALLEN?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING S-STOP IT!" Road's words snapped him back to the reality he hated so much. Her eyes was glimmering with tears, He blinks for a few second before realizing that he's scratching his head so much that blood was stained in his finger nails. A few strands of his hair on his hand and face.

He blinks again. "I-I-it's painful…B-but I can't feel the same way as before—I'm scared…" He trailed off

"I'm…scared."

He repeated those words like mantra, Road looking at him in confusion. She didn't expect Allen to be like this. Allen was never like this.

The order did this to him.

She felt her blood boil, anger flowing in her system and her fingers shaking uncontrollably "A-Allen, let's sleep and you'll be fine" she smiles and hugs the boy beside her.

Allen shook his head "R-Road… Please please please I'm scared, Road…." Road smiles again and pressed her lips on his forehead "Goodnight."

Just like always, he felt darkness overcome him.

END