It's my first time trying something like this, so I'm a bit unsure of how it's turning out. I would really appreciate it if you would be so kind and told me your thoughts.


Chapter II

December 6th

For a few days everything seemed normal. No weird malfunctions, no sick messages. Well, there couldn't have been any after all. All this time Akashi stayed away from that website completely, not even checking in on his laptop. He didn't dare to open it at all actually. The redhead could still feel that sickening feeling in his throat when those haunting black and white lines appeared over his whole screen.

They seemed so unnatural.

All these days Akashi tried to be at home as least as possible. It didn't matter where, anywhere but there. Maybe parks, maybe forests, maybe crowded streets. Somewhere to clear his mind, to divert his thoughts from those sickening events. To convince himself they were nothing but a simple bug. Now with his account was deactivated, deleted even, everything would go back to normal. Now with his account gone-

Akashi suddenly stopped in his tracks on the path back to his house as his heart plunged down to his feet.

In all that hastiness that night he forgot that by deleting his account, all those photos were also erased along with it.

That realization hit Akashi harder than he would have wanted.

The corners of his eyes began stinging as regret began eating him from the inside. Sickening regret.

'Calm down, perhaps someone, for example Kise, had those photos saved. Maybe they're not yet lost.'

Akashi brought a hand over his heart and tried taking deep breaths. Perhaps that was true. Perhaps not all was lost.

As much as he wished to push all those memories to the back of his mind, he certainly didn't wish for them to be forgotten.

He would always remain inside him, as an unhealing wound, paining him for all eternity. Reminding him of his mistakes, of his wrong-doings, of all those times he could still smile.

It had been a year since Akashi last genuinely smiled.

He should get ahold of himself.

-.-

Even though the redhead knew he had to return back to his home at some point, he certainly didn't wish to. Ever since that night, a dark, heavy aura seeped into the house, especially his bedroom. Akashi understood he was perhaps simply being paranoid, that all those unwanted thoughts were just getting to him, but the male still nevertheless wished to stay away from his home. To not feel that uneasy aura.

However, he could not act like a child forever.

That day, when Akashi finally returned to the mansion and entered his room, he decided to finally turn on his computer. As much as he wished to, the male could not stay isolated from the world forever. Sooner or later he'd have to get over his irrational fear anyway.

Easier said than done.

His computer wouldn't turn on.

At first Akashi assumed it perhaps ran out of battery, but even connected to the charger the device refused to show any signs of life.

Not knowing what else to do, the redhead decided to open it up and check for any possible malfunctions visible to the eye. He had, after all, an advanced understanding on technologies.

However, it seemed that he wouldn't have to look too far.

The motherboard was completely burnt.

...That's strange.

Akashi had bought this, mind you, expensive laptop not too long ago. No way could it had simply get damaged this quickly. Besides, the redhead had been using it almost every day and it had been working completely fine, until...

Akashi's heart froze as realization hit him.

Until he last shut it down after that disturbing bug.

Could whatever that was cause such damage? It was a bit hard to believe really. Nevertheless, Akashi couldn't come up with a better explanation.

Putting the reasons aside, his computer was now completely unusable, so he'd need to buy a new one either way.

The redhead could have simply installed the applications back to his phone if he wished to check the social media, but the need for it wasn't big enough.

What was one more day after all?

-.-

December 7th

This time Akashi decided to buy a stationary computer. For what reason, he wasn't quite sure himself. Maybe he didn't trust laptops anymore.

'You're being paranoid again.'

Perhaps he really was thinking too deeply about this.

Nevertheless, just after Akashi finished setting up his new computer, he turned it on and opened the browser. He had been gone from the social media for several days now, something had bound to had happened in that time.

...No, that was merely an excuse. In reality Akashi wished to confirm by himself that his account was truly finally erased.

The male's heart grew heavy at that.

He knew that should had been done for a long time, he understood. But for some reason he couldn't give out the issue to delete it. As if deep inside he was still in denial. As if by erasing his account the events would be set in stone.

It was foolish, and Akashi understood that.

However, just as the male logged into his account, his phone went off.

Momentarily glancing at the caller's ID, Akashi picked it up, for some reason suddenly feeling very irritated. Somehow he knew what this call was going to be about.

''H-Hey, Akashicchi, haven't talked in awhile, huh?'' a voice that used to be so cheery came from the other end. ''How are you these days?''

''Fine,'' the redhead answered on instinct, though a bit colder than usual. ''For what reason are you calling, Ryouta? I'm busy.''

''Uh, yeah, of course. I was just, umm, wondering about something. Now don't get agitated, but did you, perhaps, recently delete his account?..''

''Even if I did, that is none of your concern,'' Akashi snapped, his voice rising. ''I should have done that a long time ago, so you have no reason to question my motives.''

''Y-Yeah, I understand that, but-''

''Did I not make myself clear?'' the redhead's tone cut through like an icy dagger, his voice venomous beyond belief. ''Do not ever again interrupt me with such-''

Akashi's words were suddenly interrupted by a melodious beep from his computer, indicating a new message. The male directed his eyes to the bright screen to see whoever was trying to reach him at this hour and what he saw made his heart stop.

He forgot how to breathe, how to think, how to feel.

The grip on his phone loosened and the device hit the ground with a soft thud.

''Akashicchi? Hey, Akashicchi! Is something wrong?''

He couldn't hear anything. His heart was pounding against his ribcage at an abnormal rate and that dull ache from before was now cutting through his head like a flaming dagger.

He was running out of air, but for the love of God he couldn't remember how to breathe.

He could only stare with his slightly darkened vision at the new opened chat.

December 7, 87:68

KuroKo TetSuyA: Akashi-kun, why didn't you come? Everyone was waiting for you

87:69

KuRokO TeTsuya: why didn't you come

KUroko TetsUya: I trust you know what you're doing

KurokOTetSuyA: I trust you

KuRoko TetsUya: Let's meet up, I have to talk to you

KUroko TetSuya: No, messages are not enough

KuRokO TeTsuya: messages are

KurokO TetSuyA: enough

''Akashicchi! What happened? Why aren't you answering?''

The loud voice of a certain blonde brought Akashi a bit out of his horrified trance, but his questions only made the whole situation worse. With a shaking hand, his eyes seemingly glued to the bright screen, the redhead reached out for his fallen phone and brought it to his ear.

''I have to go,'' the male breathed out, horror breaking through his voice.

''W-What? Hey, Akashi-''

The redhead ended the call before the other could finish his sentence.

That was the last thing he cared about at the moment.

Akashi slowly, as if not trusting his legs, stood up from his chair. He couldn't avert his eyes from the blinding screen as his body instinctively began retreating back in small steps.

His mind could not comprehend what his eyes were witnessing.

That is impossible.

That is physically impossible.

His... His account was deleted.

His account doesn't exist anymore.

What's... what's with those disheveled letters?

And what's... what's with that messed up time?!

Akashi didn't feel how his legs gave out and he tumbled down the the ground, his petrified gaze never leaving those disturbing messages. His vision was slowly darkening due to the shortage of air. He still couldn't remember how to breathe correctly.

'...That can't be a hacker. Who would go to such lengths? Go check that profile.'

I am not heading anywhere near the computer.

'Nothing will bite you.'

'...Besides, he's waiting for an answer.'

So even you say..! Are you trying to convince me I'm going insane?!

'I am not making such assumptions. You cannot deny this is unnatural as well.'

'Go back there. Check his profile. Answer him. For now focus on these tasks.'

Akashi sat there frozen for a few minutes before he slowly started to stand up. His legs were so heavy they felt as if they would give out at any moment. He had to focus though. He had to gather all his remaining rational thoughts and come up with his plan of action.

...What could he do though?

For Akashi to come up with a plausible solution, he needed to think up of a logical explanation for this.

And at the moment his head was empty.

Hesitantly, as if fearing the chair would break, Akashi sat down and with trembling fingers reached out for the mouse. Slowly, he navigated it to the disheveled name with no picture and clicked on it.

Nothing.

Nothing would open.

As if he clicked on a empty spot.

Akashi tried a few times, even copied the name and tried to paste it into the search bar, but that wouldn't work. He couldn't paste it. Once again, as if he had copied nothing.

*beep beep*

87:75

KuRokO TeTsuya: Akashi-kun? Please, answer me, stop ignoring me, I said I was sorry, didn't I?

KuRokO TeTsuya: answer me

KurokO TetSuyA: answer me

Akashi's breathing hitched at those words. He remembered from what part of their old conversation they were. One time the redhead got so mad at him that he ignored him for a whole week. All his calls, all his messages, everything. He looked through all of them, yes, but never replied. Eventually, his anger died down and he resumed talking to him as before.

Akashi never apologized though.

Such a thought clenched his heart painfully and the male had to bite his lip to keep himself under control.

What he wouldn't give to say sorry to him now. To apologize for all those times he was wrong with him, to ask for forgiveness. To repeat over and over again how he-

With trembling fingers, Akashi finally typed in a response.

87:78

Akashi Seijuurou: Who are you?

87:79

KUroko TetSuya: You don't remember him? That's strange, considering it's you we're talking about, Akashi-kun

KurokO TetSuyA: You don't remember

KuroKo TetSuyA: Akashi-kun?

What was he supposed to answer to that?

87:80

Akashi Seijuurou: I don't understand

KuRokO TeTsuya: Akashi-kun, please

KuroKo TetSuyA: Akashi-kun

KurokOTetSuyA: Akashi-kun

KuRokO TeTsuya: Akashi-kun

His breathing was hitching. He could feel his body shaking.

He didn't like this.

That sickening feeling in his throat.

If it continued this-

87:82

Akashi Seijuurou: Stop saying my name

.

.

.

Silence.

With a pounding heart the male waited for whatever was to come next. If truth be told, he truly wished it was nothing. However, that sickening feeling only kept growing, as if foreseeing something dreadful. He disliked that unnerving silence.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Caught completely off guard, Akashi sharply flinched and gasped, just barely not falling out of his seat. It took him a couple of seconds for realization to sink in and even more time for his wildly racing heart to calm down.

'It's just the doorbell.'

Who the hell would be here at this hour?!

Slowly the redhead stood up from his chair and with slightly trembling legs began heading towards the exit of his room. However, upon seeing the pitch black darkness beyond the door, his breathing slightly quickened.

'Get ahold of yourself.'

Right... Akashi was not acting like himself.

Since when was Akashi Seijuurou scared of the dark?

Lightly shaking his aching head, the male went inside the corridor and turned on the nearest light switch.

That's better.

Nevertheless, his room was almost the furthest one from the main door in this corridor. Subconsciously, Akashi began regretting such a decision. If he had chosen a closer one-

The male slapped himself angrily.

Idiot, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

Taking in a deep breath, the redhead began walking towards the main entrance.

There's nothing to be afraid of, there's nothing to be afraid of, there's nothing to be afraid of-

Even so, Akashi couldn't shake off that uneasy feeling that he was not alone. That unnerving sensation that something is behind you, silently watching, as if waiting for your guard to be lowered.

All those stories and movies were really getting to him.

Finally Akashi arrived at his destination. Unlocking the door, he opened it into the darkness of the late evening.

My, the male certainly didn't expect such a visitor.

''Chihiro, what are you doing here?'' Akashi asked, surprise breaking through his already shaky voice.

''Trust me, I'm not here on my own free will,'' the man responded, crossing his arms and looking over the redhead from top to bottom. ''One of your friends called me earlier and begged to go check on you, since they thought something happened and I live the closest to you. Something about 'a senior's responsibility'. But I have to admit,'' Mayuzumi slightly tilted his head, his impassive gray eyes landing on the other's. ''You do look terrible. As if you've seen a ghost.''

Unconsciously, Akashi flinched at that.

''I'm fine,'' the redhead replied as firmly as he could in his current state. ''Nothing happened. I appreciate you checking on me, but please leave now.''

Mayuzumi was silent for a few moments before he sighed and lowered his arms.

''As much as I'd like to, I didn't go here at the middle of the god-damned night just for you to shut the door in my face. Besides,'' The male brushed past the other into the house and cast him a glance over his shoulder. ''You look so horrible that I wouldn't be surprised if they found you dead the next morning. And that would be even more troublesome.''

It took Akashi a couple of moments to compose himself, and when he did, something clicked inside his head and he quickly walked past his senior in order to block the hallway and prevent the other from entering any further.

''I told you, everything is fine,'' the redhead spoke a bit urgently. ''There is no need for you to be here.''

Mayuzumi was about to retort, but with the corner of his eye he caught something further into the hallway over Akashi's shoulder. The male closed his mouth and intently stared at a certain spot, his eyes narrowing.

''Akashi...'' the gray-haired male started slowly, his gaze never leaving that spot. ''Are you alone here?''

That question sent Akashi's heart racing against his ribcage. The feeling of dread slowly began seeping into his being.

''Yes, why?'' he answered immediately, his voice considerably shakier.

Mayuzumi didn't answer anything and only stood frozen for a few moments, fixedly staring at the same spot, before he pushed the smaller male out of his way and quickly began advancing further into the hallway. It took Akashi a few moments to compose himself from that question before he sharply turned around and tried to catch up to the other.

''Where are you going?'' he asked urgently, though a hint of warning was still present in his voice.

The gray-haired male kept silent, seemingly only focused on his destination, ignoring the other's questions. However, when Akashi realized where he was heading, his eyes widened.

''No, don't go there!'' he warned Mayuzumi, panic spreading inside of him. That dreadful feeling from before was already eating him away. Somehow he understood that his senior being here was a bad idea, he had to get him out as soon as possible.

However, the other didn't listen and soon enough he had entered Akashi's room, which door had been left open.

When he did, though, he stopped in his tracks.

''Oi, Akashi,'' the gray-haired male started, confusion evident in his usually impassive voice. ''What's wrong with your computer?''

Akashi didn't like that question.

Quickly, he pushed the other out of the way and walked inside himself. When his eyes landed on the said device, his breathing began wildly hitching. Horror appeared in his features as he stared wide-eyed at his computer screen, which was glitching and cracking chaotically, colorful lines and dots appearing and disappearing every moment. As if it had been fatally infected by some virus.

However, Akashi knew that wasn't the case.

Urgently, he approached the damaged device and tried to turn it off, but it was no use. Not even pulling out the wire from the outlet could shut it down. Akashi was running out of ideas, fast, and that is when his eyes caught something on the screen.

The website from before was still active. And if he focused enough, he could make out the contents of it, even if just barely.

Akashi had received four new messages.

5/-9/

KuR/ko /etsU/a: I to/d hi/ he s/ou/d leav/, bu/ he w/n't lis/e/

/uro/o T/tS/ya: /e sh/ul/ le/ve

K/Ro/o Te/sUy/: h/ s/ould leav/

Ku/ok/ TeT/u/a: hE sHouLd lEaVe

''You have to leave,'' Akashi whispered shakily, throwing all rational thoughts out the window. It was clear as day what needed to be done.

''What?'' Mayuzumi snapped, obviously slightly on edge.

''You have to leave right now,'' the redhead repeated as he turned around, this time louder. Mayuzumi's eyes slightly widened when he saw the terror in the other's look. ''Leave this instant!''

''I don't—'' The male was cut off as Akashi quickly made his way to him and began pushing him out of the room.

''Leave! Leave! Leave!'' he kept repeating frantically, pushing the other further and further away.

Why was he so panicking Akashi couldn't quite understand.

But that awful feeling in his chest, that sickening dread, that terrible foreboding was clouding his mind. It was clouding his judgment, eating him from the inside. Akashi could only focus on the task at hand, getting the unwanted away.

''Akashi, what's going on? What happened?'' Mayuzumi tried to get an answer from the panicking male, but the latter ignored his questions and, due to the sudden adrenaline pumping in his veins, kept successfully pushing the other to the exit.

''Leave now and never come back!'' With one last shout Akashi managed to get Mayuzumi pass the main entrance and immediately shut the door, locking it.

Listening to the banging and his name being called out by his senior, the redhead took a step back, then another, before he turned around and quickly began retreating. He didn't wish to go back to his room, he sincerely didn't. He feared what he might find inside. But nevertheless, he knew he had to.

Upon entering his room, Akashi immediately noticed that the computer's screen was black. It had finally shut down, hiding all that disturbing chaos and messages from before.

The male didn't know whether he should feel relieved and unnerved even more.

Either way, that dull aching in his head was seriously annoying him already, being probably one of the reasons why he couldn't think straight, so Akashi decided the best course of action now would be to head to bed. Not go anywhere near the computer, not try to see whether the odd damaged it received was fatal, just... try to sleep.

Just try to forget all those unnatural events and hope that the next morning they would prove to be just a terrible nightmare.

That night Akashi dreamed of him.

It had been one of those rare nights when he didn't take his sleeping pills, so it was no wonder he had a dream.

No, maybe that wasn't quite right.

Maybe the reason why he appeared in his dream tonight was because of all those disturbing messages that kept haunting him.

Either way, tonight he was there.

At first it was nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special. He was standing in front of Akashi, talking about something with a light smile on his lips and occasional chuckles. His eyes were as clear and bright as ever whenever he was with the redhead. So loving, so full of life. It was the perfect image of him, Akashi couldn't ask for a better one.

However, something was off.

Akashi couldn't hear a single thing he was saying. Or any sound for that matter. As if he had gone completely deaf. And oh how the redhead wished he could hear that angelic voice that was always like music to his ears. How he wished he could touch him, caress him, love him one more time-

He froze. Slowly, that small smile dropped and his eyes widened, terror suddenly seeping into his look. Akashi felt how his heart began pounding in his chest at that sight and he tried to move, tried to get to him. He wanted to comfort him, he badly wished to hold him and tell him everything will be okay.

And when his lips started exclaiming Akashi's name, the latter began panicking.

He couldn't hear a single sound, but by the mere movements he could understand that he was calling out to him.

He even extended his arms in Akashi's direction, as if asking to be embraced, but for the love of God the redhead couldn't get to him. As if a thick barrier separated them with no way around it. That dreadful feeling kept rising in Akashi's chest, consuming him from the inside, until those shadows appeared.

Seemingly from the darkness around them, multiple tongues of dark mass, shadows of all forms began twisting around him, who was still calling out his lover's name, seemingly not seeing those things, which were slowly enveloping him, bringing him into the darkness with them. Away from Akashi.

No matter how hard he banged on the barrier, no matter how loud he shrieked, exclaimed his name, it was no use. Akashi was completely and utterly hopeless as he could only witness his lover being swallowed by the darkness, taking him away.

And in his last moments, Akashi could see how tears of desperation welled up in those bright blue eyes, silently calling out to him one last time, wishing to be embraced by him, until-

With his final shriek filled with agony, Akashi woke up.

He could feel his pillow drenched with his own salty tears, which were still trailing down his face as he stared into the darkness of his room.

As realization slowly seeped into his consciousness, Akashi brought a fist to his mouth and bit on it painfully in order to keep the cries welling up in his throat silent. He could not, however, stop those never-ending tears, stop his body from shaking with quiet sobs.

Oh, how wonderful it would have been if that dream was merely a horrific nightmare.

Unfortunately...

It was reality.