Warning for panic attack in this chapter.
Game Start
Harry woke up groaning. The dirt and rocks were surprisingly uncomfortable for being a videogame but he supposed it was supposed to be realistic. It made him wonder about the pain factor…
Slowly, he sat up and looked at his surroundings brushing hair out his face and adjusting his position so he wasn't sitting on any and pulling at his scalp. He was most definitely in a forest and the distant murmuring he heard indicated some civilization nearby. He turned around to check on his wings but couldn't get a good look. Instead he stretched a hand up behind him to feel between his shoulder blades digging his fingers through piles of hair. The wings were gone! There was a brief second where his eyes heated and itched, he had actually really wanted those wings!
And with that thought and a slight gasp at the unexpected pain, his wings popped out, ripping through the fabric of the shirt he was wearing, stretching as far as they could. They caught painfully in his hair and he spent the next few minutes untangling silky strands and glossy feathers as best he could, pulling the hair forward over his shoulder so it wouldn't happen again.
It was a really strange sensation being able to control limbs that he hadn't had before. He rolled his shoulders getting a feel for how the muscles in the wings shifted and coiled at the movement. His concentration narrowed as he tried closing both wings and flexing them again. This was just like getting your eyebrows to raise separately or making your ears move. Incredibly strange but really satisfying when you did it right. With a lot of practice he'd be able to move them with no trouble at all.
So he sat in that tiny clearing for who knows how long while he worked his wings hard; to the point they were actually becoming sore. This game was pretty realistic if it included muscles soreness. It was just at a lower level than he was expecting.
He was determined to at least get himself off the floor before he let them relax, though. And finally, after flapping them on and off for as hard as he could for a few minutes-Merlin was that a workout!- he lifted a few inches off the ground. In his excitement he stopped focusing on his wings and thumped to the ground.
System Notice: Savior learned New Ability- Hover (lvl1)
The new player blinked in surprise at the voice that came from nowhere. He grinned at his accomplishment, stretching his arms and wings to prevent soreness. Even the game was recognizing his hard work and it felt pretty bloody good. Now he need to go into town and change out of these beginners clothes and into something that suited his style more.
He glanced back at his wings, he didn't really want other people seeing them and calling him a cheater… so how did he get rid of them?
Just like that, they disappeared leaving a few feathers on the floor. Oh. So it was thought based then. That made things much easier.
According to his internal clock he'd been in this clearing for close to two hours so it was definitely time to set off. Following his ears, he meandered through the forest, stopping to look at certain plants and some shiny rocks. He wondered if they were important and so just in case he picked them up and placed them in his inventory. And wasn't that a novel experience! Same as his wings, with just a thought, the items he picked up disappeared.
Bao had explained the inventory once Harry had asked where there extra weapons and stuff went and he likened it to an extra pocket space that wizards could store things in. It was a brilliant idea to use in a game and he would definitely take advantage of it. Every piece of money that he could earn, he would, which would make it easier to buy something he wanted or needed later down the road.
Oh. He paused slowing down. He should probably check his stats and his character record and his inventory before he actually got into town. Right.
"System," Harry stated clearly. Or at least thought he did but the game didn't think so as it flashed an error sign in his face. Bloody rude. His stupid accent was always messing things up. While he could take a pill to learn the language, it didn't change the way he said things. So, of course, any new foreigners that knew the language but still talked with a British accent were immediate suspects on the Death Eaters list.
"Sy-ste-m," he tried. Almost immediately his stats popped up on the screen in front of him.
Name: Savior
Gender: Male
Type: Elf
Level: 1
Strength: 9 Endurance: 5 Dexterity: 17 Charisma: 5 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 9 Luck: -100/100 Health: 250 Mana: 10 Reputation: 0 Unused Skill Points: 6
Abilities lvl: Hover- 1
"What unusual stats. I'm not much of a gamer but aren't they a bit high for a new player? ….And seriously what is up with my luck," Harry exclaimed in irritation. Okay, Bao had explained what the stats were for but he'd prefer to see the descriptions himself. With just a thought the screen in front of him switched.
Strength: The stat that represents a person's physical power. Used to determine how strong they are and how hard they hit.
Endurance: The stat representing a character's physical toughness. Used to determine how much damage someone can take and how well they resist poisons, illnesses, etc.
Dexterity: Dexterity represents a person's physical nimbleness. Used to determine fine motor skills, reaction time, and aiming.
Charisma: The stat representing a person's force of personality. Used to determine how well someone can influence others by speeches, diplomacy, fear, lying, etc.
Intelligence: The stat representing how smart a character is. Used to show how skilled a person is, how quickly they learn.
Wisdom: The stat representing a person's intuition and street-smarts. Used to determine a character's perception, willpower, and decision-making skills.
Luck: The stat representing how lucky a person is. Used to determine how certain quests or situations will play out.
Perfect. Now what about his race description…
Elf: A humanoid race known to live in more wild areas such as mountains or woods. The pointed ears and more ethereal visage denotes their lineage. Extremely nimble, these people are suited towards stealth or magic jobs. They are not physically strong and have a higher endurance for magical pain than physical.
Well then looks like he had some skill points to distribute. As an elf he would have to rely more on speed than anything but upping his defence wouldn't hurt. It wasn't possible to dodge every attack after all.
3 points went to endurance, 2 to strength, and 1 to wisdom.
Now to see what exactly he had in his inventory. The screen switched again into an itemized layout of all the interesting doofers he'd picked up. Grassroot, Elfroot, Mulberries, 3x Shiny rocks, and a pebble. Up in the right corner he noticed a small helmet looking thing and he focused on it. Ah, this must be his armor and weapon inventory; his beginners shirt, shoes, and trousers were listed with a small E next to them. They weren't all that fancy, his trousers being tanned leather and his shirt an off white peasant's shirt that he'd legitimately seen worn in Wizarding Britain. The shoes were plain leather forming a sort of moccasin.
The description given was slightly odd but good to know: Plain traveler's clothes that offer no defense. Right well he didn't have anything interesting so time to finish his trip into town.
As soon as he broke the treeline his ears started ringing with the overwhelming noise of the bustling town. Harry took a few moments to calm down the panic he felt crawling in his throat at the sudden noise difference. Once that was over with the elf took a moment to berate himself. There was nothing going to attack him in a safe haven like the town. He couldn't just freak out like this! This was a game!
With a sigh he headed into the crowd to find a store, his fingernails digging into his ribs to keep himself from freaking out with so many people around. It's not like he had agoraphobia… but after being mobbed by well wishers -and Death Eaters on a few occasions- so many times he preferred solitude or the company of his close friends rather than being out in public. Not to mention how easy it was to kill someone in a crowd and then escape unseen as proved multiple times in New York trying to lure him out of his hiding spot.
He had to remind himself several times that no one knew him here and he was just here to maybe get a weapon and see how much he could sell his stuff for. Oh. It might also be prudent to find someone who'd be able to braid his hair -after he'd tried and failed to do so himself in the forest- because it kept falling in his face now that he was trying to hide from the masses.
The shop was the easy part, surprisingly the shiny rocks were worth more than he thought, and he was in and out with a small dagger with no problem, but new clothes would have to wait for more money. The empty feeling of the NPC shopkeeper was a bit eerie and probably played a part in getting him to leave faster than he might have otherwise. The hair braiding on the other hand… that took almost an hour before he came across a girl that did not come off as an outright fangirl, didn't run screaming or whimpering, or that didn't glare at him in disgust for his more feminine lean with the longer hair; that being some girls and a few men (that had their own braids) that he'd tried asking. The girl who'd agreed was a small and average looking middle aged human with bobbed brown hair and cheerful eyes. She easily did Harry's long hair into a loose braid that fell over his right shoulder.
In thanks, he gave her a small smile and an offer to help her if she needed something which she waved away. "I have hair like that in the real world! It wasn't an issue. Just make you keep it from getting caught on anything, okay? And be careful with those eyes! You might accidentally scare some poor fangirls to death."
Harry laughed with her and bid her goodbye completely missing the blush that had formed on her face. After that he'd headed into the forest to hopefully tangle with some monsters. Several younger girls had tried to stop him to ask for training with him after seeing him laugh with the human but he politely turned them all down. He didn't want company while he was still figuring things out, or in general really. A few of them couldn't take a hint, though, so he'd had to resort to glaring and ice cold shoulders.
Unfortunately for Harry, this did the opposite of intended with a few of them and his very own club of gaming fangirls was birthed on that day. Watching in jealousy from a distance, were a group of beasts that glowered at his back as he left Star City. He didn't see them but his danger senses kicked in and he glanced around cautiously. He had to remind himself again that nothing would attack him in the city.
There wasn't much out here so far, so he popped his wings out, with no pain this time, and started some practice. As he moved he focused on hovering as much as he could instead of walking and was too absorbed in his tunnel vision to notice the creeping green slime.
Attack Successful: Savior -20HP
"Gah!"
He kicked the green monster off into a tree where it lost 10 HP. He glared at it, wishing it would die and leave him alone. He hated when his panic kicked into overdrive with a surprise attack! In the war he'd learned to control it to some extent but that didn't stop the rush of adrenaline or the painful thumping of his heart as his mind scrambled to think of something other than fight or flight. It popped out of existence leaving behind a small knife, startling the elf.
Savior Learned New Ability: Basilisk Glare (lvl 1)
Wait what!?
"No way," he moaned softly. Why? Why did his past have to haunt him? It was bad enough he was still running from Death Eaters, now he had a reminder of the Chamber shoved in his face. Was it even a legit ability or was someone on the other side messing with him? Because this was just too cruel. He didn't want to remember the manipulations of Dumbledore. Of how the headmaster had stolen him from his parents because the real Harry Potter had been stillborn and then put him through his paces every year to get him ready to become a martyr. He just wanted to play a game and meet his sister. Was that too much to ask for?
"Excuse me?"
Harry startled out of his thoughts, his vision dimming briefly -he hated those little black spots that reminded him of his weakness- at another unwelcome surprise. There was an old balding man in a ragged cloak hunched before him, practically hanging off of a knobby cane.
"H-hello," He stuttered, clearing throat to push the panic back down. "Can I help you?"
"Hello, Háizi. Would you help me please?"
Judging by the empty feeling surrounding this man, he was an NPC so this was some form of quest. So he hadn't just freaked out in front of a player, thank Merlin.
"Sure. What exactly do you need?"
"Oh! Thank you! Thank you, Háizi. My poor wife and I were attacked by two large beasts! They made off with all of our belongings. Would you please get it back for us?"
"Uh, sure, but first let's get you back to your wife."
Ding
Savior has accepted mini-quest "In the Forest Doth Hide…"
With that said, Harry helped the old man out onto the road and to the wrinkled woman that was lounging up against a tree, in the shade. She greeted her husband and was told Harry had come to help. Her tearful thanks just made the new elf feel a little guilty about not trying the quest soon at the least. He was only level 1 but he could try right? He'd level up on the way. "This is where I'll leave you. I'll be back before you know it, okay?"
2 hours he'd spent in the forest killing slimes and the occasional pack of wolves he came across. His level had gone up a few times but he wasn't keeping track, too focused on trying to find the 'large beasts' he'd been tasked with. Everything in this forest was tiny, though, and Harry was starting to wonder if he'd been asked to find Boss monsters. Because if he was… it would probably be a good idea to assign those ability points he'd ignored. And wouldn't you know, the Potter luck decided to kick in right as he was summoning up his screen. It flashed an error sign and 'You cannot open this screen in battle' message.
Then Harry's war trained reflexes kicked in and he dodged to the side getting nicked by some claws.
Attack Successful: Savior -150HP
150!? Harry's heart hammered as he checked his health. After his leveling to lvl 5 it had risen to 500 leaving him with only 350HP. And that was from a nick only! If he tried to fight this thing he'd be dead!
Without even checking to see what kind of monster it was he tried to flee, dodging another claw swipe, but was blocked as a giant green slime with a crown on his head dropped out of the sky in front of him. The panic clawed at his chest and up his throat again, threatening him with a blackout. He dove to the side, the slime spit hitting the monster behind him with a wet splat.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -50HP
A long furious howl rent the air sending chills down his back. That sounded too much like a werewolf for his liking. This was not okay! This was definitely not okay! He was up against two monsters much higher level than him and his chance of escaping was looking dim. He glanced around desperately, his vision swimming in memories, heart in his throat. He didn't want to give in!
The wolf growled again snapping forward in an attempt to bite him and he was lost in bloody battlefields, half-man half-wolf rending his classmates and friends limb from limb, a howl to the moon, rancid breath washing across the back of his neck as he was pinned to the floor of the Forbidden Forest.
The calm swept over him like a blanket.
He spun in place dodging the, now revealed, Wolf King's bite and stabbing the extra small knife he had down on the snout. The knife was lost as the wolf jerked away.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -150HP
Another utterly furious howl but he had already rolled forward under the softly belly to escape the Slime King's spit.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -50HP
The beasts could hurt each other and he was going to use that to his full advantage. On his way out from under the back legs he slashed his dagger through the back tendon but it didn't have the intended effect, instead only just barely slicing through the skin.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -20HP
Game logic worked differently. The face must be a weak point. He sprinted forward swerving to dodge another spit, and ran straight at the slime slashing at the stomach.
Attack Successful: Slime King -20HP
Previous and current observation were the same. Physical attacks were weak on slime. Ignore the slime, focus on the wolf. The slime jiggled in warning and even though he knew this attack, he had no time to dodge. Instead he flattened himself making sure the pommel of his dagger was on the ground and the blade was straight up. The Slime King pounced, landing directly on the elf and the upturned dagger.
Attack Successful: Savior -300HP
Attack Successful: Slime King -20HP
After being absorbed he was spat out seconds later, rolling with the impact to avoid more health loss. He was down to 50HP. He somersaulted forward dodging another claw swipe. The elf glanced up at the Wolf King's head as it came down for another bite. He was able to retrieve his dagger while jumping up on the nose, balancing in a crouch. The wolf went cross-eyed and snarled, beginning to shake his head.
He jumped, his wings flapping furiously behind him trying to hold his weight. It wasn't enough. He needed to fly.
The Slime King's spit landed directly in the wolf's eyes barely missing his feet as the elf pushed his wings passed their limit.
Attack successful: Wolf King -500HP
System Notice: Savior Learned New Ability- Flight (lvl1)
His new ability was ignored in favor of the newfound weakness. So, it wasn't just the face, the eyes were a critical weak point like a dragon's. He dropped like a stone, retracting his wings and dropping straight onto the giant canine's left eye with both blades. More slime spit sailed overhead splashing harmlessly against a tree.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -600 HP
He smashed into the ground losing 10HP after he was shaken off the boss monster. The red glow around it was something new. He'd need to be on guard. The slime jiggled a few feet away and he cursed, jumping up and racing to the treeline. A loud crash sounded behind him, the ground shaking and knocking him to the floor, followed by a thump and a yelp.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -200HP
He spun, pushing himself to his feet to gaze at the scene critically. The wolf had pounced first, the slime second, and the wolf had been flattened by the slime. The slime couldn't absorb the wolf, instead wobbling on top of it and shooting another easily dodgeable spit. He jumped atop the snapping mouth and aimed for the second eye.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -600HP
With a rumble that spread through the ground the giant canine pushed itself to its feet, dislodging the slime, and flinging its massive head back. The elf was barely able to right himself with his wings before crashing through some branches and into the ground.
Attack Successful: Savior -20HP
With a savage growl, he pushed himself to his feet and grabbed his fallen weapons. It was close to death, it would die and he would survive. The trees in front of him started cracking, being flung as the wolf charged blindly, heedless of the damage it was causing. It's mouth opened and he readied himself. With a mighty chomp, the elf was snapped up off the ground as he shoved his dagger upwards. It had longer reach than the knife and was sufficient enough in stabbing into the brain.
Attack Successful: Wolf King -1000HP
Wolf King Defeated.
System Notice: Savior leveled up to 11. Flight leveled up to 3. Hover leveled up to 7.
Attack Successful: Savior - 300HP
Rejuvenating health during level up. Useful.
He grunted, using his feet to shove the roof of the beast's mouth open and pull his injured arm inside, glancing at the fang there. It would be next to useless in this next fight but removing the fang would only cause massive blood loss. Did the game deal with blood loss? Better safe than sorry. The Wolf King started to dissolve and he only had a few seconds to scramble into a better position- difficult in such a cramped space- before he fell onto the ground shoulder first trying to roll with the impact, as the boss disappeared around him. The fang was jarred and he lost 20HP. He'd need to be more careful dealing with the second threat.
He grabbed his dagger and knife, shoving the second into his inventory. His wings popped out again as he jumped, pushing himself up into the air to land on some branches. From his vantage point he could make out the Slime King slowly jiggling its way to his location. Good. He had time to think. Physical attacks were useless. As a new elf he had no magic, except the basilisk glare. He was Weak.
He'd have to make due.
He launched himself to the next tree and the next and the next, slowly moving towards the boss monster. Once he had it in his sights, he shot forward using the trees to keep him eye level. The ability was activated. The Slime King tried to turn away but he only followed it using the branches and trees as his kickoff points. It tried to spit at him but he was already out of the way keeping it's eyes in his sights. After a few more spit attacks it tried to pounce, failing in the tightly wooded area. The attacks were the same pattern. Four to five spits then a pounce. It would be slow but he could win. He could be Patient.
Throwing in physical jabs every now and then, he had finally worked the Slime King into the red glow the Wolf had had. More pounces were doled out but he had the advantage.
Attack Successful: Slime King -30HP
Slime King Defeated.
System Notice: Savior has leveled up to 15. Flight has leveled up to 6. Hover has leveled up to 10. Basilisk Glare has leveled up to 7. Savior acquired Stolen Luggage, Egg, Growing Type Weapon: Raze.
He had survived.
Harry stopped with a gasp and gazed upon the empty clearing, vaguely noting the System Notice blaring above him. The trees around him were bent and destroyed, gouges and craters lined the dirt. It was utter destruction.
His arm throbbed bringing his attention to the fang stuck there, the tiny rivulets of blood dripping down his arm. With a careful hand he yanked it out, letting it fall to the floor.
His head was stuffy, full of cotton but his chest hurt and his vision was dancing. His arm hurt too and the game agreed saying he lost HP but the elf didn't care.
Why couldn't he… think? He had… blacked out?
With a snap, clarity came back and Harry screamed, clutching his hair as his fingernails dug into his scalp. His breath came in short stuttering gasps, his throat raw. He couldn't breath! He couldn't feel!
Harry woke to pressure surrounding his head and, already panicked, he ripped it off chucking it across the room. He couldn't breath as he scrambled off his bed, hitting the floor with a harsh thud. A hysterical sob tore up out of his throat. He was WEAK! He was so weak and stupid and he'd been doing so well. He scratched at his arms trying to feel something, anything! Of course, he was still weak. Did he honestly believe that he could change himself? He was a danger to everyone around him.
Harry hated himself! He hated that he couldn't even control what happened during those blackouts outs. He didn't… he didn't deserve to be here! He shouldn't be here!
He scrambled to get up barely noticing as he banged into his dresser and the wall by the door in his panic.
He needed to get out. He needed to get away! With trembling legs he ran full throttle to front door, smashing into it. He beat his hands against the frame and the door, his thoughts swirling and desperation growing. He needed OUT! He switched to ramming his shoulder into the door again and again until it finally buckled under his weight. He crashed onto the the walkway of the second story of his apartment building and scrabbled up on his knees not noticing his neighbors start to come out.
An Di was shook awake by her son and a rhythmic loud banging. She jumped up, pushing the blankets from her legs as she hopped out of bed. Bao clutched at her torso in fear and she shushed him, switching his hands from her waist to her own trembling hands. They both made their way to the front door, cracking it open to glance out. A few others were poking their heads out, frowning and grumbling about the noise. An Di noticed Wang Fei's door bulge out with every hit until the man came tumbling out in an explosion of splinters and blood. WIth a quiet swear unbecoming of her she shoved Bao further inside closing the door behind her.
Her feet were bare but she was careful to avoid the wood as she made her way closer to the trembling form of her neighbor. There was quite a bit of blood running down his face and on his hands and forearms. His cry startled her into stopping as he gave great heaving sobs, starting to scratch at his arms. Considering the blood this was probably not something new.
An Di desperately wanted to help him but from her brief time studying medical she knew it wasn't safe to approach him without knowing the cause of his anxiety attack.
"Wang Fei," she called softly. There was no reaction. "Wang Fei, You need to stop. You need to stop and breath."
He wasn't listening at all. She really didn't want to touch him and make it worse but by this point he needed to stop scratching or he'd tear his arms to ribbons. He had short stubby nails, she'd noticed that at dinner, but he definitely knew how to cause damage with them.
"Mom, what's wrong with him?"
She whirled around giving her son a stern disappointed look. "Go back inside, Bao."
"But Mom-!"
"St-o-op looking at m-me!"
Bao gasped, backpedaling from the screaming man and rushing into the house. Wang Fei had managed to stand on shaky legs and was whipping his head back and forth like a bull about to charge staring at the neighbors that had started to gather. The mother almost wanted to throw something at them. Couldn't they see they were only making him worse? But, no, instead they were starting to mutter to each other while keeping a safe distance.
"Go back inside," she barked. "There is nothing to see here!"
An Di only received scornful glares even as they backed further away when Wang Fei swung his arms out and then back in, punching himself harshly in the jaw.
"Wang Fei, you need to listen to me," her voice was strong and steady. "Stop hurting yourself."
"M-Make it st-o-op," he groaned, hunching over and almost falling on his face.
"I can't make it stop if you don't let me close. Can I come closer?"
He screamed again and sobbed, obviously not hearing her. She pursed her lips and tried again, " Wang Fei, may I touch you?"
"I can't feel. I can't feel I can't feel!"
An Di took a step closer before hesitating and glaring at the still whispering crowd on the walkway. She really wished they'd go away… this was already going to put him in their bad books and if he harmed her they might even get the police involved. It was honestly surprising they hadn't already. She took a steadying breath before reaching forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. It was only because she expected the attack that his backhand didn't conk her on the temple. Instead she caught his wrist gently, letting it go when he tugged on it, his head whipping around to stare at her with wide eyes.
"Wang Fei. I need you to breath, okay? It's An Di. You know me and my son, Bao. You were over enjoying a really nice dinner with us just a few hours ago."
His breath hitched painfully in his chest. Oh Merlin he'd almost hit her! Almost hit the nice mother who'd taken it upon herself to welcome him into their life. He was so weak! This is what he'd been afraid of! He was so stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
And all these people were watching his breakdown…. His bottom lip quivered as he tried to breath like An Di was instructing but the air just wasn't coming. His lungs were on fire and if this kept up he'd pass out. It was safer that way probably. He wouldn't hurt anyone.
He didn't even feel the floor when he hit it.
Harry huddled miserably under his blanket, sitting on his couch with a cup of tea warming his hands. It's very scent, Oolong, was calming in a way that was hard to describe but it did little to quell the guilt and burning self hatred that he felt. And he thought he'd been getting better too.
His bandaged arms throbbed in time with his heartbeat but he was adept at ignoring the pain. His shoulder was still a bit numb compared to the rest of him so he couldn't really tell if it was broken. His feet were also throbbing after having picked several splinters out of them as well as his knees. He was just a bloody pathetic mess...
An Di sank into the recliner chair, clutching her own steaming cup of tea. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to…. But, I'm here to listen if you need someone to talk to."
Tears pricked the corner of his eyes as his face flushed in shame. It wasn't fair that this wonderful woman had to deal with episode and was even trying to help afterwards! "I'm fine. It's… been a long time since I've had an attack that… strong. You don't have to be here. I can take care of myself."
She gave his injuries a disbelieving once over before sighing. "Maybe you can take care of yourself, but I'm saying you don't have to. I don't like to talk about my Grandpa but he was a soldier with PTSD. Terrible night terrors even in his seventies and always trying to do everything himself. He even cut himself off from the family… He was a lonely man, Wang Fei. I want to help you the way I never could with him."
Harry snorted bitterly. "And get smacked around? I'd rather you just leave me alone."
"Is that what you're worried about? I can take care of myself, you shouldn't worry about hurting me."
Harry grit his teeth silently. She just didn't understand. She was a muggle and had no idea the destruction he could and would cause during an episode or a blackout. So he turned his pleading eyes onto her aiming for a different tactic "You don't understand. I've killed people before and I didn't even know until afterwards. I'm a danger to society so just leave m-"
"And let you tear yourself apart in the process? You don't need isolation, you need someone to talk to or at least someone to be there for you when these things do happen," she stated firmly. "You can try to chase me away but it's not going to work."
"And what if I hurt your son," the wizard asked scathingly.
She paused and looked at him. It was extremely uncomfortable having that stare weigh heavily on his shoulders.
"You don't seem like the type of person to hurt a child, Wang Fei."
His loud hysterical laugh startled her into leaning back.
"But that's just it! I'm not a person! I'm a bloody killing machine made for one purpose! Look," he said, calming down, "...just go back to your life and forget that I live next to you, okay? It'll be easier for both of us."
"Easier, maybe but not right." She stood up turning the empty cup over in her hands a few times. "I suppose I'll take any mistakes that happen later onto my own head. I'd like to see you over for dinner again tomorrow. And you're human not a killing machine."
She set her cup in the kitchen and walked carefully around the pile of splinters that had been swept inside and to the right of the broken door pieces. She gave him one last stern look before brushing past the dark blue blanket blocking the doorway and leaving Harry to his depressed thoughts.
Harry watched her go, a heavy frown settling on his face as his eyebrows furrowed. Bloody stupid woman and her dragon like stubbornness. He didn't need her 'help'. She reminded him of his therapist in that regard. An extremely stubborn Japanese squib that studied psychology almost every day of his life after his adolescence. The man hadn't been pleased with the spell he'd put on his himself and was also very adamant that Harry needed to face his fears and socialise more, even if it was only a close circle of friends.
Speaking of facing his fears… it was much too early to try to go back into the game, with anxiety still squeezing his lungs tightly. It was more manageable now that he didn't feel trapped or watched -he glanced over to the window curtains to make sure they were closed and to the blanket blocking the doorway- he could at least control his actions.
Harry sighed. He needed to do something as a distraction. Running was out as that was outside and he couldn't do that right now no matter how dark it was. Baking…. Might be possible but he'd have to check the pantry. He looked at his lukewarm tea before sighing and taking a sip. This was going to be a long sleepless night.
AN: An Di to the rescue! She kept popping up a lot more in my writing with her son. I'll try to do her the justice she deserves :) Tell me what ya think?
