65. Horror
by
Archerelf
Dedication: Alex-chan and some others.
I stepped back. I shouldn't have but I did. Closer to safety. But he was still coming.
Shinobi rule states that we should never retreat from danger.
But who can't help being scared at times?
There's not a single person alive who hasn't been scared once or twice in their life.
I was facing down a monster.
Sasuke had progressed to level 2 of his cursed seal. He was trying to get control back. It wasn't working. He couldn't calm down.
And I failed him. I backed away when I said I wouldn't. I'm a liar. But I'm scared.
--
She must think I'm worse than a freak.
A Monster.
A creature even. Not human.
No wonder she's backing up. I see those tears. I caused them and she'll never trust me again. She's afraid of me.
Of all the things in the world, I never want her to be afraid. Especially of me. I can't do.
I can't calm down.
Every step back I lose her more. I'm scared too.
--
He's reaching his hand out to me. I never thought it would come to this. He's gray with those black markings all over his body. He almost has wings! Those two giant hands. And the one he's reaching out to me.
I'm panicking. I know I am. My heart rate is going nuts and I'm crying too. I only add to my cause this way. I can't help him if I can't help myself.
I'm alone on a battlefield with him.
--
Stop shaking, please stop shaking…For God's sake, I can't control this, I need help…She took a step toward me.
And another. I've stopped moving. I don't know what's going on. I can't forget it. I can't forget the horror I saw in her eyes.
--
Keep breathing. That's the key. My hands are freezing. My arm hurts when I reached out to him. I start with his hand.
I grasp his hand and then put it to his face. He's burning to my freezing. I can't look in his eyes. Not yet.
--
Cool relief is flooding back.
The monstrous things on my back are gone. I'm still enflamed in this curse.
--
His nails on his hand are shrinking. The gray is receding. Whatever was on his back was gone. The black marks are migrating back up to where they belong. I haven't looked up yet… I can't yet.
--
She hasn't looked at me. I can't blame her. I'm back to normal and she hasn't looked at me. My eyes. In hers I'll always be this monster.
I collapse. I can't take it.
She sits down in my lap. I can't believe it. Her head is near mine.
The Horror is gone. For now.
I'll take those odds.
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