Title: Gone
Chapter 14: His fear
Written by Lisse08
Taken aback, Yuuri stared with his eyes shaped into a big rounded 'O' at the blond. His heart was hammering painfully against his chest. He couldn't respond to Wolfram for a few seconds. He searched through his profile, looking for any sign of joke. There was none. He inhaled in another gulp of air.
Wolfram couldn't believe he had actually slipped these words out, finally. But Yuuri's reactions were expected. Just like the dream. Disappointment welled up in his stomach. The silence was getting awkward and tensing.
"Haha." Wolfram forced out a laugh. "The fever must have burnt my brain. I was joking. How could I possibly love you? Don't look so serious, wimp."
Strange, Yuuri's heart was thrown down to the hill. It was like riding in a roller coaster, going up to the top at the confession and down to the bottom at the denial. He laughed too, feeling unease. They didn't talk for awhile. Wolfram nibbled on the chocolate in silence while Yuuri watched the fire flickering along feebly with the wind. Only the sound of crickets humming and cracking of the burning branches were heard. Wolfram rubbed his numbed hands together, creating friction for heat before he looked towards Yuuri.
"It doesn't seem like rescues are going to come today." Yuuri held his gaze, for awhile, he wished to continue their conversation just now. But he couldn't see any point of continuing, so he gave up, the sour feeling pulsing in his pit.
"I guess they must have some trouble looking for us. Are you feeling better?"
"Yupe. Thanks a lot, Yuuri." A glint of satisfaction and gratitude played on his face. Yuuri smiled back.
"Good. We would better catch some sleep then. Tomorrow, we will have to find some way to get us out of here."
"How?"
"Can you see that river?" The blonde followed his finger.
"That's where I was in this morning, right?"
"Yes."
Wolfram knocked his fist onto his opened palm, his mouth agape in realization as it hit him.
"I got it! All we have to do is follow the flow…" Excitement blazed in his chest.
"And we will reach the sea…" Yuuri continued, his eyes glistering in the hallow darkness.
"And we will be able to find the resort!" Wolfram shouted. "Why didn't I think of this before?" He shook his head in disbelief.
"Because you're sick and we are both in shock."
Putting a hand up to his forehead, Wolfram laughed once more. He drew his knees up to his chin and grinned, his confession for the double black now had completely slipped out of his brain.
"For a wimp like you, you're sounding a lot more like a leader now."
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Yuuri growled at the word 'wimp' but decided to take it as a compliment. They shared their grin.
Yuuri took in another breathe and exhaled it as a sigh.
"C'mon. Go to sleep. It's getting late…"
Without complaints, Wolfram settled off to a corner and lied down onto the grass, using his arm as pillow to support his head. Yuuri did the same as well, both facing each other with only the dimming fire between them. After some time, judging by the soft breathing of the blonde, Yuuri could tell that Wolfram had fallen into his dreamland. He smiled again at the peaceful face. Yuuri's hand swooped up some of the nearby dried woods and threw them into the yellow flame, which ignited again strongly.
It took Yuuri some time for sleep to come in because his heart had yet to resume normal. For Yuuri, that was the first time to be confessed by a guy. It didn't mean that there was no girl who confessed to him. There were a number of them. The problem was he wasn't interested in any of them. However, this time…
Xxxx MuraKen xxxX
They were forced to stop the search, for the sky that was darkening was cutting their visibility to almost zero. The rescue teams arrived two hours later after the first sunray sank behind the black curtain. A search was done thoroughly with the helicopters circling above the sky. It wasn't long until they finally tracked down the swirling smoke that Yuuri had renewed.
Xxxx Yuuram xxxX
Wolfram sat up awake by the rumbling engine. He looked up the vast sky. Squirming a little at first, his face lightened up at the dots of light that streamed through the darkness, immediately, he knew rescue had reached them. He pulled himself up, raced towards the sleeping Yuuri and routed him up. They were thrilled by the sudden twist of events. Jumping up and down both in both excitement and joy, they waved towards the pilots. One of them descended from above and the boys followed it direction, where it landed itself near a vacant space.
They were met by Adelbert and four paramedics. They were given medical check-up. After ensuring that they were safe and round, they were flied back directly to Tokyo. Apparently, their family members were informed about this. When they reached the police station, Yuuri and Wolfram found themselves enveloped in their mothers' hugs.
Wolfram didn't resist this time being embraced in the public, because the hug wasn't a resemblance of affection but rather a relief. He grinned at Yuuri whose mother did the same to him. Surrounding them, he recognized Shori and an elder man, presumably his father. He was distracted when Conrad appeared among the crowds. For a fraction of second, the cause that initiated this accident, stroke the back of his head like a thunder. The memory flooded back to him once more. Wolfram couldn't help but gave him a smile, which stunned Conrad. It was the first smile that he received from his little brother ever since he was back. The prince turned away and looked around again but couldn't find another brother. It seemed like Gwendal wasn't able to make it because of his job again…
Xxxx MuraKen xxxX
Shinou mused at the couple adventure told by Murata who was sitting across on the sofa from him.
"They are in the middle of the wide jungle, and yet they managed to find and save each other." Murata said. "Fate, huh?"
"Nope, it's their destiny." Shinou grinned.
"Destiny?" Murata raised his eyebrows. The prince could smell the sour scent, which made him chuckled.
"We are destined to be together too."
"Cut the sweet talk. What happened to your boyfriend?"
"He's right here."
"Don't play dumb." Shinou pulled on a stern face and smiled.
"I wasn't. I had broken off with him, so I only have you, or… are you saying you're not?" Murata blinked. He hadn't noticed the blond had moved and was nearing him. He shook his head with a smile on his face.
"Should I really take your word for that?"
"You think?" He bent down and closed their gap between their lips.
Xxxx William xxxX
William stared down at the newspaper with jealousy eating at his heart. The news where the boys went missing was all over the headline. Pictures were taken, stories were written and their words were jotted down.
If this was to continue, he was due to lose. He had to act.
Xxxx Yuuram xxxX
Yuuri wished Sunday night would somehow passed faster, preferably skipped it if he could. The front door was knocked once again. Within minutes, he heard a shriek from downstairs. He closed both of his ears and rolled his eyes, imagining the lilac-haired guy wailing. The noises weren't soothed down and he soon felt the need to appear downstairs at least, to show Gunter that he was alright.
Wolfram was picking up the palettes, a paintbrush in his hand. The grandfather clock stroke eight and he still hadn't paint anything on the canvass. In fact, there was nothing that came into his mind. The foreign image was blurring. He couldn't trace the dream anymore, let alone that figures that he wished to draw. Lowering the brush, he gave up.
Why bother so much about it? It might be merely a weird dream, nothing more than that.
He had sent his car over for service. After informing Yuuri about it, his attention was averted to something flashy.
Setting aside his phone, he smiled and ran his finger over the photos that had been spread out on the table. When he was supposed to have more pictures for the project, however, more than half of them were pictures of Yuuri that he had taken during the trip. He traced his fingers over at Yuuri's face, which was taken when he was finding the lost piece of attendance sheet.
"I love you… more than just friend."
Has his feelings reached the wimp?
Xxxx Wolfram xxxX
Wolfram reached the school earlier than Yuuri the next day. Crowds were gathering around him in circle. Being used to this kind of thing, Wolfram managed his standoffish self, remained silent and ignored the questions. How he wished Yuuri was here so that he could have excuse to get himself out of here. Even his buddies were annoying as well.
By only listening to the level of noise that lowered down and up again in fracture of seconds, he knew that Yuuri had come and attentions were shifted towards him. He stood up and walked near the raven black, with the photos in his hands. Yuuri had asked for the copies few days ago.
"Here." Yuuri smiled after noticing what they were and accepted them.
He had filtered through the piles, taking out Yuuri's photos with the hope that it would make him look less like a stalker. Yuuri didn't have time to look through them when the bell rang. Wolfram smiled and told him that he could do it later. With that, Wolfram returned to his seat as the teacher stepped in.
Xxxx Yuuram xxxX
The recess bell was more welcoming than anything. Wolfram got up from his chair, ready to walk over towards the double black who was packing his things when an arm halted him. His eyes followed the offending arm and found William. A frown fell across his face.
"What do you want?"
"I want to have a word with you."
"I'm busy, William."
"You'll be even busier if some slanders of your boyfriend spread." William taunted. Wolfram's eyes burnt and snapped his head into the blue eyes.
"Now, do you want to spare me a moment?" The loathing grin was on.
Xxxx Yuuri xxxX
'Where is he?' Yuuri walked through the corridor, pushing past the students. He couldn't find Wolfram anywhere in the class. This is the first time he had walked off without him since they were 'together'. He wondered why.
"Don't involve him!" That was Wolfram. His heart jolting, he stopped and pressed himself onto the wall. The voice was coming from behind the corner.
A growl of laughter that made Yuuri's blood ran cold. Now, he recognized the second voice.
"What do you want?"
"You know very well what I want, Wolfram."
"I won't."
"Then, I think that leaves me no choice." The beating on Yuuri's chest was getting stronger. He didn't realize that he was holding his breath.
"Stop it. He had nothing to do with this!"
"The choice is up to you. You? Or him?"
"Hey, Shibuya. What are you doing here?" Yuuri jumped a feet. He could feel his heart coming to his mouth. Murata was beside him. 'Crap! They must have heard…' He forced his head to twitch around again, to see that they had both came out from the darkness. Yuuri ran his hand through his black hair and laughed to cover up.
"Wolfram, I was searching for you."
Wolfram wasn't looking great. His stares were unusually impassive. It was as if they were telling Yuuri that this is not a place where he was supposed to be.
"Look like you got yourself a great boyfriend, Wolfram." William was the one who broke the strained silence. He gave him a smirk before nearing the blonde's ears to whisper inaudible words. Yuuri gazed at Wolfram's expressions, whose brows seemed to furrow a bit.
Xxxx Wolfram xxxX
"Meet me in school at six if you choose him. If you don't appear, I'll presume that you had chosen yourself, and I shall… destroy his life, just like how I did to my ex."
For the moment, he felt the world revolved around him, non-stop. His eyes were on Yuuri, trying his best not to let his face betrayed his heart. William's ex, who dumped him lost his standings in the school, because of the fake rumours he spread out. He wasn't afraid of William spreading his rumours, because being the prince of the school, rumours about him never ceased and he was quite used to it. As long as they were not serious enough to affect his reputation or reached his family, Wolfram did not care much about them. But for Yuuri, could Yuuri stand the slanders? Will he be strong enough to ignore the stares, the insults, the whisperings…? Will he? If whatever that happened later, destroyed Yuuri's life, ego, everything, it would entirely be his fault for dragging Yuuri into this mess…
As if nailed to the ground, he couldn't move from his spot even after William left them.
Xxxx Yuuram xxxX
The last class was over. Yuuri was troubled because the blond did not intend to tell him in details about his confrontation with William.
"What is he up to?" Yuuri walked neared his 'boyfriend' after William was out of their sight.
"Nothing." Wolfram swoop his eyes towards Murata.
"Nothing? There wouldn't be nothing? I heard that…"
"You eavesdropped on us?!" Wolfram shouted with a forced anger.
"I didn't!"
"You did!"
"I didn't. You two were too loud!"
"So you did!"
"Now… you two…" Murata cut in.
"You shut up!" Both boys snapped their head over and shouted simultaneously at Murata. Murata blinked back, not knowing when and why he had got himself embroiled in this quarrel.
After that, Wolfram had left him alone at the spot with a 'humph' and had been refusing to talk with him.
He picked up his bag and ran over to catch up with Wolfram before he could get up from his seat. Wolfram gave him a look of surprise and turned away immediately, packing his books into stack. 'You're still angry?'
"Shori is picking me up later. He said he can send you home."
"I had asked my brother to pick me up." Wolfram turned him down and closed his bag.
"Oh…" The conversation had ended again. Yuuri watched as Wolfram walked out from the classroom with mixed feelings of sadness.
Thorough the day, Wolfram had never offered him a look.
Xxxx Yuuri xxxX
Yuuri slumped down on the coach in defeat. Why couldn't Wolfram understand that he was concern about him? He shook his head. Why did he care so much about Wolfram in the first place?
Hand reaching the controller, he switched on the television. His attention on Wolfram was gone immediately. His favourite baseball match was on. One minute had not even passed when the channel was switched over to a news channel. He yelped and turned over at his big brother, a reprimanding look on his face.
Before he could start arguing, his cell phone rang. Pouting, he reached over and picked it up. Right at the other end of the line, an anxious voice was heard. An electric wave shot through his body. Yuuri sensed something was wrong.
"Conrad?"
"Is Wolfram with you?"
"Wolfram? No. What happened?" Yuuri demanded.
"I couldn't find him anywhere. He was supposed to be home by now." Flashes of images developed in his inner eyes.
"Don't involve him!"
"Stop it. He had nothing to do with this!"
"The choice is up to you. You? Or him?"
"I had asked my brother to pick me up."
He gave him a smirk before nearing the blonde's ears to whisper inaudible words. Yuuri gazed at Wolfram's expressions, whose brows seemed to furrow a bit.
A sickening motion was rumbling in Yuuri's stomach. It was as if someone had hit on it, making him double over as he tried to put pieces of puzzles together. The thought ran through him like an icy knife. Why didn't he see through this? It must be related to William… they seemed to have a deal that afternoon. And from the look of it, it must be something that Wolfram was forced to do. Why did he allow Wolfram to lie to him??
"Yuuri?" It drew him back to the reality.
"I'll find him." Yuuri grabbed on his coat and was out from the house even before he pressed on the 'end call' button.
Xxxx Yuuri xxxX
The night wasn't doing him any good. There were lesser bright patches of stars in the pitch dark sky. He sped up the car that belonged to Shori's. He couldn't stop his mind from straying away from the safe line.
They had a fight, Wolfram avoided their eye contact, a lie that was unintended, and if these are a repetition of the trip… then, in a trice… is something bad going to happen, just like before?
Beads of sweats were appearing on his forehead and palms, making the steering difficult to handle. His panting was hard, and his heart was thundering faster than usual, he felt like having a heart attack.
Why is it that, when it comes down to Wolfram, he is always this nervous?
Xxxx Wolfram xxxX
"I'm here." Wolfram gingerly took a few steps forward in the sombre light. His hands tightened around a wooden bat which he had picked up from the storeroom for self-protection. He stepped in further into the darkness.
"Get out now!" Suddenly, he sensed the presence of a second person behind his back. His instinct brought his body to twirl around almost instantly, his bat on his hands. The guy he loathed was leaning against the wall beside the door where Wolfram had just passed through, puffing out the smoke. He cursed. He must have missed him somehow when he was walking along the corridor.
"Put that down, Wolfram, we are not here for a fight." It was lucky that it was dark, so William couldn't see the fact that Wolfram's hands were trembling with the bat. It was the only thing that gave him courage. He knew what William wants with him. To be his boyfriend, just like how he had asked Yuuri to be his. The difference is; he had asked Yuuri in a nice way. The same thing is; they both had no choice but to comply. For an instance, Wolfram felt stupid holding the bat thinking that it would serve as his weapon. There was no battle to begin with. He would have lost even before they started.
Defeated, he lowered the bat. Watching William walked over to him across the classroom, he took two steps back instinctively. There is just no way he would want to be his boyfriend.
"Didn't we come for peace, Wolfram?" The distinguished flame was glowing at the end of cigarette. He flung the cigarette, throwing it right into the basket. In the darkness, another flicker of memory rippled. There it was again, faint and senseless. Where had he seen this face before? Memory still refused to answer him. Deciding that it was no use, Wolfram threw it to the back of his head.
William flipped open the switch beside him on the wall, lighting the room. Wolfram shut his eyes tight at the sudden brightness, his hands not letting go of his weapon. Slowly, he counted the numbers in his heart. He must calm down.
His eyes opened again. Astonished, he gazed at the wines placed on the table. His eyes moved from them to the smile on the other man's face. William gave a nod towards the seat.
"Let's have some drink and we will talk."
"There is nothing to talk about, William."
"Or, you would rather risk Shibuya's life?"
"You agreed to leave him alone if I come, and here I am."
"Yes, but that was part of the agreement."
Wolfram gritted his teeth, his nails digging onto the wooden bat. William pulled the chair out, and seated himself comfortably down. He gestured his hands towards the empty seat in front of him with another smile. Wolfram felt sick to his stomach. Knowing that he had no other choice, he dropped the bat down onto the floor and did as instructed.
William screw opened the wine bottle, watching him intently, Wolfram observed him in silence as he poured the purple content into their empty glasses.
"Here, this wine was imported from England by my father. It had thirty years of history. It is said that the older the wine is kept, the better the wine tasted." He emptied his drink in seconds before pouring another round into it.
"Cut the crap. I know what you want with me. I can be your boyfriend, but you would never get what you want."
"How would you know what I want, Wolf?"
"Don't call me 'Wolf'."
"And yet you allow that boy to call you that?"
"Don't call him with that tone as if he's nobody."
"Oh? Have you grown fond of that boy?" Wolfram bit down his lower lips. The answer was obvious but he wouldn't admit it to William. His eyes focused on the drink that he never touched. He wouldn't dare to touch it, let alone to drink it. It was too suspicious.
"Are you afraid that I would poison you?" As if reading his thought, William said. Wolfram said nothing.
His partner laughed and snatched his glass. Gracefully, he drank the glass empty.
"See? Nothing's here. Be at rest, Wolfram. I would never poison my beloved."
"I would trust you not to poison me, but I would never trust you not to drug me," Wolfram sneered. The smile froze on the face. Wolfram smirked, knowing that he had hit the jackpot. Of course, did William think that he would be obedient enough to drink whatever that was offered to him? If he think he could get Wolfram like this, he was wrong. Deadly wrong.
"I had agreed to be your boyfriend, but not to sell out my body." Wolfram got to his feet.
"You are not to leave."
"Your plan failed, William. Do not think that I will…" His eyes widened in shock. His vein was pulsing. He could hear them clearly. But his mind was swaying. The blackboard that was hanging in front the room seemed to dim from his sight. Blackness invading at the corner of his eyes, and his whole body felt weak. 'This couldn't be happening. I had been so careful!'
"Indeed, I knew you wouldn't drink it. There was really nothing in the wine, Wolfram. It is the air that I drugged."
Horrified, Wolfram's last gaze was shifted towards the cigarette that was lying dangerously in the basket. The smoke was still puffing out. He dropped onto his knees, head swaying in and out. He held his gaze up towards William, who was smirking with triumph and walking near him.
"I'm amazed how weak your memories are." William smirked.
"What…?"
"But thanks to it, it helped me to get close to you."
As the consciousness slowly failing him and with his heavy eyelids closing down, he saw the eerie smirk that had sucked his breath away. The well arranged tables replaced by the deformed one. The dusty smell invaded his nose. The laugh that haunted him every night three years ago was pounding in his ears, clear and loud. Dimly, he saw three figures approaching him.
His limbs were nailed down in seconds by the two guys. His head swayed in dizziness and swept his eyes over to William, whose image was blurring out, coming nearer to him. The image flashed, replacing William's. Dennis's face who he had long forgotten appeared again. No, it was not him. He let his eyes swooped down, to the one who was locking his legs. The body was less built, weaker and less influencing with a less-shaped feature, but with the same bridged nose and high forehead, the same blonde-colored hair and blue eyes, this time, the memory returned at their own. His eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe he had never realized it.
As darkness claimed him, the thought sliced him in his stomach.
TBC
A/N Although my beta, gwendal's wife, stopped beta-ing my fics due to her school works, I thanked her for sharing her ideas with me at the start of the story. She was the one who suggested William to be one of those bullies. ^^
Thanks to
Mitsuno, Ellie_Connor, -strange-and-weird-, CrazyCartSalad, RenoBites44, eirina, and AsakuraHannah
for the reviews.