"Hi," the zombie lookalike greeted.
"So, uh, what're you doing?"
"What're you doing?"
"Well, we were having a conversation. You?"
"We're robbing these people."
"We don't live here. We're squatters" Tala told him, finding it completely bizarre that he was even having this conversation.
"Oh, why're you living here? Do they know?"
"No other place to go, and no. They have no idea."
"Oh, so you won't tell?"
"I've never met robbers that say 'you won't tell' in such a scared voice. I imagined more of a 'don't snitch you little shit'."
"That doesn't sound very nice"
"It's not supposed to be, you're supposed to be scary."
"Don't the costumes drill fear into you?"
"No, the exact opposite"
"Oh"
"Now that's wha-"
"-Tala!" Bryan cut in, finally losing his patience with the surreal conversation
"Alright, so, what're you taking? Cos that ice cream is mine."
"Oh, I was gonna take that"
"Don't, leave the squatter his food. Besides they have rats."
"Rat's really?"
"Yeah, we caught one earlier. You wanna see the body?"
"Tala, for Christ's sake, get the hell up there. Make them leave I'm not continuing our conversation while they're here."
"Who's that?"
"My squatter friends"
"We're not squatters Tal" Ian cut in, grinning up at them.
"How many are down there?"
"Well, there's Spencer, Bryan Ian and Kai" he answered, pointing to them as he named them.
"Kai?" He asked, the word connecting some dots in his head.
"Yeah, Kai, come here" the redhead called ushering the boy over.
"He doesn't have blue hair does he?"
"Yeah, two toned"
"I-It's not Hiwatari is it?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"He used to go around with a group of brats, didn't he?"
"Wouldn't know, Kai?"
"How should I know?" The bluenette asked as he forced himself to his feet, trudging over to get a look at the costumed freak.
As soon as his eyes met with the other pair recognition flickered in his eyes.
"I know you" he stated simply
"Yeah, you do, hi"
"Hi, how do I know you?" He asked, thoroughly confused
"You don't remember? I'm hurt, you used to go around with that group. That boy with the hat, blondie, cat boy, and glasses. You remember?"
"No, I've not exactly got my memory at the minute. Were they friends?"
"I don't know, you never looked real happy with them, always keeping a good couple of feet between you and them."
"That sounds like Kai" Ian answered with a smirk. Only to receive a glare from the bluenette and redhead alike.
"You look happier with these squatters"
"Really? God, you must've looked completely depressed with them if this is happy."
"Shut it Ian"
"Anyway, I have to get going. We need to leave soon"
"Why? They aren't going to be back for ages"
"Yes, but Lupinex is getting a little paranoid. Anyway, it was nice seeing you again Kai. And if you ever see Glasses again be sure to tell him we said hi. He was always scared of us." Waving at the group the costumed male shut the hatch and could be heard leaving.
"They're a weird group"
"And apparently Kai knew them"
"That explains a lot"
"Shut it." Kai muttered folding his hands over his chest.
"I'm just teasing Kai. Spence you going?"
"Yes, come on Ian, we can go this way" following after the giant Ian climbed the steps smirking as Spencer had to bend over completely to push up the hatch.
"See you later" Ian waved back to them as he ran past Spencer.
"Ian slow down" Spencer chastised as he left the basement. Craning his neck Tala smirked at the sight of the stunned robbers. All bar Zomb looking like scared children.
"I'd love to see what happens next" Tala mentioned to Kai as the hatch slammed shut. The sudden change in lighting practically blinding them.
"Yeah, whatever" the bluenette mumbled dropping back onto his bed, weight settling on his mind. He knew them? He knew idiots like that? And he had friends that were idiots like them too? God, what was he like before?
"Kai, you ok?" He asked cautiously stepping before the brooding bluenette.
"What? Oh, yeah"
"You sure? You're looking pretty out of it"
"Well, how should I react, they know me better than I know myself." Kai responded his voice sounding half focused
"Kai!" Tala shouted, his voice sharp to grab as much attention as he could. "I get it, you wish you knew the old you. But honestly, would you rather know brats who you apparently liked to keep distance from or us. People you actually like?"
"I guess you" he grumbled, not wanting to admit to the now smirking redhead that he liked him and the others
"See, now be happy"
"Shut up Tal"
"Fine, be that way. So what do you wanna do while we wait?" Tala asked, pushing his lips out into a bored pout.
"I don't know, is there a portable TV upstairs?" Not expecting the answer he wished for Kai prepared himself for however long in awkward silence.
"I think there is" the redhead answered after a few moments pause.
"Then go get it"
"But what if they stole it?" Halting in his response Tala tried to think of an answer.
"I'm sure they haven't. Still, there may be another. One's on the counter I know that much."
"Hurry up then" pushing him slightly he shook his head at Tala's stupid smirk.
"Fine, fine" he agreed passing the lilac haired teen. "What're you grinning at?"
"You two, you're like a couple"
"We are not!" The smaller teen objected his pale skin reddening quickly. "Oh, just shut up Bryan" he huffed, hating that he was blushing from embarrassment at the abrupt suggestion.
"Ha, stop blushing Tal and go"
"I hate you." He whispered to the grinning lilac haired teen, stomping up the stairs.
"Why do that to him?"
"Cos he hates to admit it but he's easily embarrassed."
"And you know that how?"
"School, I used to spread rumours about him and he'd always turn scarlet by the end of the day."
"Did he ever find out?" Kai asked, thoroughly entertained.
"No"
"What rumours?" Kai couldn't help that he leant forwards eager to hear more. Smirking all the more Bryan sat beside him to ensure he didn't speak so loud that Tala would hear.
"Well, my favourite was that he was gay. He had a crush on this girl in the year above and cos I'm spiteful and don't want to lose my best friend I told her he was gay...and dating a guy called Michael"
"Michael?"
"Yeah, I ruined two reputations in one day. Though Tal rebuilt his."
"So Michael was a real guy?"
"Yeah, he was the king jock, if you want to crown him, and Tal was part of the 'loner' group. People were intimidated of him and people admired Michael. The image of the two of them together made everyone imagine them as cliché gays. All camp and feminine."
Kai had to bite his lip to stifle the laugh that wanted desperately get out.
"I would love to see that"
"Me too, still though. Not everyone was horrified by the thought of the guys they fancied dating. Some drew them pictures. That's how Tal found out about the rumour"
"Can't believe I missed that"
"Look on the good side, even with your memory not there if it was I doubt you'd have known about Tal and Michael."
"I suppose, still, I wish I had been there."
"I get why, I was the jealous type weren't I?"
"I'm surprised you're ok with me being here, I would've thought you'd have started the rumours again."
"No I like you Kai. Unlike her you're not a slut. Besides, I don't worry about guys and friends. Just maybes."
"Maybes? As in potential girlfriends for Red?"
"Yeah, you know what girls are like; they take up all your time."
"No, actually, I wouldn't know what girls are like. I've barely seen any since I woke up with Tal in my face." Bryan laughed at that, unable to stop himself from wanting to grin.
"That must have freaked you out"
"Yeah, it did" Kai was smirking as he talked to Bryan, not noticing the latch being lifted.
"That'd freak anyone out, having an insane redhead in your face."
"I'm not insane!" Tala objected as he stood before the two scowling, a small white TV under his arm. "You're insane By, and you you're a killer" scowling at the redhead they didn't care to look at the TV more intent on glaring at him.
"I'm not insane" Bryan objected folding his arms over his chest, his smile no longer there.
"I don't consider myself a killer, I wasn't in my mind when I did that."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now, look what I found" pushing the current conversation out of his mind he held out the small aged box. "I found a TV! I caught up with the circus outside and asked for it. They really are failed thieve, they just handed it back" he laughed as he handed it to the bluenette. "I can't believe we got robbed by them."
"Why not ask for everything back?"
"Because, this isn't my house. I'm just a squatter." He answered with a shrug dropping down beside him. "So, what were you talking about?"
"Oh, nothing, just a couple of my memories." Tala let out a short laugh
"Yeah, I guess Kai couldn't do that. His memories stretch to the long ago time of a few days ago." Glaring across at the redhead Kai decided not to divulge any information to him. It was best Tala was unaware.
"Shut up" he huffed taking the TV and settling it on his lap. Staring at the cordless television he was bemused as to how to work it. "Tal? How the hell does this thing work?"
Holding his hands out to accept the box from the bluenette he stared at it just as perplexed.
"How the hell?" He asked no one in particular turning the cube upside down to try and find a cord.
"It's cordless Tala" Bryan supplied, snatching it from his friend's hands and switching it on in seconds. "You're not good with technology Tal" he stated simply as he handed back the slightly hazy image of the news to the redhead.
"Shut up" he snapped chewing the inside of his cheeks as he tried to find the volume button. Reaching over he pressed a button on the side, the whispering voices growing gradually till they were audible.
"Don't get testy Tala." He taunted as he saw the redhead bristle.
"Shut it Bry"
Sighing as they continued a low key argument Kai dropped back laying against his bed. He didn't half hate these quiet periods. Those two always seemed to pick at the other, whether it was a fight or light hearted argument it was a pain.
As he blocked them from his mind he let his mind leave, being there physically but his mind scanning itself searching for any information on his past. He wanted but a few things to know about himself that wasn't second hand.
But nothing would come, everything was a dark void inside his head. Like his mind had been sucked out, leaving him nothing but a vacuum. Reaching out he snagged the TV from their hands letting himself become lost in the false world.
He couldn't suppress a laugh at that, hell TV's world was more real than his.
Hopefully that'd change soon.
please read review