Ila dropped down to the other side, but as Album swung one leg over he heard something that made him pause and listen. It was very faint but Album could've sworn he heard a cry in the distance. Not too far, but not close.

It gave him pause because he recognized it. He didn't know why he recognized it, as he'd only ever heard Monoma cry once or twice, but at the same time no one else could make such a high-pitched annoying whine cry. "Monoma…" Album murmured.

"What?" Ila asked.

Should he go investigate? The annoying brat probably just fell and scraped his hand or something and was throwing a temper tantrum. At the same time, they had been chasing him, and Monoma hadn't seemed too keen on getting his memory erased so the only reason he'd be making any noise was if he wanted to be heard.

And admittedly, Album wanted to know why.

"I'll be right back." He told Ila.

"Where are you going?"

"I just thought I heard something, I'll be back in a minute." Album put his leg back over the fence and jumped down. He still heard the whining cry, but Ila didn't seem to notice it, even though he saw her trying to hear.

As he went further down the alley, the cries got louder, and Album's feet moved faster. Finally, he heard the crying right behind the corner. And he thought of a plan. He pictured Monoma on the ground, crying about whatever he was crying about. Album would run in there, scoop him up, and not let go this time. Not too tight, not too loose, but a perfect grasp.

Album took a deep breath and surged around the corner to find a scene not quite like he'd imagined. Monoma was on the ground, shirt torn, blood seeping from his neck from what looked like a bite, a man on top of him, holding a knife and pressing his mouth to Monoma's.

Album could only stand and stare for several seconds before his body seemed to move on it's own. He shoved the guy off of Monoma and slammed his fist into the man's face, punching him right in the nose.

The man fell and Album kicked him in the ribs, once, twice, three times.

Monoma's cries were louder now that nothing was obstructing him. Album was going to kill this man.

The man grunted and grabbed Album's foot, yanking him on to the ground. Album fell hard, his back hitting the cement, knocking the air out of him. "Ow, fuck!" he grunted. "Damn." He glanced up to see the man's foot coming down to stomp on him.

Album rolled out of the way, fighting instincts taking over. The man still had his knife out and pointed at Album. Album didn't really care. He'd fought people with knives before, Adrien loved them, they were his preferred weapon choice. So he learned how to deal with it.

Basically, don't fight fair. This wasn't class. It was kill or be killed. Album really wanted to just kill the guy, but unless he was able to get the knife from the man's hands, that was unlikely. So his best option was to first incapacitate, and then run. Monoma was dead weight, but that was alright. Album could adapt, and most likely, the guy would give up anyway.

So, from his crouched position on the ground, he flung himself at him, and barreled right into the man. Album saw the flash of his knife, coming, and put up his hands just in time to shield his face. He felt it dig into his forearm and Album grunted, pain shooting up his entire limb. Album stood up quickly to avoid being stabbed again and kicked the man hard. Once in the stomach, and again and again. For the finishing blow, he kicked the man in the balls, watching his face twist with pain.

Album backed up and then turned to grab Monoma. Monoma wasn't crying anymore, but he still looked in a daze. If Album were being honest he felt in a daze too.

He tugged Monoma to his feet, but he fell to the ground again. Damn, he couldn't even walk, probably too in shock. Album knew they should go back the way they came, and go back over the fence and run out of the alleys into the crowded streets. That would be the easiest way to lose the guy. But even with adrenaline pumping through his veins, he knew it would be too awkward and slow to carry Monoma up the fence. Too dangerous as well.

So the only option was to run the opposite direction, deeper into the alley. Monoma whimpered, he didn't look too well, but there was no time to ask if he was alright, and there wasn't any time to do anything else either.

So he wrapped his arms around Monoma and hoisted him up. By now the man was starting to recover and he knew they had to go quickly, so he started running. As fast as he could, barreling through the darkness, barely able to see a thing.

He took turns where turns where available and silently hoped they didn't run into a dead end.

They didn't.

But he did run into a man, coming from the opposite direction they were going. Album was relieved that they ran into someone who was not the crazy maniac chasing them. He took a quick glance behind to see the man still running after them, and he looked even angrier than before. Album gritted his teeth and kept running. Still, he felt the need to warn the other stranger of the oncoming danger. "Hey! Watch out, there's some maniac on the loose!"

The man paused and stared at Album confusedly, before turning to look down the alley. Album knew the moment the man saw the other's knife.

He took a couple steps back and then started running too.

They continued, taking several turns, and back alleys. Eventually, the man running with them stopped and turned around, maybe to check if the guy with the knife was still chasing them. He was.

But the man didn't turn back around and keep running he just stood there, watching the guy come. Album didn't know how but he could sense the moment the atmosphere changed. The man's body stood completely still, and then it looked like something was writhing inside him. Album saw his skin move, almost like how the ocean waves rolled onto the beach.

And the man's body contorted, bones coming out of his skin, moving in unnatural ways, yet still jaggedly, solidly, like bones are. It was disgusting, so Album turned away. When he turned back around, the guy with the knife was gone, and so was the grotesque sight from earlier. Album couldn't blame knife guy, he would've run away too if that quirk had been aimed at him.

The man turned back towards them, "You're trying to get to the apartment complex, right?"

"Oh, uh, yeah." Album nodded.

Monoma's face was buried in his shoulder and they started walking back towards the apartment complex, which Album supposed was the only one in the area. No one said a word.

Monoma's stomach was still tight with anxiety, and he couldn't shake the feeling of hands on his body and he couldn't forget the cold biting metal of the knife against his throat.

Album's hands were warm though, compared to the man's, and compared to his own freezing ones. Monoma wished he had better circulation but he was always cold all the time. Except during summer, when he could barely stand the heat.

But all during fall and winter it was as if he could never get warm. In fact, even now, he shivered.

"It's just right around the corner." The man who wasn't Album said.

"Okay."

Monoma bit his cheek, overwhelming frustration building up inside him. He wished he could go back in time and take some other route to his apartment. Or, been looking where he was going and never run into that guy. Moreover, he wished he could change anything so he wasn't being carried back to his apartment like a fucking baby.

The entire thing just felt wrong. Monoma peeked his face out from Album's shoulder to gaze at the back of the other man's head. He hadn't been paying much attention, so he wasn't sure if the man had been there since he was first rescued or if they'd met him along the way. And by rescued, Monoma meant that Album had an insatiable need to make his life miserable and had only saved him, so he could get revenge.

Revenge for what, Monoma wasn't quite sure, but probably for meddling in things he wasn't supposed to meddle in.

The man they were traveling with, turned his head slightly, probably to look back at them. "Rui…" Monoma murmured, narrowing his eyes. It was definitely the guy he'd ran into yesterday. Strange that Monoma would run into him twice two consecutive days in a row.

"What?" Album asked.

Monoma didn't say anything and ignored the question. Rui made eye contact with him and then quickly turned back around as if nervous for some reason.

Monoma didn't like it. It made him feel as if the other was hiding something. The man no longer chased them, probably scared off somehow, or maybe he got tired.

Either way, all Monoma wanted was to go home and take a longer shower than usual. He deserved it.

"Here it is." Rui said, in that incredibly soft voice of his. Monoma had to strain to hear.

"Put me down." Monoma ordered, kicking his leg out when Album didn't complete the task fast enough. "Rui, what are you doing here?"

"Mmm, I didn't think you would remember me." Rui glanced at the ground and then back up. So it was a nervous habit.

"I am a little forgetful." Monoma admitted, but he wasn't that bad either.

"Wait you two know each other?"

"Yes." Monoma said curtly, "And now that I'm home you can leave."

Album glared at him and rolled his eyes, "Fine you stupid moron, your welcome, by the way."

Monoma just glared at Album's angry figure walking off. But he felt a small twinge of worry in his stomach. What if Album ran into that guy again? But he could handle himself right? And Monoma could feel himself start to break down with every passing second. "Wait!" Album stopped and turned around, still glaring. "You can… come inside for a bit if you want." Monoma cursed himself. The words had come out before he could stop them.

Album stared suspiciously at him for a while before slowly making his way back over.

"Are you okay?" Rui asked. Monoma snapped his head back and gnawed on his bottom lip before nodding.

"Yeah." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Um, I'm gonna go inside now."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes!" Monoma snapped and regretted it when a look of hurt flashed through Rui's eyes. He was only worried, and Monoma wasn't angry, just tense. And it wasn't fair to yell at someone else because he was upset at something unrelated to them. "I just… nothing, never mind" Monoma shook his head and walked away before he said something else he might regret.

He took the stairs up to his apartment two at a time, Album following, and once they were both inside, he slammed the door shut and locked it. Monoma felt his heart beating inside his chest so rapidly, it almost hurt, and felt like it was going to burst out at any moment. Monoma took deep, shaky breaths and managed to hold it together long enough to tell Album he was showering and get in the shower. The sound of running water drowned out any other noises coming from him.

But now he had to think about what he was going to say when he had to go back out into the living room. In the end, he couldn't come up with anything and just stood there, letting the running water disguise the feeling of hands still on his body.

A/N Ugh, one sorry it's so bad (I didn't know what else to do) two, sorry it took so long. I hope you liked, the next chapter will hopefully be better! Thanks for reading, reviews are love!