Cradling himself, Nagi tried to shut his past out of his mind. But all it seemed to be doing was bringing him back voices. Voices of the lonesome solitude that was out there.
He wasn't going to go back. There was no way -- no way in hell would he ever place his foot back on the streets he was raised up on. Just thinking about it, would give him endless nightmares... He regretted overhearing Brad and Schuldich's conversation. But either way.. Nagi was going to find out sooner or later.
~
"Nagi can't do this.. do you remember when he first came here? He was still traumatized by the whole thing! Brad, you can't do this to the kid!"
"We have to. You mustn't interfere, Schuldich. We've got no other choice."
"Yes we do! I'll go!" The German insisted.
"No. It's time Nagi overcomes his fear."
"But why does Este want him? Haven't they seen him before? He was a wreck! It was a miracle for him to build his life back up again. It's not fair! He never had to do this before.. why now?" [1]
"Este is challenging how well we can manage our fears and doubts. In other words, it's a test. To make sure we have none of those weaknesses that could potentially bring down Schwartz." The American said, showing no emotion in his voice.
"He's just a kid... and this whole test is pointless. It would just bring up those bad memories again. He's strong now, don't --"
"If he overcomes this, he's be much stronger... "
"And what if he doesn't? Do you know how long it was for Nagi to work his way back up? If .. he does this stupid so called test.. and he fails... how do we know.. if he can come back us again?"
"...We have to believe that Nagi can do this." Schuldich could see the concern in the older man's eyes. "When is this going to happen...? How long?"
Brad folded his arms as he spoke, "He has to endure this whole ordeal for at least a month."
"What? Are you insane? What are we going to tell him? 'Oh yeah, your gonna live in the streets again for about a month because Este wants to see if you conquered your fear.' Dammit! This.. is stupid.."
"..I said it before.. we have no other choice.. Do you want to tell Nagi? Or shall I?"
Schuldich looked down, "I don't care.. I just don't want to see the kid hurt."
"Very well. I'll tell him when he returns from school."
~
The young boy sat down on the floor of his room, hugging his knees. 'They're coming soon..' he thought as he pictured the door swinging open at any second. 'Then... I'll be living in hell.'
~
[1] Este.. sometimes spelt as SS, SZ.. and a lot of others.. they're the 3 old people who Schwartz are involved with.