"It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again"
Eight year old Takami Keigo knew the rules in the house from his father very strictly . 'Never, ever leave the house.' And he knew the consequences if he ever disobeyed that rule. He felt his back sting from his father's constant kicking when he just turned his back away from him. Something that petty just because his father was paranoid as hell. And his mother was no help as she just watched or get abused ten times worse than him.
But no matter the pain and suffering he still wanted to spread his red wings and actually fly away. So while his father was out, probably grabbing more beer he walked up to his mother confidently and begged her to take him outside.
That's why now he was walking back home hand in hand with his mother with an Endevour doll tucked tightly in his arm. He never felt so happy in his life! The sun was beating down gently on his wings that it made them shiver. The sounds of thousands of people made him nervous but also curious. He wanted to explore his so called home town but his mother kept a death-like grip on his hand and practically dragged him back to the house.
But before he could be dragged back to that hell hole that was just covered in trash and empty alcohol bottles. Keigo saw an old park not far from them. "Mom! Can I go play for a bit?" He asked calmly. Planting his feet firmly in the ground to force his mother to stop.
His mother looked down him with a harsh glare but he held his ground. She opened her mouth to protest but sighed instead. "You can play for five minutes." She muttered. Instantly Keigo flew over to the playground with a huge smile on his face. The playground was old but also unique. It looked to be jellyfish themed. It's jelly body was carved out with slides coming out of it while it's tentacles were placed with bars for a mini jungle gym. Beside it was an extended tentacle that held a swing set. Keigo held his toy tight against his chest in pure excitement.
He only had five minutes so he didn't know where to start. 'Should I play on the jungle gym? Go on the slide?' He thought while flying around the equipment. When he went over to the swing set he found that it was occupied.
Hollow just sat there on the swing. Her eyes void of any emotion, well except inside her head. She felt anger and grief. How could she not? When her best friend was killed right in front of her eyes. Though Hollow escaped the jaws of death itself she would've gladly accepted it if it ment that she could be with her best friend again. Her hands gripped on the chains of the swing set a little harder. 'Didn't we promise that we would escape together?' Tears formed upon the edges of her eyes but she refused to let them fall. 'Liar.'
"Hello?"
Hollow was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't see the flying boy floating close to her face. "Ah!" She screamed, gripping the chains harder so she didn't fall backwards. Keigo backed away in shock and felt embarrassed that he scared her like that. "Sorry." He apologized while scratching the back of his head. "It's okay." Hollow squeaked. Keigo looked at the girl with pure interest. Her hair was long, curly, and black like ink. Her skin was pale like ivory. He would like to know what her face looked like but it was covered by a white mask with white antlers.
Her outfit consisted of black tank top with a black leather jacket. Blue jeans with black combat boots. 'Strange person.' He thought. Not that he had any right to judge. This is actually the first time he actually talked to someone that was not his mother or father. He gently lowered himself down to the ground and walked over to the unoccupied swing beside the strange girl.
He hesitated, gripping his Endeavour doll a little tighter in his hands. Hollow looked at the swing then the boy, then the swing again. She giggled and got up from her own swing. "Would you like some help?" She asked. Now it was his turn to jump from fright. He looked over at Hollow who crouched down to his level and peered down at him, waiting for his answer. Keigo blushed and nodded, since he honestly didn't know how to swing.
She quickly grabbed under his arms, mindfully not to touch his small red wings and gently placed him on the swing. She sat up straight and looked down at him. Both silent, not having any idea of what to say. "Thanks." He whispered, looking down at his shoes like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Don't mention it." She still stood over him, making his wings quiver in nervousness. Keigo found Hollow to be… very intimidating. It's hard to figure out what one is thinking or feeling if you can't see their face. "Would you like to be pushed?" Hollow asked. His golden eyes snapped up to Hollow which she found was really cute. Reminding her deeply of her little sister. He nodded, his eyes not looking away from her. Silently she went behind him and pushed gently on the chains, causing the swing to move forward and back gently.
She silently did this for a couple of swings until Keigo wanted something. "Can you push harder?" He whispered so quietly that barely anyone could hear him but Hollow did. She pushed a little harder so the swing would go higher. A small giggle left Keigo's lips. "Higher." He whispered again but with a little bit of volume.
She pulled the chain a little steps and pushed even harder, almost causing Keigo to touch the sky. His mouth widened in a big smile, his eyes glittered with joy.
Swinging back into her hands, Hollow backed up even further and said before she let go. "Jump!" And once he got to the perfect high point, he spread his wings and jumped into the air and glided. Not realizing that he dropped his Endeavour doll mid air. He laughed with such joy that Hollow couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
He glided down gently and realized he didn't have his doll in his arms. "Endeavor?!"
Hollow walked over crouched down and passed the doll to his face. "Here you go." She said. Keigo snatched the doll from her hands and hugged it tight. "You really like Endeavour huh?" She asked, tilting her head in curiosity. He looked at her with blushed cheeks and sparkling eyes and a wide smile. 'Bright!' She thought while shielding her masked cover eyes. "Yeah! He's the greatest hero ever!"
Hollow was getting ready for the fan gushing coming from this kid. Not that she really minded it. Endeavour wasn't her favorite hero but she could admit that he did have some good parts about him. "Keigo! It's time to go!" His mother called out.
The once bright eyes and smile quickly wiped away from Keigo's face. He looked at his frantic mother and back at Hollow. He didn't want to go home, he wanted to continue playing and talking to Hollow. "You should go back to your mother." Keigo didn't make a move to leave. "But…"
"I'm sure Endeavour would like to see his new home. Right Endeavour?" Hollow looked down at the doll and gently patted its head. Keigo nodded but he still didn't want to leave just yet. "Can we play again tomorrow?"
"Maybe if you be a good kid to your mother." Keigo nodded enthusiastically, excited at the thought of having someone to play with.
"Keigo!" Quickly he turned and ran back to his mother. Hollow waved goodbye as Keigo waved his small hand in farewell. But he realized after he went inside his home. 'I forgot to ask her name! Oh well, I'll ask her the next time I see her.' He thought with a smile. But little did he know that would be the last time he would ever see Hollow.
