A/N: Sorry it took me a long time and that it's this long….Hehe…Like I said, this is a planned out fic…for once….
Disclaimer: Last time I'm going to write this…. They do not belong at all to me….
######### Complete scene change
Scene Change in the same day/time frame
Not too confusing I hope….
"YAMATO!" A man's voice boomed sharply. I immediately jerked awake but felt a pair of strong hands picking me up. My mind was still groggy from sleep. I mumbled something. "Yamato!" I forced my eyes to open. It was my father! I stood up. He looked angry. No, not angry. Fuming. He still had me by the collar of my shirt and dragged me to the kitchen. He left me and stood across from me, arms crossed. "I want answers, NOW." His voice was menacing. I looked at him confused.
"Sir?" At times like this it was better to be as polite as possible.
"I come home early from work to spend time with my son and he's nowhere to be found! Not a phone call or note! I was worried sick. I went out to look for you all over the city!"
"Dad, I was just-"
"And your friend Taichi came over also."
"T-Tai was here?" Worry began to rise. I felt sick and dizzy.
"He just wanted to talk to you. What was I supposed to say?! I don't know where my son is?! Do you know how embarrassing it was to ask if he knew where you where?!"
"Dad, please, I was only-"
"Now after searching for you for hours I find the little prince sleeping in his cozy bed!" The words stung me, deeply. I hated my father just then. "I'm not asking you again! Where were you?!"
I was shaking from fear. I didn't know what to say. All I could hear was my heavy breaths. I opened my mouth but immediately closed it again.
"I asked you a question!" My mind debated whether or not to tell him exactly what happened since Tai hadn't said anything. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my face. I looked at my father in horror. He had slapped me! His entire face was red and his hand still not down from the assault. Unconsciously I moved a hand to my cheek. "Answer me!"
"I-I just went for a walk." I said weakly. "You-you usually aren't home, so I didn't think you'd notice. I-I lost track of time." My face burned with shame as I looked at my bare feet.
"You didn't think?!" I wanted to walk away but I knew my dad would chase me. God how I loathed him. I've beat guys' asses bigger than him for messing with Takeru but I didn't know what to do with my own father. I noticed my hands were unconsciously clenching. I tried to regain composure. "What? Do you have shit for brains?! Sometimes I don't know what the fuck is going on through your head."
"You're not the only one," I mumbled to myself.
"What?"
"Nothing." I looked up at him, defiantly.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? I heard say something!"
I snapped.
"Oh, NOW you listen to me! Only when it's convenient!"
"Don't raise your voice to ME!"
"I WILL IF I WANT!" Caution was thrown to the wind. My father raised his hand. "Don't you DARE hit me again." He did. Harder this time. I stumbled but I didn't touch my cheek this time. It stung severely. I pushed him aside and went to the door. He almost managed to grab my shoulder but I swiftly dodged him and ran out of the apartment.
"Yamato!" He was going to kick my ass. "Get back here!"
'Yeah, that's really going to work.' I thought bitterly. I ran down the stairs and almost tripped. I could still hear him yelling. He was going to wake the entire complex. When I reached the first floor, I just casually walked out. We didn't exactly live in the safest neighborhood, so once the door shut; I looked around the street for anyone that looked suspicious. Seeing it utterly vacant I placed my hands in my pockets and shivered.
If you want to know what a loser looks like, you should have taken a picture of me. Standing outside in sweatpants and a thin baggy shirt, bare footed. It must have been at least 40 degrees (F°). I hated my father. I angrily punched the brick wall of the building. Gods, I just wanted to release all this tension in my chest. Preferably at him. I sighed; knowing I probably couldn't hit that man anyway. I looked at my watch I had been too lazy to take off. 3:26 AM. There was really no place for me to go now besides wandering around aimlessly. HE wasn't going to let me in until either to beat the crap out of me, or he had to go to work. I heard thunder above me and I looked up. The sky was melting steel, frozen gray against the black night.
"I swear, if it starts to rain-!" I was just shouting an empty threat. I received another thunderclap as a reply and a couple of raindrops hitting my face. "You HAD to be cliché, didn't you?!" I yelled angrily and simply continued walking. I wasn't really thinking about anything. I just felt numb. I didn't even care anymore, for what waited for me at home. I turned a corner and saw very few people in the desolate street. I kept my gaze forward. To make eye contact with people who were out this late was asking for trouble. Just one woman tried to approach me, asking for a "light". It was obvious she was a prostitute. This fact surprised me. I knew our neighborhood was going under, but I had never expected something like this here. Not yet at least. I just shook my head. I saw an empty bench across the distance and strolled to it. I groaned from pleasure as I took a seat. I leaned my head back and the rain splashed roughly against my face and through my hair. I tried to clear my head from all thought. I focused on the clouds.
I snapped myself out of my trance many minutes later. I heard police sirens in the distance. Deciding I no longer wanted to risk getting mugged or killed I should head back to my apartment. I pushed myself up and headed back. I had no intention of going back in. I basically felt safer being around my apartment. It was raining harder and heavier, plastering my hair against my forehead. I reached the building.
The design was one of a cheap motel. It had the shape of a square, and the courtyard cut in the middle. All the apartments looked into the yard. I opened the door that connected the sidewalk into the building. The one that was supposed to be always locked. And was supposed to have been fixed 4 months ago. I dragged my feet the three stories, yet paused at my hallway. I glided, unknowingly to myself, toward my door. Since I was already here, I might as well try my luck at the door.
Locked. I hadn't really expected it to be open but I thought luck might have been at my side. I sighed dejectedly and slid down next to the door. I knew he had work and would leave, whether or not I came home. I was shivering from the air conditioning (the heater was broken and the super didn't know how to turn the AC off), so I hugged my knees to keep some warmth from escaping. I laughed indignantly. What would people think if they saw the rebel Teenage Wolves singer now?
I don't remember falling asleep but a loud click awoke me. I was shivering violently, my teeth chattering. My body groaned as I stood up slowly. I turned toward the door. My father was standing there. He looked at me with a blank face. I stared straight into his eyes, giving him a cold glance. We stayed still for a few seconds before he finally walked inside, leaving the door open. I walked in behind him. I glanced at the clock once I was in the kitchen, having forgotten to look at my own watch.
'Shit.' It was almost 6:30. I was so tired and sore.
"I'm leaving." I jumped when my father spoke. I turned to watch him prepare his coffee. "For three weeks, five at the most."
Silence.
"You're not to go out anywhere. Go to school and immediately come home."
Silence.
"Takeru and your mom will be checking in on you on the weekends, and I already called Mrs. Yagami to pick you up in the mornings."
Silence. And he just walked away.
"Dad-" I began, but he ignored me. I went to my room and crawled with my wet clothes under my blankets, still shivering.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Ugh, what the hell's that?
Maybe it's your father.
We're back to this again?
Someone needs to remind you what an idiot you are.
Pause.
True.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
I'll just let my dad get it.
"Yamato! I know you're in there! Come on man! Open up! It's freakin' cold out here!"
Tai? What is he doing- Ah! Shit! My body was sitting before my eyes opened. For a moment I had forgotten everything about last night, (or would it be this morning?) and my head had decided to throb fiercely.
"Yamatoooo!!!!!!!" Now the knocking became consistent and rhythmical.
Kami! I'm coming! School could fucking wait.
"YAMA-" I opened the door mid name. "Oh hey." Tai had on a thick jacket, hat and scarf. I moved aside to let him in and quickly closed the door. "Phew. Man this cold front is hitting us hard." I just moved over to the heater my dad had bought and turned it on full blast. "So, you ready?"
"For what?"
"School." I looked at him like he was insane.
"I'm not going."
"What do you mean you're 'not going'?"
"That's when a person doesn't arrive some place because they don't want to."
"You have to."
"Do I?" I crossed my arms and stared at him.
"Besides, my mom's waiting downstairs." I sighed. I was too tired to argue. Tai's relentless anyway. I glimpsed at the kitchen clock. It was 8:23. I only slept for two hours. Damn Yagami.
"Hold on." I went to my bedroom to change quickly. My wet clothes clung tightly to my body as I tried to peel them off. I grabbed my uniform from the floor and haphazardly put it on. I walked out of the room buttoning my shirt. It felt nice to wear socks again.
"You should grab a jacket. It's cold."
"Gods. You're not my mother!"
"Don't bite my head off! I was just telling you it was fucking cold!" Tai usually never swore.
"Goddamn!" I yelled as I headed back to my room to grab the only jacket I owned.
"What happened to your cheek?" Tai asked once I had emerged once again. I didn't know my father had left a mark. "It's purple."
"I hit myself." I said walking past him, zipping up my jacket, not looking at him.
"You hit yourself on your cheek? What'd you do? Run into a wall?"
"Something like that." I looked up and saw his quizzical look. "Are we leaving?" I opened the door. He still looked at me oddly but stepped out of the apartment nonetheless.
Now I just have to put up with this for five more weeks. I closed the door.
#############
I groaned. My body ached with every move I made. My head was swimming. I sat up slowly and shifted my feet to the floor.
Am I still dreaming? Everything felt so surreal. I couldn't think straight. I stood up. My knees were shaking, my vision blurry. I felt sick to my stomach.
Maybe I shouldn't have done that. My knees buckled.
I blacked out.
Ringing. The phone was ringing. I reluctantly opened my eyes.
Why am I on the floor?
The ringing continued. I looked around as much as my eyes would allow, without me actually moving my head. I didn't see the phone on the floor around me, so it was probably on the nightstand. I groaned.
"Fuck." I excruciatingly managed to sit up. I clutched at my head. I still heard ringing but knew the phone had stopped. I gagged on some nausea that threatened me. After a few more minutes, I used my bed for support and stood up. I edged over to the nightstand and picked up the phone. I loved caller ID. After a few seconds;
"Tai? You called?"
"Hey. Yeah. Just to tell you I was on my way."
"No Gestapo this time?"
"She trusts us."
"Hmph."
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You sound sick."
"I'm fine."
"All right."
"Bye."
"Bye-"
Click.
I sat down on my bed, exhausted.
"Gods, I'm tired." I had to get ready. Damn school.
I had decided to wait for Tai in the living room. That way I could sit on the couch and rest. My chest felt frozen and I was shaking. I cuddled up on the couch and hugged a pillow.
Someone was shaking me. AHH! Someone in the apartment! My eyes shot open.
"Hey, hey. It's me!" It was just fucking Tai. My heart was pounding like crazy.
"You asshole! Scared the shit out of me." Tai laughed.
"You should have seen your face!"
"Bastard."
"Well, let's go."
Damn it!
"All right." I got up slowly.
"Let's go!"
"Damn! I'm going!" I grabbed my backpack which was next to the couch. Of course I HAD to be feeling sick on the day I carried most of my books. I locked the door and followed Tai downstairs.
"Are you positive you're all right?"
"Yeah."
"Your face is all red." I shrugged. We were walking down the empty street. I glanced upwards. The sky was a dull gray but the sun was still bright, even through the thin clouds. A wave of dizziness hit me, hard. I stopped as Tai kept walking. I kneeled down and pretended to look for something in my backpack until it passed.
"What are you doing?" He asked, a few feet in front of me.
"I'm just checking if I have my homework."
"Is it in there?" The lightheadedness subsided enough for me to withstand it. I stood up after zipping my bag.
"Yeah. It is."
I didn't have any idea what my teacher was talking about. My head pounded and everything sounded muffled. I felt as if I was in an old movie. Everything looked as if it moved slowly, but would suddenly speed up. I let my head fall on my desk.
"Ishida-san!" Someone whispered.
"What?" I responded but it came out muffled.
"Ishida-san!" I looked up. It was Rika-san. Some girl I talked to once in awhile and who also sat in front of me. She was turned around in her chair.
"What?"
"Your homework? Do you have it?" Her voice was sweet.
"No," I said bluntly.
"Do you need help?"
"Now? We have to turn it in."
"Well, maybe you could copy mine." She really was a sweet girl.
"Thanks, but no thanks."
"But I don't want you to get in trouble again."
"It's my fault. I'm just a moron."
"No, that's-"
"Ishida-san! Kyatomo-san! Please stop talking and hand up your homework."
"Hai sensei." Rika turned around, bright red. I didn't really care but I felt a bit guilty for embarrassing her. Eventually I let my head fall again.
The bell finally rung. I let everyone file out at first, and then I grabbed my bag.
"Ishida-san, may I speak with you?" I sighed as I walked to the front of the room.
'Shit. What now?'
"Hai sensei?" He motioned for me to sit in front of his desk, but I remained standing.
"Ishida, you didn't turn in your homework again today." He paused. I supposed he expected me to say something. What do you say to the truth? "I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you detention during lunch today."
Silence.
"Is that all?" The tardy bell rung. Woo-wee. Now I was late.
"I don't understand. You are such a good student." I shrugged.
"May I go?" After a few more seconds of staring he sighed and nodded.
'Damn good Samaritans.' I walked out into the empty hallway and headed to gym class. I started to hear a slight ringing.
The hallway began to slant again. This time, so badly and suddenly, that I stumbled against the wall. I tried to move forward but kept tripping on my feet. The hall seemed to expand and contract. My stomach heaved but I fought it. My bag slipped from my shoulder. I used the wall for support, clutching it desperately with both hands. My stomach lurched once more and I leaned against the wall, head down. I realized my body was shaking. I felt some beads of sweat on my forehead. My knees were shaking. My breath ragged. It hurt to inhale. The air was so cold around me.
"Yamato!" I looked sideways. Shit! It was Daisuke. Just what I needed now. This kid was my brother's age, but rumor had it he had so much potential that the soccer coach here wanted first dibs. He takes P.E. with us so he can get a hang of high school practices and make friends with the soccer team. Tai's mentioned him once in awhile. Daisuke thinks he is my friend. I was just polite because Taichi told me to.
He ran towards me, smiling like usual. He slapped my back.
"Hey man! The coach's looking for you! Hey, what's the matter?" I said a quiet prayer as I let of the wall unsteadily and tried to regain some composure. I swallowed heavily. My breath was still shaky.
"Oh, hey (gulp) Daisuke. I was heading over there now." He smiled.
"Here. Your backpack." I felt myself swaying.
"Carry that for me? Too lazy." He gave me a weird look but complied. We got to the locker room uneventfully.
"Thanks." I grabbed my bag from him.
"I'll tell him you're on your way." He shot me his classic smirk and left. I sat on a bench and grabbed my clothes out of my bag.
A few minutes later I walked out of the lockers but didn't see anyone in the gym. The class probably went outside today.
Sure enough, that's where they were; and jumping hurdles. I covered my eyes from the sun with my hand. Damn Daisuke. I could have ditched this class. I walked towards the track.
"Ishida, about time you got here!"
"Sorry coach. Watanabe-sensei wanted to talk to me." It was a school-wide known fact that the two hated each other. I saw his lip twitch slightly.
"Well, line up. Yawamoto! Get over here!" Now it was my turn to twitch. I hated Yawamoto. He was always trying to compete with me. He ran over to the coach. He hated me because he could never beat me.
"I'm ready coach." He said cheerfully. Damn kiss-ass. "You ready Ishida-chan?" I glared at him.
"Don't start with me." My teeth clenched. He smirked.
"Both of you don't start. Save it for the track. Now, both of you go to the starting line." We both walked slowly, keeping an eye on each other.
"Ready boys?" We leaned down and got in our positions. You know the one hand in front and one foot way back, crouched down. I was still hearing ringing. I looked ahead and saw the track and all those hurdles. The track was shifting in my vision. I kept blinking to make it stop. I thought I heard Yawamoto say something.
"What?" I asked and looked at him. He was also moving. I tried my best to give him an icy look but I don't think it worked. I looked at the floor.
"I said, you're going down Ishida-chan." The air was very icy. My lungs hurt every time I took in a deep breath. I was so tired. My eyelids felt so heavy. It felt so good when I closed them. So relaxing.
"Ishida?" I didn't want to respond. Just sink into myself.
"Ready?" The hurdles, right. I felt disconnected to everything.
"Wait coach." Yawamoto said. It sounded like I was breathing through a straw. Felt the same way also.
"On our mark…" I was swaying with the wind. I tried to make my body stiff.
"Coach!" Yawamoto tried to get his attention but now our classmates were beginning to cheer. I looked up tiredly. Damn vultures. They enjoyed seeing me and Yawamoto compete, that also included the coach. I saw Daisuke among them. He flashed me a big thumbs up. I just looked at the track again. I began to cough. It was so cold.
"Get set..!"
"Ishida, we could do this some other time." I kept my face forward.
"No." My voice surprised me. It was very airy. "Let's finish this." I wasn't going to let him win so easily.
"Go!" I don't know if I heard it late or it took my mind awhile to understand but by the time I began to run, Yawamoto was already at the first hurdle. I ran but my legs would sink down. It felt like I was tied to two dead weights. I yelled and forced my body to go faster. I made it past the first hurdle. I grunted as I felt the impact. I kept pushing forward. I reached the second hurdle, jumped, but didn't jump high enough. Instead of being scared or preparing for the fall, my body just gave up. I almost lost consciousness, but my foot hit the hurdle, jolting me back. Pain shot through my arms as I landed roughly; face first, on the hot track. I didn't move. I didn't do anything. Just laid there, clenching my teeth, and closed my eyes. Maybe this time I would actually sink and disappear.
"Ishida!"
No such luck. I heard and felt my classmates gather around me. Maybe they'll go away. Stupid rubberneckers.
"Someone get the nurse!" My eyes opened slowly.
"No, I'm fine." My voice was gravely. I started to push myself up but a pair a hands grabbed me. "No, no. I'm fine!" I looked to see who it was.
"It's okay." It was fucking Yawamoto.
"Let me go!" He still had his hands under my arms.
"I'll help!" Now Daisuke! Fuck! They both grabbed me and roughly placed me on my feet. They let go and almost collapsed again. They quickly caught me. I tried to break free from their grip.
"God! Let go of me! I'm fine!" They grabbed tighter.
"Relax Ishida! We're just trying to help."
"Yeah Yamato." I pushed away hard and managed to break away. My classmates blocked my only way of escaping. They had made a circle around me.
"Ya should've told me if you were feeling sick Ishida." The coach was right in front of me. He placed his heavy hand on my shoulder. He laughed. "Wow, you really are just skin and bones." I looked at his hand then at him. My eyes told him, 'Don't patronize me'. He cleared his throat. "So, let's get you to the nurse."
"No, I've said I'm fine." I said through gritted teeth.
"Well, at least go to the lockers and rest." I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. BUT I can go alone." I was referring to Daisuke.
My classmates moved aside and let me through. They were murmuring. I walked slow but kept me head up. The last thing I needed was people feeling sorry for me. I made it to the locker room without any problems. I carefully changed out of my clothes and back to my uniform. I looked at my watch. There was still plenty of time before I had to go for detention with Watanabe-sensei. I didn't want to still be here when the class came back. I might as well get it over with now. I grabbed my backpack. I was exhausted but I could get over it. The detention room was upstairs. Damn it.
'Act like a man.' I frowned and eventually made it to the stairwell. I looked up. It seemed higher than usual.
'You're such a wuss.' I cleared my head and started my ascend.
'All right. Not too shabby.' I was halfway up. It had taken most of my strength and it was extremely painful to breathe. I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes. My vision was blackening at the edges. Everything became a tunnel. I felt my backpack drop. Instantaneously I became light and felt myself floating backwards. I was falling…
All I heard was my heart beating against the walls. The room began to roll back. I saw the ceiling as the staircase grew longer with each second. My head hit the concrete floor. I kept staring until I faded to black.
Murmuring. Person mumbling. Ugh. I'm sore. I'm lying down somewhere. Should I open my eyes? This feels nice. This blackness. I can barely hear what the person is talking about or to whom, let alone understand. I force my eyes to open. They are stubborn. I blink trying to push the sleep away and persuade them to open entirely. I see a wall in front of me and a poster. I focus on it. It's difficult. I sit up and rub my eyes. Maybe that will help. I start to cough. A dry, heaving cough.
"Agh!" I cry after I finish. My eyes now properly work and I look at my surroundings. I'm in a bed.
I'm in the nurse's office. I look to see an empty bed to my left and another to my right. At least I'm alone. It's pretty dim in here. I moved my legs to the side of the bed and stand up. My knees were shaking. This seemed familiar. I sat back down. I wasn't falling again.
"Oh good. You're awake." I looked to my right. It was the nurse. I wasn't about to say, 'What happened?' or 'Where am I?' I could figure that on my own. Maybe not entirely, but enough.
"You were found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. Watanabe-sensei brought you here."
'Damn irony. Damn luck. Well, so much for detention.'
"Lucky for you there were no injuries. But follow my finger with just your eyes."
I complied. Then she shined a light in my eyes.
"Do you have a headache?"
Now that I thought about it, a very dull one. I nodded.
"Do you hear ringing?" I shook my head no.
"Seeing double?" Again I shook my head.
"I think we can rule out concussion. But you do have a high fever. Do you have anyone we can call?" I shook my head. She just nodded.
"I'm just going to ask you a few more questions."
I nodded.
"Your full name please."
"Ishi-" I cleared my throat. "Ishida Yamato."
"Good." Then she asked me my age, who the emperor was, and the year. I apparently passed.
"You're no much of a talker are you?" I shrugged.
"Can I go home?"
"I would feel better if someone came for you. Isn't there anyone? I tried calling the number on your emergency card but no one answered."
"That's my father's cell. He's out of town. But I'm feeling fine." She looked at me disbelievingly. After a few seconds,
"All right. If you can walk in a straight line from this end of the room to the other without stumbling OR coughing, you may go." I took a deep breath and rose. I began to walk in an almost military fashion. I felt an itch creeping up my throat. I was really tired. Stupid ass nurse. What did she know? Probably failed out of medical school. I reached the wall and turned to her with almost a smirk.
"Now can I go?"
"Are you honestly feeling better?"
I nodded.
"You win." She walked over to her desk and wrote something down. She handed me a paper. "Take this to the main office."
"All right." I looked around for my bag. "And my backpack?"
"Oh, it's right there." She pointed at the bed I had been lying in. It was on the floor next to it. I grabbed and placed it over my shoulder.
"Thanks." I said politely and walked out.
"Come to my office when you're feeling better!" She called out after me.
I pretended not to hear her.
I opened the door to my house, after kicking it open, and threw my keys aside. I remove my shoes and leave my bag on the floor. I head straight for my bed. The answering machine is flashing but I couldn't give a shit. I let my self fall on the bed and wrap at least three blankets in an almost cocoon fashion. I'm shivering and curl up to keep the most warmth.
I didn't remember falling asleep. But at least I was in my room. I closed my eyes again and pulled a blanket over my head. It was still freezing.
'The heater is around the hall… Do I want to get up..? Ugh… I don't want to…But it's cold…Grr…' I got up, with a heavy winter blanket around me. My feet are dragging and my head is hanging low. I looked at the heater.
'It must be broken.' According to the temperature, it shouldn't be this frosty. I raised it ten degrees hotter. Now it was 86 degrees to be exact. I sluggishly returned to my room.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
'The door. Great…'
"Yamato?"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I wearily went to the door. I opened it slightly.
"Who is it?" My voice was weak sounding.
"It's me Yama." Tai said.
"Hold on."
"'Kay." I closed the door and let the blanket fall. I gathered it and threw it on the couch. I straightened up and let Tai in.
"What's up man?"
"I heard you went home early." Tai was taking off his scarf.
"Yeah…"
"Did you ditch your classes or what?"
"I wasn't up for the rest of the afternoon."
"Crappy day huh?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, it's hot in here." He was removing his jacket.
"I was cold a few minutes ago." Tai moved to the heater and lowered it.
"You'll get sick that way."
"So…did you need anything Tai?"
"No, I'm supposed to check up on you remember?"
I scoffed. A small melody filled the air. Tai reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone.
"Hello? Hi mom. Yeah. No, I'm here at Yama's. What? All right. How many? Not a problem. See ya."
"Call from the warden?" Tai laughed.
"Don't call her that. I don't know what you did to get in trouble but it's not her fault. Anyway, I got to go. My mom wants me to pick up some stuff for her." Tai put on the jacket he had vainly removed. "See ya around." Tai smiled.
"Yeah." I led him to the door.
"See you tomorrow." Tai wrapped the scarf around.
"Bye." I shut the door.
Immediately I grabbed the blanket. I sighed in relief and raised the heater one more time. I placed my hands right in front of the soothing current. I sat on the floor and let the air hit me. The floor was chilly but I just curled up tighter in front of the heater. I crossed my arms, still clutching the blanket tightly, and leaned forward. It made the shaking ease up some. It was becoming tiresome to be in that position so I just let my body fall sideways. It would be nice to fall asleep here. In front of the heater.
I smell food. Fried rice. Meat. Fish. Broccoli. Pie. I looked around me. I was in a beautiful dining room. A wooden oak table in front of me. There were two large, silver lighted candelabras. There were also settings for 4 people. The plates were gold and the bowls were gold. The silverware was clean and shining. The wine glasses' edges were gold with a delicate silver pattern. The placemats were of a fragile cloth. I walked to the table and carefully touched a bowl. I saw my reflection.
"Hungry already Yamato?" I was startled and turned around. It was my mother!
"Mom?" I walked towards her. She was carrying a large platter full of food I couldn't recognize. It smelled wonderful. She was smiling and wearing a beautiful blue dress.
"I'm hungry mom!" A small voice came from behind her. A young Takeru peeked from behind her.
"T.K.! You're so…" I began.
"That smells delicious sweetheart." My father appeared from the doorway and kissed her on the cheek. I couldn't take it. I began to cry.
My mom moved past me and placed the food on the table. T.K. came over to me and hugged my legs.
"What's wrong onii-chan?"
"Come on boys. Let's eat." My father smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw the plates filled with food. My mother was seated and ready to begin. I wiped my eyes and sat down to her right. Takeru sat across form me and my father to my left. Everyone but me began to make pleasant conversation. I didn't even remember when this had happened last.
"Yamato, will you please pass me the dressing?" I looked around me and saw the silver bottle ahead.
"Yes mom." I grabbed the handle, turned to give it to her, but knocked the candlesticks by mistakes. "Oh no!" I jumped away from the table and grabbed my napkin. I swatted at the fire that was spreading. My wine glass was empty. I still had the dressing in my hand. I poured it but it made no effect.
"Look what you've done! You moron!" My mother yelled.
"It was an accident!" She ran out of the room.
"You can never do anything right can you?!" My dad was also swatting at it. "Way to ruin this dinner Yamato! The only time we can do this, and of course you ruin it! Just like always! I told your mother to not bring you with us!"
"Well maybe you shouldn't have!" I yelled back. The entire table was now on fire. I backed away.
"Why Yama? Why would you make mommy and daddy fight?"
"Takeru, I didn't do anything!"
"I hate you." He began to cry.
"Let's go son. Maybe this way we can now finally have some peace." My father picked up Takeru and walked out.
"Wait! Help me!" The fire jumped from the table and unto the floor. I backed away slowly, keeping a close eye on it. It was engulfing everything around it fast. I tried to run but a huge wall of flame erupted in front of me. I covered my mouth from the smoke. The fire crackled and groaned as it surrounded me. I could see my family standing on the other side, staring.
"Mom! Dad!" I coughed. "Help me! Please!" They just stood motionless. Staring. The table collapsed everything in ashes. The flames grew closer. I tried to shield my eyes away from it. My pants caught fire. I tried to stomp it out but I had no more room. Everything was burning me. I saw my skin slowly melt off my bones. It was too sickening to look at, but I couldn't stop. It was beyond words, the pain that surged through me. I was no loner a human being. I was the flames.
Eh…. I hope that wasn't too bad. Sorry it took forever to type up the second chapter. I've had it written down for awhile but barely got time to type. "
Disclaimer: Last time I'm going to write this…. They do not belong at all to me….
######### Complete scene change
Scene Change in the same day/time frame
Not too confusing I hope….
"YAMATO!" A man's voice boomed sharply. I immediately jerked awake but felt a pair of strong hands picking me up. My mind was still groggy from sleep. I mumbled something. "Yamato!" I forced my eyes to open. It was my father! I stood up. He looked angry. No, not angry. Fuming. He still had me by the collar of my shirt and dragged me to the kitchen. He left me and stood across from me, arms crossed. "I want answers, NOW." His voice was menacing. I looked at him confused.
"Sir?" At times like this it was better to be as polite as possible.
"I come home early from work to spend time with my son and he's nowhere to be found! Not a phone call or note! I was worried sick. I went out to look for you all over the city!"
"Dad, I was just-"
"And your friend Taichi came over also."
"T-Tai was here?" Worry began to rise. I felt sick and dizzy.
"He just wanted to talk to you. What was I supposed to say?! I don't know where my son is?! Do you know how embarrassing it was to ask if he knew where you where?!"
"Dad, please, I was only-"
"Now after searching for you for hours I find the little prince sleeping in his cozy bed!" The words stung me, deeply. I hated my father just then. "I'm not asking you again! Where were you?!"
I was shaking from fear. I didn't know what to say. All I could hear was my heavy breaths. I opened my mouth but immediately closed it again.
"I asked you a question!" My mind debated whether or not to tell him exactly what happened since Tai hadn't said anything. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my face. I looked at my father in horror. He had slapped me! His entire face was red and his hand still not down from the assault. Unconsciously I moved a hand to my cheek. "Answer me!"
"I-I just went for a walk." I said weakly. "You-you usually aren't home, so I didn't think you'd notice. I-I lost track of time." My face burned with shame as I looked at my bare feet.
"You didn't think?!" I wanted to walk away but I knew my dad would chase me. God how I loathed him. I've beat guys' asses bigger than him for messing with Takeru but I didn't know what to do with my own father. I noticed my hands were unconsciously clenching. I tried to regain composure. "What? Do you have shit for brains?! Sometimes I don't know what the fuck is going on through your head."
"You're not the only one," I mumbled to myself.
"What?"
"Nothing." I looked up at him, defiantly.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? I heard say something!"
I snapped.
"Oh, NOW you listen to me! Only when it's convenient!"
"Don't raise your voice to ME!"
"I WILL IF I WANT!" Caution was thrown to the wind. My father raised his hand. "Don't you DARE hit me again." He did. Harder this time. I stumbled but I didn't touch my cheek this time. It stung severely. I pushed him aside and went to the door. He almost managed to grab my shoulder but I swiftly dodged him and ran out of the apartment.
"Yamato!" He was going to kick my ass. "Get back here!"
'Yeah, that's really going to work.' I thought bitterly. I ran down the stairs and almost tripped. I could still hear him yelling. He was going to wake the entire complex. When I reached the first floor, I just casually walked out. We didn't exactly live in the safest neighborhood, so once the door shut; I looked around the street for anyone that looked suspicious. Seeing it utterly vacant I placed my hands in my pockets and shivered.
If you want to know what a loser looks like, you should have taken a picture of me. Standing outside in sweatpants and a thin baggy shirt, bare footed. It must have been at least 40 degrees (F°). I hated my father. I angrily punched the brick wall of the building. Gods, I just wanted to release all this tension in my chest. Preferably at him. I sighed; knowing I probably couldn't hit that man anyway. I looked at my watch I had been too lazy to take off. 3:26 AM. There was really no place for me to go now besides wandering around aimlessly. HE wasn't going to let me in until either to beat the crap out of me, or he had to go to work. I heard thunder above me and I looked up. The sky was melting steel, frozen gray against the black night.
"I swear, if it starts to rain-!" I was just shouting an empty threat. I received another thunderclap as a reply and a couple of raindrops hitting my face. "You HAD to be cliché, didn't you?!" I yelled angrily and simply continued walking. I wasn't really thinking about anything. I just felt numb. I didn't even care anymore, for what waited for me at home. I turned a corner and saw very few people in the desolate street. I kept my gaze forward. To make eye contact with people who were out this late was asking for trouble. Just one woman tried to approach me, asking for a "light". It was obvious she was a prostitute. This fact surprised me. I knew our neighborhood was going under, but I had never expected something like this here. Not yet at least. I just shook my head. I saw an empty bench across the distance and strolled to it. I groaned from pleasure as I took a seat. I leaned my head back and the rain splashed roughly against my face and through my hair. I tried to clear my head from all thought. I focused on the clouds.
I snapped myself out of my trance many minutes later. I heard police sirens in the distance. Deciding I no longer wanted to risk getting mugged or killed I should head back to my apartment. I pushed myself up and headed back. I had no intention of going back in. I basically felt safer being around my apartment. It was raining harder and heavier, plastering my hair against my forehead. I reached the building.
The design was one of a cheap motel. It had the shape of a square, and the courtyard cut in the middle. All the apartments looked into the yard. I opened the door that connected the sidewalk into the building. The one that was supposed to be always locked. And was supposed to have been fixed 4 months ago. I dragged my feet the three stories, yet paused at my hallway. I glided, unknowingly to myself, toward my door. Since I was already here, I might as well try my luck at the door.
Locked. I hadn't really expected it to be open but I thought luck might have been at my side. I sighed dejectedly and slid down next to the door. I knew he had work and would leave, whether or not I came home. I was shivering from the air conditioning (the heater was broken and the super didn't know how to turn the AC off), so I hugged my knees to keep some warmth from escaping. I laughed indignantly. What would people think if they saw the rebel Teenage Wolves singer now?
I don't remember falling asleep but a loud click awoke me. I was shivering violently, my teeth chattering. My body groaned as I stood up slowly. I turned toward the door. My father was standing there. He looked at me with a blank face. I stared straight into his eyes, giving him a cold glance. We stayed still for a few seconds before he finally walked inside, leaving the door open. I walked in behind him. I glanced at the clock once I was in the kitchen, having forgotten to look at my own watch.
'Shit.' It was almost 6:30. I was so tired and sore.
"I'm leaving." I jumped when my father spoke. I turned to watch him prepare his coffee. "For three weeks, five at the most."
Silence.
"You're not to go out anywhere. Go to school and immediately come home."
Silence.
"Takeru and your mom will be checking in on you on the weekends, and I already called Mrs. Yagami to pick you up in the mornings."
Silence. And he just walked away.
"Dad-" I began, but he ignored me. I went to my room and crawled with my wet clothes under my blankets, still shivering.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Ugh, what the hell's that?
Maybe it's your father.
We're back to this again?
Someone needs to remind you what an idiot you are.
Pause.
True.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
I'll just let my dad get it.
"Yamato! I know you're in there! Come on man! Open up! It's freakin' cold out here!"
Tai? What is he doing- Ah! Shit! My body was sitting before my eyes opened. For a moment I had forgotten everything about last night, (or would it be this morning?) and my head had decided to throb fiercely.
"Yamatoooo!!!!!!!" Now the knocking became consistent and rhythmical.
Kami! I'm coming! School could fucking wait.
"YAMA-" I opened the door mid name. "Oh hey." Tai had on a thick jacket, hat and scarf. I moved aside to let him in and quickly closed the door. "Phew. Man this cold front is hitting us hard." I just moved over to the heater my dad had bought and turned it on full blast. "So, you ready?"
"For what?"
"School." I looked at him like he was insane.
"I'm not going."
"What do you mean you're 'not going'?"
"That's when a person doesn't arrive some place because they don't want to."
"You have to."
"Do I?" I crossed my arms and stared at him.
"Besides, my mom's waiting downstairs." I sighed. I was too tired to argue. Tai's relentless anyway. I glimpsed at the kitchen clock. It was 8:23. I only slept for two hours. Damn Yagami.
"Hold on." I went to my bedroom to change quickly. My wet clothes clung tightly to my body as I tried to peel them off. I grabbed my uniform from the floor and haphazardly put it on. I walked out of the room buttoning my shirt. It felt nice to wear socks again.
"You should grab a jacket. It's cold."
"Gods. You're not my mother!"
"Don't bite my head off! I was just telling you it was fucking cold!" Tai usually never swore.
"Goddamn!" I yelled as I headed back to my room to grab the only jacket I owned.
"What happened to your cheek?" Tai asked once I had emerged once again. I didn't know my father had left a mark. "It's purple."
"I hit myself." I said walking past him, zipping up my jacket, not looking at him.
"You hit yourself on your cheek? What'd you do? Run into a wall?"
"Something like that." I looked up and saw his quizzical look. "Are we leaving?" I opened the door. He still looked at me oddly but stepped out of the apartment nonetheless.
Now I just have to put up with this for five more weeks. I closed the door.
#############
I groaned. My body ached with every move I made. My head was swimming. I sat up slowly and shifted my feet to the floor.
Am I still dreaming? Everything felt so surreal. I couldn't think straight. I stood up. My knees were shaking, my vision blurry. I felt sick to my stomach.
Maybe I shouldn't have done that. My knees buckled.
I blacked out.
Ringing. The phone was ringing. I reluctantly opened my eyes.
Why am I on the floor?
The ringing continued. I looked around as much as my eyes would allow, without me actually moving my head. I didn't see the phone on the floor around me, so it was probably on the nightstand. I groaned.
"Fuck." I excruciatingly managed to sit up. I clutched at my head. I still heard ringing but knew the phone had stopped. I gagged on some nausea that threatened me. After a few more minutes, I used my bed for support and stood up. I edged over to the nightstand and picked up the phone. I loved caller ID. After a few seconds;
"Tai? You called?"
"Hey. Yeah. Just to tell you I was on my way."
"No Gestapo this time?"
"She trusts us."
"Hmph."
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You sound sick."
"I'm fine."
"All right."
"Bye."
"Bye-"
Click.
I sat down on my bed, exhausted.
"Gods, I'm tired." I had to get ready. Damn school.
I had decided to wait for Tai in the living room. That way I could sit on the couch and rest. My chest felt frozen and I was shaking. I cuddled up on the couch and hugged a pillow.
Someone was shaking me. AHH! Someone in the apartment! My eyes shot open.
"Hey, hey. It's me!" It was just fucking Tai. My heart was pounding like crazy.
"You asshole! Scared the shit out of me." Tai laughed.
"You should have seen your face!"
"Bastard."
"Well, let's go."
Damn it!
"All right." I got up slowly.
"Let's go!"
"Damn! I'm going!" I grabbed my backpack which was next to the couch. Of course I HAD to be feeling sick on the day I carried most of my books. I locked the door and followed Tai downstairs.
"Are you positive you're all right?"
"Yeah."
"Your face is all red." I shrugged. We were walking down the empty street. I glanced upwards. The sky was a dull gray but the sun was still bright, even through the thin clouds. A wave of dizziness hit me, hard. I stopped as Tai kept walking. I kneeled down and pretended to look for something in my backpack until it passed.
"What are you doing?" He asked, a few feet in front of me.
"I'm just checking if I have my homework."
"Is it in there?" The lightheadedness subsided enough for me to withstand it. I stood up after zipping my bag.
"Yeah. It is."
I didn't have any idea what my teacher was talking about. My head pounded and everything sounded muffled. I felt as if I was in an old movie. Everything looked as if it moved slowly, but would suddenly speed up. I let my head fall on my desk.
"Ishida-san!" Someone whispered.
"What?" I responded but it came out muffled.
"Ishida-san!" I looked up. It was Rika-san. Some girl I talked to once in awhile and who also sat in front of me. She was turned around in her chair.
"What?"
"Your homework? Do you have it?" Her voice was sweet.
"No," I said bluntly.
"Do you need help?"
"Now? We have to turn it in."
"Well, maybe you could copy mine." She really was a sweet girl.
"Thanks, but no thanks."
"But I don't want you to get in trouble again."
"It's my fault. I'm just a moron."
"No, that's-"
"Ishida-san! Kyatomo-san! Please stop talking and hand up your homework."
"Hai sensei." Rika turned around, bright red. I didn't really care but I felt a bit guilty for embarrassing her. Eventually I let my head fall again.
The bell finally rung. I let everyone file out at first, and then I grabbed my bag.
"Ishida-san, may I speak with you?" I sighed as I walked to the front of the room.
'Shit. What now?'
"Hai sensei?" He motioned for me to sit in front of his desk, but I remained standing.
"Ishida, you didn't turn in your homework again today." He paused. I supposed he expected me to say something. What do you say to the truth? "I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you detention during lunch today."
Silence.
"Is that all?" The tardy bell rung. Woo-wee. Now I was late.
"I don't understand. You are such a good student." I shrugged.
"May I go?" After a few more seconds of staring he sighed and nodded.
'Damn good Samaritans.' I walked out into the empty hallway and headed to gym class. I started to hear a slight ringing.
The hallway began to slant again. This time, so badly and suddenly, that I stumbled against the wall. I tried to move forward but kept tripping on my feet. The hall seemed to expand and contract. My stomach heaved but I fought it. My bag slipped from my shoulder. I used the wall for support, clutching it desperately with both hands. My stomach lurched once more and I leaned against the wall, head down. I realized my body was shaking. I felt some beads of sweat on my forehead. My knees were shaking. My breath ragged. It hurt to inhale. The air was so cold around me.
"Yamato!" I looked sideways. Shit! It was Daisuke. Just what I needed now. This kid was my brother's age, but rumor had it he had so much potential that the soccer coach here wanted first dibs. He takes P.E. with us so he can get a hang of high school practices and make friends with the soccer team. Tai's mentioned him once in awhile. Daisuke thinks he is my friend. I was just polite because Taichi told me to.
He ran towards me, smiling like usual. He slapped my back.
"Hey man! The coach's looking for you! Hey, what's the matter?" I said a quiet prayer as I let of the wall unsteadily and tried to regain some composure. I swallowed heavily. My breath was still shaky.
"Oh, hey (gulp) Daisuke. I was heading over there now." He smiled.
"Here. Your backpack." I felt myself swaying.
"Carry that for me? Too lazy." He gave me a weird look but complied. We got to the locker room uneventfully.
"Thanks." I grabbed my bag from him.
"I'll tell him you're on your way." He shot me his classic smirk and left. I sat on a bench and grabbed my clothes out of my bag.
A few minutes later I walked out of the lockers but didn't see anyone in the gym. The class probably went outside today.
Sure enough, that's where they were; and jumping hurdles. I covered my eyes from the sun with my hand. Damn Daisuke. I could have ditched this class. I walked towards the track.
"Ishida, about time you got here!"
"Sorry coach. Watanabe-sensei wanted to talk to me." It was a school-wide known fact that the two hated each other. I saw his lip twitch slightly.
"Well, line up. Yawamoto! Get over here!" Now it was my turn to twitch. I hated Yawamoto. He was always trying to compete with me. He ran over to the coach. He hated me because he could never beat me.
"I'm ready coach." He said cheerfully. Damn kiss-ass. "You ready Ishida-chan?" I glared at him.
"Don't start with me." My teeth clenched. He smirked.
"Both of you don't start. Save it for the track. Now, both of you go to the starting line." We both walked slowly, keeping an eye on each other.
"Ready boys?" We leaned down and got in our positions. You know the one hand in front and one foot way back, crouched down. I was still hearing ringing. I looked ahead and saw the track and all those hurdles. The track was shifting in my vision. I kept blinking to make it stop. I thought I heard Yawamoto say something.
"What?" I asked and looked at him. He was also moving. I tried my best to give him an icy look but I don't think it worked. I looked at the floor.
"I said, you're going down Ishida-chan." The air was very icy. My lungs hurt every time I took in a deep breath. I was so tired. My eyelids felt so heavy. It felt so good when I closed them. So relaxing.
"Ishida?" I didn't want to respond. Just sink into myself.
"Ready?" The hurdles, right. I felt disconnected to everything.
"Wait coach." Yawamoto said. It sounded like I was breathing through a straw. Felt the same way also.
"On our mark…" I was swaying with the wind. I tried to make my body stiff.
"Coach!" Yawamoto tried to get his attention but now our classmates were beginning to cheer. I looked up tiredly. Damn vultures. They enjoyed seeing me and Yawamoto compete, that also included the coach. I saw Daisuke among them. He flashed me a big thumbs up. I just looked at the track again. I began to cough. It was so cold.
"Get set..!"
"Ishida, we could do this some other time." I kept my face forward.
"No." My voice surprised me. It was very airy. "Let's finish this." I wasn't going to let him win so easily.
"Go!" I don't know if I heard it late or it took my mind awhile to understand but by the time I began to run, Yawamoto was already at the first hurdle. I ran but my legs would sink down. It felt like I was tied to two dead weights. I yelled and forced my body to go faster. I made it past the first hurdle. I grunted as I felt the impact. I kept pushing forward. I reached the second hurdle, jumped, but didn't jump high enough. Instead of being scared or preparing for the fall, my body just gave up. I almost lost consciousness, but my foot hit the hurdle, jolting me back. Pain shot through my arms as I landed roughly; face first, on the hot track. I didn't move. I didn't do anything. Just laid there, clenching my teeth, and closed my eyes. Maybe this time I would actually sink and disappear.
"Ishida!"
No such luck. I heard and felt my classmates gather around me. Maybe they'll go away. Stupid rubberneckers.
"Someone get the nurse!" My eyes opened slowly.
"No, I'm fine." My voice was gravely. I started to push myself up but a pair a hands grabbed me. "No, no. I'm fine!" I looked to see who it was.
"It's okay." It was fucking Yawamoto.
"Let me go!" He still had his hands under my arms.
"I'll help!" Now Daisuke! Fuck! They both grabbed me and roughly placed me on my feet. They let go and almost collapsed again. They quickly caught me. I tried to break free from their grip.
"God! Let go of me! I'm fine!" They grabbed tighter.
"Relax Ishida! We're just trying to help."
"Yeah Yamato." I pushed away hard and managed to break away. My classmates blocked my only way of escaping. They had made a circle around me.
"Ya should've told me if you were feeling sick Ishida." The coach was right in front of me. He placed his heavy hand on my shoulder. He laughed. "Wow, you really are just skin and bones." I looked at his hand then at him. My eyes told him, 'Don't patronize me'. He cleared his throat. "So, let's get you to the nurse."
"No, I've said I'm fine." I said through gritted teeth.
"Well, at least go to the lockers and rest." I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. BUT I can go alone." I was referring to Daisuke.
My classmates moved aside and let me through. They were murmuring. I walked slow but kept me head up. The last thing I needed was people feeling sorry for me. I made it to the locker room without any problems. I carefully changed out of my clothes and back to my uniform. I looked at my watch. There was still plenty of time before I had to go for detention with Watanabe-sensei. I didn't want to still be here when the class came back. I might as well get it over with now. I grabbed my backpack. I was exhausted but I could get over it. The detention room was upstairs. Damn it.
'Act like a man.' I frowned and eventually made it to the stairwell. I looked up. It seemed higher than usual.
'You're such a wuss.' I cleared my head and started my ascend.
'All right. Not too shabby.' I was halfway up. It had taken most of my strength and it was extremely painful to breathe. I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes. My vision was blackening at the edges. Everything became a tunnel. I felt my backpack drop. Instantaneously I became light and felt myself floating backwards. I was falling…
All I heard was my heart beating against the walls. The room began to roll back. I saw the ceiling as the staircase grew longer with each second. My head hit the concrete floor. I kept staring until I faded to black.
Murmuring. Person mumbling. Ugh. I'm sore. I'm lying down somewhere. Should I open my eyes? This feels nice. This blackness. I can barely hear what the person is talking about or to whom, let alone understand. I force my eyes to open. They are stubborn. I blink trying to push the sleep away and persuade them to open entirely. I see a wall in front of me and a poster. I focus on it. It's difficult. I sit up and rub my eyes. Maybe that will help. I start to cough. A dry, heaving cough.
"Agh!" I cry after I finish. My eyes now properly work and I look at my surroundings. I'm in a bed.
I'm in the nurse's office. I look to see an empty bed to my left and another to my right. At least I'm alone. It's pretty dim in here. I moved my legs to the side of the bed and stand up. My knees were shaking. This seemed familiar. I sat back down. I wasn't falling again.
"Oh good. You're awake." I looked to my right. It was the nurse. I wasn't about to say, 'What happened?' or 'Where am I?' I could figure that on my own. Maybe not entirely, but enough.
"You were found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. Watanabe-sensei brought you here."
'Damn irony. Damn luck. Well, so much for detention.'
"Lucky for you there were no injuries. But follow my finger with just your eyes."
I complied. Then she shined a light in my eyes.
"Do you have a headache?"
Now that I thought about it, a very dull one. I nodded.
"Do you hear ringing?" I shook my head no.
"Seeing double?" Again I shook my head.
"I think we can rule out concussion. But you do have a high fever. Do you have anyone we can call?" I shook my head. She just nodded.
"I'm just going to ask you a few more questions."
I nodded.
"Your full name please."
"Ishi-" I cleared my throat. "Ishida Yamato."
"Good." Then she asked me my age, who the emperor was, and the year. I apparently passed.
"You're no much of a talker are you?" I shrugged.
"Can I go home?"
"I would feel better if someone came for you. Isn't there anyone? I tried calling the number on your emergency card but no one answered."
"That's my father's cell. He's out of town. But I'm feeling fine." She looked at me disbelievingly. After a few seconds,
"All right. If you can walk in a straight line from this end of the room to the other without stumbling OR coughing, you may go." I took a deep breath and rose. I began to walk in an almost military fashion. I felt an itch creeping up my throat. I was really tired. Stupid ass nurse. What did she know? Probably failed out of medical school. I reached the wall and turned to her with almost a smirk.
"Now can I go?"
"Are you honestly feeling better?"
I nodded.
"You win." She walked over to her desk and wrote something down. She handed me a paper. "Take this to the main office."
"All right." I looked around for my bag. "And my backpack?"
"Oh, it's right there." She pointed at the bed I had been lying in. It was on the floor next to it. I grabbed and placed it over my shoulder.
"Thanks." I said politely and walked out.
"Come to my office when you're feeling better!" She called out after me.
I pretended not to hear her.
I opened the door to my house, after kicking it open, and threw my keys aside. I remove my shoes and leave my bag on the floor. I head straight for my bed. The answering machine is flashing but I couldn't give a shit. I let my self fall on the bed and wrap at least three blankets in an almost cocoon fashion. I'm shivering and curl up to keep the most warmth.
I didn't remember falling asleep. But at least I was in my room. I closed my eyes again and pulled a blanket over my head. It was still freezing.
'The heater is around the hall… Do I want to get up..? Ugh… I don't want to…But it's cold…Grr…' I got up, with a heavy winter blanket around me. My feet are dragging and my head is hanging low. I looked at the heater.
'It must be broken.' According to the temperature, it shouldn't be this frosty. I raised it ten degrees hotter. Now it was 86 degrees to be exact. I sluggishly returned to my room.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
'The door. Great…'
"Yamato?"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I wearily went to the door. I opened it slightly.
"Who is it?" My voice was weak sounding.
"It's me Yama." Tai said.
"Hold on."
"'Kay." I closed the door and let the blanket fall. I gathered it and threw it on the couch. I straightened up and let Tai in.
"What's up man?"
"I heard you went home early." Tai was taking off his scarf.
"Yeah…"
"Did you ditch your classes or what?"
"I wasn't up for the rest of the afternoon."
"Crappy day huh?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, it's hot in here." He was removing his jacket.
"I was cold a few minutes ago." Tai moved to the heater and lowered it.
"You'll get sick that way."
"So…did you need anything Tai?"
"No, I'm supposed to check up on you remember?"
I scoffed. A small melody filled the air. Tai reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone.
"Hello? Hi mom. Yeah. No, I'm here at Yama's. What? All right. How many? Not a problem. See ya."
"Call from the warden?" Tai laughed.
"Don't call her that. I don't know what you did to get in trouble but it's not her fault. Anyway, I got to go. My mom wants me to pick up some stuff for her." Tai put on the jacket he had vainly removed. "See ya around." Tai smiled.
"Yeah." I led him to the door.
"See you tomorrow." Tai wrapped the scarf around.
"Bye." I shut the door.
Immediately I grabbed the blanket. I sighed in relief and raised the heater one more time. I placed my hands right in front of the soothing current. I sat on the floor and let the air hit me. The floor was chilly but I just curled up tighter in front of the heater. I crossed my arms, still clutching the blanket tightly, and leaned forward. It made the shaking ease up some. It was becoming tiresome to be in that position so I just let my body fall sideways. It would be nice to fall asleep here. In front of the heater.
I smell food. Fried rice. Meat. Fish. Broccoli. Pie. I looked around me. I was in a beautiful dining room. A wooden oak table in front of me. There were two large, silver lighted candelabras. There were also settings for 4 people. The plates were gold and the bowls were gold. The silverware was clean and shining. The wine glasses' edges were gold with a delicate silver pattern. The placemats were of a fragile cloth. I walked to the table and carefully touched a bowl. I saw my reflection.
"Hungry already Yamato?" I was startled and turned around. It was my mother!
"Mom?" I walked towards her. She was carrying a large platter full of food I couldn't recognize. It smelled wonderful. She was smiling and wearing a beautiful blue dress.
"I'm hungry mom!" A small voice came from behind her. A young Takeru peeked from behind her.
"T.K.! You're so…" I began.
"That smells delicious sweetheart." My father appeared from the doorway and kissed her on the cheek. I couldn't take it. I began to cry.
My mom moved past me and placed the food on the table. T.K. came over to me and hugged my legs.
"What's wrong onii-chan?"
"Come on boys. Let's eat." My father smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw the plates filled with food. My mother was seated and ready to begin. I wiped my eyes and sat down to her right. Takeru sat across form me and my father to my left. Everyone but me began to make pleasant conversation. I didn't even remember when this had happened last.
"Yamato, will you please pass me the dressing?" I looked around me and saw the silver bottle ahead.
"Yes mom." I grabbed the handle, turned to give it to her, but knocked the candlesticks by mistakes. "Oh no!" I jumped away from the table and grabbed my napkin. I swatted at the fire that was spreading. My wine glass was empty. I still had the dressing in my hand. I poured it but it made no effect.
"Look what you've done! You moron!" My mother yelled.
"It was an accident!" She ran out of the room.
"You can never do anything right can you?!" My dad was also swatting at it. "Way to ruin this dinner Yamato! The only time we can do this, and of course you ruin it! Just like always! I told your mother to not bring you with us!"
"Well maybe you shouldn't have!" I yelled back. The entire table was now on fire. I backed away.
"Why Yama? Why would you make mommy and daddy fight?"
"Takeru, I didn't do anything!"
"I hate you." He began to cry.
"Let's go son. Maybe this way we can now finally have some peace." My father picked up Takeru and walked out.
"Wait! Help me!" The fire jumped from the table and unto the floor. I backed away slowly, keeping a close eye on it. It was engulfing everything around it fast. I tried to run but a huge wall of flame erupted in front of me. I covered my mouth from the smoke. The fire crackled and groaned as it surrounded me. I could see my family standing on the other side, staring.
"Mom! Dad!" I coughed. "Help me! Please!" They just stood motionless. Staring. The table collapsed everything in ashes. The flames grew closer. I tried to shield my eyes away from it. My pants caught fire. I tried to stomp it out but I had no more room. Everything was burning me. I saw my skin slowly melt off my bones. It was too sickening to look at, but I couldn't stop. It was beyond words, the pain that surged through me. I was no loner a human being. I was the flames.
Eh…. I hope that wasn't too bad. Sorry it took forever to type up the second chapter. I've had it written down for awhile but barely got time to type. "