Sometimes bad things have to happen to make a better outcome.
Spencers13 – March 2003–March 2004
R – Drama – Angst
Chapter Fifteen – Mind Splinter
Time passed. Months ticked away like the second hand on a clock. Seasons came and went. Finally, at some point, three years had passed, and just like the passage of time almost always dictated, things changed.
Endri had made much progress in his struggle to rid himself of the Mania. In fact, he was practically back to normal, much to the joy of his friends and family. A few things were still different about him, however, but nothing that was bad. He spoke more, held back less, confided more of his darker secrets in his best friend to let them out into the open for once, and allowed himself to be a happier person. He smiled more and laughed with the crowd, and everyone encouraged it all, making him feel secure and comfortable with the new actions. Endri was a changed ghost, and everyone would say he had changed for the better.
Death Styles of the Rich and Heinous flickered across Beetlejuice's television, and he and his son watched with interest. Occasionally, the ghoul would wave at the screen saying, "Bah! I was richer than them once." or "Please! They don't deserve all that crap!"
Endri just chuckled at his father's comments and the show.
When it was over, their unspoken "daily get-together" by the TV was also over, and Beetlejuice stood, cracking his back in a stretch.
"I'm gonna go see Lyds for a while, kid. You be okay hagin' out here?"
Endri nodded and waved his father off lazily. "Of course. Have fun, Papa."
The ghoul rubbed his hands together and a mischievous grin slipped onto his lips. "Heh-heh! Yeah" was the last thing he uttered before he vanished in a cloud of yellow.
The ghost rolled his eyes, knowing what his father was probably up to. He silently envied him, though. Beetlejuice had someone to run off to and be with—someone that completed him physically and emotionally. Endri, however, did not, and even though he didn't often think about it, he was a little depressed that he didn't have someone like his father did. He did have Kyle, however, and Kyle was his emotional completion. The physical aspect couldn't be covered by him, though, and, on occasion, Endri would fantasize about having a beautiful mate by his side.
She would have long hair, a slight body that was fragile and delicate like glass, and eyes he could swim in. And Endri? He would be her classic "knight in shining armor". He smirked to himself with that thought. His fantasies of love and romance were always a little cliché, but it didn't matter to him. What mattered was the feeling he got when he thought of "her", whoever she would turn out to be. He longed to find this girl of his fancy, but believed the words told to him by his loved ones.
"Someday, you'll find her. And when you do, you'll just know."
He smiled to himself. I'll find someone someday, and she'll complete me in every way, and I'll complete her as well. Until thenI think I have a book that's half done. Still with the smile on his lips, Endri stood from the couch and headed upstairs to his bedroom.
Not thirty minutes later, Kyle trotted gracefully down the steps and passed through the living room on his way to the kitchen. He pulled the fridge open and rooted for about three seconds before scrunching his nose in disgust.
"Man! Is there anything edible in this house?" His tummy growled at him impatiently, and he patted it affectionately. "I know, I know. I'm looking. Keep your acid down." Chuckling at his own silliness, he dug through the pantry. "Mmmlooks like it's Count Chocula again. Yum."
As he poured the cereal, the doorbell donked.
Kyle looked up and around. "Beetle? Endri?"
The doorbell sounded again.
"Ah, fine. I'll get it," the human mumbled, leaving the kitchen to open the door.
Of all the people that could have stood there, Claire looked up at Kyle, seemingly a little nervous. The man had to restrain from frowning at her, but it was very hard task to accomplish.
"Claire," he stated flatly, giving her a look that said absolutely nothing of what he was thinking. "What brings you back here after so long?"
She swallowed. "UmI hate to intrude, butI think I left some things here, and I'd like to have them back."
That was when Kyle frowned. "It took you three almost four years to come back and get some stuff you left here?"
Claire's eyes fell. "Wellthat and I have something that belongs to Endri too, and I'd kind of like to talk to him again. May I see him please?"
She tried to be sweet about it, perhaps using charm or a bit of an innocent act to get under Kyle's skin and cause him to cave. The man was leery, however, and wasn't about to jump into a yes. He was afraid Endri wouldn't take well to seeing her again.
"I don't think—"
"Please. I'll be here and gone before you know it."
"What did you leave here?" Kyle asked, stalling and also making sure she knew who was in charge of the situation. She wasn't getting past him without a fight. She wasn't getting past him period.
Claire's eyes dropped down again, away from his piercing blue gaze. "My jewelry box."
"Where's it at? I'll go get it."
Nervousness worked over her features along with what he would call desperation. "UhI-I'd like to see Endri, though. Is he home? How's he been? How've you been, actually?" she rambled, trying to make conversation.
Kyle continued to frown. "Look, Claire, I really don't think Endri'd wanna see you. So just give me what you have of his, and I'll go get your stuff. I can't believe you waited this long." he trailed off, muttering to himself in disgust and rolling his eyes.
Claire sighed and gave in, finally. "Fine." Her purse made small rustling noises as she dug through it.
A creek on the stairs caught both of their attention, and she looked up just as Kyle also turned to see. Endri stood there, one foot on the bottom step and the other on the next one up, hand on the railing, staring in disbelief. His entire being seemed frozen like a statue, not even blinking as he regarded his best friend and ex-girlfriend at the door.
Kyle cursed under his breath and strode over quickly, and Claire could hear them speaking in hushed tones to each other.
"Endri"
The ghost hissed and finally blinked, but kept his eyes staring over the human's shoulder at the woman in the doorway. "What is she doing here?"
"She has something that belongs to you, and you got something of hers. She just wants an exchange and to leave, okay?"
Endri's breaths were coming rapid and shallow.
"You okay, 'Dri?"
He blinked and nodded out of the daze. "I'm—I'm fine." Sidestepping his friend, the ghost walked up to Claire, head held high with a strong disposition, but his eyes were far from confident. His voice, however, retained its former authority as he asked, "What do you want?"
Swallowing, she took her ex-boyfriend in for a second, scrutinizing his appearance. He seemed thinner than her memory pictured and a little more rough around the edges. Ever neatly groomed, however, he still looked like a picture of perfection to her.
A voice that she had been hearing for a long time now yelled at her again, much louder than before. You left him! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"My j-jewelry box is in your room."
Already knowing what she was talking about, Endri turned without a word to retrieve it, and about a minute later, he stepped up to her again. He handed over a small, ornate silver box, saying, "Is this all?"
Claire nodded, taking the box. "Oh! I-I have something for you here." Using her free hand, she dug through her purse, uprooting a compact that slipped out and fell to the floor. The lid popped off on impact. "Oh, could you fix that for me please?" she asked, not stopping in her seemingly futile search.
Endri blinked at Claire for a second before casting his eyes down to the clamshell. He bent down and lifted the lid and base into his hands, examining the clasp where they hooked together. Easily, he snapped the two back together then inspected the insides to see if the pieces of makeup were cracked.
A loud gasp tore from the ghost's throat upon seeing his long-since forbidden reflection in the little mirror there, and he dropped the compact back to the floor, backing up.
It took a moment for Kyle to realize what had happened, but when he did, a loud, "Shit!" flew out of his mouth as he dashed over to his friend. His hand clamped over Endri's eyes tightly. "Don't look at it! Don't look at it, 'Dri!"
A voice from nowhere, deep and growling, said, "Too late."
Kyle whirled. "Dammit!"
Claire shrieked and stepped back as a thick, blue mist exploded from the little mirror on the floor and formed into an exact replica of Endri. He sported a different outfit, consisting of a black trench coat, boots, and leather pouches strapped to his brawny thighs. But even though he looked like Endri, something about him screamed danger, while the ghost still next to Kyle suddenly screamed peacefulness.
Hidari grinned evilly, bringing a heavy boot down on the compact, crushing it. "Thought you could silence me again, Kenri? You should know by now, my voice will always be heard."
Kenri gulped and tried his best to hide his now more slender form behind Kyle. "I thought I could control him this time." he whispered to his friend. "Ky-chan, please don't let him hurt me."
The human turned to the side and wrapped protective arms around the trembling ghost.
Growling, Hidari stalked forward, not yet noticing Claire behind him. "You can't hide behind him forever, Kenri. Come to me now, and I won't prolong your pain," he said with a snarling grin and a beckoning finger.
Kyle frowned. "Stop it, Endri."
The advancing blonde halted in his tracks, a foreign look of concern twisting his features. "Brother," he stated flatly but thought better of it and allowed more feeling to come into his words when he spoke again. "Brother, are you angry with me?"
"No. Not as long as you leave him alone."
Hidari stepped right up and took one of the human's hands into his own. Both hands still displayed faint scars of teeth marks that, if examined, matched Kyle's perfectly.
"For you, Brotheranything."
In relief, the human breathed a sigh. "Thanks, 'Dri." The hand that held his tugged slightly, getting his attention.
"You forget so easily, Kyle. While we're separated, 'Endri' doesn't exist. Remember? I am Hidari."
Kyle smiled lightly. "Hidari."
"Wh-What's going on? Did I—Did I miss something?" Claire was finally able to utter from behind, still staring in shock.
The warrior side of Endri turned to see her finally. In an instant, he was boiling with rage, dropping the pacifism only displayed for his blood brother. "You!"
Claire jumped at the shouted word.
"Bitch, how dare you show your face to me again!"
She frowned. "Screw you, asshole!" She stepped forward, raising an arm.
"Claire, no!" Kyle called a second too late.
Her hand came into direct contact with Hidari's cheek, and the loud crack made Kenri and Kyle wince. "You bastard! I was regretting leaving you, but now you can just go to he—ghkk!" Her voice cut off in a gag as Hidari grabbed around her shirt collar and lifted her off the floor, eyes burning.
The white-haired human tugged forcefully at the ghost's arm, but it went ignored. The black-clad blonde was far too angry to see beyond Claire's frightened face.
"Hidari, please, no! Let her go!"
He growled loudly. "It was you who started this whole thing off in me. The fuse had been there for centuries, getting shorter and shorter, but it was you who finally lit it. I blame you. And it's only fitting that your blood should be shed by the insanity you caused."
Claire gurgled a scream and struggled against her assailant.
Kenri and Kyle both shouted for him to stop.
Hidari slowly pulled his right fist back. "I was never fond of you anyway."
"Hidari, no!" Kyle shouted, slipping between Claire and the ghost with his arms spread out to defend.
The punch was thrown in that instance, landing square on the human's chest right over his heart with the force of a bowling ball being dropped from a two story building. A sick, crunching thud resounded, and Kyle let out the faintest of grunts on impact. His eyes widened and dilated as he teetered back and fell to the floor, unmoving.
In his shock, Hidari released Claire and stared down dumbfounded. The girl stumbled back and out of sight, her presence forgotten.
Kenri rushed to the man's side and knelt next to him. "Ky-chan! Ky-chan!"
A small trickle of blood escaped his mouth with more pooling in the back of his throat. His wide eyes stared off into nothingness. The gentle ghost shook his friend a little before leaning down and listening against his chest, his demeanor almost panicked.
"Is he all right?" Hidari's quiet, worried voice broke the intense silence, all anger forgotten.
Kenri gradually sat back up, his eyes glossy as they regarded the still form on the floor. "Hdead." His counterpart released a held breath and shook his head, disbelieving. "Ky-chan is dead! You killed him!" Kenri cried, sending as hateful a glare to his opposite as he could muster.
Hidari backed up a step. "N-NoI didn't meanhe got in the way."
The peaceful side of Endri lifted Kyle's body into his arms and the pooling blood in his mouth escaped over parted, paling lips. "You killed Ky-chan! He was our blood brother! How could you, you monster! Must you always destroy what I love!"
Hidari grit his teeth inside a closed mouth and fisted his hands tightly. Panic was seconds away from swallowing him whole with the thought of what he did but didn't intend to do. "Y-You lie. He's fine." He said the words even though he saw the blood and blank stare.
"He's dead!" Kenri cried in response.
Wincing, Hidari backed up again.
"You hit him and stopped his heart! He's broken. M-My Ky-chan is broken. Where's Papa? He can fix himhe can fix anything." The sweet ghost began rocking Kyle's body in the circle of his arms. "Someonefix him." his soft voice whimpered, letting tears fall like raindrops.
Hidari really started to panic, backing up into the front door. "N-Noit isn't possible. He's faking. It's a trick. II didn't hit him that hard!" His green eyes still beheld his crying counterpart rocking the body that was obviously lifeless. He shook his head, his breaths shallow, almost hyperventilated from his lungs. Pale hands flew up and grabbed a blonde head as voices poured between his ears.
Kyle's dead. You killed him—your own brother. You did it. It's your fault. Murderer. Dead. Lifeless. Kyle would never forgive you for destroying his life.
His voice screamed from his throat as the bodiless voices cut into his being with every accusation and word of guilt. Unable to stand it, he turned and plowed through the front doors and ran off before he blasted into the air, disappearing seconds later.
Kenri ignored everything, his center of universe being Kyle, and he a single heavenly body revolving around him. Gently, he laid the body back to the floor, feeling the heaviness of the limbs and how limply they hung. Every muscle was slack inside Kyle's body, giving him a semblance of softness easily compared to a rag doll.
Why was it Kyle that was always being hurt? Why not someone else? Who out there had it in for the poor man? It just wasn't fair. Over and over, the human's life had been threatened and/or nearly destroyed. It was almost redundant. But it would never be taken lightly.
Sniffing, Kenri wiped his tears, mumbling to the body he knelt over. "You can't die, Ky-chan. You can't. Don't you understand? I need you alive. You make me feel alive. It isn't the blood of humans or the rush of making love with oneit's you. You've shown me what it's like to live and love. You've shown me it's possible to start over. I see so much in you that I wish I could be. Your friendship and love keep me going, moving forward. Please, Ky-chanyour life is too precious."
Pale, gentle hands rested to either side of Kyle's still heart. Blue energy sparked along the arms they belonged to, traveling down into the body below. The human's body jerked like it had been shocked, but moved no further. Kenri jolted Kyle again.
"Wake up." He jolted the human again. "Wake up, Ky-chan!" Again!
In a mass of flailing arms and legs, Kyle sat straight up, drawing a huge, dragging breath. He latched to Kenri's arms, coughing and spitting up the blood that had invaded his throat and mouth. His body trembled violently with tightly squeezed eyes, and pants and grunts of pain escaped his bloodstained lips.
What was going on? A moment before, he was floating gently, a soft breeze in his hair and upon his nude body. A brightness shown on him from a clear blue sky, and he never felt as peaceful as that one moment. But then, in a rush of color then darkness, he was back in a world full of pain and confusion. His chest ached, and his throat and lungs burned like they were on fire. Where was that nice place? Where had it gone? He wanted to go back, back where it was peaceful and calm. Never mind that it was only his ghost traveling on its transition from body to Neitherworld. As long as he could have that experience back, nothing else mattered.
In his confusion, Kyle's shaking hands wandered slowly over the thing he held onto. It was slightly warm and soft, but there were too many contours to understand what it was.
Kenri, in incredible relief, held the human to himself, joyously happy that he was back. "Ky-chan! I did it! You're alive!"
Tears leaked from Kyle's closed eyes filled with confusion, pain, and sorrow for having lost that beautiful place. He couldn't seem to get back there, and it frustrated him to no end. At least the thing wrapped around him was instilling such comfort that it wasn't so bad to be where he waswherever that could be.
Gradually, his senses began to calm and sort out the information that had been bombarding them relentlessly. His breath calmed to a light pant, and he could taste blood in his mouth. A person was holding him tightly against themselves, running comforting hands along his back, arms, and hair. But who was it? Who was making him feel so tended to?
Cerulean eyes eased open at last, and, as if sensing it, the person holding him pulled back slightly to look down at him as he looked up at them.
Could it be?
"EEndri?" a raspy voice croaked, barely audible.
The person that looked just like Endri shook his head, relief all over his features. A light laugh also escaped his pale lips. "Kenri."
Kyle frowned, confused again. "KKen-ri?" He looked around, his eyes alighting to Claire hiding by the fireplace, then again to the ghost holding him. Then, it made sense. It was as if he was waking from a dream world and had to get used to reality again. "Kenri? Whawhere's Hidari?"
Kenri hugged the human to himself again, his eyes forming happy arches as he snuggled against his friend. "He ran off. But I don't care. As long as you're all right, I don't care about anything else, Ky-chan."
Smiling, Kyle embraced his friend in return. He always liked hugging Endri, and his sweeter side gave awesome hugs. Over the ghost's shoulder, he noticed Claire again. She still seemed scared, and he wondered what had happened to her after Hidari hit him. "Did he hurt you?" he asked across the room.
She knew to what he was referring and shook her head 'no'.
Kyle frowned. "Good." Since she was fine, there was no further use for her; she no longer needed to be there to cause trouble. "Go home."
Claire swallowed. "Wh"
"Go home, Claire."
She steeled her nerves and took a few steps forward. "Not until I know what's going on!"
Amazingly, Kyle worked his way onto his feet, but not without a lot of help from Kenri. "What's going on is none of your business! Now go home before you cause anymore damage!"
Claire fumed and fisted her small hands. Her lower lip trembled a second before she turned and ran out the broken door. Her footfalls disappeared into the distance soon after.
With her gone, Kyle sighed in relief and sagged, forcing Kenri to support him fully and kneel back down to the floor with him. The ghost held him up and propped his head against his shoulder, tenderly running a free hand over his cheek and neck.
"Are you all right, Ky-chan?" he asked worriedly.
Kyle smirked against the shoulder of his friend's good side. "Yeah. Considering I just came back from the brink of death." He lifted his head away and gazed up at Kenri. "You saved my life Why? Why keep saving my life? You've done it ever since we first met. You're always saving me. Why won't you just let me die." He sounded fatigued as he spoke, but gratefulness couldn't help working in there as well.
"Because all those times were never your time to die."
Kyle rested his head back to the ghost's shoulder tiredly. "What about when it is my time to die, 'DriI mean, Kenri. What then? Will you let me? What if I'm suffering? What if to let me die would be a mercy? Would you do it?"
Kenri opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"I'm not saying I'm not grateful, Kenri. I am. But what if that time comes and you're there to see itI mean what if Endri's there to see it? Would he let me die? Even if I begged him, would he let me?" He paused for a few moments as if catching his breath from so much speaking. "Tell me the real reason why you keep saving my life."
The ghost swallowed and closed his eyes, cupping the back of Kyle's head with the hand not supporting his weight. "Ialready told you," he half whispered, almost as if he didn't want the human to hear.
"What did you tell me? Remind me."
Kenri sighed softly and turned his face to nuzzle white hair, always affectionate. "A long time ago, when Hidari and I were still one, and we both equally governed the body we make, we met you. Endri met you. Heguh! It's so confusing!" He hugged tighter to his friend, trying to console himself.
Kyle smirked. "It's okay. Just talk as if you were Endri, 'kay?"
Kenri nodded and went on. "Well, during much of the time I knew you, I tried to keep my distance to keep things professional between us. If I had let you in, I was afraid you'd find a way to hurt me, intended or not. I know we had fights about my secrecy, and it often created a rupture between us, but it never separated us completely. After our big fight and we got back together, I was more open with you, like you wanted. But to be open with you, I had to be open with myself, and I had to admit a lot of things I refused to before. I admitted to myself that I really did care about you. I admitted you were my friend. And when I thought about it, I realized I never wanted to be without you, because then I'd be lonely again, like I was before we met.
"Deep down, I knew how I felt about you, but it was one thing I could never allow myself to admit at that point. And trust me, this is coming from me, Kenri, right of Endrithi. The part that is love, kindness, and compassion. I am also peace, joy, hope, and generosity, serenity, humility, truth, faith, and friendship." He paused for a moment, just taking in the feel of his friend in his arms. "I loved you. It was a pure, caring, I'd do anything for you just because you're you, kind of love. But I never would admit it to myself, let alone say it aloud. Or rather, Hidari would never let me admit it. He was afraid that if I let it out, if you knew, you'd use it against me. No one wants to be hurt like thatespecially after all the times I've given out my love and had it thrown back at me. I would have been destroyed if you did the same."
Kyle nodded slowly in understanding, a smile on his face. He knew Endri cared for him, but it was always nice to have it said to him once in a while.
Going on, Kenri revealed more of what he had felt in the past and present. "Only until recently have I been able to unleash all that's been pent up inside methanks to the Mania. I was finally able to tell you I loved you and how much you meant to a lost soul like me. And that's why I keep saving your life. I'm repaying you for all the kindness you've bestowed upon me. That andfor another reason." He sighed, ashamed to reveal that other reason.
"What's that?"
Kenri stroked white hair absently with the hand cupping the back of Kyle's head. "I" He sighed again and relented. "I'm being very selfish. I need you."
The human blinked, seeing only blonde hair in his face. "You need me?"
"Youyou make me feel like I'm alive. I told you just a few minutes ago before I brought you back thatthat it isn't the blood of humans or the rush of making love with oneit's you. Your presence, your friendship and love keep me afloat. I've told you many times before that I'd sink and drown without you to help me and be here for me and guide me.
"When you're near, I can't help but feel good. When you hug me, I feel the warmth from your body, and it makes me imagine that I'm just as warm. And when we hug close enough, I can feel your heartbeat against where my heart isand I imagine that it's my heartbeat too. When I look into your eyes, I see the cloudless blue skies from Earth, and it reminds me of life and light and energy. When I see your hair, it reminds me of wintertime on Earth with drifts of snow, and it makes me calm, and I feel serene. I imagine bright, energetic children playing in the snow, throwing snowballs and building fantastic things from their limitless imaginations, and it makes me happy. When you smile, I see the bright sun. When you're sad, I see clouds drift through the skies of your eyes, and I feel the cold rain of your tears sting my skin. Your emotions govern how I feel at any given moment. While you're aliveI feel alive. I can livethrough you. If I let you die, then you'd changeand both you and I would lose all of that."
Kyle remained silent, allowing the weight of Kenri's words to settle on him. So many compliments and poetic words describing what he always thought were simple, everyday thingsit made him blush all the way across both cheeks, his nose, and up over his forehead. After clearing his throat quietly, he was able to utter, "Wowthe way you talksounds like you don't love me, but you're in love with me."
Kenri laughed softly. "Believe me, Ky-chanif I was in love with you, it would be pretty obvious." He chuckled again, just thinking of it. "I'm just devoted to you. I'm not in love with you. I would do anything for you, but I'm not going to crawl into bed with you if you needed it. But I would be the one to just hand you some tissues and say, 'have at it!'"
Kyle released a held breath in a half laugh. "Wellthat's a relief. Hehpicturing that kinda make me wanna laugh. heh-heh"
They both chuckled softly in the quiet of the room, enjoying their silent understanding of each other.
"Man" the human whispered, feeling his chest swell and tears prick his eyes. "I love you so much, you fuckin' bastard. You're so awesome to me. If you were a chick, I'd screw you right here after I asked you to marry me. Why'd you have to be a guy, dammit? You know how frustrating that is?"
Kenri laughed again and patted a warm shoulder. "Sorry about that," was all he could think to say.
Kyle picked up the light laugh again as well, lifting his head away languidly from the ghost's shoulder and looking up into green eyes. "Thanks, partner."
Unable to stop smiling, and knowing what the human meant, the blonde replied, "Anytime."
With an exhausted sigh, Kyle made a small attempt at standing on his own. "WellI suppose we should go find Hidari and get him back here. You two need to join again."
"Are you sure? After all, you just—"
"I'm fine," he reassured, brooking no argument.
Kenri sighed and nodded, smiling. "All right, we should probably make haste then." He looked out through the broken doors, angst darkening his eyes. "He is more on edge than ever."
"Why?"
"He still thinks he killed you." The ghost looked back. "I can feel his insanity rising. We need to find him before he hurts someoneor himself."
With a heavy grunt, Hidari landed in the center of Maim Street. Several cars had to screech to a halt before they ran him over, their drivers leaning out the window and shouting profanities. Passersby who saw the disturbance gave the panting, ragged-looking ghost odd looks while they began talking amongst themselves.
"What's that guy's problem?"
"Who is he?"
"That guy looks familiar."
"Heyhe's kinda cute!"
"It's Beetlejuice's kid!" someone shouted in realization.
More mumbles rose from the growing crowds as more and more attentions were caught.
"That's Beetlejuice's son!"
"It's Endri."
"He's a dream!"
A finger pointed from one of the ghouls that stood closer than the rest. "Look at his eyes!"
Murmurs of panic swept through the quieting air.
"He has the Mania!" a female zombie screamed, grabbing up her equally zombified child and dashing back through the crowd to get away.
The rest of the crowd began easing backward as well, not knowing what to expect from a ghost with the Mania. Quite a few followed the zombie's example, turning and running. A few cars squealed their tires, wanting to be the first to get out of there before there was total panic.
Hidari glared back and forth between the voices with one eye red-ringed and the other normal. The look of a wild man ruffled him up, his hair a little unruly around his angry face, marred with snarling wrinkles. Each breath he took growled through clenched teeth, and he stood a little hunched with his knees bent slightly.
Many voices whispered between his ears that he thought were coming from the crowd until one broke through the rest, quieting them. It growled at him, but also spoke soothingly, like it understood everything that was happening and was supportive of him through it all.
All those people it whispered in his head, pointing their fingerswhispering to themselvesaccusing wordsthey know.
Hidari shook his head and growled. He didn't want to listen anymore. He didn't want to acknowledge what had happened, for then it could just go away.
They know what you didand they hate you for it.
A look of concern or perhaps fear pulled up on the blonde's brows, and he retreated a step from the crowd.
Kyle will soon be among them He will hate you for what you have done.
Hidari shook his head again slowly. His two different eyes swam.
But you can silence their whisperstheir accusationsstop their pointing and judgingso easily.
Pale lips twitched a few times before pulling up into a smirk made from the purest evil. The ghost's countenance no longer conveyed fear, but confidence and emulated power.
Destroy themdestroy them all. They are nothing compared to youflocks of sheepherds of cattle ready to be brought to the butcherand you are the butcher. They are weak. You are strong. The strong shall cut down the weak and be victorious over all.
He licked his lips at the prospect, but froze a second later. What about Kyle?
Kyle is nothing as well. You have no need of him. He is so weak compared to you—just like the rest. A piece of paper that can be torn so easily.
Buthe's my brother nowmy only friend. We made a pact together. Our blood is one now.
Fool! His blood taints you! He makes you imperfect! And his imperfection is making you weak! He will only drag you down to his level, tricking you, swaying your perfect decisions. That has always been his goal, did you not know that? He is trying to make you human! A disgusting human that is comparable to a defenseless fledgling with its beak wide open, willing to accept anything that is fed to it! Do you want to be the fledglingor the hawk? Do you want to be the prey that lives in fearor be the predator that instills the fear?
Hidari trembled just slightly. He didn't want to be weak. He hated that. He was never weak! But But
He hates you!
"No!" he shouted out loud, grabbing his head. "It's not true!"
The crowd eased back again, seeing the ghost almost drooling in his madness. A good many more ran off at that point, screaming something about it being the end of that city. A few others ranted that it was the end of the entire Neitherworld, so why bother running?
It is true. Listen to his own words and tell me he holds no hate for you.
Kyle's voice rang clear in Hidari's mind. The words were genuinely his, spoken, or rather shouted, years ago. "I would rather watch you eaten and shit out the ass end of one of those worms before I ever help you, Endri! You betrayed me!"
The ghost hunched over himself, grabbing his head. "Nono that isn't true!"
He said it himself.
"But he was the only one I could trust!"
Then you have obviously been trusting the wrong people.
Hidari froze, staring straight ahead. Around him, the people that still remained were aware he was struggling with himself, but they had no idea the scale of his internal waror what the outcome would be.
You can only trust yourself, or have you forgotten that?
Mania-ridden eyes glossed over. Buthe was my friend.
He no longer wants to be your friend! Forget him! He is nothing now! He hates you for killing him, so why not reciprocate those feelings?
"I could never hate Kyle," he said aloud.
You hate him.
No.
Who are you?
I-I amleft of EndrithiI am anger I am sorrowsuperiority, and envy. I am lust, pride, and regretfear, lies, and guilt.
You are
A warrior.
A Viking warrior?
Yes.
And do you remember what a Viking has?
A Viking has no friends, no family, no allies. A Viking has only enemies to battle and destroy, and only weak people to dominate and control.
Precisely. Nowtake back your freedomtake back your heritage and your pride. Live again. Destroy everything that stands in your way, and show no mercyjust like a truewarrior.
A rush of uncontrollable, instinctual rage boiled outward from deep within, and Hidari screamed with the rush of it. Power leapt into his hands, sparking and crackling, charging up the surrounding air with static electricity.
Everyone simply screamed and ran.
"He's insane!"
"He's got the Mania! Run!"
Laughing at all of those pathetic creatures, he threw the first two blasts straight into the fleeing crowd.
From out of the Roadhouse, Kenri and Kyle hobbled, the human's arm around the ghost's shoulders for support as he was unstable on his feet yet. Doomie screeched to a halt on the road beside the bridge leading to the Roadhouse, and Beetlejuice waved from the driver's seat. Lydia sat next to him, dressed casually but with more of a punk style that she had been leaning toward lately.
"Hey, guys! Where ya headed?" the ghoul called.
"Beetle! Lydia!" Kyle shouted, trying to hurry along faster, but Kenri wouldn't let him exert himself too much and held him back a little. "Man, am I glad to see you!" A few steps later, and he was at the car, holding against the door and Kenri for support.
"Meep! Meep!" Doomie honked in greeting.
Kyle nodded. "Hi, Doomie. BeetleI think we got a problem," he said seriously, getting right to it. The longer they stalled, the less time they had to find Hidari before something bad happened.
Beetlejuice and Lydia looked the human over from top to bottom.
"Are you all right, Kyle?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah, you look a little" the ghoul tilted his hand from side to side, "roughed up. Somethin' happen?"
Kyle stole a glance at his half partner. "You could say that."
Beetlejuice frowned with confusion. "What's goin' on?"
Wasting no more time, the human fumbled his way into Doomie's back seat followed by Kenri. "We'll explain on the way."
He talked solid for five minutes as all four drove down the Neitherworld highway, retelling what had happened only twenty minutes prior. Beetlejuice and Lydia simply listened to the story, barely able to believe such events actually took place.
"so we need to find him before something bad happens. Errbefore something worse than what's already happened happensyeah."
Lydia swallowed and reached back over the seat. She ran a hand over his knee and stretched a little to reach his face, cupping his cheek. "Are you all rightseriously."
Kyle smiled lightly, closing his eyes for a brief moment. "I guess so. I suppose I should probably be in a hospital or somethin', butwe have no time for that kind of thing. Finding Hidari is more important." His smile broadened, and he took Lydia's hand in his. "Don't worry about me. I always seem to be fine; you know that. Endri's always saving my assor at least the part of him that's Kenri." He smiled over at the ghost next to him who didn't really seem to notice as he stared out ahead. "I wouldn't guess that Hidari would care all that much."
Lydia smiled warmly and squeezed the larger hand that held hers before slipping away. "As long as you're not seriously hurt anymore."
Green eyes lifted up in the rearview mirror to see the blonde sitting in the back seat behind Lydia. Kenri sat, slouched just a little, and stared straight ahead. He had been silent for almost the entire time they had been in the car, and something like that was unnerving.
"What'cha thinkin' about, Kenri? You've been pretty quiet."
Pale lips parted, but no sounds emerged for a moment. "I canfeel him," Kenri mumbled around undulating rivers of blonde hair that flowed in the breeze.
Kyle and Lydia both turned toward him.
The ghost grimaced but made no other movement. "So much So full of hatred and self loathing. He's completely gone. We'll never be able to bring him back from where he is now."
"Are you sure? There'sno hope at all?" Lydia asked quietly, worry in her voice.
At that point, Kenri finally looked up, alighting his eyes to swimming pools of grey framed by billowing ebony. "Honestly? There never was."
Beetlejuice swallowed his grief, gripping the wheel tighter as Lydia lowered her eyes and half turned away, unable to look at the face of the person predicting his own fate.
"Everything that has transpired has been working up to this moment in time because once the Mania developed in me, it was only a matter of time anyway."
"What about you, Kenri?" Kyle asked, eyes filled with nothing but worry. "Hidari's the one with all the Mania, right? Isn't that how it was?"
Kenri looked over to his companion in all seriousness. "No. The Mania is in us both. It's just much easier to see in Hidari. He and I are separatebut still connected on some subconscious level. He is so full of rage and despair, not to mention the Mania, that it's slowly being force-fed into me. I feel it even now. It's like we're apart, but still coming back together. SoonI'll be joining him in complete madness." His gaze fell forward again, taking in the surroundings flying toward and past the car.
"But!" Kyle protested, not liking that answer in the slightest. "You're Endri's good! You shouldn't be able to feel the kind of emotions Hidari does or be as crazy as him!"
"That doesn't matter. Insanity knows no boundaries," Kenri went on calmly.
Kyle huffed and sagged his whole frame, feeling helpless. "No" he uttered weakly.
Kenri looked upon him again, smiling. "Kyleit's all right."
"How can you say that!" everyone in the car shouted. Doomie even added in his two cents by honking his own surprise.
Chuckling, the ghost sat back, propping one foot up just a little on Lydia's seat in front of him. "Listen and understand. I am miserable." A look of tiredness descended upon him suddenly, etching fine lines in his face and pulling his eyes to half closed.
Kyle and Beetlejuice swallowed their sorrow, and Lydia looked upon him with slight understanding.
"Existing like this is no way to spend the rest of eternity. I know that, and you know that."
The human leaned toward him slightly, his worry seemingly justified. "Kenri" A smile was directed over to him.
"Don't worry, Kyle. I'm not going to wipe myself out."
Lydia leaned over the back seat a little, trying to see better. "What are you goi—"
A loud BOOM shook the road, and Doomie swerved to compensate, then screeched to a halt. Up ahead, smoke poured out from the city as one of the shorter buildings slowly leaned to the side. Cars suddenly sped past them in the opposite direction at an alarming rate with increasing numbers. People were screaming, and some were shouting about it being the end of the Neitherworld.
Kenri sat up straight, fisting a hand and hissing through his teeth. "Nohe's hurting people again! Won't he ever stop!" His Mania eyes, one red-ringed the other normal, fell to his fist and stared at it, determination pulling the tired lines of his face taut. "It's come to this. I can't allow him to do this any longer. It's time I put a stop to everything."
Without another word, Kenri leaned forward and drew his arms around Lydia, hugging tightly. "I'm sorry, Miss Lydia. I'm sorry we couldn't have gotten to be closer. You've always been so wonderful to me. You almost seemed to understand me sometimes. I've always thought of you as someone so very speciallike a sister." He pulled back and kissed her softly on the cheek where a blush of emotion reddened the skin. "Take care of yourself for me, and look after Papa. He needs you."
Not knowing what else to do, she nodded and was able to give him a kiss back before he pulled away and scooted over to his father. He hugged the ghoul from behind as he did with Lydia.
"I'm sorry, Papa, for all the trouble I've caused. I never meant for things to get so bad. I love you so very much, and I'm terribly sorry Hidari always kept me from saying it aloud. He kept me from doing so many things I regret not now. You've been such an inspiration to me, and I admire you greatly. Take care of everyone in my steadand I trust you'll know what to do when this is all over."
Beetlejuice opened his mouth to speak, but Kenri kissed his cheek and pulled away before he could get a word out.
Two different eyes fell to the side upon the last person in the car. Softly, his voice spoke the man's name fondly. "Kyle"
The human swallowed and looked away. "Don't you sit there and tell me goodbye, dammit. I won't accept that, not after all the stuff you poured out to me a little bit ago."
Kenri smiled. "I'm not leaving for good. Just" he shrugged, "a little while."
"How long is a little while?" Kyle asked, looking back.
"As long as need be."
White hair shook in the negative. "No, I—"
"Kyle, we haven't much time."
He frowned. "But you promised you'd never leave! You never broke your promises to me before! Why now!"
"Now isn't the time for this argument. I'll only say that I'm sorry I'm breaking my promise, but it's out of dire necessity. Now listen to me, Kyle, this is very important."
The human looked over and listened, swallowing with nerves.
"I'm going to give you something that I want you to keep for me until the right time. It's very precious to me, so you must be careful with it."
Kyle nodded, swallowing again. There seemed to be an annoying lump forming in his throat.
Taking care, Kenri unhooked his silver necklace, then drew it up around his friend's neck and hooked it there. He held a hand over the pendant where it dangled over Kyle's heart. "Keep this and our friendship close to your heart always," he bid.
Tears flooded into Kyle's eyes, and the image of his long-time companion wavered. "'Dri" His voice cracked on the single word.
The ghost only smiled, pressing his hand harder against his friend's chest. "I promise you, I'll return to you whole and sane, and when I do, you can give this backand this" He held both hands to either side of Kyle's head, thumbs on his temples. "Give this back to me when the right time comes. Do you understand?"
Even though he didn't really, Kyle nodded.
One red-ringed eye and one normal one closed, then blonde brows furrowed in concentration. "Remember," he ordered simply.
With a jerk, Kyle screamed, his fingers flying up to feebly pry at the ghost's hands, trying to remove them. Kenri only held firm, somewhere deep down feeling sorrow for the pain he knew he was causing, but unable to stop right then. He had to cause a little pain now if his future was going to be secured.
After an agonizing minute later, when Kyle's voice had died away to whimpers and moans and tears covered his cheeks, his body seized a few times then went completely limp. Wide eyes that swam with unrelenting tears stared straight into the warped sky above, lost in a trance. It was only then that Kenri pulled his hands away.
"I'm so sorry, Kyle. But I only trust you with my most prized possessions. Take care of yourself until I can return."
All the while, Beetlejuice had been staring over the back seat, watching. Continually, he resisted reaching over and pulling his son off of his friend, but he knew there must have been a reason for Kenri's behavior. Flailing arms and legs almost connected with his head on numerous occasions until everything settled down.
Lydia had witnessed the entire proceedings as well, and she was just about to open her mouth and ask just what the hell had happened when Kenri moved. He got up to one knee propped on the back seat and one foot to the floor, leaving Kyle a gasping, sweating mess, sprawled all over the back seat.
"Papa, Lydia, take care of Kyle for me. And rememberI love all of you."
In the next instant, the back seat was empty save for Kyle, and Kenri's blue trail of energy faded off into the distance toward the destruction in the town ahead.
"Kenri! Dammit!" Beetlejuice shouted, slamming his foot to the gas. Doomie roared ahead, throwing everyone back into their seats.
Japanese / pronunciation / English Translation:
None
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