Mowatte Mabase
Chapter 4: Residence of the Damned
-Nightmare-
.:. Home. That word doesn't fit. Not after… Not after…Naota didn't want to think on it. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to see him ever again. Praying that Sameji, the man he could hardly call father was not home, Naota opened the door to his former home and slipped inside. His heart started to race. Seeing that the coast was clear and there was no sign of any life at all in this wretched household, he could only think 'thank god… thank god…' as he crept up to his room.
.:. His room wasn't a comforting site for him either, unfortunately. His head started to ache as he gazed upon the top bunk wistfully. Haruko… How could you use me like this? He fell to his knees. Why did you leave me? The pain in his head now stinging, his insides screaming and his forehead feeling as it was about to burst, Naota clutched his head. His heart pounded in his ears, his aches spread throughout his body. He gasped for air as his lungs became tight and his heart heavy. Not able to hold it back, he let out a scream of pain and frustration. His hands suddenly felt hot and burning. As he took them down he saw new blood dripping from his forehead. Rushing to the mirror and pulling back his bangs, he saw something that dismayed and addled him; the mark of Atomsk cut into his forehead.
.:. As fast as it had begun, the pain faded. The mark on his forehead gradually healed itself, leaving Naota wondering if it had ever been there in the first place. Was it an illusion? No, he thought as he touched his still warm forehead. Does this mean… it's over? She's not coming back? "You know what!" He screamed, "I don't care anymore!" Denying what his heart was feeling and his brain was telling him, he snatched up his baseball bat. A guitar… What is this doing in here? Something inside of him told him to take it. He strapped it across his back, grabbed his backpack and stormed out of the house, assuming that he would never again return.