Final chapter! 3
Let me know what you think!
Crow woke up with Jack on one side, Yusei on the other, and Kiryu gone.
He sat up groggily, looking around. His shirt was black and red, stiff with dried blood. His hands were caked in it. His nails had black crescents under them—blood.
Something vile rose in his throat. Staggering to his feet, he dashed up the stairs and outside, vomiting into the nearest trash bin.
When he straightened, he found a puddle and washed his hands and cheeks clean, clawing viscously at the blood. His nails left scratches on his palms and face, but he didn't care. He tore off his shirt, threw himself down, and started to cry softly.
He remembered the pain and the terror of the night before. He remembered Kiryu holding him close and kissing him until he fell asleep again, roused by nightmares. He remembered the bang of a gun, the loud screaming that he thought came from him. He remembered wrestling with someone he thought was Sector Security.
He remembered Kiryu, soaked in blood that wasn't his.
.x.
Stumbling back inside, sniffling, Crow looked around. Jack and Yusei were laying closer, holding each other tight, still sound asleep. Kiryu was still gone.
He saw a slip of paper lying on the table on the other side of the room. Walking slowly closer, he saw his name written across the back.
Kiryu had taught him how to read, but longer words took him a bit more time to figure out sometimes. Flipping open the note, he began reading to himself.
3
Crow
I know you probably won't forgive me for running off without a proper good-bye, but I couldn't stay and put you in danger. I want you to make me a promise. Don't ever forget me. Don't remember me like last night, though. Whatever happens, whatever you see or hear or feel, I want you to remember me like the boy who holds you at night. Like the leader of our gang. Like someone worth looking up to. Like someone worth remembering.
Promise me this, Crow. I love you, Crow-bird. I love you so much.
-Kiryu
3
Crow dropped the note. He wasn't coming back. He sank to his knees and started crying again.
.x.
Since that day, Kiryu had always kept a special place in Crow's heart. He had never been forgotten, but never brought up in casual conversation either. Crow still woke up with nightmares and would look for a Kiryu that wasn't there.
But he could cope.
He had for four years already, hadn't he?
Final chapter! Yes, yes, yes, loose ends, unfinished thoughts, I may do a sequel.
What am I saying? I'm going to have to do a sequel with THIS ending.