-Minutes earlier-
By the time the straw haired man arrived back at the hospital gates with company, night took the sun's place, and they were greeted by the silver rock hovering above against the black backdrop, silent yet soothingly alighting the darkness. It had become dead silent, not even some comical chirping of crickets sounding in any part of the area they loitered at. With the exception of Kaien, and the man of lead colored hair wearing a brooding expression that was outlined by the moon's light, not a single man or women was about - and despite how ominous it seemed, it wasn't surprising or anything too worrisome.
Though the two had fully anticipated a full night of standing watch at the front gates of the building with no breaks, it was the raven haired man that seemed more or less reluctant on standing guard. The said man leaned up against the brick post, his arms and legs crossed over the other, drumming his fingers against his upper arm as his emerald eyes watched Kaien, who was facing the path to town and looking preoccupied - seeming to prepare for the worst.
The light of the moon reflected off the man's reading glasses, making his hazel orbs nearly impossible to see, but the man had a strong feeling that they were harden and firm. It was something he has seen only a time here and there so it wasn't a shock to see him with a perceptual frown. But what was questioning, was why he asked him to help look out for a boy. A boy that he has never met once in his life, and didn't give two damns about.
Thinking about it, the man lets out a exasperated sigh as his pale fingers pinch the bridge of his nose. "Tell me again, why I'm helping you watch over some brat you took pity on?" he inquired dryly
"Because I asked you, and you can't exactly refuse, can you?" Kaien said in equal dryness, still keeping watch.
Despite how stern his words are, they seemed a little more mocking than Kaien had intended. The raven haired man took no offence, only feeling more annoyed as another sigh left his lips and his hand ran through tendrils of obsidian strands. After all, the truth is the truth. "All right, all right. No need to get all snippy. Just... a little curious why you're asking me to help you protect some random kid."
Kaien was still, his watchful eyes not leaving their post as he acknowledged him. "Does there need to be a reason?"
"Uh, yeah, sorta," The man cocks his head, locks of his night sky hair swept across and barely concealing the left side of his face as a scrutinizing look dawned. "Even if I have no choice but to obey, at least tell me why I'm stuck on babysitting duties with the vampire with no fangs." He spoke the very title bestowed upon the headmaster in some unintentional mocking praise. A title that meant very little to the man, however.
Finally, Kaien turns towards him. The moon's silvery shine on his spectacles dissipated, and he could see despite the stern expression there was worry behind his eyes - giving him away. "If you must have a reason..." He began, and then his eyes move back to the path in front. "This boy, he has attracted quite a bit of attention. Perhaps I'm only over thinking the issue but I want to be sure that no harm befalls him." He sounded very much like a harden man, but his words contradicted otherwise.
"And what kind of attention can a little brat bring? And how much? You make it sound like he was a target by some hitman or something." the man asked but his tone sounded anything but caring - it was underlined with boredom, despite the subject. And then Kaien's gaze slid back to him. The man's appearance uncannily resembled the boy's greatly: Their hair a dark raven color, their eyes a bright emerald, and their skin a creamy pale - with the exception of their gaze; his a sharp condescending and the boy's a droopy softness.
Because of this, his mind shifted through image of the boy, and his expression falters slightly. "I know no more than you, James," The man, James, quizzically noticed the man who acted so formal and stoic in the line of duty, soften for the first time in a long time. "But if you have seen him, how brutalized his small body is, you would understand why I feel this is necessary. Something ill will is bound to come, and I never turn my back on children-"
"All right, all right. No need to get all sappy, grandpa." James curtly interrupted, seeing as it wasn't the answer to his question. He makes a quiet grunt when he pushes himself up from the brick post, and then he stuffs his hands into his hoodie pocket as his bored gaze watched the headmaster. "Whatever the reason is, I don't care. Just don't make me wait too long, I'm not in the mood to deal with your affairs."
It was typical for the man known as James to be this improper, and despite the man was one of them, he was nothing short of informal and uncaring. Kaien had made note of it, and in fact could understand why he was frustrated in being brought into a situation that he meddled himself in. So instead of taking offence to it, he side glanced at him with a smirk. "Oh? But weren't you the one that showed up before me and accepted my request without much fuss?"
James scoffs, brusquely twisting around and back at road with Kaien. "Don't get all smug. You just so happen to walk past where I hang out at night and I just was in a generous mood. And besides, you're well aware that I can't refuse, so wipe off the smirk." his threat sounded anything but threatening, thanks to his monotone voice.
An amused snicker sounded from Kaien's throat. "My apologizes." He didn't sound sorry at all. Yet that was Kaien, a man who somehow can become a wise and calculating man and then a hyperactive and eccentric but loose dimwit at the same time. For someone in the line of work in, it was accepted but not at the worst of times. He could ease the tension in the air, though it was often a gamble as it could either help or worsen.
So with finality, knowing Kaien would easily counter any retort and would not end it, James grunts an annoyed scoff as he impatiently leans onto one leg. For what felt to be hours, when only minutes have passed by, the temperature began to drop gradually. With each expel of air from their lungs, a puff of smoke like visible air left their nostrils and dissipates into the air - proving how cold it had become. Yet the adult males remained unaffected and diligent, mainly Kaien.
Then suddenly, the headmaster heard the raven haired man make a curious noise briefly. Turning a glance at him, he noticed that his brows knitted together, puckered into a frown as he looks around with his ears twitching in some kind of rhythmic beat.
"What is it?"
There was a pause. Then like it was nothing, James replies back nonchalantly.
"... There're several presences approaching us, flanking off to the sidelines in some lame attempt to ambush us. Is this the "attention" you spoke of?" His eyes darted to the source of the numerous thumping of feet - at the buildings shrouded in blankets of blackness, and then the opposite direction where there was more. His fingers curled around the weapon in his pocket expectantly.
In response, Kaien nodded stiffly and not muttering any words as his own heighten senses picked them up. His hand reached into his coat, clutching the handle of the hidden blade with sharp eagerness. Kaien was more than prepared for some kind of company, and seeing that it was nothing more than a small band, he didn't too much thought other than to protect.
Protect the child.
Had Kaien not been the man who he was - a man of sharp perception - he would have been startled when a loud voice suddenly chortles out amusingly from the dark corners of the alley.
"My, my! The vampire without fangs has decided to grace me with his presence. How sweet~"
It was then a form, a man, sauntered out of the blackness and closer to them. His body soon was enveloped by the silvery shine, revealing his maniacal grin as he paused with hands stuffed in his pockets.
Kaien instantly recognized the man, if not for his appearance then it was the familiar aura of dark insanity. "You..." Kaien murmur dangerously. "It seems rather reckless of you to come before me so openly, especially if you recognize me."
"Oh, and how could I not recognize you?" the man said, his sanguine eyes trained on him. "And besides, it is only a title no longer befitting a man who has lived years beyond than he should. You're nothing more than a retired hunter, so I have no reservations of approaching you." His tone was riddled with undoubtedly bias confidence and cockiness. He was too confident, as he didn't realize Kaien had much life in those old bones of his.
Unfazed, Kaien allows him to believe such as he quips. "Why are you here? Choose your words carefully, vampire. I won't hesitate to strike you down if you try to pull anything or say something wrong." James's eyes narrowed, having his hand firmly around the handle and his finger on the trigger of his concealed weapon with anticipation.
"Ooh~ Scary, scary," The man countered in a childish and mocking tone. He leans back onto one leg, pulling a hand from his pocket before he shifted his bangs to the side and allowed his crimson orbs to have an open view. "If you have to ask... I've come for the little brat."
Just as quick he was to say such, James instantly pulls the gun out of his hoodie pocket and points the barrel in the vampire's direction. The man, however, wasn't perturbed in the slightest and in fact, looked amused. "Oh my," he chuckled. "Guess I hit a nerve."
The hand Kaien encircled around the cane sheath tighten in indignation, and despite his seemingly calm facade, his smoldering hazel orbs bore into the man like some power could reduce the monster to ashes. "If you would so kindly tell me, why are you after the boy? He is only a child." Kaien said with faltering composed composition.
As if it was some kind of joke or obvious answer, the vampire chuckled lowly before he brought a hand up and under his chin and crossing the other arm. He taps his chin once, twice, and then his eyes narrowed with amusement. "And would you like to know. I don't think I should, considering the information will be useless to you. If not for your coming death, then you may already know. What would be the point of information you have already gathered?"
"Amuse me," Kaien quips, his brows knitting together and his eyes narrowing in contempt.
"Ooh, the big bad old man is getting all mad at me-"
"Enough of your mockery!" Kaien was near unsheathing his weapon, nearly losing his trademark coolness as he took a threatening step to show his impatiences was at its wits end. And when the man continues to smirk as though the man's frustration was something that was entertaining, Kaien goes to pull out his weapon before he suddenly, the man blurts out.
"That boy, my master wanted for his little... collection," The vampire crosses his arm over his mid-torso, ignoring the disgusted look in their eyes at his words. "You see, the little pet is property of my master. Some recent time ago, he was trying to retrieve the little brat after such torturous years of searching. And when he finally found the little shit, it was you and those god awfully annoying trigger happy hunters that came and interrupted us." The more his talked of this remembrance, the insanity lying dormant in his eyes was becoming more evident. It was very obvious that for some disgusting reason, it was something to revel in. "Though he wanted to watch the little shit before he moved to collect him, I thought I offer him a little surprise and fetched him myself."
After listening in silence, James finally spoke up, snickering as a mocking smirk creased. "How obvious you're no more than a bitch looking to get praise from his master. You don't really seem like the type to be submissive."
Seeming like he struck a nerve, that smug look washed away from his pale face, and replacing it with burning glare sent in his direction from the corner of his eye. "And this is coming from the pet belonging to the association? How funnily ironic." he growled.
"At least I don't try to please them so I'll get thrown a bone, especially by going after little kids. There are only two people who do that: Pedophiles, and desperate bastards lacking seeds." James countered with mirth that even Kaien himself felt a undeniable smirk crease at the taste of the vampire's medicine.
The vampire, instead of countering the useless insults, lets out a short yawn and leans back with it with his hand hovering over his mouth. And when he finishes, boredom lingered in his half lidded eyes. "I'd love to stay and cut you apart, but I have a little shit to capture and ship off so if you will excuse me..."
"You're not going anywhere," Kaien exclaimed. With a swift movement of his free hand, he pulls back the confinements of his trench coat and fleshes out the hidden cane blade. He takes the weapon into both hands and holds it in front of him as his hazel eyes never left the now smirking vampire. "I care not what your reasons are you want this boy or what makes him special, but I will not let you harm a child! I will see you reduced to ashes, vampire!" Any trace of the calm and composed Kaien Cross was gone, and now, it was like a new man - a fervent, passionate man - was there, holding no hesitation to do what must be done, even if it meant to end a life. He narrows his eyes dangerously, slowly unsheathing the glistening silver blade from its compartment.
Not even the flashing of their weapons or the determination in Kaien's previous words moved the vampire. Sliding his mirthful gaze between the two, he reaches out his hand and then...
Click!
He snaps his fingers, the sound of it seemingly resonated into the open air. On cue, several blacken forms instantly appeared by his side from the depths of the shadowy alleys and rooftops. It was four grown men and three older women, but all looked the same: Their eyes appeared hollow, feral, and red. Saliva dripped out of their maniacal grins, flashing sharpen fangs. Both the males knew their fates were all the same; normal humans being forcefully transformed into man-made vampires who have now been reduced to mindless husk, and blood lust is the only thing clear to them. Even so, this didn't move them to pity as the two simultaneously clutch even harder on their weapons and their features harden.
"Take care of these pest while I fetch the master's pet. Make them writhe in pain!"
With inhuman agility he leaped into the air and seemingly vanished, but his mocking laugh echoed and faltered... in the direction of the hospital. Kaien spun around on his heel, eyes wider than saucers. "Takashi!" But as he goes to bolt after the vampire, husks of what was once human blocked the entryway. Kaien stumbles back, exhaling sharply as he went into stance with his blade - his years of practice evident in his very position. Whereas the nonchalant vampire, he blinks blankly as he tapped the barrel of the gun to his forehead.
"Well, at least this won't be boring. Let's kick their ass and move on..."
No...
No...
No...
This all had to be another nightmare. This couldn't possibly be the reality that Takashi found himself in.
As his quivering eyes stare, shocked, at the lifeless body of the woman who became a mother to him, every part of his body seemed to have drop several degrees. He was cold with shock, shivers ran down his spine and prickled his skin in goosebumps. The event had to be just a surreal experience; this wasn't happening, he was probably dreaming horrible thoughts despite the protective warmth constricting him comfortably. But he knew he was deluding it... because he could feel the warmth of her blood on his face, hot tears stinging his light green orbs, hear the subconscious whimpering that escaped from his lips, and sense the evil gaze glaring upon him as they licked the blood from their hand.
"The bitch's blood just isn't satisfying enough, so how about standing still and I can quench my thirst?" The harden face he showed began to turn back into that crazy and insane joyful look - now that distractions were out of the way. "Do that, and I might forgive you." He talks to the little boy like he was some child in trouble and he was begging not to be punished. The pure irony in that.
Takashi didn't pay any heed, and was thoroughly disgusted by the monster but couldn't show it. Slowly, his eyes widened. His entire frame began to shake profusely as tearful whimpers left from his throat and it only began to heighten in volume.
"No... No... No..." His eyes looked into Hana's. The usual warmth and tender hazel orbs were no more - they were gone, deprived of life. And her face, her smile that soothed Takashi was nothing more than a flat line that would forever stay in place. All the color left his face, leaving it a sickly pale. As Takashi felt himself back away, his head shook slowly. He couldn't believe it, he didn't want to believe it. How badly he wanted to think that she was just... sleeping. Yet that little voice in the back of his mind said otherwise.
She's... dead.
She's gone.
His caretaker could no longer protect him.
And it was this realization that something inside Takashi... snapped.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he screeches as a waterfall of tears gushes out. And then somehow and suddenly, he spun around and forced his sore body to run away blindly, leaving sounds of hyperventilating sobs in his wake. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't take seeing Hana, dead, and because of him...
"Oh no you don't, you little shit." The vampire graced a sadistic grin as he starts his way towards the child in his unusual speed. But during so, something caught his foot and he ended up falling, slamming his forehead against the tilled floor. He screeches out in pain. Hefting himself up, holding his bleeding forehead as his face grimaced, he suddenly noticed a weak grip that had attached to his foot. Making an animal like growl, his eyes shot over to see it was... the human woman?
She was alive, barely, and she managed a victorious smirk while she somehow had a grip on his ankle. "You... will not h-hurt him... you fucking... freak," she said in strangled gasps. The vampire growls in response, but as he lefts his clawed hand in the air to strike her, he abruptly stopped upon noticing. Her grip, it has loosen, and that brief glint of life that was in her eyes was gone - extinguished. All that was left was that triumphant smile plastered on her lips.
He scowled. "Hmph, pathetic bitch..." he sneered as he throws the limp hand off him and struggles to stand.
His words, if anything, contradicted the woman that even in death, tried the hardest she could to protect the life of a child. No matter how small, even if it only bought time for the possible inevitable. Hana, a woman who lost her entire life but rebuilt from the ground up, has proved her very mettle. A mother to parent-less children and comforter of the physically and emotionally hurting, got her wish in the very end. And for her very last act as a healer of wounded, in the end still put the lives of patients first. But who will remember her or the woman who so selflessly acted for the sake of others?
At least... the family was whole once more.
Whether or not the man was following him, he assumed so and darted into the nearest room he could find. Once inside, he hurries to slam the door shut. And luckily when he saw it had a lock, he didn't hesitate and quickly turned the small knob to lock it. The click of it sounded, and his tense muscles eased up if only a little. His palms flatten over the door, heaving strangled breaths, his head dipped down between his chest as he tried to collect himself - to calm his nerves. His knee were visibly shaking, on the verge of buckling over and falling to the ground.
And before he even had a chance to pull himself together, his stomach rumbled with discomfort, and then something started to crawl up in his esophagus. A suddenly bitter taste rolls over his taste buds, his hands cover his mouth as his eyes widened like plates. His eyes quickly flicker about the room as he stumbles back away from the door, trying to find a trash can if one was available while trying to hold back the bile.
Unfortunately, one wasn't in sight, and Takashi ends up falling to his knees to release the vomit building up in his mouth onto the floor. The bitter, corrosive like taste rushed out of his mouth, causing his face to grimace. A couple moments during the torturous circumstance Takashi thought it was over, only for more to gush up from his throat violently.
After what seemed like forever, his stomach had finally settled down. The aftermath left a gritty, disgusting coating on his teeth - his tongue clinging to the aftertaste. Takashi adverts his gaze ahead of him to ignore the vomit spilled before him, breathing out heavily to catch his breath as pained tears slid down his cheek.
There were too many thoughts racing in the boy's head, more than he could comprehend. Deep down, Takashi wanted to believe that this was simply a hallucination; a vampire tried to murder him, god's sake. Something like what he saw tonight was out of a fictional book. They were make-believe. And even more of a reason was the hand penetrating from the nurse's chest, splattering dark blood across his face.
But it was real because as his hand reaches up and rubs his face, he gasps in surprise at what he felt. There was a wetness besides the tears and the saliva on his face. It had a thickness to it. Impossible for those two factors to have this texture. Takashi hesitantly drew his hands back, and as he stared at the sanguine red that tainted his hands, quiet and tearful whimpers left under his breath. His eyes widened, then soon the stinging of hot tears formulated at the brim of his eyelids.
Despite the blood on his hands, he slaps his hands over his emerald eyes and he blatantly begins to snivel and cry. The scene just kept replying over and over in his head. The look on Nurse-san's face as the monster stole her life, it has burned itself into his mind. The realization of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, and it was more painful than the torn sutures or his sore limbs. She was gone, and it was all his fault. He could have been silent, try to hide what happened before she found him. Maybe he could have asked her to leave to save her, as it was because she stayed to care for his distraught state.
Or maybe... He didn't know what else. Perhaps if she didn't care for him at all-
Slam!
A loud slam pulled Takashi out of his despair, causing him to squeak in surprise and snap up at the source of the slam. And then...
Slam! Slam! Slam!
He didn't need to question who was the person behind the door, slamming their fist against it. And then when a sickeningly sweet voice cooed in a sing-song mock, muffled, all the color drained from his face as his eyes grew wide.
"Lit-tle pet~ I know you're in there~"
He was frozen stiff, unable to move. All the hair on the back of his head stood up. And although it was simply the man's voice, it seemed no different than him taking his clawed hands and coiling them around the boy's body, digging into his spine, and inscribing into his brain.
"You know, I'm really, really starting to lose my patience with you. You've certainly have become more than just a simple pick up my package," A drawled out screeching skates down the wood of the door as if he was taking a sharp object - or more logically all that is considered, his nails - and carved on the door. When he spoke up again, his voice darkened. "I took quite a bit of time out of my day to come and fetch you. I'm quite exhausted, you know. And I'm in no mood to let a little brat and a couple of pests get the best of me."
Everywhere felt like it had drop several degrees. He was cold with shock and shivers slithered throughout his body, but there was something deep inside him that felt hot - burning and boiling. His hands clench tightly in response as he could feel the fire like sensation flow into his brain, the pressure of it inflated behind his eyes. This man seemed so convinced that he could tug at Takashi, make him feel some kind of guilt for resisting. And strangely, it felt all too familiar...
"So how about doing us both a favor... AND OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR!" He bellowed indignantly. Suddenly, he started to slam against the door with all his might, causing Takashi to yelp in shock and to fall back. His quivering eyes watched as the door seemed to start to indent. He could hear the monster grunting and growling from the other side like some kind of rabid animal, trying to obtain their prey.
It was after the fifth time of his anger fueled assault that Takashi suddenly heard the sound of wood cracking - that being the door. It was only a matter of time before he would break through, and none could help him this time. Despite poisoned with fear, Takashi fumbled to his feet and he frantically looked around the room for... something. But there was nowhere he could hide and nowhere to run. He was trapped, and the thought of it started to cause Takashi to panic and cry until...
"Come here..."
A voice, the voice of a child, suddenly echo seemingly into his head. He jumped in response, and for a moment, the breaking of the door had become mute and all his mind could take in was silence and-
"Hurry up..."
The voice cooed again, from behind him and Takashi swivels around to identify the source, gasping in surprise. Just outside the window of the room, it was the same boy from before, sitting idly on the ledge of the outside window sill. And just like before, he seamlessly appeared before him without so much as an indication he was there. His back facing him, Takashi jumped when the child slowly turned and showed his side profile, a boyish smile plastered on his lips.
He raises an arm, and then motions with his hand for Takashi to come closer.
If it wasn't for the incessant clashes against the door and the cracking of wood Takashi wouldn't even think to be coaxed by something so unknown, and frankly, unnerving. But in his position, Takashi had no choice but to do as he is told if it meant he was being helped. Hearing another crack of wood, Takashi breathes shallow and quick breaths as he forced his legs to move him towards the idle child.
Takashi eyes never left the ethereal like child as he goes to unlock the window and slides it open. A gentle gust of wind brushed against his face, smelling of cool dew that Takashi for one reason or another, liked. Hefting himself up to the ledge, Takashi couldn't resist the urge to look down as he was able to stand on what little ground he had. And he soon learned that was the worst mistake he could make - if he took one step wrong or slipped, he only prayed there would be no pain in falling onto hard concrete.
He bit his lower lip and the color drained from his face as he scooted inch by inch towards another window on his right, his back against the cold brick. The boy was in the way of his narrow path, he remembered. But when Takashi turned to look at him, he was gone. However, another innocent giggle echoed into his left ear, prompting Takashi to risk moving to look. The boy somehow moved out his way, standing on the edge much more carefree, and with thin and pale hands, pushes the window shut.
Takashi watched, speechless and warily, as the child turned his head to look at him, smiling eerily. With thick layer of bangs concealing his eyes, it was difficult to distinguish whether or not his smile held any meaning towards it - if it was like the man's or if it was genuine. But all that is considered, given the situation, Takashi felt unnerved that he was smiling at all. His form illuminated by the full moon, it gave the boy of pearl white skin and a unexplained mirth a much more foreboding appearance.
What felt to be hours they stood there, watching each other expectantly, Takashi resisted the urge to jump when the boy raised his pointer finger to his lips in a hushing manner. "Shh... Be swift and silent as you humanly can. It'll be entertaining to be give him the slip, don't you think?" he asked almost as if this was a innocent game of hide and seek.
Takashi felt inclined to argue back against him, but add to the fear of falling stealing his voice, the boy seemingly predicted he was going to talk and points the same finger ahead of him. "Keep going, and no back talk~" he talked in a childish voice. The same one the man used when coaxing Takashi into his webs. After everything that has happened, Takashi had all the right to question this odd child's intentions. But this was not the time nor the place.
Without acknowledging the boy, Takashi, murmuring prayers of safety under his breath, shut his eyes as he gingerly scoots his feet against the gritty stone closer and closer toward the window. Though it felt as if he was walking for miles, he thankfully was close enough that he could reach the glass of the window. Just as Takashi makes it and tentatively struggles to slowly open it, he could have swore he finally heard the sound of the door being broken and a roar colored with profanities screeched out. Something inside him dropped and his face went pale as he hurried to pry it open.
But it wouldn't budge. Most likely the window was locked.
Despite this being the case, Takashi tried with tears building in his eyes to open it, ignoring the need to be careful should he fall.
"Please open. Come on... Come one!"
On the verge of resigning in himself, his ears perked up at the sound of a click - that being the lock. Though the room was pitch black, Takashi noticed a small figure at the window as it is sliding it open for him. But who it was caused Takashi to gasp and glance over to where the ghostly boy once was. He was gone, and somehow, he was inside the room.
"You're such a slowpoke~" The boy laughed. Takashi registering this was evident in the dear in headlights expression on his face. "But no reason to stand there, right? You heard him break through, right? Then hurry up and hide before he catches on that you escaped." he croons as he skips backwards to give him room to come in. Takashi wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he could actually hear the man ransacking the room violently, screaming out with pure anger. The very thought him finding Takashi now in such a frenzied state, his stomach turned and he could almost feel the pain he will cause when he snatches him.
With nothing else but, Takashi carefully ducks down and jumps in from the window sill. Though he wanted to marvel at the feeling of solid ground beneath his feet, his eyes scanned the room quickly for a place to hide. It was a identical copy of the room he was previously in. It seemed to make not much of a difference if he was there or in here. Takashi hears the window close shut, and then he saw someone's arm poke out from his peripheral vision with their forefinger directed at the bed.
"Hide under there. Now, and keep quiet." The child demanded, his voice has lost any tone of childish fun. It actually sounded serious... and worried.
Takashi turned his head to see him. A strange expression that Takashi couldn't identify had come on the boy's face - he was frowning but his eyes were still covered by his golden bangs, and even his tone that has changed didn't help much. Takashi, despite the command, turns around to face him. A feeling of apprehension grew inside him as the boy ignored his inquisitive stare, still pointing to the bed.
"Who... Who are you? And why are you helping me? Are you... like him?" Takashi asks bluntly but hesitantly.
The boy's hand slowly dropped to his side. "... Like him?" he murmured, still turned away from Takashi. He makes a thoughtful sound but was otherwise silent as though the strange child was mulling over this accusation himself. Then suddenly, he finally swiveled his head around to Takashi's direction, causing his tousled hair to bob and his bangs to shift. Though it was sudden, a flash of what look to be silver appeared before disappearing where his eyes should be. "Maybe I am, or maybe I'm not. I could be, or I might not be. Why does it matter to know if I am or not anyway, huh? Do I look like some freak that would murder on sight? A abomination? Hmm... I wonder that too." he drawled, almost menacingly.
Though his tone sounded neutral, it seemed almost as if he was angered by the accusation. Confused by his rather cryptic words, Takashi's brows furrowed. "I..."
"Don't," The boy stopped him with a raise of his hand. "How I almost forgot... You've only just awaken to this weaken state." He muttered. "Forget I have said anything. Know that I am trying to protect you so don't question me. For now, do as I say and don't talk back. If you truly want to live, if you truly wish to see the coming sunrise, it will be wise to understand the position you have found yourself in." With such words of concern, his tone was almost that of haughty.
Takashi had no way to express his confusion of this entire situation. Trying to process it all caused much of his thoughts to scatter from overload. This boy wasn't human, that much was clear. But he had every right to ask - if not for his reasons then his unannounced arrivals as if he was a figment of his imagination. Or a ghost, Takashi added. His frustration started to fill to the brim.
"I... I don't understand," Takashi breathed as he felt tears of frustration watering his eyes. "Please, I-I'm really scared. Nurse-san is gone, Kaien-sama isn't here, and... a-and that... monster is going to kill me." he cried, feeling his knees ready to buckle over as fear clawed into his heart. "I'm scared... I-I'm scared. Please... I don't have anyone. And he's going to do scary things n-now I don't have a-anyone..." Takashi mumbled as tears roll down into gaping scars, sending sharp stinging pain into them. His frame began to tremble and his hand clutch onto the hem of his shirt as strangled sobs tore out from his throat.
His mind replays Nurse-san's death, the molestation at the hands of the man, and now that there was no means of survival, Takashi felt himself falling into despair. How badly he wished to curl up into a ball and make this all go away.
Suddenly, something icy cold caresses his battered cheeks. When Takashi's eyes shot up, he noticed the boy in his close proximity, and his hands were cupping both his cheeks as a sadden smile graced his lips. His hands were colder than death, but Takashi couldn't help by notice something... off about the feeling of them. He did not feel the softness of skin. If there was a better comparison to it, the touch of it was like winter's night wind against him.
"Enough of your words," The boy said softly. "You won't be hurt anymore. And you are not alone. Tears such as these will only arouse monsters like him with such excitement. This is what he wants to do to you: Make you weak and cower in despair. Do you wish to give him what he wants?"
His voice so close to his ear sends chills of a foreign emotion down his spine and under his skin. One reason or another, his words calmed him, and he shook his head in response.
The boy's smile softened as he cocked his head, tendrils of golden strands drape off to the side. "He doesn't understand the strength you possess, the will you have. You are not ready to handle such things, but in time, you will. Yet, who knows?" Something about his smile changed. It's as though it had become twisted as if a sickeningly sweet thought occurred to him. "It might be so much fun to surprise ingrates such as your purser. He thinks he'll have you, but it will be satisfying to see him... disappointed." Even his tone underline a emotion of... joy. A sadistic, evil joy. It scared him, but not to the point of running away as he knew such talk was not directed at him.
Unsettling was probably the best term to use.
"W-Why... W-Why are you trying to save me?" Takashi asked shakily instead, despite all the boy had said. The way he talks, it all reminded him of the man who is so vigorously wanting to ravage him. To break him. But there was something in the back of his mind that whispers, muttering reassurances. Was it because of him?
"Why?" He echoed thoughtfully. Removing his hands from his cheeks, Takashi shuddered as those ghostly hands grasp his with gentleness. "Because... You and I are-"
Those words will forever remain unfinished as a roaring voice bellows from the halls outside, draining the color from Takashi's face.
"YOU FUCKING LITTLE SHIT! When I fucking find you, I'm going to rip out your organs and make you writhe in unimaginable pain! I'll have you begging for death!" Those words were like daggers stabbed into his body, rupturing his eardrums painfully that he grimaced with a wince.
The boy gasped, twisting his head around and at the door. They both could hear those ear deafening stomps quickening and sounds of glass braking and metal being tipped over. It was growing closer. Looking back at Takashi quickly, he step to the side. "Hurry, get under the bed now!" he commanded hurriedly.
"Wait, but-"
"Do it now! Don't argue, just do it!"
Reluctantly, Takashi gave a curt nod and did as he was told; he hastily rushes past him to the bed and kneels on all fours before crawling underneath, brushing past the ends of the covers hanging off. Thanks to the covers that stretch nearly to the floor, Takashi is met with near darkness and in near total cover. Lying on his sore stomach, the black haired youth waited for the other boy to join him. He could see his feet, but he wasn't moving.
"Stay there and keep quiet. He doesn't know you're in here, but remember: His five senses are much stronger than normal humans. He will catch your scent, but I will handle that. Don't even think of coming out till it is safe."
Seeing that he was about to leave, Takashi panicked but kept his voice down. "N-No, don't go. Please don't. I-I... don't want to be left alone again." He begged as tears started to fall from his eyes.
He saw the boy stop momentarily. "Remember what I said: You won't be alone, and you will not be hurt. I... I will see to it." And with that, the boy took off into a run towards the doorway. But suddenly, the click of his heels ceased. There was no sound of the door opening then closing from him leaving. There was... nothing. It was as if he disappeared into thin air, and Takashi had to analyze himself at whether or not he was sane. Was this boy really a figment of his imagination?
Even if it truly was, it was better to be with something nonexistent than being alone at all.
His heart pounding furiously in his ear, the wounds decorating his stomach and face burning and itchy, Takashi bit back snivels. He wanted to cry, to release the air that he was holding back. But the man's footsteps and crashing and breaking of anything in his path could still be heard.
All those unwelcome sounds drilled into his ears, and Takashi's face crinkles as he clasps his shaking hands over his ears and whimpers. Why was this happening to him? Why was he being tormented like this? He couldn't even imagine the reason he is needed by this man's dark and sickening desire. Isn't he just a little boy? Aren't children meant to be happy and safe? As Takashi clamps his eyes shut and tried to drown out the rampaging monster outside, he was lost in thoughts of Kaien-sama. How desperately he wished he was here...
How long Takashi laid in waiting, he didn't know. A matter of minutes felt like an eternity for him. But eventually, he noticed something and uncovered his ears. It had become unnervingly silent. No breaking glass and no swear words or resonating footsteps. Takashi lifts his head from the ground, propping himself with arms under his chest as he tried harder to listen.
It really has become quiet, no matter how long Takashi waited and heighten his hearing. While shaken but relieved, a exhale of air pass through his lips as his eyes close shut with fatigue. But as his tense muscles relaxed, something loud smashed against the door, flinging it open and colliding with the wall.
Takashi nearly squeaks in surprise before he quickly slaps his hands over his mouth and nose, stifling any noise he made. Contrasting him, he could hear heaving of breaths, panting with growl like mumbles. Takashi eyes widened as he heard footsteps, and then feet appeared in his peripheral vision.
"I know you're in here, you little shit," He fumed in a dark, low voice. "I can smell all the blood coating your rotten little body, the blood seeping from your wounds. You can't hide from me forever, I will find you." A deep rumble echoed from his throat as he slowly walked in the room, appearing oblivious. "Heh, you've certainly have been a handful. More than I expected. You're good, but I'm better. And when I find you, you can join that dumb bitch and that precious four eyed bastard of yours. You've must have made quite the impression to get the four eyed old man to come and stalk you out all night. No matter, though..."
Four eyed? Kaien-sama...? He's here?
His thankfulness and confusion could not be conveyed as he cringes when he could see the man's feet getting closer. "I've already have dealt with the annoying pest and his pet, however. No one is going to come and save you now, little shit. I have you right where I want you..." he chuckled, stopping at the foot of the bed. "I won't kill you right away, though. For becoming such a nuisance and acting so defiant, I'm going to dig my nails deeply into those filthy eyes and tear them out and wearing them like a pretty little necklace. They will be quite fitting on me, won't they?"
Takashi's body began to tremble uncontrollable as he heard a squeak coming from the bed when the man rests his hands upon the mattress, leaning into it. He could do nothing but lie helplessly, feeling the tears building up rapidly and falling. Though he covered his mouth, he was losing the will to keep quiet.
He could hear the sound of the man's fingers drumming against the sheets, and he could see his foot tapping against the tile floor impatiently. "I can hear your breathing~" he said in a taunting sing song voice, causing Takashi's stomach to turn.
It was obvious that even though the man knew exactly where he was, he was taking joy in installing fear into him. He was enjoying taunting him, making him feel helpless. As Takashi waited for the inevitable that was being dragged on much more than needed, the words of the strange boy echoed in his mind.
If he promised to protect him, then why disappear when needed the most? Please help me... P-Please don't let him hurt me.
The man was moving to crouch down, and Takashi shut his eyes tightly in hopes he would simply go away. Shaking and tears rolling over his cheeks, Takashi was waiting for those talons to grab a hold of him and rip him out of his sanctuary.
But it seemed to have gone on forever without incident. His clawed hand did not steal him away.
It was only when he suddenly heard ripping of flesh followed by pained screams that Takashi reopened his eyes, and he gasped at what he saw. The man fallen to the floor, his back was against the wall under the window, holding his hand to his side. Glass shards penetrated through him, causing the blood pouring out to color his shirt in sanguine red.
His eyes fumed and his face was grimacing as strangled screams of anguish roared out. Takashi's eyes widened at this, and when he heard whispering usurer him into his ear, he shot his gaze to the open doorway. He gasped, seeing the ethereal child standing there with a mirthful smirk on his lips. A snigger escaped under his breath as he then turn to directly look into Takashi's eyes.
Takashi shuddered as though he could actually feel them. Awe struck, he jumped by a sudden voice. A voice that spoke directly into his mind? "Hurry up! I can only do so much to save your ass. While he's incapacitated, make it for the elevators. Go!"
His lips made no motion, indicating that those words came from him. Had Takashi not been in this situation, he would pass it off as a simple passing thought but-
"Hurry up!" His voice screamed.
His mind scattered of thoughts, Takashi ignored the fear that was cold to his limbs - freezing them - and scurries out from his hiding place. Though he struggled against the pain of moving so fast, Takashi runs for the door way, and the boy took off without him down the right corridor before he could stop him.
"You little shit! I will fucking kill you!" He could hear the man screech out with a gurgled voice. Despite it sent waves of panic under his skin, Takashi didn't stop as he ran out the doorway and made a sharp turn down the way the boy went.
Instead of catching sight of the child, Takashi is only met with nothing but metal carts on their sides - scattering their contents unceremoniously onto the floor - broken glass from windows from the doors of patient rooms- The whole hall was an utter disaster as though a bull had come and gone after going on a rampage. And he could see, just head of him, was the lifeless body of Hana.
How badly Takashi wished to hug tightly around her neck. How badly he wanted to feel her tender hands caressing his hair as though he was her child. How badly he wanted to collapse to his knees and cry out apologizes and beg for forgiveness. But before he was coaxed away from his escape, he was reminded of it by a ear rupturing scream followed by clicking of heels coming close behind him.
"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE FROM ME!"
The bile in his stomach churned, and Takashi put in all his strength to increase his speed. But the pain was unbearable, and sobs that he tries to choke back are taking the wind out of him. He was determined, however. He fought back the urge to look back as the elevators were coming into view. His escape was so close he could almost feel the freedom, but even that was taken away as the back of his collar is snatched - by his hand.
The elongated nails cut his nape, and Takashi yelps in pain as he feels the ground under his feet being tore away from him. Once again, he found himself in the midair, dangling helplessly like a rag doll roughly taken by a child.
Takashi lets out the loudest possible scream his little lungs could produce, flailing his arms and squirming to attempt escape. "No, don't! Let go! Let me go! Leave me alone! Sto-"
Another hand encircles around Takashi's neck, cutting his cries of help off. And then, the hand slams his back hard against the wall. Tears of pain clouded his vision as he released a pained shriek from the impact, and then a metallic, bitter flavor rolls over his taste buds.
Through his hazy vision, those sanguine orbs belonging to him burned and shined against the dark backdrop. Pure contempt and hatred radiated in them more than ever before since Takashi had first saw them clearly, and it wasn't till he blinked away the tears, that he felt a shudder - seeing just how much dark emotions were swirling in them.
The man's face in a deep frown and puckered brows, he is breathing heavily as he tightens his grip around the boy's neck. The tighter he squeezed, the more his teeth clenched and exposed for all to see. Incoherent protesting escapes from Takashi's throat as his hand try to feebly pry away the man's, but to no avail.
The expression on the man twists into an even harder scowl, wordlessly cutting away the boy's air supply. As he could feel Takashi's hands losing the will to fight back, Takashi's eyelids fluttering - close to unconsciousness, the corner of his lips began to form into a dark smirk of satisfaction.
"Thought you could outsmart me, huh?" he mutters in a humored tone. "Plenty of pathetic weakling humans have tried the same, but always failed. You're no exception, you fucking little prick. He may have wanted me to keep you in wraps, but whether by me or him, your life would've been snuffled out either way."
In any attempt to scream out curses or inquire of his reasoning, it was buried away into the depth of his mind as Takashi could feel his body lose the awareness around him. Soon, the hand killing him was becoming nothing more than air, as though he was floating lifelessly.
One last tear falls from his eye, and then they slowly fluttered shut. His very life, hanging by a single piece of thread, without much real reason, was being stolen from him. But why, when he has only been here for so long? Did he truly do something so horrible, that there were people who wished for his death?
As Takashi listened his heart faintly beat slower and slower with each pump of blood, a sound so loud that it sent vibrations into his eardrum. A sharp pop like noise... that sounded so familiar as though he has heard it once from the past. Only... what past? A forgotten time that has slipped through his fingers with nothing but his body as the reminder.
It was then followed by an oh so familiar cry of pain. Through his surreal stupor, Takashi found himself falling to the floor, coughing violently as oxygen rushed in to fill in his lungs. His vision was beginning to come back to him, pulling away from the blackness that has clouded his eyes. As the coughing has settled down, Takashi weakly looks up with a hand still covering his mouth.
The man was only a few feet away from him. He was covering his arm as he growled in pain... or rather what was left of his arm. Though the halls were still covered in blackness with nothing more than a few very dim lights for assistance, Takashi could see nothing more than a nub where his forearms once was. Eyes widened, Takashi weakly recoiled away as far as his back could against the wall as he stomach turned at the sight.
Then, another voice spoke up, mockingly.
"Done playing with little boys, fucknut? Or are you too much of a pedo creep to play with boys your own size?"
The man growls darkly, glaring as he looked over to the one the voice belonged to. "You... Those worms failed? Che! I should have done away with you when I had the chance. I would've eliminated one less obedient dog."
"Oh? This? Coming from the Level E on a pick up job? Well, looking at your haggard state, you're a pretty shitty service dog if you get you ass served to you by a brat." the voice snickered.
"Damn you..."
And then another voice appeared. One that caused waves of relief to wash over in Takashi, and one that pulled his lips into a grin the moment he heard him call.
"Takashi!"
Takashi eyes snapped to the source of the male voice, ignoring the presence of the grimacing monster as he took in the sight of the headmaster standing feet away from him. Next him was a man of much similar color eyes and hair, pointing a silver coated pistol with a solemn expression on his face. And beside him, Kaien's eyes were widened to a significantly shocked indication as they studied the bloodied child.
"K-Kaien... sama..."
His insides twisted, searing rage was building in his stomach as he saw the consequences of his lateness. The boy's scrubs, once a neon light green, now was practically covered in crimson red, barely allowing the original color to show. So much blood... Too much blood... He noticed the sutures have been forcefully tore apart from each on his face and the thick stains of dry and wet blood from against his pale skin.
His rage intensified - even though his face was still that of shock - when he stares into those quivering jade eyes. They were frighten, hurt. Without needing an explanation, it told Kaien so much of what the boy had went through while he was delayed. And a sting of guilt prods him as his eyes soften, hurriedly bringing an tentative hand to him.
"Takashi, come over to me. It's all right now. It's over..." he said with a calm yet sadden tone.
Takashi, with shaking knees, fumbles as he slowly rose to his feet. Tears came pouring out like a waterfall and he breathes shaky breaths as his grin widened. "I... I knew you would come, Kaien-sama. I-I just knew you would-"
But as he goes to hurry next to him, he feels an arm ambush him, wrapping roughly around his body. He is then harshly pulled into a hard chest, his arms constricted and feet pulled away from the cold tile and into the arm. Letting out screams of protest, Takashi fruitlessly tries to squirm out of the arm holding him down.
"Nooo! Kaien-sama!"
Kaien, greatly distressed and angered, takes a step forward and goes to unsheathe his blade. "Don't you move, four eyes!" The man screams, digging sharp nails into Takashi's upper arm to cause the boy's face to twist in pain. Kaien sees this, and immediately stops. "One more step and you'll be picking up the brat's dead body off the floor!"
Kaien grits his teeth and reluctantly retreats back to his original position, but still maintaining a hard glare on the level E. His hands ball into fist, and his brow furrowed. "Let him go." he demanded firmly, trying hard to keep his anger and worry in check. But when the vampire scoffs at him, his temperament has risen more.
"I came all this way, even lost an arm for this brat, so I think not..." he told him with a dark smirk, the corner of his mouth twitched in response to the excruciating pain in his body. "Want him? Go ahead and kill me." he challenged. "You got that gun, after all. It only affects people like us, remember? So why not use it already if you want this little thing? Or are you waiting for your master to command you?"
A dry chuckle that echoed from the man's throat irked James, his brows bending into indignation from his contradictory comment. "Oh, I don't need permission to put you down, dog..." James growls as the finger over the trigger slowly begins to pull it.
Kaien notices the man's natural temper getting the best of him, and normally he would allow James to act on his rebellious anger to finish to job. But for one reason or another, his eyes shot open in surprise - or perhaps in fear - and he quickly pushes the weapon down. "Control yourself, James!" he practically shouts. "Vampire or not, the shot will still harm him."
James snaps his gaze at Kaien, incredulous. "The hell are you talking about, old man? One shot isn't going to kill him." His finger ached to pull the trigger to end the blood thirsty husk. His smug face was becoming much of an eyesore, and he could care less if the boy was in his line of shot. It is true; the weapon was specially crafted, only to harm all vampire alike - whether they be Level A to E. A human would have no effect towards the enchanted bullet the gun contained, so why hold back?
"I said stand down, damn it!" James's eyes widened at the tone of the man's voice. In the years he has known him, not once has he seen Kaien lose his cool. But now he looked into his eyes and saw fear - fear for the boy's safety, no doubt. Even his voice - this was the first time he has heard him lose his even tone.
"Aww~ What's the matter? Why not pull the trigger and end it?" The man said challengingly. He appeared to be in thought over something as the men adverted their gaze from each and back at the task at hand. In seconds, he mocks a surprised gasp. "Ah, I see. Then you're aware, aren't you, four eyes?" He went on in a sinister mien. Kaien remained quiet - his brows knitting together in frustration. And the man took this silence as a sign he was right, grinning darkly as he laughs a strangled snicker. "No wonder you're trying so adamantly on fucking up my job and giving me grief. I was curious as to why you're protecting this boy, though very poorly as you can see. But you just cleared up my suspicions. Then you know why my master wants his property?"
It was an understatement to say Takashi was frozen stiff with fear. Here he was, trapped against the man that he has been escaping from, and when the doorway to his freedom was just in sight, it was stolen away from him. His eyes wide and glistening with tears and face an ashen pale, he watches the headmaster filled with much inner conflict. He was silent, and didn't appear as if he would answer the man's question.
Takashi may be young, but even he could understand that silence did not keep away the obvious. The man asked him a question involving him personally, and yet Kaien couldn't answer. Why is this? Does Kaien know something but won't say it in Takashi's presence? Is that why? He was using his vulnerable and innocent eyes to plead, and Kaien saw it in them but remained in a tensed position with a deepened frown.
Salty tears seeped into his scars, only to bring more droplets from his eyes. Everything was happening at once - the pain, the fear - that his mind could not yet comprehend it all, and this causes every emotion that was stirring inside him ready to burst. Biting his lower lip, his gaze adverts away from him.
"What happened to all that confidence, four eyes?" He mocked in a taunting voice. "Keeping your tail between your legs now that your feign innocence can't lie anymore? Then you won't deny what this child will bring you nothing but bad luck if you decide to waste pity on him. But you needn't worry~ My master has already sought to that for you." The man suddenly leans down until he was close enough to the boy's face, and then his tongue slithers out from his mouth, running up a trail of blood on Takashi's cheek.
Takashi's eyes widened to saucers, suppressing a gasp as he tore his cheek away from the wet muscle and clamped his eyes shut. His stomach began to turn again, and Takashi had to hold back desperately from vomiting.
Uncaring of the eyes of disgust on him, he makes a satisfied rumble in his throat. "Even from a filth like you, your blood is quite appetizing. Though..." He pauses, side glancing a dark relishing look at the fuming men, as though a thought causing great nostalgia crossed his mind. "Once he is returned safe and sound, the taste will become even more... luscious."
Kaien's jaw clenched. If his anger hadn't been apparent to others, it was now. James could see this, and distantly was confused by the very situation. But he remained trained on his target.
Straightening up, the man put on foot back as though he was ready to retreat. "Now then, seeing as I finally have my package, I will be taking my leave." Those words sent waves of panic in Takashi. His face couldn't have become any paler. "I will be taking this burden off your hands-"
"Stay where you are, or else you're losing both arms!" James exclaims as the urge to pull the trigger risen.
"Then shoot me. It's oh so easy~"
"You goddamn prick..."
His finger was so close to igniting a shot that would finally silence the bastard, but Kaien's hand reaches out atop the barrel and he hastily lowers it. "I told you to stand down! I will not repeat it again!"
"Che! Dammit..."
Takashi could no longer hold back the sobs that have been clutched in his throat. He harshly bites his lower lip, trying to stifle it as he knew it would bring irritation to his kidnapper. He snapped his eyes shut and tried to disassociate away from whatever was coming to him in a plate full of insanity. Only living for not that long, and he was already seeing the end in sight. He didn't want to believe it, but it was happening.
The man finally had him, and Kaien was still as he was being taken away.
This wasn't happening...
This can't be happening...
He doesn't wish to die...
Someone... Please... Help me, please! Those words, Takashi wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. For those words to soar high, and then maybe, one who could be his savior could help. But such thought was selfish, Takashi mused. There was a reason Kaien wouldn't move to rescue him. But why, he wished he knew.
Was it because of what the man said?
Or... was he really a burden that this man was taking off of Kaien's hands? A burden... A burden... He has no obligation to risk life and limb for a child he merely meet a few days ago. He could simply let him go, which it seems is what he was deciding.
Takashi was just a single person in a world filled with millions of humans. His life ending wouldn't make much difference; the world will still be spinning and life will still be going on. A boy without a home, family, and barely even a name meant nothing to no one. No one at all.
Theses disheartening thoughts as if they have had been heard, something hissed into his ears. A voice that drilled into his mind. A voice that spoke of devilish thoughts with sweetness. A voice that pulled him out of a sea fill with self-loath.
You have become quite pitiful, haven't you?
When Takashi opened his eyes, he gasped. Recalling numerous deja vus in the past, he is shocked to see the same ghostly child standing between both the adult males, appearing without much announcement. His lips were flat-lined, a barest hint of a displeased frown.
You're allowing the despair to consume you because of the words of a madman. Words that have no truth, but only twisted insanity.
A click of his heels against the floor echoed seemingly into his brain directly - as though the sound only came from his imagination - when he takes the first step forward and towards him leisurely. And when he did this, it only risen Takashi's suspicions of how real the child was because as he came further, neither Kaien nor the other man adverted their gaze away from the vampire. It was as though they didn't detect his presence. Or perhaps, was he there at all?
You're still weak... Useless.
Even the man made no indication he was approaching. Was this really a figment of his imagination?
You're still not yet ready. It's too early for you to know the truth. I will not have... them ruin everything again.
An apprehensive feeling was building up in his stomach the closer he came, and bile thrashed like a sea during a storm now that the boy was in arm's reach of him. Those bony white hands slowly make home on the bloodied cheeks of Takashi, cupping them both. And like before, they were colder than ice and death. No softness of skin. He shuddered at the almost painful caress of his skin, but too shocked and speechless to utter any retort.
Takashi trembled under his hidden gaze as he notice the near expressionless lips curved into a smirk.
And I can only save you so much; my abilities are reaching their limit. So I must ask one very tiny favor...
As the boy raised his head back, what he was concealing under layers of hair was finally revealed. A cold shock like daggers stabs into Takashi, and he held back the urge to scream in terror.
Because under his bangs... lies orbs of blood red. And with his smirk now fully creasing onto his lips, his eyes spoke deeds filled with evil and sadistic joy.
Allow me... to use you one last time.
And then, the surreal blackness came, stealing his vision - his sense of outside simulates, gone. He was trapped in its darken clutches once again. He had become a bird, trapped in a cage, concealed in a room where light was a nonexistent thing.
He was. . . gone.
-Author's Note-
Another two months of not updating =_= I apologize for such a long wait. But I've really been stuck on this chapter because, even though I knew what I want, me being me and not being a good enough writer, I wasn't sure if I could write it out perfectly.
Overall, I'm okay about it.
I know I said I'd put it in the M rating, but I'm too mentally exhausted to. u_uzzZZ I hope this chapter is to your liking.
Thanks for reading :)