Thanks to everyone for reviewing! Makes me all happy and warm and fuzzy and tingly inside!
I loved the episode where Kai lost to Brooklyn. It was kinda sad but I loved it so much. And then the scene with Daichi vs. Ming Ming, it was really short but Kai was sitting in a dark alley, all depressed and hurt. He has a cat fetish don't ya think?
Emotional chapter up ahead. T-T
-----
Twisted Fate
Chapter 21: Disillusion
A faint green glow shot up into the sky, the form of a tiger just barely there. A last, desperate cry for help. The weakened beast, reflecting the empty form of a master, roared quietly. Then once again, he roared, with the last of his strength. The glow pulsated and quivered, before dimming.
"Rei!!" A pair of grey eyes met the glow in the sky, recognising it immediately. He instantly started to run towards the symbol of a tiger, not thinking. He ignored the deep red streaks he had inflicted upon himself, and focused on the present issue.
Kai ran through the white blanket of heavy snow with tremendous speed. He clenched his blade furiously as he tore through the snow, digging deeper into the self-inflicted wounds. His cold grey eyes stared pointedly at the fading glow in the sky, as he headed towards it with all his strength. He had no distinguishable thoughts in his head; all was a blur as he raced towards Rei. He could only hear the heavy pounding of his heart as he pushed himself harder than ever before.
The light only seemed to get further away as he ran with immense despair. His blade dug deeper into his skin as he clenched it harder, running with everything he had. He was suddenly aware of the sound of other footsteps. Max, too, had seen the signal.
"Oh my god…" Max whispered, as they approached. The ice was brittle, and they could see cracks in it… through them, the dark frigid water seemed to go on forever. The faint glow of light came from the very core of the shattering.
"No way," Kai whispered hoarsely. Tears fell down Max's face as he cried openly. Kai grasped his friend's shoulder firmly and spoke. "Look. Why would Driger cry out to us like that, Max? Maybe there's still hope. Maybe there's something we can do."
Max looked up at his friend, managing something close enough to a smile. "Thanks," he whispered, grateful for the strangely optimistic point of view from Kai. "But… what?"
"I'm going in." Max opened his mouth to protest, but he spoke with such finality that Max knew he couldn't be stopped. He knew Kai would never forgive himself if he hadn't at least tried. He grabbed his hand before he took off. "Good luck." As he let go, he caught a glance at the deep crimson streaks littering the pale skin of his friend. A shocked, worried look struck his face. "Kai…"
Cloud grey eyes met Max's cerulean eyes that threatened to spill. The look Kai gave him was indistinguishable. He blinked twice before Max pulled him into a sort of hug. "Kai… I have confidence in you. We'll talk about this later… after you find Rei." White tails of a scarf trailed behind him as he took off. He raced across the broken ice, nimbly and swiftly from experience at the Abbey.
The boy leapt across different chunks of ice, over the frozen water his friend lay somewhere beneath. All this training, all these years of hardship, everything… it all amounts to this, he told himself. He was focused, concentrating; yet everything was completely instinctive. He acted before he knew what was happening, and soon he was in the midst of shattered ice fragments and a deep frigid lake, where the faint glow of a spirit had risen above.
It was an incredible sight. All cracks and fractures in the ice led to the middle, where he stood. Snow and ice went on forever, as did the grey sky that reflected the mood, as no trees or buildings obscured the view. It was an empty place, one of desolation. The ice glistened above, while the dark liquid beneath threatened dangerously. It seemed to have no bottom, no end.
He took half a moment to brace himself for the total shock of the freezing water, and then took the plunge. His pale skin felt a prickling sensation, as the icy liquid overtook him. It was painful – he felt his blood wanting to freeze, his body wanting to shut down. He knew he wouldn't last long down here.
He opened his eyes with force, painfully and slowly he did as it stung like anything. It was immensely dark and the sun seemed so far away. Where are you, Rei, he wondered desperately.
He scanned the dark waters frantically, barely able to see as the coldness stung his eyes. He struggled as he swam through the frozen water, each movement painful. His energy drained rapidly; he could barely keep conscious after a minute or so. His heart raced with panic and fear, something the calm teen rarely felt. 'Don't give up…'
He struggled to keep his eyes open. He tore through the water; his muscles felt shredded and torn with each agonising movement. He could barely move, he could barely see, he could barely keep alive. 'Keep going… you're so close…'
He felt dizzy and nauseous. He was about to pass out. He had been down here for too long… he was out of air. He needed oxygen. Fast. But he needed to find Rei… 'Help…'
A faint shadow caught his attention. His eyes darted open and he raced towards the figure with every ounce of remaining strength. But it was too far… His vision and consciousness was going. He caught glimpses of his friend as his mind blacked out. "Rei…" he cried out, as he saw the last of his air escaping. He grasped for his friend and caught his friend's cold, freezing wrist.
He was slipping away… he was losing grip. He could feel Rei's fingertips, but his senses were fading… Everything was fading…
He let go, as he lost the battle to the frigid depths.
-----
"I can't believe Rei's gone…" Tears slid down her perfect, pale face. "I miss him so much…"
"We all do," Tyson said as he wrapped his arm around her. "But it's not as if we could have done anything."
"I just can't believe this is real," Max's voice came. They were all in tears, Hilary in a state of hysteria. "Rei… he didn't deserve this."
"No… NO!" Tyson shouted. He collapsed to the ground as his shoulders heaved. His fists pounded the solid ice Rei lay beneath.
She buried her gorgeous face in him. "Ssh, Tyson… we don't want to wake Kai," she whispered.
Too late. It took a few moments for my head to clear as these voices came from the people I knew. I suddenly felt completely nauseous. My stomach wrenched with pain and guilt and sorrow… I felt tears in my eyes that threatened to fall.
How could this happen? How could I have let this happen? I had seen him… I had felt his clothing… I had been so close. It's all still a blur…
It's cold. I am frozen inside out. I shut my eyes, wishing this would all go away. Now… This can't be real. This isn't real…
It's all my fault. I wasn't good enough. I couldn't do this. I couldn't stop it… and now… he's dead. My friend… one of the only people in this cold world I could ever trust. And now… he's gone. And it's my fault.
Two sole tears… they fall from my eyes and trickle down my face, painting it with salt-water that will stain. These tears are equivalent to two thousand tears I have kept inside. All the emotions I have hid behind my wall… escape.
Even when grandfather hurt me. Physically and emotionally… when he beat me. Or when he didn't beat me, because a worthless thing like me didn't deserve his time. Never.
But now… they watch me with their cold eyes, realising I am awake. They can't look at me… the one who failed. I was so close, but I failed. I am sitting, buried in my arms. I hate myself…
And I see her, as I glance up. But she doesn't look back. She puts her slender hands on his face… and she kisses him, and he kisses back. They are happy, despite the tears on their faces… like I will never be.
I let them down, and this will never blow over. This isn't just a game. I am weak… defeated… what's left for me now? Nothing to live for. The metal of my blade glints menacingly, as I suddenly realise I have taken it out. I am so weak…
Nobody would miss me. I have no family. Grandfather does not count… and if he did, he wouldn't care one bit. Actually, he would be quite pleased. My friends? Don't really have any. Anymore… they'll never forgive me. How could they? I cannot forgive myself…
She tries to smile as she squeezes his hand; he grins back half-heartedly. That's why I loved her… she was always there when you needed her the most. Always supportive and kind… But I was foolish to think she could love me back. There is nothing beneath my empty exterior. Nothing to love… nothing to care about. I am so worthless. I shut my eyes tightly and wish this was not real.
Perhaps it was pity. Was that the friendship she showed me? I thought it might be more, but I am deceived easily when it comes to relationships. Hell, I thought my grandfather loved me. I try my best, but my best isn't good enough.
Tyson will never. Ever. Forgive me for what I have allowed to happen. Nor will I forgive myself. I cannot compete with him… he is my superior in every way. He has beyblading… and he has Hilary. He is charismatic and friends with everyone. He is everything I am not.
And Max, I never did show him the respect he deserved. Arrogant and cold, I am, and he was hurt. I've hurt everyone enough. I need to end this…
Rei… I'm so sorry… I let you down. I lived… somehow… and you are gone… This is not fair. I deserved to die… Not you. I -- I can't focus. I'm losing it…
My head hurts so much… My world is black. I'm so lost…
----
Kai felt like he had been run over by a million trucks and then some. His eyes slowly opened, exhausted. Everything was an intense blur and dizzying, and he quickly shut them. He tried to speak, straining his throat, but started to cough and choke instead.
"Kai!" Hilary cried, running over to where he lay on the ground. "Oh, Kai…" She held his limp form tightly. She gently caressed his painted face as his breathing settled, the blue slashes fading. She held his wrists that still bled openly. "Why…"
He opened his eyes slightly, to see her face, plus Tyson's and Max's from the side. "How are you doing?" Tyson asked. "You okay? We were really worried--"
His weak form shook uncontrollably as he turned away. He looked more helpless than he had ever before. Max stared, wide-eyed, gaping. Hilary's eyes started watering as she held his shivering figure, absentmindedly stroking him in a comforting manner. Tyson's eyes narrowed. "Kai…"
"I'm sorry…" Kai barely whispered.
"Kai… Rei's fine," Tyson said with an encouraging smile.
Kai opened his eyes, blinking. "--How…?"
"I have a theory," Max said, a witness of the miracle. "See, when you went down there, well, you were strong. You didn't care about the risks, and were ready to do anything, even if it meant risking your own life. You were being Kai."
"Which you did," Hilary interrupted. "I can't BELIEVE—"
"Shut up for a sec, Hil," Tyson said with a smirk. "Continue, Max."
"So I was waiting, worried sick. It had been pretty long… next thing I knew there was a faint green glow that grew under my feet - I saw it through the ice. My guess is Driger sort of leeched some of that incredible strength and purity of heart of yours," Max said, smiling. "Probably when, I guess Rei in his subconscious or whatever, knew you were there. Did you reach him? Touch him? Well anyway, the slightest bit of life strengthened Driger, allowing him to save the both of you."
"So, you saved Rei by reaching him in time and strengthening Driger," Hilary beamed. "But Kai…" her smile faded. "Why did this happen?" she asked, tenderly holding his wrists. "I don't understand."
His eyes were filled with a mysterious haze, though hurt and sorrow were showing underneath. "Neither do I," he whispered. He shivered as he felt frozen inside and out.
"You need rest," Hilary said softly. Her voice was so unlike the one they had grown to know – comforting and warm as opposed to shrill and screechy. "But you know… we're proud of you. We're always going to be here for you. And… I care for you too," she said in barely a whisper. She kissed his pale forehead as his body fell limp.
-----
"Rei… Rei, are you there?"
He reached out into the darkness, feeling nothing but cold empty darkness around him. He was in a helpless state, lost and weak. "Rei…"
Beep. Beep. Beep. The heart monitor fluctuated. The boy lay in the bright white sheets, limply, covered in tubes and needles. His pale skin was covered in sweat as the boy trembled with pain and exhaustion. "Rei?"
The figure didn't stir. "Rei— wake up…" The only sound was that of sharp, ragged breaths and the monitor. Silence was deafening.
Tears fell like perpetual rain of the forever grey, stinging like salt in wounds that will never heal. Waiting for eternity to see those amber eyes once more. The dark nature consuming within.
"Rei…"
The sound of a flat heart monitor resounded in the air, never ceasing. Drown painfully in teardrops; forever hear the single note of the dead. Brilliant flash of gold swallowed by black and leaking crimson. "Rei."
"Rei… Rei?" His hand was outstretched, grasping nothingness, clinging to it. The emptiness was all that was left inside.
-----
He sat up, sweat beading his face. The uncomfortable feeling of illness, a mixture of unbearable hot and cold with nothing between, was dawning upon him. He felt numb; they were still in the snow, in a feeble shelter Hilary, Tyson and Max must have built.
Max lay fast asleep, likely exhausted with the events. His pale skin was positively blue. Kai's own must have been a similar shade had he bothered to look. Tyson sat, looking down at the snow, eyes closed. Hilary was in nearly the exact same position.
Kai's eyes, however, immediately darted to rest upon Rei. He felt breath come as he saw Rei alive. However, he was nearly dead. His form rested unconscious and was barely breathing.
A weight seemed lifted upon Kai. He felt better… mentally, he realised that, although he had no family, these people he was surrounded with right now were better than any ever was. These people cared about him, and he did likewise them. He would always have someone to catch him if he fell, and reassure him when things were bad. These were his friends… and now, it was okay. Everything was okay.
It had always been fine. It had been okay to betray them, okay to leave them. It had been okay to cry… Some drift apart, and people change… but the glue of hardship would cement their friendship together despite differences and distance.
He looked down at the slashes that littered his wrists. They had assured him that everything was fine. They smiled and encouraged, and reminded him of his importance and life. They had forgiven him. It was time to forgive himself…
-----
I know I haven't much to offer, sir, but I plead you let us go. I know you're listening… what use would there be to our death? There must be a heart underneath all of this. I promise I will give you anything… anything I can. He's almost dead! Don't let him die. You know he won't be of any value dead… Her voice echoed blankly in her mind. What was the use?
"Hilary," Tyson murmured. He twirled her hair as tears shone in her eyes. She tore her gaze away from the snowy ground and looked into his deep chestnut orbs. Night had fallen, and a misty dark sky lay above them. Her spirits lifted as she felt her heart skip a beat. He put his hand gently on her cheek, gently stroking her face and wiping the tears.
"Tyson," she said softly. The silence was calm and soothing. The only sound she could hear was that of her heart's pounding and the sound of her breathing which seemed too loud for the atmosphere.
"You know what?" he whispered. She leaned closer. He caressed her hair tenderly.
"What," she asked, closing her eyes and waiting. A slight smile was visible in the dim light.
There was a slight pause. "Your hair is greasy."
"Argh!" She stood up, smacking him several times on the head as he rolled in the snow, laughing. "You immature, moronic little —"
"Sorry, sorry," he winced, gasping for breath with laughter. "I— …Kai?"
Kai sat against the wall of the shelter, indubitably awake. A smirk was on his face. "Yeah."
Hilary blushed a crimson red. "Ty-SON," she whined. She turned to Kai. "Is it really that greasy?"
"On a scale of one to ten… yes," Tyson laughed. Hilary glared at him in a very ugly manner, making him cringe with fear. She turned back to Kai, absentmindedly trying to de-grubbify her hair.
He shrugged indifferently. "If it's any consolation, it's nothing compared to Boris," he muttered with a slight smirk.
Hilary sighed exasperatedly, crossing her arms and facing the wall. Tyson laughed silently behind her.
Please… I want to wash my hair now, and I want to paint my nails and go shopping… Just out of here! At least give us food, and out of the cold… please… we can't take anymore. I surrender… I give up. I'll do anything…
----
"Sir, might I suggest we respond? The girl does offer a lot," the man pointed out. "She holds the key to two of their hearts. They will do anything for her."
The scientist's eyes glittered with malice in the cloak of shadow. "And what do you propose they do for her?"
"Well, uh…" the henchman wiped his glasses on his white lab coat. "I mean, they have served your purpose, yes? Is it not fair to let them go now?" The man in shadow just laughed. His laugh was merciless and cruel. "I… understand, sir," the henchman said nervously, taking the laugh as a 'no'.
"Most obviously, you do not understand. It is… an art, really," he said with a twisted smile. "The art of torment and torture. It takes much skill and years of… practise…"
"But sir, might I interrupt, you have only filled this position for less than a day now? Perhaps you are over-ambitious…"
"Leave!" he barked. The man scuttled to the door in a scurry. "Fine, let them out of the cold. Bring them somewhere new. Let me toy with their already unstable minds."
Less unstable than yours may be, the henchman shivered inwardly. Was this right? He was having doubts. Sure, he was now pulling in a hefty income. But they were only children… and this man seemed deranged. Maybe more so than the previous. He shook the feeling off quickly.
"Yes sir," the man said attentively, with a smile. The scientist watched from his seat, never taking his eyes off the numerous screens that surveyed everything from their health to their dreams. Controls to some of the most advanced technology in the world lay at his fingertips.
-----
Hilary awoke to the sound of birds chirping. "Birds… there aren't any birds here," she mumbled to herself. She opened her eyes, and found they were indeed out of the frigid scene of white.
It seemed a pleasant area. Not home, but similar. It was a very small city. Springtime shone and wove through every intricate piece to the scene, making the colours positively sing with life. It was absolutely gorgeous, especially after seeing nothing but white. "Where… are we?"
A letter lay by her side, glowing with an unnatural aura, tempting her. She opened it with an uneasy feeling. There was both a note and a wallet. The wallet contained several vouchers and tickets, including a hotel key. She then turned to the note.
Out of the cold, the note read, with luxuries beyond your wildest dreams. But you knew it was coming, the time where you must choose between the two. Fire and wind… which one will you break? You possess the power to shatter both into a million pieces. And you will, dear girl. For you have a meretwo daysto make this important decision. One will be gravely wounded; the other will live with guilt. He who is not yours will be inflicted with your touch of poison – if you so much as touch him, he will be physically hurt. He can never love you. You will have a kiss of venom. Your chosen one, he will be plagued not by you, but by his feelings of guilt. They will haunt him – he has it all, the other left with nothing. Who will you choose, 'fair' maiden? Who will be hurt, who will be remorseful? It is in your wanted hands. Decide within two days, and use these vouchers to aid you. If you fail to choose, both will be doomed to your kiss of venom. Time is wasting…
"Okay then…" she sighed. "I can do this."
"Hilary!" Tyson shouted, running to greet her. "Hey there you are!"
She nodded. "Where are the others?"
"Back there," he pointed. "We called an ambulance for Rei. Or rather, people on the street did when they saw him."
"Good," she said.
"But the strange thing is, none of them know who the Bladebreakers are. None of them have even heard of us. None of them knew we were missing! None of them had seen that infamous picture shown to Rei, implying we were all dead!!"
"Oh… well, I mean not to say you're cocky or anything, but you are only a beyblader. And we're just kids! And we're not back home. So…"
"Just a beyblader? Hilary…"
"I didn't mean—"
"Whatever. Whatcha got there?" he asked, poking at the wallet.
"Oh! Um… pretty much they're vouchers and passes! We get a break! A whole two days, staying here. Isn't it great?"
"Er… yeah… but isn't there some sort of catch?" he asked suspiciously.
"No! None at all! Can you believe it?" Hilary grinned. "It said so with a note. Look, we have been through a whole lot of crap. So I guess he's finally figured we deserve a break! Just two days, mind you. But that's plenty of time."
"Awesome!" Tyson said with a genuine smile. "Let's round up Kai and Max—"
"Tyson… do you want to spend the day alone?" Hilary offered.
Tyson looked her in the eyes. "I would love to." He grabbed her by the hand, and together they headed down the street.
"So what do you want to do first?" Hilary asked, after they had found out Kai and Max were staying with Rei in the hospital.
"Er… breakfast would be lovely," Tyson grinned. His stomach rumbled. "Eheh…"
"Yeah," Hil smiled back. "I'm famished." Together, they entered the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
-----
Max sat patiently in the waiting room with Kai. Kai was asleep. Again. The receptionist had offered him some food – they looked half-starved - and Max readily accepted the tray. He had gently shaken Kai awake and offered him some, but Kai hadn't wanted any. Max had given him a concerned glance, but shrugged and ate the other portion.
Hospital food wasn't that bad, Max thought to himself. Well, in comparison to what they had been eating. Which was barely anything. He longed for a home-cooked meal… decent, real food. He felt home sick. He longed for his family… but in honesty, his friends were here with him. He was used to traveling and being without them. That was part of being a famous blader.
He knew that Kai, Tyson and Rei might even be enjoying this adventure to some degree – it was very scary and stressful, but they were always up for challenges. They loved to push themselves past their limits and rigorously train and build. That's what they were doing to some extent right now – testing friendship and limits. He often worried for his friends, though. They were often too focused and obsessive for their own good. Max glanced at the white doors Rei was somewhere behind and at Kai beside him. Yes, definitely too determined for their own good.
Max sat for a while in meditation, reminiscing and hoping for Rei. "Hey Max," a voice interrupted his thoughts. His bright blue eyes shot open and immediately darted towards Kai who was awake.
"…Sorry."
"Wh—" Max stopped before asking. "Alright." It didn't matter anymore. He stared at the slits upon Kai's forearms.
"It's okay now, Max," he whispered. "Everything's okay."
-----
What a romantic breakfast. Tyson had eaten 15 heaping plates full of breakfast items from sausages to omelettes, shovelling it into his mouth as fast as he could. Hilary, on the other hand, had eaten 3 heaping platefuls of healthy breakfast items, such as fruit, bran muffins and yogurt, and shovelled it into her mouth as fast as she could. Plus a bowl of raisin bran, which Tyson had thoroughly made fun of her for.
They exited the breakfast two hours later; now it was lunchtime.
"That was fun," Tyson grinned. "Didn't you just love it how all those waitresses had the permanent horrified look upon their faces? All that food, and I'm not obese!"
"Yet," Hilary muttered.
"Anymore," Tyson muttered even quieter.
"Hey, you weren't obese!" Hilary laughed. "Just a bit… chubby," she grinned. Tyson glared. "And the perma-frown on those workers was not good. I found it humiliating and embarrassing."
"Whatever. Want to hit the amusement park?" Hilary looked at him sceptically – this was a small city! But, sure enough, there was an amusement park smack-dab in the centre.
"Okay then," she said, smiling. "Let's go."
The two used the ever-so-convenient tickets from the wallet to get in. It was rather small, but not bad for getting in free. As soon as they were in, Tyson grabbed Hilary by the wrist and ran towards the biggest roller coaster in the park. "No way!" she shouted. "Let's go on the ferris wheel instead," she suggested. Tyson sweat-dropped.
"Hil, you don't come to an amusement park to be bored," he mumbled. "Or maybe… alright, ferris wheel it is." He dragged her towards the wheel-shaped monstrosity.
"Thank you," she muttered exasperatedly. The lines were quite short, and they were strapped in to their seats inside small spherical containment units in no time. "Uh… Tyson? Why do we need straps?" Tyson just grinned behind several buckles and restraining devices. "Tyson…!"
The ride started slowly. It got faster and faster, and suddenly they flipped upside down. The innocent-seeming enclosures spun upside-down, rotating and spinning violently. They went around the wheel-shaped path several times in their whirring orange sphere. Screams were common in the park, but Hilary's shrieks were clearly heard amongst them. The lift operator inched towards the controls, pondering stopping the ride to stop her shrill, ear-splitting screeches. Tyson winced at her frequent screaming as she clung tightly to his wrist, cutting off his circulation.
Finally, the ride came to an end. As it slowed down, Hilary took deep, calming breaths (or more like panicky gasps) before starting to shout at Tyson. When they were off the ride, she was still shouting at him. He sweat-dropped as everyone stared at them. "I can't believe you! That was the most horrible experience in my entire life—"
"Okay, okay!" Tyson rolled his eyes. "Let me make it up to you for the most horrible experience of your life, which obviously must have been very horrible to be worse than, say, Rei—"
"No! I didn't mean… ugh, you know. Just—"
"I know you didn't. I understand it was unpleasant for you… despite it being one of the best in mine," he grinned. "It involved fun, adrenaline and being in a tiny orange sphere with you. Now how could anything be bad when you're in an orange sphere? Especially with someone as pretty as you," Tyson smiled. He held up his wrist, which still had white grip-marks imprinted on it. "Strong."
Hilary blushed. He was doing it again – the flirting thing. "Oh be quiet," she mumbled, smiling. "Ice cream?"
"You bet," Tyson laughed. That laugh was infectious, as was his smile. "I call the chocolate half!" Hilary blushed again. He wanted to share one? Her heart jumped.
"Okay, I'll be right back!" She was vaguely aware of her voice sounding high-pitched and fluttery. Tyson stood, completely calm and collected. She wished she was that composed. She hastily got a large ice cream cone, and brought it back to where he stood.
"Wicked. I love ice cream," he grinned.
"I second that," Hilary said. "So, how is it that you consume ice cream? You don't just lick it. But you don't chew, or bite, or drink…"
"Make out," Tyson grinned. "Like this!" He grabbed the cone, and began to make out with the ice cream.
Hilary laughed, commenting on how silly and/or idiotic he seemed, but it sent tingles down her spine. She found herself somewhat envying the ice cream.
-----
Kenny stared at the screen. "Soon, you'll be in here," he had said.
He had come up with a brilliant idea one day, after much pondering on how to improve his blade. 'A bit-beast', he had thought to himself. So he came up with several theories on how to transfer her to his beyblade safely.
He eventually found the perfect plan with that ultra-scientific calculating brain of his under that mop of brown, and had pulled an all-nighter executing his plan. Finally, at 6:00 in the morning, after 13 hours of working, he plugged in the device that connected the bit with the laptop. He typed away, fingers trembling with excitement. And now, he read the screen.
ERROR.
A loud thump was heard from downstairs, and his mother came running. He had fainted and fallen backwards. "Kenny? KENNY?!"
He stirred, then jumped to his feet. He shouted something so high-pitched and fast his own mother couldn't tell what he was saying. He dashed to the keyboard and typed for 5 minutes straight, before letting out a distraught cry of anguish. "NOOOOO!!!!"
He collapsed to his knees. "No, no, no!! I can't BELIEVE this! I-I-I… NO. This isn't right! There is a mistake!! NO…"
"Kenny… dear, are you alright?" his mother asked softly, putting her arms around him. He shook his head, quivering. "I know how much your computer means to you… can we take it in for repair?"
"No," he whispered. "She's gone for good."
"I'm sorry, honey—"
"You don't understand!" he screamed. "First…" he trailed off, not able to finish, but his mother knew what he was talking about. "And now I do this! She's gone FOREVER! And it's ALL MY FAULT! I HATE my LIFE!!!" he shrieked. He struggled free from her strong grip, and ran for the door.
"Kenny, don't you dare—"
"Goodbye, mother!" he shouted, and slammed the door. He fled, not knowing where he was going. Tears streamed down his face as he ran. He tore across the street but stopped abruptly in the middle of the road, exhausted with life.
The black truck seemed to come in slow motion. The driver panicked and tried to hit the brakes, but it was too late. It collided with the small boy, sending his body flying. The glasses first flew off, shattering into pieces. His pale face hit the pavement, tears of blood dampening the road. His chalk-white fingers were laptop-free… His green tie was stained.
The crumpled figure lay there, unmoving. Just as his inside had been for a while, he was now officially dead.
-----
They had spent the day at the amusement park, thoroughly enjoying themselves. They had gone on the other ferris wheel as well, this time slightly more relaxed. He had kissed her, and she returned the favour. "I feel like ice cream," she had told him. "Melted ice cream."
Dinner had come and they went to a lovely Italian restaurant. After Tyson had finished his bowl of pasta, Hilary had offered to share her own spaghetti in the hopes of their lips meeting yet again. They hadn't come across opposite ends of the same spaghetti strand, but kissed anyway.
Now night was fallen, and they were heading back to the hospital after a romantic walk in the moonlight. "That was a lot of fun," Tyson smiled.
"I know," Hilary grinned. "I love you, Tyson. Do you love me back?" He responded by kissing her on the lips, holding her under the soft glow of streetlights. She embraced him and kissed him back, before they walked hand-in-hand towards the building Rei was in.
Hilary pulled away and ran into the building eagerly. Max and Kai sat in the lobby, awaiting their arrival. "How is he?" Hilary asked.
"They haven't told us," Max said. "They did say he was still living, though."
"Keep it up, bud," Tyson said, glancing further into the white corridors.
"So how was your day?" Max asked. "Enlighten me. I've been sitting here all day, sometimes talking to him," he pointed to Kai, "but he was asleep for a lot of it. Did you guys have fun?"
"Absolutely," Tyson laughed. "I took Hilary on a 'ferris wheel'…" Hilary glared at him. "It wasn't exactly a gentle ride… let's just say 'pods, spinning, upside-down and FAST'. And then everyone was staring at her because she was so loud yelling at me."
"And then, Tyson started making out with ice cream," Hilary laughed.
"Yeah, I got the chocolate half. And we went on a bunch more rides and played lots of games and I won a ton of them… and I won the pie-eating contest… man it was fun."
"And we went to this quaint Italian restaurant," Hilary smiled. "After all the snacks at the amusement park, and a gigantic buffet breakfast."
"That sounds like a lot of fun," Max said. "But how did you afford all of it??" Hilary flashed the coupons, Max's eyes widening. "Not fair," he muttered under his breath. "We had to sit here all day and eat hospital food while you were out with our coupons?!"
"Er… yes," Tyson laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "Maxie, tomorrow I'll show you the amusement park. And the gigantic arcade we passed with games galore. And we can hit the movies after! And do everything else. Not to mention eat!!!"
"Alright," Max smiled, rolling his eyes. "After we get the low-down on Rei." Tyson nodded.
"You two can go have some fun," Tyson said to Kai and Hilary. Hilary smiled.
"Let's head to the hotel," Hilary suggested. She flashed the hotel key.
The hotel seemed fairly substantial in size. It was rather nice – cosy yet classy. Their room was awesome.
"Wow," Tyson muttered, as he looked at the room. There was a main area with a small kitchen, two bathrooms and four bedrooms that branched off from it. Fresh clothes were laid out on the beds…
"This was one of Mr Dickenson's rest stations," Kai had said. "Look." Two of the bedrooms had 2 beds, while the others had one. Clothes indubitably for Max and Tyson lay in the first room, clothes for Kai and Rei were in the second, clothes for Hilary (most obvious) were in the third… and in the fourth…
"Kenny," Max whispered. Kai held up the tie.
"Okay… let's get some shut-eye," Tyson said, yawning. "I'm tired." He headed into his room and flopped down on the bed, the rest following his action.
Kai glanced at the empty bed beside him. "Come on, Rei," he whispered, before falling asleep.
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The heart monitor beeped rapidly as the boy slept. His deathly pale face seemed to contort with agony. He mumbled something in his feverish state, beaded with sweat. "It's the fever," one of the doctors said.
"Kenny," was the word the doctors could somewhat make out. His death was replaying in the realm of Rei's dreams.
When the two boys walked in the next day, the doctors told them that Rei was in critical condition right now. "It's unbelievable he's even alive," the doctor repeated from when Max had first tried to explain how Rei had come to be so sick. The doctor smiled. "Your friend's strong."
"We know," Tyson smiled.
"We're unsure of what's wrong with him. From what you've said, there seems to be something else; more to it than we can see. With his determination and will to live, I'm confident that your friend will be fine," the doctor smiled encouragingly.
"Thanks," they said in unison and walked out the hospital doors.
Tyson smiled. The sky seemed brighter than ever before. "Everything will be okay."
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END OF CHAPTER
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