Thanks for the reviews y'all!
I noticed a lot of you seemed kind of confused… don't worry. I'll try and explain in this chapter. Hopefully I'll portray their emotions better this time.
I again apologize for the cheesiness and sappiness.
The end of Twisted Fate approaches… there will be more, I can assure you.
If you're into it, listen to Sorrow by Boxcar Racer. It's suiting.
……….
Twisted Fate Chapter 23: Pieces"Sir. Where shall they be sent now?" the henchman asked attentively. The man in the big, black chair said nothing. He chuckled. The chuckle grew to a full out sinister laugh.
"It's amusing, isn't it," the doctor in charge laughed. "I was so sure she would break Tyson's heart. That or she wouldn't decide. But I didn't expect that from Kai!" the man laughed psychotically.
"So… what shall we do with them?" the man asked. His voice was timid and meek, although loyal.
"Amuse me. I don't have the time to create the scenarios myself," he snapped abruptly. "But I did like one of the ones done before… Ha HA, it's like a soap opera. My own, personal soap opera… I'm in control here."
"Yessir," the man answered. His voice sounded as though he was weak trying to be strong. He waited for the now obviously insane man to give him a command.
"I think… oh, just let them stay until you make another," he said lazily. "Hurry, now… we can't afford to miss any of this… Why haven't you made another!" he shouted suddenly.
"We… had to carry through with the orders you had given us before, attempting to extract the powers from the beasts," he stammered slightly.
"I see," the man said, smiling insanely. "And were you successful?"
"Well, sir… it is extremely difficult…"
"So you were not?" he asked dangerously. The man shook his head slightly. "Leave! Now! Get to work!" he roared.
"Yes. Sir. Right away." The man strode swiftly out of the dark room of controls that the psychotic man spent his time in. He didn't like this one bit. But there was nothing he could do… Nothing anyone could do.
………
"Hey, we're still here," Tyson remarked. Hilary nodded. Tyson sighed, looking at the pretty girl that stared ahead with desolation in her eyes. So Kai had given her up… but now Tyson didn't want her either. He had to keep his dignity somehow – he was not a desperate loser. He didn't want Kai's leftovers. She came crawling back after Kai's rejection, but Tyson had given her the cold shoulder.
"Hil?" She turned her gaze to him. "Do you understand why everything happened?" he asked, although Kai had just asked the same question. She looked out of it. Her dull ruby eyes stared at him, somewhat blankly although she nodded. He decided to go over it again with her.
"We both loved you," he stated. "But your indecision made it difficult. It's hard to have a relationship when the one you care for is still in love with someone else. Especially when that someone else is one of your best friends." She was still looking at him, but it was slowly sinking in. "You know this already, Hilary. So when you chose Kai, he couldn't bring himself to accept. Now that I think about it, had you chosen me, I may have done the same. See, you know that Kai cares about us, even though he may not always show it." She nodded in agreement. Tyson inwardly sighed. This was like talking to a dumb kid.
"So, Kai didn't want either of us to be hurt," he said gently. "Kai knew that I would be sad, because I was in love with you."
"But what about me?" she asked, speaking suddenly. Her ruby eyes looked glazed over. "I thought he didn't want to hurt me but he did."
"Hil… Kai thought you would be happy with me. If we were together, he figured, we would both be happy. But…"
"But what?" she asked innocently. She was like a naïve child. "Why can't we be happy now together?" She was living in a fairy tale world.
"Because… because I know that you still love Kai," he said. She shook her head slowly.
"No… Please, Tyson. Give me another chance," she said quietly. He stared at her with disbelief.
"Hilary… I've given you so many chances," he whispered. "I don't think so." Tears welled up in her eyes. He felt guilty. Suddenly, she broke into laughter. Not her normal laugh – it was childish.
"Oh, I see," she giggled. "Come on, Tyson!" She grabbed his hands and he recoiled – it stung.
"Ow! Hilary let GO!" he shouted. It was painful. She hadn't chosen him or Kai, so they both would be hurt physically by her touch. He tried to throw her off in desperation, but she clung tight, smiling. "Hilary! What's WRONG with you?" he shouted.
"Tyson, I want to be with you," she said, trance-like.
"God, Hilary, let go," he said in pain. His hands were burning.
"But Tyson…"
"Hilary!" he shouted. She was not in her right state of mind. He was frightened, now. "Max!" he yelled, hoping his friend would come. "Max, where are you!"
Max jumped out of his bed, hearing the racket. He ran to where Hilary and Tyson were standing, seeing Tyson in agony as Hilary held his hands. Her eyes were glossed over, and she was smiling eerily. "Tyson!" he forcefully pried Hilary's hands off of him.
Tyson collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. He stared down at his own hands, wincing. They were completely red, and blisters were immediately forming. Max looked at his hands, then turned to Hilary, a look of disbelief upon his face. "Hilary, what's wrong with you! Look at what you've done!"
She seemed to snap out of it, and her eyes shone with unformed tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you…"
"He'll be fine, Hilary," Max said, walking towards the door. "I'm going to see how Kai's doing." The heavy door clicked shut, and Tyson stared at her, fearfully. She was smiling again.
"Hilary…?"
"Tyson! Kiss me," she laughed. "Come on! Kiss me!" Tyson stared at her, eyes wide. He shook his head.
"Hilary, you're going to kill me."
"That's okay," she said with a smile. "You've already killed me."
……….
Max followed the figure of Kai as he walked down the corridor. "Hey Kai," he said, jogging to catch up. Kai looked at him, acknowledging his presence. "Where are you going?"
"Rei," he stated simply.
"Yeah… I figured as much. Visiting hours are over, though, no?"
"I know. Don't care," he said. Max nodded. He would like to see Rei too.
"Hilary's… a bit… off," Max said, as they got to the elevator. Max ran and leapt, grinning as he triumphantly pressed the inverted triangle to go down. Kai raised his eyebrow. "Er… sorry," he laughed. "Just something I used to do a lot with my mom, racing for the button…"
"How is she 'a bit off'?" Kai asked, as they walked past the metal elevator doors.
"Well… Tyson went over the whole thing again with her. She looks completely out of it. When Tyson explained that he didn't love her back… she grabbed his hands and wouldn't let go. It hurt him, with the whole kiss of venom thing… I heard from my room his yelling, and ran and had to pry her from him."
"And you left him alone with her?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow, as they exited the elevator.
"Well, see, after I yelled at her, and showed her what she had done – left nasty blisters on his hands – she snapped out of it. Then she looked really sorry for what she had done, and apologized."
"I see," Kai said. "I didn't expect her to take it so hard," he said quietly.
"I know," Max said. "That meant a lot to Tyson," he said, referring to Kai's giving up of Hilary. "That was kind of you." They walked out the glass doors of the hotel and into the dark city, illuminated by street lights only, as the shops were closed and the people were mostly asleep. Peaceful silence shrouded them, as they walked to the nearby white building.
"The scientist seems to be short on ideas," Max observed. "Weren't we supposed to be somewhere new?"
"I guess," Kai said. "I don't mind."
Max smiled, but looked sad. "I really miss home," he admitted. "We've been gone for so long. Do you too?"
Kai looked Max in the eyes. "No," he replied. "I don't." Max looked at him quizzically. "I don't really have a home… unless you can call that monstrosity of a mansion a 'home'."
"Oh… I'm sorry," Max said. Max felt sad – he was definitely close to his own family, no matter how dysfunctional it was.
Kai looked at the sliver of moon hanging in the sky almost wistfully. "I don't care," he said nonchalantly. He didn't really know what a real family would be like… but tried desperately not to compare it to the Bladebreakers, for he didn't want to care.
"Okay," Max said softly. He didn't want to argue with him. Kai seemed almost content right now, despite everything. Though he was constantly reminded of his harsh past and lack of family, he had lost Dranzer, had cut himself, had nearly died several times, not to mention had just given up Hilary… he seemed okay. Better, even, than before.
Silence embraced them yet again, until they reached the white building. They entered silently, avoiding all staff until reaching their destination. That was a difficult task, considering how many doctors, nurses and receptionists there were in a hospital. Kai led, however, and they made it through the brightly artificially lit halls to Rei's room.
"Rei…" Max whispered. "Rei, are you awake?" A mumble, sounding more like a groan, came from the bed. Rei's eyes opened slowly, fatigue showing in the golden eyes.
"What happened," he asked hoarsely. "She chose?"
"Yeah, and now she's psycho," Max said. "She chose Kai, and then Kai refused because Tyson loved her too. But then Tyson didn't want her, understandably, because she had chosen Kai before him. She was acting really strangely, after that. She held Tyson's hands, and then wouldn't let go."
Rei frowned. "What about this kiss of venom—"
"That's the thing," Max said. "His hands were blistered after. I had to pry her off. Her eyes, they looked… sort of glossed over."
"But Tyson's okay," Rei asked.
"He should be," Kai said. "Max said she snapped out of it after seeing what she had done. His hands, though, they would be terribly hurt. I, too, felt it, but only for a brief second… it was rather painful for that second."
"Oh man," Rei said. "I'm worried for Hilary, too… Guys," he said suddenly. "I have to tell you something… a dream I had." Rei's face was deadly serious. "Of course, it was only a dream. I mean, the doctor could be messing with me, or maybe it's the fever, or maybe it was just a dream that felt really real—"
"What is it," Kai interrupted. Rei shut his eyes tightly.
"Kenny… he was hit by a van," Rei whispered. "And the doctor said that it was real…"
"You're delirious," Max said. "That can't be true." His face was mortified.
"Unfortunately, I think it is," Kai said.
Rei shivered. "So do I… I don't want it to be. I really don't. But I think it's very real." Max's eyes watered, though Kai remained eerily calm. Not too long ago, they would have been laughing at him, however with the recent series of events…
Max stared at Kai – he wasn't showing anything. No sign of loss or mourning; nothing. It was infuriating.
"Kai, how can you remain so calm at a time like this?" Max demanded. Kai just stared at him. "Well? Your friend just died. Are you too arrogant to show the slightest emotion? Too proud to show you cared about someone even after they're dead? Too cold-hearted to give even a thought?"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do," he demanded. "Cry? It won't solve anything. Unfortunately, especially for someone who cries as much as you," he said harshly.
"Better than indifference," Max said hotly. "You don't care about anyone, do you. I bet you didn't care your own parents were dead," he said, shooting his mouth off.
The look in Kai's face momentarily told Max he had gone too far. Shoot… Kai stared at him for a while. Rei watched in silence and shock. "I guess you're right," Kai said icily. "Bye, Rei," he said, turning around swiftly.
"Wait Kai!" Rei said. "Where will you be?"
"Probably crying my eyes out," he said heavily with sarcasm, before quickly shutting the door.
Rei glared at Max. "What the hell was that for!" he shouted, straining his voice. "You know better."
"I'm sorry," Max said. He truly hadn't meant for it to go so far. "It was just… infuriating, seeing him so calm like that. I can't… take this…" tears leaked from his cerulean eyes. Kenny…
"I know," Rei whispered. "We have to escape."
"But how…?" Rei felt under his pillow for the familiar metal object. He pulled it out, and the centre glowed. "No," Max said firmly. "I won't let you endanger yourself. Besides, Kenny can't help you now," he added with a whisper. "And Mariah seems to have given up on you…"
Rei glared at him. "She—"
"Look, be reasonable. You can't rely on her to get us out of this," he said sensibly.
"I wasn't going to try and contact her," Rei said, annoyed. "I think… I have to make a bargain," he said softly.
……….
Idiot, Kai thought to himself. He was such an idiot. Why had he fled like a stupid little child? How had that comment gotten to him so easily? He didn't even know that they were dead. Did he care Kenny had died? Yeah… he had. Many people had died in his short lifetime. But none of them had he been able to call his friend.
Friend? Yes, friend. What was a friend, anyway? Kenny would stick behind him 100, do anything for him (even if it meant staying up all night just fix the blade he had broken)… that was a friend, yes? One who was loyal. But in honesty… there was some amount of respect due in a friendship. Did Kai respect Kenny? Well…
Yes. He came to the conclusion as affirmative. Kenny was not the most cool, or the most popular, and definitely not the strongest. But he tried. He was so determined… and that's why he was respected. Kai stared blankly ahead.
He wasn't indifferent… no, he wasn't. It wasn't just the news about Kenny that bothered him.
"You're wrong, Max," he said softly. "You're wrong…" he tried to imagine his parents, but couldn't. As much as he wanted to deny it, it hurt. Hence, the idiotic behaviour he had just displayed. "I hope you're wrong…"
He wanted to care. He wanted everything to be perfect. To be normal, loved, and then free with emotion and spirit. But he couldn't do that… You're not under his control anymore, though, he reminded himself. So then what was holding him back, if not Boris or Voltaire?
Fear…He was afraid. Of being hurt, and being lost. The more he had buried it, the more it wanted to break free. Fear was inevitable. He was afraid of losing everything… so he tried to break free of anything close. Dreams only ended up shattered, broken into pieces; hope only deluded you and left you further back than before.
I'll admit it… "I'm afraid," he whispered. "I am afraid…"
Did he leave her because of this? Because he was afraid? No, he told himself. It was for Tyson… wasn't it? Or maybe it was for Hilary's sake. He couldn't let her down. He eventually would, wouldn't he…? Lost without you…
The night sky seemed emptier. The stars were more disperse, it appeared. He cradled his arms, standing alone. Why am I afraid? He had just sorted his life out… hadn't he? Yet here he was, weak and pathetic. Just him and the stars, all alone. She was light years away, yet always on his mind...
He was following wherever his feet were leading him, not surprisingly ending up back at the hotel. Surprisingly, though, he found Hilary. She leaned against the door of the room. She didn't seem angry. Nor happy… she just stared at him. It was rather freaky.
"Okay, Hilary. Let me in." She just stared at him, with deadened eyes. "I said, let me in. Game's over."
"I know," she said, unblinking. "I lost." She smiled eerily.
"Hilary…?" She nodded. "Stop it," he said harshly. She glared at him.
"You stop it. You stop pretending. Stop pretending you belong! Go away!" she shouted. She stared at him again. "I'll let you in… if you take me back. Come on, Kai. Will you?" He glared at her. What are you doing? What's wrong with you?
He braced himself, then grabbed her bare shoulders, trying to ignore the stinging pain in his palms.
"Listen to me," he said forcefully. He released her as she looked up in shock, mentally cursing as his hands stung badly. She seemed there again. She stared, weakly. Tears were in her eyes again.
"Kai…"
"You can't keep this up. You know why it happened. And it's not going to change. You made a mistake, now deal with it." He could see tears. "And crying is redundant. It won't solve anything."
"Just shut UP!" she shouted. "You don't even try to understand. Or care. You push feelings away as if they were nothing. I cry because I care. You're to weak to even shed a tear."
"I know," he whispered. She stared at him, eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry." She opened the door and disappeared into her own bedroom. He quickly held the door open so he could still get in. The slamming of a door could be heard. Nothing was working out for him.
He entered the cold and empty room. "Tyson?"
"Hey," Tyson's voice came. Kai's brow furrowed as he saw Tyson's arms – burns and bruises were abundant.
"Hilary…?"
"Yeah," he said. "Total nightmare," he said lightly. Kai inspected his wounds, inwardly shivering. "But I don't think she knows she's doing it."
"I hope not," Kai said quietly. "You okay?"
"…Yeah," Tyson said. "I hope that's the way too. Hey, where exactly did you go? Just, out of curiosity…"
"Visited Rei," he said shortly. "Max came too."
"So why are you back? Or Max isn't back with you?" Kai stared at him.
"Tyson… Rei told us. Kenny is dead."
Tyson's eyes widened. Had they not been through all this, he would have laughed out loud. But he believed him. "My gosh… How does he know?"
"A dream…"
Tyson nodded solemnly. He knew Rei's dreams were very real. "I'm glad I still dream about giant walking mashed potato sculptures and red pterodactyls and dinner tables with faces…" He grinned at Kai's expression. "So wait, Max isn't here because…"
"I left early. That's all."
"You're awfully defensive about this…"
Kai glared at him and walked away, into his own bedroom, closing the door.
"Some things will never change," Tyson told himself with an amused smile.
………
'And so… I propose you can have Driger – the remaining key to unlocking sheer power… and we get to go home?'
Laughter rang in his head. Silly boy… I could just kill you first, then take the beast for my own. Why sacrifice my amusement?
'Because… you could set up one last challenge. And we'd go through it and if we won… we would get to go home. Otherwise… there will be no point. If you don't give us this chance, we will give up and not even try to fight for life. Do you not think this will be more interesting?'
You are a born debater. Foolish, but wise.
'And… just to make things more fun, why not broadcast it publicly? Why not show the world how we will suffer and make fools of ourselves? And give us one last phone call, maybe.'
Interesting… but why. What do you benefit from this?
'Everyone will have… one last chance to see us before we die. And the phone call, I wish to warn them of our arrival. To… get the energy up. You see?'
I do. And I accept your interesting proposal. Tomorrow, you will be transported and your final task will begin.
'Excellent.'
Rei smiled, opening his eyes and looking at Max. Max stared at him quizzically, wondering what had just happened. "I have a plan, Max… I'll tell you tomorrow. Get some sleep… you'll need it."
Max merely nodded and left the hospital room, cautious to avoid any hospital staff. He walked back to the hotel, trying to clear his mind to reflect that of the night sky.
He stopped in the middle of the road, shrouded in dead silence. The streetlights shone dimly, with a faint orange glow. He felt so alone in the world. What would happen now? Get some sleep… you'll need it. Rei's voice echoed in his head.
All he had to do was trust in Rei. Of course he would. There was nothing left to do. "Rei, I hope you can do this. Please… bring this team back together. Fix our shaky and desolate friendship. And get us home… I believe in you."
Rei stared at the empty blade. Its cold metal was not nearly as comforting as it had been moments ago. He glanced at the sliver of night through the curtains before finally closing his eyes. "Goodnight, Driger… I'll see you soon."
……….
END OF CHAPTER
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