Chapter 2 – Why
/Kaito/
…I ran as fast as I can. As I reached the third street, I went right and saw the convenient store. The sign on the window was showing "Vanilla Ice Cream!". For the first time I ignored it. Len was the only one that I can think of. My mind is full of worry and he is the only one that occupies it. I slowed down when I reached the warehouse. Knowing that he was still there, I went in without a second thought.
"Len!" I screamed. My voice just echoed. I repeated his name several times. Until I reached a certain corner, where boxes were stacked, and it was near a steel wall, at the end of the warehouse. I can hear slow but deep breaths. He was here alright.
I, shocked at his current situation, dropped my knees and cupped his face; caressing them.
"Y-you're … nnhh… late…" he managed to say, while looking at me with his aquamarine eyes – and all I could see is pain and hurt. I pity him.
"I-I'm sorry I arrived late – well," I said, guilty. "I'm really sorry…"' I said as I carefully placed him at my back, securing him, not wanting him to fall over.
"Let's go back…"
/Meiko/
Damn. I thought – Kaito was in charge of the house! Where on hell was he?
I slumped on the couch; I was in the living room. I watched the clock ticking its way and nearing seven o'clock in the evening. Gosh Kaito. I'm worried sick. I stood up, reaching my phone on my red purse. I let out a loud groan.
"Why does Kaito let these things to even happen! He left home and - and, without any note!" I screamed, and let out a few curses after.
I was then rattled by a loud banging on the back door from the kitchen.
"Damn, whoever you are, turn around and start walking. You don't wanna make me come there and beat you up." I scratched my head, and searched Kaito's name on my phone. The knocking continued. I got pissed off so I just decided to peek into the kitchen.
"Would you just-? …Oh my-" I found myself running after seeing Kaito - with Len soaked in the rain. And some red splotches I didn't even visualize until he came in. I was shocked and angry at the same time. I quickly slided the door, for it was a transparent sliding door, which leads to the backyard. I can't get the logic why he entered the back door instead of the front one.
"Meiko-prepare my... OH FORGET IT!" He said, amidst running upstairs, but in his most careful steps, not to hurt Len.
"W-what in the world happened! Where did Len-I mean how did he-?"
"I'll talk to you about it later.." He said, and then went up the stairs. I was totally confused. I called Miku and Luka right away...
/Kaito/
I can barely feel the coldness of the room. All of my concerns focused up on Len. I don't know what to feel or what to say. I just feared - of what might happen.
I laid him on my bed, and then fixed him up. I opened one of my cabinets, found a medical kit, and aided him. It took me at least ten minutes to completely finish that task. I left the room a while afterwards, bringing back towels and a couple of new bandages. Meiko just stood there, her hands on her hips, and on her usual irritable mood; eyeing me. With her usual raised brow; Meiko is Meiko today.
Minutes passed, soon, hours. Luka came knocking on my door, shocked to hear the news, and to see it was for real. It was nine in the evening.
"Who could-?," she said, stroking his hand, while looking to me. I shook my head no, telling her visually that I didn't know who did this too. I felt pity for him. Who did that to him? And for another reason, why? Len was such a nice person. He is ready to help when it comes to any kind of chores. But now, I can admit that he was the one who needs help. And I was here, because I -
"Kaito," Luka called.
"Mn-yeah?" I said, without looking to her.
"I've been suspecting someone already, but I still need information. Lots..." She said. Glad to hear it. Whoever it was, I'd be glad to kill.
"Well," I said, sighing, sitting beside her. "My wish, for the meantime, Len would be okay. I mean, all things that happened to him - he can only tell it to us then,"
"Yeah. We can never know what happened to him until he talks. Unless," she said. I looked at her. "He never tells us why..."
It hit me hard that moment. 'What if' Len was too afraid to even tell us what happened? What if, he got scared of everyone's presence that he locks himself up in his room and never goes out to even eat? What if? I was still facing the consequences of why I left Len for just a short time. I should have never let him go out. What if I won't see his cheerful smile ever again? What if I won't see … Len anymore?
"It was my entire fault." I said.
"What?"
"I mean - I don't have control over things, yet Len was my priority and he shouldn't have been – in this way. This situation… Oh Gawd." Both of my hands flew up to my face as I covered them. Luka touched my arm as she tried to stop my shaking body.
"Calm down," she said. I can picture her face, smiling, as she let go of those words so easily. "Let us be strong. For Len..." but as I removed my trembling hands away from my face, I saw her eyes filled with tears and sadness. I totally felt broke about this.
I do not know what to do next. But the thing is, not only Meiko, Miku, and Luka were feeling sorry for Len, his sister also, which panicked every movement Len does, and send her feeling very, very sad…
/Len/
Why am I even still alive?
Waking up in other's room sure is surprising. My eyes landed on the blue clock, which displayed 1:18 AM in it. Why. Why in the middle of the midnight?
I tried to shift my body to my nearest right, trying to ignore the pain these wounds caused. Damn. Why. I roamed my sight at the place for about a minute. Blue. Hues of blue. Warm and safe. I felt security. And it's then the door creaked open. A figure popped its head in, peeking. I hid myself in the blue comforter. I was scared, and my heart throbbed fast.
Its then I realized. Kaito.
"Oh hi there Len! I'm – oh, I'm very glad to see you awake! I should call the others and—"
Until I shot my eyes at him, in a very deep, blank manner.
"L-Len? What's the matter?" he asked. I don't know what to say. It's just that I have the feeling of fear when he leaves me. It's just – I'm totally scared.
"P-please stay with me, Kaito-nii.."
He was drawn back. He held the tabletop to support his body because of the shock. But he didn't fall. Literally.
He walked across his room and slowly went up to me. He was looking at the floor when he walked. The quietness of the room, a total silence was heard in the void. Even my deep, heavy breaths are audible. I can hear the slight brushing of Kaito's hands against the comforter where I'm in. He hugged me tight.
"I won't leave you. Never. Nothing could make you part me. I wish – I wish only if you could do the same for me though," He said. I wasn't shocked. It was what I expect from a big brother; like him. I slowly freed my grasps from the comforter, and found myself lifting both of my arms to hug him back. I squeezed tightly.
"I…I can't promise but," I said, as salty water filled my eyes. "I will…"
I cried, and so did he. He was very glad that I'm slightly okay, although my body still hurts. I was informed that I was in the worst condition; as stated by Meiko-nii. The others were really concerned about me, of course, my sister, Rin…
/Len/
I tried to lift myself up but it only ended up on hurting me.
"Hey, don't force yourself to move yet. Your body will become worse," the blue-haired man explained. I was just discouraged by his explanation. I was helpless. Indeed, the only things that I'm able to do was cry, clasp my hands with the comforter, and blink a couple of times. Even breathing was hard for me. I felt like dying any moment from now. Any moment…
"Are you feeling well now?" he asked, as he pulled the covers up to my neck. Was that even a question? I mean – I can't even breathe or whatever, and then he was expecting me to answer that stupid—ugh forget it. He's still stupid.
"I can take that as a 'no'." He claimed, holding my hand.
"Everything is going to be alright, Len, it's just that also, every little thing takes time to be done." I felt relieved by his words. I couldn't even expect those to come out of Kaito-nii. I'm just – amazed. It's not so like him.
/Miku/
That dusk, I decided to go out with Meiko, Rin and Luka, just at the nearby convenient store. Since karaoke night was nearing, it was on Friday, so, we needed the food already.
"I'm going to the fruits section and you guys can just look for other goodies," Rin said, checking on her list. A long list.
"M'kay. I'mma go there," Meiko said, pointing to what seemed like—Okay wines. Plus sake and beer.
"If you guys needed me I'm just ready to help," Luka said, assisting Rin with the baskets..
After the little trip to that store we went straight back home and do the same routine.
But without Len.
I feel sad that he isn't around. I was still wondering what happened to him a few days ago during the incident. The thing that he was wounded and bruised? The way those deep cuts seem to decorate his whole body? The question was; who on Earth have done that sort of thing to him? I have known Len for a long time. He was a sweet, caring and the most cheerful person that I knew throughout my entire life. I know the others might be thinking about this too. Why? Why would someone or somebody do such thing to him? I haven't known any enemies Len had; nor bad people that knew him and seeks revenge. So still, why?
The household was quiet, and we were like out of our mind. Teto and Rin just played games. Neru texts as usual. Meiko drinks, while Luka prepares something for dinner. Due to that kind of atmosphere, I decided to head upstairs.
As I walked across the hallway, I heard somebody at the shower. "It's Kaito, maybe" I thought. But I heard a fit of coughing and I could tell it was different. One thing crossed my mind: Len. I hurriedly ran across the entire hallway, with all six rooms residing it. I opened the door.
And I was shocked at the sight.
The floor was entirely red. Not really, but it was a horrible sight. I thought somebody was murdered here. I entered the room, shocked to see Len sitting at the corner near the bathroom sink, also covered in blood.
"Oh my gosh—Len! What happened!" I trembled, seeing his situation. I don't care about the scenario anymore. I knelt in front of him and tried to help.
"M-Miku-nee.." he stammered. My heart throbbed. I was scared and just fought the urge of crying. I looked for where the source of blood might be. I looked under his shirt, hands or arms, but I only found several cuts—yet they don't seem to fit due to the amount. His whole body was slightly shaking, and I can't help it but cry. He held his mouth for a while as blood continued to seep out. Kaito then came in. I didn't see what his reaction was but I swear he just felt the same way as I did.
"Miku, stay calm, I don't want you to get frightened or something so, better leave the room, please?" he said, calmly.
Despite how sweet his voice might be, it won't change for what I saw. Len. Why Len?
Author's Note:
This was one horrible fic. I think. It wasn't my intention to kill Len anyway. :) I think I'd be sticking to his POV for a little while until the story clears out. There's going to be a LOT MORE chapters coming! Just R&R too ;)