Author's note: Yes, I know it has been a very long time. I'm truly sorry. I am going to WARN you now, that my updates for this story will not be as fast without inspiration. And that 'inspiration' comes from songs. Like from the previous chapter, that small paragraph was from Bad Apple. Ya' know? Well, if you want more and faster(1) updates, then in the reviews, leave some feedback and a song you think will be appropriate for the next chapter!
(1) I do have a life, homework, lessons, tutor, exams
and a family I got to spend time with. So not an instant update, don't expect too much…please?
Next, I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful support and feedbacks, sorry for the crappy chapter, I had no music to write to.
Inside an all too familiar tent, rustling and clinks were heard – though muffled due to the perspective outside. If one were to walk in now, then one would see a 15 year-old boy with red hair, packing clothing and stolen food into a couple of bags; all different sizes.
He looked in a hurry – probably planning to run away. Red knew he couldn't resign from the circus, or he'll have a good – horrible – beating from that bastard - as Red put it – Cosimo. He'd have to hurry before the sun started to rise again. Cosimo was going to do his rounds of checking everyone was 'okay'.
The brunette made a few last changes before he quietly walked to the entrance – only to stop with eye-widened shock.
A familiar irritated groan met his ears from outside. What was he doing out so early?
The Ringleader was never this early…it was still 4:00am, for Pete's sake!
His heart hammered within his chest. How was he going to explain this? Better yet, how was he going to get away with this?
The empty drawers, the yet again bland room? Red repressed the incoming gulp of fear. Plans and ideas flew throughout his head – brainstorming about what he could do.
There was nothing.
Okay, maybe not nothing, but this one choice, was by far the most idiotic – and simple-minded idea one could even think of. And that was to:
Bolt for it
Great idea right?
.
.
.
.
That's what he thought…
But even so – even with many doubts – the boy still went for it. He bolted through the curtains of red, and ran as fast as he could. He was honestly hoping Cosimo would stand in shock, for Red knew he was way faster than himself. And for some reason – it just about worked!
But only just…
Because next thing you know, the Ringleader was already shouting his name. Red ducked before the glass bottle could hit him with dead accuracy. The green bottle lay on the ground uselessly in shattered pieces. 'This is gonna be the end of me…' Red thought with dread. Even though he was further up ahead then the older, he could still hear the fast and heavy footsteps that were after him.
.
.
.
.
Dodging around a corner and into an alley way was Red's only choice. A wired fence was in his way – but that didn't stop him. After all the training he did, – the circus did have its benefits – he jumped on the stone brick wall on one leg, and then did a flip from the recoil, thus landing on the other side of the fencing.
He heard an angry shout from behind, but he chose to ignore it and run.
Oo0o0oO
There was only one word to describe how Red felt – and that was; Exhausted. Heck! That could even be an understatement for all I care! He was so exhausted, not even adrenaline could push him further. Not even when he really needed it.
He was pushed back to the wall of a dead-ended alley. Three – how clichéd – men had stood before him. Alcohol and arrogance flowed through the air, which absolutely disgusted Red. But he could not show any other expression but haze and fatigue. The brunette slumped to the ground, his head downcast while his arms fell limply beside his shaking legs.
A chuckle, a laugh? He could no longer tell. For the haze within his mind was so great, it was horrible. Though the haze was offering – not – what he wanted, he needed to stay conscious. If he were to sleep now, what would the three do to his body? Nothing sexual I must add.
A hand fisted his dirtied hair, and forced Red to look up. Too tired to do anything, Red only followed without defiance. Dark eyes examined his features, before a smirk lit the man's face – which was instantly followed by the other two.
"My, my~ such a shame ya a lad. 'is brat wou've been betta as a la'y." The person above commented as his rough hand cupped Red's porcelain – though you'd never notice due to the hair – like face. A thumb traced his cheek before the man's face drew closer – a strange glint within his eyes. One of the fellows at the back moved forward and moved to unbutton Red's shirt but after all this dread and disgust – and maybe a little rest – the boy leaped up and attacked the both. Shock passed their face before they all growled – like beasts – and they ran forward, all ready to punch really hard.
Red dodged the first punch and then grabbed the unsuspecting man's neck and crushed him to the ground. He marvelled at the unknown strength that had made a crater where the man now lay broken on the ground. It caused fear to the others, but being the idiots they were; they ran forward – as though 'avenging' their leader.
The boy ducked and then punched one of them from behind, before leaving a hard blow to the back – and maybe there was a sickening crack.
Now the other was fearful and attempted to flee. But Red wasn't having it. He grabbed the man by the wrist and then threw him to the wall. The man coughed out blood, but the last one remaining didn't give.
One last scoff, and then Red was gone from the scene. And maybe. After a few minutes after his disappearance, came in a woman with blonde hair who literally shrieked in shock, disgust and fear.
Oo0o0oO
"There have lately been reports-"
"But, nii-sa-"
"I'd like you all to investigate."
"Hai."
Oo0o0oO
That was the beginning of a full-scale investigation. Though the battle was quite short and easy…That was in Red's own mind. Yes, it seemed not as deadly – but that was within the mind of a figure with another entity inhabiting them.
It's as you think.
There was that shadowy – mysterious – figure. The one with the creepy grin that ghosted over him in his reflections. Something that was both there and not there. But as I said, that was only the beginning. Strange, – ridiculous – odd…absolute insanity. It clouded his actions and it made him 'delusional'. It made him lose sleep and it slowly broke his mind. But even with nightmares – or maybe memories – there was also a good.
It was a strange melody – a lullaby – which gave him a sense of 'sanity' and 'humanity' – or whatever was left of it.
But I must continue saying that, there was still a longing. Or maybe something like a hit to the face for missing out on an opportunity from long, long ago.
But Red didn't know what. What – or who? Just what – who – was it that he missed?
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.
.
.
Then there was the darkness. It swirled around him, and the scenery was such an odd view. It was dark, but there was red, there was a moon, a tower and then a lake.
Slowly the boy moved towards the water. The surface was flat yet, you couldn't see a thing but black. It was as though there was nothing but an abyss. Then, he tried kicking a rock from the shore into it. Seeing if it'd fall of make a splash. And it was the latter.
But what was odd was the sound. Truth be told, it was silent. There was no sound. Red tried speaking – but there was nothing. Then a noise echoed – and it scared him. Shadowed hands came out from the lake, tried to grab him, but he dodged and tried to run. He tried to scream, but there was nothing.
One last step and then the world cracked the broken glass. The pieces swirled and made a checkered floor – a path. It spiralled high above, so far that he could not see what was at top.
A clown like laugh made Red whip his head to the side. He saw a clown juggling before it disappeared into a mist. Then elephants and all different kinds of creatures used in a circus came stampeding towards him. But they just phased through him as though he wasn't there.
But what was next made him cover his ears. It was the melody and the laughter, then came the cries and growls. His feet carried him up the steps. His mind was like an auto-pilot of disaster. There was nothing on his mind but the word and action to:
Run.
As he rushed his way up, he took a step and it all fell apart. Now he was falling…falling…and then…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Red jolted up with a scream. He curled into a ball on the hotel bed. He began to rock back and forth – though the right part of his mind hoped no one had heard him. He let out whines and small cries escape from his lips that he began biting.
Red was terrified – he didn't want to sleep anymore – but he knew that wasn't good. His harsh pants echoed the room. Then he looked up and at the window. It was day time – luckily – he wasn't fancying a wake in the middle of the night.
Oo0o0oO
"Did you hear that Kanda?" A green haired girl asked as she suddenly stopped. The other – blue haired – made a 'che' noise. Most likely agreeing with the girl before him. The two looked at each other in the eyes.
"We'd better check it out." The girl said. They both nodded briefly before they rushed to the source of noise. Surprisingly in fact, no one – not even in the large and the sea of people on the streets – had heard the scream, at all.
A gleam shined on the two silver crosses of the black uniform – thus earning perplexed glances at the two pushing through the crowd.
Oo0o0oO
Out of nowhere, someone had crashed into the two. They all tumbled to the ground and saw a boy with brown-red hair tied up high and spiky like. While the front framed his porcelain features.
"Uh…"
The stranger began.
Author's note: Yes. I know. A sucky ending. I'm sorry. I had no song to listen to, to inspire me. Make sure to read Author's note at start and THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT! READ FIRST AUTHOR'S NOTE! VERY IMPROTANT! ALSO, I have decided not to do any pairings and I am going to pull an all nighter to draw :3