《Pain And Poison》 Hayami The sunlight flooded through my curtains, blinding my barely opened eyes. However my alarm hasn''t gone off yet, and the sun can''t FORCE me to get up so- "Hayami!!! Wake up!! You''re gonna be late for school!!" Impossible. I set my alarm. I snatch my phone off my desk from my bed and go into my clock app. No alarms set. I must''ve forgot to set it again...Lucky for me, my mom is my personal alarm clock if I by chance forget to set one. "Hayami!! Did you hear me?!!!" I roll onto my back and let out a mumble "Yes mom, I heard you." Within seconds her head popped into my doorframe wearing a high up ponytail and a smile. "Good! I don''t want you to be late! Don''t forget to take your medicine!!" As quick as she appeared she was gone. I could hear her down the hall whistling a happy tune. A frown crossed my face as I pulled myself out of bed. Another day, same rituals. My room is a bright blue with different posters and letters on the wall. On one side, letters laid out neatly across the wall spell "Hayami". On the other side spells "Read", right by my bookshelves of course. And every day when I got up, I liked to read these letters, to remind myself where I am, and to remind myself of my goal. To get out of here...I hate this house. I am 15 years old, so I have a plan to do this quicker. I''m not waiting till I''m 18. But first, I have to tackle this morning. I walk into the kitchen in my normal attire. My frog hoodie, some leggings, and my boots that went up to my knees. My mother looks at me with an odd stare. "Well go on! You can''t forget to take your meds! After you take them I''ll drive you to school!" My hands started sweating. My heart almost beat right out of my chest. I knew what she was trying to do to me. There''s poison in those pills and if it gets in my system I''ll die. I know her tricks. But she sits there with a smile on her face, blocking the door waiting for me. She wasn''t going to turn around until I took my medicine. I shakily take the two pills she laid out for me on the table and put them in my mouth. I slip them under my tongue, classic trick, and she looks at me like she suspects nothing. "Thank you Hayami, I''m proud of you, you''ve been handling this well." I know she lies, but I nod my head in gratitude. She turns around and walks outside, holding the door open for me. As she''s locking the door to the house with her back turned towards me, I quickly spit the pills in the grass. After, I stand idly like I''m waiting for her to unlock the car door. She does so and we get in. It''s not a long drive to school. But mom won''t let me drive anywhere. She says I''m not old enough. I think she just wants to control me. As we''re driving I make a list of reasons why I want to escape the house. 1.) My mom''s trying to poison me 2.) I''m trapped here against my will 3.) I''m not allowed to go out. EVER. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. 4.) I''m not allowed to drive We pull up to the school. I say goodbye to my mother quickly and walk inside. Instead of reviewing the old list of why I want to leave, today is the day I review the revised plan to make it happen. I''ve packed some clothes in my bookbag along with some other things. I''ve been acquiring skills that will finally able me to escape! Step One: Go to work Step Two: Don''t go home (I told my mother I get off at 3 am today, It''s a Friday so she bought it. I get off at 9pm) Step Three: Find a place to sleep, shouldn''t be too hard. I have money for a hotel. But I think spending it on food and water is more important. Step Four: Never return home. I get to school 10 minutes early every day. Most of the time I use my free time of 10 minutes to nap, or read. I have a couple friends. Occasionally I talk to them. Today however, I was going to use my ten minutes to check in with them, before I wouldn''t return here. My eyes scan the hallway I''ve found myself in. I quickly find my friend group. It''s not hard to miss them. There''s Anna, Shuko, Alex, and Basil. Anna is always dressed in a dress of some sort, and her hair is always in two braids. Shuko is always dressed in black, chains, and a beanie. Alex wears random, normal stuff every day, he''s just loud, so he''s easily recognizable by his voice, and Basil has bright blue hair and a nose piercing. As I approach my group I can hear Alex''s voice over everyone else''s. He''s waving his hands around as I walk towards him, yelling about something funny his sister said. Everyone was smiling and laughing as Alex kept talking. Eventually I found myself between Basil and Anna, now standing in this little circle we''ve formed. "Hello Hayami! How is your day today?" Anna turned to me. Alex immediately stopped talking and looked directly at me, smiling. "Good. I''ve come here to say goodbye." All my friends suddenly inverted their circle to stare directly at me, their smiles were gone now. Their talking started to overlap each other, but essentially they all were asking the same question. "Why?" "My mom is trying to poison me!" They exchanged worried glances as Shuko, who is usually quiet like me, piped up. "Hayami. Have you been taking your meds..?" Anna and Basil''s brows'' furrowed as they glared at Shuko. Shuko visibly started to get nervous and started shaking. Shuko has been my friend since elementary school. He used to go be a girl, but he told me at the beginning of this year that he wasn''t so sure anymore. After that, he cut his hair short, wore a binder and changed his style into the Shuko I now know and love. Shukos always had mild anxiety but he''s always been able to manage it so he never took any medicine for it. However it was affecting him now, as a drop of sweat rolled out from under his beanie onto the side of his face. "W-we all know that Hayami takes meds, I just want to help, I don''t see why we can''t talk about it" Basil''s expression softened but Anna''s stayed angry. Basil was the first to take a deep breath. "Medicine or not, this is important. None of us want to lose you. We care so much about you, Hayami. Why are you saying goodbye? Did something happen?" I started to get frustrated. I didn''t need all these emotions to hold me back. "I told you, my mom is trying to poison me." Alex crossed his arms with a worried expression on his face. "How?" "Through my meds, they''ll kill me if they get into my system." Shuko put his hand on my shoulder. "Hayami you''ve been on medicine since we were kids. What happened?" The bell interrupted the conversation, and all of the children except Hayami looked panicked. "Hayami, we''re talking about this later" Anna remarked. "Yeah, we''re really worried about you" Alex gave me a hug, then stepped away. "C''mon" Shuko intervened. "I''ll walk you to class." The school day went by fast. The same boring classes, it felt like a long day. The only exciting part was that I saw my mom''s car drive past the school. My heart dropped every time I saw her car. Even though I knew there was no way she could be here, I couldn''t shake the feeling that she knew what I was going to do. The last period of the day came slowly. I watched the clock tick by every minute until finally, it was time to leave. The bell invaded my ear drums as I raced out of the building. I wanted to go to work, one last time. My heart raced with excitement as I dashed down the sidewalk. I know Anna said we''d talk later, but I was finally free. Almost. Just work then I''m free. Forever. I walk all the way to Pizza Hut, uniform in my bag. It''s about a 30 minute walk, but my boss knows I walk from school and she''s okay with it as long as I show up. I''m scheduled to work with Lawson and Yuri today. Lawson is one year older than me, and Yuri is 3 years older than me. Lawson is emancipated, he lives by himself, how nice. Yuri lives with her parents and she''s going to a really good college next year. She seems so happy. The bell rings as I walk into Pizza Hut. In less than 5 minutes my hair is put up and I''m in my uniform. I shove my bag behind the counter and begin taking orders. Lawson As I do so, Lawson emerges from the kitchen area behind me and listens in on my order. "Hi, what can I get for you today?" I wear my best customer service face. I know it''s important in jobs like this. Lawson decides to chime in. "Hayami, who are you talking to?" He winks, trying to make himself seem more attractive, per usual. Here we go again. It was always Lawson telling me that no one was there, or that I''m talking to thin air. He makes me sound like I''m delusional and it absolutely enrages me. I turn around to yell at him, but decide taking this man''s order is more important. I turn around to ask him if that''s all for his order, but he''s gone. I gasp in shock. Dismissing it, I turn back around to yell at Lawson. "Lawson, mind your own business!!" I storm off into the kitchen to take a deep breath. No customers were here anyways. "I''m just trying to help ya, babe." "I''M NOT YOUR-" I had a brilliant idea. "You want to help me? Let me stay the night at your place," I wink. I don''t like Lawson. I have no interest in Lawson, but I need a place to sleep and I''d rather go with him than stay at a hotel. If manipulating him is what I have to do to survive, that''s what I''m going to do. "M-my place? Well why would I do that? You always say you hate me!" I turn my back on him and play with my hair, teasing him. "Well I could always just find somewhere else then." "No no no wait!!" My grin widens as my back is still towards him. I have gotten what I want. He put a hand on my shoulder "I''ll take you to my place tonight, you can stay there, but can I ask why you''re not going home?" My smile faded as I turned around seeing him eye to eye now. "I''ll tell you later." The rest of the shift sped by. Lawson told me a couple more times that I was talking to thin air, but I had a place to sleep and that''s all that mattered to me right now. I saw Yuri a couple times throughout the night too. She''s always so quiet, always in the kitchen, stocking everything and humming her pop music. Everything about Yuri popped for that matter. She had bubble gum pink hair, bright green eyes, and she always wore her hair in a long, messy braid down her back. She was always super quiet, but she seems so chill and I''ve always wanted to talk to her more. She always carried her green backpack and a skateboard into work. None of us stopped by home before work so we all kept our stuff together until the shift was over. However tonight, she offered to work the front for a bit. Which was so weird of her. She never works in the front, she doesn''t like people from what I''ve observed. I don''t like people either, so I ignored her spontaneity, and worked in the kitchen for the second end of my shift, since she offered. It was actually really nice, I can see why Yuri likes it back here so much. The rest of the night went by fast, I had my earbuds in and was listening to some punk rock. It''s my favorite. The clock struck 9. I clocked out and hurried into the bathroom to change back into my regular clothes. "Ready?" Lawson was waiting by the exit doors for me with a big grin on his face. I could tell he was enjoying this. I despise him. "Yes. I''m all ready." I put on a fake face and started to walk out with him. The crisp air brushed against my face as I got into his black Impala. He turned on the radio for a little background noise and set off. We drove through the well lit neighborhood a little over the speed limit, but I wish it went slower. This town was so pretty at night, and I loved watching it move past me from my window as the moon followed us home. His house was a while away from here. Along the way he started singing to the song on the radio. His voice was so...pretty. How did I never realize that? I listened to him sing the whole way there and it calmed me down a lot. The fact that his singing relaxed me momentarily made me want to vomit. Before I could overthink it, we pulled up at his house and I got out of his car. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Thank you, for taking me" I notice my heart racing and my voice is shaky. I think something is wrong with me. "No problem, Hayami!" He gingerly held out his arm for me to grab. I hesitated then took it practically with hearts in my eyes. He seems so sweet, was he always like this? We walk up the driveway and into his two story, light blue house. He gives me a tour, afterwards plopping himself down on the couch. I realize only after the tour that his house is really messy. There are clothes everywhere and random boxes scattered about, but I don''t mind. "Well, do you wanna play some video games?" "Yeah! Sure!" For about an hour we laughed and had fun playing Mario All Stars. After that he offered to make a late dinner and I agreed, I was starving. We walked into the kitchen, making small talk and I sat at his table. He had his back to me, making chicken alfredo. "So, you said you''d tell me why you''re not home tonight, right?" I looked down at the table. It was brownish with different dark lines smearing through the light wood. It was cluttered with clothes and books. "Yeah. There''s a lot going on there right now at home" I could sense his warm smile even with his back turned. "I''m sorry Hayami, tell me about it." "My mom is trying to poison me, I told my friends and they seemed to think I was crazy." His posture stiffened with worry. "I think you would know if someone was trying to poison you, right?" "Mhm. Listen, I don''t want to talk about this anymore." Tears formed in my eyes and Lawson could tell by the shakiness of my voice that I was crying. "Hayami!!" He put the dish in the oven and rushed over to me pulling me into a hug. His chest was firm, his arms rested in a tight grip around me. I''ve never felt so...safe. "Let me finish making dinner, and I''ll help you with this, okay?" "O-okay.." After a while, he set a hot plate of chicken alfredo on the table in front of me. "Hayami, I''m here for you" He planted his hand on my shoulder, smiling softly at me. "Hayami, you know what''s best, but I think your mom loves you..." I decided to get lost in my mind, his words no longer mattered. My mom... She was always so bright and bubbly. She suffered from mild depression but didn''t take her medicine. I never got to see her in her darkest times. She always had a headband on and brown hair, usually in a ponytail, that was in constant movement behind her. She never stood still. She was always on a mission. She always wore bright colors and had a bright white smile. Truth be told, I miss my mom. I felt sadness rush over me. Then I remembered the pills. The small bright yellow pills. The pills I had to take every single day as a child, the pills that used to help. Ever since the doctor and my mother agreed to change the medicine, I knew it was poison. The meds I took as a child helped me feel happy, but they weakened my body, and with this new dose, it could kill me if I took it. I felt the heat of anger rush all the way to the tips of my ears. My own mother was trying to poison me. Maybe she just doesn''t want me around. Well in a sense, she got her wish. By this time, Lawson was done with his pep talk, and now was sitting across from me as we both ate dinner in silence. Afterwards, he told me I could sleep on the couch. I laid on my back as we said goodnight. I heard him walk to the other room and flick off the lights. It was pitch black. I could feel one fuzzy blanket under me and one over me. The thought of my friends flooded through my mind. They are probably so worried about me. I said I''d talk to them later and I just left. I''m such a bad friend. I let the tears come out when they needed to as I laid on Lawson''s couch, soaking the blankets and pillows I laid on with my tears. Eventually sleep took over me, slowly but surely. After about 8 hours of straight nightmares, my body had had enough. I shot up as I left residue sweat on the pillow that I was laying on. My eyes darted around the room. I forgot I was at Lawson''s house and considering all of the nightmares I had just had about being at home, being here was actually pretty relaxing. I turned around on the couch so that my feet touched the gray carpet. I turned my neck, trying to pop it as I heard footsteps. My heart stopped as Lawson walked out into the kitchen across from where I sat, shirtless. I let out a small gasp of surprise, causing him to whip around. "O-oh! You''re awake!" his face began to flush as his hands flew to cover his chest. I nodded my head ferociously as I eyed him up and down. "Sorry about all this" he motioned his hand up and down his body. "I didn''t think you''d be up yet and I was getting hungry and I honestly forgot you were here." I noticed scars on his chest, but I ignored them. Instead my brain began a different thought process. He was so cute when he was flustered. I needed to feel him, to remind myself where I was. I needed him. I stood up and it felt automatic, my legs felt numb as they guided me to him. I pushed him up against the counter and pressed my lips to his. "H-Hayami!!" I quickly backed away. "I-I''m so sorry, I don''t know what I''m doing, I don''t know what came over me." I immediately burst into tears. I felt so horrible, what was I doing?! I hated this man less than 24 hours ago and now I''m kissing him?! I looked at the floor in shame. When I looked back up he was looming over me with a grin on his face. I felt my heart flutter as he took his turn to push me against the counter. He kissed my lips and then down my neck. As my tears dried up, I was giggling and gasping as I let him bite me. Suddenly his watch started beeping. We separated and I felt all the heat rush to my face. "I-That''s my alarm to get ready for work. I''m so sorry, I don''t know what that was I just-" His face turned from soft and caring to aggressive and overtaking. "I''ve wanted to do that for a very long time." He grabbed my chin and tilted it up at him. I tried my hardest not to make eye contact but his gaze was inescapable. "I don''t plan on doing that again." I mumbled. As much as I enjoyed it, I was uncomfortable and I wasn''t exactly sure why. "You don''t think I''m a good kisser?" He turned to me, now pulling a shirt on that he found on the counter. "W-what?! No!! You are, I just- I''m not comfortable." Lawson shrugged. "Whatever you say, Hayami. I''m gonna go brush my hair and teeth and then I''m heading to work." "Fine by me." He finished getting ready and I waited until after I heard him leave to lay back down on the couch. I fell asleep again, this time with more nightmares than before. When I woke up, I remembered everything. Part of me felt angry. Very angry. He makes me feel that way and then leaves me here. Then, making him more unattractive, he just shrugs me off when I tell him I''m uncomfortable?! What am I thinking?! He''s not mine, I have no right to him. Still, I feel like he should''ve cared. A whirlpool of emotions conflict me as I try once more to fall back asleep. I have no reason to get up anyways. Saturday After about 2 hours of marinating in my own emotions on Lawsons'' couch, I decided that perhaps eating would help pull me out of this emotional rut that I''ve gotten stuck in. I rolled off the couch and made my way slowly to the fridge. I tugged on the handle only to be disgusted by a broken fridge light and all the moldy food that loomed under it. I instantly closed the door and treaded to the cabinets, hoping that the fridge was the worst of it and that there wouldn''t be something worse in these cabinets. Luckily for me, a half-eaten bag of Lay''s Original Potato Chips lay in front of me on the first shelf in the cabinet. I thought about complaining, but stale chips are better than moldy food. I swung the cabinet door shut, potato chips now tucked under my arm. I looked down at myself, securing the chips. I realized I hadn''t changed out of my frog hoodie and leggings, and I''ll be honest, I don''t plan to, not until I shower at least. In the middle of this thought process, standing in the middle of Lawson''s living room, I realized I''m alone. In Lawson''s house. He''s not here to stop me if I want to explore, and it was at that moment that I decided exploring was exactly what I wanted to do. I''ve always been a little snoopy but it''s usually a kind that has a limit. A respectful kind of snoopiness. However this time there were no limitations to how far I could snoop. There was no Lawson here to stop me, and quite frankly, I''m still salty about earlier. He brushed me off when I told him I was uncomfortable. He thinks he can do whatever he wants because he''s attractive?! Not on my watch. I tossed my potato chips onto the couch and walked step by step down the hallway. Lawson''s house was a little dirty but I didn''t mind. My anger fueled my steps through the hallway and tempted me to take a left at a slightly cracked door. His bedroom. It was spotless. I rolled my eyes as I walked further in. He probably invited a lot of girls in here, his flirtiness with me probably meant nothing. Why am I upset anyways? I don''t even like him. He isn''t mine, why do I feel this way? I''m trying to shove down all of these weird emotions that I have toward him, but I swear it''s so hard. I walk deeper into his room, inspecting everything, and running my fingers along his bedsheets. As much as I wanted to snoop for something that would give me a reason to hate him, there wasn''t much to go through. Under his bed resided several different pairs of shoes, neatly set in rows. On his TV stand were rocks, and feathers. Are these real? There also was a cluster of crystals residing on the corner of this stand. I picked up a shiny red one and turned to the window to hold it into the light. "What are you doing in here?" I spun around, dropping the crystal and jumping backward against the wall. I quickly picked up the crystal, returned it to its original spot, and gained my balance. "I-i was just looking!" He leaned against the doorway with a small smirk. "In my room? What were you hoping to find?" "N-nothing!" "Some deep dark secrets, something I''m hiding, what did you really want Hayami?" "Well, you left me all alone earlier and brushed me off after I told you I was uncomfortable!!" I crossed my arms and I puffed myself out to look bigger. He backed up, shying away from the doorway a bit. "I''m sorry...I seriously didn''t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, Hayami.." I don''t want to forgive him, but the look of sorrow in his eyes is driving me mad. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "I understand." His original stance resumed, leaning against the doorway. "Hayami..." He blushed, the red color rising in his cheeks. My arms remained crossed. I wasn''t going to budge. "What do you need Lawson?" A hint of irritation crossed my voice. "How comfortable are you with me, Hayami?" I ignored the question, my arms falling to my sides. "Why are you even home anyways? You don''t normally get off this early, at least when I''m scheduled to work with you." He looked down, "I get off early on Saturdays...That however-" He shut the door behind him and started advancing towards me "doesn''t explain why you were in my room." My chin was now in his hands, forcing me to look him directly into his eyes. His bright brown eyes shine at me when he repeats his question. "How comfortable are you with me Hayami?" My face turns a deep red. "R-right now?" "Sure, let''s go with that." His other hand falls to my hips. I look down at it when his other hand around my chin tightens, forcing me to lock eyes with him once more. My confidence was rising. I don''t know what to do in these situations, so I do what first comes to mind. "You''re not gonna do anything" I roll my eyes, breaking the contact on purpose. I want to push Lawson''s limits and see how far he''ll go. His hand tightens around my hips, causing me to collide with his chest, his other hand still on my chin. "Oh really? Why don''t you walk over to the bed, we can see about that statement." I''m not going to back down. It''s Lawson. The same Lawson that works at Pizza Hut, that makes fun of me, that jokingly flirts with me. This is a joke, right? What''s going on? Before I know it I''m on his bed with his lips locked with mine. Why am I enjoying this? Is this normal? I still haven''t forgiven him for earlier, but I''m letting the anger surge through me with a new sense of pleasure that isn''t so familiar. He pulls his lips away from mine and pins my hands down on each side of me. "Hayami, are you gonna take it back?" I let a chuckle slip from my lips. "Make me, Lawson." He grins and slips his hands under my hoodie. I cover my mouth but it''s too late. My chest comes forward as an excited moan slips through my lips. I immediately bite down on my hand to shut myself up. He tears my hand away from my mouth. "Let me hear it." He squeezes my breasts through my bra, and I can''t help but throw my head back onto the pillow. I can hear his satisfied breathing as he pulls up my hoodie and kisses my chest. Out of pure pleasure, I open my legs, catching Lawson''s attention. He pulls off my leggings and draws his mouth to my core. His tongue moves slowly at first, teasing me. I can''t stop myself from screaming in pleasure. Closer, closer. His tongue moves faster inside me as I squirm. "L-Lawson I-I''m gonna-!" He stops. I sit up in an absolute frenzy. He wasn''t going to leave me a mess like this. I huffed before I grabbed him and shoved him to the bed. "Where do you think you''re going?" I smirked. He looked at me with a sort of bewilderment and surprise that anyone would expect from a sudden domination of themselves. As for me, there''s no way in hell I''ll let this bastard leave a woman unsatisfied. I''ve never been this dominant, but Lawson made me feel something no one else has. He turns a switch inside me that I''ve never felt before. He makes me crazy and sane all at once. I want to be a part of him, but more so, I want to make him suffer. I climb onto him savagely, with a grin on my face. Yes, I wanted him to suffer, but he''s my bitch now, and he needs to finish what he started. "H-Hayami, take me" he stammered. He placed his hands desperately on my hips. His deep brown eyes gazed into mine, begging. However, I don''t give in that easily. "No." "W-what?" I said nothing more as I proceeded to climb up Lawson until my core reached his face. I felt the liquid dripping onto his skin. I hovered it over him for a second. I wanted him to know who was really in control. I lowered it onto his lips and instantly felt his wet tongue digging into my center. There was no fear or hesitance as he explored my insides. I''m going to explode. Everything inside me heats up and I feel my hips thrusting to his lips. His hands grip my thighs tighter as if he''s begging for me. He wants nothing more. Only me. I feel myself start to quiver. As I do, I hear him breathe against me, driving me to the edge. My body tenses quickly. My head goes back as I let out a final scream of pleasure. I allow myself to breathe for a moment, then climb down to his lap, where I decide to reside. Through my struggle to breathe, I reward him with "Good jobs" and "Good boys," which he seems to be very fond of. He sits up and I hold his head in my hands. He hugs my waist and rubs my back. "Your turn, Lawson," I say, smiling. "No Hayami, I''m okay. Listen, that was really fun, but can I be honest?" There it was again, his deep brown eyes. "Y-yes of course!" I smile, still playing with his hair. "Hayami," his face turns a dark red as he avoids eye contact." I want to hold you. I want you to be mine" He takes my head in his hands now. "Lawson, I''ve never been in anything like-" "Hayami, let me be your first. Please. I care about you. I want to take care of you." I nod and let him take me into his arms. "I''m yours." I feel his arms tighten around me. This was it. The rest of my life. It has to be. Sunday At Home If anyone would''ve asked me a week ago, I would''ve said I despised Lawson. Hated him. Maybe even wanted him to get hit by a bus. Now I''m in his bed, curled up against him. He''s asleep, I can hear his slow breathing, but I remain awake. My thoughts are overtaking my mind. I''ve never felt like this about anyone before. I just wish I didn''t have to feel like this right now. I''m a runaway, I left home. My friends are probably so worried, my mom is probably looking for me. Of course it was at the most hectic time in my life that I had to fall in love. I trust Lawson though. He''ll keep me safe. He''d protect me. I''ve known Lawson for about a year but don''t know much about him. Maybe that''ll be what I do tomorrow, learn about him. Feelings of fear rise to my chest as I continue to think about my mom and friends. What if they find me? What if they send me somewhere? I''m terrified, and I remain that way for a few hours in Lawsons'' arms before I finally drifted to sleep. The sun blinded me through his windows, and for just a moment, I thought I was home. I sat up, trying not to wake Lawson. My face fell into my hands as tears started to run down my face. Almost instantly I felt another presence beside me. He put his arm around me. "Hayami what''s wrong?" "I didn''t mean to wake you." I tried to shuffle away from him but he only pulled me closer. "Don''t worry about it, what''s wrong?" "I''m scared that they are going to find me." "Your mom?" "Or my friends..anyone. I''m scared." "Hayami, they won''t find you. I''m here for you okay?" I allow myself to lean on him and sob, dampening his teeshirt. He holds me and for just a moment, I feel okay. I sobbed less and less through the hours until I drifted off to sleep in his arms. Surprisingly he didn''t wake me. I had just gotten home. The kitchen table was in front of me with my bright orange pills laid out for me. It was the first day of me trying my new prescription. The day previous, the doctor and my mother agreed to change my pills to something different. I never knew the difference until I was forced to take it. The yellow ones made me happy, but they made me weak. I never realized when I took them. It was only after I started taking the new orange rectangular pills that I realized my mother was trying to poison me. It was poison all along. I took the two orange pills on the table into my hands. The shaking throughout my body increased to a level where I fall to the ground. My tears hit the pills with rage. Why can''t she love me? Why doesn''t she want me here? Why is she poisoning me? I stood up and hurled the pills at the wall. They hit the wall with a small thud and quickly dropped to the floor. No one was in the house. It was just me. I stepped outside, not knowing where I''m going, and that was the end. The door opened to an endless void of darkness, and without thinking, I stepped off. I fell through an eternity, I fell for millennia. Until I jumped awake against Lawson. "Hayami!! Woah you okay?" "Just dreaming, that''s all. I''m okay" It was clear then that I needed to calm down about my situation. No one was going to find me. "Hey, baby?" He smiled, "I''m gonna go back to bed alright?" He gave me a small peck on the cheek and snuggled into his pillow. He''s the best thing that''s ever happened to me. The room spun as I stood up. Is it the poison? No, I haven''t been on the poison, I thought to myself. I haven''t had any poison. I need to take a deep breath. I stretched my arms to the sky and felt my back pop. I walked to the kitchen, rubbing my eyes. I turned the faucet on and filled my cup with water. It flooded into my lungs as I refreshed myself. It felt like a reset. It was time to start my new life. I turned around and set my blue cup on the counter after moving some dishes out of the way. Lawson''s house was dirty, but it''s been cleaner since I got here. I think he''s really trying for me. He''s so sweet. I pulled my body towards the hallway to go back to our bedroom and felt a cold hand grip around my wrist. "??¨©?" "Who are you?" He let his hand drop to his side and stared at me with big hollow eyes. This boy, he was beautiful. His black shaggy hair leaked into the top of his deep sunken green eyes. This boy was scrawny but had a strength that would surprise a person. He left marks on my wrist from grabbing it. "??? ?¨¥¨¥? ?? ?¨¥? ??? ?? ?¨¥?¨¥." His voice was barely a whisper. He shifted his weight and started rocking nervously. I observed him. He looked malnourished, yet so gorgeous. I''ve never felt a connection with anyone like this. It isn''t romantic but it''s stronger than anything I''ve ever felt. My eyes start to observe from top to bottom. He has small brown freckles scattered across the bridge of his nose onto his cheeks. His nose was small, petite, feminine. His lips were a pale pink and had bite marks on them, they were stained with blood. He must''ve bit the skin. His shoulders were masculine, but small. The black zipup hoodie he wore was only 3 quarters of the way zipped up, you could see his bare pale chest under it. The hoodie had a singular skull on it, colored fluorescently. His black ripped jeans were baggy on him and you could see the shadow of his purple tinted veiny legs under. He had hightop black and white sneakers. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "?¨©? ??? ?¨¥?? ?¨¥???? ?¨¥¨¥? ?? ?¨¥? ??? ?? ?¨¥?¨¥" "Listen to me, who are you?! How did you get in the house?!" He flinched at my booming voice. I heard footsteps approach behind me. "Hayami?" Lawson stood behind me, with a concerned look on his face as I whipped around to face him. "Hayami, who are you talking to?" "Him!" I turned back around, arms extended to grab the bony boy but my hands grasped nothing but thin air. "Hayami.." "Wha-I swear he was here!! Please believe me!! Lawson please!" I got on my knees, I begged him. I couldn''t have this happen again. He never believed me. He used to tell me all the time at work ''Hayami, who are you talking to? There''s no one there!'' But there ARE people there. They TALK to me! They KNOW me! Who was that boy..? "Hayami, there''s no one in the house. The doors are locked, the windows are locked." I looked down, embarrassed. "Aren''t you supposed to be asleep anyways?" "Hayami, what are you hiding. Were you on the phone with someone?" "No, my phone is in your room." "Hayami, I need you to tell me the truth." "There was someone here!" I was on my feet now, leaning towards him angrily. I''m tired of being doubted. I''m not going to have another person in my life discard my thoughts and feelings like my mom. Not again. "I''m worried about you." "What?! Why?!" "There was no one in here. How often do you see people, my love?" "See...people? All the time! Every day! Well, ever since I ran away, I just see you every day, but I used to see other people all the time, like my mom, and Shuko and Basil and Anna and-" His stare caught me off guard, causing me to stop rambling. "Honey, I mean...How often do you see people that aren''t there?" "What?! Never!!" His gaze grew even more concerned, his eyes widening as he placed his hands over mine. I backed up away from him, my back against the counter. "Why are you doubting me!! I can see it in your face!!" I could feel my face growing red. "Baby, you need to calm down." He stepped towards me but I held out my hands to prevent him from getting any closer. "Stay away from me! You''re just like her!!" Time was almost frozen when his face dropped. I saw a singular tear fall down his cheek. He wiped it and stepped back, with his shoulders pointed toward me, hugging himself. He grew cold. "Hayami. You need to see a doctor. That''s the end of the story. You''ve seen people that aren''t there at least since we''ve worked together. That''s already a year. Who knows how long you''ve had these delusions. Hayami I''m doing this because I care about you. I''m going to wait till we have a few days to ourselves." He looked back to me, slowly opening up again. "I have work tomorrow, and all week. This weekend I''m gonna schedule you in for a doctors appointment okay? We can go get ice cream after and everything. I''m here for you, I just want you to be okay." I felt tears come into my eyes. I didn''t want to have to do this. The love of my life is going to poison me. He trusts the doctors, it''ll happen all over again. I couldn''t tell him. "Yes my love, thank you." "Of course, darling." He lightly planted his lips on my forehead and stepped away once more. "Lawson? I think I''m going to go watch TV on my phone in our room. I''m tired." I really just need some time alone. "Yes of course sweetheart. I''m going to make us some lunch." "Alright" I feel horrible. I know what I have to do, I just can''t do it yet. I faced my back towards him and started walking down the hall to our room. The moment I turned away, tears flooded my face silently. He doesn''t believe me. I have to leave home again. Opening the door to our room, I saw him again. The bony boy. On our bed. My crying slowed. I felt anger bubbling up in my stomach. "You.." I whispered, "You ruined my life. He thinks your imaginary and I can''t prove your real! Get out. Now." His hollow eyes widened. He stood up with his hands partially raised, as if admitting defeat. We had a staredown like that until he eventually whispered through his broken lips. "?????¨©, ¨© ???? ¨©?''? ???? ?¨©??? ???..." I almost fell down, I felt my knees turn into mush. "H-how do you know my name? Who are you? How did you get in?" All he did in response was put his hands slowly to his sides. We remain like that for several minutes before I eventually give in. I sit on the bed and put my head in my hands. It was a long silence until I felt an arm around me. "¨© ???? ??? ????. ¨©''? ?? ?? ?????..." The tears ran harder. I shoved my body into his open arms, crying into his hoodie. "???? ?¨©?? ??? ???" I sat up, my face inches from his. "Do I have a choice?" He smiled softly. "?? ?¨¥??, ??¨¥?¨¥ ¨©? ?????? ? ???¨©?¨¥. ????¨¥?¨¥? ??? ?¨¥?¨©?¨¥, ¨© ?? ?¨¥?¨¥ ??? ???." That''s all I needed to hear. I knew what I needed to do. I needed to leave home again. My decision was made. "????¨¥?¨¥? ??? ?¨¥?¨©?¨¥..." His voice was raspy and deep, yet soft and emotional, like there was a constant war in his head. I know the feeling. His voice faded away and I felt his presence disappear. I continued to cry, knowing I''d have to live with my decisions. I love Lawson, and now I have to leave him for a better life, without the poison. I know it''s what he''d want me to do if he knew what was going on. I wiped my tears with my sleeve and decided to go talk to my love. I didn''t have much longer. However, I stopped at the corner of the hallway, I heard another voice. Yuri, from work. I flattened myself against the side of the wall, where they couldn''t see me, and listened closely. "You''ve been acting suspicious at work, Lawson. I know you''re hiding something." "Y-yuri, I swear-" "Swear what?! That you didn''t kill her? Or worse?! Where is she?!!" Yuri wanted to protect me?.. "No!! She''s not dead! I don''t know where she is! But she can''t be dead, Yuri. I swear, I don''t have her!!" "Her mom is worried sick. Her friends and her mom stopped by Pizza Hut yesterday hanging posters for her. I helped them. You weren''t there. You went straight home. Couldn''t live with the guilt, Lawson?" "Yuri. Stop. Do you realize how ridiculous this is?" "Yes, it''s very ridiculous that you''re lying straight to my face. You know she was on meds right? Her mom hasn''t told me much, the police haven''t either, but you know she has something seriously wrong with her, right?" Oh no, she wants to poison me too?!! This is all confusing news to me. I slide down the wall and sit there, head in my hands again. This isn''t going to be easy. "W-what?" I heard his voice break. He began sobbing, it broke my heart. "Lawson..Oh my god..I''m so sorry. I didn''t realize. Listen we''re all just very distraught, I''m sure you are too. Just, let me know if you see anything okay?" "I-I will..Thank you Yuri, for stopping by." "Yeah, I''ll see you at work tomorrow." I heard the door shut but I didn''t come out just yet. I heard him sit on the couch, his muffled sobbing covered the house. You could feel his pain, and it hurt me so badly. I walked out slowly. "Babe? You alright?" I sat next to him, putting my arm around him. "Yes. Yes, I am. Just, Hayami, everyone''s so worried about you. I know I said I''d protect you, but I''m starting to think you going home is the best thing for you." My heart sank. "No, I''m not going back. She tried to poison me." Lawson''s face was the physical embodiment of heartbreak once that came out of my mouth. He really truly believed Yuri, that there was something wrong with me. "Hayami, you''re gonna go to the doctor okay? This weekend. Just another week, will you be okay?" He caressed my face in his hand. I had to lie to him. "Yes. Maybe you''re right. Maybe I''ll go see a doctor, I''ll go for you. I love you." "I love you too." I passionately kissed him, knowing this would be one of the last times I get to do so. Us Against The World By the time 7 pm rolls around, my vision''s blurry and there are little lights flashing in the corners of my eyes. I told Lawson about it earlier but he said I''m hallucinating. I don''t hallucinate, he''s been talking too much to Yuri, he really believes something is wrong with me. I get up to look at the little light that keeps flashing from the closet, only for it to disappear. However, I know if I lay back down, it''ll just keep flashing. So I walk out to the living room. Lawson and I have spent a lot of today apart and sleeping. It hasn''t been the best day. However, I need to spend it with him before I leave again. I drag my feet to the living room, only my love for him keeps me moving. I exit the hallway to see him shirtless on the couch, his scars on his chest screaming to me. I''ve always been curious, ever since I saw his scars the first time, but I never dared ask. I stood over him, running my hand along his scars, tracing them and thinking about home, running away, and how much I love him. When he twitches I pull away, but he''s already awake. His eyes are open and he jolts up, covering his scars. We stare at each other until he cautiously uncovers his chest, then asks, "Are you curious?" I nod and sit next to him as he sits up. "My parents. They hurt me a lot as a child. They whipped me across my chest, no one would see them there." His eyes flew to the floor. "Last year they realized they could finally kick me out on my own, so they emancipated me, but I don''t mind, I''d really rather it be this way." My eyes widened and I could hear the sobs come into his throat. "You''re the only person I''ve ever wanted around, Hayami. I''ve always thought living was pointless, but seeing you here with me now changes my mind, without a doubt. I love you Hayami. You make my life better." I nodded and looked at the ground, ashamed. "I love you too." It slipped out of my mouth more as a mumble, but he didn''t seem to notice as he stood up, kissed my head, and walked into our room. I feel so ashamed. I''m the only person he''s ever wanted around, and I''m leaving? I feel horrible. I''ll leave him a note, it''s the least I can do. If anyone deserves to know anything about my plan, it''s him. Dear Lawson, This is going to be hard for both of us, but I''m running away again. I love you, but I can''t let you poison me like my mother or the doctors. I need to live and I hope that you will be happy knowing that I''m out in the world, living my best life. I''m going to miss you, please don''t forget about me, you''re the love of my life. I''m sorry. -Hayami, your love. I shoved it in my pocket and walked into our room. It''s about time for bed but I can''t just sleep without talking to Lawson. I roll over towards him. "Babe?" All I got in response was a quiet snore. "Baby." I shook him lightly, and he slowly came to. "Hmmm?" "Hey, baby? I just want you to know I love you, okay?" "Is that why you woke me?" Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! He leaned over and planted a kiss on my lips. "M-mhm...I love you, Lawson. Goodnight" I couldn''t bare myself to say anything more. "Goodnight my love," he replied contently. I felt tears flow out of my eyes onto my clothes and the bedding. I faced my back towards him. I silently cried for hours until my eyes were dried, then turned towards him to hold him. I needed to feel him in my arms one last time. Then it was day. My face felt bumpy and dry from sobbing overnight. I frantically sat up, reaching for Lawson to hold him again only to realize he was gone. He had already left for work. The sunlight streamed through the windows, reminding me once more of home. I am already starting to accept that I won''t have a home, a lover, or friends ever again. I will have to be in hiding forever because everyone will constantly try to poison me. Everyone thinks there is something wrong with me. However, even as sad as I am, I need to get ready to leave now. I have to be long gone by the time he gets back. First things first, I take the note out of my pocket that I wrote yesterday and put it on the kitchen table. It''s only once I start gathering my belongings in our bedroom that I begin to hear things. "?????¨©." It sounds like him. I know it''s the bony boy, but I can''t see him anywhere. "?¨©????." I roll my eyes. "If you''re here, stop being so dramatic and just come out!" I didn''t mean to come off harsh, but today was just not the day for me. Everything is silent now. I turn around to face the door, and there he is. "?? ???¨¥ ¨©? ?¨©????." "Great," I threw my clothes down, "That''s one question answered. Now how did you get in, and why are you here?" "¨©''? ???? ???¨©??." My face wrinkled up in confusion as I crossed my arms. "¨©''?? ???¨¥ ??? ???? ??¨©? ??¨¥??. ??? ?¨¥?¨¥??¨¥ ?¨¥??¨¥?." My arms fell to my sides as my heart softened. What did this boy know about me? He knows something more. "??¨¥? ???¨©?¨¥? ??? ?????? ???? ??¨¥ ?¨©????? ?? ???, ?¨¥ ?????¨¥?. ?¨¥ ??¨©?? ?¨©? ?¨©?????. ??? ??? ?? ??¨¥ ???¨¥. ??? ??¨¥ ??? ???? ??? ??¨©? ?????." My jaw falls to the floor and my heart jumps into my throat. I remain speechless as he moves towards me. His legs drag towards me and it''s only now that I notice his eyes have tears. "?¨¥? ?¨¥ ?¨¥?? ???." His hand reaches for me. Something feels wrong. I tuck my hands behind me. I back up and sit on the bed. The comforter squishes against my thighs as I continue to back up. He slowly walks across the room, almost lifeless, until he stands in front of me, inches away. His hand leads a trail to my throat, and follows up to my chin, forcing me to look at him. I feel tears rushing into my eyes. Lawson did this to me once. "???''? ???, ???¨¥?. ¨© ?? ?¨¥?¨¥. ¨© ?¨©?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ¨¥?¨¥????¨¥? ?¨¥???, ?? ??¨¥ ?¨©?? ?¨©?? ??? ?¨©?? ?¨¥." His hand on my chin softened as he stood in front of the bed, right in front of me. My sobs cause my head to rest on his chin and cry harder. His hand was cold, almost so cold, that it felt nonexistent. By the time I looked up from my tears, he was gone. I gathered my belongings on the kitchen table and shoved them into my backpack. Deja Vu hit me like a truck when I stepped toward the door. I decided to spin around and gander at the apartment one last time. I walked the house''s perimeter, taking everything in through all my senses. The floor creaks as I walk. However now, I''m hearing extra creaks behind me. "Willow?" I whip around to an empty hallway. The air shuffles up my skin, sending goosebumps over me. The air has gotten cold. A sudden force of anxiety overtook my body in one big wave. My legs began to shake while I curled into a ball on the floor. I am lost without Willow. I need him. He is all I have. No matter who he is. Repeating that over and over in my head makes me feel a bit better. I run my hands across the opposite wall one last time, leading back to the door. I gripped the doorknob right before an idea struck me. I could take some stuff from Lawson. He wouldn''t notice, right? No, that''s too mean. He has loved me and taken care of me, I wasn''t taking anything from him. "???''?? ?¨¥¨¥? ¨©?." I turned from the door to face a hollow-eyed Willow, his eyes felt like daggers in my skin. "??? ??¨¥?''? ? ??? ?¨¥???? ??? ???¨©?? ??¨©???, ??? ?¨©?? ?¨¥ ???? ?¨©????? ??¨¥?." I knew he was right. However, I couldn''t find anything to take except one crystal of his. I slipped it into my pocket and went for the doorknob once more. I inhale and feel the cold air rush into my lungs as I swing the door wide open. I have 0 plans this time, and that makes everything a ton harder. I walk down his driveway, not exactly thinking about where to go. I can''t walk to Pizza Hut or the school. I''d like to walk downtown, but I know people would see me. I need to go to Walmart. It''ll be the safest thing for me to do. I make a mental list of things I need to buy while I''m there. I''ve saved up all my money from work, so I have quite a bit. 1. Hair Dye 2. Fake Glasses 3. Food Come to think of it, that''s really all I need. As I''m slowly walking with my hood up to Walmart, I make the first big step of my new plan to hide forever. Change my Identity. "¨© ?¨©?? ?¨¥??." I felt Willows'' cold hand suddenly form into mine. Whatever I''m going to go through. He''s here. "?? ???¨©??? ??¨¥ ?????." Hustlers Bar N Grill I turned to Willow, hoping for something more, however, he had already vanished. I wonder how he does that. I think he is special. A special human. Maybe only the special ones can do things like that, or maybe he just drifts off. Slides into the shadows, or falls into the darkness of the trees. The wind blows against the back of my hood, swinging parts of my hair out into the breezy air. I''ve done a lot of crazy things in my life, but running from home twice in two weeks was never one until now. The amount of freedom that came with abandoning home was incredible, almost incomprehensible. I was allowed to go out a bit when I was younger, it wasn''t much but considering it stopped at age 10, I''m grateful I got to go out at all. The final time I went out as a kid was with Shuko. We went to the park together. It was a warm autumn day. The leaves crunched as we jumped on them, racing each other there. We ran around, throwing ourselves down slides and jumping off swings. I had talked to some of the other kids there, and we had all agreed to play a game of tag. Everything further on gets blurry, but I have faint memories of everyone screaming. The screams of excitement quickly turned to those of horror but the reason why is lost to me. I then remember my mother cramming me into the car without a word, and we ended up at the doctors office. That was the day they changed my meds but that''s all I can remember. I never got told why, and I didn''t dare ask. Looking back on it, it all seems so suspicious, but it didn''t seem so weird on the day that it happened. Shuko started treating me differently since then too. He used to be so much more outgoing and carefree. However, after that day, he gradually turned more inward. It''s like his personality was ran through a blender, watered down and slushed up into a gray pile of mush. He now worries about me constantly, always asking about my pills. It hurts me to have to lie to him. I told him almost every day that yes, I took my pills when I clearly didn''t. I don''t know if Shuko would understand. Even if he would, I would never want to put that burden onto him. The sun is almost down now. I walked aimlessly for what had to have been hours. I observe my surroundings. Streetlights are slowly lighting up, I seem to be in the middle of a big city. A city that never rests, there are cars everywhere, people hustling along the streets. I turn 90 degrees and find myself face to face with a big light up sign. "Hustlers Bar N'' Grill" I turn back around only to find myself face to face with a very close Willow. "??? ???''? ?????¨¥ ????¨©?¨¥??¨©?? ?? ? ???." "Willow, the sun is almost down, I need a place to go" "??? ????? ?¨©?? ??? ????¨¥, ??? ? ????" Sudden rage blasted through my body, leaving me speechless. Willow has questioned almost everything I do, commanded it even. I don''t owe him anything. So I turn to the bar once more and storm inside, leaving him a silhouette on the pavement. Upon entering, my senses were filled with the smell of great bar food, and the sounds of hearty laughter. I knew this was a great idea. I have some money in my bag and a hamburger sounds amazing right now. Through the crowd, I realize I need to cover myself so people won''t recognize me. My hood quickly falls over my face and my spare mask covers my mouth, muffling my breaths. I see an empty table in the back corner, dark and lonesome. Perfect. The autumn orange lights reflect off my boots, making me look so much more glamorous than I ever could be. I take my seat and feel the coldness of the black and red seat. The designs on the table are so beautiful, random and wild. Looking out the window on my right, the city is still bustling, even more now. It''s beautiful. This city looks like one big Christmas tree, and all the cars are ornaments. Out of pure curiosity, I shuffle my chair the other direction to face the back window, and am quickly met with a fuming Willow. I watch his breath fog up the glass, but can read his lips anyways. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "???¨¥ ????¨©?¨¥." I shake my head no, and turn back around, giving him no control. I wonder why he didn''t just come inside? Remembering how he mouthed those words to me, he felt so cold, mean and empty. His eyes were filled with something I''ve never seen them filled with before. My choices start to make their way through my head, and now I''m sitting, in a bar, in the middle of a bustling town, I don''t know where I am, and I have zero plans. "Can I get you started off with anything today?" Shit, food. "A water, will be fine. Do you guys have hamburgers?" The chipper little woman smiled at me. "Only the best in town! Will that be all for you today?" "Yes, thank you!" "No problem hun." She scribbled on her clipboard and scurried away. I take a few deep breaths, this is not the place to freak out. "Hey aren''t you a little young to be here all by yourself?" Not knowing where that came from, my eyes drift aimlessly. "Right here." He was at a table adjacent to me. The man strolled over to my table, to sit across from me. The strong scent of crisp pinewood followed him. His eyes were intense, reflecting the autumn light. This man didn''t belong here. His appearance was dark, cold, intense, rich, but the atmosphere was light-hearted and bubbly. He stuck out like a misplaced puzzle piece. "You never answered my question." He chuckled. His voice was like smoke, calm and controlled, but foggy, and dangerous. "I''m allowed to go where I want." Shifting in my seat, I once again see a steaming Willow outside, this time out the window to my right. My eyes dart and become erratic as I try to keep my focus. "Watcha lookin at?" He leans towards me to try to see what I see, but per usual, to no avail. I look to the table to lie. "Nothing, just the bustling city. Do you need something or..." Trailing off, the same cheery waitress from before appears almost out of thin air. "Oh! I see you met a friend!" She smiled, something in her eyes seemed cautious. Like a warning, or maybe it wasn''t because she quickly followed with: "We do that a lot in this town! Here''s your burger hunny," her eyes jump to the man with a sparkle, "and I''ll go get your pasta!" Her heels clicked away on the floor, then returned once more with a big plate of alfredo. "Why, thank you." She nodded and clicked away again. The man started eating, like he has known me for years. I nibble on my fries and watch the man carefully, then repeat myself. "So, did you need something?" The man quickly swallows his pasta. "Oh oh right! Sorry, I''ve had a long day. I''m hungry. You heard the waitress. People talk to each other all the time in this town. You okay with that?" He smiled a warm smile, but his eyes remained cold. "Well you don''t look like you''re from here" I replied, still holding caution near. "Bold of you to assume that. I like bold," He grins, grabbing another spoonful of pasta. "So where are you from then?" He looks up from his pasta, finally making deep eye contact. It gives me chills. "I''m from here. If a girl like you can go where she wants, then a man like me can dress how he wants." "Oh, sorry." I look down feeling embarassed. This man was just trying to be nice, and I was being an ass. He accepts the apology, and continues eating, as I continue to watch him and nibble my fries. I reach down to grab another fry, until I realize they''re gone. "Need a refill?" His eyebrow raised at me. I feel my face grow hot. "N-no! It''s fine, really!! You don''t need to-" He chuckles and interrupts, "It''s free, don''t sweat it." "O-oh. Do you have a name?" "Doesn''t everyone? It''s Zavier. Zavier Ray." "I see, my name is Hayami." "How cute! So where are you from?" I look down at the table to lie once more. "Here." "Oh, well maybe" his speech becomes slower, "Maybe I can take you home after this, Hayami." I stutter horribly, what do I tell him? I don''t have a home, damnit make up an excuse!! "Oh, uhm, sorry I''d love that but I can''t." "How come?" "U-um" "More fries hun?" I want to scream, to ask the waitress for help, but I can''t. He speaks for me, "Yes, she''d love more fries, thank you." She exits on a quest for more fries, and I feel my chest tense. I can''t breathe, the room is spinning, I feel tears. "Can you stand up?" Zavier asks kindly I stand and grab the table for support, until he pulls me into a hug. I feel myself untense, until his mouth meets my ear in a whisper. "I know you''re lying. I know you''re not from here. You WILL come home with me, and you will not mention this to anyone, is that understood? I have a knife in my pocket and I know how to make your lifeless body look like an accident. Tap once if you understand." I shakily tap on him, I don''t have a choice, he continues. "Good. Now after I release you, you will sit down, and act like nothing has happened, and we will have a nice discussion. Tap once if you understand." I lightly tap once more. "Harder than that, do you understand?" I tap harder. "Good girl. Now remember what I told you, and sit." I sit down, my knees bounce under the table in absolute fear. The fear turns to terror as Zavier sits down and continues eating his pasta with a smile on his face. This Isnt Home I barely have an appetite to eat my burger, but I know if I don''t, he''ll threaten me. I don''t even get a full bite in before: "You''re a hungry girl hm?" I feel my stomach crinkle up like a piece of unwanted paper. The burger goes down and almost comes right back up. "Are you going to answer me?" He growls. "Y-yes, I''m very hungry." "Good girl, oh and look at that-" The waitress makes her way towards our table once more and sets down our refill fries. The restaurant is filling up the longer I''m here, and she seems to be picking up the pace. "Here you go, hun! Enjoy!" I want to scream, cry out for help, tell someone, anyone, but Zavier has other plans. So instead, I take the fries and begin to nibble at them. "Are they good?" My heart has never sank so deep into my stomach as I nod. He grins and responds, "Then I''ll let you finish them, but after that, I think we should go." I feel my body lurch forward in shock, thinking about what might happen. I know this man is dangerous, I can tell, anyone could if they were in my position. I realize I don''t know when I''ll eat again, and begin to shovel the fries into my mouth. I can feel Zavier''s eyes on me. They scan me like a watchful security light while I devour my fries. Everything about his movement feels predatory. He carefully twirls his pasta around his fork with a smirk on his face, like an amused hunter watching it''s prey scramble for a chance at survival. Was this a life or death situation? There''s no way this man would murder me right? He quickly stabs his fork into the remaining pasta making a loud noise as the fork hits the plate. He grins more maniacally as he takes his last bite. Was this my last meal? Panic is flooding through me as he pulls out his wallet and sets enough money on the table for our whole meal. He stands and holds his hand out to me. His eyes are not calm anymore. They no longer look calculated and held together, but more like a waterfall, constantly moving unpredictably. I stand next to him, but do not take his hand. To give a sense of security, he puts his hand on my shoulder and leads me outside. I debate trying to fight back, but Zavier is nearly twice my size, and before I know it, I''m in his car. I think it was black, but of course I didn''t get any license plate numbers or anything. Once he gets into the drivers seat, he pulls out a handkerchief and tells me to be still. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. I begin to shake, which he responds, "Hey, it''s okay, I just can''t let you know where we''re going, wouldn''t want you to snitch on me." I feel him tying the handkerchief around the back of my head. From now on, I can only memorize the turns we take along the long bumpy roads. Eventually the car drifts uphill before stopping. The car shuts off, and I listen to Zavier get out. I try to exit the car but my hands can''t find the door handle. Zavier opens the door for me and leads me with his hand on my shoulder once more. "W-what about my backpack?" I feel him pat my shoulder reassuringly, "Don''t worry. I grabbed it." "Can I have it?" His voice grows more irritated and I know I''m pushing it. "Soon." His hand leaves my shoulder and I hear him opening the house door. I''m too scared to move, but I''m forced to once he grabs my arm and drags me inside. I expected the blindfold to come off once I was inside, but that wasn''t the case. With my sight absent, my other senses were hard to ignore. I felt the carpet floor beneath my feet, and the house smelled strong of cinnamon. The lights were already on when we walked in, I could see the light through the blindfold, however, the room he put me into was dark. He only turned on the light after he untied my blindfold. The room spread before me had dark wood floors, and red walls with chipped paint. It was very obvious the room had just been cleaned, the bed was made, and there was a TV pushed against the wall on a neatly cleaned stand, and even though one could tell the stand hadn''t been touched in forever, it was dusted and polished. "I hope you like it. This is where you''ll be staying now." I''m trying my hardest to be on my best behavior. This man could do whatever he wanted, I need to at least try to stay on his good side. "I love it.." After a few moments of awkward silence he speaks. "Well go on. It''s getting late, sit down and get some sleep. There will be a note under the door for you tomorrow, I suggest looking at it. Goodnight." He shuts the door and I hear it lock. Shit...Locked in? Really? What if I need to use the restroom? These thoughts occur for about 15 minutes until I feel my eyes getting heavy. The bed I''m provided with is surprisingly comfy, and before I know it, I''m dead asleep. I wake up to complete darkness, and upon sitting up, shivers crawl up my spine. I quickly remember where I am, and why. What I don''t remember however, is the layout of the room I''m in. I stumble around the darkness, stepping cautiously as to be sure I don''t step on or run into anything. I reach the far wall across the bed and begin to scan it with my hands. I snag the light switch and quickly turn it on. Upon letting light enter my eyeballs, I remember what Zavier said about the note, and looked down to find it at my feet. I bend down to pick it up, and take it back to the bed to read it. Hayami, Welcome to my home, I hope you''re enjoying yourself so far. I understand this may be new to you, but do not fear, this life will grow on you eventually, it does everyone. However, in this house there are rules, and routines that you may not be used to. First we will start with your needs. If you need to use the bathroom, knock on the wall that the TV is against, someone will unlock your door eventually to let you go. That being said, everywhere you go will be escorted to make sure you do not try and escape. Food will be made three times a day, you will be woken up in the morning for breakfast, and you are expected to have certain things done before you get lunch or dinner. If that is not enough for you, there are snacks for you provided in the dresser, top drawer. The rest of the drawers will have clothes for you to wear. There is a basket in the closet for your dirty clothes to go in. You will have a chance to fill up the water bottle provided for you at every meal if you wish. The time spent outside your room will be calculated carefully, and many times, you will not be aware of what you must do until the time comes. Times will be scheduled shortly, and if there is any changes, you will be notified. If you have any requests or issues, you can ask people on hand, they should be able to help you. Much Love, Zach