Shadows Lingering//A Glaze AU//Sequel to 'A Superhero's Heart'

30

Blaze ran on the top of rooftops, Garroth burying his head into his chest. He felt Blaze's heart racing, finding it calming in some way, even though he knew he just made a big mistake for not only himself but the person he loved. Shadow's voice was gradually getting louder in his head, picking at him. Blaze noticed that Garroth was gripping tightly onto him, his whole body shaking. That only made him go faster. 
Once he knew he was at a safe place, he stopped and put Garroth down. It was an abandoned apartment building, miles away from where the robbery took place. No reporters or camera were in sight. He knew he couldn't retreat to his home because, there was a chance he might be caught and followed. So, this had to do. Garroth was still hiding in his chest, visibly distraught by the whole thing. He was breathing heavily and whispering things to himself to a volume he couldn't understand. The hero retracted his mask seeing that the coast was clear and immediately asked; 

"Gar what happened? What's going on?"

"B-Blaze I'm sorry...I'm so so s-sorry,", Garroth only spoke out. He was in a state of panic... 

Blaze, as much as he hated it, he gently pushed the blonde away and forced him to look at him. His whole body froze, seeing a deep purple shade in his eyes instead of his blue. 

"Garroth please tell me what's wrong. I can only help you if you tell me." 

Garroth, with tears in his eyes, said; "I'm remembering things Blaze. Shadow is forcing me to remember certain memories to get inside my head...it's working." 

Blaze's stomach dropped. He thought of the tapes that Laurance had found and he described to him. Now everything was coming back to Garroth with no warning and no way to stop it. He couldn't even imagine the fear Garroth is going through and it pained the hero that he didn't come to him for help. 

"I'm sorry I-I didn't tell you,", Garroth spoke softly. "I didn't want to you to worry...and I didn't think it would get this bad." 

Another wave of pain hit his head, making him wobble a bit from side to side. Blaze helped stabilize him and saw that the tears were now falling down his cheeks, rapidly. He was going to ask another question but, was interrupted by Garroth saying; 

"At least I now know that it can never be what it was like before and I think that's what's killing me the most..." 

Confused, Blaze asked; "What d-do you mean?" 

Garroth looked him right in the eyes and said in practically a wail; "I've killed people Blaze! I looked them right in the eye and decided their lives didn't matter! How can I be Protector again knowing full well that I've done such horrible things to innocent lives?" 

Blaze instantly shot back with; "That wasn't you! It was Shadow! You're not the monster that you think you are! If you let him make you think that, you're never going to beat him!" 

"B-Blaze...it hurts...it hurts too much..." 

Blaze pulled him again, running his hand through his sandy locks. He didn't know what else to do. He let his tears fall onto his chest, wishing that he could find a way to make it all stop. He was not only remembering the acts he committed without his control but, the abuse and torment he went through for years. 

"I'd rather be dead than go through this Blaze,", Garroth said, groggily, his throat now sore from his sobbing. 

That flipped a switch in Blaze. "Why did you say?" 

Garroth at this point wasn't crying, there was just evidence still on cheeks. He looked Blaze straight in the face and said; "I now know that his hasn't be going on for just a few weeks Blaze...it's years. I've been fighting him for years....and I'm getting tired. The last thing I want to do is pull you into it."