𝕊𝕥𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕞𝕖 𝕌𝕡 (Atsushi x M!Reader)

Chapter #5

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Backpack wrung in a heavy matter over my shoulders, aching tendons and muffled groans with every step. The tender muscles outlining my small frame, the sore feeling in my legs jolted up my hips. Feet melting into the ground and staggering forwards, it wasn't the sensations running through my body that wound me so.

I would have to run.

Streetlights were getting dimmer, shadows more apparent in the dark sky as they blended into the darkness. Everything would appear mystified, forlorn and obscure to hide the nights dirty secrets away. But as much as the darkness prevailed, attempting to keep away what did not want to be seen, I could hear it.

I could hear it oh so clearly.

Eyes closed, I needn't know the sight of horrors behind me. The slight arch of the street would not slow down my pace, nor would the demeaning darkness that concealed holes and cracks into the ground. I need only listen to the sounds approaching, telling a story of pain, of grievance, of persistence. Suffering as it may be, it certainly didn't plan to stay sole in its agony.

I soon passed a blinking streetlight, flickering in its fight to illuminate the street. Farther down the road was just dim enough to send me running, and I silently waited for the noises a few streets away to get louder.

Yet I only heard the chattering of teeth.

Turning around slightly, my eyes came in contact with the unusual figure before I could think to recognize it. A normal human boy, how ironic to think of it as a unusual figure at this time at night. Yet the backpack sling across their back and the easy steps forwards shone of naivety and ignorance, they had no idea of the creature that lurked behind them. Yet I didn't think to slow down, as inconvenient as it was, they would only be another worry on my mind. I much preferred the normal run in contrast to any communication between someone.

I prefer the usual.

"Hey!"

This was not the usual.

The voice bound off the dark walls that caged the neighbourhood and dim streets together, high pitched, lighthearted. It was no doubt directed to me, the figure only less than a street away. I could hear their voice loud enough to send a tremor through my spine, the weight on my shoulder seemed to increase, crashing down on me with the new anxiety.

I stick to what I know.

Footsteps resonated against rocky gravel, approaching at a quick rate closer. I could feel my joints tense and the urge to run felt so normal. Get away from the figure, get away at what was coming. My mind snapped to the ragged stitched up form of what was hidden in the dark, shrewd eyes and curved mouth.

I wanted to run.

To escape from this abnormal figure, despite not posing nearly as much threat as the monster did, it provided no comfort. I was used to the gasping and chattering of teeth, the ragged breathing and pain filled screams. I was used to running, used to hiding, used to escaping.

I need not escape a human being.

Much less a human my age.

But that went against my instincts, against what I would prefer to do. I would rather escape, abandon any chance of interaction and run.

"Ah- sorry..."

He was in front of me.

"Took me a while to catch up to you!"

His school uniform was too big on him, white shirt tucked under one side of his jeans while the other dangled low to cover a side of his hips. Shoes ragged and scratched with time, his tie was loose, pulled to showcase his collarbone in a sly manner. Sleeves bunched up at his elbow, he tried to hide the way his small form shook against the cold breeze.

His hair was an abnormal white, pulled in different directions as if repeatedly tugged. Bangs cut with haste, one side hung low while the other draped past his chin. Yet it wasn't his hair that captivated me, it was his eyes. A gradient, pink orbs and yellow hue, the colours did not mix in a way that made him pretty. He wasn't something to look at and admire, soft perplexion and wide sharp jagged eyes.

He was enthralling.

Eyes holding a sanctuary, smile compelling against the moonlight. He was absorbing, captivating me and alluring me into trance. Comforting, as if I was bewitched into his rosy gold orbs.

"Anyways," he spoke out with ease, unfazed by my wide stare. "My name is Atsushi! Atsushi Nakajima."

Atsushi...

His name echoed in my head, but that wasn't anything close to what I was thinking. Heart skipping a beat, a hand rose to my chest. I was stunned, temporarily shocked into silence.

I couldn't hear it.

I couldn't hear the chattering of teeth.

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