Subaru's Containment Breach (Re:Zero X SCP)

Disbelief

      "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS ALREADY?!?" A broken cry wretched out of a broken man's mouth. A gasp, clearly shocked in response to their behavior. Their tone sounded hurt and betrayed, her eyes looked down as the man continued to press out his anger further, too tired to notice the withdrawal of the girl before him. "I'M FINE, ALRIGHT?!? You don't have to worry about me! You don't have to be so persistent all the damn time! Alright..? Just leave me alone." The man ended his anger slowly fading only to see the girls tears that had started to sprout from her eyes.

"I understand, I won't bother you anymore, I'm sorry." With that simple statement the girl quickly exited the room, the boy felt a surge of guilt immediately surface. He bit his lips hard enough to draw blood in the realization of the mistake he had just incurred.

"God damn it, I really messed up this time, didn't I?" His eyelids felt even more heavy tears threatening to leave out of the orifice at any second. He let out a muffled sob as he fell to the bed within the room. He knew deep inside he should chase after her, but he was too tired. He already was expending so much energy to stay awake. With a heavy sigh he laid down and looked at the ceiling. And counting the hours in his head he let the rest of the night pass away without a wink of sleep.

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   A tired gaze reflected off the mirror beside him, an eerie sound of water trickling out from the sink. Eyelids tempted to close only to be forced back by the will of their master; with a hefty sigh he took a handful of cold water and splashed his face. The bags underneath his eyes clearly represented the boy's deterioration of his physical health.

His hair was unkempt and a sense of paranoia lurked deep behind the boy's brown eyes, Subaru was a mess. This did not go unnoticed by the fellow members of his camp, even Ram had started to give him worried glances from the corner of her eyes. Her insults diminished and had relinquished the bite they once held.

But he couldn't help it, how could he? One misstep and he'd end up back in that hellhole where he had forgotten all his friends and felt ultimately useless. If he went back he was sure he'd just be stuck in an endless loop with no way out. That's why he so desperately clinged to the present, but his friends worries were stirring.

He could see it in Emilia's eyes, she looked at him with worry and unrest. They had become more distant recently, more awkward, despite his attempts to cheer up the mood. It was hard to hide the underlying drowsiness, Rem begged him to sleep, but he'd always brush her off. There was a time when he even yelled at her...

Soon, he'd be forced to sleep whether he wanted to or not. It was only a matter of time after all, his body couldn't keep up with the backlash. He was only human, despite what actions made him think otherwise. Of course, he'd struggle for as long as he could, but the hallucinations were becoming ever so clearer.

Out of the corner of his eye he'd spot that nasty dog with its jaw opened wide ready to snatch up his body and cleave him in two. He'd try his best to ignore them, but he would be lying to himself if he said they didn't scare him. The more often they occurred the more time he had to dwell on going back. He had muddled through this in his mind over and over. What was the cause? Why did it happen? How did it happen? How do I stop it?

He had received no clues from the girls. Apparently, one day he fell asleep and didn't wake up. Nothing weird had happened prior to that day, just his normal routine of doing chores around the mansion. He didn't even know how to begin to stop it, moreover his attempts to talk about it were futile. It was like Return by Death, any mention of the SCP Foundation and he was immediately shut up.

A knock on the door aroused Subaru from his contemplation, he considered ignoring it, but he shook his head realizing how silly that prospect was. With hesitant movement he unlocked and opened the door up only to spot a silver-haired elf.

"Oh, Emilia-tan! Just the sight I wanted to see in the morning! Your angelic presence never disappoints!" Subaru joyfully teased, trying his best to feign his fatigue.

Emilia giggled slightly, but Subaru could tell it was somewhat forced. "Suuubaru, we don't have time for that." Emilia admonished his teasing which he simply laughed off. "You've got visitors after all, you know Subaru, they've been verrrry worried about you." Subaru eyes narrowed slightly, who'd be here to visit him and was it because of his refusal to rest?

"I see, well what are we waiting for then?" Subaru stuttered slightly, catching even more unwarranted worry from Emilia. Damn it, why am I so useless? Subaru thought to himself as they made headway to the front of Roswaal's manor.

The red haired knight's eyes perked in anticipation as he caught sight of Emilia's silver hair. His mistress next to him smirked as she ran up to her tackling the poor girl. The knight smirked, seeing her mistress so elated was refreshing.

"Big sis! What took you so long? Don't tell me this chump was slowing you down?" The young girl pointed at Subaru who responded with a quick "Hey!"

"Felt, it's nice to see you're doing well." Emilia smiled, it looked different to Subaru; it looked genuine.

"Lady Emilia, Subaru, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more." The red haired knight bowed with an elegant smile.

"Reinhard! This little monster has been treating you well, I hope?" Subaru asked only to immediately get kicked in the knees. Cursing underneath his breath he glared at the flaring royal candidate.

Reinhard let out a soft chuckle "My lady is as determined and elegant as she's always been."

"So, big bro, how was your little vacation, sleep well?" Subaru's eyes widened as he realized why they had come here. His lips pursed into a smirk as he couldn't help but laugh at himself. He was so focused on not falling asleep he forgot he had slept for three months.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Felt, oh you don't understand the terrors that came from my heavenly fantasy." Subaru waved his finger disapprovingly in front of a bewildered Felt. "Sure I was served hand on hand by some of the most lovely maidens. However, I wasn't conscious for any moment of it! Do you know how discouraging that is? Truly, it was a scandal crafted by this cruel world!" Subaru dramatized his sorrows with his knees drooped and arms pointed out to the sky in despair.

"Yeah, yeah, so I guess that means you're the same old doofus." Felt shrugged off Subaru's banter and looked suspiciously at his eyes. Subaru noticed Reinhard was also staring at him, Emilia gulped as the environment suddenly grew somewhat tense.

"W-would you guys like to go inside for a snack, I'm sure Rem and Ram have made plenty of leftovers." Emilia suggested as her eyes turned towards a Subaru who was sweating.

"Nah, I think we're good, isn't that right Rein?"

"Of course, my lady."

"Why are you guys looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face? Or even worse, do I stink?!?" Subaru sniffed his pits in a panic trying his best to dissuade their attention.

"So, when are you going to finally get some rest big bro?" Felt inquired ignoring his desperate antics. Felt was determined to get the boy to subdue his frantic efforts.

"Rest? I've already gotten tons of rest, I was asleep for three months. What more could a guy ask for?" Emilia's eyes looked at Subaru in worry, she knew for a fact that whatever Subaru experienced during his coma it had forced them into this state. She regretted that she still hasn't been able to convince the boy to relent and rest, she even had to go to outside sources for help.

"Subaru, please, you don't need to lie. Just tell us what's wrong..." Emilia's voice was desperate as Subaru looked at her, his eyes filled with fear and hesitation.

"Lying? I'm not lying, nothing happened, nothing at all. Why are you guys so persistent anyways, isn't this supposed to be our happy reunion?"

"He's lying." Reinhard stated to which Subaru turned to him with a glare. Reinhard was a bit taken aback by the boy's rough attitude, but if he were to call himself a hero he could not falter now.

"Stop trying to act tough already! Are you trying to ignore us with this pathetic attitude of yours!" Subaru held his hands up as Felt got up in his face seemingly ready to pounce at any moment.

"Do you not trust... me?" Subaru flinched as he heard Emilia's voice, his face turned towards Emilia.

"No, no, no, that's not it I just can't-" Subaru tried to form an excuse or something to resolve this situation, but his pathetic mind couldn't muster up anything.

"Can't what?" Emilia pressed the issue further leaving a flabbergasted Subaru.

"I can't tell you..." Subaru finally relented as he watched Emilia's expression darken. Looking down in shame he clenched his fists. He bit his lips in irritation, he couldn't cheer up his friends, he couldn't alleviate their worries. He was useless, he truly hated himself.

"I see." Emilia deadpanned as she began to leave Subaru alone with both Reinhard and Felt. "You guys are welcome to stay..." She muttered before shutting the door behind her.

"Geesh big bro I haven't seen you screw up this much in a while. Why didn't you just tell her the truth?" Felt admonished the forlorn boy who simply sighed.

"I already told you why I can't."

"Alright, big bro, whatever you say. I'll be inside if you wanna talk for real." Felt waved leaving Subaru alone with a bewildered Reinhard.

"Reinhard I-"

"It's alright Subaru, I don't know why you can't tell us. But my mistress is worried and so am I, could you at least try to get some rest?" Subaru looked a bit guilty as he realized that he couldn't fulfill the noble knight's request.

"No. I can't tell you why, it's all sorts of complicated and I- I'm afraid Reinhard." Reinhard frowned at Subaru's comment, he had no idea what his friend was going through. However, with his divine protection he could tell Subaru wasn't lying, so it was unlikely he'd be able to garner any further information. Still, he didn't want to feel useless; he wanted to cheer up his friend. Looking back towards the village granted Reinhard an idea.

"If you don't mind, we could take a walk, maybe that would let you get some fresh air?" Reinhard suggested with a smile. Subaru looked up in surprise and a smile forced its way out.

"Sure- no problem, Rein. Where are we going, Arlam?"

"You read my mind, I hope that's not an issue." Subaru nodded his head with no complaint. He was excited to see the kids again.

However, as they continued a direct pace towards the village Subaru could feel his eyes drifting. With a muffled curse he forced his eyelids back open only to see the face of SCP 096 staring at him it's mouth gaped open.

It's movement lurched forward as Subaru swore he could feel it grip his shoulder, it's pale skin and a reminiscent screaming faded back into his mind. The pain of having his body ripped apart made him shiver, Subaru was frozen still as he watched the creature draw slower. Tears threatened to perch his eyes as its elongated meaty claws slowly caressed down his sides.

"Is everything alright Subaru?" Reinhard looked back, his friend stood motionless eyes fixated in the distant air. Once the voice began to register within Subaru's mind, the hallucination quickly dissipated. With a quick shake of his head, the fear remained clear on Subaru's eyes as his head slowly turned towards Reinhard. His mouth felt paralyzed as he slowly forced out a response.

"It's no problem, Reinhard, I'm just a little bit tired, is all." Subaru smiled unconvincingly, his lips barely able to keep their grip. Reinhard frowned knowing he'd only complicate things if he pushed the subject farther. With a suppressed sigh Reinhard moved on, Subaru followed closely behind him.

The trees eventually parted upon the pathway leading towards Arlam. However the light shimmered upon the village, a strange sight caught Subaru's drowsy eyes. The coloration was different, instead of the murky brown that plastered the density of the town. A blue and yellow sign coloration could be seen illuminating a peculiar sign.

Oddly enough, the sign could be read in only his home language it read "Ikea." Subaru's breathing quickened at the unexpected sight, was this another hallucination? He couldn't see the village either, no houses beside the Ikea, just an empty field. It was as if the villager had been teleported away and replaced with the strange building. There's no way this was possible, this had to be an illusion.

Subaru rubbed his eyes looking back at it again and again, but it never disappeared. Suddenly, Reinhard stopped in front of him, Subaru bumped into him with a grunt. Looking at Reinhard's eyes, Subaru noted that they were just as shocked if not more so than him. Thus, the truth finally dawned within Subaru's mind.

This wasn't a hallucination.