Experiments to chaos

Chapter 20- Inside the nightmares

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth; pacing back and forth was all Atsushi could to do to calm his nerves, which were currently racing through the roof. What was worse was the fact, Atsushi wasn't sure if he wanted to stop them or let them keep skyrocketing because he had no idea which outcome would help him better in this situation. A situation where his boyfriend was currently shaking violently in the corner, but there was nothing he could do. All he could do was pace back and forth, so that was all he did. Occasionally, the boy would look up at his crazed lover and his heart would pick up pace again. One glance was enough fuel to get his heart to Jupiter and back, but he couldn't stop himself from looking because deep down he was wishing in vain, that somehow everything would miraculously be fixed and he'd look towards his smiling boyfriend once again. But no matter times he looked the scary sight never changed. He just wanted Akutagawa to be happy. All he ever wanted for that boy was for him to be happy and after everything he'd been through, didn't he deserve it? So... Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't he have stopped it? Atsushi was starting to shake as well, mimicking his boyfriend, if Gin hadn't put her hand on his shoulder he probably would have lost it.

Looking up at Atsushi was Gin's warm grey eyes, they provided a comforting outlet and was able to ground him from his hysteria. He was not alone. He had Gin by his side who was also close to losing it too ,and from the look of her tear stained face she wasn't far, so they had to help each other out. They couldn't give in to the beast eating them inside because then there'd be no one there for Ryu. There was no point worrying about him, if it was just going to eat them up in the process and that couldn't be allowed. Therefore, Ultimately deciding on stopping the fear, Atsushi took a deep breath in and steadied his nerves; he placed his hands on Gin's shoulders and stared into her eyes with a calm smile reassuring her he was ok now. Upon seeing Atsushi calm down, she herself relaxed slightly and attempted to let the fear within dissipate into the air. With calming nerves, she looked back into the were-tiger's eyes and returned his smile with a shaky one of her own. They sighed with relief and turned back towards their topic of concern who was still shaking in the corner. They looked back up at each other and stared at Akutagawa with a stronger resolve to help. However, Atsushi still had no idea what to do, so instead it was Gin he made the first step.

Gradually and carefully, she made her way over to her brother with caution. Every so often she'd freeze up, fearful that her movements had upset him, and watch as Akutagawa suddenly pulsated erratically before promptly returning to casually shaking. It was a tiresome pursuit but one Gin was more than happy to make and it only took a few minutes before she was kneeling down in front of him. The condition he was currently in was a frightening sight, especially close up. His left arm was covered in blood which just kept seeping out from a cut covered by his hand. His body was shaking violently in a self-soothing rhythm and his arms was holding tightly onto himself like he'd fall to pieces if he'd let go. He had glazed over eyes that made him seem detached from the world, he was here but he wasn't. It was said that the eyes were the window to the soul, but his currently had transformed to become an impenetrable wall keeping everyone out- including Gin. It truly was a tormenting sight and one look from those locked up eyes shook the girl to her core. No wonder Atsushi had gone manic when he tried to comfort him earlier. The were-tiger was the first to arrive at the scene so was the first to see this awful state up close. Now Gin was in the exact same position he was in earlier, but she couldn't think of any new answers. Her brother was right in front of her but wasn't responding  to any of her movements or words. Gin was a ghost to Ryu, and it took her physically touching him for presence to be acknowledged. 

With immense power, Gin was flung to the other side of the kitchen. She hit the wall with great force and fell forward to her knees instantly. It took her a minute to realise what had happened but once it all fell into place in her mind she sighed defeated. It only took her slightly touching her brother for him to attack her, there was no way she would be able to comfort him if he wouldn't let her close. It was utterly useless. She couldn't help. The very idea shocked Gin to the core. Whenever her brother was in danger she would be there for him, just like he was always there for her, but the time he needed her most she was unable to help. Her heart sunk deep into her chest and it felt like the world had fallen away. It was like she was letting her brother down.  At a loss, she looked back up at Atsushi who was staring back at her with a sympathetic smile. He had completely predicted the outcome, having received the same one earlier, so immediately ran over to Gin and sighed with relief when he saw she had missed the broken glass.