Family Reunion In A Crisis || Book 2

Chapter 6: Just A Bite

Do not look back.

Akemi only followed that singular rule.

He chose life over knowing what in the world was chasing him. He needed to run — to focus on escaping. As unattainable as he guessed it would be, he had to find help. From the quick glance prior to the monster chasing him, he recalled it being a hundred-times his size.

It crushed the ground by only stepping on it. That very ground shook, causing mini earthquakes in the surrounding area. He could feel his balance faltering and his foot's sole vibrating as they touched the concrete. Sinister shrieks reached his ears, which sent shivers down his spine.

Akemi couldn't breathe fire like his father and fight along spirits like his mother. All he could do was defend himself against people, not beasts. And he certainly wasn't bold enough, or stupid enough, to fight that white-masked monster head on in this narrow alleyway. At least, if he ran, he would reach the wide-open streets filled with houses and humans.

To Akemi's surprise and relief, he managed to barely outrun this supernatural being. He was thankful for his preternatural speed, along with Kazui and his father's. Competing with them had played a significant role in his survival thus far.

However, he wondered how long he would be able to last.

Is there any way to escape?

"Don't run away like that, Akemi. Don't you want to know what you are?" It tried to persuade him in an unfamiliar, deep, and menacing voice. Layering under his voice was a grating shriek as he shouted, giving Akemi shivers all over again.

No, I want to know what you are or better yet, get out of here!

He released short breathes — refusing to pant and show signs of exhaustion.

He purposely lured me in the night and led me away from my parents.

He leaped sideways to dodge the monster's claws. He barely escaped its hold, one sharp claw tearing a piece of his clothing fabric. His back felt colder than it had already been.

"No, thank you!" Akemi shouted through gritted teeth.

It laughed.

"I was going to be nice and tell you before I kill you. But, I've changed my mind." The monster ducked its head down, leaving little to any distance between them. "I'll eat you right now! And make a quick escape!"

It used an abrupt and ungraceful jerk of speed he had never used before and opened his mouth wide, merely an inch away from Akemi's upper body.

Before he could sink his teeth into his flesh, Akemi dropped to the floor and rolled away. He quickly lifted himself up with his right hand and left foot.

Just a little more.

The warm-orange lights emitting from the streetlamps and bright house windows looked nothing less than a haven to Akemi. It drove him to keep pushing himself and reach that street. His extended-out hand touched light.

He screamed.

An immense pain overtook him, tearing into his skin and digging under. His throat burned and droplets of tears threatened to run down his cheeks. It hurt — an excruciatingly painful feeling he'd never experienced before. Akemi barely got himself to move forward and attempted to push away.

Calm down, calm down, calm down--

To no avail, another scream echoed through the empty street. The pain shot up again when it sunk its teeth deeper into his shoulder. His breathes were as shaky as his trembling body and his heart pounded. He caught glimpses of his own blood dripping onto the road and tried to ignore the warmth of the splattered bits on his face, sliding down to his neck.