Extraordinary Minds: Road to Hell

Chapter 44: Believing

Seeing this sudden sight before him, Akira walked in completely confused and looked around.

"Well this isn't 100% fucking creepy.." Akira thought to himself, as Lily was suddenly heard choking up herself. Akira looked over and saw..

A little girl in the photo, wearing overalls and having natural brown hair. With an Elderly woman right beside her, carrying a Trowel and smiling. She was wearing what looked like a Sundress of sorts, with sandals and a nice sunhat.

"This...This was the day before she died.." Lily said, choking on her tears slightly. Giving off heavy heaves at a time through her tears.

"Was...Was that your Grandma, Lily?" Akira asked, as Lily nodded.

"I never knew my grandfather as he sadly died before I was born...But when I was a little girl, my grandma would always take me out to the greenhouse in our backyard and teach me how to grow flowers. In honor of him of course, but...Also as a means to bond with me as she said." Lily said softly.

Kioka and Yumico had looked over to see Lily still sobbing, as Yumico took a look at the photo herself. "Was this you, Lily? You were so adorable, and look so happy."

Lily nodded. "This was the day before..Before I came home, and found her...Found her bleeding on the floor because that...THAT FUCKING BASTARD..."

Yumico put her hand on Lily's shoulder. "I see why you're mad thinking back on it, Lily. From..what it sounds like, you two were very close, yes?"

"To put it lightly, she was my hero." Lily said.

Akira noticed out of the corner of his eye...Kioka had walked over personally to another part of the wall, and found something. As he walked over to see for himself, he felt his heart sink.

A photo of Yutaka with his father when Yutaka was only 2 years old.

"Yutaka looked so happy with his Daddy too..." Kioka said. "Akira? Why...Why did she hurt him like my mommy hurt me?"

Akira felt guilty even giving an answer. What was he supposed to say? She didn't mean any harm with her question, and yet. He couldn't find the words.

"Sadly Kioka, I don't think I have the answers. Though-"

"Maybe it's because...They feel lost?" Kioka asked. "B-Because I think that's what it's like for my Mom. She...She doesn't realize that..By coping the way she is, she's hurting me in the process. Maybe she just..needs someone to open her eyes."

From just behind him, Yumico could be heard talking to Lily and showing her photos of herself as a child she found.

While Kentaro. Akira grew worried and walked over to him, to see 2 adults in the photo happy together and smiling. A female with Strawberry Blonde hair, wearing a red and purple Dress with a Knee Length skirt, and a tall man with black hair, a dark brown thin jacket over a white zip up shirt, and grey pants.

"This must've been his parents.." Akira thought for a minute.

"You know...They used to be so happy before I was in the picture." Kentaro said. "My mom was pregnant with me around this time, 6 months I think it was? They were so happy, and she was so full of life...And after I was made, she died."

"Kentaro.." Akira said under his breath.

"My dad. Was so full of life as well Akira. He was so damn happy, and I could've had him at least beside me! Yet..He was too focused on the Heroine to even care about me for a single minute. If I wanted a Plate of Pancakes, he'd instead go blow $20 on a thing of Drugs."

Before Akira knew it, he saw Kentaro smirk. "But you know...I'm just glad my grandparents believed in me all these years, as well as Ayaka and all of you. It's my reason to get out of here, and keep doing what I do best."