Vyral

Chapter 0: Part 4 - Oddities of Life

GASP

He explosively rises from the floor, hand gripping the sweaty shirt tightly pressed against his skin. The drops of sweat, slowly dripping from his forehead, merge with the bulbous tears in  both of his eyes, as his needy lungs seek nothing but copious amounts of fresh air. He lethargically wipes his face with a portion of the shirt that remained dry.

Wait... He can use his arms..?
Why can he use his arms?
Didn't he just-

PANIC.

He frantically scans the room, searching for his most recent target. Where is he!? Is everyone alright!? Where are all the Goliaths!? For how long has he been unconscious???
Reyna!! Where's Reyna!?!? And that fucking mammoth!! How fucking DARE he!?

But once he catches his breath, his surroundings look familiar. Isn't this... Rory and Billy's living-room? He instinctively glances towards the warmth on his waist, to see Reyna peacefully sleeping, both arms lovingly wrapped around him. She's... She's okay. 

Sigh of relief.

To his left, Mell and Amina remain cuddled up against each other, leaning onto the couch. But then.. who's breath is this over his head? Turns out to be Billy, who blacked out all over the couch behind him. There are no signs of Rory, until he hears quiet footsteps calmly inching closer. Speak of the Devil. Sandwich in one hand and a beer in the other, he approaches Kayden and takes a seat ahead of him.

Rory: "Here."
Kayden: "Food...?" - He drops back down, sluggish arm covering his vision.
Rory: "Thought you could use some sustenance after all that. Fighting Zach in your sleep is already ineffective. Doing so on an empty stomach must've been a nightmare."
Kayden: "You heard!?" - The young man shoots back up, hand tightly covering his mouth.
Rory: "Eaaasy. Whatever happened in there is over. You're awake now."
Kayden: "Fffuuuck... that's embarrassing...." - Both palms slide over his face, as deep exhales finally escape his tense lungs.
Rory: "What better way to recover from this besides having some food and going back in there to kick his ass!?" - He taunts.
Kayden: "Not. A. Chance." - He takes the items from Rory's hands. "But I'll happily take that grub tho."- He bites a mouthful of the neatly made turkey sandwich Rory put together. This guy really has an advanced culinary touch. Honestly, how does someone make something as simple as a turkey sandwich taste so damn good?
Rory: "Want some water too?"
Kayden: "Ackshually, yah." - Pause to swallow. "Beer's only good before blacking out, and it still tastes worse than piss."
Rory: "Ewwwww!! You've tasted piss befooore!?" - He pulls an exaggerated face of disgust.
Kayden: "Oh shut up!! It's a damn expression!"
Rory: "A piss-take, if you will!"
Kayden: "Say another word. I dare you." - He points in his direction. "I'll literally knock myself out!"
Rory: "I ain't getting you more food for when you're back up, dumbass!!" - He stands up, smiling. "But, I did promise you some water, gimme a sec." - He makes his way to the kitchen, leaving Kayden in complete silence. Nothing besides him and his thoughts.

He stares at Reyna's face. Such a serene expression.
How could Zach ever bring himself to harm her? Someone he once loved? Is that really how he treats everyone? Is he just unable to show any sign of compassion towards others? That's probably not the case... So, what the hell is wrong with him?
And this whole nightmare... What in the world was that about? Is it just plain trauma speaking? Or does it have a meaning? If so... What was it trying to say? Trying to show him? 

Why did it have to unearth one of his deepest fears at such a crucial moment? Now that he's been assigned a mission that can take his life, with a team of people he's responsible for? His closest friends, whose lives are now in his hands. What the fuck kinda timing is that?
Is everything just going to repeat itself? Is that same hesitance fated to happen once again? The same damn mistakes that nearly cost him everything in the past?
And these fears... They're so, so, so much stronger than before. The churning pain that revolves around his stomach, to the steel ball of feelings stuck at the bottom of his ribcage, it's all so intense. Is this what his life has become? Can his mind really not stop? Cut the man in charge of the body some well-deserved slack every once in a while?
Why are these pain-bound thoughts bouncing inside his skull like there isn't space for anything else? Always plagued by negative thoughts and possibilities.