Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 47: INTO THE DOWNPOUR

"Mew! Meowww!"

Touma groaned. "I'm coming," he said. He got up to end the incessant scratching at his door.

Yua circled his legs, rubbing her body against his shin. "Meow."

Yua had been growing rapidly since Touma had adopted her. He knelt down, scratching her head. She purred. "Where are we going?" She led Touma to her empty food bowl. "Hungry?"

He opened the cupboard to find it empty. "Fuck," Touma muttered. "Hold on, Yua, I'll go buy you food."

Touma stared up at the sky. The rain was getting heavier. He walked into. He traipsed down the aisles of the supermarket, in search of cat food. This was his first time being outside in five days. His hair was oily. He had been wearing these clothes for two days.

"Tou—ma."

He felt Katashi's breath on his neck before he could turn around. They were in the back of the supermarket. Shoppers were scarce because of the rain. They were isolated.

Katashi grabbed the back of his head, ripping him away from the aisle. He pushed Touma against the wall.

"You've been hiding from me, doll," Katashi whispered. Goosebumps broke out on Touma's skin.

"Katashi," he gasped. "Let go of me."

Katashi's grip loosened on the back of his head. He turned around. Katashi's hands slammed against the wall on either side of Touma's head. He was trapped, like a bird in a cage.

He was grinning at Touma. What did he want? After everything Touma had gone through to get away from Katashi... Why couldn't he just go away again?

Touma's phone rang at that moment. Katashi snickered. He pulled Touma's phone out of his back pocket.

"Be good, doll," he said as he placed the phone to Touma's ear.

He squeezed his eyes shut. "H... hello?" Touma's voice trembled.

"Where the fuck are you?" Touma's breath caught in his throat when he heard that voice. Tears stung his eyes. "Touma?"

"Hayate?"

Katashi's grin fell when he heard the name.

"Where are you?" he asked again.

Katashi sneered at Touma. Touma's heart gripped with fear.

"Yua ran out of food. I'm fine, really," he lied, "I'll be back soon."

"You're at the supermarket?"

"Wait—" the line went dead.

Touma's head banged against the wall. Katashi gripped his jaw. "Who the fuck is Hayate?"

Touma shook his head anxiously. "No one."

Malicious laughter ripped from Katashi's throat. "Hah. That's rich, doll." His hands moved down, now squeezing Touma's chin. He was not smiling anymore. "Don't lie to me."

Tears welled up in Touma's eyes. "I'm not lying," his voice was breaking.

Katashi leaned back. He stared at Touma for a moment. Then he grabbed Touma by the back of his head. His lips brushed Touma's ear. "Scream and I'll kill you."

Katashi pulled him into the pouring rain. Their clothes and their hair were drenched. Touma was dragged into an alleyway. He slipped in a rain puddle and fell forward. He groaned. The impact had skidded his knew. He turned around. He was in a position between sitting and lying down. His hands were on the ground behind him.