OUTRUN THE TRUTH {OMORI AU} (OLD)

Bargaining

TW: Foul Language, Suicidal talk. 

BASIL angrily sobs, trying to stop the tears from coming out of his eyes. The more he tried to rub them away, the more they came. He started to think if he had done something wrong. Was it the way he talked? The way he dressed? Or was it just because he was known as the town's psycho...? It wasn't his fault that he was like this, he did this all to survive! ....Right?

No, he has to be more sensible than that. If this town was going to spite him for just existing, shouldn't he do the same? It was only fair after all. Why should he be "kind" and "caring" when all it brought him was misery? He held his head, questioning everything that was taught to him by MINCY. 

'Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. UGH! I hate this...', BASIL grumbles.

BASIL wiped his tears with the back of his hand, the streaks of wetness leaving marks on his cheeks. He shakily stands up and turns to walk. He slowly walks toward the only place that left him in peace, the HIDEOUT. He side-eyes the people at the PARK with a blank face. 

As BASIL made his way towards the hideout, his mind consumed by a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere, causing him to halt in his tracks. It was ROWAN.

'Where do ya think you're going?', He grins menacingly.

Before ROWAN could speak again, BASIL walks past him swiftly. Not bothering to even make eye contact with him. ROWAN's grin faded, replaced by a look of mild surprise and curiosity. Slight tiny footsteps with additional larger ones could be heard behind BASIL indicating that ROWAN was following him.  BASIL's steps quickened as he heard the faint sound of footsteps trailing behind him, he just wanted to be left alone. Before long BASIL turns around and glares at ROWAN in annoyance.

'What the FUCK do you want?', BASIL says with hostility. 

ROWAN just stares at BASIL with an amused look, a sigh could be heard beside him. A tall boy, around the same age as BASIL could be seen next to ROWAN, holding his hand. 

'ROWAN, why are we even bothering this kid?', The boy says weakly.

ROWAN turns his attention to the tall boy standing next to him, his expression shifting to a mix of annoyance and affection.

'Because MIKHAEL, this was the kid who strangled me! You're THE MAVERICK! I know you can charm him with your skills and make him apologize.', He innocently smiles, swaying side to side.

BASIL's eyes widen in surprise and confusion as ROWAN mentions the incident of him strangling him. He takes a step back, his anger momentarily replaced by a sense of caution. MIKHAEL looks at BASIL with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

'The kid who strangled you?' MIKHAEL repeats, his voice tinged with disbelief. 'ROWAN, are you sure? Also please don't call me that...It's embarrassing.'

ROWAN nods, his amusement fading slightly. 'Yeah, MIKHAEL, I'm sure. This psycho here tried to choke me with his bare hands!'