OUTRUN THE TRUTH {OMORI AU} (OLD)

Trust

TW: Foul Language, Violence. 

As the chaos ensued, the injured young man who had been clutching his bleeding head was already receiving assistance. A concerned diner had quickly called for an ambulance, and within minutes, paramedics arrived at the scene. They swiftly assessed the man's condition and provided the necessary medical attention.

The paramedics carefully attended to the bleeding wound, applying pressure to staunch the flow. They immobilized his head and neck as a precautionary measure and gently placed him on a stretcher. Concerned onlookers watched as the paramedics efficiently secured him and swiftly wheeled him out of the restaurant, making their way toward the waiting ambulance parked outside.

The sight of the injured man being taken away heightened the gravity of the situation for everyone present. The realization of the harm caused by BASIL's actions hung heavily in the air, intensifying the tension and remorse in the restaurant. ....What the hell was he doing? 

It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the ugliness of his own actions. The anger that had consumed him moments ago now seemed petty and misplaced, overshadowed by the harsh reality of the harm he had caused.

The surrounding diners, their faces etched with shock and horror, mirrored the turmoil within BASIL. Their gaze bore into him, holding him accountable for his reckless behavior. He could almost hear their silent accusations, their judgment. It was a painful realization that he had become the very thing he had despised, he was acting like HERO. The HERO that used to get violent when things didn't go his way. The realization that he had fallen into the same pattern of behavior as the old version of HERO hit him hard.

In the middle of his thoughts, BASIL looked up at HERO who grabbed his shoulders and jolted him out of it. 

'BASIL, snap out of it,' HERO's voice was urgent yet compassionate.

As BASIL studied HERO for a few seconds, he stared at him with a look of confusion in his eyes.

'I.....I just wanted to scare him...I didn't mean...-..Am I in trouble...?', BASIL's voice squeaks as his tone grows meek.

HERO's grip on BASIL's shoulders tightened slightly, offering both reassurance and a sense of grounding. His voice softened as he responded, his eyes filled with understanding.

'You were just trying to defend us and it got a little heated...It's not your fault that man provoked you. But...you didn't need to hurt him..', He says. 

BASIL looks away, already knowing that HERO was judging him for what he had done. 

'I know....you don't have to tell me.', BASIL's eyebrows furrow.

HERO released his grip on BASIL's shoulders, sensing the weight of guilt and self-judgment in his words. He stepped back slightly, giving BASIL the space he needed to process his emotions.

'I'm not here to judge you,' BASIL,' HERO said softly, his voice laced with empathy. 'We all make mistakes, and what matters now is how we learn from them. I've made my fair share of wrong choices in the past, and I understand how difficult it can be to confront the consequences.'