A Reason For Being

Chapter Nineteen

Sora

We find Kei collapsed on the ground. We smelt his scent from the fort and followed it here. He's barely conscious by the time we find him. What's he doing here? Something must be wrong. He's injured and covered in blood. Where is everyone else? Where is Hoshi, Raiden, and Misaki? I have a terrible feeling in my gut. We take Kei back to the fort and let him rest on a mattress.

"What the hell happened? Who did this to you?" I question. We surround the mattress while he scoffs his mouth with food.

"They came for us. A pack of wolves called Shingetsu. They killed Mum and Dad. Misaki betrayed us and joined them. They tortured me. They declawed me, but I managed to escape." Kei says

Kei looks stern. He doesn't laugh or joke. He holds out his shaky hands and stares at them. His once slender fingers are almost an inch shorter. They look like stumps. The wounds smell infected. He looks ill and feverish. His skin is pastel. He's sweating and breathes heavily. I can see his heart pounding in his body. I've never seen him look like this. I've never seen anyone look like this.

"Why would they do that? Pack don't kill or hurt other wolves unless you do something to piss them off. So, what did you do?" Matsu says. He folds his arms and scowls.

"We did something bad." Kei grits his teeth.

"Go on," I say. I sit on the mattress next to him and hold his shaky hands still. Kaz and Kei frown. He's in so much pain, emotionally and physically.

"We are close with the leader, Akuma.

"We've done favours with Shingetsu, in the past. They help us then we help them. Five years ago. The leader named Akuma, wanted your parents dead. We suggested sending the anonymous tip to the Peace Keepers that got your pack killed. Me, Misaki, Mum, and Dad, we're responsible for the Okami attacks," Kei explains.

"Why would Shingetsu kill your parents if you did what they asked?" Matsu question.

"I don't know. They found out that Sora was still alive and Akuma's son went crazy. Wolves don't usually kill other wolves, but he didn't hesitate. The wolf kept saying that Akuma is going to take Sector Five and Kill Sora," Kei explains

"What do you mean take Sector Five?" I say, but he shrugs.

"I think they're planning a rebellion against the government," Matsu says.

"This is bullshit! Absolute fucking bullshit!" Kaz shouts. His face is red, and there are tears in his eyes. He just lost his parents. He looks sad and hurt.

"I'm so, so sorry, buddy. We didn't want you involved. We didn't want you to get hurt, but you did." Kei reaches into his pocket and hands him a mixtape. Kaz looks at it and takes it. "Dad made this for you," Kei says. I realize that it's a tape that you listen to on a Walkman. There rare and pretty vintage, but Kaz loves listening to music on them.

"Kaz," I say softly. I offer him an embrace, but he pushes me away and heads outside. He slams the door closed. I try to follow him, but I feel something tugging my elbow and look back to see Matsu.

"Where are you going?" he says.

"I'm going after him. We both know what it's like to lose family. It's not easy. I don't want him to go through this alone like we did," I say. He nods and lets go. I put on my shoes and coat.