Infinity, Taken Literally

Acceptance 10

"No Langa?" For the fourth day in a row, Miya meets Reki at the school gate after the final bell. And for the fourth day in a row, Langa had not gone to school nor responded to any of Reki's calls or messages.

"No, I'm starting to get worried. Have you heard from him?" Scrolling through all of the unread messages, it takes a second for him to realise that Miya has hesitated in responding.

Not meeting Reki's accusing eyes, Miya angles himself away. "I haven't heard from him."

"You have!" He exclaims, shocked, and a little hurt that Miya hadn't said anything, despite listening to Reki talk about Langa for the past few days.

"I haven't heard from him exactly." Miya stares straight ahead. "But I have seen him around."

"Where?" He glances at Reki with an unsure look. "You've been with me for the past four days, when did you see him?"

"In passing mostly, and I didn't say anything because it's not my place." Going off the stubborn look in Miya's eyes, he isn't going to get any more information out of him today. "If Langa wanted you to see him, you would've." It's harsh but it's the truth, no point sugar-coating what they both already know.

It's official, Langa is 100% avoiding him. And it's all his own fault. Dejectedly, Reki drags his feet to follow Miya as he takes off on their usual route. Happy with the silence they fall into, Reki stuffs his hands in his pockets and tries to ignore how he can practically hear Miya's brain working.

Unfortunately, the silence is broken not much later. "Why did you do what you did that night?" Now this is a conversation that he did not want to have, not to mention he's already told Miya what happened. He's seen Miya's theories, and read up on compulsion. "I haven't heard the whole story, but from what you've been saying, I think I've pieced most of it together. Either way, it doesn't sound like something you would do."

Stopping suddenly, Miya spins, coming face to face with the person who's been following a few steps behind. "I don't know." Reki tries to step past him, but Miya mirrors his movement and leans into his space.

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

"Exactly that!" Annoyance prickling under his skin, Reki leans away.

"Reki!"

"I don't know!" He almost yells, surprising himself. Taking a step back, Reki takes a deep breath to calm down. He can't take his own frustrations out on someone who's just trying to help. No matter how much it feels like Miya isn't trying to help, he knows better. He knows it comes from a place of concern, not accusation. "Something in my head said to use the blade so I did. I didn't realise what I had done until after and by then it was too late."

Miya's eyes widen in surprise before a dark look falls over him. "A voice in your head?"

"I don't know, we were arguing and then my hands moved on their own and next thing I know I have the knife and there's blood." Looking unsure at Miya's keen interest, Reki glances around to make sure no one is listening in on their conversation.

"What happened when you talked to Snake?"

"What has that got to do with this?" Stepping around Miya, Reki keeps on walking towards the skate park, somewhat desperate to get out of this conversation.

"Did he do anything to you?" Miya jogs to catch up. "Did he say anything that gave you a weird feeling?"

"I don't know, I got in the car, we went to a quiet street, we talked, he tried to bite me, handed me the blade and then -" Reki trails off with a frown, a sinking feeling in his gut.