Tainted (nonbinary mc x man)

Chapter 2

Toma was laying on the ground when he came back to awareness. The world around him was dark, distorted by shadows that shifted around like ink in water. Grimacing, he pushed himself up and took in this dreadful-looking place. Where was he? Why was he here?

He looked for a moment, confused. But then, he saw another figure. In front of Toma was a small child, his body bent over as he clutched his legs, crying miserably.

Toma tilted his head, taking in the child's appearance. In the dull light of this place, they were barely distinguishable from the dark shadows surrounding them, but Toma could make out a few small details. The child had scrapes on his arms and bruises on his neck. Like he'd been pushed down and strangled.

Toma sat up fully, moving to stand. He hesitated for a moment before he couldn't take the crying any longer. He stepped towards the little boy, kneeling to be on his level.

"What's wrong?" Toma asked softly, his confused tone echoing slightly through the empty space. When the boy didn't move, Toma shifted uncomfortably and asked, "Where are your parents?"

The little boy stopped crying at this. His head snapped over to look at Toma in a sudden movement similar to that of a porcelain doll, but one with distorted features and shadows moving across his face.

"They're dead." He said, his eyes wide and imploring. He whimpered, but held Toma's eyes as he said in a horribly saddening tone, "I killed them."

After those words left the boy's mouth, his face abruptly shifted into a blank expression. Toma fell backwards at the sudden change, staring wide-eyed at the little boy and his complete lack of emotion.

The boy didn't seem to notice and continued, his voice now sounding like the startling chilliness of death, "And now, they are going to kill me."

This snapped Toma back to his senses. His eyes roamed the little boy's face. Why would someone kill a child? Even if this child was extremely creepy... And who were these people who wanted to hurt him? If this boy did kill his parents, surely it wasn't his fault. He was just a child. It must have been an accident. It had to be. How else would it make sense?

As if he was able to read Toma's mind, the boy began to speak, emotion slowly seeping back into his words. "I didn't mean for them to die, but it is my fault. Either way, he wants me dead. But not the me that's now. The me that's later." The boy paused, staring into Toma's eyes. The deadly blankness was back on his face, in his voice. "The me that's now you, Tomagura Reilty."

Toma flinched back from the boy, his eyes rolling around in a panic, taking in the child again and again. Everything became clear. This little boy's hair was his. His eyes were his. How had he not put two and two together? Of course it was him. Of course he was haunting himself.

The little Toma played with the hem of his pants while he took the older Toma in. He looked over older Toma's short hair and his plain shirt and pants. Older Toma was rather humble in appearance and dress.

But this boy, this young version of himself, was dressed in clothes that were too nice for a child to be wearing. Seeing what the older Toma was wearing, the younger nearly scoffed in disgust. And then his gaze fixed itself on his ankle.

"You're hurt," he said blandly. His eyes rose to meet Toma's, making Toma gasp in shock. This little version of himself looked so dead inside. Had he always looked like that? Had he been like a little porcelain doll, dressed up all pretty, but still emotionless?

"I'm hurt too..." the little Toma said, tilting his head to the side. Perhaps, had this child acted more like a puppy, Toma would have found it cute. Instead, this child acted as if he was disturbed, which in turn, disturbed Toma to no end.