Whispers of the South Wind

Chapter 20

He sighed as he reached towards the top shelf in the shed, gathering up the tent from where it was sitting and trying his hardest to ignore the spider that was eyeing him from the corner. It was hard to believe that they were only two weeks away from her first competition. They were long overdue to check to make sure all the camping gear she had stored away was still good to use, though the thought of sleeping in a tent was odd to him. He'd never been camping before.

He sighed as he grasped the thick material in his hands, shaking his head slightly. It was honestly hard to believe that it had been nearly a month since their time together at the river, though it was hard to forget such an eventful day.

It had taken him a lot longer than he would like to admit to get himself to calm down after she'd taken off her dress. He told everyone to go have fun, opting to sit on the blanket and just watch. The girls had been quick to run off towards the water, but it had surprised him when Anthony chose to lounge with him on the towel as the girls swam lazily in the cool water.

He had told Anthony that he was okay sitting and that he could go swim with his girlfriend, but he refused. It was almost as if he didn't want to leave him alone, though he couldn't understand why.

It was just like how he was always watching him around the farm lately and now that he thought about it, the way he seemed overly concerned when he had been late this morning. Well at least being alone on the beach together meant he finally had the perfect opportunity to ask what was going on.

"Why are you watching me like a child?" He asked, hoping the phrasing of his question didn't sound overly rude. He wasn't upset or annoyed by Anthony's actions, but they just didn't make any sense to him. "I have seen you watching me at the farm and this morning you sounded worried on the phone. I do not understand. Have I done something wrong?"

Anthony took a breath, his jaw clenching slightly before exhaling loudly. "No you ain't done nothing wrong. I just...I know who you really are...Hawks" He finally admitted and Keigo turned to look out at the water, finding her immediately. Panic filled him as he struggled to keep his composure. He knew he was Hawks, which meant he knew about his actions in the war, his addiction. Just how long had Anthony known he was Hawks and did that mean...

Did she know too?

"She doesn't know, I haven't told her, but she's been swearing she recognizes you from somewhere," Anthony said, almost as if he had read his mind. He wanted to feel relief, but he couldn't. Sure he hadn't told her yet, but just how long would that last?

He was frozen as his mind started to spiral. Anthony was quiet, watching him with concern, but his eyes were glued to her as if she was the last thing he'd ever see. If he had just done his goddamn job, she would still be happy. Luke would still be alive and he would still be a hero. He could feel the darkness creeping up, his mind screaming at him to do something to stop the feeling.

Fuck he needed a goddamn hit. He needed something to numb the burning pain under his skin. To sink into that blissful numbness and just forget who he was and just how badly he had failed.

"Keigo," Anthony said softly, reaching forward and grasping his shoulder. He sucked in a breath at the contact, instinctively jerking from his grasp as his heart pounded. He needed to get the hell out.

"I...I need to go," He said quickly, unable to even out his breathing as he tried to stand up, but Anthony grabbed his arm firmly, forcing him to sit back down. Keigo looked at him, trying his hardest not to fully lose it, but he could feel the walls closing in, threatening to drown him any second.

"Listen to me," He said, talking softly so there was no risk of anyone overhearing him. "I don't know why you're scared of people knowin' who you are or were. But you don't need to be. You're a hero–."