The Dusk Paradigm | VOCALOID AU | WITH OCS

Fukase | Chapter 23: Everyone's Just Pulling Out!

Whenever I got home, I told Grandma about what happened with Uncle. She gave me hugs, kisses, made me hot supper, and had me take a warm bath. She let me stay up a little late to watch TV with her and comfort me. She cried as she held me in her arms, thanking God that I was alright. She told me how joyful she was that I was alive and breathing, and that she could've lost Uncle and I forever.

That was my first near-death experience. My whole life flashed before my eyes. I was very scared, shocked, but it was oddly "peaceful" at the same time.

I don't think I want to die. But with everything going on like the paranoia, my father, and school? It just makes me think to myself, 'What other escape do I have?'

-
I stood at the gates at school. I occasionally looked behind my shoulder and to my sides to see if it was there again. While looking over my shoulder, I felt a tap on me. I jumped and looked back, only to see it was just Kate.

"Woah Fukase, you alright? You've been looking around suspiciously, are you waiting for someone?" she asked. I shook my head. "Uh, no. I'm just uh,"

Dammit. I didn't know what excuse to make. Good going, Fukase. Anyway, I had no other option but to tell the truth.

"I've just been a little nervous lately." I said. She tilted her head. "What's wrong? Come on, let's sit down and talk about it." she offered. I wanted to protest, but she grabbed my hand and led me to a bench. She sat me down and looked at me with concern.

"Is something or someone bothering you again? Is it my stupid twin sister?" she asked. I smiled for a split second and shook my head. "No. I just- I was visiting my dad and thought I saw someone in the bathroom. But when I turned around, no one was there." I explained. She raised her eyebrow, and I realized I overshared. "Visiting your- what? What happened? I thought you lived with him." I bit my nail and nodded. "Uh, I do, somewhat? Not really. At least not at the moment," "Fukase, what happened?" she asked me. I stared at the ground before speaking. But when I did, she cut me off.

"I just realized, I didn't mean to force you into talking! I'm sorry, was I pushy?" she said. "No, no. It's just alot going on and I'm happy you care. I just don't know how to explain the rest." I said. She grabbed my hand again and smiled, her pretty dimples appearing on each cheek. "I'm so sorry, I still feel like I acted too fast. You don't have to tell everything if it's too much for you." assured Kate.

I knew my face was turning pink again, so I slowly pulled my hand way and laughed nervously. "No, no. It's fine. I guess I'm a little too tired to explain anything else right now. It's just been rough, I don't know." I said, trying to brush it off. She sighed and stared at me. "I hope you'll be alright. I care about you and love you, you know?" she said. "What!?" I nearly yelled, my face probably very flustered. She shook her head and waved her hands in panic. "No, no, not like that, not like that!" she said, trying to calm me down.

I put my hand on my chest and sighed. It was too soon anyway, plus I'd have no idea what to say even she didn't mean it the way she did. She looked like she was gonna say something else, but her annoying twin sister turned up. "Kate, what are you doing talking to this guy?" said Katie, unamused. "I'm talking to him because I care about him, unlike you." "Yeah you're right, I couldn't care less about that ginger." "I'm not even ginger!" I piped in, pretty offended. Did you hear what she just said!? My hair is crimson, not ginger!

She rolled her eyes. "Mate, was I talking to you? No." she said. I gave her a look before pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance. "Kate, come on! Can we go somewhere else!?" she pushed. Kate shook her head. "I'm staying here with him. Go away." she said. Katie was gonna say something, but Kate stood face to face to her.