Crynime: Encryption

Chapter 25: I Know

'Hey, kid...no--you're not a kid.'

Cry blinked in surprise as he saw Aiden 'sit' next to him; Jodie was napping her bed while the two were on the ground, sitting on Cry's temporary sleeping spot.

'...What do you mean?'

'Your spirit's different. It looks like an adult's or a teen's spirit...'

'Really?'

'Yes. And...it's missing a few parts...' Aiden narrowed his gaze at him. 'Are you...dying?'

Cry froze up slightly before looking to the side.

'...In a way, yeah'

'Why?'

Cry sighed, looking down at his hands.

'You wouldn't really believe me if I told you.'

'Please. I'm a spirit and you're talking to me. What's not to believe?'

Cry chuckled softly before sighing once more.

'In reality...you're just a video game...'

'...Excuse me? My life is a video game?'

Cry nodded as Aiden looked at the brunet with disbelief before sighing.

'I guess that is kinda unbelievable--but that doesn't explain why you're dying.'

Cry fiddled with his fingers.

'Since we're not in the real world, my body can't exist in this virtual world. My body is kinda getting torn apart from being in here too long.'

'Then why are you still here?'

Cry gave an exasperated look.

'I don't know...a...'virus' pulled me into my computer...'

Aiden frowned before shoving his hand through Cry's chest.

'...You're dying faster than you should be...'

Cry flinched--although he completely ignored the hand in his chest.

'...I...have friends...and I...took their burdens...'

Aiden widened his eyes.

'Are you nuts?! That could kill you faster! If you take away their time limit in this world, and add it to yours, you'll die and fade away sooner than you should!'

Cry smiled sadly and looked at the other.

'Yeah...I know...'

Aiden continued to stare at Cry before slowly taking his hand out of the brunet's chest.

'Why...would you do so much for those people?'

Cry grinned brightly.

'It's because they're my friends. My buddies. My family.'

Aiden blinked in surprise before slowly shaking his head; he grabbed Cry's wrist and tapped it, causing a blue, swirl-like tattoo to appear on the brunet's wrist.

Cry blinked in surprise.

'What's this?'

Aiden scowled, retracting his hands.

'Something to help you keep your dying butt out of trouble. This tattoo here will help you separate your soul from you body--but your body will be defenseless during that time, so ask your oblivious friends to protect it when you do that.'

Cry blinked in surprise before grinning brightly.

'Thanks a bunch, Aiden!'

Aiden's aura became fuzzy again as he looked to the side.

Suddenly, a Tear opened up beside Cry, causing Jodie to wake up; she widened her eyes in surprise.

"What's going on?"

Cry sighed and gave a sad smile in Jodie's direction.

"Looks like I have to go, Jods."

Jodie widened her eyes further as she clutched her blanket--but she suddenly relaxed and gave a sad smile in the brunet's direction.

"I-I see...I understand."

Cry sighed before walking over to Jodie, giving her a tight hug.

"Don't worry Jodie. We'll see each other again so don't lose that little spark in your eyes."

Jodie returned the hug, tearing up slightly.

"Goodbye, Cry."

Cry grinned before ruffling her hair.

"Hard times will come, Jods, but keep on going. Make the right choices and believe in yourself."

Jodie wiped the corners of her eyes, smiling brightly.

"I will, Cry."

Cry gave one last look to Aiden and nodded his head slightly, grinning.

'See ya', ya' big cry baby.'

'Tch. See you, you stupid dude.'

Cry gave one last smile to the two and stepped through the Tear.