Unpredictable

Prologue

He stepped into the once recognizable room. Debris from the walls and ceiling lay on the ground, covering the path. The bed was on fire, the sheets turning an ashy gray before disintegrating into the air.

"Keith?" His voice was sharp, like a knife cutting through the thick air. There was no response but his eyes fell upon the outline of a familiar figure and a familiar haircut.

"Keith?" There was more certainly this time as he knew his friend was still in the room. He stretched his eyes to try and listen, or pinpoint, to any sudden movement or noises.

He walked in further into the room, slowly and cautiously, his bayard grasped firmly in his hands for his defense. "Keith? Where are you, man?" He let out a small groan when his ears detected no sounds.

And then he heard him.

His voice was shaky and raspy, probably from lack of water, but it was definitely him.

"L-Lance?"

There were silent and sudden gasps and the picture of Keith rolled up into a ball with tears down his face crossed his mind. Lance quickly moved the thought away.

"Keith? You here?" He scolded himself for saying something that stupid. Of course he was there, how else would he be talking to him?

"I mean," He corrected himself, "are you okay?"

There was fear in his voice and although the smoke and ash restricted the view his eyes could reach, Lance knew something was wrong.

"Stay away." The second time he spoke was different. It was almost a plea. "Please."

Lance knew that it was not the time nor the place, but he decided to crack a stupid joke.

"C'mon man, stop playing around. You're just fooling with me. We both know that you never say 'please.'"

"Lance, please. Stay away from me." There was urgency in his voice and Lance didn't like how hopeless his friend sounded.

Opposite to his wishes, Lance took another step into the ruined room, narrowing his eyes to try and spot his teammate.

His spotted Keith and surprise was the first emotion that registered into his head. He nearly dropped his bayard.

Keith knew that Lance had his eyes locked on him and a fire of fear grew ever larger in his stomach, almost swallowing him whole.

"K-Keith?"