Sakura Souls

Chapter 6

Keaton's POV - Aita Realm

I knew something would happen between Shell and Ray. With Ray being so vague about himself, it was bound to come out that he had something to hide. I guess Shell was completely oblivious to that. Well, at least that's what Ray said. And it explained why she ran out of the cabin the day before.

Aspen told me he was going to search for Shell in the forest. Even though I told him it would be really hard to find her, he still insisted on looking. I guess he really did find her. Either that or she just came back on her own, because when I woke up I peeked through the door of her bedroom. She was sleeping peacefully under the covers of her bed.

I took a sigh of relief knowing that she was okay. Well, physically okay at least. I'm sure she was still haunted with the thought of Ray obliterating his own mother. I couldn't blame her. No one could.

After I checked Shell's bedroom I walked down the hallway and towards the kitchen. When I turned the corner, I saw Ray sitting at the table with some cereal. However, instead of eating it he was just poking at it with his spoon. His eyes looked empty inside. Just like they did the night before.

I hesitantly walked into the room, then grabbed a bowl and a spoon from the counter. I walked to the refrigerator to get milk. All while Ray was weakly playing with his cereal.

"Uhm... good morning." I said as I grabbed the box of Fruit Loops and poured some in my bowl.

"Good morning." He mumbled in response. The same dead look covering his eyes.

I didn't know what to say. I just sat down with my fully prepared bowl of cereal in silence. Part of me just considered retreating to my room (even if Shell and I only wanted food in the kitchen at all times). However, my plan to leave was quickly shut down when I heard Ray ask "I'm going to get kicked out... aren't I?"

I looked down the hallway to the place I wanted to go before, but I was now stuck in a conversation with Ray. And it was one I didn't even want to have. I sighed and just accepted it. "Kicking you out is Shell's decision, not mine. If it was mine though, well I don't know what I'd do."

"I wouldn't blame either of you if I get kicked out." He mumbled. "I'm a monster when it comes down to it. Shell isn't safe around me."

I paused and picked up my spoon. "Was she ever safe though? I mean, I could go savage at any time on any day. What would she do then, huh?"

Ray stopped poking at his cereal. He stared at the table thoughtfully before replying "I guess so. I wish she could be in a safe world. Innocent forever. I wish everyone could."

"Me too. Maybe someday it'll happen." I said, uttering every word softly. Though I didn't think it could ever happen. A safe haven in these realms seemed near impossible with all the things we couldn't control. Like our savageness and Ray's father.

There was more silence following my words. It was awkward at best. The couple days beforehand, I wouldn't have been so silent around him. I probably would've tried to learn more about him in hopes it would clear things up. But I didn't want to know anymore at that time. I didn't even want to be near him.

"Do you think Shell will be awake soon?" He asked suddenly to break the silence. At the moment, he seemed more worried about his relationship with Shell than anything else.

"I don't know." I began "But what I do know is she won't stay in there for long. She'll come out eventually. We just have to wait."

"Then good thing we don't have class today." Ray mumbled. I nodded in agreement.

The rest of lunch was spent in silence. Ray finally started eating his cereal--which I'm sure was soggy at that point--and I finished mine fairly quickly. But instead of retreating into my room like I previously wanted to do, I decided to do something else.