Project: Karma

31 | Ticking Away

<Nagisa>
At 10:40pm Karma and I wanted to end the date by viewing the ocean. Not far from where I live, around 15 minutes away. The temperature dropped increasingly as we neared the waters. The slight foggy blanket that would of been better without.

Upon reaching the highest point. Many other people were lingering around as well on the ledge. Watching over the waves crashing into the rocky cliff beneath.

We were lucky enough to be alone when everyone had left because of the cold weather. And the fact that the night was finished for them.

"Be careful. It's a little difficult to see where you're walking." Karma gave caution.

"Don't worry." I assured. "There's a fence."
I ended up a few steps ahead of him. When I turned around with a quick glance, the fog had blinded the sight in front of me.

"Karma-"

A gust of wind had pushed the fog in another direction and I had found myself witnessing the beauty of the moon's reflection in the ocean. The waters sparkling and the sounds of the waves colliding against the earth. An inspiring scene made the hairs on my skin stand.

I placed my hand on the the fence, that was up to my waist. Leaned forward and could smell the freshness of aquatic life. Overjoyed I was to be able to see such a mouth dropping sight!

Then hearing the approaching footsteps behind me.

"Hey, Karma. What's taking you so slow? Come here and check this-"

A shadow hung over me and I saw the glow of threatening eyes. I couldn't move back nor any other direction. Suddenly, I felt something tug at my ankle and I saw an arm radiating black fume. W-what's happening?!

"KYAAH!" I screamed out fear and my body froze all altogether.

That was until my body was yanked entirely towards the fence and I was falling.

My eyes were watching the entire time but the fence was no longer drilled into the earth. The figure below me was still linked to my ankle.

A-am I going to die? What was this feeling?

Have I've fallen yet? Nothing's happening. I slightly opened one of my eyes and saw the ocean below me. H-huh?! I started to panic.

"Don't move too much."

I looked up and saw that I was in Karma's arms. I tightly wrapped my arms around him. I couldn't afford to let go. Ah, my heart. I think it stopped for quite some time. I-I didn't die right? This isn't a dream? In the very moment, I was terribly grateful, conflicted, and scared.
Karma saved me.

<Karma>
Nagisa was still shaking and I made sure to distance ourselves away from the fence. I wonder how she managed to make it to the opposite side of the fence?

I sat her down on the bench and wiped away her simple tears that slid down her soft cheeks.

"Thank you, I didn't know what happened." Nagisa shook her head in disbelief.

"Did you slip?" I asked as I inspected her for injuries.

"It felt like something grabbed my leg."

When Nagisa said that, it was the same time I had noticed that Nagisa's ankle was red and slightly swollen. Looking as if someone had violently clawed her.

"I wasn't imaging things." Nagisa grew more discomposed and felt even more unsafe.

"You're okay. I won't let anything harm you." I comforted her. I sat besides her and hung my arm on her shoulder and patted her head. "You're safe with me Nagisa. You're safe with me." I repeated.

Looking out. I did began to question the monster that had tried to take her life. What in the world of such abilities, do such a thing? Especially to Nagisa. It couldn't have been another artificial human from the facility could it?

For one to take Nagisa to the depths of hell? To her own death?
•••••••••
<Nagisa>
When we finally made it back to the apartment. It was 11:50pm. Only 10 more minutes before they would arrive. Karma had made brewed hot tea and eventually the whole situation from before was in the past.

"Can't believe so much happened today. Was it okay?" I asked Karma.

"Of course? Why wouldn't it be? Because it was with you, I had a blast." Karma chuckled. "Thank you for today." He patted my head.

"Y-yeah, it was fun." I nodded my head.

"Ugh, if this is what freedom fills like, sign me up. I don't want to go back to the dome and all those experiments." Karma complained.

"Same. I wish I could free you from it." I spoke.
Karma smiled.

"I wish I could free you too. I don't know what it is. However, you seem so troubled lately." Karma always sees flaws in my actions. He's too kind to me. I don't deserve his affection.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Whatever's on your mind. I wish you could tell me everything. Anything that makes you happy, to things you're worried about. I want to share that burden with you. If you'll allow me?"

What's this? Again, Karma. You know how to make me feel so special. A princess, a queen. Karma how is it that you're just a robot?
Yes, I do have things circling inside that head on mine. I want to know the truth of your existence. Whether or not if you really were human once before.

Knocks came upon the door. We both got up and Karma embraced me for the last time.

"Thank you." He said.

I opened the door. There stood the ever so happy Koro-sensei. Plus, those agents behind him.

"Times up." Koro-sensei patted my shoulder. "How was it? Had fun?" He looked over at both Karma and I.

"Yes." I nodded my head.

Karma stood stiff again as he was playing the part of the emotionless robot. However, I bet Koro-sensei knew it was all an act.

He was emitting such a powerful presence. Why am I worrying? But why does my body tense because of it? Am I scared of Koro-sensei? He looked at me normally. But I looked at him like a monster.

"Goodbye." I waved to them.

"Make sure to get some sleep." Koro-sensei said as they made their way down the stairs.
Over the view, I saw them take Karms into a black painted van with a serial code on the back plate.

I turned back around to head back inside. Though, I saw Sugino outside his door. Looking at what I was looking at. Then, at me.

"Nagisa, that was him again?"

"Ah-uh..." I can't afford to tell him anything!

"You see, they-"

"Nagisa. Don't lie to me. Please." Sugino walked towards me. His talk height hovering above.

"Who were they."

I shook my head and retreated back.

"I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry Sugino. Please understand, this is for you're own safety." I explained.

However, that wasn't the case for him. Because all along, I had forgotten that I had always left him out in the dark.
"Nagisa..."

That is why you shouldn't love me.