Run Away With Me

Chapter 34: Intrusive emotions.

His hands grip my shoulders as his fingertips dig into my skin. The stinging pain burns, and I know that it won't be soothed even if he were to release me. I can see the bruises already.

I try not to cry out, knowing that it would piss him off even more. I suck my bottom lip into my mouth and bite down on it, holding my breath when I take in the wave of emotions that wash over me.

The dangerous concoction of strong emotions rumble at the front of my mind, sinking to the depths of my soul. None of them are mine, but of the furious werewolf who hovers over me.

I flinch when an overwhelming feeling of self-hate pierces me, clawing deeper into my mind, leaving me cold and lost. I know this feeling all too well. It visits me every once in awhile, whispering sinister words in my ear.

I notice Nao's eyes darken, turning garnet red, his growl intensifying.

I know he wants me to stop, to stop peeking inside of who he is. But I don't even know how I'm doing it. I can't see his memories anymore, but that is only replaced by his emotions.

"I'm sorry." I hold my tongue when he growls louder, warm breath fanning the side of my face. This person in front of me doesn't appear to be Nao, but his animalistic counterpart. He lowers his face until we are only breaths apart, but he doesn't do anything.

Fear eats away at my patience, driving me to the end.

Then, as abruptly as this whole situation began, he bolts up, shakes his head, and runs out of the park.

I'm left lying there dumbfounded, much too confused with everything to even try to grasp at something. I dart up however after seven heartbeats, grabbing the blanket and pushing it into my bag. I grab both Nao's and my luggage before running out of the park myself.

I turn the corner just like he did and I'm met with an empty street. I stare down the empty road, the morning sun peeking from the horizon behind me. I wonder if it would be smart of me to run after him.

As an answer, my head aches again, an imaginary door opening and letting unfamiliar emotions drift in.

Confusion.

Anger.

Understanding.

And some more confusion.

These emotions are almost identical to mine, but with much more ferocity. They claw at my mind, bashing their fists against the walls and wrecking me. I crouch, clutching my head between my hands.

Out of dumb curiosity, I nudge the door a bit wider, whimpering when overpowering sadness overtakes me. But not only grief travels through when I nudge the door, but also movement.

I can almost see Nao running across the deserted areas of the town. But I cannot see him, but feel. How his muscles ripple with every step he takes, how his mind races with unknown visuals, and how his breath come in rapid succession out of his nose.

It's like he is standing right in front of me, but when I open my eyes, nobody is there.

I sit down on the cold pavement and nudge the door a little bit wider. A whole new set of sensations burst through, and like an enthusiastic child I reach my hand to most of them.

I can smell the dirt as his feet thump against the ground, I can feel the wind slapping his skin, as if it were my own. I see sneak-peaks of blurred lines breaking through my vision.

Someone bumps into me and I know it's nothing physical. This goes on a much deeper level. The touch feels... floaty, as if I'm in a space with no gravity and they tried to push me out of the way.