Gone And Back Again

XI. So Maybe I Did Have Too Much Coffee

He stopped mid-sentence. Something odd came over him. It was as if someone was trying to communicate with him. But… Who? Whatever it was, it made his stomach drop, and flashes of his worst nightmares came to him.

“I just remembered, I have some business to attend to. Good luck with your brother.” He said, dismissing himself. He could’ve sworn he saw… But… How could that be? There was no way he saw the oldest Niwa, Krad, right?

After getting permission from his teacher, he went to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on his face. Maybe he was becoming ill? He felt fine now that his stomach returned to normal, so how could that be true? Maybe it was the stress from his adoptive father’s expectations? Yes, that made sense. After all, midterms were coming up, and that added to his father’s high expectations. But why then? Maybe it was the mention of family? Ah, yes, that made perfect sense in Satoshi’s mind, or, at least, he wanted it to.

He continued these thoughts, running his hand through his hair, trying to relax. Less stress, more calming- Oh. Oh no.

Just as he opened his eyes, he saw him. Standing there in the mirror. Satoshi turned, slightly, and saw the apparition was exclusive to the mirror. He definitely had to be going crazy. There was no way that Krad was there. No way at all. He was dead. He had seen Daisuke mope about it for months, and he had even been invited to the funeral.

“This isn’t a fantasy, Master Satoshi.” Krad’s cold voice stated, the familiar fake caring, and metallic feel of manipulation.

The human looked around, thanking whatever higher being existed that no one else was in the restroom.

“Just accept it, I’m here. I’m here for you, to offer you something in return for your services.” The undead teen insisted from the mirror. “Things will be better for the both of us.”

“How… How can you be here? You died last year. I remember, your family was distraught, I went to the funeral, I know what happened. The dead don’t just come back.” Satoshi managed to respond. He knew this personally. After all, if the dead came back, he probably wouldn’t be with a commander who called himself father.

“Oh, but we do come back, Master Satoshi. We come back when there are important matters involving us, our deaths, our loved ones, missions that only the powerful receive, the weak who sneak out, etcetera. When there are reasons strong enough, we come back.” He purred. The way Krad spoke, and the way Krad looked at him reminded Hiwatari of a snake. Slitted pupils in yellow rings staring directly into his own blue eyes, the faux smile trying to trick him into something. Krad seemed more like a predator than a helper.

“Then why are you here?”

“Because, after training a while, I have a goal. With that goal, I need someone to help me accomplish it, as my particular species of powerful, dead beings dictates that unless a human helps, I can’t properly interact with this world. That’s why I reside in the mirror. The mirror reflects souls, you see, and because that’s essentially what I am, I can exist here. I came to you because I am fond of you, and because of this, I have decided to help you, and in return, you can help me.”

“Help me with what, exactly? There isn’t anything I need your help with.”

Before Krad could answer, the door opened. Hearing it, Satoshi took this opportunity to leave, and try to forget about the apparition. However, what Krad said stuck with him. Help him, and receive help in return. What could Krad want help with? How would Krad know what he needed or wanted help with? How could he trust Krad? These thoughts dictated the young teen’s mind throughout the rest of the day, and the more he tried to replace them, the more he thought about them.