Madness

Chapter Six

I FOUND THE LAPTOP WHOOHOO!

Vegeta's POV

Find him find him find him find him-

I don't understand! Why is HE looking for me? What did I do? HE's hurting us... because they don't know what to do. They don't hear him right. The other one didn't, that's for sure. That's why I made him fall asleep. I'm supposed to find the ones who can hear him. What if I'm the only one...?

Oh. Wait. I am the only one... and HE knows it now. But why does HE want me? Where is HE? I don't want to go to HIM, and He doesn't want me to either. He makes me... I don't remember. I do something, and it makes Him happy. But I don't understand! Maybe I did once. What does He want me to do? I want to be left alone. I need to hide. I know He'll keep me safe from HIM, but for how long?

Normal POV

Goku took Vegeta down to the surface again. He seemed more relaxed than last time, and also more focused. Goku stayed right with him as Vegeta took off into the woods, and eventually they came out into a small city. Goku hesitated, seeing a few figures meandering aimlessly. "Vegeta..."

Vegeta blew air out loudly, and began to make his way down. Many of the people stopped and began to look around, as if hearing something. Gradually they focused on where they were coming from. Goku decided to take to the air; he didn't want to be anywhere near those things. Vegeta wiggled into the growing crowd, and the murmur naggling in the back of Goku's mind grew.

Find dark bring hunger. Red red song. Open job new night kill. Plant unity poison? Half went guns feel do.

There you are... Ahh, but which one?

One of the people began to scream. None of the others seemed to take note- except Vegeta. He skulked cautiously in the midst, but definitely made himself look like part of the crowd. Goku watched, confused. Another started screaming as well. Three, then four. The number slowly increased. Vegeta suddenly broke away from the group and came dashing up the hillside, barking up at Goku. Goku dropped down, yelping when Vegeta made a wild leap and landed on his shoulders, panting frantically. "Ok, ok! We're going!"

They went back up to the Lookout, Vegeta whimpering the whole trip.

Gone!? No! Mine! Mine, mine, mine!

Vegeta buried his face into Goku's shoulder with a hiss. Goku held him tighter. "It's ok, Vegeta. I'm not letting anyone take you."

~Timeskip of Paranoia...~

Vegeta was quiet for the rest of the day, no muttering, no speaking, no whimpers or growls. He just stared out the window at the fading light, then watched the moon rise. He looked afraid. The incident on the surface had obviously shaken him. His ki had died again since the previous day, but even what little Goku could sense from their link seemed low and upset. He stood beside Vegeta and rubbed his shoulder. "Are you ok? You're so quiet. Even more than normal." When Vegeta didn't reply, he went on. "I hear it too. What is it? The thing that talks to you? It's what's hurting you, isn't it? I just wish this was all over, or that it's just some kind of... twisted dream. I want you back, Vegeta. I miss you. I miss hearing you talk, even when you yell at me for being dumb."

Vegeta looked at him, but Goku could see that he could either not comprehend what was being said, or didn't hear. Goku sighed sadly. "I know you don't understand me, but... it helps, ya know? Just talking to you. Even if it's not really you. I don't even know who you are anymore, Vegeta." He looked down at the sad little Prince. "Are you even Vegeta? Or are you just something living in him?" He wrapped his arms around Vegeta and pulled him close, breathing in his familiar scent. "I don't understand. I don't know you anymore. You... aren't here. I don't know if you are gone, or..." He looked up, eyes burning with tears. "I... I want to go to Otherworld, just to see. And if you are up there, then I'd finally know-" Goku bit his lip, beginning to tremble. "Then I could finally just... stop. I could finish this and-"

Vegeta nudged him. He looked down, surprised. Vegeta's eyes glimmered with tears. He shook his head insistently, a tear falling. He pressed a hand against Goku's chest, right over his heart. He swallowed hard, then buried his face into Goku's chest, shaking. Breathless, Goku clung onto him with all his strength. "You're still here," he choked. "Holy Begeta, thank you. You're still here. You're still here." For several minutes they just stood there, trembling, tears falling silently, together but a million dimensions apart.

~Timeskip brought to You by- hOlY cRaP i'M cRyInG aNd tIgEr iS cRyInG aNd wE'rE A mEsS~

T

hey didn't return to the surface; Vegeta refused. He regarded the outside with anxiety. He usually remained caged up in their room, shivering and in the dark. Whenever Goku tried to turn on the light, Vegeta would cry softly.

"Photophobia," Bulma murmured, watching him move quietly in the shadows. "He's afraid of light. What's next?" She looked at Goku. "You know, he... hasn't eaten in over a month now. There is no scientific way that he should be alive. It's just not possible. I don't understand it- but, heh, who understands anything anymore?" She looked at the floor, her expression dark. "The world has fallen apart. I went down to Capsule the other day and there was no power, no water, no cell service, nothing. The entire planet has gone dark. Those who aren't sick are dead or dying in holes. It's over."

Goku remained quiet, watching Vegeta. His eyes glimmered occasionally through the dark like a wild animal's. "So... What do we do now?" he whispered. "Once we get Vegeta fixed? Do we-?"

"Fixed?" Bulma laughed. "Fixed? Goku, there is no fixing him. You don't get it. Every now and then, someone- something, out there drops. They go forever without sleep, they eat themselves, and they just die. No, I don't mean cannibalism. I'm talking autocannibalism, Goku. It's not pretty," she hissed. "I'm shocked Vegeta hasn't started it yet. They rip themselves open. Literally. Their insides are literally everywhere on the ground. And they're still alive, Goku." She hugged herself and began to cry. Goku hugged her tightly. "I... You can't unsee things and... God, why can't this all just stop!" she wailed.

Vegeta stared at her from the dark. She couldn't seem to look back. "Goku- make him stop... He's scaring me."

Goku was torn. Vegeta hesitated, then moved into the light, despite his flinches and soft hisses. Bulma cringed away from him, still crying. "N- No. Vegeta- get away-"

Vegeta rested his head against her back. He listened to her short, choppy breaths as she slowly calmed. His chest rumbled softly, startling her at first. Goku gasped softly. "Bulma, he's-"

"Purring," they whispered together. Vegeta stayed pressed against her until she was completely calm. Then he pulled back and gazed at her for a few moments. Bulma wiped her wet cheek, then reached out and ran a hand through his hair. He didn't growl or snap like they expected; Vegeta remained still, quiet, until she pulled away. He blinked slowly and went back into the dark.

Bulma looked up at Goku. They were both silent. Vegeta hadn't purred since before becoming infected. He'd lasted longer than any other victim. Maybe... Just maybe... they had a sliver of hope for him.

AYYYYYYY WHY AM I DOING THIS??? LISTENING TO THESE CREEPY PIANO SONGS IS NOT HELPING! GOD! IT MAKES THIS STORY GREAT THOUGH UUUUGH I AM AN EMOTIONAL MASOCHIST.

*Hey guys, it's Tiger. Bethany is on my dining room floor crying... This story is affecting her really badly, but she insists on carrying on. We have school tomorrow, so it's time to sign off. I just wanted to say hi and let you guys know that things are getting better. So I may be back soon. Not making any guarantees, but B really really loves this book and her Batjokes oneshots, sooo. I guess this account will be operated by two people? Question mark? Anyway, good night! Love to all my wonderful readers!*