- Just A Touch - [A Simon x Markus Story]

- Chapter 5: He Can't Explain -

I'm falling. My fall gets cushioned by small pink flowers that smell like salty tears. I wonder why. The flowers covering me feels like a loved one hugging me. It feels so nice, so nice. I want to stay like this forever. But, I get up. I see an endless field of identical flowers. It's such a beautiful scenery. My feet start walking on its own.  I follow the voices of thousands of people murmuring but then, these voices surround me. I'm still walking. It's as if I'm trying to get somewhere. In the distance appears a white cylinder. A giant white ball with a white door, allowing you to enter it. After a few minutes of pure walking, I arrive at the door. I open it, but my grip on the handle, I don't feel it. I enter the room. It's all painted in white. But there's something special I feel in this room. I start walking around in the white space. It doesn't seem like this room has an end to it. But, I see someone on the horizon. I run to them, wanting to ask them questions. As I come closer, the figure's identity isn't a mystery to me anymore. It's Markus. "Markus!" I yell. I run faster and faster but, he disappears. Where did he go? I look around to see him standing a few feet behind me: "Why did you leave us, Simon?" "What?, I say. I didn't leave you!" "Why did you get shot, Simon?" He keeps on asking question after question. These phrases are hurting me! It hurts! Stop it! STOP IT! STOP! I DIDN'T MEAN TO!! JUST STOP!

I finally open my eyes. I look around for a few moments. I see white ceilings, white walls, a desk with its chair placed on my left, bedside tables on each side of the bed. Wait... I know this room! It's one of the medical rooms! Oh, right. I remember. I was headed to Jericho, then I was slowly getting corrupted, I collapsed a few times, I lost lots of thirium, and I found Markus. Markus... MARKUS! I try to move but I feel a strong pain in my leg. I try to look for a way to get up and look for Markus. And as soon as I do so, I hear the door open. 

"Simon! You're awake!" It's Markus! My heart gets filled with happiness and my stomach with butterflies. "M-Markus! I was about to get up and look for you!" "No, no, no. Please stay still. I'm so glad you're okay! I got you painkillers..!" He's glad? He's happy I'm okay? I watch him move to my left and sit on the chair placed there. Did he put it there? "Thanks..." I respond. "We missed you, Simon. Not a lot happened around Jericho but I was pretty worried about you... I couldn't concentrate on planning our next move either. My mind was just... Nevermind. Anyways, how do you feel?" He was worried about me? I-I don't know how to feel about this... This is unlike him. He always prioritizes freedom before our well-being. I should ask him... "I'm feeling fine. But, how couldn't you concentrate? Is something buzzing around your mind?" 

Markus turns his head not to face me. I- wait... Is his face getting blue? Is Markus blushing?  "Markus, why are you acting so differently? Are you ok?" "Yes, I'm fine. I just, I can't explain... I, I need to go." He then rushes out of my room. Needs to go? Go where? Did I say something? I'm worried. I feel a sharp pain in my chest. Did I hurt his feelings? What if he hates me now? WHAT ARE THOSE EMOTIONS I'M FEELING?! I hold my head and start crying. This pain... It won't go away. It hurts so much. Why am I feeling this way? Why couldn't he just explain?

 Why? Why..? Why...