Ghost || 5SOS

Maybe

Water crashed against the pavement as the sky continued to cry above the city, people ran through the streets with hoods covering their heads or umbrellas held calmly above them. It was more fun to watch the cars drive by and splash the pedestrians; it was like watching an ant hill get flooded as they all scurried to find the dry safety of shops and taxis. Green eyes gazed out the window of the tech store as he watched the ants rush to find temporary safety as the rain thudded harder against the city, grey hood sat comfortably on the black beanie that hid the man's hair from any of the water that may affect him once he abandoned the building.

"Sir, your phone?" A short woman spoke as she handed the phone towards the rugged up man, a grimace appeared on his face as he noticed the sweat dripping from her forehead; the only explanation being that she struggled to get the phone from whatever shelving system they had in the back of the store. "I can help set up the phone if you'd like, I would just need your details and-"

The overweight woman was cut off by the door slamming shut causing the bell to ring loudly as it thudded against the wooden door, brown working boots splashed through the puddles as they were slammed harshly against the cement by a man who had only one destination in mind. Broad shoulders were shoved into others as scowls were thrown in the direction of the tall man, not a single person knew who the lanky man was yet all of the townspeople despised him.

Shouting was heard as people waved down taxis and tried to talk to each other through the thunder that crashed in the tar-black clouds. Bells chimed as the annoyed male walked into the grocery store; agitated by the fact that every store needed some sort of system to alert the owner of a customers existence, it was by no means necessary considering the lack of security cameras was enough to bribe the smaller thieves into the buildings.

Grey hood was pulled back as the black beanie was discarded into a customer's handbag, black hair was ruffled through boney fingers as the skinny male made his way to the back of the store. The blank gaze scared shoppers as they moved to avoid the man's peculiar movements, not once did the man walk in a straight line; the slight sway and obscure pattern were enough for outsiders to ignore the man and pass him off as being mentally ill.

The silver ring was spun on his index finger leaving a slight smear of red in its trail as he ducked through the beads that hung in the doorway, only to ascend the stairs to the small living space above the grocery store. It was a small one-bedroom apartment that was occupied by a beanbag, esky, mattress and a bunch of random pot plants that weren't necessary but he kept them anyway.

Slight rustling came from one of the plants as green eyes landed on the albino snow corn that laid nestled amongst the greenery, "how is my gorgeous girl today?" the soft tone would've been calming if there wasn't an underlying waver to his voice. The forked tongue was flicked against the stained ring as she slithered her way up the man's arm, "that good, huh?"

The esky lid was tossed carelessly to the side as the man pulled out a small mouse, the rodent was barely alive as it struggled in the grip of human flesh. One movement and the man could have squashed the mouse in his fist, allowing the blood to drool through his fingers only to feel the body slump against his fingers; the only problem being this wasn't his to destroy.

Dangling the rodent in front of the snake, he watched in awe as she was quick to strike her pray, only to recoil and start to constrict the mouse. Green eyes glanced towards the black curtain he called a door at the sound of someone entering the room, the small Asian man pulled the curtain back only to let himself inside the home.

"No, I won't knock, you have no fucking door." The intruder spoke, his English was fluent from the copious amounts of studying and the many years he had spent in America. The green eyed man clenched his jaw in annoyance as his attention was once again directed to his snake. "Come on Michael, when are you going to get more furniture?" the dark haired male spoke flatly as he placed the bag of take out on the counter that would usually be used as a kitchen counter.

"Shut up." Michael hissed as his eyes darted around for any signs that could indicate someone else listening in on them. The brown eyed man let out a puff of annoyance as he placed the two boxes on the table before pulling out the plastic cutlery.

"Yeah, yeah, don't say your name. I know."

"I'm moving, Keitaro. Tomorrow."

"Why?" dark brown eyes stared into green in an attempt to find the hidden reason as to why the man was moving, the silence was thick as Keitaro noticed the uncertainty within the dark green eyes; Michael didn't want to leave but he had to, it was no longer safe for him here. "One last meal then?"

Brown boots were kicked off revealing bright pink socks that were covered in small white snakes, a sharp brow was raised as the Japanese man opened the plastic container that held the random Chinese food; he wasn't fussy with what he ate especially from those types of restaurants, whereas Michael wouldn't eat anything but honey soy chicken and rice.

"Does Sekiro really have to be on the bench where we eat?" Keitaro complained quietly as he mixed his food, his eyes staring at the light pink snake as she slithered across the bench and towards the upside-down pot plant she called home.

"Do you really have to eat here?" Michael spat back with a harsh and bitter tone, Keitaro knew the hatred was just a facade due to the four am conversations they've had; their bond was one similar to brothers, the Japanese man knew that Michael would always have his back and it would be the same both ways.

Silence washed over the friends as they ate, neither wanted to disturb the last few moments they were going to have together; not one of them knew when they would see each other again, it could be months or years.

Both men froze to the sound of heavy boots making their way up the stairs, a quiet hiss warned Michael that Sekiro had no idea who the person was either. Picking the snake up gently, the green eyed man grabbed his shoes before slipping behind a wall just as the black boots stopped inside the apartment.

His heart pounded against his chest as he listened to the intruder, if Sekiro didn't react to the unknown person he would have stayed where he was; however, the black haired man was not expecting guests and knew that this guest, in particular, would be trouble.

"Good evening, officer. How can I help you?" the bright smile distracted the officer from searching the apartment.

"You haven't seen this man before have you?" the gravelly voice sounded as he passed an illustration of a generic man to Keitaro, the short man hid the smirk behind his hand as he made it look as if he was thinking about his response.

"I mean, sure, this could be you, sir, it's just a generic outline of a man." black glasses were adjusted as a smug look was given to the annoyed officer.

Michael listened to the conversation continue as he slowly made his way to the window, slender fingers smoothed between the slight gap as they propped the window open enough for the man to climb out.

Once standing on the metal stairwell, the hooded man pushed the window shut creating a loud thud; which in turn attracted the attention of the policeman.

Michael's heart pounded in his chest -so loudly he swore it was in his ears- as he was quick to jump onto the platform beneath him before throwing himself off the metal entirely and onto the wet cement below.

As the officer peered out the window all he could see was the abundance of pedestrians scurrying between stores, all of them wore hoods to cover their faces from the rain. The officer growled in annoyance as he pulled out his notebook to scribble off the Japanese man's name.