Who I really love (Sora x Riku)

Part 12

(Riku's POV)

The distance to Sora's house isn't far, but five minutes down the road he falls asleep in my arms, absolutely exhausted. I wish I could fall asleep too; these last few days have been too long and hard. Hopefully after my father is defeated Sora won't ever have to suffer like this again, and just maybe I'll find a way to always be at his side.

Soon we're at his house, but I notice the door ahead is wide open and something feels fishy. I pray it isn't my father, but there's almost no one else it would be. I hesitantly nudge Sora to awaken him then set him down on his feet. He wobbles and my heart skips several beats as he looks like he's going to pass out, but thankfully he regains his posture quickly.

"Sora... Something's weird... Wait out here for me, okay?" I command as I pull the gun out of my pocket. Something's very wrong and after everything I am not letting him get in harm's way again, especially if I my father is up to something here.

"How many times in my life am I going to have to tell you that I'm never leaving you alone in danger again, Riku? I'm coming with you. It's dark and just as dangerous out here," he protests, determination making his tired, weak voice stronger. It's pointless fighting him and we need to hurry up so I can't bother to object.

"Okay, just hold on to my arm okay? Don't let go of me," I reply. He latches onto me and looks up with a weak and nervous smile. I feel relieved; I need him beside me much more than I'll ever admit and asking him to hold onto me is as much for me as it is for him. Together, we make our way into the dimly lit house with immense caution.

I flip on the living room light switch as we enter and the all too familiar dread washes over me once more. Sora gasps and emits a strangled sob, clutching my arm tight enough to cut the circulation off, but the feeling of him there is the only thing keeping me sane. Of course it's him. My father sits on the couch, and near his feet is Sora's mother, tied up and gagged and a scary amount of blood dripping from her head. My father spins a bloodstained knife around and around in his hand, making my chest constrict – he could kill Sora's mum at any moment if she's not already dead. He laughs mockingly, a most unpleasant sound suiting for the pure evil he is.

"Knew you'd come here eventually, and –"

"Shut the hell up! All of this could have been between you and me, but you keep bringing Sora and his mother into it! And because of that, I'm going to finish you!" In one quick move I aim the gun with my free hand and fire a barrage of bullets at him. They mostly miss, hitting the wall with loud noises as I have aimed too high, not wanting to hit Sora's mother, but one connected with his shoulder and he releases an agonising cry. Sora lets go and rushes to his mother and unties her while I approach my father and look into his murderous eyes as life fades from them a little.

"Rot in hell, father."

He just smirks at me. "You can't finish me off, boy. Your future will be ruined, you'll be condemned by everyone."

"I never will have a future with you around. I only wish I had done this earlier so Sora would have never gotten hurt." I point the gun between his eyes as he continues staring at me menacingly, as if somehow he thought he has won. My finger closes around the trigger, but I can't. I hesitate. I cannot move.

My breaths become long and drawn out. I try and move just a little to overcome my stupor and deliver this necessary justice but I cannot do it.

"Riku... Mother's barely breathing... I'm scared..." Out of the corner of my eye I see Sora sobbing on the floor with his mother in his arms. She's bleeding out fast and every second I waste brings her another step closer to death. My father doesn't or can't move – which one, I have no clue. Dammit. Dammit. Why now? Where has my determination gone?

He finally says something; "You know, I think you're pointing that weapon the wrong way. It was really you who dragged them into this. Without you here I'd have no reason to hurt those two. I could just walk out the door, and nobody but you would have to suffer anymore."

I... I... He really wouldn't have a reason to hurt them then, would he? But Sora said he couldn't live without me. But at this rate he won't be alive at all if I don't do something, but I can't! My hand wobbles and falter and my knees give way after standing there unmoving for a few more seconds. I manage to not let go of my only self-defence in the form of the gun as I fall to my knees. I can't breathe. I feel my father's presence tower over me as he stands despite his wounds. He kicks my chest and I tumble back, sprawled across the floor.

"If you can't finish yourself, I'll take away what I know is your only reason to live." He picks up Sora by the throat, strangling him. Sora flails hopelessly and my heart stops. I'm not gonna let this happen. I can't look as I lift my arm weakly and fire off a round of bullets and pray it hits my father. I can't bring myself to look as silence elapses for what feels like an eternity. Finally, there's coughing and spluttering and I hear someone come crashing to the floor. I am hesitant to look, my head pounding with the fear that I may have hit Sora. Slowly, I gather up courage to open my eyes and view the horror that lay in front of me...