In The Shadows

Chapter 4: A roommate

You shake your head.

Of course not. You love your grandmother. And your grandfather, but he died when you were 10.

But, you were ok with dying, but you couldn't. Just in case this monster decided to hurt the only family you have left.

In your daze like state you didn't even realize where you were. You look up to see the outside of your house. Your eyes trace every nook and craney of the house to make sure it what you think it is.

The monster fixes its grip on you and begins to walk in the direction of your front door. You panic and begin to struggle, trying to lead it away. It growls and digs its claws in your thigh. You cry out in pain, your nails dig into your palm, drawing blood.

"You just don't listen, do you?" It hisses. You silently cry as it gets closer to your door. It knocks and sets you down on the ground, wrapping its arms around your neck, in a gentle kind like way. But in a ferm state to make sure you don't run. You can feel his body morph into its human form. Sleeves from a shirt tickle your neck.

Your grandma opens the door. Her eyes red and puffy, like she'd just finished crying. Her eyes light up when she sees you standing there and she goes to hug you but sees an unfamiliar boy standing behind you.

"Y/n! Oh my, I thought something terrible has happened to you!" She cries out in anger and relief.

"Yea sorry." A voice grumbles out. "I saw her wondering the streets. I saw she was wearing the same uniform I am and thought how strange it was she was still out during this time. I ask her if she was ok and it turns out she was lost. So I helped her out." The voice explains. You turn your head slightly to see the boy from this morning.

I should've fucking guessed it. Fucking red hair looks the same!

"Oh thank you so much!" Your grandma says and pulls you in for a hug. You wrap your arms around her neck and hold her close, tears in your eyes. "Sweetie... I thought something had happened to you."

"I also couldn't help but notice she has a wound on her thigh." The boy points out as if he didn't just do that a few seconds ago.

"What happened!?"

"Oh um..." You turn your head to the boy. His eyes flash yellow and licks his lips. "Eh, a dog got ahold of me. It's no big deal." You lie.

"Let's fix you up before it gets infected. Oh, would you like to come in? I have tea made and I just finished baking some cookies. I do things like that when I'm stressed..."

"Ma, he must get back to his fam-"

"Love to." He says. Your grandma claps her hands and leads you both inside. As your grandma goes to get some stuff for your wound, the boy gets down to your level and whispers in your ear.

"Tell her what really happened and I'll make you stay and watch as I rip the flesh off her frail old bones." You grip the base of your skirt and nod.

"I never got your name, young lad! Who's the handsome young man who saved my granddaughter?"

"Tendou Satori." He says.

"Tender salami." You cough. He glares at you but you pay him no mind. He huffs and walls into the house. He removes his shoes and makes himself comfortable on the couch. You growl as you take your shoes off.

How dare he walk into my home like nothing happened?

You sit down, a good enough distance away from him. You're grandmother comes back into the room with cookies and two cups of tea. She sets everything down on the coffee table.

"Help yourself." She says to the boy, Tendou. He nods and takes a cookie. He bites into it and hums.

"These are amazing." He says with not much enthusiasm. "You made these?"

"Yes," Your grandma starts. "I have my own recipe for them."

You clear your throat. "Well it's been nice, thanks for saving me or whatever, and thank you for making yourself right at home. But you best be going to your own house. Your parents must be worried."

"They're not. They're dead." He bluntly states and takes another cookie. "Oh this one's chocolate chip!" And bites into it. The atmosphere darkens and your grandmother stares worried at the boy.

"Then who takes care of you?"

"Me."

"Do you live alone?" He nods his head. "Oh." You roll your eyes.

Guilt trip.

"Would you like to stay here?" Your grandma offers. You almost break your neck by turning to look at her so fast.

"What?!" You shout. "He can't stay here!"

"What? Why not?"

"Yea, why not?" Tendou asks, grinning.

"B-because, he... He uh." You struggled to come up with an excuse. You couldn't really say why, but you know he just can't stay here. He's dangerous and he could easily turn on you and your grandmother at any given moment.

"He helped you, Y/n, and no one deserves to be alone." Your grandma tells you softly. She always had a kind heart. You were always worried someone would take her kindness for granted and hurt her. That why you don't want him here: he could hurt you, he could hurt her. "Please, it won't be so bad. You'll have someone to protect you with when I'm not home."

You didn't say anything. You didn't need to. It was obvious she was going to let him stay anyways.

You grit your teeth. "Fine, he can stay." You finally say. Your grandma gives you a relieved smile.

"Wonderful! We have an extra room for you to stay in. It's too dangerous for you to go out to go get your stuff right now so you can do that tomorrow morning." And she goes off to prepare his room.

He turns back to look at you, a grin on his face.

"I guess that makes you and I roommates, huh?" He taunts.

"Just because you are allowed to stay here doesn't mean we're friends, ok? You threatened me and my grandma's lives. I could never be friends with someone who a threat to us." With that you turn around and rush upstairs to your room.

Tendou watches as you retreat to your room, a look of mischief in his eyes with a grin on his face.

"We're gunna get along just fine..."

***

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