Inside His Mind

Second Thought

I stayed in the forest for the whole night, it was almost morning when I heard a subtle cry behind a bush. I got curious, who could be crying at this hour? Is this person not afraid to attract the attention of those predators?

I carefully walk around the bush to see the person behind and to my surprise, it's the young girl from before. I immediately kneel to her side and ask her what's wrong. She's obviously in pain but tries hard not to make any sound. Her face is so pale and silent tears flow like a river from her eyes. When she looks up at me, I felt a sudden pang of pain in my heart. I furrow my brow, completely unfamiliar with what I felt, I ignored it and again ask her what happened to her.

"We were strolling the forest when I was bitten by a snake. It hurts so bad but Jun said I shouldn't move or the toxin will spread in my body." She said while pain can really be seen in her eyes.

"Jun? Where is he? Why are you alone here? Doesn't he know it will be more dangerous to leave you here alone?" I asked her trying not to scare her by shouting despite the fact that I'm totally pissed with the idiocy of that Jun.

"He left to look for Kyohei nii~chan. He asks me to stay here and not to make any noise." She replied. I sighed. What an idiot.

I didn't ask her anymore, instead, I examined her body and look for the bite mark. It's a good thing that 'that' idiot knew how to dress a snake bite. I took a small plant that I picked up in the forest from my backpack and shove it into her mouth and asked her to chew it but don't swallow. That plant can somewhat numb her pain.

I was trying to clean some of her wounds when I heard the howl of wolves nearby. I can feel this little girl's body shake. I immediately took out a towel and wet it with water from my tumbler and gave it to her then ask her to cover her mouth and try as hard not to inhale the smoke I'm going to produce. She nodded her head and immediately cover her mouth.

I took out some plants and tree barks from my backpack and immediately lit it. The smoke created from this fire can temporarily protect us from the wolves but it won't last. I just hope that her brother can come faster and save her. It will be hard for me to fight the wolves with a deadweight like her by my side.

Time passed and the fire I lit was already gone, I just hope the wolves won't return. I looked at the girl sleeping beside me. Why are they letting her wander here? Is she like me? An experiment tool? No, how could a lab rat like us smile and laugh as she did? Her eyes are so pure with no mirth from the dark side. I smiled and gently touch her cheeks. Will I also have your smile in the future? I silently ask.

I was about to touch her cheek again when I heard footsteps not far from where we are. It seems like her brother is here. I gently place her head on the ground and make sure she lay comfortably before I hurriedly left the scene.

I hide behind the bush not far from her, I don't know why but it seems like I can't be at peace unless I make sure that she was safely rescued by her brother.

When they reached her place, I tried my best not to make any sound. I resist not to take a peek and see if it was really her brother. I just closed my eyes and listen intently. When I heard that they are walking away, I silently peek through the bushes, and to my surprise, I saw my brother standing not far away from the bushes, arms crossed while looking at my direction.

Because I knew I was already busted, I dejectedly went out of my hiding place. I walked to his direction without looking at him. I stopped one step away from him but still had my head down.

"Did you have fun, li'l bro?" He asks while ruffling my head. I secretly peeked at him and saw that he's all smile. I sighed in relief before answering his question.

After that incident, Hayato forbid me to enter the facility again without permission. He said it's fortunate that it was he who found me and not someone else, if not, I might be dead already. I never took it as a joke, first, I trust Hayato, second, I know what kind of world we belong in. Killing an insignificant me would be just a piece of cake to them, no hard feelings.

Knowing that fact, I gave Hayato my promise, and because of that promise, I never saw that young girl again not even after two years when I returned to that place and have the worst nightmare of my life.

Three days after my 11th birthday, Hayato came home from a mission he received from the clan they serve, the Takehashi clan. Hayato once asked me if I wanted to join their clan and what division I wanted to work at. I remember that young girl from back then, is she still there? I wanted to ask Hayato about that girl but I don't know what stops me from doing so. I don't want Hayato to find out I was still thinking about that girl so I just ask about dad.

"What division is dad from?" I asked. I'm honestly not interested in what division he's from coz I don't really care about him that much. When I looked into Hayato, I didn't know if it's just my imagination but it seems like I see the disappointment in his eyes for a second. I'm just not sure if that's for dad or me.

"He's responsible for the external affairs of the Clan." He simply answered. Then change the topic again.

"By the way, I left your gift in my apartment. Come, let's pick it up." He told me as he smiled and then get his keys. I excitedly shout then followed him out of the house.

When we arrived at his apartment, the first thing I notice was the decoration on the wall. It's a picture of us. We were both wearing formal attire, I was sitting on a high rise chair while he's standing behind me. The smiles on our faces were so genuine I can't believe it's real. I looked at Hayato and saw him also looking at the picture with a smile.