The Ningen Program (Based Off Domics)

Chapter 3- Runaway

Jai shivered as the cold autumn air ran up his back, he could hear the cops talking about finding the so-called 'monstrosity' that had evaded their capture. They said they couldn't find any photo evidence of the boy, but there had been numerous reports in the area and this fact caused Jai to relax a bit. They wouldn't know who he was even if they saw him.

"Hey kid!" He tensed when one of the cops called out to him, he slowly turned around as the tall, dark haired cop loomed over him, "What are you doing out this early? Shouldn't you be in school?" 

"I-I'm late... My m-mom and d-dad are at work, I'm so sorry," Jai said softly as he looked down from the cop, "I'm heading that way now, sir."

"You okay, kid? You seem a bit tense," The cop crouched down and placed a hand on the boys shoulder, "Do you need a ride to school, kiddo?"

"N-no sir. I'm fine. I w-walk to school all the time," Jai shut down the cops offer, he looked anxious, "I should hurry along now, have a nice day, sir." 

Jai quickly pulled away from the cop and jogged away, his heart was in his throat as tears filled his eyes, how could that heartless, no good, piece of human trash act so casually after they brutally murdered 4 people in their home? Jai gulped air like it was water as he disappeared around the corner of a building, which was when he immediately began to run. As he ran, the sound of his own heartbeat started to pound in his ears, he could barely catch his breath and the cool morning air caused the tears on his cheeks to leave chapped skin behind. He felt nothing, but pain and sadness racing through his blood as his feet slammed into the pavement. 

Eventually, he came to a large park, which he rushed into, he could hid in the woods! He was shaking as he hid behind a tree, wheezing as he desperately tried to catch his breath, his body trembled as he slumped down the tree and pulled his knees close, he didn't know where he could go or what he could do. He had no one left... He was so exhausted as his eyes grew heavy, he hugged his backpack to his chest and gave a weak whimper as he buried his face in the back of it. His body slowly gave in to sleep, laying against the tree, trembling as his dreams lingered on the incident. The fear and pain he felt was zealous as he laid there. 

He awoke to a sudden shaking, which cause him to panic and headbutt the person in front of him. He gripped his forehead in pain, whimpering, before he looked up to see another boy around his age. He had messy blonde hair and deep green eyes, his face was round and soft. He groaned a bit as he held his head.

"A-are you okay? I didn't mean to scare you," the boy said softly as he sat on his knees in front of Jai, "My names Jack Reed, but most people just call me Reed. And you are?"

"I-I..." Jai trembled as tears filled his terrified eyes, he looked petrified, "I-I'm..."

"Woah... are you okay? Do you need help? I can get my mom and-" Reed was cut off when Jai hugged him tightly, crying into his thick, woven sweater. He blushed and gently wrapped his arms around the smaller, crying boy, "I-It's okay... I can help you! Here, I have some food left over from lunch, if you want it." Jai looked up to the sweet boy with his doe-like eyes, nodding a bit. He hadn't realized how hungry he really was.

Reed reached into his backpack and pulled out a bento box, inside of which was a few pieces of seaweed, some rice with grilled chicken on top, half a dressing container of soy sauce, and a cookie. Jai practically scarfed down the food, his hands were shaking as he forced the dried out rice down his throat. Reed giggled a bit and pulled out his water bottle, which he'd filled with fruit punch, and handed it to Jai. He gently took it from Reeds hands and chugged the sickly-sweet, red liquid. 

"Easy, you might make yourself choke," Reed warned, patting his hand against Jais back, "I won't take it from you. It's kind of obvious your a little more hungry than I am."

"I-I'm sorry..." Jai whimpered a bit, he looked so anxious, "I didn't m-mean to be r-rude..."

"It's okay! It's all yours. Do you need a jacket? It's kind of cold to be in just a hoodie," Reed pointed out as he pulled an extra jacket from his bag, "This should keep you warm, but I dunno if you want it, it kinda smells a little musty." Jai took the jacket into his hands and whispered a thank you before pulling it over his tiny body, he didn't realize how cold he felt. Reed gave him a sweet smile as he packed up the, now empty, bento box and water bottle. Jai didn't realize how nice other people were outside his family. 

"Th-thank you... I'm s-sorry for being s-so rude..." 

"No, not at all! My mom always says that if you see someone who needs help, offer to help. It's the least we can do to serve our community," Reed burned with a valiant fire as he scooted beside Jai and smiled, "So what are you doing here? I've never seen you round here before. Did something happen? Are you in trouble? Do you need help?" Reed rambled, worry growing in his eyes as he gently grabbed Jais hands.

"I-I... I dunno if I can tell you..." Jai whimpered softly, looking away.

"Wh! I promise I won't get you in trouble! You can come stay with me! I'll just tell my mom you're a friend from school, I'm sure she'll listen!" Reed smiled as he gently hugged Jai close, "If you need help, I can help you. Everyone needs help sometimes."

"... okay..." Jai sniffled and nodded, agreeing to go with the rather passionate boy, "Just... I'm not ready to tell anyone what happened..."

"O-okay! Don't worry! It's Friday, so we can spend all weekend hanging out!" Reed's smile was contagious and Jai nodded, the warmth that radiated off Reed seemed to cause him to relax as Reed took his hand and began to lead him to his house.