The Sixth God (Arc 1: From The Pale Ashes) [BL]

Chapter 7

The blood wouldn't stop. It gushed down Shida's arm like a raging river. No matter how hard Shida tried to gather the red liquid and stuff it back it, it just kept coming, leaking past his palms, between his fingers.

His trembling body stared up at Milly as she huffed, the bloody kitchen knife trembling in her hands. Her eyes were wide and wild, thoughts racing too fast to catch.

The knife clattered against the floor as she lunged at Shida. He stumbled back, twisting his body around and sprinting towards the door.

He had to get away. She was going to kill him!

Her grip was like a vice as she pulled him back. "Keep your mouth shut, you insect!" Her spit speckled his face, mixing in with his tears. "If you tell Ina anything about those bruises and that cut I'll- I'll do the same thing to him!" Milly shook Shida roughly. "Is that what you want?! He will hate you for it! Hate you cause you made me do that to him!"

Emotions spewed forth from Shida in a high pitched wail. He didn't want Ina to hate him! Shida just wanted to go back! Back to the forest, back to where it was safe! Why weren't the shadows helping him? Why wasn't anyone?

Desperate, Shida twisted his neck and bit Milly's hand, a burst of victorious iron on his tongue.

Milly shrieked, letting go and Shida took the chance to run towards the forest. His tears blurred the view, he had no clue where he was going but it didn't matter.

He wasn't going to stay there anymore.

Shida ran through the stinging slaps of tree branches, the biting cold seeping into his boots. He ran until each step became a torture and he could move no more, falling into the snow with a pained groan.

His injured arm was on fire but the snow gave him a minuscule of relief even as it was dyed red.

"Ina, it hurts." Shida whimpered.

But he knew Ina wouldn't hear him. Ina was out with Gray in the town. It was the first time they were separated but Milly insisted Shida stay and help her.

It didn't go so well.

Shida just laid there, not wanting to move. Instead, he sobbed into the snow, tears melting and freezing in turn.

He wanted the shadows to come out and comfort him. To wrap him around in safety and seclusion, but still, they did not move.

Not even a ripple.

Once his tears ran out, Shida was in a daze, wanting to go find Ina but the thought of going back to that house sent a bolt of terror through him. It paralyzed his feet and any courage he mustered to go back was swiftly slain.

Staying here felt safer.

So stay there he would.

******Something wet and warm brushed against Shida's cheek.

 Eyes flying open, he let out a shriek that echoed in the forest. Shida threw himself back, staring at a large beast. Its fur was thick and black, with droopy ears and tired-looking eyes. Its tongue was hanging out with bits of drool dripping off.

Pain throbbed up Shida's hurt arm as he stared at the beast.

It simply gazed back, tail wagging slightly.

Shida swallowed but when the beast didn't move, he slowly stood up.

"Um-" Shida nervously stated. "Hello?"