Eyes

Dead and Alive

Arc: Level C [Continued]

April 11- Day 11D

    My eyes stay glued onto Zarith as he backs away from me. "The whole time... you didn't want to believe in the fact that you actually enjoyed it.." There's a pause as we continue to exchange looks. "So Ken," he suddenly says. "Why do you think I'm telling you this?"

    "I-" I struggle to find my words as I process what he just said to me.

    "Lose control." He pauses. "When you lose control, Ken, you end up with your true self. Whatever you're doing right now...," he begins to say, "is your way of avoiding your true self," he whispers as he disappears into thin air.

    After staying on the cold floor for a couple more minutes, I land my hand onto the marble counter, and pull myself up. As I look up, I only notice myself in the reflection in front of me.

    As I allow myself to be put in a trance by my reflection, I hear a faint sound of laughter. I blink a few times, attempting to block out the noise. I briefly close my eyes as I take a deep breath. Though as I open them, I notice a tiny, frail figure behind me.

    Echo?

    In retaliation, I launch my fists towards it, though quickly grab them with my other hand, sparing the mirror.

    After breathing in and out, I slowly look up at the mirror, with Echo gone. I sigh as I carefully touch my aching head. I turn around and begin to walk towards the closed bathroom door, then allow my back to touch the door.

    Why...? I begin to think to myself.

    Why? Why is he always.....

    Right..?

~

Zarith's POV

    Once I teleport out of the bathroom, I allow my back to lay against the door. After remaining there for a couple of seconds, I hear a slight shudder coming from Ken's voice.

    After a couple of more seconds of silence, as if he knew I was still here, Ken says, "Zarith?"

    I begin to hear a slight noise coming from downstairs, followed by laughter.

    "Hm?" I finally respond after a couple of seconds of silence.

    It remains silent once again, with the only thing that is heard is the laughter coming from downstairs. I chuckle in attempt to rid the silence. "You should get down there soon before they come looking for you-"

    "You're right," he suddenly interjects. His voice was quiet, though loud enough for me to hear through the door. "I am...," he begins to say, "afraid."

    After we remain in our places for a couple more seconds, I finally say, "You want to know more about me you said?"

    "Hm?" It was easy to tell by the tone of his voice that he was surprised that I would say such a thing.

    I slowly lift my back off of the door. After standing for a couple of seconds, I teleport to the living from where everyone else is.