Limitless

Chapter 18: "Please Stay."

I don't think that this chapter is my best. I apologise if it's not the best in the world.

If you guys like it, I'm glad. It just means that I'm probably being silly or something.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

The day had passed quite quickly. The sun had set and the snow had stopped falling. The sky was clear, making the night feel more cold. The stars shined brightly as the moon reflected on the now darkened sea. The way that the moon was reflected made most of the ripples look like white diamonds. The sea had been surprisingly calm at the moment, only causing the boat to bob up and down a little bit. There were no other boats on the water or any helicopters in the sky. So far, everything was going a smoothly as it can be for now.

Kaito wrapped the blanket on his shoulders a little tighter as a breeze blew right through him. He was glad that blankets were found on board the boat, otherwise he and some of the others on the deck might have frozen to death right now. He wanted to move around a bit, just to help him warm up a little, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. Maki was still unconscious, currently laying on the deck and wrapped up in three blankets as if they were a cocoon. Her face was cleaned up from her nosebleed. She seemed to be just exhausted but Kaito can't be sure. Her body was okay, but what about her mind? She used her powers to kill the guards, but it looked like it drained her immensely. She probably wasn't used to using her powers like that. She overdid it too quickly. Kaito is only hoping that there has been no damage to the inside of her body.

Maki suddenly let out a quiet moan. Kaito sat upright in a little surprise. He kept his distance because he didn't want to overwhelm her. Maki's eyes slowly blinked open. They seemed to focus on Kaito as soon as she saw him. Kaito felt a little relieved right up until Maki sat up. She moved too quickly. The second she sat up, she immediately started to gag. She was trying to keep it in, but she struggled. Seeing the problem right away, Kaito rapidly got her untangled from the blankets, moved her to the side of the boat and she leaned over so she was facing the ocean. The second she looked down, her stomach contents were finally expelled from her body. Her body violently trembled as Kaito rubbed her back soothingly with one hand and kept her hair out of the way with his other hand. Maki didn't seem to notice, too busy emptying out her stomach to care.

It took a minute, but Maki was finally able to settle her stomach. She heaved for air as her legs started to buckle under her. Kaito held her steady as he helped to lower her to the deck. He grabbed the discarded blankets and wrapped them around her as she shivered. Maki curled up into them almost like a tortoise retreating into its shell. She glanced around taking in her surroundings and looking up at the night sky as she smelt the sea salt in the air.

"You okay?" Kaito asked cautiously as he rubbed Maki's back.

"Give me a minute and I will be." Maki moaned, bringing the blankets tighter around her.

"You sure?" Kaito asked, not too convinced about Maki's answer.

"The last time that I used my powers like that was five years ago before I ended up in that place." Maki muttered absentmindedly, seeming not to hear how worried Kaito had sounded. She rubbed her head tenderly. "What happened?"

"We got out. Just like I promised." Kaito stated, trying hard not to think about how close everyone had come to getting caught. Maki looked up at the sky again, making sure that this wasn't a dream that she was having.

"The others would've left me behind. Why didn't you?" She asked looking at Kaito in the eye. She knew that the others wouldn't stop to help her. They would never help out a monster like her. However, Kaito was different. Why did he care about her when everyone else didn't?

"Well, one, I made a promise, and a man should always keep his word. And two, you're human, just like us. And you deserve to have a life." Kaito answered, smiling at Maki like nothing else mattered at that moment. He hid the fact that he was frustrated at Maki for being hard on herself like this. He was reminded of how everyone didn't hesitate to run without her after she collapsed. They didn't stop to think that without Maki, they might not be on this boat right now. Kaito didn't want Maki to think that she was on her own. He wanted to remind her that there was someone that had her back. However, telling by the look on her face, Maki didn't seem to believe in what he was telling her.

"Land ho!" Kokichi's voice suddenly rang out. Everyone on the deck went to the side and looked on ahead. Seems that they were approaching some kind of town. There was a dock big enough to have to boat abandoned at, but they'll need to evacuate it the second they dock. A boat like this suddenly coming into port without warning or invitation was be gained some unwanted attention.

"Once we're on dry land, I'm leaving. It's clear that the others don't want me around." Maki suddenly said. The way she spoke, she landed like she didn't want Kaito to hear that, like she was thinking it out loud without realising. Kaito heard it and he didn't like the sound of it. He can't let Maki go all by herself. It had been five years since she's been outside. The world has been changing. She might not last long out there by herself.

"I get it if you don't trust anyone. But I don't think that it's a good idea for you to go alone. You might get captured by them again. Please stay." Kaito begged, trying his best not to sound too desperate. Maki didn't look at him, focusing only on the lights of the town. Kaito gently grabbed her hand which rested on the side. Maki looked up at him then, her face blank. "I promise, no matter what, I've got your back." Maki stared right at Kaito. She was watching his eyes and facial expressions carefully. She wanted to make sure that he wasn't trying to trick her. She scanned him carefully. She couldn't see any lies or signs of deception in his eyes. They were honest and caring. He really cared about someone like her? He had to be the biggest idiot on the planet if he wanted to trust her this badly. No one should ever trust anyone that has been an assassin. Kaito should be scared of her, just like everyone else. Why isn't he?

Despite that though, the idiot brought up a valid point. White might have people on the mainland should there be Limitless in certain areas. Once they get word of the escape, no doubt they'll be searching for everyone. Maki wasn't too keen on being around people that didn't want to trust her, or be around her. However, if safety in numbers is a thing, then she'll take her chance for now. At least until she finds a way to get somewhere far away and safe enough away from White and that Facility. Then she'll be on her own for good and not have to worry, nor care about anyone else.

"Fine. I'll stay for now." Maki sighed in defeat, ripping her hand out of Kaito's grip. She looked back at the town. "Don't expect it to be a permanent thing, especially if they give me a reason to leave." It was a small victory. That's what Kaito thought. Maki was staying. He felt glad that she was. However, he knows that he's got to work hard to make her feel accepted, even if it was just him. He also wants everyone else to start trusting her as well. They can't keep shunning her forever, especially after what she had done to save them. Maybe he can try to get them to listen to her and hear what had happened to her. They'll be able to understand that what had happened to her wasn't something that she had control of. Kaito believed that Shuichi might listen, maybe Keade as well. So long as one of the other listens to Maki and gives her a chance, maybe Maki will start learning to let people in. The burdens that she was carrying right now could finally be lifted off of her shoulders. Things like this take time. Kaito only hoped that it wouldn't take too long. Otherwise Maki might leave, just as she said she would. And then, he might not be able to help her.

One chance, and one friend, will hopefully be more than enough for Maki to stay.