You looked at his bony figure. He seemed like a dried twig, his body scarred with various marks, and dried blood splattered on the wall. His eyes were sunken, but the spark in them remained. Whatever horrors he had endured, they had not broken him. Relief washed over you.
You hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. "You're killing me," he said, laughing. The sound of his laughter filled you with joy and a momentary reprieve from the despair.
He grasped your hands, and the chains binding him clinked as he turned you towards the left. The color drained from your face as you saw numerous photos of your friends, detailed plans, and your missing mobile phone on the table. The reality hit you hard - they were responsible for everything.
You picked up your phone and switched it on while quickly using the master key to free Ichigo. "Why did they do this all in front of you?" you asked, tracing the red strings on the board.
"To fill me with pain," Ichigo replied, leaning against the wall and wincing slightly.
"Let's get you out of here. You can't go home, but I know where you can go," you said, your eyes glinting with determination.
You tore a page from a nearby notebook and wrote down an address and a small letter. You didn't have many options, but this would have to do for now. Ichigo' s eyes widened as he read the address, and he kept asking if you were sure. You assured him you were.
"They never intended to let you go," he said sternly. "I will not leave you here."
"Aww, my little brother is worried now, is he?" you teased, pulling his cheeks.
He groaned, "It's only an 11-minute difference."
"The best 11 minutes of my life," you replied, trying to lighten the mood.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He shifted again, wincing slightly as his back touched the wall. You frowned and turned him around, horrified by what you saw. The wounds were fresh, barely two days old.
"Who did this to you?" you demanded.
He sighed. "I will take all the evidence. You keep the phone. In case something happens, call our brother. Please be safe."
"I asked you, WHO DID THIS TO YOU?" you repeated, anger boiling inside you.
Ichigo grabbed your shoulders, bringing your heads closer. "Asuna," he said softly.
You calmed a bit after looking into his yellow eyes. They reminded you of the sunrise you used to watch from your rooftop as kids. "I will distract them while you hide in the hallway."
He hesitated but nodded. "Go," you urged, pointing at the open door.
You waited for him to disappear into the hallway before closing the door silently. You needed to look the part, so you splashed water on your forehead and disheveled your hair. Within moments, you appeared as if you had seen a ghost.
You put your phone securely in your pocket, reminding yourself to check it as soon as you were out of this hell.
Dear god,
Can this day get any worse.?
I hope my bad luck streak ends now
It was way too easy. You got on the bed and screamed, a sound akin to a feral cat shrieking on an abandoned road. You clutched your hair tightly and closed your eyes.
Within moments, you heard several footsteps hurrying toward the room. The door burst open, and Yukio was the first to reach you, his breath slightly shaken. He enveloped you in a hug, and you rolled your eyes at the theatrics.
Soon, the others joined, making Yukio end his sweet embrace. He coughed slightly and said, "It looked like you could use it."
You waited until everyone was in the room, then started talking about a non-existent nightmare you had about your brother.
Everyone looked stricken with guilt. You could identify it now-their eyes gave it away. Especially Subaru.
But the more you looked, the more it seemed like there was no guilt behind those silver-rimmed eyes.
"Dinner's ready, let's go, dove," Hikaru said, cheerfully starting to pull you out, only for Yukio to push him away.
He let you walk at your own pace, following you slowly as if you were a baby deer learning to walk for the first time.
Akira rolled his eyes. "She is not a kid; she can walk on her own. No need to baby her."
Despite his words, Akira too followed you like a demon watching its prey. The others walked ahead, leaving the three of you to walk together.
Reaching the hall room, you lay on the couch and switched on the television.
"Death warrant has been issued on a 17-"
The channel was abruptly changed by Subaru, who quickly put on a documentary about medicine.
"Wait, go back," you said.
"No," all six boys said in unison. You gave them a confused look.
"I am interested in this documentary," Subaru said, focusing intently on the screen.
"I wanted to see who they-"
"Dove, drop it, please," Hikaru said, smiling brightly at you.
Subaru glanced over at you sighing " What do you prefer.?"
" Your house. Your rules "
He nodded after few minutes of arguing and Subaru calling half of them idiots in fancy tongue , the boys decided on some comedy show that you'd never seen before.
Midst of the episode Subaru excused himself for using the "loo" Who the heck even uses the word loo. Apparently Subaru does.
You wished he did not go to his room and find out Ichigo had escaped.
Maybe God listened to you because he was back pretty quickly and he did not even go in direction of his room.
He smiled at you and you smiled back and focused on the show again.
You silently watched the show fully aware of the constant gazes that were landing on you. All six of the boys would glance over at you for few minutes before returning their gaze back on the show. It was frustrating not to react to people watching you like that.
But you had to control yourself if you wanted to get out of here.
The episode ended and you streched , looking outside. The sun had gone down ages ago. Sky was pitch black even the moon was not out here today.
What a night.
"Thank you for helping me. Now I must leave," you said, rising from the couch.
But leaving wasn't an option, as Subaru had already called a cab, and Hikaru eagerly dragged you to the dining table. This time, Yukio did not push him away. Kazuto sat beside you, watching to ensure you were eating.
You had to eat but only after making sure it wasn't drugged. You fed some spoonfuls from your plate to Hikaru, who was more than happy to eat. With Hikaru on your left and Kazuto on your right, you had willing testers.
Finally, as you motioned to leave, Subaru brought up a different topic, making you halt in your place.
"Did you find your phone?" he asked, dabbing his mouth with a tissue paper.
" No" You said as you felt your pocket getting heavier. "
"How about I get you a new one ,Asuna." Kazuto said. " Free. My company has the best techs"
Subaru agreed. Along with rest of the boys.
It was a known fact for technology best option is kazuto's company.
" I want to get something of my own " You said chuckling.
" It will be. We have wide ranges. Not only will it be free but also I can keep an eye on you. "
" Eye" You raised your eyebrows.
Kazuto slipped out something wrong but you could not act on it now. Akira sitting next to kazuto pinched him.
" Oww! What was that for " Kazuto wailed massaging his sore area. Akira just sneered at kazuto making him more infuriated.
" How will we contact you , dove" Hikaru asked his voice low like a puppy seeing their owner leave for work.
" I will call. I remember your phone numbers. " You say patting his head.
" Wait a-asuna" Takumi called from other side of the table. In his hand was a glass jug filled with orange liquid.
Orange juice.
" Yes ,takumi" You asked. Hoping he would not offer you juice.
" I -i made it. Will you taste it" He asked as he poured it in a glass and slided it towards you.
You smiled and nodded. You sipped a little and coughed out.
Clutching your throat.
Kazuto immediately sprang up and took the glass out of your hand. " It's cold what if she gets sick" Kazuto snarled at takumi who hid behind subaru.
" It was very delicious. " You say smiling " But I might catch 'cold' "
Takumi nodded understanding. But a blush crept up his face when thinking you called what he made delicious.
Hikaru narrowed his eyes and grabbed your arm pulling you close" How was dinner, dove.?"
" Splendid. I loved it. " You said patting him.
You were lucky Kazuto was so obsessed with health. You just had a small sip. If it was drugged, you could still get out of here.
"Thank you for the food and juice, but I must leave now."
You didn't let them protest and quickly started heading for the elevator.
"Wait, Asuna. I will walk you," Kazuto said, running after you.
He grabbed a coat and put it over you. "Don't catch a cold."
"Sure." You reached for the button, but your phone rang in your pocket. Your eyes widened, realizing you were caught.
Kazuto raised his hand towards you only to be flipped out on the ground. You pressed the button and the door opened before the boys could reach you the door closed. Leaving the five boys standing around the elevator and kazuto on the ground groaning in pain.
" Use the stairs " Hikaru shouted.
"You imbecile. We don't have one" Subaru said calmly. He looked as the lift was on second floor.
" That's why I told you to put one. Now asuna ran away. "
Akira looked at kazuto's fallen form and spat " Weak" Only to be smacked by yukio. They both glared at eachother.
Subaru finally stood in between like a wall separating two rival nations.
You finally reached the ground floor and frantically began to run. Only if you can make it to the next city. You reached the gate. But when you tried to open it your vision flattered.
That drink was indeed drugged. Your eyes began closing. You could only think of one thing. Calling your older brother.
With unstable hands to swiped open your phone. Only to find it locked. Locked out of your own phone. How funny.
You wanted to run but you couldn't. You wanted to be far away from here. But atleast your brother was in a safe place.
Akira took slow steps towards your form. Your vision was fading slowly. He snatched the phone with one hand and caught your sleeping form from another.
Pocketing your phone, he moved a few stray strands of hair from your face and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Asuna."
Dear God, when I asked if this day could get any worse, it was a rhetorical question, not a request.