~~~

Hey, slow it down

What do you want from me

What do you want from me

Yeah, I'm afraid

What do you want from me

What do you want from me

The knock was quiet at first, but nevertheless it made me flinch. My eyes jumped to the wooden door, subconsciously expecting someone, however, when silence followed the sudden noise for a minute or so, I was sure I had only imagined things. So I calmly relaxed back into the pillow, resting my gaze at the opened book.

Knock, knock.

The second time the sound was louder and faster. It had repeated numerous times before I sighed in frustration and yelled to the person on the other side. "I'm coming!"

I was less than a meter from the doorknob when the impatient intruder began banging again. Wasn't I clear enough?

Even though I was awake, my body visibly craved for an ounce of sleep, or at least a short nap. But no...The brain I was forced to work with 24/7 just had to be too anxious for things like that.

"I said, I'm coming!" Murmuring under my breath, I shuddered at the touch of the golden handle. "Jeez, can't anyone just leave me a bit alon-"

He stepped from the darkness to the entirely illuminated vicinity, the main culprit behind it being the lamp on the drawer in the room I currently occupied. Milliseconds passed before my brain took him in, struggling to comprehend that my formulate thoughts from before just simply evaporated.

"Tch...Only a few hours passed, and you have already lowered your guard. You aren't even going to ask who it is?" I dumbfoundedly stared at the thin fabric that loosely encircled his upper torso, wondering if that was supposed to be a nightwear or not, which only resulted in a deep growl that came from the depth of his throat. "Pack your things. You are coming with me." His unanticipated order pulled me back from the reverie and forced me to lock my eyes with his red ones.

There might have been a time

I would give myself away

(Ooh) Once upon a time

I didn't give a damn

But now here we are

So what do you want from me

What do you want from me

Was it fear? No, it wasn't that...I was sure of it. But what was it then? The emotion travelled through my veins, but strangely, it didn't reach my facial muscles nor my skin, however the latter was definitely threatening to redden at any given moment. My complexion remained stunned, of course that meant it was hanging on the neutral side. "Pack my things?" I frowned. "Why?"

"Cause I said so." My stomach fidgeted at his authoritative tone. Kid, rocking back and forth, shoved his hair back away from his face and rested on the door frame. The strange gesture made me wonder what on Earth had forced him to be so lenient and passive. It absolutely differed from his casual arrogant respond with anger and his irritate-looking scowl.

I straightened, though still clinging onto the possibility of spontaneously blearing out something far from the context of speaking. "Please explain-"

"One."

One? Did I hear him right? "Excuse me?" I wilted.

"Two." 

Don't tell me he is actually...counting down the time?

Trying to be reasonable, I quickly continued before he could bring down the conversation, my voice sounding breathy, like I hadn't used enough air in my attempt t speak. "If you think you can just-"

"Three." Kid's wide-opened eyes closed as if he found an extremely comfortable spot on the hard wood and behaved like he needs a well-deserved sleep. "When I get to five, mousy, your time will be up." My entire body jolted as he mouthed 'four'. I immediately grabbed the small bag, which was conveniently thrown under the bed, and put all my necessities inside.

I could feel craving eyes boring into my back, not moving for a split inch. I decided to ignore my strange assumption and stared directly into my busy hands, not really focusing on what I was doing. I saw him nodding in my peripheral vision.

"How obedient of you. I should have done this sooner." The redhead mockingly commented, praising his blackmailing.

"S-shut up, baka!" I growled, luckily hiding my blush with strands of hair. As I reached to the last thing, I winced when the sudden twist of my hand stung in uncomfortable and ache-spreading pain. I tried to hide it, hoping it would go unnoticed, but he unfortunately reacted.

"It still hurts, doesn't it?" To my astonishment, Kid's voice was distressed, not even close to the boastful and critical tone I was already used to. I critically appraised my situation. If I were to turn, then I would likely crumble before him. Don't turn around Y/n.

It was too late.

He obviously guessed the susceptible agony that inhabited my mind and strode towards me. Even without spinning, I could detect the rhythmical hits of his shoes making an impact on the delicate floor. I listened closely to the movements until I was sure he was less than 2 meters away from me.

"It's o-okay. It's just temporarily." I stuttered, laughing a bit while doing so. "See?" I gulped then hesitantly extended the weakened arm. I clenched it tightly so I could show him how the pressure didn't faze me.

"Look at me, Y/n."

I bit my lower lip. Here it is again. The heat in my chest rose, I had the feeling that the lack of oxygen would surely suffocate me if I complied to his demand.

"No." My voice broke, while still clutching the bag's strap. I can't, no way. What if he finds out?

What if he finds out I have feelings for him?

I flinched when he stepped even closer, my mind rushing and begging to hold in the tears that were close from escaping the swollen eyes. I repeatedly told myself it was enough. That this strange desire was just temporary, at least for now.

I began to wonder how much of this unknown feeling my heart could take.

"Wha-" Kid caught my attention as he leaned to my level and whispered into my ear. "When we get there, you'll be able to rest. You look extremely tired, Y/n." It sounded so genuine, but I knew better not to fall for it. However, that one word-more persuasive than everything in the world, echoed silently in the empty room. It made me retract from him, spooked by the very idea of Kid actually caring for me.

"I can sleep when I'm dead." I retorted, a shiver going through me when he sent me a rigid expression. Cold and bracing. I tried to maintain an impassive face.

"Care to repeat that, mousy?" I shook my head, not daring to look up.

"I thought so." He murmured. Then he noticed something under my scarf. Something that should had stayed hidden. "What's that?" The redhead questioned, stationary gazing at the large swollen bruise, which prolonged down to the collarbone.

"Nothing." I fidgeted.

He intensively, but restraining the use of his full force, grabbed my arms and jerked me closer to his chest, the faint smell of fresh and leather hitting my face. "You idiot! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Why...

Why?

"Cause you despise me." I faintly whispered, the awful hollowness, the waves of wretchedness threatening to engulf my mind, body and soul as I openly uttered the truth.

Losing all hope, I averted my focus to the feet and closely observed them, funnily thinking how I notice strange things in the most crappiest moments.

Silence. Why was it there?

Kid looked like a ghost. Shocked. Pale. But no matter the state he was in, he lightly shook me, forcing me to lock our eyes into an intimidating competition of will. "Y/n, stop it." He demanded without the roughness.

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words left me. It was as if I subconsciously knew he was right.

"I guess I don't have any other options. You are coming, if you like it or not."

There might have been a time

When I would let you step away

I wouldn't even try but I think

.... you could save my life

.  .  .

To be continued ...