Class went by as students crossed paths and so did the loss of time. There's no point in counting when the day and night are hauntingly longer. The darkness through what barely had been a window soon catches up and they are still in this old shack. How long will it take before someone decides to save them? The smell of mold, moistened metal, and pee forces Ahni to get sick at various times. A few moments of tormented smell can't contain his nausea but with a belly of air, the muscle cramps feel like implosions.

Turmoil, the suffering of witnessing capture and having no say-so over his own life while being awake can't amount to darkness in pain.

His thoughts are pushed aside because he wants to live.

Ahni's been huddled up against Ralp all night, to keep him warm. It's cold here. At least he knows with every inhale, Ralp's still alive. He was beaten by the damage felt on the areas Ahni accidentally touched. Dry blood and scabs stick their clothing together. The sunlight offers clues to Ralp's predicament, but Ahni can only get a small glimpse from the ray of light shining through the cracks in the ceiling.

Ahni leans over, scooping Ralp's slightly smaller frame into his arms tighter. Ralp's older than Ahni, but of them both-- weaker.

For once in his life, he can dwell beside someone genuine soft interior. Ralp's always there beside him these couple of days. They shared a lot and everything is more natural in their budding friendship. Ahni finds it easy to talk to Ralp even though he hardly answers personal questions about Crescent and Kisha. He'd often revert eyes or awkwardly laugh and change the subject. Ahni doesn't mind. Maybe Ralp isn't comfortable talking about his boss?

"Ralp? It'll be alright. Ok? I'll... protect you." Words that aren't as promising and strong as their peers, but he means it. At least, Ahni will try. He needs to keep reminding Ralp.

Ralp releases a small groan, huddling closer to the warmth, Ahni smirking. Yeah, just rely on him. He's trying to respond, but he needs to save his strength. They haven't eaten all day, and the hunger pains are reaching down his throat. Ahni remains focused, listening to any sign of life beyond this cold shack.

Sounds of crickets singing and various bugs echo the only evidence, that is until the soft pats on shoes shuffled above the grass. An approaching shadow beneath the base of the door.

"W-w-we're in here!" 

Ahni perks up and soon those footsteps turn to chains being removed, and then... it opens. The light, his eyes have to readjust for all he can make out is the darkness of a lanky figure shining in. Whether or not an angel or a messenger of hell. Standing, watching them both.

"You've been waiting? Don't worry. I've returned." The voice calls out.

"Phantom?" Ahni answers after the individual speaks with a familiar tone.

The Phantom releases a small ah, stepping into the shack over an unknown black stain on the concrete. He kneels beside Ahni, small shuffling in his pockets before, handing him Ralp's phone. Ahni's clear eyesight takes him a minute to respond, but eventually, the device is scooped between fingers and Phantom places a hand on his shoulder.

Ahni wants nothing more than to run for the entrance, push Phantom out of the way, and go find help, but leaving Ralp here to deal with the aftermath is not something he wants on his conscience. A slow take of breath, Ahni begins to scan over the device as if it but a foreign object.

"How about calling Kisha? This is Ralp's phone. I'm sure he's worried." Phantom chimes with a voice that seems to have his own agenda in mind; however, Ahni has better things to consider. The background on Ralp's phone is of a marbled-colored wolf with the happiest grin on its face. It's surrounded by a pile of leaves, trying to blend, but innocent and cute at the same time. A wolf pattern Ahni has never seen before. He pulls up the call log and quickly presses Crescent's number.

The ringing begins, and Ahni expects his brother's voice as Christmas morning-- good news. It rings for the third time before the nerves set within Ahni's stomach come to a sudden uptick. Realizing that the voicemail will come, he pulls the phone back awkwardly before glancing at Phantom whose idea now seems better. The thought that Crescent didn't pick up Ralp's number calling makes Ahni feel odd. Aren't they all looking for Ralp? 

He doesn't have time to assume anything. Crescent may be in trouble as well.

"I'm sure Kisha will answer." A smirk, those dark eyes glistening beneath the shade that only engulfs the dark half of the shack. Phantom raises his hand to hit the red button as Crescent's voicemail ends with a beep. There will be no messages today. To be honest, Phantom's happy Crescent didn't answer. He's sitting hoping, watching Ahni's expression with a lingering satisfaction. A breath of relief in the younger brother's disappointment.

"M-maybe you're right." Ahni glances towards a sudden head tilt from Phantom, followed by an eerie wide-lip smile. He doesn't want to admit it, but the situation is already over for him. His main support system didn't answer. His faith in Kisha is strong, but he wonders emotionally if Crescent is worried about him. To hear the panic and feel the love that he's been gone too long is the ultimate source of comfort. Crescent should feel regret. Regret that they had ever fought and regret that his choices were drawing Ahni into this. Maybe Crescent would tell him everything.

He searches through Ralp's phone until he finds Kisha.

Only ringing twice, the phone instantly picks up.

"Ralp..." Kisha states immediately, but not without first sighing as he pronounces Ralp's name in a worried hush. The breathless deep tone takes Ahni by surprise and he freezes for a few seconds as his heart skips a few beats. Kisha sounds pretty hot over the phone. With his eyes looking at Phantom a 'So, what do I do now?' expression riddles his face.  Ahni's happy someone is on the other line at least, but how is he supposed to spark a conversation with Locklear under these circumstances? Clearing his throat to get back on track because all he can hear from the other end is Kisha's awkward heavy breathing before something that sounds like the phone moving. Ahni panics, thinking Kisha is about to hang up.

"LOCKLEAAAAR!!!" And that's when his voice roars. The sudden scream, Ahni hears the prompt reaction of Kisha's pained grunt and then the sudden wooshing of the phone being pulled away followed by the soft sound of the call clicking. His voice pitches two tones higher than a dog's scream leaving whatever is in its wake to shatter--

"Oh... He hung up..." Ahni sighs, redialing the number quickly as he stares awkwardly at the phone. Pulling his bottom lip into his mouth, he sits, his two front teeth creating dents as he waits for Kisha to pick up again. The phone rings a few times, Ahni's hope tearing into him. He spoiled it. Why did he have to yell like that? A glance at Phantom who's sitting, waiting for Kisha to pick up as well, but his gaze is understandable as to why anyone wouldn't. Ahni's embarrassment kicks in, looking at the phone hit the twenty-five seconds mark, a few more seconds, and the voicemail--

Click.

"It's me... Your little brother." Ahni whispers calmly this time like night and day from his previous reaction. Now, he needs to stay calm. Why not include himself in the family tree? Crescent is some sort of mate or whatever they are calling it. Ahni must be the mate's brother, right? Ahni lowers his tone with realization he just possibly blew Kisha's brain out. Awkward~

"I-I-I have Ralp. He's not moving much though. It's an old shack behind the second tower--"

The Phantom snatches the phone from Ahni's hand, pulling it up to his ear, but Ahni tries to grab it back. He's too slow. Confusion holding his expression, but his body is unable to lean as Phantom places enough distance between them. Light tapping, Phantom prances around a little bit as a chick finally being able to talk to her boyfriend before he plants his frame just shy of the shack's entrance. Ralp's weight keeps Ahni in place.

"Kisha... Kisha... Kisha. Is it sooooo nice to meet you!" Phantom chuckles while clicking his tongue in glee. A settled fire within his chest begins to burn, as within his clutch finally a main piece to winning the game has entered. He's been anticipating this encounter for quite some time. Planned around it. Kisha is one of the main people he has yet to get under his claws, but he knows soon, everything will play out accordingly. 

"You're a very smart man. Let's make a..... deal, Ki-sha..."

Kisha doesn't respond.

"Turning down my offer will end your precious subordinate's life. You do care... right? That sort of image... traitor. A leader who turns cheek to the weak. How... cruel of you." The Phantom glances at the innocent figures, readying to throw their lives away for a cause. Persuading Kisha no matter the cost isn't that easy. With a hard exterior and an even hard interior, trying to guilt trip him is lightweight. Everything depends on this moment. 

"Make the deal." His tone descends from sympathetic to harsh and demanding.

Still no answer. 

Phantom's impatience blossoms, the vein at his temple protruding as he bites down hard on his back teeth. Threatening Kisha will also be a mistake, so what will get this stone of man to move? He lightly taps his foot, as his eyes scan around for another persuading outlet. Should he hit someone with an object? Give the whole talk or they die method? Will something like that be worth getting his hands dirty over? How about threatening him with Crescent? The outlets to push Kisha are piling up, but all of them can be a wrong move depending on the mood he's in. Phantom needs just one good one.

"Please, Locklear. Y-you wouldn't leave Ralp to die... I know because you are a hero. You didn't leave my brother to die. He's alive because you took care of him..." An innocent broken voice calls into the shack, followed by a deep soft sigh from Kisha almost instantly.  

Oh? What a reaction.

Phantom stares down at Ahni as a means to say thank you for your crying act, seeing as though it's enough to knock Kisha from his silence. So, he's unable to turn down the frail and helpless? Or is this just him saving face? He can't be painted in the eyes of someone so innocent as a monster now can he? Phantom suspects, he'll lose cool points with Crescent if he aids in the fuckery of Ahni. Such a weak plea for mercy of a friend in dire need. Pitiful. 

"What?" Kisha replies.

"Glad to have you on board, Kisha." Phantom nearly spins on heels, wasting no time to get to the point. His voice like a barrage of words comes hurling into the phone with exactly what he wants as if placing an order for a pizza. Concise and clear. 

"Before dawn, there will be a package coming into the school. It contains important data on a few students. This package will be transported by an authority figure, however. I need you to get it for me. I don't care how... and I don't care who you send... Get it. After that meet me beneath the bridge that connects the towers. You know the old classes. I'll text the location of the package transport. Be late Kisha, and I will not tell you what happens next." The Phantom hangs up the phone.

He glances at Ahni and then at Ralp.

"Ahni?" He calls. "You do realize, you're still in this?"

He tosses Ralp's phone beside him then reaches out grabbing Ahni by the arm suddenly. Yanking the two apart, Ahni is taken aback by how strong Phantom is and how quickly he seems to be moving. Ahni tries to pull back on his arm, but Ralp's defenseless body hits the ground in a light thud sending Ahni's heart pounding. He looks back in horror to see if Ralp's okay, but Ralp is now facing away from him so he can't see clearly.  

"No! We can't leave him!" In an attempt to pry himself free, fingers dig at the grip for release. The thoughts of Ralp spending one more night in this shack, dying from starvation and cold, being left here without any regard for his life. How can anyone even allow that to happen? Ahni understands that this is a cruel world, but why is everyone meant so little to one another? 

Why are their lives treated as trash?!

"You're so naive, Ahni." Phantom allows Ahni to pull away, watching the younger brother whirl around to get back to comforting Ralp. 

"Ralp, you can go now..." Nonchalantly The Phantom calls out, which suddenly halts Ahni in his worry. His face is wrenched in confusion and horror, and he's looking towards the opening of the shack as if expecting a monster to jump out and eat him. Lips parted slightly as eyes scan intensely into the darkness for an answer. What feels like the longest seconds ever soon gives birth to small scuffling and rustling clothes. The same sounds of sneakers when they are picking up the person wearing them. Soon after, the image of a battered, but conscious Ralp emerges from the shack. 

What...? 

Ahni shakes his head in disbelief, his brows dropping so low in disbelief, he nearly closes his eyes. Ralp's silhouette frame mocks him in the distance, his wide eyes, weak. Ralp's weak, trail to the ground as he limps in full view of the light. He refuses to look Ahni in the face.  A small drip of blood drooling from his lips, but he turns a quick swipe from backhand and takes a small step in the direction he's facing. 

"W-w-wait, Ralp... You-- how?" Ahni cries out. Ralp looks up at him until his painful expression ventures toward Phantom who knocks his head, telling Ralp to scram. 

"A truly remarkable being, Ahni. Did you really think these imposters don't have special abilities? You should learn who truly values you as a friend. Don't just go around trusting anyone with a kind face." Phantom's voice but an epitome of the amusement parading through his bones. The sheer look of misunderstanding and betrayal cannot be hidden in Ahni's expression. It's pretty, knowing how broken that which is naive becomes a tool for everything else.

It isn't until Ralp sees another figure that he instantly freezes up, looking past everyone to focus on the approaching being. Ralp turns away from the two and begins his painful stride without word. Ahni looks on hurt and baffled. Ralp is going to just leave him like this? Remarkable being? What is Phantom talking about? Is this a setup, but for whom--?

Ahni balls up his fists, trying to shake the blame from his mind. Ralp a backstabber? Ralp's acting was top-notch. He had him fooled. There's no point in yelling after him, nor is there a reason to question Phantom. Ahni just hopes that what darkness he feels in his heart right now is an illusion. Ralp's just using this to go get help, right? 

He will bring Locklear and his brother. He's going to bring everyone-- Fuchsia too! They're all his-- He's afraid to face the truth, whatever it may be as the sickening feelings of falling into the abyss shatter his light. His heroic plan has crumbled beneath him as he watches Ralp's darkened figure stagger away painfully. Not even a glance backward.

"Pfft... Omegas. Such cowards..." Phantom smirks.

When Ahni looks back at The Phantom, prepared to fire a barrage of insults and angered expressions, standing right in front of them that ghost he met last night. Ahni didn't budge, only placing his hands in front of him, toppling just at his stomach.

"Let's go," Diamond commands, but Ahni doesn't move. This entire time he was obedient. He got to save Ralp. He thought he too was saved.

"I'm not going." A voice feeble, yet fueled by defiance. The broken tone only makes Diamond feel a small rush. He loves it when breakable individuals suddenly develop balls.

"Really?" A quick turn, lashing out, and Ahni's under his grip in a matter of seconds. A flip of his wrist and any part of Ahni's body will be squirting blood. A sight Diamond is more keen to see.

"Say that again!" Diamond barks.

Ahni squirms, the pressure on his limb enough for him to comply. An unsettling feeling pumps through his mind. As his feet stamped on the ground. Diamond dragging him. This isn't the normal clasps of a human being's force, but the pressure in distinct regions of a person who knows the weakest parts of the arm. His head is now bowed, and all he can see is the grass fading into dirt which eventually turns into cement. The pain radiating through Ahni's chest is enough to keep him bent over. They are traveling quickly, stumbling over himself to be reassured by Diamond even if he falls the dragging along will continue, and Ahni but a dead sack pulled across the lawn.

A door opens, a faint glow of a swaying light, and then when far enough inside he's released, pushed to the ground on his knees before he sits frozen in fear. The only thing Ahni focuses on is the ground, without the courage to look anywhere else. Bowing, something he's used to. Vehicles were recently parked here, darkened oil stains were new, still glossy. They had to have come to another storage unit. The sound of a chair rubbing, bogging down its legs drowns his thoughts, and Ahni shivers. He hopes that item isn't going to be used to knock him out. The squeaking of the chair gaining weight, before a small shift from Diamond.

Ahni's unsure what's occurring; however, he wants to escape this hell. Being starved alongside Ralp. Dragged to a warehouse for what?

"Let's wait here." An echo from the enemy burrows words into Ahni's mind. Another place to just patiently sit at. He doesn't want to be in this anymore, but what he can do? All of the courage to save Ralp, it means nothing as it's a facade. "Toss me your phone."

"I don't have it," Ahni replies as quickly as Diamond speaks.

Diamond rolls his eyes, tongue clicking. The amount of restraint he's showing is greater than he has inside.

"Check your pocket, dipshit." He growls and Ahni listens, hesitantly. His phone is in his pocket. It wasn't there before. Had the phantom slipped the device when he wasn't looking? Ahni closes his eyes, not sure of his next move, but the sound of Diamond's corrective teeth sucking spooks him and he slides his device across the floor, scraping the back of it.

It stops just at Diamond's feet. He kneels, and scoops up the device between two fingers, treating it as garbage touched by some creepy guy's hand. A slide of the screen instantly unlocks it because Ahni never keeps a lock screen.

Diamond holds the phone to his features, digging... searching until a flash alerts Ahni. Is he taking pictures?

A few more clicks and the phone sits on his lap only a few seconds before it suddenly starts ringing. Diamond smirks as he answers, placing the phone on speaker.

"Where is he?!" Crescent's screams fill the room, anger-fueled and full of pain. "Don't hurt him!"

The panic-driven tone is enough to shake Ahni and he shudders listening to his brother's desperate plea. He feels compelled to keep Crescent calm, and make him understand the only thing he's suffering from is a lack of food. Ahni's alive. He's okay, so Crescent shouldn't be acting so worried. They are both ok, right?

"Crescent, I'm fine!" Ahni tries to call him, making his voice sound bigger than what he's feeling, but his tone is shaking and he doesn't seem convincing. The chattering in his teeth and Ahni bites down on his tongue, nicking the edge of it. Who is he to continue being strong? 

All of the fear that has been pumping inside of his mind. Whether or not he'll even see Crescent again. No matter how hard he tries, hearing his brother brings out the child in him again. Crescent's coming, right? With Locklear, the two are coming?

The emotions become too much for Ahni, and his soft eyes crumble beneath tears that begin to dampen the floor. Trickle by trickle, plopping the ground and splashing, the thoughts of being reunited but a fragment of his worry. He doesn't know whether to be happy or sad, but at least Crescent is alive. Ahni tries to hold himself back, keep his voice from alerting Crescent but the soft chokes take over and he inhales sharply to calm the building feeling in his chest.

Diamond smiles, lips parted to show those beautifully aligned jagged teeth. Sinister, enjoying the fear bouncing between people who love each other. A familiar eagerness he will die to break apart.

"You have until dusk, Crescent. Do not inform anyone of your movement. If you do, you will watch as he dies. There's an old factory building located beyond the docs. You can't miss it. I'll be waiting."

"Diamond... Do not hurt Ahni."

Diamond. So this is the man hunting his brother. A sovereign who sits in the middle seat. This is the God of the Academy. All this time he sits patiently in the clutches of the man who is looking for his brother. And now, he's a ticket to bringing Crescent here. This plan will bring Crescent here. Ahni knows his brother will sacrifice anything for him, but for once Ahni has to help Crescent. If he can just use his skill, that will buy them some time and maybe even reunite them. The only thing he wants most is to be back in the presence of home. In the vicinity of... his comfort.

Run, Ahni...

Heart pumping, jitters pulsing through him, he brings one leg up to his chest to fix his weight against one knee. Those times when they had to run from adults who sought to hurt a couple of young thieves. Ahni had the stamina for it. Praised by the streets, granting a title amongst store owners-- The Swift Stealer. Whenever he came around, everyone gripped their belongings, because Ahni was yet to be caught. Once he had sights on something valuable. He was like a bird soaring high with a shiny object between its beak. Shoe digs down from friction, Ahni stands up, turns, and without warning runs as fast as he can to the exit.

Just... Run!!

Diamond watches him, squinting his eyes in disappointment. What a daring little shit. His fingers twitch violently an expression upon his face spewing with disgust and anger. Ahni's forcing him to work harder. When he often decides to take the easy route, people take advantage of Diamond's kindness. He focuses intently on Ahni's figure vanishing slowly in the distance. A glint in his eyes and his pupils narrowly dilate in instance. Everyone looks tastier from behind.

Watching Ahni break past the door, Diamond stands up, stretching his arms above his head. Ahni's quite fast for a human, able to clear the distance within a few seconds. His long legs can easily propel him forward, but all of that remains futile in Diamond's mind as even the fastest deer can't amount to him.

If it is a chase Ahni wants. Then surely who is Diamond to deny the fun? His school blazer is left to dangle across the chair's back as he slowly walks to follow Ahni from the building, hands crossed beneath broad chest.

It will be no fun to instantly catch his prey. He needs to wear them out, get the heart pumping, sweat dripping only for them to realize their efforts make no difference. He wants Ahni to believe what he's doing is working. Build his hopes. Ahni will now pay for his decision.

"Hello?! Ahni?! Diamond?!" Heavy panicked breaths. "Diamond-- Please!" The breathing is so demanding, that it becomes hard to catch oxygen. "Don't hurt him! I'm coming! I'm coming!! Stay there, Ahni!"

The sound of a door swinging shut echoes and then suddenly the shack goes quiet.

(((A/N

If you were faced with Diamond, would you run too?

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