Reaper

Chapter 8 -Kouzen

He followed him, unsure on why he actually trusted him at all. He was probably going to get jumped by his friends or something. He hesitated around each corner, getting more and more wary. He wasn’t even sure if he’d call his dad if something happened at this point, he’d walked right into it.

Evander strode confidently in front of him, leading him into the more rundown part of town. He’d been taught there was no bad neighborhoods, only bad people which made it easier. However, he stuck out like a sore thumb. He kept following the bigger boy as he navigated the sidewalks further and further from his comfort zone.

He froze as another ping hit him as it had the day before. He looked around, studying the buildings then looked at Evander’s back. He hadn’t noticed he’d stopped walking yet, he could easily duck out of the situation. Evander got further and he sighed, licking his lips in thought before calling out hesitantly, “Evander?”

He stopped, turning to look at Kouzen with his brow creased, it made him look annoyed and Kouzen rolled his eyes out of habit. Evander walked back to him, “What’s wrong, horns?”

Kouzen glared at him a little at the nickname, at least he’d bothered to use his name, “I need to go there.”

Evander followed his gaze to an apartment building that was on its last leg. It had condemned signs on the outside. He grabbed Kouzen’s arm and shook his head no, “You’re not going in there. I’m all for you getting your ass beat but there’s a bunch of druggies in there. They could be just as psycho as you.”

“I have to go in there. If you don’t want to go, stay here,” Kouzen checked the street before ripping his arm away and taking off running towards the building. Evander cussed, following him across the street. Kouzen slipped nimbly through a hole in the fence and continued sprinting until he found an entry point. All those years of running away from the dragon paid off, he could run track if he really wanted to. He slowed and approached, Evander gripping him from behind as he caught up finally.

“Horns, I’m serious. Don’t f*****g go in there. I hate you and I’m telling you not to go, that should mean something,” arms were around his waist, holding him tightly to prevent him from moving.

“Why do you even care? You’ve given me concussions and broken my bones… I think you have done worse than anyone will do to me in there. I really need to go in,” Kouzen squirmed, trying to rip away from him.

“Why do you have to go in there so bad?” Evander squeezed him tighter to keep a hold on him and Kouzen began growling in frustration. His claws scratched at Evander’s arms as he tried to break free.

“Because I have to! My whole body is telling me I have to, I need to hurry!” He kicked backwards making Evander holler out as he let go. Kouzen darted into the building. He tried to convince himself Evander deserved it for holding him back. How could he not see how important this was to him, thinking he had a right to try and protect him after putting him through his own personal hell.

Kouzen found himself in a lobby like area. It was caked with dust and garbage was spread everywhere. He saw needles in the mess and trudged carefully into the hallway in front of him. He stopped and all of his hair stood on end as Evander came up behind him. He started to chew him out but Kouzen slapped a hand over his mouth. He looked around before just gently taking his hand and leading him up a set of stairs to the side.

“Just shut up, okay? Come with me,” Evander stopped and followed behind him, Kouzen could feel him staring at their joined hands. He tried to drop it but Evander squeezed, not allowing him to break their connection. He ignored it, he was just being an annoying bastard anyway. Probably didn’t know how long his friends would wait to pounce on him at their destination.

They made it to the third floor and he looked around again before choosing to go to the right. He pulled Evander along behind him, pausing every few steps before finally stopping in front of a door. He hesitantly pushed it open and he heard something thunking on the floor. Evander anchored him into the hallway and he scowled at him before trying to yank his arm loose.

“Let go, I need to go in,” Evander didn’t let go, he sighed and followed him in, hand still tightly clasping Kouzen’s. Kouzen found where he needed to go without hesitation, finding an older gentleman convulsing on the floor. He frowned and tipped him onto his side with his foot. Evander scowled and kept his grip on the boy.

“Why did you have to come in here?” Evander grit the words out, obvious disgust at being stuck in the room.

“He’s dying, I have to be here,” Kouzen couldn’t provide further answers. It’s what he felt, it’s how it felt with the lady before. She was dying and he just had to be there, “Don’t ask why, I don’t know why. I Just know that’s what called me here.”

“Called you? What are you even talking about?” Kouzen glanced to him once before reaching down and placing his hand lightly on the gentleman’s forehead. The smoky darkness curled down, this time entering the man through his mouth as it was closest. He could feel the tendrils snaking through him until they curled around his pearl. Evander watched in horror, still clasping his hand.

“It just called me, that’s all. I don’t have answers, Evander,” the tendrils retreated, placing the pearl in his palm. He held it up with wonder, examining the swirling clouds inside. Almost equal white and grey. He heard a soft gasp and looked back at Evander, waiting to hear how he was insane.

“What is that?” Evander finally dropped his hand then frowned, hand reaching for the pearl then dropping to his side. Kouzen looked at him in surprise.

“You see it? You actually see it?” His voice was filled with hope and Evander’s cheeks turned pink. He supposed it made sense, the guy had never heard him say anything that wasn’t in the wheelhouse of frustrated.

“I did, it went away just now. Hold on,” He clasped Kouzen’s hand again and felt little whisps gently probe against the other’s skin. Evander’s eyes lit up as he stared where the pearl was then nodded to him.

“I’m not crazy, I’m not,” His arms flew around the dragon before either could register it. Evander hesitantly wrapped him up, staring at the pearl now resting in Kouzen’s hand on his shoulder. His horns pressed against his collarbone, his nose buried into his chest as he felt tears roll out of his eye sockets.

“Horns….” Evander’s voice trailed off. The awkwardness grew but he still didn’t let go. He’d proven he wasn’t crazy and it was okay if this was his enemy, he didn’t care if he teased him the next day. He wasn’t crazy and someone saw that he wasn’t, “Let’s get the f**k out of here. Get off me.”

He didn’t move, wanting to ensure he wouldn’t sob out of relief. His silent tears were one thing, he didn’t want to give Evander the chance to see him hiccupping with big fat tears running down his face. An exasperated sigh filled the room and he felt Evander move his body before standing with him in his arms. Evander had picked him up by his shirt before, he shouldn’t be surprised he could lift him.

The most surprising part was being carried. Evander didn’t shift him much more than adjusting his legs so they rested on his hips, hands holding him under his ass, “If you f*****g tell anyone about this…”

“Like I’d want anyone to know about this,” Kouzen’s response was half-assed. His head continued to rest with his nose pressed to his chest. He didn’t want anyone to see his face as he continued quietly crying. He didn’t pay attention to where they were going, holding onto Evander around the shoulders. He knew they left the building but not much more.