TW:// Body Horror and Blood

Go out and talk?
>Yes< No

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. Hajime didn't seem to like me too much so what if he tried to do something like kill me?! I shook my head, surely he wouldn't do that with Kichi and his friends on a trip with him.

"God if your asleep then I'm gonna sound real stupid." I heard Hajime mutter. "Should I go?" he asked himself. I pushed down my irrational fears and got up, doing my best to not wake Kichi. I move the tent 'door' and step out. Hajime seemed surprised that I went out but then he looked at the ground.

"Is everything okay? You said you needed to talk?" I was curious as to why he would need me specifically. He looked back up and seemed to struggle to find words. He let out a sigh and walked over to the unlit campfire we set up earlier. He looked at me expectantly. I took the hint for once and followed, sitting on one of the logs. Hajime cleared his throat.

"To answer your question... technically yes everything is fine." He said not looking at me. I dived deeper into my confusion. Before I could ask anything he continued. "But the way I've been treating you hasn't been." He made direct eye contact with me, which was more frightening than it should have been. "I don't have anything against you it's just... something happened recently, It's why I've been so cold." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh well don't feel the need to tell me." The fear in my voice must have been apparent as Hajime caught on.

"My brother, he's trapped somewhere and we have to get him out." Hajime said flatly, his face was completely neutral yet somehow I could tell it hurt him to talk about. "They call it Gemini's lie."

'That place... It sounds like'

My brain starts to hurt, I hear this loud high pitch noise yet my body doesn't react, no words come out of my mouth. It's loud, it's so loud. Why doesn't Hajime seem disturbed? Can he not react either? It's so loud it-

"It was supposed to be some dumb rumor. Just something to pass the time and scare some kids. That's what they told us." Hajime balled up his fist, continuing what he said undisturbed by the...

the...

...

...hey what was I thinking about?

"They? Who's they?" I ask. I've never heard of this place before so maybe whoever 'they' is can tell me about it.

"Some shitty salesmen, they just told us it was some 'partnered test of courage' but they were liars!" he slammed his fist onto the side of the bench I wasn't sitting on. His eyes seemed almost luminescent. But he shut them quickly and took a few deep breaths.

"Hey, your eyes, what just happened?" I point to his face as I ask. Hajime looked a bit nervous not looking over at me. "I thought you were a human. But humans don't do that." I scooted closer. Hajime muttered something but I couldn't quite hear him. "What exactly are you?" Before Hajime could answer there was a snap of a twig heard. We both quickly stood up and turned to face the noise.

"Looks like the camp trap worked boss." an unidentifiable creature spoke as others circled the camp. The voice sounded distorted and as if there were multiple speaking at once. "But of course it would you're the brains behind everything." the same creature spoke. All the creatures were wearing dark clothes that covered just about everything.

"Shut up you moron." Another spoke, swatting the first. Hajime tensed up. This didn't look good, they were surrounding fast and the rest of the group was still asleep.

"Wake everyone up, we need to get the fuck out of here. But be quick these creatures are some you don't want to fuck with." Hajime said as he started to materialize a sword in his left hand.

"Smart boy~ You smell like you'll be rather fulfilling. It's been a while since I've feasted upon a creature of your bloodline." One of the creatures said as it began to remove its black scarf.

"GO!" he said shoving me and charging towards the creatures. I didn't have time to think before I ran towards the first tent I could. Nagito was already waking up looking at me confused.

"What's going on? Is there trouble?" he asked. I couldn't even answer as I dragged him out of the tent and ran to the next. Nagito followed close behind a soft "Holy shit" escaping his lips. I couldn't bring myself to look back as we rushed into the next tent. Nagito didn't hesitate to pick up Chiaki and I quickly followed suit with picking up Alter. We rushed outside and that's when I finally saw what was attacking us.

I froze dead in my tracks, they were horrifying, almost three times our height with thin and bony limbs coming out of all sorts of places. Their heads hung off the neck like some kind of trick spider. Its jaw was lined with sharp jagged teeth and it fell open and could easily hold the entire group inside. There were all kinds of snaps and bends throughout its body, every move you would hear the bone-chilling cracks. Its eyes were nothing but deep voids with small single red pupils. Its hands were sharp as claws, one measly puncture could easily kill anyone here if it hits the right spot. Various gashes were showing the insides where several different eyes, bones, and other organs could be visibly seen.

I couldn't breathe. This was the thing of nightmares. Hajime was mercilessly fighting with the creatures with his eyes shining bright red once again. "It seems your lack of training and that little pet have made you weak." The creature grinned, which was almost even more sickening.

"Don't speak ill of them!" Hajime yelled, digging his sword deep into the creature's heart. He caught a glimpse of me and his face fell. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING RUN?!" he yelled, while distracted the creature punctured his side causing a loud CRUNCH. Hajime screamed out in pain which got the attention of Nagito and woke Chiaki and Alter up. Nagito grabbed me by the wrist and set Chiaki down beside me.

"Get them safely out of here, I'll help Hajime." Nagito then ran off before I could protest. Alter began to cry at the sights of such creatures causing some to turn their attention to us.

"Shit" was all I could muster before I felt myself being pulled. I look forward to seeing Chiaki as the one who was pulling me. "Chiaki we have to get Kichi." I tried pulling her back to the tents but she was much stronger than me.

"There's no time, the boys will protect him but for now we have to protect ourselves." Chiaki looked back at me with a stern look but I could tell she was holding back tears. I didn't want to argue with her in this state so I just hoped she was right and ran with her.

A creature stepped in front of us. "And wheeeeeeere do you three think you're going?" the beast made its way towards us. Chiaki quickly jumped in front of me. I think she said something but I didn't quite catch it before a bright light burst in front of us. There was a loud pop that made my ears ring. I had to shield my eyes so I didn't quite see what happened but I was being pulled in the opposite direction. I tried to open my eyes to see what was pulling me but I couldn't see anything. I heard a muffled voice that kinda sounded like Chiaki. God, I hope it's her. I have Alter in my arms so if it was one of those beasts he would get harmed. I can't let that happen.

I was too focused on running to notice anything. My legs were stinging but I chalked that up to running too much. Chiaki continued dragging me, I heard yelling and crying but I still couldn't tell what was happening. I felt my feet leave the ground and started to panic. My breaths started to quicken. I couldn't see what was happening and I could barely hear. I have to make sure Alter is okay, but how can I do that when I can't even make sure I'm okay? I snap my eyes shut as tears start to form.

'This is it, I failed. I didn't get home, I didn't protect Alter and I couldn't make sure Kichi was okay. I just want it all to be over. I don't want to be able to think anymore. Why do I have to be cursed with knowing all of these terrible things.' I was too lost in my thoughts to notice the wind had slowed. The ringing had died down and I heard my name.

"Shhh, Shuichi we made it out." I think that's Chiaki? I hesitantly open my eyes and begin to make out her features. Her hand was against my cheek and she was wiping away my tears. "There you go. Can you hear me?" she asked. I slowly nodded. I could understand what she was saying but it sounded muffled. "Good. I'm sorry about the burst, I acted too quickly." Is she talking about the light? So she was the one to cause it, that was a pretty powerful blast. I look down and see that Alter had left my arms and was clinging to Chiaki. I look back to Chiaki to see tears streaming down her face. "God those idiots, fighting by themselves."

"What... What were those things?" I ask. I've never seen or even read about, anything like those.

"Zombies," Chiaki answered. I didn't push any further. She seemed extremely worried about the others, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. "Your leg got injured. I tried my best to prevent it." I looked down to see Chiaki was right, my leg was bleeding with all kinds of cuts. I didn't even feel any of it. Now that I've actually looked at it the pain starts to kick in. Chiaki took out a cloth and wrapped my leg. "That should contain the bleeding until we can find proper medical equipment with the others.

We sat like that for a while, until we heard bickering behind us. We quickly look over to see Hajime leaning onto Nagito, his side heavily injured. Nagito's wasn't completely unharmed either, his arms were badly scratched up and his shirt had some blood stains and tears. Chiaki ran up to the two of them and embraced Nagito.

"You're hurt." She said, holding Nagito's face in her hands. He tried to shake his head but Chiaki wouldn't allow it. "I don't care whatever excuse you have, you're still injured and that's not okay." Chiaki said while Hajime pushed himself off of Nagito to let the two have their moment. I went over and helped Hajime stay balanced to which he thanked me.

"I'm sorry for worrying you." Nagito apologized, giving Chiaki a soft kiss. "I'll try to be more careful." he said with a smile, wiping her tears. That seemed to be enough for Chiaki as she smiled back. Chiaki looked over at Hajime.

"And you, that was really dangerous you know! We need to get you some herbs to help with your healing." She scolded.

"No one got bit, that's all that matters" He said. For being so injured he seemed rather calm. Just as my nerves were calming down I realized something.

"Where's Kichi?" When I asked, Hajime looked up at me confused.

"I thought you guys picked him up.." Before I could even answer there was a sharp scream. "Shit." was all Hajime said before I quickly dropped Hajime and began to run back to camp. "Don't go back there you'll die!" Hajime yelled but I wouldn't listen to him. I don't want to leave Kichi behind, I can't leave him behind. My legs feel like they're burning at this point but I ignore it, all that matters is that I get back to Kichi.

Once I get back to the camp I see something horrid. Bodies were littering the camp, but not humanoid bodies, it was the zombies. All of the ones that had ambushed up were ripped and spilling blood everywhere. In the middle of it all was

"Kichi?" I spoke so softly I was surprised he could even hear me. His ear twitched and he slowly looked over, the dark pits where his eyes should be focused on me with his purple iris'. His arms and mouth were dripping blood and long horns were resting on top of his head. He turned to face me and tilted his head, he didn't speak. As he walked towards me I felt myself stepping back. I was so scared but Kichi wouldn't hurt me so that's stupid of me, yet I couldn't shake off the feeling. I fell back onto the floor after a misstep but Kichi didn't stop approaching. "Kichi what's happened, why do you look like that?" My voice shakes and Kichi still doesn't answer. He steps closer and closer until he's leaning over me, blood falling onto my clothes. My heart was racing as his hand reached out. Before he touched me there was a pause.

"Shu...mai?" it was faint, but I definitely heard it. His eyes went back to being white and purple as they rolled back and he fell on top of me. I shook him several times, calling his name, but he wouldn't respond. I picked him up and quickly ran back to the others, my leg hurt even more now that I was carrying him but I had to keep running, he might not last long.

"Guys Kichi is hurt!" I yelled, causing the group to look over at me.

"Fuck. We need to find supplies and fast. We can go into the forest to look or we can get help in the town, that's a longer walk though." Hajime said, limping over.

>Look in the forest<

>Get help in the town<

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