Chapter 16 -- Eyes
AIO: I want to be able to write more!!
Reach: ...
Reach: Ishi?
...
His height was about the same as Reach.
Not too tall, but not short, either.
He proudly wore jewellery on his left wrist and right hand.
He seemed fragile, but also not fragile at the same time.
...
Ishi sat down after giving his response.
He dusted his shoes and scratched his head. His scruffy black hair with red strands momentarily blocked his eyes.
Reach: ...
Reach took another step forward.
...
Ishi: ...
Ishi tilted his head upward - finally matching Reach's gaze.
Reach: ...
Reach: H... Haha...
Reach oddly seemed pleased.
An unexpected... Approval.
Reach crouched down.
He looked Ishi closer in the eyes.
A deep black personified within. An unquestionable abyss.
Something more than meets the literal eye.
...
Reach: "I... Like those eyes."
Ishi: ?
Reach paused before continuing - lowering his voice intentionally so the others could not hear.
Tomo: ?
The alley felt eerily silent. No trace of wind whatsoever.
...
...
Reach: "You're dead inside."
...
...
It took a moment for Ishi to process what Reach had said.
Ishi: ?!
Ishi's eyes widened slightly.
It was something he had not heard before.
His natural response was to deny Reach's claim, but internally, he felt he could not refute it.
Ishi: ...
...
He spoke quietly.
Ishi: "What's your... Name?"
Reach stood back up.
Reach: "Reach."
Ishi: ...
Their eyes stayed connected.
Reach: I wonder what kind of hell he's been through.
...
Reach extended out his hand.
Ishi: ...
Ishi accepted the offer and stood up.
Ishi: "You don't... Seem like a bad person."
Reach: "Neither do you."
By this time Tomo and Thorn had walked over.
Thorn remained sceptical, while Tomo was already in a relaxed state.
Tomo: Why'd he sit down just to stand up again?
Tomo: "Hello."
Ishi: ...
Reach: "This is my best friend, Tomo."
Tomo turned away and wiped back a tear.
Ishi: ?
Reach: "And this is-"
Thorn: "You don't need to know my name."
Thorn was indifferent about the conversation.
Ishi: "Okay."
Reach: ...
Reach: "Anyways, what are you doing here? Do you live nearby?"
Ishi: "...Yeah."
Thorn: ...
Reach got to the main point.
Reach: That feeling... Of danger.
...
Reach: ...
Reach: "Are you the one they talk about?"
Ishi: ?
Reach: "...The one Gatriox and Vork are afraid of?"
Ishi: "Oh... Those people..."
...
Ishi: "I'm not sure, but..."
Ishi: "...I don't like them."
Reach: ...
Reach perceived Ishi's build.
There was no obvious indication of strength or lethality.
His posture suggested feebleness. Timidness.
Reach: ...
...
Reach: "How long have you lived here?"
Ishi: "H-Hm..."
...
Ishi: "Too long."
Ishi pondered in thought.
Reach: He reminds me of myself, until quite recently...
...
Reach: Aimless. Losing track of time.
Reach looked around, recalling the notable size of this town.
Reach: "Have you ever left here? Gone to another village, town, or city?"
Thorn: ...
Ishi: "N-Not since I came here."
...
Ishi: "I don't do... Much."
Reach: ...
Ishi: "I... I really should..."
...
Ishi: "...Do something."
Reach - probably more so than anyone, understood Ishi's depressed nature.
What Reach admired, however, was Ishi’s faint desire to change.
And what Reach was most curious about, was Ishi’s aptitude for survival.
...
Reach: How has he stayed alive... In this place for so long?
...
Tomo, meanwhile, was caught up with Ishi’s name.
Tomo: "Did you say 'Ishi' before?"
Ishi: "Yes."
Tomo: "Like, 'Ish-e' or 'Eye-shi'?"
Ishi: "The way I said it - 'Ish-e'."
Tomo: "Roger."
Reach: Roger again?
Thorn crossed her arms.
Thorn: "I keep getting reminded of names I don't like."
Ishi: Hm?
Thorn: "Vork..."
Thorn: "And Vrazen..."
Thorn: "Ishi..."
...
Thorn: "...And Kashi."
Reach stared at Thorn, blankly.
Reach: "Does that matter, Thorn?"
Ishi: So her name is Thorn...
Thorn: "No, it doesn't."
Ishi: ...
Ishi: "Who is Kashi?"
...
Ishi: "Are they... Weak?"
Tomo: "Hah?"
The four were now in a well-rounded group, standing next to each other.
Tomo: "Kashi was this tough guy - I almost died."
Reach: "Nice memory, Tomo."
Tomo: "Thanks."
Ishi: ...
Ishi: "Okay."
Tomo: "Do you know him, Kishi?"
Ishi: "N-No... And it's Ishi..."
Reach: Never mind.
Tomo: "Maybe your fates are intertwined. Kashi and K-"
Reach: "Yeah, thanks Tomo, let's move on."
Ishi: ...
Reach nodded in the direction of the far exit of the alley, past Ishi.
The four proceeded out together.
On the other side was much the same - dark, dirty paths and occasional maroon flames.
Although the violence - a little less.
Reach: "Any advice on what we should do for the night? I assume one of us will have to watch our backs while the others sleep."
Reach shared a snack with Ishi, who quietly munched on it.
Ishi: ...
...
Ishi: "I have a hut with a rug and some food... There’s not much space, but... One of you can take it if you like."
Thorn: ...
Thorn: That’s... Nice of him.
...
Reach: "No, that's okay."
Ishi: "Mm."
Ishi swallowed his portion of the snack.
Ishi: "You can sleep anywhere in town, but the underground would be safest."
Reach: "Okay, will do."
Ishi: ...
The three began to leave, only shortly after meeting Ishi.
Reach: "Hey Ishi, can we come by again tomorrow?"
Thorn: ?
Ishi: ...
Ishi: "Y-Yes.."
Ishi looked down at his feet as they walked away, before gathering up the courage to speak once more.
Ishi: "Please..."
Ishi: "...Don't die."
Reach smiled back.
Reach: "I won't."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ishi and Reach could not possibly understand.
How meeting one another -- may well affect everything.
[Chapter 16 -- End]
