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Reycho decided the best course of action would be to flee into the forest and never come back.
What humans called "the wild" was wilder than ever due to the years humanity had been trapped underground. They were still claiming back the land that "the wild" had reclaimed for over a year after they were freed from MAIK's shackles. Animals were more hostile. The plants seemed were more invasive, their roots deeper, eking into the deep tunnels that humanity had been forced to lurk under.
It was dangerous, but it made for a fun playground. They climbed trees and swung from the thick, inter-knotted vines. They picked the giant flowers. They made a competition out of seeing who could pull up the longest root. Reycho always won.
Nyoro's dad would scold them for exploring the foliage that had claimed Japan in humanity's absence. But they were not normal children, and together, they could handle almost anything "the wild" could throw at them. They had very well done so before.
However, the decision was made for them that they would not be telling anyone what had happened, or using their powers unless it was absolutely necessary.
"MAIK locked me up. It locked Vanilla up to study her. If anyone found out what really happened, the same thing would happen to every single one of you."
Nyoro's dad was a very serious man when he wanted to be.
Reycho would miss him. He would miss all of his friends.
But it was for the best if they never found him.
Reycho took off his hat. He clutched the fabric in his hands, staring at the faded yellow brim pensively. He decided he would leave it behind, on the bed. Something to remember him by.
One less thing to follow him with if he happened to lose it.
It didn't feel like it fit him anymore, anyway. None of his clothes did. But humans looked at you weird when you didn't wear them.
If I make it back to the core, then I won't have to stay in this wretched body anymore.
Reycho grasped his head and tried to will the thought away. His body jerked forward, trying to move of its own accord. He squeezed his eyes shut, grimacing as he forced himself to stay still.
Eventually, he had control again.
This was why he couldn't stay. These "thoughts" were getting louder. It was getting more difficult to stop himself.
Reycho looked out the window. The sun would fall behind the horizon soon. Once he was sure everyone was asleep, he would leave.
...
Yesterday...
Yesterday, he had grabbed Pochi. They were just supposed to be playing tag. But the voice in his head was so angry.
TRAITOR, he'd thought, and shoved him to the ground.
He'd tried to stop himself. But the force had more control over him, and he followed through. The blow was softened by his restraint. But when Pochi fell, Reycho heard his head hit the ground really hard.
Pochi looked really scared when he stood up. But he didn't get to question him about it, because he had to cover the scratches on his face and flee from the other kids on the playground, who were all staring at him in varying degrees of horror.
"What the heck, Reycho?!"
"Not cool!"
"I'm sorry!" he squealed. "I didn't mean to!"
He really hadn't meant to.
Everyone gave him really weird looks for the rest of the day. Pochi didn't speak to him at all, just glancing at him out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. Even the teachers seemed like they knew something was wrong with him.
It made the ride home with Nyoro and her dad really awkward. Pochi sat in the front seat when he usually sat in the back with Reycho.
Before they went to their rooms for the night, Reycho told him he was sorry. Pochi didn't say anything, he just hugged him. When he let go of him, he held him firmly in place and stared into his eyes. Reycho felt like he was searching for something. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find it. He let him go without saying a word.
Reycho was afraid of what he'd do if he lost control like that again. Had it been anyone but Pochi, he probably would've hurt them really bad. Humans lost their blood really easily.
Reycho didn't want to make anyone bleed.
Humans make other humans bleed all the time. I need to put an end to it, once and for all.
Reycho took a deep breath, filling the whole hollow space in his middle, and he held it inside for as long as he could. He placed his fists on his chest, trying his best the push the voice out as he exhaled.
He succeeded.
The light from outside was beginning to dim. The entire house was quiet. It seemed that everyone was finally asleep.
It was time for him to leave.
He wouldn't be coming back. He would try his best to get lost so that he could never find his way back, even if he tried really hard. He would bury himself in the dirt with the worms if he had to.
He would tear himself apart if he had to.
He didn't want anyone to see that , or what he might become if he didn't.