--------------------------
Restless. That’s the only thing on his mind right now as he looks down to the water below. It smashes against the bridge supports, never-ending waves coming from seemingly nowhere. It’s all pointless. He shivers as the night wind rushes through him. It’s been about an hour now, just standing here and watching the moonlit water. Was life as pointless as the rushing water? After all, if you take away some water, you’ll still have some left. Isn’t that the same with humanity? His mind flashes back to all the nights before this that had been exactly the same. Angered words, pain, regrets lingering in the air never to be said. This time Strify had taken it too far. Was it so much to ask just to get appreciated? Apparently it was. Strify blamed Kiro for everything, no matter what it was. It had gotten worse over the past few weeks. They all left, went out to some bar, leaving Kiro alone with his thoughts. These thoughts all ended up, at one point or another, going back to the prophecies and beliefs shoved in his head all through his life. “If you’re good, you’ll go up to heaven. If you’re not, it’s down below for you.” “Isn’t there anything between that?” “Don’t ask questions.” So now he stood here, reflecting on the bruises and cuts he had grown accustomed to. Would it be that bad if--? No. Kiro would never have enough nerve for that. Instead, he turned his back on the place and the people he knew. Away from Bastion, he would head to Newport. People there minded their own business, and he wouldn’t be questioned about what was over and gone. It was just an extra push that his brother, Keltin, happened to work in Newport. If that didn’t work out, Kiro would always have a place in The Metro, a city of mirrors, orphans, runaways, and people that just didn’t fit in. Indeed it was a lonely place filled with hardships, but anything would be better than facing Strify tonight. Still . . . Kiro hated the thought of leaving people that had done nothing wrong. Shin, Jetsam . . . Two of the people he considered his best friends. Kiro stopped, wars raging inside of him. How could he hurt the people that had done nothing wrong. “I’ll be just like Strify”, he thought bitterly. With a defeated sigh, he began to walk back. He couldn’t leave, not yet. Even though he didn’t need them, he wouldn’t abandon them.
--------------------------
The door clicked open easily, it was still unlocked. Kiro quietly sneaked inside, hoping not to be heard. But of course, luck still wasn’t on his side. “Where have YOU been?” an arrogant voice demanded, slurring ever so slightly. Kiro closed his eyes for a second, trying to think of the best response. “I couldn’t get to sleep, and I didn’t want to bother you if you brought any of your friends over.” Hopefully he could get to his room before . . . “Liar. You’re always running away from everything. You’re pathetic. Why can’t you be useful for once?” Strify was now looming over Kiro, dark eyes glaring down on him. “But I thought-” “Don’t think!” Sharp nails struck him in the face, narrowly missing his eye. Kiro took a step back, wincing. “I’m sorry . . .” “Shut up!” He took another step back, just missing another attack. This only made Strify angrier. In an instant Kiro was flat on the floor, his ribs aching at every kick. At times like this it was better just to endure the pain, and eventually it would end. Nothing ever changed anywhere, and the water would keep rushing until it had no where left to go.
=D