Fragile Dreams chapter 4

Chapter 4: Finding Hope

It had been three days since Seto had gone missing. Ren was growing increasingly worried for her friend, though she didn't show it. She always kept her feelings and emotions locked away so no one could see the pain she was really feeling. It's how she remained so strong during the experiments that the scientists repeatedly performed on her. Ren knew she should be worried for Seto. She knew he could take care of himself. Her gaze kept shifting to the boy who walked behind her. His head was bowed. His feet shuffled, kicking up dusty rocks and debris. He had been silent and on edge for the last three days. He kept his sledgehammer gripped tightly in his fist. Ren kept quiet as she moved for she had an eerie feeling that even the slight sound would set him off.

Suddenly, Ren's accusations were confirmed as a large hot pink plastic ball bounced out in front of them from a nearby alley. Ren hardly had time to react as Kurou, with a menacing glint in his green eyes, ran toward the alley and disappeared around the corner. Ren gave chase after him as she heard a young child cry out.

"Kurou-kun! Stop!"

Without looking at what Kurou was attacking, Ren seized Kurou's arm trying to pull him back from attacking. Unfortunately, she was not as strong as he was. Blinded by regret and rage, Kurou easily threw Ren aside into a nearby rusty trash bin. Dark eyes looked up, trying to regain her composure and balance. Kurou was on a rampage, smashing at every wooden crate in his path. She knew she had to try and calm him. He was going to hurt someone and himself. Ren got back up and grabbed at Kurou's arms only to be flailed back again. "Kurou, Stop!" She screamed but her words didn't reach him. She kept trying, grabbing at his waist, and wrapping her chest around his chest as she tried to hold on to him. She had to do something to calm him again!

"Kurou! Getting made for no reason won't bring Seto back!"

Kurou froze in mid swing with his weapon raised high over his head. His angry green eyes that were slitted like a cat softened instantly. He felt his arms and legs go numb as he fell to his knees. His Sledgehammer had fallen with a heavy thud on the ground in front of him. Ren, who still had her arms around his chest, and her face buried in his back shoulder. She hugged him tighter she could feel his shoulders tremble and quiet sobs escaped from him. She whispered softly, trying to find the right words to comfort him.

"We'll find him Kurou…we can't give up. Seto wouldn't want us to."

Just then, as Kurou's sobs began to lessen, another frightened cry rang out in the

dark shadows of the empty alley. The two looked up and back at each other. Cautiously they approached the rumble of broken wooden crates and toppled trash bins. Their eyes widened in shock as they met with a young child no older than five years old. Big wide blue eyes were shaken with fear as the small body trembled. The boy tried to stop his tremors by folding his legs to his chest. He pressed his back flat against the wall, as if trying to go through it in order to escape from his attacker. His gaze moved cautiously from the older boy to the girl and back again, watching carefully what their next move would be.