Experiment 5308-O.K.

See You on the Other Side

Tears flicked behind him as Ouma continued running through the streets. He didn't know where to go and he made a few circles occasionally, but he knew he needed to run. Maybe someone else would take him in, but he'd never be able to trust them. Perhaps the police weren't bad people like Saihara said, but the closest station that he knew of was far away. He'd get there, he just needed to keep running. God, why didn't he grab that piece of paper so he could ask to use someone's phone?!

He yelped and stumbled, accidentally pushing someone over, but he continued running. People shouted at him or glared as he pushed past them. Ouma couldn't care less. Sharp pebbles stabbed into his feet, but his skin had hardened enough from years of physical trauma that it didn't hurt too badly.

Three people. Ouma killed three people by escaping. Innocent lives were snatched brutally from people just to scare Ouma, and if he never turned up, they'd be alive and happy together. Harukawa would have more time with someone she loved. Akamatsu would be able to enjoy the music she loved. Amami would have fallen in love with someone who deserved it. How could Ouma take those things from them?

The boy eventually stopped and slipped into a nearby alley. He cornered himself in the L-shaped alleyway and curled up, sobbing into his knees. Filth coated his clothes. Saihara bought those clothes... Was it to condition him into trusting him?

If only Ouma had trusted the scientist. None of it was harming him, everything was for his safety! The world was a horrific, disgusting, painful place. His captivity wasn't an agonising torture, it was a place to protect him from harm. To repay the scientist's kindness, all he needed to do was help with a few experiments... Is that what the scientist wanted him to think so he'd go running back to him? Fuck, if only he had a clear answer.

Ouma slowly removed his checkered neckerchief and stared at it limp in his hands. Did he love Saihara? He thought he did... Hell, he still wanted to go back to Saihara's warm, protective arms... It was nice there... The man sobbed into the fabric. Why did his entire life have to be fake? Those ten years in the orphanage were something he'd forever hold close in his heart, even if Saihara said they lied.

"You seem sad."

He shouted and looked up to see Saihara standing over him with his arms crossed. Even though he didn't have his hat, he was just as intimidating with the shadow cast by his fringe. Ouma shouted and tried to back away but his back was already against the brick walls.

Saihara squatted before him. "What's all this running and crying about, sweetheart?"

Ouma whimpered and curled into a ball, protecting his head with his arms. The scarf remained clutched tight in his hand. "You're trying to kill me!"

"What gives you that idea?" Saihara spoke calmly but Ouma didn't know if he was truly happy.

"Y-You killed everyone!" Ouma sniffed and cried aloud. "You're the murderer!"

Saihara laughed. Ouma felt two strong hands grab his wrists and yank them above his head. His head jerked up and he squirmed violently, trying to kick Saihara away. The older man rested his knees on the ground and didn't budge. When Ouma tried to scream, Saihara held his wrists with one hand and slammed the other over his mouth.

"Now. You're going to be quiet and listen." Ouma recoiled in fear but Saihara's hand continued to push him against the wall. "I haven't killed anyone. I'm not the bad guy here." The small boy continued to sob into Saihara's hand. What the fuck was he supposed to believe? All of this was just one big game of 'he said, she said.'

"That right, 5308. Leave him and come back to me." Ouma's eyes darted to a shadow covering a pile of trash and boxes. A large man stepped forward and Ouma recognised the face of the scientist. He began screaming into Saihara's hand.