Lucid Memories

Chapter 20

1st Person POV

I didn't know what I expected. I mean, he just looked at me.

I put my hand on the experiment for some reason and took in his appearance. He was really skinny. In the fluorescent light, I could see how sickly pale his skin was not to mention the veins that wrapped around his bones, tying it like a ribbon on a present. Did I almost mention the mask that connected his face to the top of the cylinder. The wires wrapped around his body, mainly around his arms, legs and chest. All of them cuffed and tangled towards the bottom of the tube. Honestly, it wouldn't liked sick and disgusting. But truthfully, I was too amazed that I think found my description of my past's Dazai. The same hair. The same eyes. The same everything. It was almost like the exact replica of my childhood imagination just taller and lanky. But that it mattered. I needed to help him, for mainly his sake since I've probably been staring at him for a while. He's also like...nude but that's a story for another time.

I look at the panel below and navigated my way towards anything that could help my predicament. But honestly, nothing seems so. It was me just circling through the Home Screen and flicking up any folders that I didn't check. How lame. Why not just add a folder or button called deactivation or something!

I gave up in the end and told out a dagger and gun before using my ability on them to change the form to a sword. I grabbed the katana and tested it, making sure I could break the glass with a clean strike. I turned behind me on a empty tube and slashed it. The katana did well. The glass was surprisingly thick and I managed to cut at least 30cms' worth of length across. It was going to take a bit to get the two of them out. Luckily, Chuuya was asleep or else he would probably be making the same face as good old Dazai here. I smiled.

"I promise it won't hurt, well, maybe just a bit"

—

"You're [Name]-chan right...?"

I stopped myself from swing my sword against the second tube. After getting Dazai out, I honestly didn't have much on me. I gave him my socks and coat for the meantime. But it was obvious that it wasn't going to be enough. Soon we had to go down to the village to buy a set of proper clothes for the pair. It was... one hell of an awkward interaction with that shop keeper... Even now, I'm embarrassed just thinking about it.

"Yeah," I turn to the man. He really looked pretty good despite being a twig currently. He'll surely grow up as a beauty, or in this case, eat enough to regain a healthier looking form. "Surprise?"

He chuckle at bit before coughing. I step forward to help him but he stops me with his hand. I frown a little. Being experimented by that monster really changed their body's protective system. Coughing from a little laughing... I pity him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, i'm fine." He smiled as he regained his composure. "Just a little surprised. But I can't help but wonder how did you find us anyways?"

A fair question but... "I'll tell you after we get Chuuya out alright?"

"Right" But I could he had doubts in his eyes. I would too. I don't have any proof these people are actually who I believe they are and what they say to be. I hate to think I'm fooling myself so far to create illusions of people I once knew. That be impossible, right..?

After I cut down the glass, I pulled him out of the chamber and Dazai helped me clothed the man. I pull my hand towards his chest. A heard a quiet noise.

Ba-thump... Ba-thump.... Ba-thump...

It was a really soft sound. A weak heartbeat. But never less, he was alive. I sighed in relief, smiling to the man looming over me. He sighed and mustered a smile too, responding to mine. "He's still alive. Thank god."

—

I carried the man on my back as Dazai trailed beside me. It was a silent way out of the empty slave driven tower. Honestly, I could almost feel the madness that remained here. But a dead man can't talk. That relieved me. I just couldn't help but wonder if that was all. It just felt a little... unsatisfied...? Wasn't there usually a boss monster in those video games? In a way, this was a "game" and the professor was like a minion. Usually, wouldn't there be a main boss here? I mean, other than the experimental monster out of some sort of anime or game. Shouldn't there be a bigger enemy? Not that I should be complaining. I don't think I should be thinking like this in the first place. What exactly is wrong with me?

"Anyways," I started. I had a feeling Dazai was keeping quiet because he didn't want to ask the question from before again. I guess he still doesn't trust me much. But that's to be expected. Trapped in a tube for most of your life and then being freed by someone who claims to be a girl who may have caused an explosion—and possibly died—at the laboratory. That's really does sound like a strange story to hear. "Back to your question from before..."

But that's fine. I want to help them. If I can help them by gaining their trust little by little back to the past... I'd love that...

I honestly didn't know what to say. But being honest—blunt—was my speciality. "...I saw it in a dream, believe it or not."

It was silent but nothing of own footsteps pacing forward to remind me that time didn't stop here. I knew it... I know it's hard to believe but—! "Pff..."

"Huh..?" I flinch and turn behind me to look at him... But it was dark, so honestly, it was getting up there to one of the dumbest-things-to-do-in-my-situation list. Honestly, I question my sanity sometimes.

"That's very you, [Name]... pff..." I sweatdropped. Was it? I soon hear him cough in result as I pat him on the back as we continued to climb. But that still bothered me. Was I really that blunt in the past too? But I definitely know I was getting embarrassed. To not remember a detail like this and—even worse—to have someone point it out... How embarrassing... I could feel my face burning. "I bet you're superrrr embarrassed right now too"

I heard him snickering. He knew he was right. I couldn't help but think about the Dazai I knew from Port Mafia. I could see some familiars. Mainly, the teasing aspect. How annoying... I puffed my cheeks a little and he turn to face me before patting my head. I could feel those bony fingers slide through my hair without too much resistance. It was super relaxing. I didn't know why, but it was a really calming feeling. I think I might be addicted to it.

Soon we made it to the surface again and I notice the sun going down. It was beautiful... Well maybe second to the way Dazai's eyes glowed in excitement. It must be his first time since forever... I grinned, nudging him lightly. He turned to me, blushing for the first time in forever... A childish closed eye smile... A familiar and beautiful smile. I couldn't help but do the same. It was so magnetic.

But... A voice reminded me that we weren't the only ones up on the roof of the destroyed lab.

"It's been awhile, [Name] or should I call you [S Name]. Up to you."

I froze and turned to see violet eyes piercing me, dark hair framing his face, the white hat I recall it's called a Ushanka hat or something, and most importantly...

His voice. A voice that at first glance seems harmless enough, but that was an understatement. A voice that terrorized many at the underground society. A voice with power. With underlying intent... The big fish that I was expecting for a final boss. But seriously?! I was just joking!! Come on now!!

"It really has been awhile." I could barely hear my voice underneath the trembling I heard from myself. I knew he wasn't going to let me—no—anyone here live.