"Now, for the how you can trust me part uhhh." He put his hand on his chin as if deep in thought. "Well me you and Ash all used to be friends? I really don't know how to prove myself but I give you my word."
I looked him in the eyes I wanted to believe him I really did but what he was saying was crazy. Then again I can only breath when's he's touching me so maybe what he's saying isn't so far fetched. And his face, I can tell he's telling the truth. I sighed.
"Okay. I believe you. What should I do?"
He gave me a wide smile "Well, you need to get to the key, in this place, then you should regain control of your real body. Look the longer you stay here the longer Dino has to control you out there."
The mere thought of Dino controlling me sent a shiver down my spine and made me want to puke. If what he says really is true then I've got to get out of here, fast.
"What does the key look like?"
"I'm not sure. It depends on you really. What is the one thing that makes you want to go back? To go back to the real world. What is the one thing that you care for and treasure? Whatever comes to mind, that's what the key is. Oh and the key should make a noise."
I frowned.
"Make... a noise? Like a beeping sound or..."
"No no no no no. Like the sound the key should make."
I looked at him in even more confusion.
He gave me a sheepish smile.
"Sorry Eiji. You know I'm not really good at explaining things." He said as he scratched his head in embarrassment.
I flinched at the statement and felt something bubble in my chest.
"Actually, no I wouldn't know. In fact I know just about nothing to what's going on, who you are, where I am and who i am!" I griped the fabric of my shirt as I felt my heart beat faster by the second. "I know nothing! I'm a freaking blank slate. And all I know for sure is that you're some stranger telling me things that don't even make sense!" I screamed out, my body trembling.
"Easy there Eiji. It's okay."
"No Shorter." I choked out a sob, tears falling down my face. "It's not okay." I leaned into him and sniffed. "I-I just want my memories back. I w-want Ash."
Shorter wrapped his arms around me in an embrace.
"Im sorry Eiji. Sometimes I just say things without thinking. I know things are scary right now and I know you want Ash. You'll see him soon, I promise." He faced me and held me by the shoulders at arms length and looked me dead in the eyes.
"But first you've got to get out of here. You have to find the key and I think I know what or actually who the key might be."
I looked up at him as I wiped my eyes "Who?"
He smirked.
"Well who's the person you cherish most. Who's the reason you want to go back to the real world?"
It dawned on me and I looked up at him.
"Ash."
He nodded in agreement. Ash is the key. I felt myself blush a bit. It's so cheesy. Shorter shook me out of my thoughts as he patted my shoulder in excitement.
"Alrighty. This is good. We know that Ash is the key so now all you've gotta do is follow the sound of Ash's voice, which I assume you've been hearing?"
I nodded.
"Good. You'll just have to keep following his voice until, poof, he's there.
I nodded and sighed wiping the rest of my tears away. This is crazy.
I felt shorter pat me on the back and I looked at him.
"What about the whole I can't breath thing?"
He smiled "I'll just hold onto you for as long as I can then the rest is up to you. I don't know how long I have left but I'll stay with you for as long as I can."
I nodded and he smiled.
We both stood up, Shorters hand now wrapped around my wrist, and walked towards the sound of the voice. We walked in silence which gave me time to think and I had something nagging in the back of my mind.
"Hey shorter?" He hummed in response.
"If this isn't real and it's all in my head then how are you here?" He paused for a moment and I felt his grip slightly tighten around my wrist. I stiffened. This is it. This is when he tells me he's been lying to me all this time.
"I'm dead."
Okayyy that is not what I was expecting.
"Some stuff happened and in the end I died and well have you ever heard of...banana fish?"
I shook my head.
"Well that drug is what killed me. Made me go crazy. I was manipulated by that same man whos controlling you outside."
He looked at me with a frown.
"He almost made me kill a friend of mine and you know what happened after? I asked my best friend to kill me. And thankfully he did."
I nodded. What he just said literally makes no sense but then again, this whole situation doesn't make sense, but still...
"You didn't answer my question."
He huffed. "I guess you could say I'm your guardian angel. I grew close to you Eiji the short time we've known each other and I would do anything to protect you and wether you believe this or not when Dino gave you that drug it opened a door in your mind that anyone could enter and thankfully I entered and closed that door. I'm here to protect your mind Eiji. I'm here to protect you."
"I, uh, okay" I sighed in defeat there's no normal or sensible answer to get from this guy. Whatever, the sound is getting closer and if what he says is true I'll get out of this weird place and back to Ash.
I took a step forward and felt the air rush out of my lungs. I staggered and fell down to my knees. N-not again.
I turned my head around and found that Shorter was no longer there. So much for a guardian angel.
"Ugh" I griped my shirt. I can't. Breathe. I coughed each cough more painful than the last. My chest was on fire. I felt my eyes water up.
I tried to heave in a breath only to feel myself get more light headed. I crumpled to the ground and wrapped my arms around my chest in hopes of easing the searing pain.
"Eiji! Snap out of it! Please."
I forced my tearful eyes open. Ash?
My eyes wanted to close but I forced them open. I had to make sure I wasn't just seeing things. He was standing right in front of me hand outstretched. His face was filled with despair and it looked like he was glowing? Now he looks looks a guardian angel. I giggled to myself and pain immediately laced through my body. I winced and trembled on the floor.
"Eiji!"
Oh yea Ash is here. I looked up at Ash and he still had his hand strtched out. His face was becoming more and more desperate and it made my heart ache.
Ash wants me to grab his hand.
I felt like I was about to pass out but forced myself a short painful breath.
I looked up at Ash once more. He was so close yet it felt like he was so far. I painfully lifted my arm out to him. Come on Eiji just a little further. I barely skimmed the tip of his finger before my hand fell numbly onto the floor but it was enough and like a wave I felt as all the oxygen came back to me.
Then everything become bright.
I coughed and heaved. Thankful for the air but not thankful for the painful sensation that came with it. I closed my eyes trying to catch my breath and when I opened them again,
My hands were wrapped around Ash's neck.
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Hey guys long time no see! I hope stuff are makeing sense. If not pls let me know.
I know I haven't update in months but I'm back. Ayyyyy.
Anyway hope u enjoyed.