“She’s still looking at me…” Klaus thought as he walked off with Grandold and Annie.

“We can continue as we walk, boy.” Grandold glanced at Klaus.

“What is your name? I heard the girl refer to you as Klaus.”

Klaus snapped out of thought and looked at Grandold.

“Ah, yes. I’m Klaus.” Klaus scratched the back of his hand and chuckled.

“The girl you’re referring to is Emma. She’s-”

“How come I’ve never seen the two of you before?” Grandold held curious eyes.

Klaus slowly looked at Grandold; his fingers coiled together.

“...what?”

“You two. Never seen you before.” Grandold pointed his finger square at Klaus’s face.

“We…always visit Boon. This town’s great!” Klaus relaxed and sighed.

“One of the few towns left alone. It’s calming really.”

“...wrong.” Grandold muttered.

“...” Klaus stared silently for a few seconds before saying, “What’d you say?”

“The town. The one that goes untouched.” Grandold said in a monotone. His lips began to curl.

Klaus remained silent, his hands tightly to his side.

“...untouched? You couldn’t possibly-”

Grandold stern stare interrupted Klaus.

“They know.” Grandold said.

Klaus glanced at Grandold, forcing a chuckle. “So, you’re saying the Reapers know about this town?” His voice wavered. “That they just… let it exist?”

Grandold’s expression didn’t change. “You think a town like this slips by unnoticed?” His voice dropped, each word falling heavy. “Don't be a fool, Klaus.”

Klaus’s stomach twisted. He could feel something cold settle over him, chilling his skin.

“W-wouldn’t they have… destroyed us by now? What benefit do they gain by leaving this town alive?”

“Why else? For the same reason as you--amusement.”

Klaus eerily looked at Grandold.

“I’m not here to make fun of your suffering,” Klaus said firmly. He was being serious.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Boy, I’ve lived long enough to know, you’re only here to-”

“Don’t lump me in with those bastards!” Klaus yelled, curling his fists and startling Annie.

“I don’t mindlessly kill people! I don’t destroy free will!! I don’t torture children!!!” Klaus shouted, his face redder with each line and his voice solid.

Grandold’s tone remained stern as he said, “Then why do you live and act so gleefully despite the horror? Clearly, there is something wro-”

“Something wrong with me being positive? Something wrong with me being energetic?!”

Klaus looked at Grandold aggressively.

“Use your fucking brain, you bastard.”

A sudden pressure formed in Klaus’s head as he shifted his gaze to the floor, a distant memory. A memory he was not sure even occurred; it changed Klaus completely.

Ahhh, huuu, ahhh, huu *gulp*

Klaus heard someone panting. His mind was now elsewhere, somewhere far from the present moment. He saw a small figure, about the size of a toddler, running amidst a sizeable plain field of grass. The figure wore torn, aged white clothes, and its purple eyes remained steady and stern, looking only ahead. Klaus turned to observe what the figure saw.

A man. A man dressed in pure white, seeming almost angelic. White (seemingly) liquid dripped from his perfect clothes as the wind blew. His long white lashes sparkled, and his golden eyes gleamed nearly to tears. He held his long arms wide open for the figure as red tears began to drip from his eyes. Oh, how I have awaited you, my child. Oh, how I’ve waited.

The man spoke with utter glee as the boy inched closer, the boy’s hair tearing from the abhorrently strong wind. Blood spewed as the boy’s hair was torn off, but he was almost there. Almost within the man’s reach. Oh, yes. My dear boy!

The man’s tears began to flood his eyes and stain his clothes, but the boy paid no mind to this. He hugged as much as he could of the man’s tall body and closed his eyes with glee.

Oh, how I love you. The man’s grip became tighter as he expressed his love for the boy, and tears now encircled the boy, too.

Oh, yes-

Crunch.

“AHHHHH!!!” Klaus held his head and moved his body violently. He fell to the floor.

“AHH!! AHH!!” His heart thundered, each beat relentless as sweat profusely dropped from his forehead.

*Hahhh* *Hah* *gulp* *Hahh* Klaus began to take deep breaths to calm himself down from the horror he had just witnessed. His ears rang, his body swaying slightly.

“Ulp,” a sound slipped from Klaus’s mouth as he tried not to vomit, recalling the scene.

“That…who was that?!!! Oh my-” Klaus’s thought was interrupted by another sudden urge to puke. He gritted his teeth.

“Calm down, calm down, it’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real…” Klaus kept on reminding himself. He felt as if his mind was slipping away. He held his chest tightly with one hand and covered his mouth with the other.

“Klaus!! Klaus!! Help!!” Emma's shouts could be heard, getting louder as she approached the group. She ran towards them, her eyes watering.

“Klaus! Joshua…” Emma’s voice dropped as she saw Klaus’s condition.

“E-emma, j-ust give me a second…” Klaus barely managed as he ran his hands through his hair. His voice was raspy, and saliva dripped from his mouth when he spoke.

Emma took a step back, trembling, and said, “O-ok. I’m sorry Klaus.”

She quickly turned to Grandold and dropped Joshua down, biting her lip.

“He’s gurgling. I-I don’t know what to do.” Emma pulled at her hair in desperation, her eyes wild and fingers slick with sweat.

“It’s ok, I’ll deal with him.” Grandold murmured, his tone eerily calm.

Emma’s eyes widened at Grandold as she noticed his eerie vibe. She frantically looked around, thinking about what to do.

“Wh-what do I do?! Klaus is-he-is,” Emma thought as she continued to pace around in a circle. She glanced back at Klaus, biting her lip, and considered whether or not to help him.

“Argh!”

Emma then turned towards Annie and stared at her. Annie had no response. Only the wind whistling could be heard as Emma watched Grandold crouch and whisper to Joshua.

Annie stumbled indifferently on Grandold’s shoulder as he began to move violently.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Joshua’s tiny body banged against the ground as Grandold aggressively pushed down on his chest; it was almost as if each push carried intentions different from helping him. Joshua’s eyes were gray and facing completely different directions.

“H-hey! Isn’t that too-”

“Quiet.” Grandold quickly silenced Emma’s concerns and continued to push down hard on Joshua’s chest, air blowing from each push.