Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ In The End ❯ The way things were before... ( Chapter 8 )

 

 

 

CHAPTER 8: The way things were before

 

 

Tala could hear voices, but the echo of them, as if they were in an empty space. None that he recognised. It couldn't be angels because he belonged in hell; he was so used to it that he couldn't imagine existing anywhere else. He laughed to himself, unsure if he believed in either place or if God even existed.

 

Boris looked from where he stood quietly at the window, at Tala who was laughing quietly. He frowned and Kai who had also noticed moved toward Tala.. Tala's lips were recovering from their blue oxygen deprived colour and they looked dry and cracked as Tala laughed.

Kai- “Tala can you hear me? Tala?” Kai smacked Tala's face lightly and the laugh faded to a frown and a groan. Kai forced back his tears at the returning vision of Tala's limp pale body lying on his back, nose red with cocaine powder residue, and worse for Kai, the look of absolute peace on his face at that time, to want to die so badly, he knew the feeling.

 

Tala forced his eyes open and felt a wave of calm as Kai's face was the first thing he saw. He felt safe at that moment, realising now he wasn't dead, and knowing consequences would follow his little suicide stunt. Tala knew that an overdose was the worst way of trying to kill yourself, but he had done it anyway. He tried to look around the room, his door had one hinge broken off and there were a few white coats around his bed, not likely doctors, just probably Boris's own personal handy men.

Boris- “So Tala, feeling any better now that you've had a line of coke, or half a bag to be exact. I'd say you gave up lining it and just started breathing it?” it was actually a question as Kai realised Boris's silent expectation. Once again Tala started laughing and as he spoke his voice was a harsh cold whisper, a dry throat,

Tala- “If I could have, I would've swallowed it all…” and he coughed.

Kai was silent and angry at Tala's words. Surely Tala knew that his death would affect him as well, or maybe that's what Tala had wanted. Kai would kill himself and be free as well, and it would be the end of their suffering…but Boris's victory. He would have triumphed over them if they killed themselves because of him.

Kai- “Will he be well soon?” his question was directed at the scientist across the bed.

Scientist- “Yes, he'll be disorientated for a while, but he'll live…”

Tala- “The Devil take you, you fucking sorry ass bastard…” and he laughed and coughed after the curse. The scientist shook his head and walked away.

 

Boris had seen himself out as well, trusting Kai would convey the sickening news about the Blitzkrieg Boys. Tala was still foggy and looking around in the semi state of delirium, but Kai knew he was aware of his presence. They were quiet, letting the time pass. Tala, so that he could get his sense back and Kai thinking of ways to tell Tala everything without overwhelming him.

Tala managed to keep his lost blue eye's open and look around without blur.

Tala- “Hey Kai, I'm sorry…” he said quietly, almost laughing at the fact that he might be talking to himself. Tala heard a shifting sound somewhere in the room, like a wooden chair creaking. Kai suddenly appeared next to him.

Kai- “You're sorry? Well good for you. I don't blame you for wanting to die though.” Kai sighed f both exhaustion and defeat. He had been ignoring his headaches and the sudden losses of vision episodes that had been occurring.

Tala pushed himself up and sat forward, rubbing his eye's lightly. He finally looked at Kai with a lost grin seemingly plastered on his face, but the grin disappeared as he saw Kai's faded almost grey complexion.

Tala- “Kai, have you seen what you look like?” he didn't hide his amusement because he figured he probably didn't look any better himself. Kai smiled,

Kai- “Yeah I know, like a sick vampire…” he laughed lightly. Then there was silence. Tala suddenly got out of the bed. Both of them didn't seem to notice the cold, Tala in only his boxers and Kai with a black tank top and jeans on.

Kai-“Where are you going Tala?” Kai's eyes followed him accusingly.

Tala- “I want to get dressed, so we can take a walk…”

Kai- “A walk to where exactly?”

Tala- “The cafeteria'”

Kai- “For what?”

Tala turned to look at Kai, holding his black jeans in his hands loosely. He laughed lightly and pulled the jeans up over his boxers. He zipped and buttoned them before looking through his wardrobe for a shirt.

Kai- “For what Tala?” he repeated.

Tala- “For food Kai, both of us are as skinny as pins. It'snot going to do us any good.”

Kai- “We've got two weeks to eat Tala…” he said quietly. Tala looked back at him briefly before continuing,

Tala- “We'll discuss that at lunch…”

 

Kai sat across from Tala at a table near the wall. They had both taken food, mostly meaty foods as it seemed the best compared to the other sludge they were serving.

Tala- “Okay, so you said something about two weeks?”

Kai- “Yeah…Tala…there's a lot going on that we need to discuss…”

They were both silent, Kai wasn't aware that Tala was staring at him. Kai looked up just then and blinked at Tala's angry expression.

Kai- “What's wrong?”

Tala- “Before you left me, last night…this morning, when ever. Before the overdose…you said that there was something important you needed to tell me…”

Kai stared at Tala, remembering what Boris had told him about Tala's parents. He couldn't say now that it was nothing; it would be like pouring salt in a wound after opening it.

Kai- “Before I found you in the tower, I had been talking to Boris. We were talking about stuff and then the past of the abbey came up.” Kai were speaking as if he and Boris were old friends that engaged in conversation, “I asked him to confirm that all of us, you, me, Brian, Ian and Spencer, that we were orphans.”

A horrible stillness and darkness seemed to come over Tala at that moment as Kai watched his face drain of what little colour it had.

Tala- “ And…”

Kai- “And…your not one…”

It seemed as if the entire cafeteria had gone silent, there were only about ten other people there, but it seemed as if all sound had failed, Tala's eye's looked cold and void as he stared at Kai. Kai looked around at a small commotion that was taking place at a table behind them. A small group of teenage boys, including Boris's son were arguing, Tala didn't seem to notice it so he ignored.

 

 

 

 

 

Kai- “Are you okay?” he asked stupidly. Tala had put his head down, discarding his food to the side.

Tala- “So where are they…how did I end up here?” he didn't lift his head, and Kai could hear the emotion in his voice.

Kai- “Boris told me that he didn't know, but I think that's a bunch of bull. He knows, he has too.”

Tala lifted his head but he couldn't look at Kai,

Tala- “So if they aren't dead then how did I end up here?”

Kai didn't want to say it; it was too much too soon. But to lie to Tala, and if, no, when he eventually found out, it might be worse than him knowing now.

Kai- “They…gave you up…to Biovolt.”

Tala-“Gaveme up? Just like that…their child?”

Kai- “Not for nothing, Biovolt bought you…” Kai's eyes went wide, wondering how he thought that might sound any better than the first explanation. Tala frowned, his face actually softened.

Tala- “How much…”

Kai stared at him, he didn't know the exact answer, but he knew the round up,

Kai- “Nothing I know exactly, but it was six figures…”

As if on cue, the boys that had been arguing earlier, broke out into a loud shouting episode. Kai turned to the commotion behind them and Tala looked up at them as well. Boris's son, no older than 14 was being held off the ground by a boy larger than himself, a boy Kai recognised as a son of one of Boris's goons, Vladimr. Kai stood up and was going to make his way toward them and stop the fight about to break out, but as if the ground disappeared beneath his feet, Kai fell face forward to the ground. Tala got the shock of his life watching Kai fall so fast. He knelt down beside Kai and was about to lift him when he heard a fist to skin sound. Looking up Tala saw Alex, Boris's son, scrambling to his feet and holding his nose, blood seeping through his fingers. He was yelling and cursing in fluent Russian that sounded muffled. Tala heard him call Vladimir a pussy, and watched as Vladimir advanced toward Alex. Tala got up quickly and stood in front of Alex, the boy truly was tiny, and was not good at defending himself. Tala knew this from when a 12 year old had beat the hell out of him.

Vladimir came to a sudden halt at the sight of Tala, sickly as he looked, his cold blue eyes never wavered their murderous intent. Vladimir was a head taller than Tala while Alex sat just at Tala's shoulder.

Vladimir- “Stay out of this Tala, it has nothing to do with you!” he said firmly in Russian.

Tala who spoke mostly in English, didn't lack in his natural tongue,

Tala- “I want to be involved, you care to stop me?” he said calmly.

Vladimir- “Why, what has this to do with you?”

Tala- “You want someone to bully then bully me, I've been dealing with oversized pricks like mywhole life, one more wont bother me…”

Vladimir- “That boy isn't worth defending! He speaks of Boris Balvoc as though he is a piece of shit!!”

Tala nearly laughed at the irony of that those closest to Boris, were the ones who suffered the most by him.

Tala- “Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Alexir Boris's son?” he asked matter-of-factly.

Vladimir- “Yes...”

Tala- “Then I would assume it's between himself and Boris, whatever his opinion may be…”

Tala's voice had a tone of finality that Vladimir didn't miss. He snarled at Alex and turned and walked away, a group of the young boys following him. Two boys had stayed behind; both looked the same age as Alex. Tala turned to look at Alex, his jaw and hand covered in blood. Tala moved Alex's hand from his nose, broken was Tala's verdict.

 

He looked back to Kai, who was sitting up and leaning against the table seats. He told Alex to follow him (in Russian) and he made his way to Kai.

 

Kai stood as Tala reached him. He focussed on Alex and shook his head,

Kai- “Boris isn't going to like this Alex, you know how his going to react.” Kai spoke in english witch Alex understood, but couldn't really speak,

Alexir- “I don't care, those assholes have no clue about anything and all they do is praise my father. I couldn't take it any more, I had to tell them what a sick piece of shit he really is.” Alex rattled off in Russian. Kai simply sighed, ignoring the look that Tala was giving him, obviously wondering about Kai passing out earlier.

Kai- “Well, that doesn't matter now, go to the Aid office and let them see to your nose, and steer clear of Vladimir, your fathers more likely to take his side over yours.” Kai finished and Alex left followed by his two companions.

 

Tala looked at him,

Tala- “You should go back to your room and rest Kai, you look like shit and your little fall confirms that your not well. So just take a load off…”

Kai- “There is enough time for that Tala.” he sat back down.

Tala- “So you said earlier, 2 weeks?”

Kai- “Yes, Boris has given us two weeks reprieve…”

Tala- “Until?” a million horrible realities to come flashing in Tala's mind. That feeling of predestination overcame Kai again,

Kai- “Until his ready to turn us into his Blitzkrieg boys…whatever that means.” Kai stared at the food in front of him; his head was still reeling with dizziness. Lack of food, water and sleep, made for very painful migraines.

Tala-“Blitzkrieg?” he recognised that name, Boris had mentioned a few weeks back, or days, his mind couldn't put time together just then. What would becoming the Blitzkrieg Boys actually mean, how would it be any different from the Demolition Boys, more skilled maybe. But that would mean training. Or was that what Boris was skipping, how was he actually going to change them?

 

Tala- “So there isn't really anything to hope for.”

Kai- “Tomorrow we have a chance to escape Tala…”

Tala- “Not this again...”

Kai- “No listen, my grandfathers coming to the abbey before he leaves to go away. Boris can'tkeep us under lock and key if his here. We could literally walk out of here without a hassle!”

Tala- “No we couldn't, Boris would find a way to have us followed. He is many things Kai, but he isn't stupid!”

 

The conversation ended there and the two boys walked in silent misery to their rooms.

 

 

The following morning every child in the abbey had been summoned to the great hall to greet Voltaire Hiwatari, as if his presence was to be marvelled at. Kai was not present, Tala noticed with concern. Voltaire gave formal greetings to the children and workers of the abbey, and before he took his leave with Boris, his eyes lingered at the back of the crowd, where Tala, Ian and Brian were aligned against the wall. Tala stared back at him, and then noticed Voltaire look around. Tala realised then that he himself was looking for Kai. The moment Voltaire had left and the crowd started to leave, Tala was gone to find Kai.

 

 

 

 

Kai stood out side on the abbeys roof, the cold slight snow flakes falling on his dull almost grey coloured skin as he stared up at the cloudy sky. Today was a day of days, in so many years. He could stand there, not worried about his team mates or himself. It wouldn't last long, he knew. There was never any other escape from this place unless it was death. He sat down and lied back on the slanting roof. Nothing would feel this good ever again.

 

Tala walked aimlessly through the passages, he had been to Kai's room and he wasn't there. He had been just about to pass the passage leading off to Boris's office when he heard voices down that same passage. He slowed to a halt and stood to hear the conversation. Boris's voice was clear, the other voice belonged to young person, and American from the way he spoke.

Boris- “So Damien, I look forward to you joining our abbey. Later I will introduce you to your new team mates, the Blitzkrieg Boys.”

Damien- “Thanks man, I can'twait, that teams got a pretty sweet reputation. But arnt they called the Demolition Boys?”

Tala noted a moment of silence and he wondered if Boris knew he was there. When the conversation continued, Tala figured he was paranoid.

Boris- “They've been upgraded. Training vigorously. With a new spirit, comes a new name.”

Damien- “Right, I get it. Well see you later then. I'm gonna pick up the last of my stuff from the hotel, I'll be back in a couple of hours.”

He heard steps coming down the passage, Tala waited until the boy was just at the corner before he continued walking straight in his original direction. Tala walked stiff into the boy slightly shorter than him, but the boy was knocked off balance. At that moment Tala glanced into the passage and his eye's met with Boris's, who immediately gave Tala a warning look. Tala had stopped after the collision and as the boy recovered from his imbalance, Tala turned to look at him. Boris didn't move.

 

The boy looked at Tala and frowned,

Damien- “Hey man, watch where you'regoing!”

Tala face held no emotion as the boy stared straight into his face. Tala's eyes almost transparent held Damien in a stare that he couldn't compete with. Damien turned away and looked to Boris, who was giving Tala that same look. Tala never looked away from Damien. He figured he must have been about 16 or 17; his hair was spiked sharp, pitch black. He wore full leather and had several piercings on his face. He also wore dark make up around his eyes. His eyes were green and he had a thin face, sly face.

By the time Tala had analysed him, Damien was looking at him again, quite confused. Tala then looked at Boris as he turned and left. Never looking back as he strode down the passage.

 

Kai was in a lull, going slowly off into sleep. He just managed to make out steps on the snow behind him. He opened his eyes and jumped up, quite stupidly knocking straight into Tala's forehead. Tala fell back laughing and holding his head. Kai held onto his own paining head, also laughing.

Tala had been leaning over Kai, on his knees and Kai was startled and had jump up straight into his face.

Tala-“Well, that's a smart reaction…” he looked at Kai with amusement.

Kai- “I was relaxing, that's why I got a shock okay. I hadn't expected anyone up here.”

Tala- “Yeah, I came to relax with you. I didn't see you in the hall so I went looking for you, I think Voltaire might be doing the same thing.”

Kai-“I know, that's why I'm up here, I don't want him to see me like this, I've never looked more corpse like than in this past week. I feel like a ghost…”

They laughed mocking each others appearances.

 

 

A half an hour later Brian had joined them on the roof, followed by Ian ten minutes later. The four of them laughed at everything and anything they remembered. Unseen and unheard by anyone.

 

Voltaire stood at Boris's window quietly, thinking of his next in many questions.

Voltaire- “So Boris, tell me about this Damien Regalboy? What is his purpose, I was under the impression that 4 boys were enough for the Blitzkrieg Boys, the loss of Spencer was surely not so big a loss.”

Boris shifted uncomfortably, standing at the far end of the room.

Boris- “It is simply a matter of precaution, sir. Anything could happen between now and the time of the tournament, it's a least 3 months.”

Voltaire- “So then the boys leave the abbey often?”

Boris-“No, but they do have allowances some days.” he lied, glad that Voltaire wasn't looking at him.

Voltaire-“So where is Kai?”

Boris looked at Voltaire's back, stiff and rigid. He honestly had no idea of Kai's where abouts. With so much of his focus on Voltaire's visit, he hadn't kept track of any of them. He was seething mad just then, realising that they might all have left the abbey, for good.

Voltaire-“Boris?”

Boris-“Um, I'm unsure at the moment, but he should be somewhere around the abbey, perhaps he is training, they train so much these boys.”

Voltaire-“Send for him Boris, I wish to see him before I leave, which will be shortly, so be quick about it.”

 

Boris went quickly out of the door and approached the first guard he could find,

Boris-“Find Kai Hiwatari immediately and bring him here, also send someone to fine Yuri, Ian and Brian.” he ordered and the guard went quickly away. Alex walked past at that moment and stopped when he saw his father. He had hidden from Boris since the incident with his nose and now his father had seen him, with his nose brace and blue eyes.

Boris-“Come here Alexir you little shit!”

Alex walked quickly to his father, and Boris grabbed his hair and rattled him,

Boris-“What the hell happened to you?”

Alex-“I was in a fight, that's all!!” he said quickly holding the hand pulling his hair.

Boris-“Afight! I told you about your big mouth and defenceless body, I'll beat the shit out of you myself…as soon as I've dealtwith my more important affairs. You'd better not make me look for later on, or I'll break the bones in your legs!” and he released Alex with almost a throwing gesture. Alex ran down the passage, tears in his eyes.

 

 

Ian-“Do you guys ever wonder how Spencer's doing? I mean, with no memory of us, or anything.”

Kai- “His better off than we are that's for sure.”

Ian-“You really think so. What do you think it would be like to always miss things because they aren't there, but your not able to know that something's missing.”

They all looked at Ian with moderate confusion and burst out laughing.

Tala-“Do you even know what you're talking about Ian?”

Ian-“Yeah…”their laughter cut out his defence and so he joined in on the joke.

 

 

 

Voltaire walked in silence out into the abbey's yard where his limo was waiting. Boris was in silent anger at his side. Kai and the rest of them hadn't been found and he was certain they'd run off.

Voltaire turned to look at Boris,

Voltaire-“The moment you see Kai you tell him to call me. If I find out that something is wrong with him Boris…well, I think you have an idea of how things may turn out for you.” Voltaire said firmly with morbid seriousness.

Boris-“Yes, Lord Voltaire, I wont hesitate a moment when I see him.” he had a double meaning that he would carry out shortly. Just then before Voltaire could get into the car, a shout of laughter was heard and both Boris and Voltaire looked up at the roof.

 

Ian-“Yeah, see if you can catch me first!” he leapt off the roof of the abbey and landed on the ground just in front of Boris. Ian stumbled back at the sight of Boris; the grin disappeared at how Boris sneered at him. Following Ian came Tala, white snow stuck on his face and clothes from the snow ball Ian threw at him. Then came Kai and Brian, their laughter also fading when they saw Boris.

Voltaire-“Kai, I was looking for you.” Voltaire appeared at Boris's side like a heavy shadow.

Kai looked at Voltaire directly in his face, and saw his grandfather's eye's scan his appearance.

Kai-“Grandfather…I was…uh...”he stopped speaking as Voltaire became angry. He stepped forward and grabbed Kai's from the back of his head, Kai nearly fell over because he was light headed most of the time. Voltaire scanned him and then turned to Boris.

 

Boris's face was classic, he looked stunned and afraid. Voltaire then looked at the other boys, they all looked equally unwell. None of them could meet his eyes and they all looked at the ground.

Voltaire-“What is the meaning of this Boris?! Why does Kai appear so ill?”

Boris faltered under Voltaire's glare that was now upon him.

Boris-“Sir, Kai is…he…he is simply unhealthy, he doesn't eat properly, and he trains so much that he is sleep deprived!”

Voltaire-“Is it not your duty to make certain that these boys are in good health?” Voltaire's voice was angry as he held Kai firmly at his side.

Boris-“Surely they are not babies that they should have to be monitored to such an extent!”

Voltaire-“Then you have no sense of duty!!” he shouted and Boris back stepped. Voltaire looked back at Kai and then at the other three.

Voltaire-“I'm taking my grandson home with me. I will look after him until he is well. Then I will be back to deal with you!” he pointed at Boris.

Kai looked horrified at his grandfather's words and looked at Tala, who wasn't looking at him but at the ground. No sign of emotion any where on his face. Kai then felt his grandfather pull his arm and he went unsteadily with Voltaire. Kai was ushered into the car and followed by Voltaire who gave Boris one final threatening look before getting in and shutting the door. Kai was in another place as he felt the limo pull away.

 

Tala was still back there, with Boris, without him. Would Tala hate him now because he couldn't be there, because he hadn't made an effort to be left behind? Why hadn't Kai told his grandfather he wanted to stay, why hadn't he said something? Kai felt dizzy suddenly and his vision blurred as a headache felt as though it was splitting his skull. Kai passed out then and there, a single tear on his cheek and a strained expression left on his face.