Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ The Truth Behind Demons ❯ Rage ( Chapter 21 )

A.N: Thank you for the review Blackheart, I appreciate it! And to everyone reading I’m sorry for the late update but my computer said “Loss of memory” and shut itself down and didn’t start back up, so this chapter is a second scenario of the one that didn’t save the first time. Sorry. Enjoy though, Fantasy.

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Chapter 21

Rei walked home at a slow pace. It wasn't so much because he is becoming depressed again and needs another pill to fight his inner demons; it's because he's feeling really tired. His legs are like cinder blocks, or a partially chopped down tree that the woodsman is trying to coax over the rest of the way by hand. Basically this minor action was not going to happen. The tired boy takes a seat on the sidewalk; legs curled in, head down upon his knees, he rest his self by closing his eyes to the world. He's done this once before, back when his brother had told him the truth about Crack.

He went into the city and he sat on the sidewalk to look out at where the man used to be; he felt so foolish for making every one think he was being stalked. But for some reason; even though, everything is moved and he no longer saw the man when going to school, Rei still felt like he were hiding somewhere.

I have to stop thinking like this- he's NOT real.... But if he isn't than... than why did he come into our house? Why did he laugh at me? Why did he scare me from my room out into the woods? So he could attack me? It seems a little odd since he's never made any violent attempts on me before. Opening his eyes, he looks across the street. Crack is there just as Rei thought he would be, same broken toothed grin, same broken, bloody fingers in his pockets. Why won't he just go away?!

"Go away," whispers the young boy.

Crack took off across the street toward him at top speed. Rei sat up in full alert; eyes wide and frightened, body shaking. The world was becoming a dark place; the closer the man got to him, the thicker and more consuming the darkness became.

I'm gonna get you Rei. He said mentally. Crack's mouth never moved except for when he said to him, as he had him pinned to the dirt that night, crumble, crumble, CRACK!

"No." His tired voice protested.

The man is right up on him now, hands around Rei's face as he leaned over and just like that night he screamed in his face, mouth wide open as if his jaw has been unhinged. "CRAAAACK!!!!"

Rei screamed; eyes watering, body shaking harder than before. Why is this happening to him?! "No! No! No, no no noooooooo!" Pulling himself free, he took off down the streets. His legs were still protesting, the tired muscles wanting to collapse and take it easy. Rei would sooner lose a leg than stop so he would be caught by that sicko again.

"Rei?" Kai sees the boy hurrying away after he was just sitting on the sidewalk talking to himself. It was strange. Beyond strange actually. I'd better follow him. Running, he chases after Rei calling out his name. "Rei! Rei, stop!"

Said boy was in blinding tears now. There were the other voices again, calling his name- just like before. How many times did he have to live the nightmare?! Why couldn't he just be normal! If I get home I can take my medicine and make them go away. Don't let them get to me.... He coached his self along.

"Rei, watch out!" Kai yells when seeing an oncoming car turn the corner without paying attention to whom is crossing it. Speeding up, he pushed his friend out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by the car, that honked its horn at them, and they rolled into a building. Kai held onto Rei tightly because he was struggling to get away, to the degree that he was drawing blood as he scratched him.

"Let me go! Let me goooo!"

"Rei! Rei it's me, Kai." The Chinese boy continued trying to break free, sounds of protest being made. People walked by glancing at them wondering what was going on, but Kai managed to get the situation under control by standing up and lifting Rei to his feet so that they are now facing each other. "Rei, relax, it's me.... Can you hear me?"

Rei only heard bits of his friends voice cutting through the mans garbled laughter in the back of his mind. Blinking; his breathing hard and concentrated, he leapt out of the almost dream like state he was in and Kai came into focus.

Looking around confused, he wet his lips and smiled. "You caught me!"

"Hm?"

"I'm in the drama club play at school-... Little boy lost. I had you going, didn't I?"

That didn't sound right to Kai. "...Drama club?"

Nodding, Rei kept his smile up. "Yup. How did I do? Did you really think I was running from someone?" He pulls his self from the older males grasp, though he really wanted to stay in Kai's safety forever.

"Yeah... But, didn't you see that car? I mean, it almost ran you down."

"No. Which car?"

He was clearly not going to get a clear answer from him, so he waved it off. "Can I walk home with you?"

"Actually," he looked down the street, pointing. "I was going to the cd store- I have to buy something for tonight."

Looking down the street, he then turned back to Rei. "Why, what's tonight?"

Fingering for the boy to get closer, he leans in to whisper. "I'm gonna surprise Tyson with a romantic evening- to tell him I'm sorry about what happened before."

Sighing, Kai shakes his head. "Look Rei, I didn't wanna say anything but if Tyson is that much of a high maintenance boyfriend, you shouldn't be wasting your time with him."

"He isn't... He just has a jealous streak that's all- I'm sure you've felt the same way over someone at some point."

Feeling some of that right now. He thinks. "Can I come with you?"

"Sure." Taking Kai's hand, he froze then dropped it. I shouldn't hold his hand- what was I thinking?!

"Why don't you wanna hold my hand?" Asks Kai. "I don't mind."

Weird. How did he know what I was thinking? He must be psychic like Brooklyn. Thinks the ill boy.

Now I know something is wrong. He doesn't know that he just said all of that out loud. I should keep a close eye on him until he gets home- otherwise he may end up hurting himself. Reaching out for his hand, Kai says. "I like holding hands with you. Don't be shy."

"I'm not!" Taking Kai's hand. "I just don't think I should be getting so used to that- that's all."

Kai just agrees with him as they walk a short while to the CD store, About Music. The place was kind of empty for after school when usually its packed to the walls with teens looking for what came out now and hoping that the re-stocks are in of things they weren't able to buy. Rei walked immediately to the back of the store where the label: Love songs is written.

His slender fingers traced this CD and that, trying to choose. "Kai?"

Yeah?" He was looking at them all as well.

"If you wanted to get really romantic, what would you pick?"

Quiet room, squeaky bed, and moaning- can't get more romantic than that. With a shrug he picks up a cd. "How 'bout Karena Lam?"

Taking the object, Rei looked over the back. He wasn't sure he wanted to spend so much money for one night- yeah, he would have the cd forever but that wasn't really the issue at hand. He is, after all, still saving up to get his own place which will hopefully not be soon. His stomach turned knots at the thought of telling his uncle about his sexual preference, much more that he's already been having it with his boyfriend. Setting it back down, he froze just as a finger came into his back.

"Hey Rei- Kai." Says Bryan.

Rei mentally screamed his throat dry at the sudden touch and voice directly behind him. Turning on a smile, he spins around. "Hey Bry'. What are you doing here?"

The Russian shrugged and walked around him to look over the cd selection. "Love songs, huh? You two finally succumbing to your pent up desires?" He teased. Answering Rei's question- now that the boy is good and blushed, he says. "I saw you come in."

"Oh." Was Rei's reply. "I'm looking for something that Ty' and me can listen to when we make up."

That got the gray haired male laughing for a moment. Rei cocked a brow at him; Kai looked amused, moving away from them. He wanted to look for something else, at least that's what he wanted to do until he saw Tyson peeking into the window of the store. Hiding behind a shelf, he pulls out his phone and speed dials Bryan's cell. Listening to the foreign song that played, Rei wondered who was calling the older boy.

Kai? Turning his head, he noticed him behind a shelf. Not sure what his friend was up to he opened his phone. "Yeah?"

"Guess who's spying on his boyfriend?"

"Uuuh? You're gonna have to speak in a language I understand. I don't get coding."

"It's Tyson. He's watching you two from the window- make nice with Rei- I wanna make this jerk crazy."

"Ahaha, right." Hanging up. Bryan eyed the unsuspecting victim before slipping his hands around his waist.

"Bryan? What are you doing?" Asks the Chinese male. Kai's friends are so hands on.

"I just wanted to say that I missed you at lunch- we all did."

Kai nearly laughed out loud when Tyson stormed into the tiny store; nose flared, head enlarged with rage. That kid is gonna lose his mind in no time. And then when he breaks up with Rei, he'll be there to pick up the pieces.

"Kai! I knew that eventually I would catch up with you!" Grabbing Bryan, he turns him around. I should break that big nose of yours pal!"

Narrowing his eyes, Bryan loomed over the shorter male. "My what?"

Cowering for a second, he stiffens. "Get away from my boyfriend- or can't you get your own!?"

"I have no problems in that department, maybe you should try harder to keep them- Rei here is getting bored with your constant games." Shoving Tyson a bit, he steps forward. "Give us all a break and let him breathe."

"I'll tell Rei what he wants." Balling up his fist, he gets ready to lunge. "And I'll show you!"

"Tyson, calm down." Says Rei, yawning. Why is he so tired! "This isn't Kai. His name is Bryan and he's being a real jerk messing with you."

"Bryan? Then where's Kai? Brooklyn told me-..." he jutted his thumb over his shoulder.

"Brooklyn!"

"Oops!" He covered his mouth. He hadn't meant to rat on his own spy- whom by the way was more than willing to participate, though, Tyson never questioned why. He knew Brooklyn liked Rei- who wouldn't. But he said he was all for them staying together.

"That jerk. Tyson just leave. You're embarrassing yourself and Bryan, please stop making trouble."

"Sorry." Said both boys, glaring at each other a second.

"I'm going home. I'll see you guys later."

"Rei. Can you come by tonight?"

"I have work. But I'll call you."

"Okay... and... I'm sorry about school."

He waved it off and walked away. Kai slipped out when Tyson and Bryan got into a staring contest with each other. Falling into step beside his crush, he wrapped an arm around him- and it was lucky he did, because at that time Rei had dropped.

......................

Lee left the pharmacy feeling sick and a little bit angry. He had no idea that his brother had snuck out that night with the butler of all people, so that the man could sign for his pills- and he actually did it! He would have to get his uncle to find a way to punish the man for taking it upon his self to be his brothers supplier. He's now sitting in Miss Ito's office with her to discuss the problem.

"Records show that Rei used to be on lithium to treat his depression, but these are for hallucinations and anxiety."

"So you think he's been seeing the man again? That's why he switched pills?"

"That may be, but, I think that he may not have understood what exactly it is he needs to calm the demons running around in his head." She spun the bottle of pills around in her hand. "I think if he had someone monitoring him, then he would have the best care in this situation but only if he needs the pills because his depression and anxiety are acting up."

"Mm."

"Have you been able to talk to him about the problem?"

Lee shook his head. "No, but I've been reading up on it.... truthfully, I think the reason that he's gay is because he thinks he's a girl- the book says that schizophrenic patients tend to have confusion as to what sex they are and most of them end up with same gender relationships because of this."

"You are doing your homework." Compliments the woman. "I think that you should talk to your brother about his illness as a family, do it tonight after dinner-..."

"Uncle won't be eating with us, he works tonight- and Rei will probably be there too unless he's feeling sick."

"About that, you said that Rei had a case of food poisoning?"

"Yesterday, yeah."

She nods. "And what did the doctors say?"

"They said he should rest for a while, he fainted from exhaustion they guessed. He had no real signs of food poisoning, so they guessed that he just got a little over worked and fainted."

"I think he may have had a seizure, myself. I'll check in with them about that."

"Have you found a doctor for my brother, yet?"

"Yes, a specialist who deals with schizoid personalities, Dr. Javier Saldivar." Miki seemed to be scanning her desk for something. "He says he'll be here tomorrow afternoon if you all want to come in for an appointment."

"Can he really help my brother feel better?"

"I believe he can... most of his patients live normal lives, minus the few times they have an episode, but mostly they've been fine."

That sounded good enough to Lee. Occasionally, beats frequently every time out. Now all he has to do is get his uncle clued in about it so they can confront Rei.

"Lee?" He looked at her to show he was listening. "Don't let it get to you that your brother is a homosexual."

"Huh?" He smiled. "Trust me, his being gay is not a problem for me. My uncle on the other hand might have a problem with it- we've decided that we're not going to tell him just yet."

"Good idea."

"I'd better go. I don't want my brother to come home to an empty house."

"Tell him that I say, hello."

"Okay." Standing, he shakes her hand then walks out the door.

Miki picked up the phone at the end of her desk and dialed the hospital.

.....................

Kai lay his friend on his bed; having called out numerous times for someone to let him in, he resorted in picking the sleeping boys pockets for his house keys. Taking him upstairs he left him alone in his room to rest- blinds closed to keep the creeping sunlight from over heating the boy while he rested. He planned to stay until someone came back, so he went to make some tea for his friend.

Rei cracked his eyes open a few minutes later he was so weak he couldn't even sit up; he wonders briefly how he had gotten home- and partially undressed when he remembered seeing Kai before he fainted. Rolling over to get his pills, keeping silent because he knows he's being watched by Crack who's sitting in the corner of his room laughing a pile of broken rocks to the floor. His fingers cased the inside of the small cabinet and he blinked in surprise. "Where-...?" Sitting up, he fished through his cabinets, each one, hoping to find the small bottle in one of the six. It wasn't there! "No," he breathed out just above a whisper. Searching the bed, assuming it had never made it into the cabinet and instead fell somewhere beside it, he did everything including turning the mattress over to find them- nothing.

Frantic; while blocking out the laughter from his psychotic stalker, he searched his room- knocking things over as he did so. They had to be here, he didn't take them to school with him- he couldn't! Not after Tala told him that he rattles when he walks.

"Where are they?" He asks no one. Shoving some books from his shelf, he asks again only a bit louder. "Where are they?!" His bedroom was ground zero when he was through searching for the missing bottle. Maybe I had them in my pocket after all, and I dropped them by accident in Lee's room. Rushing out of his room, he searches his brothers bedroom, careful not to move anything out of place. "It had to be in here..." His fingers brushed across the book his brother had been reading that morning, moving it from under the bed, his eyes skimmed the cover over then again.

The Schizoid Personality, a neuron study and testing with signs and symptoms. He felt his heart beat pick up. It was pounding in his ears to be exact. Crack was at the door, laughing at him as he usually does. L- Lee knows.... and he didn't... He didn't tell me. His body shook with what he guessed was rage, only it didn't feel like adrenaline running through him, it felt like fear. He lied to me, glee, knee, free. His fingers scratched at his neck as if to make a hole for the air built up in his chest to escape from. I trusted him, grim, slim, and he lied to me.

Kai jumped from start when he heard the bang come from upstairs. Rushing to aid his sleeping friend; thinking that whomever was freaking Rei out in the city had somehow broken in, he took the stairs two at a time. The noise was coming not from Rei's bedroom but another one in the middle of the hall. "Rei?"

The boy was going to town in his brother's bedroom, smashing things with a baseball bat that he had found in the corner of the room. Mirrors, trophy's, the wall- anything! He could hit with the object.

"You lied to me! You liiiied!" He screamed as he beat the headboard, shattering the bat into bits, slowly as he did so. "Why did you lie! I hate you! I hate you!" He dropped the bat to the floor, kneeling down, he clutched the blanket and cried. Kai walked over to him, kneeling down as well, he wraps his arms around the boy; resting his cheek between his shoulder blades.

"It's okay Rei... No one lied to you."

"He did! He lied to me!" He cries into the blanket, large wet tears create wet patches here and there. "He didn't tell me," he shakes his head. "he didn't tell me that he knew."

Kai is very confused. He wondered who Rei was talking about for starters, although, since he is tearing up his brothers bedroom he has a pretty good idea. Second he wondered what Lee had lied to him about that was so bad he had to destroy his bedroom- and his own from what Kai saw.

"Why did he lie to me?" He asks after a heavy sniffle. "He knows, he knows everything and he lied!"

"To protect you." Says Lee. "I'm sorry." He walks over to his brother and Kai. Wrapping his arms around the sobbing boy when Kai gave him some leeway, he rocked him back and forth whispering that he was sorry.

Kai knew when it was time to go. He whispered good bye to Rei, kissing him on the top of his head before walking out. Lee knew that he and his uncle would have to work quickly if Rei was becoming violent because of his sickness. The book had told him many things, frightening things that he prayed wouldn't happen to his brother- mostly the self destructive part.

"Rei, it's gonna be ok.... Everything is gonna be ok. It's good that I know, because now we can help you- uncle Stan and I.... We can help you get through this so you're not alone with this big secret." He looks at his brother. "Do you understand?"

Nodding, Rei lays his head back on him. "Why did you leave me alone?" He asked out of nowhere.

Confused, he says. "I didn't leave you alone."

"You did... and you're going to do it again... I found a slip of paper in your drawer." He looks at his brother anger in his eyes. "You're going back to China to attend college..."

"I was, back when mom and dad were alive.... I wanted to be back with you- that's all. The paper is very old... see the date."

That made Rei cry harder, he felt like such an idiot. Lee knows, he thought he was leaving again... This day is too exhausting and he just wants to take a pill and go to sleep for a while. "I'm sorry for jumping on you."

"You can attack me whenever you want...."

"Just promise that no matter what I do, or how I change... you'll always love me."

"Always. You're my favorite brother and my best friend." He held him tighter.

Rei nods to that. He feels he can believe him. He just wished everyone else thought the way his brother does. Leaning back, he looks at him. "Lee, can I have my medicine please... I... have so much to tell you but... I can't do it if I'm half lucid."

He didn't think that was such a good idea, but he knew his brother was telling the truth and he wouldn't tell him anything if he felt uncomfortable. Digging into his pocket he hands his brother the pills. Rei thanked him, and popped one into his mouth. Looking out into the room, he saw Crack disappear, which made him smile.