Ren: "Why are you still standing there? Go!"
They all break into a run.
Cult leader: "Go get him!"
As Kai runs, he quickly ducks behind a tree. He glances around, breathing hard.
Kai: "I have to get to the security house…"
He slips away and reaches the house they left behind. He grabs the backpack, changes back into his clothes, and takes off the cloak.
But behind the tree—
Someone is standing in the shadows behind a tree, watching him.
They step out of the forest, catching their breath.
Ren: "Why did you take a picture?"
Kai: "I didn't. It was in my pocket… it just triggered by itself."
Ren: "Maybe you accidentally left it in photo mode."
Kai: "Yeah… maybe."
Ren: "You should walk faster. We need to get home before Mom gets back from work."
Kai: "Alright… then I'll run."
They rush home and push the door open—
The lights are already on.
Their mother is standing there, waiting.
Haruka: "Where were you, young man?"
Kai: "Mom, I—um…"
Ren: "Tell her you were helping a club at school."
Kai: "I stayed after school to help with a club. We were setting some things up, and it took longer than I thought."
Haruka: "Which club?"
Kai hesitated for a second.
Kai: "The… baseball club."
There was a brief silence.
Haruka: "…Your brother's club?"
Kai froze.
Kai: "Yeah…"
Her expression softened slightly, but there was something heavy behind her eyes.
Haruka: "I didn't know you still went there…"
Kai looked down, his voice quieter now.
Kai: "I just… wanted to help out."
Ren stayed silent beside him, watching.
She pulled him into a tight hug without warning.
Kai's eyes widened… then softened as he slowly hugged her back.
He had missed this feeling… more than he realized.
Haruka: "Go wash up… dinner's ready."
Kai: "Okay…"
As Kai walked into the room, he quietly closed the door behind him.
Ren looked at him.
Ren: "Are you okay?"
Kai hesitated, his voice low.
Kai: "When this is all over… I'm scared. What's going to happen to me? Will I just…be gone?"
Ren stayed silent, watching him.
Kai: "I don't want to disappear… I don't want to go into nothing."
Ren stepped closer.
Ren: "You're not going anywhere."
Ren: "We'll share this body… until my time comes."
Ren: "It'll be you and me… together."
Ren and Kai looked at each other. "Even in death."
To be continued...