Chapter 10 -- Reach: The Dead

AIO: A second set of eyes is never overrated.

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‘Sometimes we can't help like feeling... That the whole world is against us.’

.

..

...

.....

Step...

Step..

Step.

The man stopped.

On his right was a child. Sat by the path.

The man had black sunglasses, masking his unidentifiable eyes.

Long blonde hair strewed down his neck. A physique that suggested regular activity and combat prowess.

It was already difficult to ascertain his age, regardless of the long black lab-like coat that covered his entire person.

Black boots visible at the feet.

He glanced downward.

The child - a young boy, had black shorts and a ragged grey singlet. Exhibiting a lifeless aura, the boy’s black eyes peered into the depths.

The curly blonde hair atop his head did not match his chilling demeanour.

The man barely thought anything of the boy.

????: Another orphan, ey?

...

The boy, mutually did not care for the visitor.

Gloomy dirt encompassed the scenery surrounding. Sharp rocks and raven stones implied a harsh environment.

????: "I like your hair, kid."

The boy did not respond.

????: "You got a name?"

...

????: "Hmph. No response, huh."

????: "My name?"

????: "Well, I'm glad you asked."

The boy finally looked up, lacking in vitality, as the man concluded his introduction.

William: "I am William."

...

...

...

Light symbolically shone on the two.

William tapped the boy with a light kick to the quad.

William: "Come on. Be polite."

????: ...

The boy coughed, preparing to speak.

????: "I..."

William: ...

????: "...Eer...ach..."

William: "Hm?"

The boy coughed one last time.

Reach: "R-Reach..."

William stood up straight.

William: "Okay, then."

William: "Thank you."

...

Their location indiscernible. This was a tale from some years ago.

William: "Do you have a family?"

Reach: ...

Reach: "N-No..."

The boy known as Reach talked slowly. A weak, feeble voice.

William: "Hmm."

William: "Not even a Dad?"

Reach looked down at his knees, upsettingly.

Reach: "I don't..."

Reach: "...Have a father..."

William crossed his arms. His black coat flailed.

William: "I see."

William: Not that I care.

William fixed his sunglasses (which didn't need fixing).

William: Doesn’t look like he’s awakened a disease yet. At least not an obvious one.

...

William: "Reach, was it?"

William: "Come. I'll feed you for a while. Out of curiosity."

Reach: ...

William: "I know a safe place."

...

Reach was hesitant to follow the strange man, but inevitably, he did indeed follow.

- - - -

They arrived at a small rural town, led by William.

Reach glanced to his side with blank eyes as he slowly entered.

Reach: ...

Reach: Dead bodies.

The two passed several wooden buildings under the late afternoon sun. Only a few older townsfolk wandered the streets.

They eventually arrived at an isolated house. It was made from wood and in decent condition, with vibrant natural life behind it.

William: "This is where I live."

Reach: ...

Momentarily, Reach's legs gave out. He fell to the dirt.

William: He's clearly exhausted.

William: "Wait here a minute."

William walked up a wooden set of stairs and returned with some beans, water, and Dine meat.

William: "Here."

Reach seemed uncertain.

William: "Come on."

William gave Reach another friendly kick.

Reach reluctantly had a small sip of water.

Almost instinctively, he began to gulp intensely.

After clearing the immediate bottle, he scoffed the beans and moved onto the Dine meat.

He had a small bite of Dine meat and paused.

William: "Don't like it?"

Reach: "Hm."

William: "How can you not like it? It's delicious."

Reach: ...

William: "Whatever. Let’s go inside."

Reach followed.

The interior was well kept despite the mess of books and paper.

William: "Have a seat, kid."

Reach: ...

Reach sat on one of the couches. William went into another room to change.

William hung up his coat and returned wearing a tight black singlet.

He swapped his sunglasses for a set of normal glasses with dark shades which still concealed his eyes.

William sat opposite to Reach.

He opened an undisclosed drink and had a quick sip.

William: "Ah..."

...

William: "So, now that you've got a bit of energy. Tell me more."

William: Not that I care.

Reach: ...

William: "Where you're from. Who you are."

...

Reach: "I don't..."

Reach: "...Know."

William: "Hmm."

William: Is it trauma? A concussion? Or a simple lack of interest in living?

William leant over.

William: "Tell me, Reach."

William: "What do you think of this world? Do you like it?"

...

Reach's eyes stayed truly black.

Reach: "I don’t... Care."

William: "Hm."

William: "Well, us humans. We're addicted to evolution, you see..."

Reach began to glance around the room, losing interest in the conversation.

William: "It's science. Embedded into us."

William: "No matter what, and despite all we already have - humans always want more!"

William: "Hahah!"

...

William: "Insatiable creatures, we are. Even if we get the thing we want, we immediately start thinking about the next thing..."

...

William: "...Not listening, ey?"

William stood up, continuing to drink his drink.

William: "Anyways, Reach."

Reach: ?

William: "Make yourself comfortable. I have some work to do."

William went into the other room and shut the door.

- - - -

Several hours passed.

The dark of night sincerely arrived.

William found Reach asleep in the exact same position, sitting upright.

William: ...

William: It might be the best sleep he’s had.

William: ...

William kicked Reach in the shin.

Reach, startled, woke up.

Reach: "Ouch..."

William: "Good morning."

Reach glanced out the window.

Reach: It's nighttime.

William began to tidy up while talking to Reach.

William: "So I suggest staying here for a while."ecew

...

Reach did not respond.

William shuffled books and boxes.

William: "You've got nothing better to do."

William: "And honestly, you're welcome to go back out there and starve to death. I won't stop you."

...

Reach did not move.

Or rather, something inside him... Began to move.

William: "You're awfully quiet."

William: "It's a great proposition."

...

William put down the box in hand and turned to face Reach.

William: "Besides, you probably won't even awaken a dis-"

Blood trickled from Reach's eyes. His cheeks flushed.

He began... To grow.

William: "Reach? Hey."

Reach, barely able to utter a sound, mumbled in pain.

Reach: "Wh-Wh... H-Happening..."

William: "Calm down."

William: It’s a disease. It's here.

Reach stiffly moved his arm, attempting to look at his palm.

Strings of cells burst from his skin, spiralling as they grew into the air.

Reach: "Ahh!!!"

William: "It's okay! It's okay!"

William moved closer to try comfort Reach.

Reach's hair combined and changed colour. His innocent curly blonde reformed into a terrifying straight black.

Eyes completely bloodshot. Extra teeth grew - piercing out through Reach’s cheeks.

He pivoted his head towards William in fear.

Reach: "H-Help..."

William placed his arms on Reach's shoulders.

William: "It's okay, Reach. This is a disease. We just have to see what happens."

William: It's some sort of transformation type. But will it be safe?

William: ...Or lethal?

Reach’s spine began to arch and grow in size. His meagre singlet tore apart violently.

He got wider. Taller.

Soon towering above William who reactively stepped back.

Tears mixed with the blood coming out of Reach's eyes.

He cried in agony with a voice that was now slightly deeper.

William: It's not... Stopping...

An extra leg grew from Reach's bottom half. Almost freshly born of nothing as various liquids dripped.

His head became distorted and twisted.

Screams turned into muffled whimpers.

The tears... Did not fade.

...

The growth of this abomination once known as Reach had finally stopped.

William: I think... That's it.

...

William: What a shame.

William calmly approached the enormous disfigured body.

He placed his hand on Reach's approximate chest.

William: ...

...

William: He's dead.

...

..

.

William: "I guess it's worth a shot."

William darts to the other side of the room, showing off his unexpected speed.

He grabs a small metal rod-like item which unfolds into a long sharp silver axe.

Quickly jumping into the air, he lands next to Reach and slices off Reach's legs with no hesitation.

Blood spurts from the impact.

The mass that is Reach plummets to the floor with an emphatic boom.

William: ...

...

A lack of noise seeps into the atmosphere.

William: ?

A small vibration... Is felt...

William: "H-"

Reach's legs... Begin to grow back...

William: "Holy shit! Hah!"

It then only takes an instant. The legs fully return - one with extra toes.

William: "...Hrrng!"

SHOOK.

A second swing removes the legs once again. William now covered in searing red blood.

The same cycle... Begins to repeat...

William: "How in the hell!"

This time William takes a step back, preparing an even bigger swing.

William: "...Hagh!!"

SHANK.

Reach gets completely split in two.

Divided at the stomach.

Blood, guts, bones, limbs - scatter across the room.

A silent... Pause.

........

Reach: ?!!!

Reach dramatically inhales as he regains consciousness.

Reach: "A-Ah!!!!"

He screams piercingly. Tears begin to recirculate.

William: "Reach!! You're alive!!"

William: How the fuck is he alive?

Reach: "Gah!!!"

Spinal and pelvis bones reconstruct in front of William's very eyes.

William: It's regenerative.

William: But...

William: It's sporadic... And illogical. There seems to be a negative limit.

Reach locks eyes with William. An expression begging for help.

Reach: "P-Plea-"

THOOK.

Reach’s head comes off.

William: If my understanding is correct... This shouldn't kill him...

...

As anticipated, the regrowth did not stop.

William uses his foot to roll the headless 'Reach' onto his side.

He follows it up with another attack, cutting Reach vertically in half from head to toe.

The inside of William's house painting somewhat of a condensed genocide.

William: Hmm. Does the growth happen from the heart outward?

One of the halves began to resurrect a 'fresh' version of Reach.

A head without the extra teeth, yet hair still vividly black for some reason.

William: "Haha! I've got it, you son of a bitch. I can save you."

William leaps over the blood-bound obstacles and exits the house - down the stairs.

He swiftly returns holding peculiar wooden stands.

Reach - roughly back to his original size, attempted to crawl with new legs that were still forming.

Reach: "Ah... Ah..."

Eyes switching between white and black, perhaps Reach's brain was trying to take him out of consciousness as a defence mechanism.

William - not giving Reach a chance to rest, picks him up and pins him on a wooden table that lay in the corner.

William pulls out straps from underneath the table and uses them to restrain Reach. He then grabs one of the wooden stands and places it adjacent to the table.

Reach: "G... Gah..."

William: "You were dead, Reach! You were dead!"

William manually extends a sharp blade from the stand - pointing upward.

He presses a button on the side of the stand.

William: "These are my prototype weapons. Right now, they can help you."

Reach: "N-No... Pl-"

Shink.

Reach's legs fall off the table.

Reach: "Ah!!!!"

He goes unconscious.

William: "Endure it, Reach."

The stand appeared to be set on a timer.

Every 10 seconds or so it would cut off Reach's legs.

Sometimes both legs would fully heal before then.

Other times merely the thighs.

William: The intervals are not consistent.

William: Fascinating..

William migrated to the other room, occasionally checking on Reach who would alternate between screaming and silence.

William gathered small spikes, screws, metal pieces... Slowly developing a ‘device’.

Hours on hours went by.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Reach... Slowly went mad.

- - - -

The last dark of the night. The last dark before true morning.

William burst out of the other room.

William: "Reach! This should work!"

Reach rigidly peered at William.

Reach: "F-F..."

Reach: "...I'll... F-Fucking... Kill you..."

Chop.

Reach’s legs came off in what was hopefully the last repeat. At this stage Reach could not help uncontrollably drooling at the mouth.

Reach: "G-G-Guh..."

William: "I know it hurts, but this is it! I’ve made it!"

Reach’s new legs birthed outward. William retrieved the stand and threw it away.

William climbed over the countless number of disembodied legs and decisively jammed a device into Reach's upper arm.

Smack.

.

..

...

A moment of... Not so bad pain.

Reach’s heart rate began to steady.

William: "It should hurt, but nothing compared to what you've been through."

...

William: "It's a device that micro-stabs you at a pace shifting between fast and slow."

William: "I haven't quite figured out the perfect rate yet, so we will need to monitor you."

Reach: ...

William sat down on a pile of legs. Sleep-deprived.

The room something out of a horror scene.

William: "Ah... Boy am I tired. You're lucky I did all that for you."

Reach: "F-F-"

William: "Yeah, yeah. I get it."

William: "Though I've still gotta figure out a permanent power source for the device. This one will only last a few days."

William got up.

William: "Alright. We should sleep."

...

Reach, despite his anger and lingering pain, could hardly fight an internal urge to rest.

- - - -

A whole 24 hours passed.

Surprisingly, Reach slept like a baby on the gruesome wooden 'operating table'.

By the time Reach woke, William had efficiently cleaned the widespread gore. William appeared to own advanced cleaning (and disposal) tools.

Reach finally noticed the discomfort of his new device.

Reach: "Ouch..."

William: "Good morning."

Reach glanced out the window.

Reach: It's... Daytime.

...

William: "Your disease didn't seem to rapidly change while you were asleep, which is fortunate."

William: "That interim device is keeping you in check, too."

Reach: ...

Reach awkwardly rotated to a sitting position. William approached him.

William: "Your skin looks healthy. I guess nutrition doesn't apply to you anymore."

Reach: ?

William: "Normally you'd need a lot of fluids after all that blood loss."

William: Normally you’d also be dead.

...

William: "Astounding."

Reach inspected his own palm.

Reach: My... Disease...

William: "This is by far the weirdest way I've saved someone's life."

William: "By the way, who taught you how to swear?"

Reach glared at William, disliking the question.

William: "Don't get mad at me. I'm the reason you're alive, kid."

Reach: ...

William: "I do apologise for the immense pain though. It was necessary."

Reach: ...

Reach: "It's... Okay..."

William: ...

William sighed.

William: "Come on. Get yourself cleaned up. There's a bucket and water outside."

Reach nodded and proceeded to exit down the stairs.

William: He has no issues walking. I suppose his brain and nerves adapt as if those limbs were never lost in the first place?

...

William: Incredible..

William: I'd love to dissect him one day. Maybe when he's grown up?

William chuckled.

Reach returned a few minutes later with wet black hair.

William provided a towel and a change of clothes. The latter of which slightly too big for Reach.

Reach pointed at the device on his arm.

Reach: "This got wet."

William: "That's fine. Don't underestimate me."

Reach: ...

Reach tugged at the loose black shirt he wore, contemplating its size.

Reach: "Children?"

William: "Hm?"

Reach: "Do you... Have children?"

William: "Oh. I have a son. You'll meet him."

Reach: "Okay."

.

.

.

Slowly but surely, Reach became more aware of the device's constant pain.

William conducted tests over several days to inform the development of an improved, enduring device. Together they learned the principles of Reach's disease, including its strengths and weaknesses.

Eventually, William came to a solution.

William: "Aha! This should work."

Reach: ?

Reach: "Another test?"

William: "Negative - the final test."

William showcased a new device - small and black, with numerous tiny spikes and a unique ring-shaped feature.

Reach: "Will it... Hurt?"

William: ...

William: "Always."

Reach touched the current device on his shoulder.

Reach: "Okay."

...

William: "Here we go."

William propped his arms up, ready to carry out a quick swap.

Reach: ...

Reach: ?!

Faster than Reach could react, the old went out and new went in.

Reach: "Ouch!!"

Reach instinctively winced.

A drop of blood streamed down his bicep...

Reach: "It... It hurts more than the other one."

...

William: "Indeed."

William: "However, that is a sign that it is working!"

William gathered a minor amount of blood from the old device.

William: "Blood."

Reach: ...

William tightened his fist with blood in hand.

William: "Blood! The new device is powered by blood!"

William: "I've been able to harness blood as a sustainable power source! And by using a good quantity of it, too."

Reach: ...

William: "Which normally you wouldn't even consider, right? But for you Reach, it's perfect!"

Reach: "Is that... Possible?"

William: "I told you not to underestimate me, kid!"

Reach: ...

The pain startled Reach again, causing him to twitch.

Reach: "R-Really... Hurts..."

William: "I know, Reach. But trust me, this will be significantly better in the long run."

Reach: ...

William: "Hear me out. This one inflicts damage at a cellular level. It incorporates a wave effect which will hopefully slow down your excessive healing."

Reach: ...

William: "It-It can run for a while even after being detached... You just have to... Attach it again..."

Reach: ...

William: "T-The way it’s powered by blood..."

Reach: ...

William: "...Y-You don't care."

Reach's eyes became mildly darker.

Reach: "I told you. It hurts."

William: ...

Reach: "So tell me... Smart guy..."

Reach: "...Why can't you cure this disease?"

William paused, taken aback.

He strolled over to the window, inspecting the view.

William: ...

William: "You know far too little, kid."

Reach: ...

William: "These diseases. You cannot cure them. You cannot move them."

William took off his glasses and cleaned them. His eyes still hidden from Reach.

William: "Be grateful that you are even alive."

William: "You ought to thank god himself."

Reach shivered from the pain.

Reach: What kind of life... Is this?

- - - -

Days and weeks passed.

The two lived together in an odd balance of friction and coexistence.

They prepared food together, ate together, and slept under the same roof.

William cycled between various black outfits, and Reach wore whatever William could offer.

Reach was fortunate in that William taught him the basics of survival and education.

William furthermore attempted to enforce a schedule of nighttime prayers, which Reach could not comprehend.

Before they knew it, the two were becoming accustomed to each other's presence.

After some time, William asked his son to help physically train Reach.

William: "He's on his way."

Reach: "Okay."

Reach: ...

Reach: "You said... To train me?"

William: "Yep."

Reach: "Why?"

William snickered as he worked on his prototype wooden stands.

William: "Ah! Naive as always!"

Reach did not laugh.

William: "What kind of world do you think this is?"

William: "If you depend on your disease, you'll be dead before you know it!"

Reach: ...

William: "Realistically, you'll have to learn to work with your device. Remove it against strong enemies, or carefully observe how and where you take damage."

...

Reach: "Why..."

William: "I just told y-"

Reach: "...Do I have to fight?"

...

William looked at Reach through his dark sunglasses.

William: ...

William: "You won't have a choice."

Reach momentarily deliberated.

Reach: "But... Those old people in town, how come they don't have to-"

William: "Trust me."

Reach: ...

William had no humour in his words. In fact, he gave off a cold impression.

William: "It could very well be the difference between saving and losing a friend."

...

Reach: "What is..."

Reach: "...A friend?"

- - - -

As per William's instruction, Reach met William's son and they began to train irregularly.

William's son was almost 10 years older than Reach. A young man with orange hair, going through his own ordeals - as we all do.

.

.

.

Months and years went by.

William primarily focused on his studies or travelled from time to time.

Eventually, William's son departed on his own journey, respectfully advising that he would not be visiting anymore. Reach understood.

One lone night, Reach and William sat round a typical campfire.

Reach stared at his plate of healthy food. Deep in thought.

William: "Not gonna eat?"

...

...

William: "Meh."

William: "Food is wasted on you anyways."

Reach touched the white beanie on his head and surveyed William's house.

William's... House?

Reach: "Hey."

William chewed his mouthful loudly.

William: "Huh?"

Reach: ...

Reach placed his plate on the ground.

He was a little bit older now, but his voice still fairly high.

William: ?

Reach subtly bowed his head in the direction of William.

Reach: "Thank... You."

William coughed before swallowing his food.

William: "Gah."

William: "My, my, kid! Look who's learned some manners."

Reach: ...

William picked up a bean from his plate and flicked it at Reach's lowered head.

William: "Don't bother with that stuff. It's meaningless."

Reach: ...

...

Reach: "No."

William: "Hmph."

William chewed on a fresh slab of Dine meat.

William: "You're welcome here, idiot."

Reach retrieved the bean and ate it.

Reach: ...

Reach wondered about William’s refined build, coupled with his intelligence.

Reach: "Do you... Have a disease?"

William: "Negative, and I don't need one. I'm a mastermind."

Reach rolled his eyes.

William: "But really, they're too unpredictable."

William finished his plate and removed the black gloves he'd been wearing.

He leant over, closer to the flame.

William: "You want my one piece of advice, Reach?"

Reach: Only one? He talks non-stop.

William extended his right hand towards the flame.

William: "A coward can never be..."

William thrust his hand into the orange sparks.

William: "...Truly free."

He grinned as the fire reflected in his glasses.

Reach: ...

William continued the inspiring act for a moment before quickly retracting his hand, preventing any permanent damage.

Reach had become very much used to William's ramblings by now.

Unintentionally, Reach found himself thinking of William as his own father. And William's son - his own brother.

Luckily, these feelings appeared to be mutual.

.....

Later that night, William partook in a routine visit to the town bar.

After being enthusiastically welcomed by townsfolk, William participated in a grand night, filled with drinks.

He declared openly to the drunken horde.

William: "Hahah! You're all so stupid!"

Two or three older townsfolk took a swing at William before falling over.

One of the bartenders - a lady with medium silver hair, ushered them out the venue.

Bartender: "Now, now... Here we go."

William sat down and had another drink.

Next to him was an older gentleman who'd known William since he came to this town.

The gentleman, too, had glasses - bright gold.

William: "Hmph. They look good on you. A fine colour choice."

William: "Mr... Eh..."

William: "What was your name again?"

Kail: "It's Kail, kid!"

The two laughed.

William: "But seriously, don't call me kid..."

Kail: "I can call you what I want, boy."

William: "Just you wait."

William took a large gulp of his drink.

William: "Oh, that reminds me. I've got a new son."

Kail: "A new son?"

William: "Yeah. Adopted him."

Kail: "That's... Actually very nice of you."

William: "It's mostly out of curiosity, but he's growing on me. No pun intended."

Kail: "No pun intended?"

William smirked.

William: "He's got a disease. Quite an impressive one."

Kail: "I-I see."

Kail adjusted his glasses.

Kail: "Is he... Dangerous?"

William: "Nah. Probably not."

Kail: Probably not?

William tied his long blonde hair into a bun.

William: "You'll have to meet him one day. He lives at my place on the outskirts."

Kail: "Hm..."

Kail: "It's rather far, no?"

William: "It really isn't, you lazy old man!"

Kail: "Watch your mouth!"

William chuckled.

William: "Haha. But no, that's fine."

William: "Don't force it. Let him come to you, if he does at all."

Kail: "O-Okay."

William finished his drink and stood up.

William: "I've given him a nickname. Try not to forget."

Kail: ?

William gestured a horizontal line across his throat, mimicking the act of death.

He grinned while proclaiming.

William: "It's..."

- - - -

The next day, much to William's surprise, he was named the new town leader due to his ongoing efforts in assisting the townsfolk.

William's charisma and technological expertise seemed to naturally attract others.

In the middle of the day he sat awkwardly on a pedestal, in front of approximately 20 people.

The black tie he wore had surely been forced upon him.

An introductory speech was demanded.

William: "Uhh... I don't know what to say..."

The townsfolk eagerly watched.

Reach was not in attendance.

William: I couldn't care less for this.

William: "Um.. Let's see..."

William quickly stood up. His black coat flapped in the wind.

A sudden burst of confidence.

William: "Ah, yes. For my first act as town leader..."

William pointed his index finger upward, signalling 'one'.

William: "...I have an idea for a new town name."

- - - -

Years and years continued.

Reach slowly developed into a young adult.

Taller. Slim yet muscular. A voice that had become low and monotone.

Reach somehow coped with a constant pain, trialling the device on different body parts.

Perhaps this was aided by William's companionship, or fatherhood.

However, ultimately, this trend of normality would come to an end.

The two stood outside - William holding a sizeable bag on his back.

William: "Alright. I'm off."

The light of day gleamed from William's sunglasses.

Reach: "Okay."

William patted Reach on the head, despite their almost-equal height.

Reach swatted his hand away.

William: "Don't forget to train with the wooden stands. They're fully optimised now."

William: "I know you might be hesitant."

Reach: ...

Reach thought back to that horrific night as a child.

The night his disease awakened.

William: "Conquer that trauma."

William: "It is but another way to grow strong."

Reach nodded in affirmation.

William scanned back towards their house.

William: "I've left a bunch of my crap here. Hope you don't mind."

Reach: ...

William: "You're welcome to clean up on my behalf."

Reach: ...

Reach: "No."

William stretched his arms.

William: "Regardless, you should read the books I’ve put in some of the boxes. Now that you’re older."

William: "I surmise you wouldn’t be interested in my study materials."

Reach: "Mm."

William: "The books are a mix of fiction and non-fiction. They can teach you more about diseases, war, politics, communication, compassion, philosophy... Even comedy."

Reach: "Comedy?"

William: "Yeah. You could use a sense of humour."

William flicked Reach on the left arm.

Reach swatted his hand away again.

William: "I've mass-produced your device. You'll find a couple boxes full of them."

Reach: More boxes?

William: "Be sure to always carry a few spares."

Reach: "Got it. Thanks."

William: "Worst case just find a knife or something. Haha."

Reach: ...

William: "Didn't like that one?"

William chuckled.

William: "Anyways, I may return but I don't plan to."

William: "I've already told the townsfolk that I can't be their leader anymore. And don't worry, you won't have to interact with them or fill in for any duties - not that there really were any duties."

Reach: ...

Reach looked down at his feet, quietly.

A faint hum resonated from his device.

Reach: "Thank you..."

William: ?

Reach: "...For everything... Dad."

...

William smiled.

Reach couldn't tell if it was fake or not.

William: "Hmph. No problem."

And so William steadily marched... Onward and away.

Step.

Step..

Step...

He spun as he walked, facing Reach.

William: "Hey, Reach."

Reach: ?

William removed his black sunglasses.

...

Revealed under the sunlight, were William's bright golden eyes.

William: "Maybe we can fight one day."

Reach: ...

Reach: "It's a promise."

William: "Hahah."

William waved and turned back around.

...

William: I wonder; will his regrowth get faster as he gets older? Or slower?

William: Or a mix of both?

...

William: Ah..

William: It's too much of a pain to think about.

William returned his sunglasses to their rightful place, and tied up his long blonde hair.

A few grey strands now noticeable.

William: See you later, kid.

Reach stood - motionless and observant.

Unsure what to do from now on.

Reach: I should be okay on my own... Right?

- - - -

Reach attempted to adapt to a solitary lifestyle.

For the most part, he spent his days aimlessly.

Sitting alone within the darkness... Trying to tolerate an endless suffering...

Reach: Th... The pain...

Reach thought as he impulsively ran through the forest.

Reach: I need to get my mind off... The pain...

...

He exercised. He trained. He slept. He ate.

For days on end.

Occasionally he would overhear the conversations of townsfolk while circling the wider area.

Occasionally he would hear the cries of disease-ridden families from afar.

Much to William's suspicion, Reach did not desire socialisation.

Or perhaps it took all he had, simply to care for himself.

Reach later endeavoured to experience harsher forms of pain - alike that fateful night - to act as a reminder of how unduly worse it could be.

From a fingernail... To a finger... To a hand...

Screams reverberated throughout the empty air.

Limbs spread across the locale.

Reach often found himself kneeling... Drooling... Crying...

Reach: Wh... What the fuck am I doing?

...

Reach: H-Hate... I...

Reach: ...I hate this...

...

A year went by.

An appearance that suggested indefinite sleep deprivation.

Reach sat on the floor, in the middle of the night, shaking.

Reach: My... Soul...

Reach: ...I-Is being crushed...

...

Another year went by.

Reach bent over, under the stars, vomiting by a tree.

Reach: I-I can't...

Reach: I can’t take this anymore...

...

Reach: I'm going crazy... Dad...

Reach’s eyes flickered around in a seizure-like manner.

Reach: Wh-Where-

...

...

Reach: Wh-What is this pain... For...?

Reach removed his device and began to bang his head repeatedly on the tree.

A vicious cycle of bleeding and healing.

Reach: "Fuck... Fuck... Fuck!!"

He paused, re-attaching the device with a drop of blood.

A habit which seemed instinctual by now.

Reach: People...

Reach: B-Bad... People...

...

Reach: Where can I find... Bad people?!!

Reach immediately took off, sprinting around the town border.

He passed the entrance and ventured into unknown territory.

Unbeknownst to Reach, the fruits of his training were clearly evident.

Running and running...

He periodically passed unoccupied buildings and towers, with no formal dwelling in sight.

Before long he spotted a small flame in the distance and headed straight for it.

Shrieks and murmurs grew louder as Reach approached.

????: "Haha. Nothing like a late thrill."

Reach: ?!

Reach slid in the dirt, using his momentum to stop.

Rain started to fall.

????: "Hm? Who are you?"

Reach stood. Huffing.

A man laid nearby on the ground - tied up and gagged.

A woman opposite him - restrained by the hair.

Two men had the woman pinned, while the third upstanding man spoke to Reach once again.

????: "I'm talking to you, pervert."

Reach: ...Huh?

The spoken man was tall, toned, and tan. He had short crisp hair and a prominent jawline.

Sighing after a brief silence, he continued.

????: "Fine. We can make this simple. You clown."

He pulled out a long thin silver blade and gradually advanced towards Reach.

Reach glanced at the weapon, then at the two men who had just ripped the woman's shirt off.

Reach: "B... Bad people..."

The blood from earlier descended into Reach's eyes, causing them to glow in a vengeful red.

Reach giggled psychotically for undoubtedly the first time in his life.

Reach: "Hah... Ha... H-Haha..."

????: ?!

The man swung his blade reactively, sensing danger.

Reach stepped to the left.

The blade penetrated the ground, jammed.

Reach stepped forward.

The man attempted a panicked headbutt in defence.

With an unnerving smile, Reach grabbed the man's head and gauged his eyes out.

????: "Ahh!!!!!"

The man fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

Reach stepped on his skull without hesitation.

The other two men rushed to assist.

Reach looked down upon his own destructive hands.

Reach: Stronger...

Reach dodged a punch from one of the fellow men and returned a punch with twice the force, rupturing the man’s face.

Reach: ?

Reach noticed his knuckles broken as a result.

Reach: T-Too much... Power?

He removed his device, waiting for the healing to kick in.

The third and final aggressor charged with a wooden bat.

Reach, impatient at the rate of healing, allowed the man to damage his entire arms while maintaining a blocking position.

Reach: Carefully... Observe...

The healing rapidly occurred, and Reach ducked under the latest swing to re-attach his device.

Reach: I'm learning... Dad...

Reach flipped over a consecutive swing and twisted the man's neck in the process.

The man collapsed lifelessly.

Reach: ...

The rain fell harder on Reach.

Reach: Wh-What...

Reach: ...Did...

...

Reach: Haha...

Behind him he heard rustling.

Reach: ?

The woman released the captive man from his binds.

They shared a tearful hug in reunion.

Reach: F-Friendship? Compassion?

With wet eyes they thanked Reach, before hurriedly escaping.

Reach: ...Fear?

Reach stared upward, allowing the night rain to clear his monstrous eyes.

Reality soon hit.

The remnants of his malevolent smile faded.

Reach: K-Killed them...

He sniffed, holding back an unfamiliar emotion.

Reach: Am... Am I sad because I killed them? O-Or...

...

Reach: ...Am I sad because I don't regret it?

He subconsciously commenced his wander home.

Reach: F-Fuck...

Reach: Could they have changed? N-No... I-I don’t...

...

Reach: But... How do you decide... Who deserves a chance to change?

Reach held his forehead as he walked.

Black hair draped over his fingers.

Reach: What kind of person... Should I try to be?

...

Reach: Wh-When will I figure out... This life of mine?

He kicked the mud and grunted.

Reach: "Argh!"

Reach: "I’m in... A fucking..."

Reach: "...Rut."

He tried to calm himself with a slow exhale.

Reach: Th-Think.

...

He opened his eyes, continuing.

The town back within view.

Reach: Dad told me... To be grateful...

Reach: I...

Reach: ...I can't throw away... What he did for me...

Reach felt his outer left shoulder - a sensation of ceaseless vibration from his device.

Reach: I've got to try... Get used to this feeling...

...

Reach: This... Pain of a disease...

...

Reach: So that I can live normally... Happily...

Reach: Freely...

He followed alongside the edge of town, through bundles of nature.

Reach: It might take months... Years...

...

Reach: ...But I'll do it.

Finally arriving at home, Reach did not feel like entering.

Instead, he removed his rain-soaked shirt and leapt onto the roof.

Reach: Maybe I should read more... Of those books...

He sat on the wooden ridge, appealing to the celestial sky.

Heavy rain poured down upon his silky wet hair. Defined abs shone under the starlight.

Reach: Ah... You know what...

He placed his bloody hands on his face.

Dark eyes illuminated among a harrowing red.

Reach: I'm fucking... Dead inside...

[Chapter 10 -- End]