Why look at me like that?

Darien's POV:

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

I'm exhausted. I feel like I'm going to pass out. My chest aches terribly. It feels like embers are burning it, and every time I inhale, it's like breathing in needles. But I can't stop now. Even though my body is begging me to stop, I won't.

As long as Eirian and I haven't reached our hiding spot, as long as I haven't made sure my brother is truly safe, I can't stop. I almost lost him just now if I hadn't thought to throw that blanket at the Grim Reaper to obscure its vision. In just a second, I could lose him. I won't let it happen again. I don't want anyone to leave me again.

We kept running down the hallway without stopping, just moving forward. I knew Eirian was still behind me because I was still holding his hand, and the sound of his running footsteps could still be heard.

Along the hallway, it felt longer than usual for some reason... But what made my hair stand on end was its condition. An unpleasant, metallic scent, which I recognized as blood, filled the air. There were several bloodstains like handprints and smeared blood on the floor and walls.

What was even more chilling was that the bodies of children or adults were strewn like sacks along the way. I flinched slightly when I heard a loud scream from a direction I didn't know, but I didn't stop running; instead, I increased my speed, and Eirian matched my pace.

Earlier, it was a little quiet, though there were still some sounds. But hearing those screams confirmed that everyone now understood the task and was hiding. Those screams must be a sign that the Grim Reapers found them.

They are searching now.

"Shi-!"

I almost cursed loudly when I saw two Grim Reapers in the distance, heading towards us. Without thinking twice, I immediately ducked into one of the rooms that looked similar to outside.

A closet. That's not good, but they were already close. As for beds, all of these have been destroyed by the Grim Reaper while searching for its victims. "Screw it!"

I opened the closet door with one hand, then jumped in, pulling Eirian with me, and closed the door. It was a close call because as soon as I closed it, the two Grim Reapers had already entered this room.

Both our heartbeats were quite loud. I tried not to breathe too heavily, praying silently, hoping the two Grim Reapers wouldn't find us. At that moment, I noticed something was off.

When I turned to look at my brother, who had been unusually quiet, he seemed lost in thought. His mint eyes were hazy... Maybe he was too shocked because he almost died just now. But for some reason, I felt something wasn't right.

I stopped thinking about it and refocused on the two Grim Reapers through the gap in the closet door. My breath seemed caught in my throat as the two Grim Reapers simultaneously looked towards us.

They knew. They could sense us. Damn it. What should I do? I can't die here. I can't die again, and I can't let Eirian die either. What should I-

Ah! Maybe that will work. I hope so...

I gently pushed Eirian. He looked at me with shock, then confusion; it seemed he really was lost earlier. I gave him a look, hoping he understood what I meant: 'Lie down now.'

Eirian immediately got my message and tried to lie down without making any sound. I did the same, but first, I pulled some clothes and towels I found inside, then lay next to Eirian, facing his chest, gripping the front of his shirt tightly.

We then curled into a fetal position, hiding under the pile of clothes and fabric I had gathered. When the closet door opened, we both held our breath and closed our eyes. I clutched Eirian's shirt so tightly, repeating the same mantra in my mind, hoping they wouldn't find us.

Eirian, meanwhile, hugged my neck and buried his face against my head. I failed to see what expression Eirian was making because, for some reason, I felt something strange about him now.

This might just be my feeling. Better not to overthink it; we're not safe yet. While holding our breath, the two Grim Reapers looked into the empty closet except for the mountain-like pile of clothes.

I hoped so desperately, please... Please don't find us. The longer they stared like predators, I didn't think I could hold my breath any longer, until I heard the sound of rushing footsteps, and several screams for help were heard.

The two Grim Reapers turned towards the source of the sound and left the room. I immediately coughed, but Eirian covered my mouth, though he still left a small space to breathe.

I was relieved Eirian had covered my mouth just now because if not, the two Grim Reapers might have returned. My chest ached more, probably from holding my breath. It was too painful. I might die if I don't take good care of myself. And this cough won't stop, but I tried not to make too much sound.

When my coughing subsided, Eirian moved his hand away from my mouth to let me breathe better. My heart was still pounding fast, and I felt increasingly tired, like I wanted to sleep. No! I must ensure we are both safe first.

I then looked up to see Eirian's condition. I was a little worried, and since we were still in that position, I could see his eyes more clearly this time. His eye color was truly unique, and it seemed he had returned, but...

Why do I feel like he's looking at me with a different gaze? I don't know how to explain. I couldn't read his expression, but my stomach clenched, and I felt scared. Why?

Not scared of something bad, but it was something else, though I wasn't sure what. His eyes seemed to pierce through me, trying to see my true self.

Thump!

That's impossible, right?

"Ah... Eiri-niichan, we need to go hide now. They might come back," I said, trying to push that feeling and thought far away. He continued to stare at me, and it made me increasingly nervous.

"Yes, we need to go now," he replied, but for some reason, I felt as if he wasn't really there anymore.

We both came out from there, then looked left and right before walking, but a little faster without making any sound. Not even a minute after we left the room, a hand suddenly pulled Eirian and me and covered our mouths while dragging us into a dark tunnel.

No!