The first encounter³
As he went outside the shop taking his phone-a new mystery he wondered,
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭What is going on?
Not sure where to go he wandered around aimlessly.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭Going home at this hour might make me feel lonely again.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭I should just wait for the library to open in that Cat-Café. It shouldn't be too crowded at this time. <decides>
After walking for a while, he came across a cross-walk. Now, all he had to do was cross the road and go straight into the café which was on the other side of the road.
Kieran was shocked and bewildered when he looked at the figure standing on the opposite side of the road.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“H-how?” <mutters out in disbelief>
The world around no longer bothered him as he stared at the figure. Unspecified emotions raged inside him as he continued staring in astonishment.
Blonde hair. Blue ocean-like eyes. Pink lips. Milky white skin. Slim body with height similar to his own. There was no doubt where this man had been seen before.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<flinched>
He flinched at the thought that ‘that’ painting might be real.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“No... No. No! ”
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“This isn't possible. No!”
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<whispers inaudibly>
The other person, who Kieran seemed to be afraid of at the moment starts to cross the road as soon as the signal turns red.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<eyes widen>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<clutches his phone and the bag and sprints as fast as he can, away from that place, away from ‘him’>
The other person paused for a single moment in the middle of the road but then proceeded to sprint after him.
Lucille Everett <Writer>
💭No. Don't go away. Please.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<turns head slightly while running and notices the other figure running behind him>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<terrified>😨
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<proceeds to run faster>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<tries to catch up to him>
But he couldn't. Adreline had the others back after all.
The lazy artists, who barely moved around except the occasional workouts and the relaxing jogs and walks, had now crossed about a mile.
Neither had the intention of giving up.
They were now in the same magical park which had caused Kieran unrest.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“Dàmñ it! Of all the places I had to come here!?” <frustrated, but was still running>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<was still running behind the other, panting>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
💭It's alright to shout once in life... it's ok
Lucille Everett <Writer>
💭Just do it <trying to convince himself>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<suddenly trips>
A rock that hadn't been there before had caused the fall.
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<tries to get up a bit>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
💭Seems like the fall was pretty bad...
<thinks as he sees his bruised palms and touches the red-hot liquid trickling down his face>
Hearing the noises behind him Kieran stopped running and turned around panting.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<eyes widen seeing him injured>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭What should I do? He was running behind me for no logical reason... But what if he hallucinates too?
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<contemplating on whether to save the other>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<coughed up a bit as his throat was dry from running>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
💭I forgot my handkerchief at home too
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<presses the wound on his forehead with his sleeve having no other option>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<just as he stood dizziness overtook him>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<staggered a bit and was about to fall>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<caught him in a rush before he could fall>
This time he didn't need to think twice.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Takes out a handkerchief and presses it to the other's wound with one hand>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<held the other by his waist with the other hand>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“We need to get you to hospital as soon as possible” <whispered>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<tried to yank him away hearing the word ‘hospital’>
Naturally, he failed due to his weak state.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Held tighter in case the other tried the stunt again>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“It's ok we can call the doctor here instead” <whispered trying to calm the other; noticing the fear>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<felt weaker>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Made him sit on a bench nearby>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<called someone>
📲 Can you come to the Green-Wood Park right now? It's emergency no questions asked, please.
Random Character
📲It's going to rain soon. A thunderstorm alert notice was made. In about forty minutes it will start. Judging by your tone, it isn't you who is sick or injured so bring that person there.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<immediately agreed and hung up>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Looks at Lucille>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭Doesn't looks like I have any other choice
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<picked the other, who was only half-conscious up on his back and wore his bag on his chest>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“Hold on tight” <says sternly>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<held on as tight as he could>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<moved as fast as he could>
The wind started roaring making the task more difficult.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭Why is this day so absurd?
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<starts moving even faster>
Random Character
<stood outside>
Come fast. Is this the patient? Goodness. He really bled a lot. Come on now.
<worried>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Doesn't say anything just moves as fast as he could>
After entering the apartment.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“Lucy, check him fast!” <says laying the other down on the couch>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“On it”
[She had studied old Chinese medicine, so she naturally didn't use the modern means. Though, her ways were old-fashioned they were effective.]
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“Nothing serious. External injuries especially the one on the forehead might scar. But that would be all. He fainted due to exhaustion, poor diet and lack of sleep.”
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
<cleaned the visible wounds>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“I will give you an ointment after about half an hour. Make sure you apply it.” <sternly said>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<hesitates>
“Thank you... and I'm sorry. I-”
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
<cuts in>
“Don't. Don't you dare apologise when it isn't your fault!”
<almost shouts>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“Listen, it isn't your fault.”
<says this as a matter of fact>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“It is partia-”
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
<cuts in again>
“It isn't. But, if you still wanna repay me, please so me a favour.”
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“Sure. If it is within my capabilities I will do it.”
<sincerely>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“Be my friend. Don't push me away. Please.”
<desperately>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“I will try my best to be a good friend for you.”
<says and bows a little>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
<smiles as she rushes outside>
Lucy <Kieran's neighbour>
“I will be back with the ointment soon. Wait for me.”
<goes outside without looking back or hearing a reply>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“I made her sad too.”
<mumbles>
<Looks at the ceiling and then at Lucille who was trying hard to stay awake>
Lucille was too weak to weak to stay awake and obviously even weaker to say a word.
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“You should sleep. Trying to stay awake won't do you any good.”
<says softly>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<closes his eyes unwillingly>
Lucille Everett <Writer>
<falls asleep in a few seconds>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<Sat on the floor beside the couch>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
<leans on the couch>
Kieran Rey <Painter>
💭Why did you follow me?
Kieran Rey <Painter>
“Do you know something too?”
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