Part 7

I opened my eyes, blinking rapidly. Slowly, the world came into focus. I looked around. There was a paramedic next to me. The crowd of onlookers was being held back by police officers. I spotted Haruki in the mass, though he seemed none to happy to be there. I sat up, grunting. I wasn't in pain, but I was just lazy and the paramedic was holding me back.

"Take it easy. You were just hit by a bus."

I snorted. "Thanks, Captain Obvious. I know that. I'm fine."

"But, that's not possible. You should be dead."

"Tell me something I don't know," I muttered. I pushed her aside. "Really, I'm fine."

"At least let us take you to the hospital. Maybe they'll have answers."

"No thanks. I'm good. I just want to go home."

"But-" I strode off, leaving her crouching there with a confused expression. I lifted my shirt as I walked, noting that the bruises were gone. So, I completely healed whenever I died. At least I wouldn't have any bruises or pain, but I just wanted to be allowed to die. I'd lied to the paramedic. I didn't want to go home, but I just wanted to get away from that place. I sighed, throwing my head back and wanting to scream. I was STILL alive. No matter what I did, I was still breathing. This would be harder than I thought when I first wanted to commit suicide.

I ran a hand, soaked with my blood, through my brown hair. I cringed. I'd need yet another shower. Not dying is so bloody. I'd use up all the hot water and body wash if this continued. I felt like I was in that movie, Groundhog Day. Only, he kept reliving the same day over and over. I simply couldn't die, even though I'd tried countless times in various ways. I'd thought my life couldn't get any worse, so I'd tried to kill myself. I was so stupid back then. No, it was so much worse now that I couldn't die.

Even though I needed a shower, I avoided going to the house. My clothes were also destroyed, not just because they were covered in blood either. I didn't even want to imagine how I must've looked based on the state of my clothing. I walked around for a while, simply thinking about everything. Of course, I still didn't have any more answers. I understood a little bit more about this 'immortal' ability of mine. The healing only worked if I was dead. Otherwise, I'd be stuck with whatever injuries I had. But, once I was dead, my body would be healed of every wound, major or not. It was getting dark, but I still didn't head to the house.

I found an empty alleyway and sat down, leaning against the wall. It was extremely dirty on the ground, but I was already disgusting anyway. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the brick. I heard a squeak and glanced over to see a rat running from behind the dumpster. As I watched its progress, I noticed a flash of light. I moved over to find some broken glass. Without a thought, I grabbed the largest piece. I resumed my previous position and stared down at the shiny object in my hand.

It was jagged, but it should do the job. If I were to cut along the vein, it would do the most damage. I lifted up my left arm, bringing the glass closer to my skin. I wondered how it would feel to have this sharp thing slice my flesh. I gripped it tight, not wanting to drop it. I could feel the jagged edges cutting into my palm. I studied my arm, noting where the major artery was. All I'd have to do was follow its path. It would be so easy. Bleeding out like that, would it be like falling asleep? Would it be slow and comforting?

"Takahiro, no!" Rushing footsteps drew my attention. I lifted my head in surprise. I barely got a flash of Haruki running over to me, before a sharp slap cut through the air. The glass in my hand went flying and shattered next to me. I gazed at Haruki with a puzzled expression. How did he always manage to find me in such compromising positions? I would never understand that. But, maybe, something was helping me. Maybe it was fate. I didn't know.

"Why are you doing this?!" he yelled at me.

"Why?" I repeated. "Because I want to die. It's as simple as that."

"Why do you want to die? What could possibly make you consider this?"

"You want to know?" I said dully.

"Look, I know you're bullied at school, but there's still so much good in the world. Once you graduate, you'll be away from them."

"That's only half of it!" I shouted. He jumped, startled. "It's not just because some kids at school don't like me! It's not just because I get in trouble for being bullied! It's not just because the girls prank me so they can laugh! It's not just because I have no friends, no one who cares! It's everything! It's the fact my mom wants nothing to do with me so she locks me in the basement! It's because my dad think it's ok to beat me! It's because he likes to rape me! It's because, despite all the people in this world, nobody gives a crap about me!" I didn't realize I was sobbing until I felt the tears dripping onto my hands. "It's because I feel so alone. Because I have no other choice. I can't take this anymore. I have nothing to live for."

Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me. My eyes widened as I felt the warmth from Haruki's embrace. "That's not true. You're not alone. You have so much to live for. You have so much you still need to do. There's so much this world has to offer and it's not just misery. There's so much kindness, too. And there's love, joy. I care about you. I know you'll say we barely know each other, but I care. I'm here for you."

For once in my life, I felt somewhat happy. I grasped onto Haruki tightly, squeezing him and crying onto his shoulder. Someone did care about me. Someone wanted to be around me just to be around me. Someone gave me a reason to live. His smile had saved me yet again. I thought that I was too far gone for that, but apparently not. I sat there, in the arms of a virtual stranger who'd saved my life with his kindness, and cried my heart out. I shed all the tears that had been stored in my broken heart for too long.