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"I am you," The other him said, voice sickeningly sweet like honey. "You are me." Rein stood there, blood on his hands as the body of someone lay at his feet.
"No…" He breathed, eyes widening. "Stop. I don't…I don't want…" The other him sighed, stepping closer, bloodied body leaving a trail of red behind him.
"Don't want what? The truth?" The other him cooed. "Poor Pure…still in denial."
"I'm not in denial! I didn't do anything!" Rein shouted, fangs baring, the taste of metal seeping into his tongue. He shifted, uncomfortable as the other him stepped closer until they were nose to nose. His black eyes narrowed boring into Rein's heterochromic red.
"But what do you taste?" The other him huffed as if Rein was being difficult.
Rein paused confusion filling him before the taste kicked in. The familiar taste of…oh he was going to throw up. His body locked up, spine going straight.
"See…you know it's true. Stop denying it." The other him patted Rein's head. "Look down…"
Reins eyes dropped to his hands. Blood soaked them, dripping off with tiny patters.
"See Rein? You're exactly what they made you to be. Why not just accept it?" The other him pinched his cheek, a cold smirk on his face. "It's so much easier?"
Rein felt ice cold tears fill his eyes. It had been years since he last cried. He felt so overwhelmed.
His fingers trembled as he clasped his hands together, fingers going white from the force. "Please…"
The other him cocked his head to the side. "Please what? Please stop? We both know I can't do that."
"But—I swear! I didn't mean to!" Reins chest heaved with each word. "It just happened!"
The other him laughed a mirthless laugh. "We both know that's not true…you poisoned his cup with intent." The other him tilted his head once more. "Don't try to lie to me. We both know I know everything."
"No…no you don't!" Rein snapped, voice shaking. "If you knew than you wouldn't be..against me!" Rein shoved the other him away, watching as he fell back.
"See …you're a violent dog." He giggled, bloodied hand lifting to cover his mouth. "Quail was right to discard you."
"You're wrong!" Rein yelled, voice cracking on the last syllable. "I…I'm useful! I still am!" His fingers shook, twitching desperately. The other him fell silent.
"Then why did you do it?" He cooed, fingers digging into the fleshy ground. Reins face went blank.
Why…why had he done it? To get revenge? To finally get that closure he deserved? What was his reason?
"Listen to me…" The other him pushed himself off the ground stepping until he was face to face with Rein again.
"No—"
"If we can't have our own happy ending," The other him breathed. "Why should they?"
Reins heart pounded in his ears, eyes traveling down to the fresh wounds on his wrists. Ones he caused from utter despair. Tears slid down his face, icy and salty.
"Shouldn't we just…destroy everything?" The other him held Rein's face in his hands. Black soulless eyes holding a glint of madness. "No one deserves to live. Not us. Not them." Rein stared at him, heart in his throat.
"Destroy.. everything?" He repeated. The words tasted foreign on his tongue but somewhat right. Like they belonged there.
"I leave you with this." The other him pulled away, warmth stripped away. "Just make them pay for what they did!" The words were said so cheerfully. Rein could've mistaken them as a friendly word of advice. In a way it was.
The other him…was right.
Rein's lips twitched into a strained smile. Why should he suffer while everyone else got a happy ending? Why must he have to be stuck in the past, body torn limb from limb as people tortured him. Why must he endure?
It wasn't fair.
Reins hands raised, fingers closing to form a prayer.
"Dear Releis…" He whispered, voice oddly calm despite how he felt. "I'm losing control." And with that Rein's eyes fell shut, the world blurring from pink to dark blue.
He shot up, sweat soaking through his clothes. He was dressed in hospital garments.
"What?" He mumbled, brain struggling to catch up.
"Rein!" Miyoko's voice cut through his head, sending a sharp pang through his skull. "You're awake." Miyoko lifted a cup of water to Rein's lips.
"You passed out after…your guts were torn out." She winched as if remembering the wound. "You're all healed up now. Gave us quite the scare." She laughed awkwardly.
Rein stared at her, thoughts swirling. Was that just…a dream? No. It couldn't be. He had seen that man before. That other him.
"Thanks, Miyoko." Rein mumbled taking a sip of the water. "I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it!" She smiled brightly. "I'm just glad you're okay." Rein nodded slowly. "I just need to get the blood out of my clothes now!" She teased gently. Rein let out an absent laugh.
Miyoko paused, eyes narrowing as she examined his face. "Are you okay?"
Rein paused. The other him's words were swirling in his head.
Could he really ruin the lives of people like Miyoko for his own selfish reasons?
No. He couldn't.
"Yea I'm okay." Rein breathed, running a hand through his hair. "Bit disoriented."
Miyoko frowned. "You sure? Your face kinda looks lost."
Rein swallowed hard. "I don't know." He admitted, fingers curling into his hair. He tugged harshly trying to snap himself back into reality.
Miyoko's hands were immediately on his. "Don't," Her voice was stern. "None of that." Rein blinked blearily at her.
"Ah sorry," Rein chewed his bottom lip. "I'm not feeling well. Could you leave me?"
Miyoko paused, her breath caught. "No. Talk to me Rein. Scared the shit out of me watching you fall like that," Her voice wavered. "Tell me what's wrong."
Rein exhaled. "I can't. Not right now. Just…let me rest for a bit longer," His voice broke, cold tears flooding his eyes. "I just can't."
Miyoko watched him for a moment. She looked away for a brief second giving Rein time to wipe his eyes free of tears.
"I'm okay…I swear, it'll be okay…" Rein mumbled mimicking the sound of Collin's voice as he pressed his palms to his eyes.
Miyoko stepped forward. She carefully pulled Rein's head to her chest.
"It will be okay," Rein's voice cracked, arms wrapping around Miyoko, fingers digging into the fabric of her clothes. "It has to be okay." Miyoko rubbed his back, nodding along.
"Whatever that other me said is wrong!" Rein hissed, grip tightening. "Nothing will turn me into their monster. I refuse." Miyoko stood there silent. She let him vent out his frustration.
Rein exhaled. "I'm not a monster."
"You aren't," Miyoko stated. "You're just Rein." Rein nodded, exhaustion pulling on his back.
"Think…Imma sleep a bit." He mumbled eyes falling closed. He knew Miyoko would be there for him.
He could rest…knowing he would be safe.
Finally.