6 Troubling Past: The Past Meeting (2/2)

”Oh...okay,” the boy replied.

Then, a worrying image flashed through Shirohana's mind.

*Oh no! Josh! He must still be waiting!*

”I have to go. Thanks!” Shirohana said to the boy, waving.

The boy waved back with a smile on his face.

Shirohana ran down the stairs, almost tripping. When she reached where Josh was waiting originally, he was not there.

*Oh no! Where is he?* She thought, panicking.

Shirohana ran outside and was met with a cold chill. She ran around the school, looking for Josh. When she reached the back of the gym, a horrible sight met her eyes. She froze in horror.

On the floor laid Josh, all beaten up. Blood was splatted on the wall.

”Josh!” Shirohana screamed in terror. She ran to Josh.

*Oh! Thank goodness. He's breathing.* Shirohana thought, relieved.

”S-Shiro...” Josh said, weakly.

”Don't talk! You need to rest. I'll go get the first aid kit!” Shirohana said, laying Josh in a comfortable position. She ran back into the school and bumped into the boy.

”Ouch...” Shirohana said.

”S-Sorry! Are you alright?” the boy asked. It was the same boy who rescued her from the dark room.

”Yeah... Sorry for bumping into you. I'm in a hurry. J...Josh is...” Shirohana replied. Suddenly tears dripped down her eyes. She quickly tried to wipe them away. The boy handed her some tissues.

”T-Thank you...” Shirohana said, still weeping.

”Why are you crying? What's wrong?” the boy asked, concerned.

She didn't want to tell him and make him get involved, but the words just slipped right out.

”Please...help me...My friend...he's hurt...he...he” Shirohana started before bursting into tears.

”Don't cry, I'll help. You go back to him. I'll get the first aid kit and other things,” the boy said, before running off and turning left on the hallway.

Shirohana gathered herself and made her way to Josh. Josh was sleeping soundly. Shirohana sat next to Josh and waited for the boy to come.

After a few moments, the boy did not come.

”Guess he left me...Just like those girls...” Shirohana said, getting up.

As she got up, she heard someone approaching. It was a boy. He was carrying a lot of medical items and was sweating.

”I...huff..I...I'm sorry. I went home to grab more stuff, just in case.” the boy said, clearly tired from the long run.

Shirohana fell in relief.

*He didn't abandon me... I'm glad* She thought happily.

They treated Josh's wounds. Luckily there weren't any severe injuries. After that, the boy carried Josh and walked to Josh's house with Shirohana.

”Thank you,” Shirohana said. ”I don't know how to repay you, but if you need anything just ask.”

”It's no problem,” the boy said. ”I'll be heading off now.”

”Wait!” Shirohana said. ”My name is Shirohana. What is your name?”

”Just call me Karma,” the boy said as he ran into the darkness.

*Karma, huh?* Shirohana thought as she carried Josh to the door.

The night covered the city.