((Reminiscing Humanity))-((Mikaela Hyakuya))

When Yu-chan first stepped into Hyakuya Orphanage, I was overjoyed about gaining a new family member; another sibling. I assumed he would be one more little brother to me, but in reality, Yu-chan was more of an immature older brother.

And I liked that.

He slowly warmed up to us and gradually became more ingrained in our family more than anyone. Even me! He would never openly admit it; never really call us his family but you could tell by the shine in his eyes and the slight cringes in his cheeks how much he really loved everyone.

And I loved my brother even more because of that.

When the plague unceremoniously reared its ugly head, I took on my job as the mature little brother who supported the family while Yu-chan stayed the older brother figure everyone looked up to. I was smarter than he was (still am) and could put reason and logic before my feelings; could get the answers without asking much.

(Yu-chan can't do that but that's his job.)

I never forgot them though; my feelings. Yu-chan was always there to remind me after all.

I took the logical path and offered my blood to the vampires in exchange for food (i̶n̶f̶o̶r̶m̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶) and clothes (w̶e̶a̶p̶o̶n̶s̶). I smiled and nodded, exposed my neck and used the facade of a twelve-year old to fool them. (I did it all for my family.)

While they were drunk on blood, I looked for ways for my family to survive. Not just a way for them to live past thirteen but a way for them to live and laugh free from the vampire reign. I shadowed the drunken footsteps every night and was able to find a map and a gun.

(I finally found a way for them to live! Finally! Finally!)

We celebrated with curry, though only Yu-chan and I really new we were celebrating. I kept wondering what would be waiting for us out there; a wasteland maybe? Anything was better than a vampire-infested life.

At least, that's what I told Yu-chan.

(W̶h̶y̶ ̶d̶i̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶I̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶?̶)

We left at night, so the shadows would hide us. We walked and ducked, bent and crawled and did everything just to hide from them.

We weren't caught.

We reached it. We reached the door to a different universe! It was right there; right in front of me.

But I underestimated them.

He set us up. I was naive. I made a mistake. He was waiting for us. He waited just to see us in the very depths of despair.

I couldn't help myself. I was scared, horribly terrified. And that only increased when... when... he killed her... killed him... killed them... killed Akane-chan... killed everyone; he murdered them all.

The only ones left were Yu-chan and I.

I had to save Yu-chan; I absolutely had to get him out. I could never let them die in vain; die for nothing. Even if it cost me my arms; my legs; my eyes; my life; I would save Yu-chan.

And he did take my arm and my organs but Yu-chan got him! He hit him! I knew he could do it.

Yu-chan hugged me and tried to carry me but I knew I wouldn't make it with all the blood lose. I pushed him; pushed him away from me. He had to escaped! They couldn't die for a lost cause. They couldn't die in vain.

Stupid Yu-chan! Go, go! Live! Save yourself! Don't tug at my heartstrings now and call us family! (W̶h̶y̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶s̶a̶y̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶e̶a̶r̶l̶i̶e̶r̶?̶) Go! Escape! Live!

Don't make me say the wrong words, Yu-chan, Go! (D̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶g̶o̶) Leave! (T̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶)

Live! (D̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶)

I made him cry but it was worth it. I gave my brother a chance at life, a chance to live.

I could die now.

.

.

.

But I didn't die. I wish I did.

She forced blood down my throat. She forced me to turn into what Yu-chan hated most.

All I could do was scream.