Echoes In The Darkness

By: M14Mouse

Summary: When Souji comes home, he hears nothing but echoes.

Disclaimer: Don't own them. Sorry.

Welcome home, big bro.

Souji leaned against the door as he took in the echoes. He glanced over at the empty tables. He closed his eyes. He could see the images of his uncle reading his newspaper. He pretended not to notice him coming into the house. Sometimes, he could see his uncle's face peek from behind the paper and give him one of those small smiles of his. Noako-chan…he took a deep breath. Her face would light up when he came home. Sometimes, they would watch television together. If he didn't have a part time job to go to, they would sit there and just talk.

It didn't matter the subject either. They would ramble about what ever came to mind. It was…kind of nice. He sighed as he opened his eyes again. Part of him hoped that this was a bad dream. A larger part of him knew better. He knew where she was and he couldn't reach. How lonely she must be even she said she wasn't.

I'm not alone. I have dad…even if he is a little scary sometimes. And I have big bro too!

He banged his fist against the wall in angry. That beautiful and ugly place…oh, how he hated it. Every floor drove him nuts with its twisted and turned. It hallways leaded into dead ends or seemed go on forever. The shadows stalked every corner. They seemed to know where they were. He rubbed his hand gently. No matter how far they pushed themselves. He felt no process have been made. All of this power….and he could do nothing. Oh, he longed to go alone.

But his friends…

He laughed bitterly.

They were very forceful.

"No way that you are going alone, Senpai. Beside, I need someone to walk me home."

"That's right and you promised to help me study for math."

"Oh, that's right. You promised me a training session tomorrow. Not planning to skip out on me, are you?"

"And you promised me a topsicle, Sensei!"

A soft chuckle bubbled up from within him. Let's not forget their constant need to worry about him especially when he isn't supposed to be listening.

"He doesn't look too good."

"His complex has become quite pale over last couple of days. I believe he has lost some weight from his frame as well."

"…..Have you been checking out him, Naoto-chan?"

"NO! I have been doing no such thing!"

"Leave her alone, man."

"Oh…oh…I get it. Someone is jealous."

"Shut up, man! Before I give you a knuckle sandwich."

"Shk…hehe…Ha!"

"Here she goes again."

"Oh, I know! We can have a sleepover and we can cook for him!"

"NO!"

His soft chuckle turned into a full blow laugh. By the gods, he is going mad. He couldn't stop laughing. His sides and stomach started to hurt. Tears rolled down his face. Finally, he ran out of breathe. He fell down onto the floor and stared into space. His heart pounded into his chest.

His uncle would flip if he could see him now. Probably yell at him too. A smile formed on his face. He can't wait for the day that his uncle and his sister came home. He will bring them home. Because without them, the only thing he is left with are echoes.

Welcome home, big bro.

A/N: I think this has been done before…but oh, well. This game is totally awesome. So, yay for bunnies. Anyway, read and review if you wish.