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Afraid of the Light	By : Resting-Madness Category: Beyblade > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 193 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't make a profit from this story. I do not own any Beyblade character mentioned or used in it.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Ozuma's back slammed into the door causing a loud thump on the other side which scared Zeo out of his skin.
"Ozuma!?" He yelled through the door after composing his self. "Open the door! It's stuck on this side." He tugged feverishly at the knob. "Ozumaa!"
'Ozumaaaaa' The man called out his name. Fingers and hands extending, reaching for him trying to trap him between the door and himself. "Ozumaaaa"
But Ozuma moved quickly ducking under the man's arms. He scaled the shelves beside him until he sat up high on the very top one, almost out of reach from the man.
"Ozummaaaa" He continued saying his name as though it were a rattle snake that he planned to shoot at him. Was he going to climb the shelves?! Tug Ozuma down by his legs so that he was badly injured on the way down from banging his head on the hard wooden shelves. Or was he simply going to scare him to death lurking around below, giving him no way out?
"Haa!" The boy yelped feeling a cold, dry hand come down around his ankle.
Kicking at the man with his other leg, and for the first time in his life he wished her were a bit taller because his leg didn't even come close to the man's ghoulish grey face, so he then turned his aim for the grasping hand. Raising his leg, he dug his heel into the man's wrist, praying that he could feel pain even in death. But the grip held fast.
"Let me gooo!"
"Ozuma?!" Zeo called. Looking back and forth, the blue haired teen dropped to his hands and knees looking under the door. One eye closed for a sharper look. "Ozuma?!" A black... thing banged against the door. Zeo shoved away from it, startled. Was someone in there with him?!
"Zeo help me!" Ozuma called, his voice shook with fright.
"I have to find a screw driver okay? I'll be right back!" He called through the door, not getting any closer than he sat when he had moved away.
"No! Don't leave me!"
But he didn't hear him, Zeo had already gone in search of a screw driver.
Ozuma continued kicking at the man's wrist. He had to get free. His foot continually scraped and battered at the man, but he seemed to feel nothing. Leaning over a bit, Ozuma dug his finger nails into the bony clammy wrist and that seemed to loosen his grip on him a bit. Pulling his legs up under his self Ozuma curled into a ball trying to concentrate on staying alive rather than crying.
"Zeooo where are you?" He groaned.
Hearing the heavy sound of something falling to the floor, Ozuma peeked an eye open. The man had decided to scale the shelves after all and the fallen object was a bag of flour. He had to think fast... real fast. Sticking his leg out, he tried to kick the man off the shelf but he fell short. Trying again, his foot came into contact with the tiny light bulb just a ways away from him.
With the power behind his kick the light bulb burst instantly, sending shards of glass to the floor.
"Aaaaaahhh!" The man screamed, his voice sounded more agitated than scared. Something about that made Ozuma's blood run cold. But there were worse things to think about. Now his foot was bleeding, even though his socks were thick the contact that caused the bulb to shatter got some pieces of glass inside piercing him. On top of that, he was in the dark again... but at least now, he was alone. No man, no Zeo... Alone...
Ozuma's breathing sounded louder than he wanted it to. He felt like it would give away his location on the shelf and he tried to slow it so that it was even and silent. He failed in doing so. Curling back into a ball, he waited, listened and watched out for any other advances the man would make. But as moments went by there were none. Had he left without the frightened boy knowing it? Was he hiding in a dark shadow unseen? The closet was no bigger than a sixteen step walk in a square, there really was nowhere for him to hide.
"Ze..." He cleared his voice, sniffling back tears. "Zeo?" He tried to call for his friend again.
"I found the screw driver." He said through the door. His voice sounded cloudy, as though he may have been crying or something. "Ozuma..." There was a sound of metal scraping against itself. Zeo grumbled and tried again. "Ozuma, I'm sorry. I-... didn't think you'd get scared like this. I wasn't thinking."
A screw rolled under the door. Ozuma looked down at the thing, making out what it was from the little stream of light that was coming from under the door. Still the man had not come out from wherever he hid. Ozuma was beginning to think now that he truly was going crazy, but how could that be? He was always a normal kid up until they moved. Could his fear of the dark be so strong that it manifested itself into actual people?! But if that were true than why? Why could he see them in the light, shouldn't they only lurk around when it's dark?
A moment later the door knob fell into the pantry on Ozuma's side, his body jumped hearing the new sound out of nowhere.
"Ozuma?" Zeo stepped into the pantry, looking around. "Where are you?" He turned his head left then right, then he looked up. "Ozuma- Ouch!" He raised his barefoot aiming it at the light shining through the illuminated doorway, Zeo saw droplets of red appearing on the bottom of his foot and little shards of glass that had caused them.
"Zeo?" Ozuma's coming down from the shelf.
"Hold on there's glass on the floor." He reached a hand up holding Ozuma around his waist. Then with his other hand he wrapped it under the shorter male's legs and held him bridal-style while he walked out of the pantry.
Ozuma looked over Zeo's shoulder back into the pantry. No one was in there. It was just an everyday, ordinary, kitchen pantry.
It's true then... thought the boy. I'm cracking up. He shook his head to clear his mind. His face pressed into Zeo's shoulder from embarrassment.
The blue haired boy winced in pain every time his right foot took too sturdy of contact with the floor. He left a tiny blood trail where he walked as they headed back into the living room. Zeo placed his friend on the couch, sat beside him, and caressed a hand through his hair.
"Ozuma... I'm really sorry..." He hung his head down. "I'll understand if you don't wanna forgive me- or be my friend anymore." He trailed the last part. "I deserve it."
Ozuma's breathing had calmed down, since he was freed from the closet, maybe not as even as he would have liked it but he was settling down. His panicked state became rational again as he sighed. "Get out,"
"What?"
"I said get out! Do I have to spell it for you?" Ozuma repeats, looking not into his friend's eyes, but past him a little- almost like he didn't really want to say the things he was saying. "Leave Zeo... and don't bother coming back... You and I..." He sighed angrily. "You're not the guy I wrote to..." he felt hot tears stinging his eyes. "All the things that used to be charming and funny... they're not so fun in person."
Zeo lowered his eyes, taking what the male was saying to heart. He didn't want this to happen, even though deep down he knew that it would. The things that made them different were tearing them apart and it was all his fault. He was too much a part of his old life and having Ozuma there was making him- feel funny. Different maybe. Maybe because he liked him, maybe because he was too different a person with his friends here to be a better friend with his penpal. Zeo didn't know, but he didn't want to lose Ozuma.
The boy wiped a hand across his eyes. "I don't want to break up Zeo... friends I mean, but what you did today-..."
"Was out of fun!" The strong headed male interrupted. "I didn't think about what I was doing. I know I should have but it was hard, you and me were playing a nice game- I didn't see any harm in it... But what I saw... under the door..."
"What do you mean what you saw? There was no one in there." Ozuma growled. "I made it up- it was all in my head... I was afraid, so I was seeing things, like you said." He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting a bit.
"Ozuma..." He leaned forward, holding a hand under his friend's chin and he turned his face kissing him. It wasn't hot. It wasn't fast. It was more like an apology mixed with a hint of love and care.
"Zeo..." He felt a pair of lips upon his forehead before pressed his forehead to his.
Zeo didn't move back. Their lips were still practically touching as they spoke. "We can't keep doing this, it's like all you guys think I am is some kind of joke- or a freak... I'm not."
"I don't think that... But I'll respect your wishes." He sniffled backing away from Ozuma. "I'll leave. I just hope that... maybe someday we could try again."
Ozuma shrugged, putting his attention out the window that was behind the couch. "Try what? Being lovers, two people who kiss and fuck because there's never gonna be any love behind it? Because you can't mean friends. Every time I wanna be your friend it's a new thing to laugh at. So forget it."
Zeo lowered his gaze. Standing, he walked to the hall but stopped. "I love you, you know... After the first time we talked it just continued to grow. I'm not fast- and I don't make fun of my friends... When you came here it's like... you've changed."
"Yeah right. You're the one who's acting so differently."
"Yeah because, I guess I've never seen fear this close up before... It makes me a little nervous around you- so what? You're gonna hold it against me?" Zeo seemed to be getting mad though his gentle, quiet tone, never changed. "I guess you are though because you'd rather be friends with Rei and Kai."
This time Ozuma looked at him. "What? What do they have to do with anything. I barely know them."
"Exactly!" Zeo walked back over to his friend an accusing finger pointed. "But you'd like to! From day one you asked about them and now that Rei came over here, I bet the two of you will become friends and you'll forget all about me!"
So that's what this was about? He thinks I'm gonna replace him for some reason. This made Ozuma see red. Stupid jerk, how dare he think that I'm gonna be the one to replace him when he clearly has no interest in me because of his old friends! "Zeo... You're making it impossible not to yell at you, when all you've done since day one is compare me to your old friends. I'm not them and I can't be... I won't be... So take me as I am or never come back..."
Zeo blinked in silence then spoke. "I'm sorry... I'll take you as you are, but you have to accept me the same way." He patted his chest with his fist to emphasize how much he felt he needed to be accepted. "I'm not entirely built up of the good and bad things that I talked about in my letters... I'm a person- always changing. And sure, I like to move a little fast but it doesn't mean I can't slow down. I care about you, Ozuma... You may not think so, but I do."
They were silent a moment. Shaking his head, Zeo turned on his heals. "I'll go."
Ozuma watched him, a frown on his face. And lowly, he whispered. "I'm sorry, Zeo..."
"Thanks." He replied. Even though he was sure, he wasn't supposed to hear it. "Can... I call you?"
"Yeah... I'd like to... get to know my possible boyfriend better."
Zeo smirked a bit. "Me too. Good bye."
"Yeah,"
When Zeo was gone, Ozuma let his tears fall. He was still shaken inside by what had happened. The man touched him, he was as real as he or Zeo. And he was in his house. Somewhere. No. No, I can't go on thinking this way. It's not dark, it's safe in here and all this stuff is just in my head... He lowered his eyes, hugging his knees to him. I wish mom would hurry back though. I don't wanna be alone...
...
Ozuma remained in the living room all morning to the afternoon. Tyson and Max had stopped by to hang out with him and Zeo but Ozuma sent them away. They probably wouldn't wanna hang out with him anyhow. In his getting up from the couch he bandaged his bleeding foot so that his mother wouldn't ask any questions.
Around lunch time, he walked into the kitchen and tried to keep his mind focused on his task of grabbing a can of soup from- thank God- the kitchen cabinet. He didn't think he had the strength to go into the pantry a second time that day. But all the while he moved around the kitchen, his eyes continued to glance over his shoulder at the open door.
I'm just scaring myself, there's nobody in there. He reassured his bad nerves. Hmm? How long does it take to heat up a soup with meat in it? Looking over the buttons on the microwave, Ozuma decided on a minute and thirty seconds to get the job done. Pulling himself up on the counter, he swung his legs back and forth, humming as he waited. Out of no where a tiny smirk appeared on his face. A boyfriend... it's hard to think about. What do boyfriend's do exactly? He glanced at the microwave. I hope there is more to it than just kissing and hiding out from your parents- I don't wanna hide from my parents.
Beeeeppp!
Hopping down from the counter he walked over to the microwave then pressed the button to open the door to retrieve his bowl of soup. ...Maybe sooome, cracker- no, the crackers are in the pantry. He glanced at the very location. No. There's nothing in there, it's all in my head. Placing the bowl onto the counter, he took a step toward the pantry. Sucking in a breath of air, he then took another step and another and another.
There's nothing in there, there's nothing in there, "There is nothing in there." His chant became out loud. The closer he got the slower his pace became. "There's nothing in there." Pausing at the door, he reached for the light switch. Just as he went to flip it up he stopped. His retracted hand shook with fright, images of the man inside and the woman when she was on the toilet flashed through his mind. He was afraid to turn the light on. He couldn't believe it. Ozuma Balaji is afraid to turn on the light!
And why wouldn't you freak out? The voice in the back of his head spoke. Every time you've seen one of those awful people the lights were on, but when they're off, nobody is there.
"Yeah," his voice said quietly.
He thought to himself for a moment. Something about this place, it was weird. Like everything worked in the opposite or something. Lights on, very scary. Lights off, nothing there. It was like that old saying, 'if you can't see it, than it's not there.'
Could that be true?
Looking into the dark beyond, Ozuma sucked up all his nerve then walked into the pantry for the box of crackers like he had a rod for a spine. But for the first time in his life, Ozuma felt safer in the dark.
9 9 9
Tsugani had come home a lot later than she had planned to, but it gave Ozuma time to ponder the events of the week. This sighting and the next and there seemed to be some type of pattern but he couldn't be sure. But now was not the time to worry about it as he and his mother sat on the couch, eating dinner, watching a movie on lifetime about a woman with an invisible- as in imaginary- child. It was a sad movie in a way. Why anyone would do such a thing when they already have two children was beyond him.
"You know," his mother began. "I would do the same thing if I didn't have you."
Ozuma smiled at his mother.
"I can't have children, so it's understandable."
Ozuma scoffed. "Yeah, if you're nuts." He punched his mother playfully on the shoulder.
Tsugani laughed, giving her son a squeezing embrace. "So my beautiful son, what have you been up to today. Did your friends come over?"
"They did... but... I asked them to leave."
His mother sighed. "..-'zuma, don't tell me you've been fighting?"
"No." He said quickly, then lowered his voice. "Not exactly anyway. Zeo and me had an argument."
"Aaww, you two haven't even popped a shirt button and already you've had your first fight."
Ozuma gaped at what his mother had just said. Did she know? No. Impossible. How could she? "Mom I-..."
"Mm mm, say no more." She raised her hand. "Ozuma, sometimes a mother just knows."
Her son was still in shock. "...And, you're okay with it?"
She swatted her son on the back of his head. "Sweet heart, if your parents don't shout at you or chase you through the house with a broom, I think your safe."
"Oh..." He sat back and got comfortable, though his insides now are a little uncomfortable. "Well, this is a little awkward."
Tsugani laughed at that. "Oh give me a break, your mother's had her time-..." She lied.
"Mmom!" His eyes went wide with horror. "Doon't, I'll get images." He covered his ears to shield himself from it.
Tsugani grabbed her son's hands, pulling at them. "It was a cold day," She went on.
"Nooo," Ozuma laughed as he popped up from the couch. "I'm going to bed now, good niiiight!"
"Good night, Ozuma."
The young teen walked into the dark hall without a care in the world. Although, he was allowed a night light there and it shown through the darkness enough to satisfy him and keep him safely out of harms way. At least he hoped so. A pantry with an open door was one thing, but it was another thing all together to be completely in the dark. He just couldn't. There were too many things that lurked within it, he was sure of it.
Even if he couldn't prove that his happenings with the couple were only in light, Ozuma was almost sure that it had something to do with it.
Run from Dawn...
The words ran through his mind. Run... was that a warning? The couple was trying to warn me about them? Yeah right. They were trying to mess with me because somehow they know I'm afraid of the dark. He passed the night light and it flickered off then on. He gave it no more attention than a glance. They're trying to make me afraid of everything... How will I feel safe?
Stopping at his bedroom door he glanced inside. No one was there. The only light in the room was from his night lights. It was bright enough to look as though he had on the main light. He would have to take two of the night lights away in order to be safe. Words he never thought he would think or say.
Stepping into his room he walked over to the nearest light and pulled it out of its socket. Looking around the room, he nodded in comfort level. Going over to the next one, he pulled it free then looked around. Nothing changed.
And I'll leave in the last one. He smiled triumphantly. "This could work out all right. I'll just use my night lights, instead of really bright ones. No problem." Standing he began to undress to put on his pajamas.
Ozuma could feel a cold chill running up his bare spine, but he shook it off. Focus on the light in the room, and your eyes won't play tricks on you. He felt the cold air whirling around his ankles and he jumped onto his bed.
Behind him was darkness so thick he might as well be standing in the color black itself. So much for getting over my fear of the dark. "Moooom!" He called as loud as he could.
Within moments his mother had come up the stairs and into his room. "What is it?" She looked around. "Ozuma, what happened to your other night lights?"
"I... took them out." He swallowed. Yeah that sounds crazy.
"Took them out, what for?"
Ozuma started to speak, but he didn't know what to say.
"Do you want them back in?"
"No!" He sounded panicked. "I was just... trying it out. I wanna... grow up now and stop being afraid of nothing."
Tsugani smiled. "I see," walking over to the bed she sat down and planted a kiss to her son's forehead. "You let me know how that goes. I'll be in my room if you need me."
"I know."
Patting him on the head, she walked out of the bedroom and down the hall.
Ozuma looked after her with a frown. She thinks I've lost it too. He sighed and looked at his nightstand, the book he was reading earlier lay there waiting for him to return to it. I will beat this thing, one step at a time. Getting out of bed, he put one of the nightlights back into the socket. Two for now, and I'll read until I get tired.
Returning to his bed, he snatched the book up, opened it and began to read quietly until his eyes closed out all the light.
- 8
- 9
- 10
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Afraid of the Light