Chapter Forty: Long Blackout Night:

Chapter Forty: Long Blackout Night:

There was a thunderstorm that night. Meifu experience an all-night blackout because of it. Hisoka was in the toilet throwing up at the time. Earlier, a taste of his empathetic powers came back. He was in the activity room reading when it first hit in months. Initially, the feeling freaked him out.

What is this? I donï¿½t like it! The emotions or regret, guilt, disappointment, and sorrowed poured into him like an endless waterfall. I canï¿½t stop it!, Hisoka thought. Stay away! The overwhelming wave crippled him to his stomach.

I canï¿½t take it anymore! Hisoka raced all the way to the nearest bathroom. The power went out with his head in the toilet. He didnï¿½t notice until he sat back.

ï¿½Whatï¿½s going on?ï¿½ he asked.

ï¿½Power outage,ï¿½ a familiar voice answered. Hisoka whipped around startled.

ï¿½Whoï¿½s there?ï¿½ he asked. The boy turned to see Carrie standing in the stall doorway.

ï¿½Itï¿½s only me,ï¿½ she said. Hisoka stared at her with big eyes. I canï¿½t feel anything from her, he thought. Carrie gave him an odd look.

ï¿½Are you all right?ï¿½she asked. Hisoka slowly nodded at her.

ï¿½Y-Yeah,ï¿½ he said, ï¿½I just got sick.ï¿½ Carrie didnï¿½t respond to his answer.

ï¿½Weï¿½re having a power outage because of the storm,ï¿½ she replied, ï¿½So, we are on a lockdown.ï¿½ Hisoka blinked at her rather lost.

ï¿½Lockdown?ï¿½ he asked.

ï¿½Correct,ï¿½ she told him.

ï¿½So, what now?ï¿½ the shinigami asked. Carrie shrugged her shoulders.

ï¿½Wait until the powerï¿½s back, I suppose,ï¿½ she said. Hisoka glanced around.

ï¿½Alright,ï¿½ he muttered.

Moments later, they sat in the stall Hisoka was just in. He tried not to make eye contact.

ï¿½They came back,ï¿½ he spoke up. Carrie lifted her head.

ï¿½Iï¿½m sorry?ï¿½ she asked. Hisoka looked down at the floor.

ï¿½Iï¿½m an empathic,ï¿½ he explained, ï¿½I feel the emotions of everyone around me.ï¿½

ï¿½No way!ï¿½ Carrie gasped. Hisoka shook his head.

ï¿½Itï¿½s not as great as your think it is,ï¿½ he insisted. ï¿½I canï¿½t control it and I canï¿½t stop it. They just flow into me against my will.ï¿½ Hisoka trembled as he drew his knees to his chest. ï¿½Itï¿½s so strange,ï¿½ he said. ï¿½I had forgotten what it was like.ï¿½

ï¿½Can you feel my emotions?ï¿½ Carrie asked. Hisoka paused at that question. It donned on him about something he just noticed.

ï¿½No,ï¿½ he said. Carrie looked puzzled.

ï¿½No?ï¿½ she asked. He shook his head. ï¿½I donï¿½t understand why.ï¿½

ï¿½Is that bad?ï¿½ Carrie asked.

ï¿½I donï¿½t know,ï¿½ Hisoka said. ï¿½I havenï¿½t felt this in months.ï¿½

ï¿½And youï¿½re not used to it?ï¿½ she asked. The shinigami shook his head. He turned away from her. He glanced down at Carrieï¿½s feet. The boy happened to notice a bluish-purple lotus flower painted on the top of her right foot.

ï¿½When did you get that?ï¿½ Hisoka asked. Carrie glanced down at the shimmering painted flower.

ï¿½Oh,ï¿½ she said, ï¿½The Yamaguchi brothers painted it. It symbolizes rising above. Lotus grows in muddy water. It fits me just well. I hope to become a lotus flower myself when I leave this place.ï¿½ She pushed her foot forward. ï¿½Do you like it?ï¿½ she asked. Hisoka made a face.

ï¿½Itï¿½s alright, I guess,ï¿½ he mumbled.

ï¿½So, how are you doing?ï¿½ Carrie spoke up. Hisoka looked up confused.

ï¿½Huh?ï¿½ he asked. Carrie looked like a mini queen in her white lace dress. He hadnï¿½t noticed how the moonlight looked on her body through the high window above.

ï¿½How are you on your progress?ï¿½ she asked. Hisoka raised an eyebrow at her.

ï¿½What is this, a therapy session?ï¿½ he asked. Carrie gave him a tiny shrug.

ï¿½Why not?ï¿½ she said. The girl took on Tanaï¿½s serious demeanor. ï¿½Tell me your progress, Kurosaki-kun,ï¿½ she told him. Hisoka couldnï¿½t help but smile.

ï¿½Kohakuï¿½s gone,ï¿½ he began. ï¿½I havenï¿½t been on drugs for eight weeks.ï¿½

ï¿½Do you still love Tsuzuki?ï¿½ Carrie asked. Hisoka lowered his head in shame.

ï¿½Yes,ï¿½ he admitted. The boy lifted his head. ï¿½But now I will get over it in time. I just donï¿½t know how long it will take me.ï¿½ Carrie gave him a small smile.

ï¿½I know you can do it,ï¿½ she said.

ï¿½So what about you?ï¿½ Hisoka asked. Carrie paused and eyed him.

ï¿½Pardon?ï¿½ she asked.

ï¿½Why are you here?ï¿½ he asked. ï¿½How is your progress?ï¿½ The glow from girlï¿½s face began to die away. ï¿½Years ago, my older sister and I were so close,ï¿½ she began. ï¿½She was only friend and I looked up to her.ï¿½ She could feel the sorrow well up within her. ï¿½When I was seven, she was murdered in the park we always played in. They never found her killer.ï¿½ Tears welled up in her eyes.

ï¿½I couldnï¿½t handle it anymore,ï¿½ Carrie forced herself to say. ï¿½I ended up throwing myself into the river and drowning myself.ï¿½ Hisoka looked at her dead serious.

ï¿½You didnï¿½t!ï¿½ he gasped. Carrie pressed her lips together as she nodded. Tears flooded her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

ï¿½Iï¿½m trying to survive this mistake I made,ï¿½ Carrie welled. Hisoka reached over and patted her on the head.

ï¿½Youï¿½ll be fine,ï¿½ he told her. ï¿½Donï¿½t give up.ï¿½ Carrie nodded as she lowered her head. Suddenly, the power came back on. Hisoka looked up when he heard the lights clicking.

ï¿½Hey, the powerï¿½s back,ï¿½ he said. The shinigami got up to leave when Carrie grabbed his hand. He paused with a puzzled expression on his face.

ï¿½Carrie?ï¿½ he asked. The red-haired girl lifted her head.

ï¿½Can we stay here for a while?ï¿½ she whispered. ï¿½It calms me down.ï¿½ Hisoka gave her patient smile.

ï¿½Of course,ï¿½ he replied. She rested in his lap.

ï¿½Thank you, Hisoka-kun,ï¿½ the girl whispered. He just patted her on the head.

By morning, Tana found him alone in the stall.

ï¿½Iï¿½m so sorry I didnï¿½t get you sooner,ï¿½ she said. Hisoka patiently shook his head.

ï¿½Itï¿½s fine,ï¿½ he responded. ï¿½In fact, I did some thinking last night and I do need your help.ï¿½