The Prayer

Masayuki had seen so much that he couldn’t tell what was real or what was imagined anymore. The colored threads kept appearing out of nowhere. Some of them got tangled up in each other. He didn’t have time to ask questions.

Time.

That’s all they talked about. He knew they didn’t have much time. He could feel it in his soul. He’s been out of his body for too long. Would he be trapped out of it if time ran out? Masayuki didn’t want to find out.

Go for the green one.

He reached out for the green thread. The boy stopped asking questions by this point. There wasn’t any time for it. Masayuki had no choice but to follow along.

A small shock ran through his body. This time, there were murmurs in his ear. More secrets filled his head. By now, Masayuki was breathing heavily. It felt like his chest was going to collapse in on itself.

Are you alright?

“Yes!” Fingertips ran along his back.

Take it easy.

The boy’s breathing stayed labored. He could barely remain standing. Hands sank into his back. Masayuki let out a breath.

Let me take your stress.

“What?” Suddenly, Masayuki could breathe. His being relaxed.

Better?

The boy breathed out. “Yes.”

You can’t do this alone.

“I know that.” Masayuki slowly walked down the path of the green chord. The hands stayed in his back. It was a bit difficult to move with hands in the back. He took in slow breaths as he kept walking.

Help is on the way. Can you feel it?

“I’m not sure.”

Close your eyes.

“Why?”

Just do it.

“Alright, fine.” The boy closed his eyes.

Can you feel it?

The boy was about to say no but froze. A new tingling sensation ran through his brain. It sounded like whispering. Masayuki could make out what it was saying. He knew where he had to go next. The being behind him could see it too. They only had one more instructions to give before closing their mouth.

You’re going to go far with this line. All you have to do is pray. It sounded ridiculous, but what else could he do at this point? They were still running out of time, after all. Maybe, a little prayer could go a long way.

That would go especially since the hounds were on their trail.