My heart raced wildly, thumping so vigorously that I felt each pulse reverberate through my entire body. I was lost in an overwhelming haze, with no idea of where I was or how long I had been soaring through the air. It felt as if a ravenous creature, a man-eating monster, was hot on my heels, its feral breath just inches away from my back. I knew I had to keep running, to push myself to go farther than I ever had before. I was desperate to escape, yearning to reach a place so remote that no one could ever find me. The fear drove me forward, but with each frantic step, I questioned how long I could maintain this frenetic pace before the darkness caught up to me.
A jolt of electricity surged through my mind, sharp and unsettling, as if a phantom presence were searching for my exact location. Panic gripped me, and I quickened my pace, pushing myself to move even faster. I could sense it closing in on me—a presence that defied the limits of human speed. Shanks was on my trail, the way he approached felt almost otherworldly, like a predator closing in on its prey. The tension in the air crackled around me, urging me to flee with every ounce of strength I had left.
I didn't dare turn around. Even though I knew Shanks wouldn't be visible if I did, I could practically feel his presence looming behind me, his breath a warm whisper against the chill in the air. What was the point of following me? I felt like nothing more than a burden, a useless weight dragging everyone down. My existence seemed to be a never-ending string of blunders, leaving awkward silences in conversations and making everyone around me uncomfortable.
The crew was made up of good people—kind-hearted souls who took me in when I felt like a dying little bird, fragile and desperate. They offered care and support, hoping I would eventually spread my wings and soar high in the sky like the free spirits they were. But deep down, I feared that I was only giving them a false sense of hope. Even though I longed for freedom, it wasn't the freedom they envisioned. They hoped I would find liberation in life, but for me, true freedom meant death. I felt destined to disappoint them, like a storm cloud overhead, blocking the light and threatening rain.
"KOUYA!" Shanks's voice echoed powerfully across the vast expanse of the sea, cutting through the sound of crashing waves. I couldn't help but turn around, my heart racing as I searched the horizon. There he was, a speck in the distance, but it felt as if I could see him clearly—his vibrant red hair waving like a flag in the wind, his expression a mix of determination and something akin to anger.
To my shock, he seemed to be running through the air, effortlessly defying the laws of gravity with every bound. A chill ran down my spine, paralyzing me with fear. My face drained of color, the blood leaving my cheeks as the reality of the situation sank in. How on earth had he reached me so quickly? My mind raced through a whirlwind of questions—where were the others? Had he somehow become separated from the crew? The uncertainty gnawed at me like a hungry beast. I struggled to breathe, my chest tightening as anxiety seized me. Why was he trying so hard?
Before I could even register the chaos around me, he charged at me with an intensity that took my breath away. In an instant, we collided, plunging into the icy embrace of the ocean. The cold water enveloped me, and panic gripped my chest as I struggled to find my breath. My lungs screamed for air, but all I could do was kick wildly, hoping to break free from the vice grip that held me close.
I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
I CAN'T BREATHE.
"BREATHE!" Shanks exclaimed, tightening his grip around me as he sensed the turmoil brewing within.
"LET GOOOO!" I screamed, my voice rising to an intensity I never knew I possessed. Each word felt like shards of glass being forced through my throat, raw and aching as my emotions surged and clashed without warning. It was as if an invisible force urged me to fight, to escape, to run further and farther away, searching for a hidden sanctuary where no one could reach me because being found implied a loss of autonomy. This shackle would bind me and strip away my freedom.
A heavy cloud of despair enveloped me, deepening when I spent my time among the crew. Their unwavering camaraderie and the joy we shared only intensified my longing to remain by their side, yet it also tightened the grip of the shadows around my heart. The more affection I felt for them, the harder I realized they were fighting to pull me into the light, urging me to embrace hope and positivity. Yet, paradoxically, this connection made the idea of breaking free from the weight of my own darkness feel increasingly daunting. I found myself trapped in a struggle between the bitter allure of my sorrow and the illuminating pull of their friendship, making it all the more challenging to liberate my soul from the chains of this world.
I couldn't go back. "Please!" I cried out, my voice trembling as tears streamed down my cheeks. I struggled to break free from Shanks' unyielding grip, but it was futile. He held me close, a solid and immovable presence, even as I pounded my fists against him in desperation. One hand was gripping my waist tightly, while the other pressed my head against his shoulder, seeking comfort yet also fighting against the reality of the moment.
"You're mine," he whispered, his voice a deep, resonant growl that sent chills up my spine. It was a tone I had never heard from him before, fierce and possessive, and it reverberated through me like a wild heartbeat. I felt him bury his face in my hair, his warm lips brushing against my forehead in a strangely tender gesture amidst the storm of emotions.
I could hardly process his words as they echoed in my mind: "You belong to me, and I'm never letting you go." There was a gravity to his declaration, one that made my heart race and my breath hitch, leaving me teetering on the edge of disbelief and confusion. The world around us faded as my heartbeat echoed in my ears, the intensity of his gaze, and the weight of his demand hung in the air.
"What?" I muttered, my confusion etched across my face like a poorly drawn painting, a mixture of shock and disbelief flooding my senses.
Shanks, his crimson hair catching the light, looked at me with a seriousness that sent a shiver down my spine. "I was going to wait," he began, his voice steady but laced with intensity, "but I can't just stand by while you try to run away from me."
"Why?" The word escaped my lips like a desperate plea, trembling under the weight of his tone, which hinted at both frustration and an unyielding resolve.
"There is no why," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "From the moment you joined the crew, you became a part of me. I was hoping you'd find your footing and come to understand how I truly feel. But now..." He paused, a heavy silence hanging between us, filled with unspoken emotions. "Now, I can't wait any longer."
"But…" My voice faltered, my thoughts tangled as I struggled to articulate the whirlwind of emotions surging within me.
"I'm done with waiting," Shanks declared, his expression fierce and determined. "I will chain you to my side if that's what it takes. You are not allowed to leave—not me, not the crew, and certainly not us."
His words resonated in the air, as if binding us together in a pact that was both thrilling and terrifying. I felt the gravity of his promise; all my uncertainties swirled together.
What was there to like about me?