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His bare feet pounded against the soil.Sharp, unforgiving. He didn't care to look back. The path was narrow, and his breath was heavy. It was difficult to believe he escaped alive. Sweat ran down his face, warm blood leaking from his open wounds. Consciousness didn't feel like a thing as high on adrenaline as he was. He had to run. He had to hide. His heartbeat awfully pierced his eardrums like gunshots, filling his lungs with horror in each inhalation, unable to scream —not only because nothing would come out, but because he'd be found and killed.As if he weren't murdered already. The vivid image of his partner invaded the few thoughts he could formulate along with the sickness from her body losing warmth with each passing second. His own clear eyes reflected fear to a point he didn't know he was able to feel. It wasn't her fault. It was his. Kaoru Saga made himself believe such a thing. His hands were permanently stained, his soul damaged and shattered beyond recognition. Running as fast as he could, getting scratches, constantly stumbling in the foulest drunkenness of survival. It was hard to see as he tottered like a beaten animal, feeling small, and fragile, reaching out for the fleeting illusion of freedom.He finally fell to the ground, burying his face in it. No matter how much he ran. No matter how long he managed to stay awake. He'd be dead because his body was not there. It parted with her. He died. He had to die and deserved it.It didn't matter if he couldn't see light anymore, the mud on his hands was enough to confirm he was still there. Was he going to die just like that? Ridden, battered, humiliated, right on the trap?No time to lose. He started crawling, trying to push himself back up. He could clearly taste iron in his mouth, suffocating. Nearly crying for help that won't come. The man quietly accepted defeat and gave in. Nothing to see. Nothing to feel. Overwhelmed by his ringing ears and seeping blood. He wondered for a second if this was how it felt like to be picked up for the last time. No. He wouldn't even be feeling it. Vertigo started to take over, not even letting him whisper what he thought would be his final words. Praying for morning to come but for them to not find him.And it didn't take long for it all to subside.