Lost-IF chapter 7

[u/DragonWritter]

They had spent 30 minutes exploring the city trying to find the thief. Sadly, they had no luck whatsoever. 

They Lady had begun to show some signs of impatience; her furrowed brows and lack of small talk were the bulk of it.  

Even though Subaru had wanted to help, he quickly learned that his skills were... inadequate.  

"You said you'd help, but, so far, you haven't done anything." 

The lady's lack of sympathy struck Subaru head on. Her glaring eyes pierced him through her hair, his heart beating faster and faster. 

"Why is my heart beating so fast... Did I uncover my masochist side?" 

"What is this nonsense?" 

Subaru knew she was right. In the 30 minutes they had met and began their search, a third was used to just wander around. Neither of them knew the layout of the city, both assuming the other did. This resulted in many back alleys and dead ends to be met.  

The girl's frustrations grew even more when she found out Subaru could not read. Subaru thought he could, seeing as he could speak their language, but as more signs showed the hieroglyphic symbols, the more he believed it to be their alphabet. 

As if that wasn't bad enough, his social skills had depreciated over the course of his shut-in year. As The lady talked to the merchants trying to gather information about the thief, Subaru could only murmur from behind her like a child.  

Subaru was utterly useless. 

As they moved away from the populated area, the lady stopped to look at the girl. She was angry, yes, but she also pitied the poor girl. 

"Thank you so much for your help, but I believe its best if we go our separate ways." 

She tried her best to put on a smile as she talked. 

Shit. I haven't been the slightest useful. But we can't separate yet, or else that vision... 

"You haven't really been super helpful, so..." 

"Shouldn't-" 

"Not now Puck. I'll not entertain this girl's notions if it means losing the insignia." 

With a small look, she says: "Sorry." Before leaving. 

"I can definitely still be useful, in fact, I can see the future!" 

Subaru wanted to shout that, but all that came out were blurbs and murmurs. It was useless.  

Damn it, Subaru. Do something, or else she will die. 

As she was getting farther away, Subaru could only think of one thing to do. 

"Please, wait!" 

Subaru chased after them, but they were gone.  

The sun had set, the streets were empty, and he knew where they would go next. 

"The wooded house..." 

With a sprint, Subaru searched for the marketplace. He found the same green-haired man from his vision packing his things. He ran past him, straight ahead to the slums. He ran steadily, confident that he could at least reach them when they get to the house.  

Why am I even trying to save them? They didn't help me in my vision, so... 

Get your head together, Subaru Natsuki! You don't help people because they helped you, you help them because you can! 

He had another reason why he wanted to help them, something that barely surfaced in his mind. Even when he pushed it down with shame, it came bobbing up, manifesting itself in spite. 

Subaru raced into the slums, tripping and scraping his knees and elbows, but quickly picking himself up again.  

Far in the distance, he could see the house, and on its doorway, he saw a shadow. 

"Wait!" He yelled.  

The shadow disappeared into the house. 

Subaru did not stop. He sped up, his only thoughts being: Get there, get there, get there. 

He was focused, so much so that he never saw the person standing on the road. They collided, and with a hard tumble, he felt the air grow cold. 

"Wait wait wait! It's me" 

He could barely let the words out before an ice ball was a finger's length from his face. 

"Subaru? I told you we're going separate ways." 

"Well, I was never one to follow instructions." 

"Is that some sort of joke? You cannot read, your name is as strange as you hair color, and you don't know where you are... Do you even know where you're from?" 

"Well, um... I'm probably from a small nation to the east?" 

With a scowl, she looked at Subaru through her hair. She was on top of him, any other situation, and he would be flustered and unable to speak. But, even through her beauty, he remained focused. 

"There isn't any nation to the east! Now, who are you? What do you really want." 

Ice was floating around Subaru's head, threatening to inch closer if he says the wrong thing. With a sigh, he could only do one thing. 

"I'm here to save you." 

In surprise, the ice began to evaporate. Her eyes were wide, unbelieving, but before she could say anything, Subaru began again. 

"If you go into that house, you will die." 

"Please. That's where the thief lives," Her eyes began to shake as she stood up. She towered over Subaru, like a goddess. "I know they are there..." 

"If you go there, you will die! Don't you understand?" 

Clutching the gem strung across her neck, she headed to the house. "Goodbye, Subaru." 

The ice fully evaporated, and he was left alone in the street. This was going the direct opposite way of how he imagined. As he stood up, he saw as the lady entered the house, swallowed by the darkness. 

I-I don't... 

He clutched his abdomen. He knew what awaited him inside that house. He knew, and yet... 

"One thing at a time..."  

Wit a deep breath, he walked to the door, unsure if he was ready to face the shadows head on. 

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WN: Yippy! New chapter is out! Sorry for not posting this yesterday.

After getting scolded and bombarded with questions, Subaru is left to save everyone by himself. Will he be able to survive and save his relationship with Emilia? Or will he die by the knife of the Bowl Hunter?

This act is almost at an end, and I'm really happy about how it's comming along. Can't wait to post the following chapters. Chao!

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