Monster

"Let's go." Khalil snatched his wrist, an urgency in his voice that told Klein he had become aware of the situation. Their brisk walk turned into a jog until they went into a full-blown sprint.

Klein was never a runner. He had never felt the need to run for his life unless it was necessary. Tonight was more than necessary. But Khalil's one step was equivalent to two or three steps from him, thus, he was lagging behind.

"Hah! Wait!" Klein gasped, already running out of breath. "Slow down a bit, Khalil!"

"We're almost there!"

Klein chanced a glance over his shoulder, finding no trace of the man wearing a cap following them. Just other unsuspecting pedestrians and vehicles. "I think he's... gone. Hah! I can't..."

"What if he's got a car or a motorbike? An accomplice?"

"Why would he? Hah! Why?"

"Let's think about it later. For now, just run. Don't ever let go of my hand." Khalil continued running with a secure grip on Klein's wrist that dragged him like a human kite.

Thankfully, they reached the entrance to the Alpha Tower before they ran out of oxygen. Klein almost wanted to collapse on the pavement in front of the security guard, but Khalil didn't want to take any chances and dragged him inside the double glass doors.

As soon as they were inside the lobby, Klein bent forward to rest his hands on his knees. He cursed himself for not taking physical education seriously. Why was this happening to him? He knew he's somewhat cold and indifferent, but he had never done something to offend anyone. At least, not on purpose.

While Khalil alerted the building's security personnel, Klein was trying to catch his breath. He felt lightheaded. His vision dimmed a little, but he managed to compose himself while he calmed the wild thrashing of his heart.

"Are you okay? Should I carry you?"

Klein shook his head when Khalil tried to reach for the back of his knees. "No... I'm fine."

What was he trying to do? Carry him bridal style?

Klein clutched his stomach with one arm and made his way to the elevator. Leaned against its metallic wall, he caught the worried gaze of his companion. He let out a weak laugh. "Starting tomorrow, I will start hitting the gym."

But Khalil didn't laugh along as the elevator ascended to their respective floors. His unit was three floors below Klein's, so he had to get off first. To Klein's surprise, he grabbed him by the wrist again as soon as the elevator doors opened.

"Khalil, wait—ah..." Klein's voice drifted off, his nose hitting Khalil's shoulder. He was unsure if he needed it or Khalil did, but he realized he was trembling too, so he didn't break away from the tight embrace.

With an arm looped around Klein's shoulder and a hand pressed to the small of his back, Khalil pulled him closer. It was almost possessive. When Khalil drew in a deep breath through his nose in a bizarre sniffing manner, his moist lips touching the side of his neck, Klein decided this had gone on for far too long for comfort and pushed him back.

"Ah... sorry. I got ahead of myself," Khalil said, looking away in shame.

Klein clasped the side of his neck that Khalil kissed and watched the taller boy with wary eyes. The prominent reaction in Khalil's pants didn't escape his notice, too, so he also averted his gaze with an uncharacteristic blush.

"I'm going to my unit," Klein said, turning around to press a button on the elevator.

"D-Do you wanna hang out at my place for a while?" Khalil offered hopefully. "Just the two of us."

"Hah? Why would—!"

"I-I mean, just hang out. No funny business!"

"Some other time. I have homework to do."

"But we don't have homework today," Khalil mumbled, followed by a frustrated groan. "I'm sorry, okay? You just smelled good. I won't do it again."

Klein's blush deepened and pressed the open button repeatedly. He glared at the red floor numbers flashing on top of the elevator doors. Why was it taking so long? Should he just take the stairs? But his legs already turned jelly from the sudden marathon.

"Please don't be mad. It's not like you don't understand how human biology works." Khalil pinched the root of Klein's pinky finger. "I'm really sorry, Klein. I'm just a passionate guy with a healthy blood flow."

Klein channeled the power of infinite rationality in him because that's what he was—a rational person. He turned around to face Khalil. "I'm not mad about anything. I just want to rest because I'm tired."

The smile was back on Khalil's face. He reached a hand to caress Klein's cheek. "Alright. I'll walk you to your unit then. That's okay, right?"

Upon hearing the ping of the elevator opening, Klein sighed. "Suit yourself."

"Let go of him, monster."

Klein barely had time to react as a hand seized the back of his shirt and hurled his body inside the elevator. A pained gasp escaped him when the side of his face slammed against the wall, drawing a metallic taste from the flesh inside his cheek.

Surprise dilated Khalil's brown orbs. "Klein!"

From his sprawled position on the floor, Klein saw the powerful kick the mysterious man delivered to Khalil's chest, sending the bespectacled boy staggering a few steps back before he lost his balance. The force of the kick dislodged the black-framed eyeglasses from Khalil's face.

Immediately, Khalil pushed himself up from the floor and ran after the closing elevator door. He managed to wedge his hands on the gap, forcing the elevator's door mechanism to open again. But before he could advance inside, a silver dagger lodged to his shoulder.

A blood curdling cry erupted from Khalil's throat, his grip on the doorframe tightening. However, that wasn't what froze Klein on the spot while clutching his bruised cheek.

One by one, his short fingernails splintered to give way to pointed claws at an impossible speed. When he opened his eyes, a glowing amber glared.

"Look at you, finally showing your true self," said the man in a varsity jacket, digging the dagger deeper onto Khalil's shoulder until he was forced to back away.

"You..." Khalil growled in a deep, guttural voice, his teeth bared. His gaze flicked to Klein on the elevator floor and his expression turned more enraged at his apparent fear. "Look at what you've done!"

The roar stiffened Klein's back. And even after the elevator door slid shut, he remained stuck in the corner, unmoving.