"Lia—
"AGGGHHHHHHHHH"
A bloodcurdling scream pierced their ears, sending them recoiling in surprise. It was a scream of pain, rich in despair.
The two snapped their attention to the boy and watched him:
Stumbling around like a drunkard, smacking into the wall and tumbling to the ground, only to struggle onto his feet before falling again and again...until he eventually hunched over and pressed his forehead to the ground.
Emilia noticed the shadows deepen around the boy where he knelt, but thought it was a trick of the eye, or maybe a cloud passing by.
The boy was clutching himself—No, no, that's not right, he was...grabbing hysterically at his arms and stomach, clawing away at his own skin. For what reason, she did not know, but she did not like it.
Slowly, his screams weakend, turning into heavy wails, paired in short, ragged breaths.
Face gripped in hand, tears streamed from eyes that trembled frantically; with pinpoint pupils like needles, stricken in fear.
Emilia was utterly befuddled by the turn of events.
She had only helped him because she needed to find her insignia, definitely not for any other reason, none whatsoever. The boy had information she needed, and even offered to help, although she had her doubts; there was absolutely no other reason she helped the boy. Purely selfish intentions.
Now, this boy was clearly in a great deal of pain. But why? She just witnessed him being beaten up, but it was not to this degree, and he was conversing with them just fine a moment ago.
'What could have happened?'
The boy was not getting any better; In fact, he only seemed to be getting worse.
He had gone silent after some time, and his entire body was shaking even more violently than before. The scratching had ripped through skin in several places, even his neck and face, enough to smear blood everywhere.
Emilia had seen enough and moved to help him. In his state, she thought it was appropriate to heal first and ask questions later. She moved cautiously, doing her best not to startle him.
Noticing his mouth moving, it seemed he was repeating something.
She sensed that he wasn't fully conscious, like he was in a trance. Stepping in closer, until she was kneeling next to him. Only then could she hear what he was muttering.
"IllkillerIllkillerIllkillerI'llkillherI'llkillherI'llkillherI'llkill herI'll kill her, I'll kill her — I'll Kill Her —"