246 34 Birthday

Rick stared for a good second. As he stepped over some rubble, his mind went blank. However, his body kept moving. Walking towards the boy he let down fourteen years ago. He opened his mouth. "N-" he tried to get it out, but it got caught in his throat. "Oh?" Norio turned around. Rick quickly turned. Chris, and Maru pulled up. "Oi!" Chris ran out. "Wait, what the h.e.l.l are you-" Norio stared at Maru. "Ah," He said. Rick quickly turned back to Norio. "I'm sorry, I don't know why they're her-" Norio shut his eye and nodded. "Nah, it's fine." He opened his eye. "What's the kids name?" He questioned. "M-" Norio looked at Rick. "Let her answer." He said. Maru looked at Chris. "Go on," Chris said. Rick chuckled nervously. "M-Maru..." Maru answered quietly. "Maru, Huh?" Norio nodded. "Maru," He paused, and gave Rick a look. "What would you do if I told you," Norio shook his head. "That's wrong of me," He turned to Rick. "Wanna tell her what you've been doing these past fourteen years?" Rick's heart dropped. He opened, then quickly shut his mouth. "Tch," Norio sighed. "Got cold feet, eh Mr. Reaper...?" Chris' eyes widened. Rick stood there, frozen. Maru quickly looked up. "Does that name ring a bell...?" Norio asked. Maru's eyes widened. "Oi!" Chris cried. "Just what the h.e.l.l are ya trying ta' accompl-" Norio glared. "I wouldn't get so brave and mighty, as the person who wiped her memories." He shut his eye. "Ah...guess I said too much." He whispered. Rick stared blankly. Chris was speechless. Maru looked around frantically, with fear in her eyes. "Tch," Norio ran his fingers through his hair, and huffed. "Y'know....I used to look up to you." He looked down. "What for, I wonder?" He took a step. "Happy birthday, Rick." He said, looking down as he walked away. Suddenly, Rick began laughing. Chris quickly looked up. Rick placed a hand on his stomach, as he continued to laugh hysterically. Chris stood there, stunned. "Maru!" He said, between laughs. Maru stood there. He walked over, extending out his arms. Maru slowly lifted her head. As she looked up at him, images flashed of The Reaper, then to Rick, then back to the Reaper. She whimpered. "Maru..." his voice broke. He slowly knelt to the ground, wrapping his arms around her. He began to sob into her shoulder. Maru began trembling. She stood there, frozen. The one person that had admired. He was now on his knees, breaking down into tears in absolute defeat. The first adult that she had come to put her full trust in. He was also the man that had betrayed her. He was the man who had murdered her best friend. It was all too much. Maru's eyes slowly closed, as she lost consciousness.