Kei's POV...

It's not that my emotions are playing with me. Rather, the feeling of death has been conquering my mind.

Yes. The umpteenth times I have died in the same operating table. The day that I got caught, these people brought dangerous weaponry and certain objects that you've never thought to be deadly. They use spoons to gouged out my eyes. They use a fan to forced my fingers in. They use nails to pierce my body with. I mentally bared the pain but it all ended up with a muffled scream. How..how long will I endure this pain? How long will I stay in this hell hole?

The bandage covering my eyes isn't helping, shredding what little eye sight I could to describe where I was put in. I stare at the corner. A man with a operating mask covering his mouth, was holding an electric wires. Expecting to see if I would react to it. My eyes went horribly pale and grit my teeth in fear.

These people. Do they really not care whether I feel the pain or die countless times?! Could it be because I'm an Ajin? To them only, but I was just like them. They just don't see my part of the pain..!

As soon as the electric circuit was plugged inside of me, a surging heating shock consumed me. I gagged a muffle from the jolt. It hurts and I'm crying deep down. So many questions yet so little answers. My heart rate dropped and my brain shut down. My whole body turned hot, that I could no longer breath and so, with my eyes closed, I was met with death yet again.

I always thought that whenever I close my eyes, I can finally rest in peace and never wake up again. But I always wonder what would it be like to die normally? Will my soul be carried away up to Heaven? Be reincarnated? And forget all of this that happened to me up till now? Although sadly, that isn't the case, I am unable to die like an ordinary human should.

..Is this what my end will be? Stuck in the same operating table and gladly make them experiment me till I died and revive again? This is pure torture. What did I do wrong to deserve this hell..?!

It all came to a sense of routine. I was awoken from the death and only to be killed yet again. In the most brutality of torture I have come to know now. Letting me experienced the stretch of infinite pain, bounded on a table, unable to escape or call for help. Letting them use my body for their hellish experiment. To kill me and do outrageous stuffs at me. Then it goes on in a cycle. I look up at the ever still light above me, blinding me in a haze of pain, awaiting for something to come down. It was the only thing I was sick of looking.

"All right, break "
"That was a lot of work huh?"

My eyes went terribly wide. Hearing human languages for the first time. So this people only sees me as nothing but a piece of work..? Was I never a human in front of them...?

Cruel...why is this... happening to me?

"Then, I leave the rest to you"
"Yeah"

..I just wanted...to become a good person, thats all. But this...its too much...

I closed my eyes and awoke subconsciously in a dim lit room. Out in the light, I saw Tanaka, looking at me, with a pity smirk.

"Whats this? I thought you didn't want to become like me? Back then, weren't you looking at me with disdain?"

Scattered shards of moments passed through me like an invisible gale. The first time I saw Tanaka. How interesting Satou-san was. The voices of my own words that time began to echo.

[Its true that theres cruel humans out there..but, like you Satou-san, I don't want to consider every human as an enemy..]

I'm starting to regret these words. Every. Single. One.

"What about that sense of justice you carried?" Tanaka began, "Do you get it? You haven't experienced hell. Drop your high and mighty act. Even though you look down at them, you're the type of trash who only calls for help when you're desperate.."

I awoken back to reality only to witness the last remaining human with a knife. His about to kill me yet again..but I won't let him do as he please. I released my black ghost and maneuvered it for the kill.

"Thats right.."

So in order to free myself..

"Do it!"

I...

"Kill him!"

I...!

"Be your real self!"

I..!-

Out of my mind, an image of Kai was in front of me. The terrified look he had along with a severe injury on the side of his head. The anger consuming me faded away almost instantly, lifting a heavy weight off my shoulders. My clouded eyes open up lightly as it vanish. Opening me up for more opportunities. Yes..how could I forget..Kai.

"Why won't you do it?" Tanaka angrily questioned, "Kai won't come to your rescue anymore. Satou might have been caught too!"

If I do it...

Tears started to form on my eyes. Visioning me of a facial expression of Kai, looking strongly hostile as he walks away from me. I mentally broke down, my knees bowing on the concrete floor. I don't want that..

...Kai might come to hate me. He...is the only one I can never betray..

"As if killing a single person counts as betrayal!" Tanaka shouted, telling a coat of truth. He was right but I want to deny it.

You're wrong..

"Do you think you can no longer live a normal life if you kill someone? You just don't wa-"

Wrong!

"Hmph. You're a failure.." but I kept on denying

Wrong! Kai...For me..

I stared right down at my bandaged hands, seeing the stain of blood, sipping along the bandage. I frowned at the sight, beginning to hold something important. I finally understood how life was precious. The weight of his life.

Kai...he risked his life..His one and only life! But I could never do something like risk my life. Therefore, if I don't put everything I have on the line..I won't be fair to him..

"Why this little...-"

"Is that your resolve?"a familiar faint voice said, echoes surrounding us,"Honestly, I thought you were better than that Kei.."

Just then after those words, a familiar white haired appeared from the darkness. Same as Tanaka he was bandaged all over, but instead of white, they were black. They reminds me of the black ghost's appearance.

"I'll be doing the talking from here.."

"Tch.." annoyed by his presence, Tanaka clicked his tongue.

Tanaka walked through the darkness as Kaneki stood visibly still, making sure he was gone. Getting myself surprised at this sudden turn of event, I looked up at him, his tall figure looking down at me. Eyes, in deep cold silver.

"So you let yourself get caught by this men huh..?"

As if magic, he showed me the image of the doctor looking men, stabbing me with their weapons at hand. Doing all sorts of possible deaths to experiment on my immortality. I held held myself tightly, remembering silver metals and screws imbued in me. Chopping me down, Poisoning me to death and Taking little by little of what life I had in me.

I immediately looked away, trying to erase the thought of that horrible event. Never wanting to see the deaths I've experienced for days.

This people..

I cursed under my breath. My hands shaking in fear. Kaneki then began.

"The fault of all this is your weakness Kei.." I looked up at him, my eyes showing disbelief, "if your strong enough to throw that weak side of your self, then you wouldn't be in this hell mess.."

But..-

"Do you still think help will come..?"

This struck me aback as I look up in disbelief and held myself firmly on the ground. His words are far more sinister than Tanaka's. It really took an effect on me almost immediately after saying it.

How...how long do you think I'll wait...? How long will I endure? Tell me Kaneki, what exactly should I do?!

"Harden your resolve Kei.." he said while walking away then turned back to look at me. His grey eyes devoid to no kind of emotion.Like a lifeless doll looking at a dead helpless corpse, laying on a pool of blood, "Strengthen that up and I'm sure you'll fly by but I'm not sure how much long can you keep this up.."

If so...I'll...I'll endure this pain...

" ... "

I'll...I'll wait...

"Strong..." he smirked, but his eyes gave nothing but disappointment,"but your selfishly pathetic.." that struck me hard but after some thought, in tears I looked up at him with a determined look.

I'm fine with that...

He wasn't pleased but I kept going

..I'll do this for the sake of Kai...

"To go so far for a friend.." He smiled, grinning sickly.
"Interesting. Let's see how long will you last?"

He walked back in the dark leaving me in shambles but a determined thought. I looked up above, light blinding me. Till it instantly blacked out.

I woke up again. In the same table and same room. The light always blinding me, the sounds of rustling tools beside me, accompanied by the sounds of voices, talking about nothing how they will kill me. I gave nothing but a silent stare as then the incoming pain surges once more. The torture has yet began.

How...how many days has it...been?

Hide's POV...

After getting caught by the police, me and Kaneki finally escaped prison. I have a knack for hacking so we were both released after being accursedly convicted by accident. It took us ten days to get away from the police's eyes and I soon did hacking once more to erase our files from the police before they could go on a search. Now that our identities were erased, we have to somehow get by this world as strangers. Though, this is better than going to prison.

Still, it was sad that Kai wasn't able to keep up. And in his moments, after getting caught by the police, requested us to find Kei and help him if he was in trouble. We took his words to heart.

We each had a backpack, to store my quinque gun and Kaneki's mask along with other useful items and our old clothes. I bought snacks with me so I won't get hungry and Kaneki, who only consumes caffeine bought cans of coffee drinks. Well, everything is all prepared and secured, we won't have much problem about fitting in. If your asking how we got these stuffs, I used my last allowance. Glad I bought my wallet with me during the Owl raid. But, I was also surprised that Kaneki had a hefty savings left on his pockets.

Me and Kaneki are currently wearing suitable clothes for any types of weather. Kaneki wore a suitable black jacket, dark blue jeans and a hat to cover up his white hair. As for me, I took my utmost liberty, to wear a yellow jacket and dark green jeans. I wouldn't need any hat, cause most people would think its suspicious but if people sees us in another way, they would think that two guys were leisurely taking their bro-time, talking and laughing things about. Enjoying their youth and thats what were doing. However, Kaneki doesn't find anything to laugh about. He isn't his full and cheerful self like he used to.

"Kaneki.." I called pointing at the news as we walked about the busy streets in Tokyo. Viewing a familiar black haired teen, "isn't that Kei..?" Kaneki looked up, his eyes showing nothing but a lifeless look yet a dim of pity.

"Hide.."Kaneki spoke, his facial expression changes to a saddened yet determined look, "we could...live in this world and not worry about the littlest things.."

"True.." I uttered. He was right, we could live in this world without worrying about the government, now that were an unknown to them and as a great hacker, I can fake us a good identity. We could build our own house out of wood and settle in for a while. After that, once we get used to this world, we can adapt to our surroundings far well. Hell, we can even get a decent job if we behave enough and with enough funds, we could afford a bigger house. In case of Kaneki's hunger date, he should be smart enough to gather enough meals. Able to eat and hide at night. We have all the basic needs we have to survive. It would all be perfect. Peace is a certain. But thats what I thought at that moment..

"..but didn't we make a promise with Kai? And I'll stay true to that promise. And as a slightly experience soldier from CCG, I'm a grown man not backing it's words down, especially turning down a promise.." Kaneki sighed.

"There's nothing going through to you isn't it..?" Kaneki admitted

"Haha" I laughed, enjoying my victory in this conversation, "I'm glad your in the same boat then Kaneki.."

"However, in accordance to the promise we made with him, we need to get Kei out of that research facility.."

"Hmm" I move my fingers to my chin. Looking for a suitable thought as we began to ignore whats happening around us. Kaneki walking along beside me, accompanying me as we stroll down the crowded streets. Walking very silently among different streets and crowds, a snap of realization struck me. I stopped my tracks.

"Kaneki.." I called up to my best friend, "This may be a huge stretch, even though I said we should keep a chill file in this kinds of situations.." I started mapping our plans mentally, then turned to him, "you know what I mean right Kaneki?"

"I know..but that would mean.." Kaneki was uneasy, I could tell just by looking at him. However, those eyes held a different meaning, they were filled with determination. I smiled in suit.

"Yeah.." I replied with a schemeful smirk, "are you ready to bust Kei out?"

Kaneki took long moments of silence before, sighing. I gave a worried look, in ever the slightest that I doubt Kaneki could tell. I've never seen him denying so many things lately. He used to be so shy, so frail, but the one in front of me is strong, stoic and seems to be breaking inside. And that white hair. Something must have happened to him. Just like a mother to her son. Always, carrying the burden behind their backs. I just wish he could rely on me more.

"...There isn't much of a choice I can decide.." Kaneki lowly spoke, showing a small smile but for a moment it felt forced. I didn't want Kaneki to realize my worries and tried a different tactic. Releasing a chuckled laugh, I carried my legs. Starting to run from who knows where. Looking behind me, Kaneki followed, running at the same pace, following behind.

"Looks like it's about to rain.." I muttered, feeling the drip on my hand as I inspect the air as we ran. The clouds was becoming dark grey, but we continued on, running to our desired destination.

However, deep down, I was uneasy. With little amount of plan and strategy we have no way how to prepare. I closed my eyes and looked down at the sad city below us.

I just hope we can survive this..

Looking up to see my friend running ahead of me, my silent prays was only answered from above by a heavy rainfall.

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Next Chapter: Ghoul?

"The bullets..isn't hitting him either?!"

"That's amazing! Not only your an Ajin but you also have the ability 20 folds than a human does! I'll title you up as the last boss in my game!"

"Those tendrils.."

"A human ash..?"

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Bonus Chapter~❤️
(Kei's Mind)

Kei: can I question you Kaneki?

Kaneki: ...

Kei: How'd you get inside my mind?

Kaneki: ...

Kaneki: To be honest, I don't know myself.

Kei: eh?

Kaneki: I was about to sleep and the next thing I knew, I'm stark naked and covered in bandages..

Kei: so..your an Ajin?

Kaneki: Can't say about that but since I'm here and all, I guess I'm supposed to give you this routine of the so called, "Psychological hallucinations and the words of despair and regret?" I don't know but I feel like I'm taking Rize's role in this..

Kei: ? Who's Rize..?

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Yellow guys~❤️ So this is the end of the chapter~ and I guess I left a Cliffhanger in here? Sorry~ but this is all my ideas could take me. Even with a prepared next Chapter preview~ (- w -)/ I just finished watching tokyo ghoul re: despite that I had already read the latest chapter in the manga~ Okay gotta go now, bye guys~! ( w )%