The chill of the cellar managed to penetrate pass the purple jacket as Ryuji sat on the cold ground, arms tried behind his back to a metal pole and blindfold tied tightly over his eyes. The blond tried his best to calm down as he replayed the events leading up to his capture. He left the house to meet with Akira at the arcade; he hadn't run into anyone or done anything differently. Everything was normal up until… Ryuji couldn't remember anything after that. He pulled harshly at his restraints and made a muffled noise of exasperation when they refused to give way. Whoever had taken him had made sure that he wouldn't be escaping anytime soon. He sighed and leaned his head back, banging it against the metal pole.

'You're awfully calm for someone who was kidnapped, Lad.' Kidd's voice rang throughout his head.

'I ain't!'

'Could've fooled me.'

Ryuji huffed and pulled again at his restraints.

'You're gonna break your wrists if ya keep that up.'

'Not helpin', Kidd!'

The sound of the door opening brought Ryuji out of his argument and the blond tried to hone in on the footsteps as they descended down into the cellar. The steps were nearly silent, almost as if the person had trained themselves to be stealthy. Ryuji jumps as he feels a hand grip his face, when had this asshole gotten so close to him? The blond struggles to pull his head away, but freezes upon feeling the cold edge of a knife across his face.

Oh shit.

"Shut up and listen well, Skull, because I'm only going to say this once." The owner of the hand casually said while dragging the sharp edge of the knife across the blond's cheek. "You're in my hands now, I've got your phone and I've got your teammates names. I've got a request for your team. Now," the knife was lifted away from his face. "I'm going to call them and I want you to keep quiet or else."

Ryuji grits his teeth behind the gag as the person dials the number on his phone. Dammit, the guys… he doesn't want the others tied to this. The phone picks up after three rings and Ryuji feels his heart sinks.

"R-"

"Hello, Joker."

"…Where is Skull?" Ryuji can hear the tense voice coming from the phone.

"He's fine for now." The blond could feel his kidnappers' eyes on him and he roughly pulled at his restraints. "I'd like for you to do something for me."

"…Let me see proof of life."

The person sighed and suddenly the duct tape was being torn from Ryuji's mouth. He swallowed down a yelp of pain before his phone was pressed against his ear and the sharp tip of the knife was placed against his neck.

"Remember what I said."

Ryuji swallowed harshly, feeling the knife drag against his Adam's apple. "H-hey, Joker."

"Skull, are you alright?"

The knife pressed harder. "I-I'm fine."

"Where are you?"

Ryuji cursed the heavy blindfold. "I-I wish I could tell ya, man."

The phone was pulled away before Akira could respond. "You have your proof."

"What do you want?"

"Have you seen the news, Joker, about the serial killer who cuts their victims up and tosses them into the river? The one they call the Butcher of Tokyo?"

"…I have."

"The Butcher would like for you to change the heart of someone."

Butcher of Tokyo…

Shit…

Was that who had him?

"… Who?"

"The chief of police, Wenaki Hoshibo. He's gotten to close to finding out Butcher's identity. I want to make sure that doesn't hap-"

"Joker!" Ryuji yells out. "Don't-"

Burning pain explodes in Ryuji's side, causing the blond let out a choked noise.

"I told you," The voi-Butcher leans down to Ryuji's ear. "To be quiet." He twists the knife and the teen lets out a scream of agony as he tries to worm away from the pain.

"Ry-Skull!" Akira's yell comes from the phone and Ryuji swears he can hear the others yell his codename out in concern. "What did you do to him!?"

"He's alive." Butcher says as he steps back and kicks the handle off the knife, leaving the blade stuck in the teen. Ryuji gave out a pained yelp at the feeling. "You have a week to change his heart or there's going to be a new body in the river."

Ryuji's eyes are tightly closed as blood flows freely from his body and onto the floor. He can feel Butcher glaring down at him as he ends the call and drops the phone on the ground. He grabs Ryuji's face and digs his blunt nails into his cheeks. The blond doesn't have the strength to pull back.

"Be lucky I stabbed your side instead of cutting out your tongue." Butcher digs the heel of his boot into the wound, plunging the knife in deeper. "Now, when I say 'keep quiet or else,' what are you going to do?"

Ryuji doesn't respond; his mind is too focused on the pain in his side. He misses the irritated noise the serial killer makes; and the small sound of a pocket knife being flicked open until the hand wretches his mouth open and the blade is shoved into the back of his throat and on top of his tongue.

Ryuji freezes and his heart beats faster out of fear. "Keep quiet!" He yells frantically.

"Good boy." Butcher throws his head back and the pole rings out from the impact. "The knife can stay in your body, maybe it'll teach you not to speak unless spoken to."

Ryuji slumps against the pole as the quiet footsteps ascend the stairs before the echoing slam of the door fills the room. His body feels on fire and cold all at once and he can feel blood leaving him at an alarming rate.

Kidd's voice is filled with concern as he reconnects their mindlink. 'Lad… Lad!'

'K-Kidd?'

'I'm here.'

'It hurts, Kidd, it hurts so effin' bad.'

'I know, but I'm gonna need ya to calm down.'

'W-what?' Ryuji squirms against his restraints again, trying to find some comfort from the pain. 'H-how can I keep calm when I gotta a knife in my gut!?'

'The faster your heart beats, the more blood ya lose.' Kidd sounds as if he knows this as a fact.

'…'

'Lad?'

'Help me…' Ryuji's voice sounds so frightened. 'I don't wanna die…'

'Think of somethin' or someone that calms you.'

Ryuji immediately thought of his mother and Akira and gradually his heart fell down to a steady rate.

'Good. Keep thinking of them. I'm gonna try and mindlink-'

'K-Kidd… Don't go… please don't go…'

'….I have to, Lad… If I can grab Arsene or one of the others, I can lead them here.'

'Kidd-'

'I'll be back! Don't die on me, Lad.'

Ryuji feels the link shut off and he's left alone; in darkness and in a cellar with a broken knife in his gut. A tired feeling washes over the blond and he can feel his eyes closing against his will.

'Mom… Akira...' Are the last names Ryuji thinks of before passing out.