Chapter Three: Kyoko-
If getting called in the middle of the night to prevent a murder wasn't bad enough, seeing a familiar face trying to commit said murder is
Late-night calls weren't completely foreign to Kyoko. Her position in the police force meant that she was subject to their whims, like most of the officers, but she hadn't expected a call that night. The day had been relatively peaceful, with only a few close calls dealing with things like domestic disputes and illegal fishing.
This time, however, they had evidently received a letter telling them that a murder was to take place soon, near 40th and Wisconsin ave. This was Kyoko's first potential murder call, too. Needless to say, she was nervous. Of course, she didn't allow that to slow her down, the officer having briefly paused to kiss her spouse goodbye before heading straight out.
If there was a life in danger, Kyoko was determined to save it. After all, that was her job. She didn't spend years of her life working towards this profession to just sit back and watch. Besides, it wasn't her style regardless.
As Kyoko neared her destination, however, her nerves continued to grow, and she began to realize that, in trying to stop a murder, she may very well be murdered herself. Taking a shaky breath, Kyoko calmed her speeding heart. No, she wouldn't die. She would come home to her husband, no matter the cost.
Finally, she arrived. There was a quaint neighborhood at 40th and Wisconsin, and a dog park nearby. Of course, if a murder were to happen, this fragile little community would be the easiest target. Some children were still out and about, despite it being well past midnight, and it appeared as though most of the adults had gone to bed.
Questionable parenting aside, Kyoko made quick work of asking her commanding officer where she should search, and he assigned her to the park. Walking there was no problem, but Kyoko couldn't shake the feeling that something… bad, for lack of a better term, was lurking. Like, some sinister presence was just waiting to descend upon her, and steal her away into the night.
Kyoko shoved down her fears, though, and began searching through the dark park, flashlight in hand. First, she scoured the open fields, heading to the back of the park, which transitioned into woods. Finding nothing, Kyoko decided to loop back around and check the side with the public restrooms and playground toys.
The playgrounds proved fruitless, and the insides of the bathrooms were rid of people, with the exception of a presumably homeless man, who seemed to be passed out in the men's side.
With a sigh, though she wasn't sure if it was one of relief or frustration, Kyoko decided to head back and report her findings. However, one thing stopped her. A strange noise, like two pieces of metal rubbing against each other.
Growing suddenly afraid, Kyoko swallowed her emotions and followed the sound behind the bathrooms. As she neared the corner, her footsteps gradually stopped.
Did she really want to go through with this? Kyoko knew she could die tonight; had known the moment she received the call, but… She couldn't suppress her second guesses. Taking a few deep breaths, Kyoko balanced herself.
No. She had to do this. This was justice. This was her job. Finally, she allowed herself a peek around the corner. Kyoko's eyes widened, and she had to cover her mouth to keep in a gasp.
A young boy, no older than ten, was there, hanging. Limp. Lifeless. Bloody.
Before him, a wily figure stood, hair unkempt and long, scissors in each hand. The boy had the figure's other scissors; in his wrists, his throat, his stomach. Even in one of his eye sockets.
Blood pooled from these inhumane wounds, painting the grass and dirt a shade of red so deep, it almost looked black. Traces of tears could be seen remaining on his face, but most of it was soaked in a stream of blood.
Kyoko wanted to puke.
That wasn't the end of it, though. The child had several stab wounds on his thighs and pelvic region, which stained his shorts the color of his insides.
Kyoko turned to take a step back when she heard the metal again. And a step. It was close to her. Foolishly, she turned and looked, only to find the mystery figure's face revealed. Kyoko couldn't believe her eyes.
"T-Toko?" She breathed, barely audible. The swirling red irises and bloody tongue said otherwise, and at the movement of Toko's scissors, Kyoko found herself running.
Run, live, don't die, you can't die. These thoughts repeated over and over again as she bolted through the park, Toko right on her heels. She still needed to have kids, she still needed to apologize to her father, she still needed to get a cat. A thousand regrets fizzled in her mind, and Kyoko couldn't stop the tears that soon graced her terrified face.
"KYooKOo!" Toko's voice cut through her thoughts, and Kyoko almost tripped upon hearing how close Toko was. However, she was almost to the other officers. Seeing her, they pulled their guns and trained them on the rampaging Toko.
"Put your hands in the air!" One shouted. Kyoko could hear the footsteps behind her slowing. Running on pure adrenaline, however, she continued her breakneck pace until she was safely among her fellow officers, after which she fell to the ground, suddenly unable to breathe.
"Put your hands in the air!" The man from before repeated. Kyoko looked up from her position. She could hardly believe her eyes. Toko, her quiet acquaintance, was splattered in blood, and a devilish grin was contorted on her suddenly unfamiliar face.
"Sorry, but I've gotta split!" Toko cried, a loud laugh splitting the air as, in moments, she had maneuvered herself atop one of the houses. "Seeya!" And, with that, she was gone. Kyoko couldn't begin to process what just happened. The rest of the night passed in a dazed, painful blur, but she recalled something about getting the next day off, and to try her best to stay contacted with Toko, no matter what.
This was all meaningless to Kyoko, however, who promptly clambered back into bed and snuggled up to her spouse. She could deal with things in the morning, when they hopefully made more sense.
Hopefully.
