A/N: *checks notes* Lessee here...mmm...Okay, looking like we have three more chapters (including this) and then we're done? Though 8 might be a little short, so don't kill me!

Sidenote: I apologise for this being out a day late, but my little sister was taken to hospital yesterday so I couldn't access the Internet.


Luke held back a snort, trying to keep his face straight. 'You went the wrong way?'

'Shut up! Your images were confusing,' Asch snapped.

Luke shook his head slightly. 'You're an idiot.'

Their relationship had improved a lot, Luke mused. Asch rarely called him dreck anymore, and was overall a nicer person. Luke in return was quiet without complaint, though Asch had commented once that it was odd to see him so quiet.

Luke felt movement and stood up, helping his new friend up too. The two had talked a little in the night, and Luke learned he was called Ben. His parents had never been very reliant on the Score, so he'd never had his read. They'd also taken in a few replicas during the last few years, helping them sort their lives and get back on their feet.

The group stepped outside, and Luke wondered what was going on, when a tune began to play. Immediately he felt drowsy, and after a moment he sunk into the darkness.


Asch blinked as Luke was abruptly cut off. 'Luke? Luke, are you okay?' he asked, worry growing. Had he been killed by those bastards?!

He continued to prod, urging his horse faster. Half an hour later, Luke's mind responded.

'Ugh...Asch?'

'Luke! Thank Yulia you're okay. What happened?'

'I-I dunno...Some song started playing and I just blacked out.'

'Are you alright?'

'Yeah, we're all fine. We're walking somewhere. I don't think anyone else is awake yet though.'

'Can you show me?'

A few images came through of a long row of children walking blankly forward, the circus group around them.

'It's like that Pied Piper legend,' Asch mused, remembering the storybook from when he was younger.

'Pied Piper? What's that?' Luke asked.

'Didn't Mother ever read you that book?' Asch asked, surprised.

'No. Father got rid of those books so I could focus on learning, though I think Mother stored them somewhere,' Luke replied.

'Hmph. Sounds like Father...The Pied Piper was about a man who used a magical pipe to control the fonons in mice and lead them away from a village. When the villagers kicked him out without rewarding him, he used the pipe to control their children and take them away instead.'

'Well, it's certainly a lot like it. But then why don't any adults get drawn in?'

'I don't know, actually. I never read anything explaining it.'

'Do you think they're using this pipe then?' asked Luke.

'Maybe. I don't know though. Just stay quiet,' Asch ordered.


After Luke managed to give Asch a vague area - though not the direction they were travelling - Asch started visiting the towns around that area. It was haphzardous, but until they properly set up camp again, Asch couldn't find them.

Every evening, the kids were led out of the tent. Two or three would be selected, killed, then dragged off as the others were led back in. Luke hated how the chain seemed to be growing so empty.

As they set up camp, then led the kids out, Luke grasped Ben's hand. He was shaking but slowly acceptance was taking him over and he lost hope. Luke tried to reassure him, but Ben seemed to realise what he said was false.

"Alright little piggies, who should we eat tonight?" one of the other circus members purred, strutting along behind them. She suddenly lashed out, killing a child further down the line. The others drew back, clutching each other and crying a little.

"Heh, nice one," another guy said, undoing the chain.

"I think we'll just have one more..." the woman said, walking along. Luke heard her growing close and stiffened slightly, trying to keep calm.

He heard the sword whistle forward and braced himself for the blade. A choked cry came from beside him and he turned, watching numbly as Ben fell.

For a brief second their eyes met, then his limp body hit the ground.

Time sped up again. The kids either side of him flinched, giving quiet cries. Luke remained frozen, gazing at his body.

...He'd promised they'd escape. That he'd protect him. He had a family hoping he came home.

And now he was dead.

The chain tugged around his neck as Ben was undone and the kids started back in. He stumbled after them, gaze blank.

...Again. Once again, he was unable to save someone right in front of him.

As he took his place, he curled up, knees clutched to his chest. Some of the older kids looked at him pityingly; they had all known how close they had grown. Still, no one offered him comfort, afraid of what would happen if someone found out.

After a moment, he felt Asch in his mind. 'Luke? What happened?' he asked.

'I-I...I let him die, Asch...I should have helped, done something...'

'That Ben kid got selected?' Asch guessed.

'Yeah...' Luke mumbled, curling up tighter.

'...I'm sorry. This wouldn't have happened if I'd found you sooner.'

'It's not your fault.'

'And it's not yours, either. I think I'm on the trail, so just hang on a little longer, okay?'

'Right...'


A/N: I understand no one really got attached to Ben in this (which makes me sad) but I just couldn't drag this out and all of my friends decided he should be killed before they were rescued *shrug*. And at this point, it's looking like Luke's more emo than Asch :/

Review?