Kai's eyes snapped open as pain ripped him from the darkness which had engulfed him and his consciousness. He yelled through the duct tape on his mouth and tried to pull his arm away from whatever was slicing through it, only to realise it – like the rest of him – was tightly secured to a wooden chair.
A thick nail was buried deep into his forearm, though had mercifully missed his bone and continued through the muscle.
"I thought that would wake you," said a smooth voice from behind him, one that required no introduction.
Kai felt his world spin. Omen had finally caught him. He pulled violently at his restraints and tried rocking the chair until Omen walked around into view, twirling a hammer in his hand and giggling darkly. He looked around and saw Max staring back at him with wide, shocked eyes. Beside him Ray, Mariah, Tyson and Daichi – who had been rebound to his chair – watched him with the same expression.
"Not very talkative?" Omen asked, throwing the hammer across the room and walking over to a nearby table and taking up a large knife, "Maybe I should loosen your tongue a little?"
He twirled the blade and sliced across Kai's shoulder. Kai squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore the pain which would have been like telling him not to breathe. Impossible.
"Still not chatty?" Omen laughed, "How rude! This might help!"
He took the corner of the tape and tore it off quickly. It was like unleashing the flood gates as every cuss and profanity imaginable cascaded from Kai's mouth. Omen raised his eyebrows in surprise before slapping the tape back over and shaking his head.
"Now, now! That kind of language is just not suitable for civilised conversation! Please Kai, there's a child and a lady in the room, show some respect!"
He pulled the tape off again and Kai growled angrily, the amount of self-control needed to prevent himself from unleashing the torrent once more almost physically hurt him.
"You're a piece of fucking work…" he hissed.
"Not as bad as before but still not pleasant," Omen said casually, "Really Kai, who raised you?"
Kai smile nastily, "Someone who loved me. Who raised you?"
"Oh, cold!" Omen said, his smile fading a little, "That was pretty fucking cold Kai."
Omen punched him in the face, his smile growing a little more as Kai spat blood from his mouth.
"That's better."
"Why draw this out?" Kai asked, staring fearlessly into Omen's eyes, "You know you want me dead. Just do it. The longer you wait, the more chance there is of us escaping."
"You have an excellent point," Omen said, circling Kai like a hungry predator, "You see, I really do want to kill you all straight away and not waste another second… but then again, if you escape, this hunt will begin all over again. That means more fear, more blood and more death to get to you. You see, you all have been making out how evil I am, when you're all no different…"
"How the fuck do you figure that?" Kai asked.
"It's so simple!" Omen said, his amusement growing by the second, "You never thought of giving yourselves up to me, did you? You never thought to sacrifice your own lives in order to save the others. Every single murder and death that has happened was all because of you. So I could get to you. If you had given yourselves up, you could have saved hundreds of lives."
"That's a lie…" Kai replied, "You would never stop killing."
"That's where you're wrong," Omen sighed longingly, "You see, Kyata worries about me so I made her a deal. If I kill you, I'll stop killing for good. I'll put down my knife and become one of the mindless sheep."
"No…" a small voice said from the doorway, "You don't have to."
Omen was genuinely surprised for a moment as Kyata stood at the door. Kai glared at her, seeing the adoring look in her eyes as she stared at him, then noticing the rest of the room. Kai saw Omen's face drop a little as Kyata looked around the room, her eyes wide.
"This is the first time I've seen your work," she said in a hushed voice.
"You weren't supposed to be here Ky…" Omen said, "I didn't want you to see-"
"It's beautiful…"
Kai was sure that he and Omen shared the same amount of shock at that moment. Kyata looked around in awe and smiled.
"Excuse me?" Omen asked.
"The colours, the lights, the placements…" Her eyes wandered around the room before landing on Omen, "The way you've prepared all of this, it's so artistic."
"Wow…" Omen smiled, his eyes holding nothing but adoration as he stared at the petite girl before him, "I didn't think it was possible for me to love you more."
"Omen," Kyata stepped up to him and looked him in the eye, "I know how much you love killing people, despite how evil and dangerous it is. However, I have no right to take away something you like. I want you to be happy, and if doing this," she gestured to the room and Kai who sat just behind her with a dark look on his face, "makes you happy, then please keep doing it!"
Omen leaned down and kissed her sweetly, whispering a small "thank you" as their lips parted. He had been so distracted by her, he barely managed to notice the thick chunk of timber which swung around behind her. He pulled her around behind him quickly, shielding her with his own body. The timber struck him across the face and he fell to the ground, his vision and mind swimming as his consciousness flirted with darkness.
Kyata screamed and ran to his side as Hilary stepped back, the timber heavy in her trembling hands. She gritted her teeth and backed up towards Kai, taking Omen's knife from where she had secured it to her leg and hacking at Kai's bonds.
"You're brilliant," he said with a proud smile, "As soon as you free me get the hell out of here! Find Tala and Trixie! Understand?"
Hilary nodded. Kai smiled as she cut through one side but could only manage half a yell when Kyata suddenly tackled Hilary to the ground, her small hands wrapping around Hilary's throat tightly. Kai ripped his left arm from the thick tape and began pulling at the tape on his right when he noticed Omen slowly pushing himself back up onto his hands and knees.
Daichi and Tyson looked at each other, a look passing between them as panic surged through their veins. Daichi nodded and thrust himself sideways, crashing to the ground again and rubbing his face across the carpet to remove the tape again. He ignored the burn and moved faster than he had before. Tyson also rocked onto his side and landed in front of Daichi, his bound wrists close enough for Daichi to start pulling at with his teeth.
Omen groaned and closed his left eye as blood poured down the side of his face. He gritted his teeth angrily, his eyes blazing with rage as he looked around, trying desperately to get his vision to focus. He took up the large knife he had been holding and turned, seeing that Kai was almost free.
"No…" Omen growled darkly, "Don't even think about it Kai…"
He staggered to his feet, his head throbbing and left eye blinded by blood. His entire world swam as his mind pleaded to fall unconscious. He held the knife tightly and raised it, coming towards Kai who tore viciously as the tape on his arm.
Kai saw the blade coming down and threw all of his weight to the side, knocking the chair over and narrowly avoiding a fatal strike. Though he did not escape unscathed. He roared in agony as the blade buried deep into his thigh. Even though it had not hit its mark, Omen was still satisfied.
"Now you can't run," he said, his voice low and sinister, "You're mine!"
The two boys froze as a scream ripped from one of the girls. Kai made to punch at Omen put it was deflected quickly, even though Omen knew it was just a fluke he was even able to see it coming through the bloody haze.
"No!" Hilary shouted suddenly, attracting both Omen and Kai's attention, "Don't you touch him Omen!"
Omen blinked for a moment, his vision settling on Hilary who had Kyata pinned underneath her with his dagger pressed firmly to her throat. She clutched her shoulder tightly and at that point Omen's mind when black, though only for a second. The next, he realised it was Kyata who had screamed. Hilary had stabbed her. Blood trickled over Kyata's fingers as she clutched her shoulder, trying desperately to focus on anything but the pain.
"You hurt her…" Omen said quietly, completely losing focus on Kai and starting towards Hilary, "You hurt my Kyata… Pregnant or not, you're going to die for that..."
Hilary began to tremble. His voice was low and full of rage. It was scarier than he had ever been before.
"Stay back!" she shouted, her eyes darting towards Kai who ripped the knife from his thigh, "I'll cut her again if you don't!"
"No you won't," Omen said quietly, "You stabbing my angel was a mere accident, you can tell by the way your hand is shaking and the look in your eyes."
Kai cut through the rest of his bonds quickly at the same moment Daichi undid Tyson's bound hands. Kyata saw them both and her eyes locked on Omen who was completely focussed on them and did not see the danger around him.
"OMEN!" She screamed, beginning to thrash, "Look out! Behind y…"
Hilary winced as blood splashed her face and Omen completely froze. The knife fell from Hilary's violently shaking hand and disbelief and despair consumed her.
"No…" Omen whispered, "KYATA!"
XXX
Zane opened his eyes wearily and looked around, squinting as the light above him blinded him momentarily. It took him a moment to realise he was laid under a lamp post in grass so soft he could have fallen asleep. A thin cloud of cigarette smoke drifted in front of the light, making him look to the source.
It was the girl who had come to him earlier. He sat up a little and watched her closely, realising she was real and had not just been a figment of his imagination. Her grey eyes landed on him and she flashed him a half smile. Her jagged, light blue hair framed her pretty face but her expression was blank, as though she were detached. It reminded him of how Kai always looked.
"You're awake," she said casually, "You all right?"
She stubbed the cigarette out in the dirt, waiting for his response.
"Fine," he replied, "Who are you?"
"Your kind of girl, apparently," she replied with that smile again, "My name is Hikaru Hasama."
Zane looked away from her and spat, still able to taste the blood in his mouth. He winced and laid back down.
"Don't move too much," Hikaru said, watching him, "You've broken a rib and probably some internal damage. Just a guess though."
"Are we waiting here for an ambulance then?"
"Nope."
Zane looked at Hikaru incredulously, "I'm bleeding and broken and all you've done is drag me to the curb?"
"I don't have a phone," Hikaru said with a shrug, "Figured we'd sit here until I saw a car come along."
"How's that working out for you?"
"We're still here aren't we?"
Zane sighed and slipped his mobile from his pocket, every move burning him on the inside. Before he could even search for a number she snatched his phone from him and examined it. Zane sighed in frustration.
"What, you're going to steal from me now too? Couldn't you have done that when I was unconscious?"
"I'm calling for you," she replied simply, "In your condition, I doubt you'd be able to raise the phone to your ear. Besides, would you really want some girl you've just met to go fishing through your pants?"
"Wouldn't be the first time."
Hikaru smiled and Zane saw the amusement sparkle in her eyes. It was nice.
"Don't call an ambulance," he said, "Look under Don. Call him, he's a paramedic and family."
Hikaru nodded and obliged. Zane took the time to drink in the rest of her features. She was short with Don, uncaring and almost cold, yet the way she kept glancing over to Zane contradicted her tone. He smirked as she described his condition over the phone, noticing the concern laced in her grey eyes. Her skin was flawless and lightly tanned which complimented her odd coloured hair. Her eyes weren't quite the solid grey he had assumed. They looked a little more purplish when they caught the light. A duffle bag sat beside her and he studied it as she ended her conversation with Don.
"He'll be here soon." She said, putting his phone on his chest, "So, you all good?"
"Peachy," Zane replied, nodding at the bag, "You a traveller?"
She smiled a little and nodded her head.
"You could say that…"
"What do you mean?"
Hikaru ran a hand through her hair and looked up at the sky.
"You're going to think I'm insane. There are a few reasons I came here actually. I'm not quite sure if it was to aid my future… or end it."
Zane continued to watch her and she realised he was waiting for her to continue. She sighed before reluctantly launching into her story.
"My mum died a week ago," she said, "She was sick, but always told me to keep on practicing my beyblading so I could become a champ one day…"
"You're a beyblader," Zane said with a smirk, "I wasn't expecting that."
Hikaru nodded, "Yeah… Well you see I'm not sure if I should be… I'm not very good, and my mum was the one who always pushed me. I felt that if I did well, I would be making her happy and thus making her less sick. A ridiculous, childish notion. Now that she's gone, I don't feel anything for the sport. Only pain. I don't have anything anymore…"
"So…" Zane looked her right in the eye, "Why are you here…"
"It's either to search out Tyson Granger and get him to train me," Hikaru replied, her face becoming darker, "Or… to find the serial killer in this area and see just how fast he can put me out of my misery…"
Zane's hand moved involuntarily and clasped her hand tightly. She did not move her hand away but looked over to him, her expression softening.
"The killer isn't going to kill you," he said, knowing that Omen would not kill this girl if he requested it, "Nor will you be able to see Tyson Granger. That doesn't mean you should end your life you know…"
"How do you know?" Hikaru asked, "About the killer and about Tyson?"
Zane smiled as a car suddenly screeched to a stop beside them. He heard Don's voice instantly but did not take his focus from Hikaru.
"You're going to think I'm insane…"
XXX
Kyata gasped as her hands gripped her throat, trying desperately to stop the blood which poured from her throat as Omen rushed to her side. The cut was not deep enough for it to be instantly fatal, but if she wasn't taken to a hospital, it would be a slow and painful death. Hilary backed away quickly, but Omen did not even acknowledge her presence. He tore the sleeve off his shirt and pressed it gently to her throat, panic coursing through him as he tried desperately to help her. Tears swelled in her eyes and she looked afraid.
Hilary scrambled towards Kai who pulled her into his arms, holding her tighter as she began to cry.
"We have to help her!" Hilary sobbed, "Oh my god… I've killed her haven't I? You can't let her die Kai! You can't let her die!"
"Kyata," Omen said quickly, scooping her into his arms, "I need you to stay with me alright? Just keep listening to my voice, I'll get you to Don and he'll fix you alright?"
He made towards the door, struggling with each step and unable to even walk straight. Kai gritted his teeth as he gripped the knife in his hand and headed towards the others. Tyson was already freeing Max as Daichi worked on Mariah.
"He won't make it to the hospital in time…" Kai said quietly as Hilary followed, "He won't even make it out of the school. Ray and Mariah…" he sliced straight through the ropes securing them, "Take Kyata and get her help. I'll keep Omen here."
"Are you going to kill him?" Ray asked, glancing over to the weakened murderer.
"I'm not sure…" Kai said, running a hand through his hair, "I'll figure it out later. Get her to a hospital and get yourselves checked out."
Ray nodded and followed Kai and Tyson as they ran over to Omen who was still talking to Kyata, the fear clear in his voice. Omen stopped suddenly as Ray and Mariah stepped in front of him, not realising he was surrounded.
"Get out of the way or die." He growled.
"We're taking her to get help," Ray said firmly, "Let her go or you'll hurt her more."
Kai and Tyson took Omen's arms tightly while Ray and Mariah gently grasped Kyata's body. Omen tried to resist but when Kyata coughed blood, he stopped. Ray was right, he was just hurting her more. He let her go.
"The emergency exit in the abandoned stairwell at the end of the science block…" he said hollowly, "That's how to get out…"
Suddenly, Kyata's free hand grabbed his shirt and terror shone in her eyes. Omen pulled to get away from his captors as Ray and Mariah tried to pull her away.
"I have to go with her," Omen said, his eyes still on hers, "I have to! Get off me!"
Omen's heart leapt into his throat as Kyata's hand fell limply from his shirt. Her eyes began to close and a small smile spread over her bloody lips.
"GO!" Kai roared at them.
Ray and Mariah ran down the hall, their movements fluid and graceful. Omen was like a stone in Kai's grip. He had seen that look in people's eyes before… the look they all got right before they died. She was dead. He knew she was. He looked at his front and realised how much blood was drenching him.
"She's dead…" Omen said softly, "There's too much blood… Hilary killed my Kyata…"
"We don't know that yet," Kai replied, "Besides, even if Kyata does live, you'll never see her again. She's safer without you anyway."
"Really…" Omen whispered, "You know Boris Balkov… don't you Kai?"
Kai stiffened, "Yes."
Omen smiled, his head hanging a little as blood still dripping from his face, "He hurt Kyata once… he hurt her really bad to get at me."
Kai's eyes narrowed and he felt a little pang of pain in his chest. He knew exactly what Boris would have done.
"You know what I did to him?" Omen continued in his calm monotone, "Have you ever heard of an Israeli Hanging? It's a form of torture… you bring the bound arms up behind the victim and keep on going until their arms pop out of their sockets. I killed him like that Kai, but oh, how he suffered for what he did to her…"
Omen's shoulders began to shake and Kai was not sure if he was crying or laughing until he spoke again.
"He was screaming for death Kai," Omen giggled as tears streamed down his cheeks, "But it took well over an hour for him to die. He screamed and he cried and he pissed himself… and all he did was use my beautiful angel's body…"
Kai's grip tightened as he felt Omen's muscles stiffen. He and Tyson looked at each other as Max and Daichi consoled Hilary. Kai would have given anything for Tala to be there. Where the hell was he?
"Find Tala!" Kai shouted back to Max, "NOW!"
"What do you think I'm going to do to Hilary, Kai?" Omen continued, bringing Kai's attention straight back to him, "She took Kyata from me, she killed my angel… What the hell do you think is going to happen to her?"
"GET OUT OF HERE!" Tyson yelled at Max, Hilary and Daichi as they headed for the door.
"Don't worry about us Max!" Kai shouted, "Find Tala and get the fuck out!"
Max nodded and grabbed Hilary's wrist while Daichi took her other hand and pulled her out of the room. Hilary's eyes met Omen's as they passed each other and her blood ran cold. His eyes locked on hers, hollow and dark, completely lightless yet burning for vengeance. He smiled at her knowingly, and at that moment, she resigned herself to the fact she was going to die.
Max and Daichi ripped her along the hallway, forcing her into a sprint. Kai could feel all of Omen's muscles tense, like a creature about to strike.
"What are you going to do now Kai?" Omen asked softly, "You should kill me now. Maybe I'll be able to see Kyata one last time before she steps into heaven. God knows I'll never be able to be with her again. At least I'll be able to see her face again…"
Kai and Tyson looked at each other, unsure of what to do. They had him, finally. Now what? Kai gritted his teeth. He had no choice. If he allowed Omen to live, he would only go on to kill Hilary. He moved his hand to his belt where he had stowed the knife when he realised his mistake. Omen slipped quickly from their grip and backed away from them, still unstable on his feet but faster than they expected.
"You shouldn't hesitate," Omen said softly, "You should have killed me."
Omen shot towards Tyson and struck him sharply in the throat before twisting around and kicking him hard in the stomach. Tyson stumbled back, hitting the ground hard as Kai defended him. Kai had not expected Omen to go for Tyson. He expected him to target the greater threat. He was unpredictable.
Omen suddenly began running down the hallway after Max, Hilary and Daichi, not checking to see if Tyson was unconscious or if Kai was in hot pursuit. Kai turned to Tyson who looked as though he were struggling to breathe.
"Go," Tyson croaked, "Save her! Go!"
Kai nodded and raced after Omen, their normal speed at least halved, hindered by their injuries. Omen shook his head, trying to stay conscious as he tore after Hilary. It was as though the person he was had died with Kyata, leaving only the pitiless, blood thirsty killer. All sense of caution and cunning was lost. He craved blood. Like a junkie going through withdrawal, he would do anything to get his fix. Even hindered he was gaining ground on the others.
Kai heard him begin laughing madly as the others came into view ahead as they turned and shot up the stairs.
"Run while you can little piggies!" Omen roared, "Because the big bad wolf is coming to EAT YOU UP!"
He laughed loudly again and tore up the stairs shakily. Kai was slightly faster though. The moment Omen's foot touched the top stair, Kai's strong hands grabbed his shoulder and the pair crashed back down the stairs, landing hard on the floor. Kai barely had enough time to open his eyes when Omen's hands gripped his throat tightly and squeezed every breath of air from him.
"DIE!" Omen giggled, his eyes wide and wild, "Can you see it Kai? Can you see the gates of death? Give Kenny and Shana my regards will you?"
Kai closed his eyes tightly and fought for air as he struggled with Omen, trying to pry his unyielding fingers from his throat. He opened his eyes slightly and only saw a flash of blonde hair as Max tackled Omen off Kai and dragged him away. Kai spotted Daichi trying to pull Hilary away as she peered down the stairs, making sure her love was alright.
Omen and Max were locked in combat, though Max was quickly realising just how much stronger Omen was. It did not matter though, he would fight him to the death.
"I didn't realised how much it hurt Maxy," Omen whispered softly, his smile gone as he stared straight into Max's eyes, "Kyata was my world… I'm not sure what to do without her… However…" his dark smile returned, "I suppose killing you in her name would be a good start!"
He forced Max back against the wall. Max gritted his teeth and tried pushing back, though it did little in the face of Omen's insane strength.
"Why fight me?" Omen hissed, "I'm going to send you to meet Shana, you should welcome this!"
"I can't go to where the angels go," Max replied, "She is too pure to remain with people like me! I'll be with Kyata, not with my Shana."
Omen suddenly froze, his eyes ablaze with rage and every muscle in his stone-like body was stiff.
"You'll be with Kyata? My Kyata? No…" Omen pulled Max closer before suddenly and brutally slamming him back against the wall, "No!"
Max's head smacked the wall hard and his world spun out of control as a migraine instantly appeared. Kai grabbed Omen from behind and threw him backwards and away from Max. Omen landed on his knees but did not get back up. He just kneeled their facing them, completely unaware that Hilary was edging down the stairs behind him.
XXX
"What the hell is going on Zane?" Don shouted, looking from him to Hikaru, "And who is this? Is she in with Omen and his shit?"
"No," Zane replied calmly as his cousin inspected his injuries and treated them, "She found me and has been watching out for me. Her name is Hikaru Hasama."
Don glanced at Hikaru before nodding to her, "Well… thanks. Still, what is going on Zane? I know Omen had something big planned tonight but I didn't know this was going to happen to you! Are you bleeding from your mouth?"
Zane swished his tongue around the inside of his mouth before nodding with a childish smile. Don cursed and pulled Zane gently to his feet, though the exasperation was clear in his voice.
"This isn't good mate… not good at all… Come on, let's get you to the hospital."
Zane nodded and started towards the car when Hikaru suddenly took his shoulder, making him look around. She wasn't even looking at him, but back towards the school.
"Friends of yours?" She asked curiously.
Zane followed her line of sight and went rigid. It was Ray and Mariah. They had escaped the school. They were carrying someone in their hands. Was it Hilary or Trixie? No…
As they got closer, Zane felt his heart leap into his throat. He forgot about his injuries and ran towards them, recognising the petit girl in Ray's arms.
"What the hell have you done?" Zane yelled as they drew closer.
Mariah paused for a moment, realising who exactly they were running towards, but Ray did not wait for a single second. He ran straight up to Zane who took in Kyata's appearance in a second and looked completely gutted. Don saw the state of the poor girl and was instantly at her side. Hikaru looked confused and scared.
"You need to get her to a hospital!" Ray said quickly, "The cut on her throat isn't very large, but if she doesn't get help soon, and I mean really fucking soon, she will die. She's already lost too much blood!"
"Give her to me," Don said, reaching out but Ray refused and moved straight past him and to the car.
"You drive," Ray said, the authority in his voice strong and clear, "Mariah and I will head to the hospital with you," he saw Zane open his mouth but cut him off, "Fighting only wastes time that Kyata doesn't have. You either by the look of you. Get in the car."
Don was already moving around to the driver's seat. Zane gritted his teeth angrily and followed Ray and Mariah into the back of the van, getting in behind them before motioning for Hikaru to follow. She obeyed silently, curious as to what was happening. The second she was in the car Don hit the accelerator, though not too quickly as to cause discomfort for Zane and Kyata.
Kyata's eyes fluttered as she faded in and out of consciousness. Her body was weak and limp, yet her small hand still made its way into Zane's.
"What happened to her?" Zane asked quietly, his dark eyes drilling murderously into Ray who showed no fear of him, "Tell me!"
"There was an accident," Ray said simply. "That's all there is to it."
"How did you get out?" Zane pushed.
"Omen let us out," Ray replied, enjoying the look of surprise on Zane's face, "He told us to save her."
Zane bit his bottom lip and squeezed Kyata's hand a little. Mariah glanced hesitantly at Zane before taking the pink sash from her hair and holding it gently to Kyata's neck, relieving Ray who had been using a torn scrap of his shirt.
"Look at you two," Ray hissed at Zane, and nodding at Kyata, "You're a mess and she's about to die… How could you both be stupid enough to stay by Omen's side after he's introduced you to all of this?"
"Why do you stay by Kai?" Zane snarled, "Kenny's dead, Shana's dead and everyone else is about to be dead! Omen has made it clear Kai is the target, yet you all stay. Take a look at yourself you arrogant fuck."
"There's a difference though," Ray said, "Kai isn't running around killing people and dragging his own hellish world into ours. Omen is. Or was."
"Okay stop," Hikaru said suddenly, making both boys look at her, "What on earth is going on here? You're Ray Kon right? And Mariah Wong. What are you doing here and how do you all know each other?"
Zane tore his eyes from Ray and looked at Hikaru who was staring back at him, waiting for his answer.
"You remember that killer you came looking for?" Zane asked, deciding honesty was the best way to go, "Well his name is Omen. He's my best mate, and Kyata," he nodded at the dying girl, "That's his girlfriend."
Hikaru looked dubiously from him to Ray who nodded at her and glared at Zane.
"It's true. Omen is a killer…" Ray said quietly, "He's the one who killed Kenny. He's the reason half this town are buried in shallow graves… Tonight, he was supposed to finish us off…"
"But obviously either Kai or one of the others did this to Kyata," Zane hissed through clenched teeth, "Does Omen even know she's alive?"
"I'm not sure what he thinks," Ray replied, trying to keep Kyata awake as she drifted in and out of consciousness, "Though I'm fairly certain he thinks she's dead."
"Then whoever tried to kill Kyata is probably dead by now," Zane said, a small shudder running through him, "Omen won't let them live… No way. He told me what he did to Boris Balkov… I wonder if your friend will get the same punishment?"
"Boris Balkov?" Ray asked in surprise, "When did he come into this?"
"He was the one who saved Omen," Zane replied with a smirk, "He was the one who trained him and gave him weapons. He wanted Kai dead just as much as Omen did, so Omen became his assassin. However…" Zane squeezed Kyata's hand tightly, "Boris hurt Ky… so Omen tore him apart."
"So," Ray cast a sympathetic eye over Kyata, "This isn't the first time Omen's profession has led to his girlfriend being hurt."
Zane suddenly lunged at Ray, careful not to knock Kyata. Ray caught his fists before they could strike him and the two were locked in place. Zane's breath hissed through his teeth as Ray continued to stare at him calmly. Mariah and Hikaru were unsure of what to do. Zane coughed a little but forced himself to remain standing, ignoring the blood dripping from his lips.
"You're going to defend him?" Ray asked in a low voice, "After all he's put you through?"
"He freed me," Zane seethed, "He is all Kyata and I have! Without him, we're nothing! He's a brother to me, and I'll defend him until the day I die!"
"That's enough," said Hikaru, pulling Zane gently back down into the seat beside her, "You're worrying Kyata. Look at her."
Zane looked down to Kyata who was struggling to breathe. Her eyes were right on him and he saw the worry flash in them. He took her hand again and smiled at her.
"Sorry Ky," he said softly, hiding the panic in his voice when he noticed how shrouded her eyes were, "Just hang in there, alright? You're going to be fine."
Zane took Mariah's bloodied sash from her and continued to hold it gently to Kyata's neck as Don called out to them.
"Alright we're here. There are speed bumps so brace yourselves and Kyata!"
Zane nodded silently as Ray and Mariah held Kyata. Hikaru assisted also and analysed Zane. In less than three minutes, she had experienced both his burning passion, and his strong, and kind affection. A small smile lit her features as she looked at him. He was amazing. Bad ass. Her kind of guy.
"Just tell me one thing Ray," Zane said quietly, "Who did this to Kyata? Was it really an accident?"
Ray noticed that Zane's eyes had moved to the stab wound in Kyata's shoulder and sighed.
"What will you do with the knowledge?" Ray asked.
"Nothing," Zane replied with a bitter smile, "I won't need to. They're still trapped there with Kai."
"It was Hilary," Ray said after a small pause, "She didn't mean to. She slipped."
"I believe that," Zane said reasonably as they pulled up beside the emergency ward block, "She's not a killer. Still, I kind of feel for her. She's going to suffer."
XXX
Bryan moved through the school with a group of armed men behind him, slowed exponentially by the six, blood covered students they had rescued from the escape doors. Each one had been covered in razor wire which had been attached to the doors. If anyone had tried to escape, the students would have been sliced to pieces. Death would have been close to instant.
He heard the blaring music and moved cautiously towards it, taking his radio out quickly and holding it to his lips.
"Spencer… How's the old man? Any sign of anyone out there?"
"Voltaire is staying put. I heard a car around here before but they were gone before I could investigate. How's your end?"
"I'm about to send a group out to you," Bryan replied, "About six civilians and three grunts. They'll need to go to the hospital."
"Understood."
Bryan put the radio back into the breast pocket of his jacket and looked around to the men who waited patiently for their orders.
"You three," he pointed at the three men closest to the hostages, "Take the civilians out to Spencer and get them to the hospital. Now! The rest of you, stay sharp. When we reach the stairs, we'll break. Charlie team, you take the third floor. Bravo team, you've got the second. Alpha, you're with me. We'll sweep the levels together and maintain radio contact at all times. We're heading into the serpents lair. Let's go."
XXX
"My Kyata…" Omen whispered, his eyes fixed on the floor, "You took her from me. My angel… You think that you're worthy enough to be in the same place as her?"
Omen put a foot forward, like he was going to stand up, but his world spun and he remained in his half kneeled position. The bleeding on his head was heavy and matted his wild hair. His body was composed like that of a broken man, yet the expression he wore made Kai want to shudder and back away.
Wild, crazed and unpredictable. A smile suddenly spread across Omen's face and he began laughing madly. Hilary, who was only a few steps behind Omen, stopped in her tracks. Kai, Max and Daichi watched, completely puzzled and wary of his suddenly swing.
"What's so funny?" Kai asked coldly.
"The look on her face…" Omen whispered, his eyes wide as though he were actually seeing what was running through his head, "The look on Hilary's face is priceless… as I'm forcing my knife between the joints in her knees… That's so she can't run for help…"
Omen's head lolled to the side and his stared at Kai excitedly.
"Then again when I cut out her tongue! That's so she can't beg for mercy…"
"Shut your fucking mouth!" Kai growled, starting towards him with clenched fists, "You won't touch her!"
Omen smirked, still completely focussed on Kai who had noticed how close Hilary was behind Omen but could not warn her lest Omen grabbed her.
"I will find her," Omen said darkly, "I will torture her, and I will kill her. You can't stop me. No one can! I'm invincible Kai! Ha, ha, ha! I WILL NEVER DIE!"
Hilary held Omen's dagger tightly in her hand and raised it high above his head. She bit her bottom lip to stop it from shaking. Kai watched her in his peripheral while Max and Daichi stared in amazement. Omen had no idea she was right behind him.
Then, in a fast, strong motion… she brought the blade down.
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Hey all :D
Hope you liked this chapter! This one is for you again Bi as a soz for not writing for AGES(I know how you love cliffhangers :P lol)! Also, it's a thankyou to everyone who reviewed last time! I love you guys so much! xoxo
PS. Hikaru Hasama/Hazama is a character from the new series of Beyblade for those who don't know! 3