The room was quiet expect for the sound of the shower running in the bathroom that belonged to Kenshi's room. I sat on the bed, looking through the photographs, while waiting for Kenshi to finish his shower. He had just gotten back from his shift where they had responded to a fire, leaving him with that distinctive smell of soot and sweat.

The water was turned off while I picked up the last picture from the music box and noticed something at the bottom. My fingers found the small, gold handle and carefully turned it. The gears inside creaked as I turned the handle but the sound was replaced by soft music soon after. I closed my eyes while listening to it and tried to remember what the melody was called.

''Isn't that Für Elise?''

I looked up when I heard Kenshi's voice and my eyes quickly settled on him. I felt my face flush slightly as he was only wearing a pair of sweatpants as he was walking towards his dresser. He found a grey T-shirt and pulled it over his head before letting his fingers run through his damp hair.

I swallowed hard and finally made myself look away from him. ''Yeah, I loved it when I was a kid.''

Dressed, Kenshi joined me on the bed, sitting next to me before softly kissing my temple. I smiled at him while I found my favorite photographs and picked them up. The music was still playing softly while I showed them to him.

''Hiro was right, you really were cute as a kid.''

''Everyone is cute as a kid. Maybe I should ask your mom to show me some pictures.'' I grinned at him when he frowned.

''That's not fair, these are all cute pictures, she's going to show you embarrassing ones.''

''True…. But that's just one more reason to see them.'' I smiled at him while putting the music box down and looking like I was about to get up.

''Hey!'' His hand quickly caught my wrist and pulled me back down to him on the bed. ''There's no way I'm letting you see them like that.''

''Fine.'' I laughed softly as our eyes met. I closed my eyes as he leaned down, softly pressing his lips against mine.

It was actually weird how easily we had started acting as a couple without much awkwardness. I suspected it had something to do with us being so close during the last month but then again, it was hard to explain and predict how two people would be together.

''Remember, we can't be late tomorrow.'' I smiled when his lips had left mine.

''I have a feeling you're going to use that joke from now on?'' He smirked.

I nodded but ended up laughing when he jokingly grimaced before kissing me again. The way his lips molded against mine perfectly made me smile and my heart flutter. Never had I believed this outcome would happen but now I couldn't imagine us being anything else.

''What's wrong?'' Kenshi asked from beside me, quickly glancing at me before refocusing on the road.

''Riki was late because a meeting dragged out. Atsumu said they're about 30 minutes late.'' I spoke as I hang up and placed my phone back in my pocket.

''We'll just wait for them once we get there then.'' He hummed and leaned back in the seat after rolling his shoulders.

''Are you alright?'' I asked while watching him in concern. He had taken a fall yesterday during a shift and he seemed to experience some slight pain in his back because of it.

''It's nothing, really…'' He smiled weakly. ''When do we have to turn again?''

My glance fell down on the map. I knew he was just asking to change the subject; he had planned the route last night and made sure it was right. ''It's the next left turn.''

We went back to talking about casually while I gave him directions. It didn't feel like we had driven for two hours but I could feel it in my legs once we reached the destination and we both stepped out. I stretched my legs first and then my back while waiting for him to appear beside me. We both looked at the neglected cabin with raised eyebrows.

''It's more rundown than I remember it...'' I hummed and began to walk towards it.

''Hey, let's just wait for the others.''

''It's only thirty minutes. Why don't we just check it out?'' I asked while looking over my shoulder.

After a short moment, he let out a sigh and started to follow me. ''How am I supposed to say no when you look at me like that? Fine, but stay close to me, alright?'' He smiled as he caught up to me.

''Alright.'' I smiled and leaned closer to him, giving him a quick kiss while I let my fingers intertwine with his. ''You can't resist my charm, mister.'' I snickered.

He gave my hand a light squeeze and we started walking again, following the dirt path to the cabin. ''Don't misuse that power, you've heard about karma, right?''

''Don't tell me you're superstitious.'' I smirked.

''Well, you never know.'' He smiled back.

''I'll watch out then.'' I grinned at him and let my hand slip out of his when we reached the wooden door.

It didn't look like it needed much force to open and Kenshi easily proved that right. He leaned against the door with his shoulder and pushed against it. The door creaked because of the force and it didn't take long before it gave in to the force. Even so, Kenshi flinched the second he increased the force.

''Please let someone look at your back later.'' I mumbled and kept my eyes on him as he walked in first.

''It's nothing, really.'' He once again showed me a weak smile and I frowned because of it.

''Kenshi-''

''Alright… I'll do something about it tomorrow, but now, let's explore this place. That was your idea after all.'' He turned around to look at me. His smile had softened and looked genuine compared to the other.

''Thanks…'' I smiled softly and took a step inside, once again taking his hand.

It was like stepping inside the old house; the musky smell, dust everywhere and suffocating, warm air. It was plainly furnished. A small kitchen, a little wooden table with two matching chairs, an old, flower patterned couch and the old leather arm chair I recognized fondly. The windows were dirty and barely allowed any light inside, leaving the room dark and where a few stripes of sunlight could get through the window, you could see the dust particles flying in the air. We stepped inside the dark room, hearing the floor creak beneath us almost as if it was coming to life again.

''Wow…'' Kenshi breathed beside me and our hands parted again.

I broke into a large smile and moved to a section of the wall in between two windows, where a bunch of old, dusty pictures were occupying the wall. I let my hand slide over the glass and revealed the picture beneath. While doing the same to the rest of them, I heard Kenshi walk up behind me and stop. His chest softly bumped against back as he put his chin down on my head.

''Family history?'' He hummed while sneaking his arms around me.

I nodded softly and smiled. We stood still for a bit as our eyes ran over the different photos, ranging from my childhood to when my mom was younger with my granddad. I left out a soft sigh, ''do you really think we'll find something here? I mean, it's just a cabin after all, it looks like I remember it and there's nothing unusual here.''

''Well, there's a trapdoor under the rug in the kitchen.'' He hummed casually.

I turned in his arms, first looking at him and then looking at the rug on the floor. I noticed the lines from the trapdoor and let out the breath I had held in.

''Why didn't you say anything?''

''Because I knew you would want to go down there if I told you.'' He smiled at me and I started to frown slightly. ''Yeah, see? Now you're frowning at me.'' He chuckled while letting a finger tap just above the bridge of my nose.

''Well…''

''You're really impatient.''

I showed him a small smile again and watched as he let out a small sigh before mumbling 'fine' and walking with me to the trap door. I crouched down and pulled the rug away to reveal the trapdoor. Kenshi helped me open it and we both stared into the dark hallway. I was surprised to see it be stone steps that lead into a sharp corner, hiding the rest.

''There's a light switch here.'' I spoke and flicked it.

It took a moment before the lights flickered softly before going from having a dim light to them actually provide just enough light to make out the steps. I was about to move to go down first, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

''Let me go down first.'' He spoke while his hand softly tipped me away from the stairs. Once I showed him a small nod, he smiled softly again. He walked down the first pair of steps and then took my hand to lead me down with him.

The air was only worse down here and a slight claustrophobic feeling sent a chill down my back but it disappeared as soon as we had rounded the corner. We stood in a rather large room now, complete with stone floor and walls. I looked up and noticed that the ceiling was unusually thick.

''He probably had it insulated to reduce the noise.'' Kenshi commented after following my glance.

My eyes shifted back down to the study the room. Along the longest wall stood a large worktable, filled with all kinds of instruments and tools, covered in a thick layer of dust. Along the other walls stood a few but filled bookcases and several blueprints were on the wall as well. It looked like a workshop or a primitive laboratory.

''I'll check the worktable if you checkout the bookcase.'' Kenshi nodded at the bookcases and I moved to them, finger's itching to find something.

''So, what should I be looking for?'' I asked while letting my eyes run across all the books.

''Anything different, unusual or that seems to stand it. It could be anything really.'' He spoke while beginning to look trough papers on the worktable, ending up letting a few coughs out once the dust flew up in the air.

''That's helpful.'' I murmured and began to look through the books with either an odd title or even missing one. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, the only difference being that you didn't know what to look for in this case. It took a while before I pulled out a book that was strangely light compared to the others. ''Kenshi…'' I called his name after opening it and found a folded sheet of paper.

''You found something?'' He asked while moving closer.

I nodded while beginning to unfold the paper. It turned out to be a rather large sheet of paper with drawings, notes and numbers. I turned around to face Kenshi as he stood with his back against the staircase now. I held the sheet of paper out so he could see and smiled.

''It looks like a blueprint for something but it's not something he's build. I think it might actually be something chemical.'' I said and looked up. I met his soft eyes as they were looking at me and not the paper. He smiled at me while his hand moved to ruffle my hair. As his fingers settled on my head, a sharp, loud noise cut through the air like a knife and I cringed as it made my ears ring. In the slight second I had closed my eyes, I felt something grazing the skin on my left shoulder and then pain followed. I let out a soft groan while I heard Kenshi take a sharp breath. When my eyes shot open again, I found out why.

His sharp, ragged breathing continued while his left hand was clutching his shoulder hard enough for his knuckles to turn white. I felt all blood drain from my face once I realized what the sound had been and saw the blood seeping out between his fingers. He had a pained expression, his jaw clenched and his eyes tightly shut.

My first instinct was to shout his name, for whatever reason, then drop the paper and press my hand against his shoulder as well. I was no longer feeling the pain in my shoulder and only focused on the pained sounds he was uttering while pressing my hand against his. He let out another groan while slowly falling down in his knees. His right arm was pressed against his chest while he tried to keep it still. I knew I was crying when I felt his blood smear against my fingers and my shoulders started to shake.

''Look like I made it here just in time.''

My head snapped up once I heard a voice from the staircase.

''Kagi…'' My voice was reduced to a shaking whisper but it quickly regained some strength once I saw his smug smirk. ''You… You shot him!''

''Obviously you're not lacking your observation skill. Now…'' He smirked as he walked down the last steps and came towards us in a slow stride. It was like he was deliberately taking his time.

My glance moved back to Kenshi, who was now looking at me. ''You're bleeding.'' His voice was strained and it only scared me more. ''Just get out of here.''

''I'm not leaving you-''

''Please…''

''No.''

''Lena-''

''No!'' I raised my voice just slightly and leaned closer to him. ''We finally… We…'' I sobbed but ended up groaning once a hand caught my arm in a strong grip. I cried out while Kenshi started yelling, for once cursing, as Kagi yanked me away from him on the floor.

''Don't make this harder than it is. I've already put a bullet through him, and it even nicked you as well, so don't think that I won't punish you for being unruly.'' The barrel of the gun was pressed against my back while he calmly spoke next to my ear.

''You piece of-'' I started but Kenshi quickly cut me off.

''Kagi, if she behaves, will you let her go afterwards?''

''I have no use of her once I've gotten what I want. It would just be a hassle to kill her.''

''Kenshi you can't be seri-''

''Just do as he says.'' Kenshi interrupted me again and looked up at me, his glance begging.

I swallowed hard before nodding faintly. ''Okay… but you better-''

''And that's all you get to say. Move it.'' Kagi pressed the gun harder against my back while he started to lead me towards the staircase.

''How did you find us?''

''I was always a step ahead of you. Simple enough, really. Then I just had to wait for you in the end.''

The hand on my arm had moved to my injured shoulder, reminding me of the wound each time I was moving to slow down the dirt path. I knew we were headed to an old mill, located fairly close to the cabin but the question was why.

''So you had all the clues from the beginning?''

''No, but keeping a watch on you and your little friends wasn't hard. Plant a little microphone here and there, and you get all the information you need without much work.''

''You were spying on us?''

''You sound surprised.''

''You goddamn bast-'' I didn't get to say more because of his fingers pressing down into my wound. I let out a groan before biting into my lip.

''Watch your tongue.'' He growled before letting his fingers retreat again.

I stayed quiet for a short time before asking a question I had been wondering about.

''Why did you shoot him?'' I asked with a dry mouth.

''Because I never liked that kid. Always getting in my goddamn way…'' He grumbled as we reached the door to the mill and the feeling of the gun was back against my back. ''Open it.''

''What? How?'' I was about to turn around when his finger's bore down into my flesh wound, easily making me cry out.

''With your fingerprints.''

''But there's no-'' His fingers pressed deeper down, ''Please!'' I cried, shoulders shaking as I tried to jerk away from his grip but it only tightened.

''Use your eyes. There's a scanner right there on the door.'' He sneered behind me.

As his fingers retreated just a bit, I focused on the door again. It was hard to make out, but just above the door handle, there was a slightly darker color in a square, big enough for my palm to cover it. Without a word, I pressed my hand against it and waited.

Where the hell were the others? I bit my lip as the door started to click, they were supposed to be here now, or soon. When my thoughts went back to Kenshi, I felt tears sting in my eyes again.

''Stop the goddamn crying and open the door.''

I kept a sob back and pressed the door open. It revealed a large, empty and dark room, seeming rather uninviting. Even so, I wasn't given much choice as he roughly pushed me inside the room. I stumbled inside the darkness and heard how the dirt beneath my feet shifted but there was no other sound. I stood up straight, huffing in slight panic as I looked around. The room really was completely empty, except for a little safe against the back wall.

''Go to it.'' Kagi's hard voice sounded behind me and the gun was back.

I did as he said but stopped once I reached it. I stood still, not daring to turn around.

''The combination is your birthday.''

I entered my birthday as the combination and listened to it click as it unlocked. My pulse quickened as I put my hand on the handle and started to pull the door open. My head fell to the side as I tried to peek inside and catch a glimpse of what all this had been about, why we were here. A second before I would have seen anything, something hard hit the side of my head and I fell to the opposite side while crying out. My hand instantly went to cover my throbbing head but retreated once the pain turned sharp as I touched it. In the few moments my hand had touched it, I could already feel the warm blood on my finger tips and not it trickled down my scalp.

''I did say I wouldn't kill you…'' I looked up when I heard Kagi speaking and met his cold eyes. He smiled faintly at me, looking down at me like I was worth the same as the dirt he was standing on. ''But where's the fun in that?'' Casually, he pointed the gun at me.

I stared at him, scared, panicked and having the same fear settling in my stomach like when I saw Kenshi in pain. I felt my shoulders shake and then my body started to tremble while my vision went blurry. I couldn't tell if it was from the tears or from the head wound.

''But it looks like I don't need too…''

It was the last thing I heard before my eyes closed, his goddamn chuckle, as if he was taunting me while I felt myself being swallowed into darkness. As he chuckled satisfied while getting what he needed from the safe, I listened to him shift around in the dirt before he simply walked out.

Then, I passed out.