"That's a remarkable change, Diclonius." Crease muttered as he prepared to take chase after Frederick, but stopped when he heard Crease's statement. "Heh, of course a human would be impressed. Don't you remember, I am the King. I am the most powerful Diclonius and I am certainly more powerful than any human." Brutus mocked, chuckling slightly.
"You are also remarkably incompetent as well."
"Incompetent?" Brutus repeated, angered. "You dare to call me incompetent, human? I should kill you right now!"
"But you won't. And the only thing you've managed to do today is let Frederick escape. I had that bastard in the bag, I was so close to killing him. But no, you had to go and prove your stupid Diclonius heritage."
"I won't stand for this mockery of my royalty."
"Royalty?" Crease grumbled, his fist shaking. "He was right there…" he thought. "He was right there, ready to die. For years I searched, waiting for him. He was right there…so close to dying."
"Get back to the castle human. You're lucky I don't kill you for such…insubordination."
"This isn't over Frederick…" Crease thought. "I don't care where you run to, this will never be over."
Number 88, Esperanda, had only now stopped crying as she laid huddled on the cars floor with Orlene. They had been specifically told by Doctor Keiro, to not get up unless they had absolutely must. That must being he got killed and they had to get away immediately. "Where are you taking us?" 103 asked, listening to 88's soft whimpers next to her.
"Away from here." He said sternly, not much of answer.
"No disrespect sir…" 103 said. "But can you be more specific?"
"Not really. I just want to get you two as far away from the city as I can. I didn't give myself much time to think about anything."
"Is he going to come after us?" 88 asked in a low voice. The doctor didn't answer the question, because he knew 88 would not like the answer. Jericho had been quite clear that he was going to kill them. He had made it quite clear that if could have killed him and the girls at anytime. He had let them go, on his mere choice, knowing full well that he could've shot them at anytime. It even occurred to him that he could have shot the wheels of the car. No matter how he looked at it, it was a real miracle that those two girls were alive right now.
"Esperanda…" The doctor said softly. "I said that I would help protect you and 103 as best I could. I want you all to relax."
"Easier said than done." 103 mumbled, craning her neck. "I hope you can make a stop soon sir, because my body is aching. Also, call me Orlene."
"Orlene?"
"Yes, it's my true name."
"Alright then, Orlene."
88 was fine resting against the floor, letting the vibrations of the car ease her mind. "Doctor Keiro saved my life, and my friends life." She thought. "He's such a wonderful person." Despite the uncomfortable position her body was in, she found her eyes drooping and she fell asleep inside the car.
She awoke in the dark, but could still feel the rumbling of the engines. Next to her, 103 must have fallen asleep as well because her eyes were closed and head tilted at the side. "Doctor…?" 88 asked in a low voice, not wanting to wake 103 up.
"Yes, Esperanda?"
"Where are we? It's dark outside, is it night?"
"Yes it is. We're on the highway, I'm heading to a small town and getting us a hotel. The two of you need some real sleep and food. This means that you will have to get out of the car."
"What? But what if that man comes and…"
"We have driven too far for him to have caught up." Keiro said. "I certainly hope that's true." He thought. "I want you both to sleep in a good bed and get well rested."
"Doctor, thanks for helping us. Thank you so much…I…"
"Yes?" Keiro asked as he could tell 88 was trying to finish a sentence.
"I…lo…"
But she didn't finish. "I'm just tired." She ended up saying. Keiro nodded, unsure of what she was going to say but having a funny feeling that wasn't it. He wasn't going to press it on any further. He had a more concerning matter at hand, one that involved the girl's horns. The chance of meeting someone at the hotel who knew Diclonius was low, but there was too much risk not taking precautions.
"Esperanda, I need to make a quick stop and get you and Orlene a hat to wear. I don't want the risk of people seeing your horns. There's a store I'm coming up too, I want you and Orlene to stay in the car."
"But…" 88 said, fear etched in her voice. "I don't want to be here alone. What if he comes, I'm really scared."
"It's going to alright Esperanda." The doctor said clearly, trying to put confidence in his voice. "I'm only going to be a few minutes, that's all."
"Only a few." 88 said, making sure the doctor kept his word.
"Ten minutes tops." He said.
Orlene opened her eyes, feeling that the car had stopped. "Ugh, Doctor Keiro, where are we?" She grumbled, noticing the darkness and figuring out it was night. It was Esperanda who answered though. "The doctor went to get us some hats, so that we could cover our horns."
"You mean he left us alone!" She yelled in shock, almost throwing a fit. "He can't do that, what if that bastard comes around? The only reason he didn't shoot us was because of the doctor! This is bad!" 103 was taking the situation a lot worse than even 88 had. She was nearly flipping out.
"Wait, Orlene! He only said he would be gone for ten minutes. He'll be back soon." 88 tried to respond. Her intentions were good, but 103 was too caught up in her worries to hear them. "We're being hunted down. Stupid humans! Damn stupid humans! They're all scum!"
"Hey!" 88 interjected. "You know that's not true."
"…Yes…" 103 mumbled, collecting herself. "I'm sorry, I'm flustered."
Keiro returned just as he had said bringing not only hats but some food as well for the girls to eat. It was until then that the two realized how hungry they actually were. They stuffed it down their throats ravenously at least pleasing the stomachs even if their minds were still at unease. "We're heading to the hotel." He said. "Put your hats on."
"Wait…" 103 uttered, realizing what the doctor was saying. "Are you kidding? We can't go out there."
"You two need some proper rest. That's why I got those hats so the two of you wouldn't be easily noticed. Those soldiers are too far away and do no know where we are." Again he added in his thoughts. "I seriously hope so."
"Besides…" He continued. "We're only going to be here for a day or two, then we'll move right out."
The jeep rumbled through the rocky terrain, heading off in the direction that Keiro and the Diclonius had went. It was far away and at the rate they were going, it would be at least two, even three days before they could catch up to them. The soldiers sat huddled together inside the army vehicle. Jericho alone, sitting and leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes closed. Ever since they had gotten ready and set off, he had said and done nothing throughout the trip. He had merely sat there and as far as they could tell, slept.
"We had them…" One of the soldiers grumbled, lighting a cigar. "We had those two bitches right there! Who cares about that man, we told him to get out of the way! Shit, seriously what is he thinking?" The solder loudly cried, looking at Jericho as if hoping he'd retort. His wish did not get granted, Jericho was just as silent as he nearly always had been.
"They were right there…" He muttered again, putting his forefinger and thumb centimeters apart to express his meaning. "Akira was the smart one, and you went and shot him! You idiot!"
"Hey now, don't start arguing with the commander." His buddy said. But no, the soldier was going to argue with his so called 'commander.'
"This is bullshit, Jericho. Our orders were to kill them, just because somebody is in the way doesn't concern us. You told him to get out of the way and he refused. You should have shot him and then shot the two bitches."
Again, Jericho didn't speak, and this only infuriated the soldier more.
"YOU ASSHOLE!" He screamed, coming over and grabbing Jericho by the scruff of his coat, shaking him violently. At last Jericho opened his eyes, still the same. Lacking emotion and concern. "You bastard! You fucking worthless bastard! You are no commander, you are just some weak man. We could've killed them, but you had to be so sentimental. You make me sick!"
And the solder slammed his fist into Jericho's face. The man didn't' blink or retaliate. He took the blow and shrugged it off nonchalantly.
"You asshole." The soldier growled. "Why don't you say something you damn piece of shit!" He slammed his fist against Jericho's face again, actually drawing blood from his lip. And yet Jericho said and did nothing. He was relaxed and calm, despite his injuries. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall as if none of this had happened.
"I don't believe this?" The soldier cried. "ANSWER ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU!" He grabbed him again, raising his fist and throwing it out. The crack of bone didn't come this time, Jericho's hand swooped out and grabbed the fist, holding it tightly. At last those silver eyes opened, and faced his attacker. He pulled out his Tungsten, and placed it on the soldiers forehead whose bravado was instantly lost.
"Hey…wait?" He shook, sweat dripping from his forehead. "You can't do that…wait…"
The trigger finger tightened, the other solders watching anxiously. This wouldn't be the first time he killed one of his men. "Hey!" The solder screamed, looking up at the black magnum. Jericho watched, narrowing his eyes. He could see the fear in his eyes, the irises shaking uncontrollably. He did not know this fear, he never felt it whenever he went into battle. Whenever he faced a Diclonius, or any opponent, all that he was concerned with was completely the objection. He never once thought, "Am I going to die?" As always, he was impassive, acting on his skill and instinct. If he died, then he died and there was nothing to question it about.
Ever since that day, that faithless of days, the blue had left, replaced by the uncaring silver.
He does not flinch.
He does not beg for mercy.
Jericho puts his gun away without firing, and closes his eyes, leaving the solders to stare without speaking, as the jeep drives along.
88 and 103 stepped out of the car as if they were in a war zone, and every step they took there was a mine underneath their feet ready to explode. That's what it felt like, the overwhelming sense of distress as they kept very close to Keiro's body. He was the safety, as long as they were near him, they wouldn't die. Or so they hoped.
They came into the hotel, greeted by a young woman at the front desk. "Hello good sir, room for three?"
"Actually, two rooms. One for me, and one for them." Despite his good intentions, he didn't want to sleep in the same room as two females, it was merely politeness.
The two girls went into the room, two very soft beds ready. It was already nearing midnight, so neither of them wanted to stay up. "I'll see you in the morning, 88." 103 said, lying on the bed and closing her eyes. In a few short minutes she was snoring lightly, but 88 was a different story. She couldn't get to sleep, she felt cold and alone and every creak and crack sent a shiver down her spine. When she couldn't get to sleep after another 15 minutes, she got up and left the room.
Doctor Keiro was just beginning to fall asleep when two short knocks on the door woke him up. Groggily wiping his eyes, he got out of bed, wearing a thick T-shirt and boxers. He creaked the door slightly open, and saw 88 standing there, looking down at her own feet.
"88? What are you doing? You should be sleeping."
"I'm…sorry." She muttered. "But…I…can't get to sleep. Can I sleep there, with you."
This caught Keiro off guard. "You don't need to do that, I'm sure you can get to sleep later…"
But 88 shook her head. "Please. I'm…I'm frightened."
Doctor Keiro sighed. Good intentions or not, he was at unease in doing this. Number 88 wasn't exactly a small child, she was young blossomed girl and it was instinct that he would feel weird sharing a bed with her. She looked at him, eyes wide and pleading.
"Alright…" He said. He better have made the right choice here. "Come in, oh let me put something on." He said, looking down at his boxers. The situation was already embarrassing, he didn't want to make things worst for himself. "Hold on." He muttered closing the door and putting on the pair of thick khakis. He opened the door and 88 stepped in slowly, looking oddly out of place.
"The bed is over there, let me just get a quick drink of water." The doctor said. "Listen Esperanda." He said, filling up the glass. "It's like I told you, I won't let anyone hurt you or Orlene. I promise."
88 was glad the doctor was looking away, she was blushing pretty deep now. She had honestly come in, because was scared and timid. But now that she thought about it, sleeping next to Keiro now sunk into her head. She was actually going to be…oh dear she was having some awkward thoughts. Keiro was holding himself far more responsibly though, yet…he had to admit 88 was rather. What was the best, most mature word to put this.
An innocent but hard working young girl willing to learn and get her respect by others?
Nah. Bit to deep. Let's go with cute. Yes, she was cute, but he knew better to even start thinking of anything now.
When Keiro fell down on the bed, 88 felt her body burn like fire. But then, as the night came on and her eye began to droop. She crawled up and snuggled against Keiro, resting her head peacefully against him like a small child.
Author's notes: It's times like these where you wish someone would just go on and blow Brutus' head off. Luckily Torino does that for us, so no worries there, hahaha!
Having barely escaped once again, our heroine 88 and her friend along with the doctor rest their aching hearts. Jericho, slowly but surely is making his way to them. It is only a matter of time, before they meet again. And next time, the chance of escape will be slim.
