Chapter 35

Phantoms of the past

"Yu…Yu hey wait up!" cried out the small girl.

Yu, who had been busy running slowed down and turned. He looked at the girl.

"I can't run as fast as you!"

"You should learn to run faster then!"

She looked at him and placed her hands on her hips. She gave him the look that seemingly only she could make. "You're stupid."

"Well Faye, you are extremely annoying."

"Better then being stupid."

"Come on Faye let's hurry up- the film starts soon. I'll carry you if you want."

"Fine. Yu?"

"Yeah Faye?"

"W-why did Mum and Dad have to go away? I miss them. I wish they…they could come back. But I know they can't."

The usually neutral look on Yu's face faltered for a second. He crouched down, picking up Faye. He brushed her hair out of her face.

"I wish they'd come back too. I miss them too Faye. But you still me" he said.

She stuck out her tongue. "I guess that'll have to do."

---

Yu slowly stumbled out of the forest. A small worn path ran close to the forest, with a steep looking on one slope, a short distance along from the coast. Yu suddenly crouched down, hiding. A person stood, slowly reloading something that looked like a rifle. He ducked down further as the boy turned away from the steep slope.

"Shit" said the boy as he walked away, closer to the forest.

Miller. The boy hadn't seen Yu, hiding.

"So close to striking out one more student" he said aloud. He growled, grabbing something. Yu noticed the arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

"Can't believe I got hit by that fucking faggot. With a crossbow of all things" he moaned, snarling as he ripped out the arrow. He looked at the wound, which wasn't facing Yu. "Not bleeding too badly. Ought to be fine" he said to himself.

He nonchalantly chucked the arrow way, the small object bouncing down the hill before smashing into vegetation. He pulled open a small bag and checked inside. He held something, before pulling his hands out and zipping the bag shut. He had a satisfied look on his face.

"Plenty of ammunition left. If I get a move on, might even finish this before the third day" he mused to himself, looking pleased.

He walked away from the slope, heading straight towards Yu.

"Shit" muttered the boy. He desperately reached into his pockets, trying to find something. He pulled out his lighter, and hoping Miller wouldn't see his arm, lobbed it into the foliage a short distance away.

It made enough noise, crashing into a tree. Miller turned and marched down the path, his gun held high, as Yu crept back into the forest. Miller soon found the lighter and picked it up. He looked at it, curious as to where it had come from.

"Hmm, nice lighter" he commented.

He tried it quickly, a large orange flame appearing. He smiled, and clipping the top back on, placed it in his pocket. He stood back up.

"This ought to be useful."

Miller glanced once at the forest, and then decided to follow the path. Some of the people had gone that way- he probably had a better chance of finding someone in that direction- rather then going back the way he had just come along. As he walked, gun bouncing against his side, he was followed by an unwanted and undetected guest. Quietly Yu followed Miller, his pain temporarily forgotten as he concentrated on remaining silent.

He now had something he could do to help. He could try and kill Miller…or at least stall him.

---

The hockey stick banged nosily against the tree branches. Saki didn't care- if someone came- she could take her first action. If someone came with a gun…she'd have a much better weapon to use. She'd like to think she'd be able to beat many of the people in her rapidly diminishing class. There weren't many people who had stood up to her at the school.

She looked at the hockey stick once more. It seemed solid enough. One blow wouldn't be enough to kill anyone. But a hit to the head would make it a lot easier for her. And if she managed to get a few strikers, she could easily kill.

She grunted as her foot struck something. Complaining, she bent down, and picked up something light…something slightly familiar. She studied it and grinned. Yes she had seen this before- or at least something like it. A light, paperback novel. She pulled open the cover. She was certain it was belonged to the girl she sought.

Aki Kasai was scrawled on the inside of the front cover. Saki dropped the book to the floor and grinned more eagerly. Aki must be close. She gripped the hockey stick tightly, her knuckles turning white. She pushed the bushes out of the way and marched forward. She was going to find Aki. She was going to find her soon.

---

Arai was many things. A killer. Loyal. An enforcer. A good friend to those who knew him. He had overseen some Battle Royale events- and been involved in many more.

But he was also a liar.

The raindrops slowly trickled down his face as he marched forwards. His army uniform was already soaked. He itched his moustache as he stood waiting. He stood with a neutral expression- but the look was wavering slightly. A metal door clanged open and a man slowly approached him, pushing a small metal trolley.

"Mr. Arai?"

He nodded.

"Do you want me to-" said the man, pointing to the trolley.

Arai pulled off the plastic sheet and looked down at the body. Cold, purple and stiff. A look of what might have been surprise on his face. Arai looked up at the man.

"Ken Arai. Died of gunshot wound to the head. Day two of three of the Battle Royale."

Arai slowly placed the boy's eyelids down. He kissed the boy on the forehead before pulling the sheet over the body.

"We'll take care of the body and prepare it for burial or cremation."

Arai nodded before walking away.

Arai sat looking out of the window. The island was spread out in front of him. But from his position in the guarded facility he could see very little of the actual students. He glanced away.

Why couldn't the younger ones learn?

---

"What's wrong?" asked Yu, "What's happening?"

The Doctor pressed his glasses up slightly. He quickly looked at the document in his hand.

"Your sister…Faye. We've tried our best but I'm afraid…"

"She only came in five days ago!" shouted Yu desperately. "She was just a little sick!"

The Doctor removed the glasses, resting them on the oak desk. He looked down at the floor, contemplating, before looking back at the small, fraught boy.

"We have tried everything. Our hospital just isn't prepared for an illness like this." He looked down at the floor. "We can make her comfortable. But I do not believe we can save her."

"Isn't there something someone could do? Could I help in any way-"

"There is no more that can be done. My only advice is…stay with her. I know it can be upsetting to see someone like that…but a day doesn't pass that I don't regret not being there for my mother. I am truly sorry Mr. Ishida."

The doctor appeared to be one of the few who were sorry. Many of the staff saw her as a burden- taking up a much needed bed, and using medical treatments in short supply. Yu had sat by her side for three days.

Where else did he have to go?

At first she had been talkative. But over those three days…she had faded…more quieter. Now she sat in silence, merely staring forward, unaware of anything around her. He had embraced her tightly when the machines began to warn there was no heartbeat. Tears, a true rarity for him, slowly ran down his pale face as he held his little sister close to him.

Faye was gone…

And he had been unable to do anything.

---

Yu had forgotten the pain as he slowly tracked Miller. Soon it would return- brought on by constant walking when he should try to rest. It'd probably make him useless in a fight. But he just needed a few more hours. Just some time to plan and stop Miller. He glanced at his watch. There was a good chance an announcement would come soon.

Who would have lost their lives now?