24 HARD DESCISIONS

Akane.

I couldn't get Ko's proposition out of my head. Me, a part of the CCG… it was almost funny. On the other hand, It could help me solving the mystery of my kidnapping. He suggested I could become a consultant. If true, I may consider it, I thought, doing my morning stretching. It was a frisky morning and dark clouds were shadowing the sky. After I was done with exercises, I checked my phone hoping some News from Uta. But just like any other times, I sighed out of disappointment. Nothing.

I was about to make something for breakfast, when I remembered I was running out of supplies. I needed to go shopping for some groceries.

Not wanting to catch a cold, I dressed up warmly and put my coat on.

The closest shop was about 10 minutes walk but it was a small one and not only the articles were limited, but their prices were also abnormally high. Despite the distance I decided to go to the next one, a few blocks away. Putting my phone and keys into my pocket, I grabed my bag and walked through the door, starting to be slightly annoyed by all the locks I had installed.

On my way I thought once more about the ledger. I've been through all the entries, decoding at least the half of them, and seeing a lot of match with Kô's list. I now knew for sure Uta had made those masks. So I knew he had seen no-face…may be he even knew him personally. Should I confront him? Or should I give all the information to the CCG after all? I mean… even if wasn't keen on their methods, they've been through a lot recently thanks to ghouls organizations. And if Itori had been caught by one of them for some reason, then maybe it was time for me to stop hiding information. Especially now that Kô had officially asked me to join. Of course, I thought, turning right to enter the street where the shop was, I still could accept his proposition and continue to investigate on my own. That also was a possibility. Again, even if I'm not delighted with the idea of joining in one way or another, accepting would give me access to precious information. What I'll do with those information will depend on their nature. But at least, I may find some answer that I need to overcome my past once for all and start everything from zero. It was worth the try, I thought entering the shop.

Kô pov.

- anything new ? Juzo asked, lazily chewing strawberry flavoured candies.

-Nop, I said exhaling.

I had been through the ledger the mask maker gave me without any significative results. At this point it could mean two things : Or I made a mistake, or the guy tricked me. In both cases, I was fucked, and tired.

- waht are you thinking ?

- I think the guy lied to us. I think he exactly knows who are the ghouls we are fighting and I'm certainly convinced that he indeed made all of those masks. Problem is, I cannot prove it just yet. I need more time.

- If the guy doesn't give you anything, what about helping him a bit ?

- what do you mean ? I asked, taking a sip of my hundredth coffee. You know the law, we cannot treat humans like ghouls. If there's not any proof, we can't touch him.

- Yes I know that, you know that… but what if we made an exception for once ? Nobody has to know. I mean, we can get a rid of him whatever he says.

- No. What if he's innocent ?

- You do really think that ?

- It doesn't matter what I think or not. I won't take that risk. I am not a ghoul.

-okay… said Juzo, sighing, I'm just kidding.

- But … you gave an idea, I said. I can try to send an informant somewhere nearby the shop, seeing who goes in.

- yeah… now the guy knows we're after him, good luck with that. Come on lets have some fun. They took Akira and the others to have them spit out informations about us, right ? What about you and I doing just the same? We track some ghoul down, and instead of killing them, we make them speak about the mask maker.

- sounds good enough to me, but I don't think the heads are gonna approve this. The lead I've found weights far too light compared to our priority right now, which is, caching the prisoners.

- They doesn't have to know, right, Rei? Juzo whispered in a wicked smile. It could be our dirty little secret, right ?

- I don't know… If we're caught, that could worsen the situation and no matter how good my instinct is, my lead could be simply be ignored for I do not only have fans over here.

-We just need not to be caught, then…Juzo was looking at me with Half-bored, half-pleading eyes, as I was considering his suggestion, when Shinohara barged in the room in a rush.

- we got one ! He exclaimed. Someone called us to report having seen one of the fugitives in the 4th. A squad has already been sent on the spot, you guys wanna join ?

still under surprise, I looked once more at Juzo, checking if he was thinking the same things as I did. After a second, I turned my face to Shinohara.

- We're good, I answered. It won't make any difference if I come, as im sure you already sent the bests on field. Im still slightly wounded so If anything ill be a bother. I'd be far more useful following my lead and trying to figure this out, I explained seeing Juzo nodding at my statement.

- it's the first time I ever hear you declining an invitation to a party, Shinohara said to the kid, half amused, half confused.

After Making sure we weren't about to change our minds, Shinohara got outta the office, closing the glass door behind him and getting ready to lead the operation.

I waited about 15 minutes after he left before grabbing my coat, motioning Juzo to follow me. I already knew some nice spot where ghouls show themselves time to time. The CCG knows the high risk district where rookies are forbidden to go even under supervision and despite of said risks, I was in the mood of doing whatever it would take to get the info I needed. Between all the spots we could have targeted, the 7th ward which had been nothing but a wild territory since the revolt was the best option. Far from the operation Shinohara was in, far from residential area, pure ghoul territory. We were told by one of our agent that humans were often driven in the 7th, in a traffic seemingly taking its roots in Azumabashi But he had been killed before we could find out more about it. We had reason to think said traffic might be linked to the series of kidapping around Nakano but with all what happened recently, that case had to be put on hold for a while. I didn't have any intention to give up though, as I wish I could at least give some answer to Akane. Actually that was another reason for me to take a look around there, and another occasion to make two birds of one stone.

-Okay lets chop some dead meat, I sais exiting the office, followed by an overexcited Juzo.

Akane pov.

Trying not to be too distracted by any thoughts, I looked at my tremendous list, going through it one thing at a time. The shop was small, but plenty supplied. Only a few people were wandering between the shelves which was unexpected considering the hour. For as long as I know, it always had been a quiet area, but since the prisoners have escaped, people had become more aware of dangers and started to act even more cautiously I can barely imagine what it would have been if they knew that said prisoners were ghouls. It took me more than 40minutes to pick everything I needed, before heading back to the exit, ruined but satisfied. By this time I had made up my mind : I'd accept ko's proposition. Itori was sill missing, lots of people had been hurt, and I had a life to get back. I might not share CCG's conviction nor method, but I needed them, or at least their data base. His solution wasn't bad at all. As a consultant, I'd be allowed to officially help ko while having access to the files I needed, and if I ever felt like not doing something, i just could refuse, or quit, simple as that. No bloodbath, no crime against my convictions. Or at least that's what I thought.

Holding firmly the two heavy bags I managed to fill up, and not wanting my arms muscles to be pulled on the way home, I decided on taking the bus and started to walk towards the main stop. I was still deep in thoughts when I noticed the street was nearly empty. "Now, that's something else", I thought, looking around me. The farer I was walking, the fewer people were getting. The Main Street settled in the very core of the old business center was about five blocks away. Back in old days, the 4th had been a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the northern half of the busiest railway station in the world. Now the area was said to be nearly inhabitable exception made of the little peaceful zone I was living in. I hated to admit it but I was starting to feel quite uneasy. in fact I could nearly feel The atmosphere getting thicker. I nearly had reached the bus stop when I heard a deafening scream cutting through the air. A girl. I've already heard that kind of cry, I thought remembering the day I had been thrown in the cage. very similar to the cry the man was shouting when he got hunted and devoured alive before the auction. I could never forget it… it had been haunting my nights for months until I finally manage to get through. And just as that night, those cries brought me back to the cage. A primal, sickening fear was eating me up to the core. I couldn't focus on anything else. The sound was coming from afar, somewhere behind me and it ws getting closer. If I'd had any survival instinct, I thought, I'd run. I wanted to. I mean, I really do wanted to run. But something deep inside me prevented me to do so.

Another cry echoed in the air before I dropped my bags on the floor, running towards what I thought to be a girl chased down by a ghoul. I got trained for this, I got trained for this, I kept telling myself while running, if you ever want be part of the CCG whatever way you chose, you're gonna get used to it, come on you can do this. The closer I got, the loudest I could hear the heart breaking and strident voice. The tiny little girl was nearly coughing her lungs now. I ran as fast as I could, trying to find the source of all that raw fear, and I was about tu turn right in a large alley, when I saw her. About thirty feet ahead, straight down the narrow little passage leading to the old gaming center, was the girl. She was carried by her mom who was running as if followed by the devil itself. The street was nearly a garbage disposal. Wanting to evaluate the situation before throwing myself to the danger, I hid myself behind a large metal dump, and watched from afar, trying to see whatever was after them. I was expecting the ghoul entering the passage at any moment but nothing came. Eventually exhausted the girl had turn into a pool of tears, her throat torn by all the cries sh'd been shouting all along. The alley seemed to stretch forever under their feet, making the mom's face even more desperate to reach its end before the ghoul could reach them.

-where's daddy? Asked the girl between two hiccups.

- Daddy is okay, sweetie, he's right behind us, don't worry, the woman said, worry painted all over her face.

Something was off. The lady was fast, I give her that, but ghouls are said to be ten times faster than humans. It should've already been here, I thought, looking once more towards the beginning of the alley. They had nearly reached my spot when a loud noise echoed against the walls. On the other side, a white vehicle was pulling the breaks and I heard two men shouting orders. A second later, the ghoul entered the alley. It was tall, extremely tall. Covered in blood, his snake-shape Kakuho was undulating behind his back while he rushed towards the woman. He was half the way through when two armed men barged in the alley. I exhaled in relief when I noticed their white coat. CCG, I thought, she is safe.

Expecting her to run even faster I turned my eyes back on the lady. But to my utmost surprise, she had freeze on the spot, facing the opposite direction, where the ghoul and the inspector were about to engage a furious fight. the air got filled by the scent of blood and trashes.

What the fuck is she doing, I thought, it wasn't the moment to be curious.

- Daddy ! I want daddy, the girl cried once more.

Why isn't she running ? Funny thing is, I could have asked myself the same question.

After about ten seconds, the woman put her daughter back on her feet, and knelt in front of her.

- I want you to listen carefully what im about to say.

- Mommy, I-

Sweaty and shaking, with an obvious despair painted all over her face , the lady firmly grabbed her daughter by the shoulders.

-LISTEN ! We don't have much time and it is very important honey, I need you to listen to me.

The noise of the fight were echoing on the walls. One of the inspector's body was lying on the tarmac, covered in blood. The lady briefly looked at it, before facing her daughter once more.

- I want you to run, she said. I WANT YOU TO RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN, AND TO NEVER LOOK BACK. DO YOU HEAR ME ? Her voice had grown louder as more doves where coming into the alley. The remaining one had called backup, and the ghoul who was just having the upper hand one minute before was about to see his luck turning pretty bad.

- NO MOMMY I DONT WANT TO GO !

- Dont worry, ev…

- Everything is gonna be okay. I was suddenly facing a woman about my age. She seemed so worried. Her beautiful wavy brown hair sticked to her neck and right cheek, she was looking at me so intently that I could feel her distress piercing my very core. With a caring hand, she caressed my cheek in a soft gesture.

- Where are you going ?! It was me talking. I know it was me because I could feel my vocal cord vibrating, but it wasn't my voice. Or so I thought. It seemed so young…

- I'll be right b-

- I'll be right behind you. The woman said, still grabbing her daughter. NOW RUN !

What was that ?, I thought, looking at the scene as the images of the brunette were fading before my eyes. the woman then stood up, and ran towards the fight which had let the ghoul in a very bad posture. The girl didn't budge. She stood there, crying, eyes on her's mom's back. The woman stopped midway, staring angrily at what was remaining of the ghoul. Jaw opened in a cry of agony, the beast was know kneeling on the floor pierced by the inspector's quinque. And then, I finally understood.

Ever so slowly, I watched the woman spreading her eagle-wings-like kakuho, all her body trembling in rage. She wasn't running from the ghoul, they were all ghouls, all running from the CCG. Seeing them moving on the back, I reported my attention on the doves. According to both the number and the rank of those inspectors, her chances of winning the fight were close to zero. She must know it too, I thought, She's trying to buy time for her daughter. I kept watching the fight from afar, part hypnotised, part still wondering what I had seen just before. The girl also, kept watching, as if mesmerised by the moves. The sounds, the air, even the time, everything seemed suspended to what was about to happen. Her mom was fighting with all her heart, and honestly, she was good. But not good enough. After ten minutes of a raging fight she got her heard chopped off by the axe of a first rank fighter. That's when I heard it. The most heartbreaking cry I've ever heard. It was primal, desperate, as if someone was tearing her soule apart.

MOMMYYYYYYYY !

It all happened in a second. I don't know why I did that. No I really don't know why. I guess something, just made me move. As I watched the doves rushing towards the girl, I jumped off from my hideout and grabbed her, before starting running as fast as I could. I took her in my arms, and ran. Just like that.

- CCG I command you to stop immediately ! Shouted the closest inspector, as I turned around the corner. The Main Street was too far for me to reach, but I couldn't go back now, I thought, trying not to be devoured alive by the girl who under panic, was biting fiercely my right shoulder, making me wince. I could feel blood and sweat leaking down my spine and damping my shirt.

-let me go ! Let me go filthy human or I kill you !, Shouted the girl while hammering me with her tiny fists.

-well just do that, you little fucker, because im nowhere near to let you becoming dove-meat ! I shouted back, trying to keep her in place. Thanks god the training I got gave me enough stamina to run without spitting my lungs out. I was changing streets, turning left, then right, not following any particular itinerary. I didn't want them to predict my move as I was trying to figure out a way to reach my apartment as fast as possible. It was three blocks away so, risky, but I didn't know where else to go. Seeing I was really trying to escape from the monsters who killed her parents, the girl eventually stop biting me and kept hanging on my neck.

I could hear the clattering of their footsteps on the tarmac, but it could just have been my imagination. We soon entered a weirdly crowed street. The CCG had probably ordered people that were out to gather in a safe perimeter, I thought, searching a quick way to avoid the crowd. If I estimated it right, we must have been turning around the old metro station 2 blocks away on the west side of my place.

- I think they stopped following us, the girl said after a while. I didn't listened.

Wherever they were following us or not, I never turned back. Pushed by the adrenalin, I just kept running for nearly half an hour. After I got kidnapped, I had learned to get familiar with every corner of that ward. I knew every street, every dark alley every shortcut, or disused building I could sneak in. It wasn't big deal to go where the doves would have no visibility. Lots of those passages weren't even known from people, and by a little detours, some where leading nearby my place.

When I had finally reached my apartment, it was nearly 1 in the afternoon and my legs where killing me. With shaking hands, I went through all the seven locks which were looking so much friendly now, and closed the door behind me before putting the little fury down. I stood there for a while, attentive to every sound, every whisper that might indicate they where coming for us. But as nothing came, I let myself sliding along the wall and sat on the floor, in a deafening silence that only my raging breath would break.

She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. I knew perfectly what it felt like to loose a family, even if in my case it was an accident. She eventually came sitting with me, knees on her chest, probably waiting for me to move or at least, say something. But what could I possibly say ? I let my head rest on the door as I watched her breathing. Her reddish hair was a mess, and her nose had ran on her puffy lips. She had bitten herself again and again, trying to muffle her cries and I wondered if she had any voice left. She is so small, I thought, closing my eyes. The rumour of the traffic was filling the background, and with her head on my shoulder, we eventually felt asleep.

I woke up to her little finger poking my arm. For a second I thought she might be a product of my tired imagination, or the fading image of a dream. With one eye opened, I slowly stretched my limbs, yawning. I blinked a couple of time, expecting her to vanish, when I suddenly remembered what had happened earlier. Oh my god, what have I done ?

Ko

The Sumida ward was about 13.77 km², which was not so big compared to other areas in the city. Before the ghouls arise, it was said to be one of the most touristic area in Tokyo. Today it was the spot you wanna avoid. A fresh breeze slapped me in the face as I opened the door, stepping on the tarmac. We had parked the car in front of an old dinner, very similar to those we could still find along motorways. With its old cracking painting, the front seemed about to crumble down.

Whistling a childish song, Juzo leaded us toward the entrance, his scythe casualy rested on his shoulder. He never bothered to hide his weapon, I thought, taking a quick look around. As soon as we entered the restaurant, all the eyes were on us. Grannies, a few kids and some couples ogling behind the menu, watching every one of our moves.

- Welcome to the iron shelf gentlemen, greated the waitress, what can I do for you? She had spoken in a sweet tone, but it'd be naive to think we were welcome here. Everybody was tensed.

- Just a coffee please, I said, juzo absentmindedly checking the menu. when the girl came back with said beverage, I gently grabbed her wrist.

- And a little conversation, if you don't mind, I added. Obviously embarrassed, the girl nodded, gazing at Juzo's scythe.

- have you been working here for long ?

- Its been six month, she said quietly. Her wavy hazelnut hair attached in a loose bun, she was nervously fidgeting under her apron.

- do you have special guests sometimes ? I asked seriously.

- Sometimes, yes… but- , she was softly biting her lips, taking a quick look around.

- Let's be a little more direct : do you know a place we could have some fun, Once-san ? Asked the kid, caressing his blade with a wicked smile painted on his face. The girl was looking at him with big eyes.

- We don't mean to frighten you, I said, but it wouldn't be wise to oppose a CCG investigation.

- wait a moment here. She said, trying not to act too weirdly as she vanished behind the curtains into the kitchen. She came back with a large slice of cake that she gave to juzo with a note.

- Now eat, and get outta here. She said frowning. juzo gulped the desert, and gave me the note. An address was elegantly written on it, in black ink. It was a place nearby. We left the place with a large tip for the waitress, letting the usual chatter filling the awkward silence.

Akane

What have I done ? I kept looking at the girl in silence for a while, wondering what to do, when her stomach started to growl. Oh, marvellous. After a year learning to fight ghouls, to escape them, and having turned my apartment into a fortress, I just brought one of those hungry monsters in my living room. Something must be wrong with me. I slowly stood up, moving towards the kitchen, the girl staring at me intently. Now the adrenaline was down, I was starting to feel a little uneasy.

- What's your name ? I asked, part for lighten the mood, d'you have any family I could contact ? She didn't reply. She simply kept staring, in silence. Ok, I thought, too soon. You hungry ? I tried as she nodded. I could have make something IF only I had come back with my shopping bags. but thanks to our little adventure out there, I ended up with both Empty pocket AND empty fridge ! I grabbed my phone, looking for something by delivery. Do ghouls even eat something apart from human flesh ? I wondered, absentmindedly going through different menues. After a while I decided on beef meat pizza and a chicken salad. Once the order made, I came kneeling in front of the child, praying for she doesn't bite my face.

- My name is Akane. I won't do you any harm, I promise, you are safe here, I spoke in a soft voice. She didn't react. Okay, listen, If you don't wanna talk, its fine, you don't have to, but if you can give me any address, any name at all that could help me contact your remaining family… her eyes became getting watery again. It was heartbreaking, but she couldn't stay here too long, I thought, looking at her wet face. After a moment remaining silent, I made her sit on the couch, while I poured a glass of water for her, and a glass of red wine for me. Outside, the sky had taken a darker shade of grey and rain had started falling gently poking against the window. I took a large sip of wine , watching a couple of pigeons fighting on the sill, when the doorbell rang. Still nervous, I motioned the girl to hide into my room before i went opening the door, panicked at the idea it might be ko. I sighed in relief seing the deliveryman.