Re:Stalker
Chapter 6
Ram & Rem
(10 Years Ago)
The streets were filthy, nothing but backed up sewage and rotten food littered the ground, even dogs would not dare go around to sniff and try to find some food to eat. However, here there was a pink haired young girl of 12 rummaging through the garbage, trying to find something that at least didn't smell rotten to eat.
She was dressed in tattered clothes, holes visible through her sneakers, she was careful to not step into any puddles of grime and foulness, not knowing exactly what was there. She couldn't afford to catch a flu, she had to be there for her sister, her adorable Onee-chan. She looks down at her and restrains the tears in her eyes due to the unfair situation they had been granted by Kami-Sama.
" Ram-nii, Ram-nii, I am sorry you have to work so hard for a failure like myself." Here an nearly identical girl with blue hair stands while she is wailing and feeling incompetent. For leading her sissy to try to keep them alive.
"Sissy, it's not your fault you got sick, let Ram take care of you, after all that's left of our family is you and I." Replies the pink haired little girl while forcing a smile so that her blue haired counterpart doesn't feel burdened. All the while mentally fighting inside to not breakdown again for the fourth time.]
What twelve year olds had to deal with scrounging for rotten food, sometimes fighting dogs away when they found some unspoiled leftovers that the well-off in society would throw away because they lived a life in excess, not needing the desperate nutrition this pair of twins required.
Both of them are sporting clothes that had only been washed by the river or when rain would strike, both of them shivered as they found some mostly intact Appa's and were on their way back to their home. If you could even call that a home, a little 10 ft by 10 ft small room that was granted to them as a pittance for the sliver of money given to them after their parents abandoned them.
Both of them huddle close together and eat the appas, making sure to remove the worms that had already had a head start. After finishing their pitiful meal they leaned against the other as Ram put her hands over the shoulders of her dear sister who began crying again while whimpering:
"Sissy, our parents they… never loved us did they? I guess it's my fault… I should have been a better daughter, I… should have strived to have worked harder. It's because of me they left didn't they sissy?"
Questions a trembling girl, shivering as the moth eaten blanket they use to sleep at night barely allows them any warmth. The floor not carpeted so it was a rough and hard ground to sleep in. Something that eventually one may get used to after their bones complain in agony for the first couple of months.
"Rem-nii, never think like that, we still have each other and our parents just simply had to deal with certain issues. As they say, adults have a lot of responsibilities." Consoled ram at her twin, lying through her teeth as she thought to herself:
"What parents would abandon their very own children, especially minors? We haven't done anything wrong but they just left us and went to Vietnam, leaving us in the care of this landlord that beats us if she even catches sight of our presence.
I have to be strong for sissy, or else if I breakdown who will be there to pick us up? Who will be there to help us live. Who will be there to make us smile? A smile? Heh, hehe, I think last time I smiled was when we were able to actually eat a real meal instead of scrounging for leftovers, what a pitiful pair we make."
Ram's eyesight gets blurry with unshed tears yet she feels a gentle tug from her dear sissy Rem, both looking at each other and just sharing a bittersweet smile, despite these unfortunate circumstances they had each other. They curl up together and go to sleep, hoping for things to improve one day soon and determined to strive for that change.
(8 years ago)
Rem and Ram were 14, luckily they had been able to borrow some books and learn how to read and write in a professional manner, strived and worked stalls selling wares, things were finally going a little better for the abandoned twins.
Here Rem is smiling promoting their wares, hand sewn clothes of a rather decent quality, Ram was busy securing supplies from distributors so they could slowly get out of the hole they had been thrown into when their parents had abandoned them. Rem was looking around while thinking to herself:
"Me and Ram-nii have been truly blessed to get out of our pitiable circumstances, I am happy now that I can see my dear sissy smiling more often. What a great feeling this is."
As Rem was thinking to herself she sees a familiar sight that brings a faint blush to her cheeks and subconsciously smiles as she waves at a familiar black haired boy approaching her with a cute little drill loli accompanying him.
"Subaru-kun, Beatrice-Chan, It's been a while!" The blushing girl remarked upon seeing a signature grin on the boy she had a crush on.
"It's truly been some time Rem-Chan, how's it going around here? I can see the market is as lively as always."
Commented Subaru upon glancing around the packed stalls, the vibrant clothes worn by the crowd. The little children giggled and asked their parents for some money to purchase whatever baubles and shiny trinkets had caught their fancy.
"Hmph, I don't understand why we must always pass through this crowded street brother, we can easily go the other way around, I suppose." Said a tired and annoyed Beatrice who was clinging to her brother with force, not wanting to be separated in such a busy district of Shibuya.
Here Subaru smiled and picked his adorable Beako and put her on his shoulders, where she could see everything now. Happy, she decided to also enjoy her curiosity and let her eyes roam around the bustling street markets.
Rem smiled at the interactions and her heart grew warmer at seeing how adorable the interactions between siblings really was. Just when she was about to say something a sharp yet graceful voice interrupted them:
"Barasu, Beatrice-san, nice to see you again, were you harassing my dear sister again Barasu? I may need to teach you a lesson, Hmph." Ram got close to them with her indifferent visage, yet if one knew her well they could see her lips were struggling not to form a faint smile.
"How your words wound me nee-san. I'd thought we had improved our budding sibling relationship?!" Exclaimed Subaru as he shed crocodile tears. Betty grasped his hair and proclaimed like a monarch sitting on top of a throne:
"You sisters are always distracting my dear brother from our errands, in fact! Hmph, let's go Subaru, Mother wants us to get some ingredients to make dinner tonight."
Subaru smiled sheepishly as he bid the twins farewell and carried on alongside his cute drill haired sister. Rem observed them leaving with a big smile on her face before Ram snapped her fingers in front of her face, to attract her attention. Rem blushed as her twin spoke:
"Sissy if you have time to drool after that pervert Barasu, you have time to help me with our new merchandise. Let's get to it."
"Hai, Ram-nii, I will get started on it right away!"
As both sisters got settled into a rhythm they were unaware that the market area they were slowly prospering in was about to get involved in a violent confrontation.
Some time passes and they made a good haul in income from their merchandise. As both of them prepare to leave to the one bedroom apartment they had managed to acquire after a lot of effort and suffering they hear loud voices.
Upon turning back they catch sight of some mean looking thugs. Dressed in sharp suits and with scars on their faces they approached the girls. Furthermore, they were carrying baseball bats and lead pipes, one of the leaders gets up in front of her and smirks in an arrogant and demeaning way:
"This is now the territory of Jamal, and if you are to sell here you must offer tribute for 'protection', do ya lasses understand what I'm saying, pay the fuck up!" Laughed the leader as he tightened his grip.
Both Rem and Ram were both scared and confused at what was occurring, they had known that the previous owner of this strip was a kindly old man that charged a nominal fee for them to do business. Ram as the overprotective sister gathered her courage and shouted:
"We already pay a fee to rent this stall sir, we do not owe you or anyone besides our landlord Kensai."
Here the leader grinned with malicious intent as he swung his bat down and broke their stall into pieces, which caused Rem to let out a shriek as she tried to stop him. However, the man just grunted and swung his bat back hitting rems left arm and fracturing it.
"AGHHHH, UGHHHHH!" Cried out Rem as tears of pain flowed through her eyes. Ram was instantly by her side trying to cradle her arm without damaging as she shed tears of her own. Of unwillingness, of how unfair this world truly is. Here they were, just trying to live their life when some bullish people can just take whatever they desire through sheer brute force.
"Oops, my hand slipped. Oh well, that is unfortunate however, debts still must be paid. Isn't that right boys?" The brute asked his lackeys as they all laughed. Then one of the thugs pointed out rem and rams trembling figures, licked his lips and replied:
"Ey boss, don't ya think we could get a pretty penny for these gals. I mean look at their figures. Sure they are a tad young but heck, back in the Philippines it don't matter much. Bet we freshen them up, fix that girl's arm and we would be racking in money.
Jamal said he doesn't care as long as we don't cause too much of a mess."
Both twins froze at this statement and looked in fear and revulsion at said individual. Ram and Rem could not believe what they were hearing, first they break their stall, now they want to take them as common whores when they are merely 14?
They both started tearing up in frustration, angry that the law was messed up. Upset at their parents that abandoned them like useless trash.
Frustrated beyond belief Ram did the only thing she could think of and screamed:
"SOMEONE, ANYONE, PLEASE HELP US!" The sonorous plea for help resounded throughout the plaza at night, yet the few people still there hurriedly looked the other way. As the goons got a little spooked they laughed in relief and decided to teach them a lesson.
"Well that wasn't a smart thing to do at all was it lass, you see people fear us. Not only that, people fear stepping outta their routine to do anything unexpected.
People are predictable creatures, they adapt surely, yet they don't do much besides what they feel comfortable with. It's a pity lass, yet you are coming with us since you dared challenge our authority."
"You people are nothing but self-serving trash, worthless spineless cowards. We have had a harsh, cruel life, and if this is Kami-Sama's way for us to prove ourselves, then so be it."
Shouts a visibly furious Ram, not caring that her tears were bunched up and getting up to defend her sister. They will not allow themselves to be whored like some objects.
The leader got mad that these twins weren't cowering in fear, but boldly standing up to him. He had his goons, they were armed, yet he almost hesitated for he saw a spark in these twins eyes. Something that made his neck go cold in sweat, for their eyes almost looked demonic.
"Get these girls and teach them not to fuck with us boys!" Yelled out the leader who was being intimidated by two children, as they surrounded them and the twins got ready to fight with teeth or nails, a booming voice sounded:
"How bold of you to claim this territory without even asking for permission. You unsavory gentlemen are really in trouble now."
"Bahahaha, Big Boss Marcos, these whelps think a nobody like Jamal's cronies can intimidate us, and push us off our street throne. Well they have another thing coming to them." Intoned a red haired fellow with a scar on his face and haughty eyes.
Both individuals were alone yet the aura they exceeded made the leader flinch in fear. He slowly recognized how they were and started trembling while he questioned:
"Marcos Gildark and Heinkel Astrea? What the hell are you two doing her-."
Heinkel stepped forward and with ease and grace delivered a vicious haymaker to the leader of the thugs with such force that it propelled him into the other lackeys. And they all fell down.
"You don't get to talk to the big boss or myself that casually, disappear from my sight you fools, or else I won't be gentle." Said The cocky red haired man as he cracked his knuckles.
They didn't even have to think about it before they fled and ran away, in fear of these two notable names of the Yakuza underbelly.
Both twins couldn't believe their eyes as Rem finally fainted from the damage while Ram grabbed her and exclaimed:
"Sissy!" She was sobbing at how pitiful her twin looked, before she heard a throat clearing itself and with tears in her eyes saw a chiseled face with a warm eyes of concern looking at them. He extended his hand and Ram grasped it as he spoke:
"Apologies for that, we have had some encroaching foreigners trying to steal territory from my area, My name is Marcos Gildark, and I control this sector.
Let's get your sister some proper medical care, for this is not fair on her at all. I would like to offer my apologies for not arriving quicker. The people that shop here and set up shop should not have to suffer through internal strife's between fellow gang members."
Ram had never heard of a Yakuza that was so honorable, yet she didn't doubt his eyes, for her and her twin sister have already learned how to know if someone have malicious intentions or if they are actually trying to help or are kind.
She nodded her head as Marcos asked some questions:
"So what are your names?"
"Just… Ram, and this is my sister Rem." Explained the sullen pink haired lass as they arrived at the hospital, luckily Marcos already had everything ready with a quick phone call. Rem was in bed asleep and Heinkel had gone to deal with their own gang business and engage in swift retribution against Jamal and his lackeys.
"Well, if you don't have any family, would you like to work for me? I sense a hidden desire in both of you, one that doesn't want to settle with what you have currently. Forgive me, If I seem to untoward. However, I would like to provide that opportunity.
You see my father Razak died from heart disease so I had to grow up in these rough streets, I am sensing something similar coming from your end. Of course you can take your tim-."
"Ram is in, and I am sure Rem will be of the same mind, we lack power, time, and opportunity. And we desire to not remain as gutter rats, but to climb up the top and make a decent living for ourselves.
To prove that we did not depend on our parents who abandoned us like a stray dog. So yes Big Boss Marcos, we accept."
With those words and several oaths exchanged, the Oni Gang lead under Marcos was created. Ready to obey any and all orders, with Rem and Ram learning the ropes and managing to succeed and improve. Furthermore, they would take their classes online to get their high school diploma, all in all they kept very busy with their lives. Climbing up the tower of success into unshakeable positions of stability.
(Current Scene)
Ella dodges another shattering blow from a furious Rem as she proclaims:
"What's the matter Rem, you can't hit an injured target like myself? Where did that bravado go?!"
The silver haired girl smirks while in agonizing pain and with her left arm deftly throws a scalpel with pinpoint precision that lodges itself into Rem's left shoulder blade, making her cry out:
"AGHHH, You.. (Pant, Pant) Damn Bitch! Come over here!" She pulls out the scalpel and lets it drop as blood starts gushing from her shoulder and she switches her Morningstar to her right arm and continues her chase.
Ella has been in tremendous amounts of pain as her arm keeps sending warning signals to her brain to slow down and stop moving so fast, yet she thinks:
"Impossible, I cannot allow myself to stop and rest, for surely that dangerous bat just needs a moment before it shatters my skull. Think ELLA, THINK! Analyze the target in front of you to dispose of them in the minimum time allowed before my senses fail me.
She appears woozy from the inflicted wound with my scalpel, however it would have been better to use a serrated dagger to really draw in pain. For a scalpel is measured in nanometers of precision and won't inflict as much pain as a serrated blade, which can cause the cut skin to rub against itself and cause agony.
Secondly, her mental state seems distraught, need to taunt target to make her lose her cool and attack me in a furious manner. Easy if it is someone as vulnerable as Rem from all I have heard about her."
"I was not aware you were a gangster, Rem, how does it feel to be such a child, preying on the less fortunate and racking up extortion money! Bet you have good dreams at night while Subaru is completely unaware of the tenebrous deals you strike at night. How many people have you killed? I bet it's over ten.
You see Rem when inflicting pain and hardship, I am well aware of the psychological factors. Firstly, you attacked me with no hesitation, meaning you have used this exact method before to make someone's head explode like a watermelon.
Therefore, you have a lot of experience with that bat. What did you call it? Ahh, yes your morning star. Always ready to inflict wounds on the unsuspecting prey. Unfortunately, for you I am not your typical unsuspecting civilian. Just wait and SEE!"
As she finishes her statement she throws another well timed scalpel at rem's left thigh, this one burying in deep and making her flinch and almost stumble.
"You wouldn't know the pain Rem has gone through SATELLA! Me and my sissy have bled, strived, cried, and worked our butts off to the positions we are in. Don't you dare mock us. We aren't fools, we are just, survivors."
Rem's mind flashes back to all the grueling training her and her sissy had to do to survive.
(Six Years Ago)
It was a rainy day, the drops of water fell of several black umbrellas as many individuals where at a graveyard, the quiet lull of the priest's words was not heard by many members. As with their own tears adding on to the rainfall they laid their thoughts bare.
None were as distraught as a pair of twins dressed all in black, black slacks, shoes, shirts and blazers. As they all mourned their champion, and savior Marcos Gildark.
After some time the crowd dispersed, with the exception of Rem, Ram and Heinkel. All three went to the headstone and with a chisel inscribed their own thoughts and initials.
Rem's said:
"Because of you Rem learned how to live again, how to find joy and how to finally accept the feelings I have for the person I love. Thank you, Marcos, thank you dad."
Warm tears fell down her cheeks, imprinting themselves on the grass, only to be washed away by the lament of the storm.
Ram inscribed:
"Without you, Myself and sissy would have been at the mercy of fate, dangling like a cloth during a violent gale. Thanks to you, I learned to accept my failings and shortcomings, thank you Father. For I will never acknowledge my parents as such, you are the only true Father Me and sissy ever had. Rest in Peace.
She had to step away due to the turbulent emotions she suffered from her own frail state. She cannot believe her very mentor and father figure was struck down by Cecilus Segmunt, the loyal follower of Vincent Abellux. All for them to take over nearly half the territory that Marcos had, and imposed their own draconian laws into play.
Heinkel stenciled:
"You were my teacher, mentor, I shall avenge you, find happiness in the yellow springs road, I shall find happiness gutting Cecilus."
Heinkel stands up and utters:
'What a terrible day it is for rain." While shedding tears of his own, he hadn't cried since his wife fell into a coma and his son Reinhard overshadowed his every achievements.
Rem and Ram are trying their hardest to not lose their composure, now that Marcos had died Heinkel had taken over their operations, but they are at a disadvantage.
Losing nearly half their territory to Vincent, enemies on all sides they were at a loss on what to do. Couldn't even trust their very own foot soldiers since some were definitely spies for the sly and extremely intelligent opponent they faced. However their world turned over when Heinkel made a statement that shattered their perception:
"Rem, Ram, both of you have been nothing but loyal and good to us, Big boss Marcos and I didn't deserve such loyalty. Therefore, it pains me to state this but you are both herby dismissed from the Oni Gang and our own Lugnica territory.
Rem and Ram were about to refute but Heinkel raised his hand and continued:
"No, me and Marcus had plans for this already, do not deny our big boss his wishes. Furthermore, both of you are sixteen and are in the youth of your life, the gang will carry on and you shall always be honorary members. However, you both need to go and finish school, live happy lives, this gang business rarely leaves someone happy or unscathed. I should know better than anyone about it."
The twins stayed silent as they both wanted to refute such a statement, yet from their memories they didn't want to tarnish the final wishes of Marcos. They both bowed down and simultaneously said:
"LONG LIVE BOSS MARCOS, LONG LIVE BOSS HIENKEL, WE SHALL NEVER FORGET YOUR HELP AND WILL HONOR YOU FOR THE REST OF OUR LIFE."
Heinkel put his hands on their shoulders as he forced a smile despite the day's events and concludes his message:
"Rem & Ram, I wish you success in your life, don't worry I will personally hunt down that bastard that slayed our big boss, and put an end to this blood vendetta, if you ever have issues you know how to contact me. We shall be going underground to avoid any police raids or disputes, yet never forget there shall always be a home here for the both of you."
Rem & Ram both sobbed and hugged Heinkel, and with tears of his own he hugged them back, wishing them success in their life.
(Current Scene)
Rem thinks about her big boss and her fury increases, she has not struggled so hard and tried to separate herself from this gang life of misfortune and strife to only lose to a person that just came back. She swings her bat and despite Ella's best attempts her arm flares in pain and she flinches briefly, letting Rem land a semi-solid blow on her stomach.
The blue haired gang leader steps back as she feels she would have been stabbed by the countless scalpels that Ella possess. Meanwhile, the silver haired girl clutches her punctured stomach and spits blood and bile out as she struggles to breathe.
Rem thinks this is the appropriate moment to strike, and while not gloating her eyes shine with the arrogance of the conqueror. Moreover, she strikes at Ella's head, yet is surprised for she hits mere concrete.
As she is befuddled she feels an agonizing tear in her abdomen as a blade rises 5 centimeters and a voice whispers in her ear:
" Enjoy a punctured diaphragm, you maniac of obsession." Ella even giggles and bites rem's earlobe hard enough to tear the bottom portion off and spit it out.
"YOU FUCKING WHOREEE!" Screams Rem as she has an arm on her belly and another one on her bleeding ear. Just when both of their eyes stare at each other they here a piercing and commanding tone:
"This is the police! Stop what you are doing and drop your weapons!"
Both Rem and Ella look at each other's eyes as they simultaneously think:
"This isn't over you bastard."
Both pivot and run the opposite directions avoiding police pursuit, as they do not wish to divulge what happened. Furthermore, they both know that they will want to conclude this in another round, for no one takes what is rightfully theirs.
And with quickness and dexterity, both allude police persecution heavily injured.
(Scene Change)
Emilia is ecstatic and a little nervous to see her sister. She has changed out of several white and purple dresses until she settles on a good match. Purple sneakers with white sweat pants and a purple tank top, as she is happily envisioning their reunion she hears a door bell be sounded.
While thinking it is her sister she skips in joy and can't wait to question her about how the date went with Subaru. She opens the door and loudly proclaims:
"Hellooooo, dear sister, I reeallly hope you have a good excuse for being late, for if no-."
Her thoughts get interrupted and her face contorts in horror. For before her is Ella, however she is bleeding profusely from her clenched stomach and her arm is hanging limply as if it was broke. With a grin Ella follows up:
"He… Hey Emilia…. Have you missed me?" And then the white of her eyes roll up as she passes out in the arms of her crying twin.
Author's notes:
"Hey there thanks for reading, just wanted to say this was my first named chapter. From all three fics, so I guess I surpassed that mile stone. I want to thank my collaborator Wannabe from 7 sisters from betaing some stuff, yes yes, I know it isn't a real word. Also Grimbo and Crypticz helped out quite a bit. I originally thought about making this chapter 10K yet did not undergo that for I am concentrating on my next chapter of Discordant Harmony which will be massive.
Anyway I hope you all enjoyed!
Also a person with a fractured ulna and radius could not logically fight for long times, especially recent injuries, your brain sends signals to your fractures that make you lethargic and in great pain, so Ella had to conclude the fight as fast as she was able too. See you in my other fics or the next update of this one.
This was my favorite chapter to write I won't lie for it granted me certain viewpoints on the duality of humankind and how messed up individuals can be to attain their goals. There is nothing wrong with striving to be better!
Oteycri000 signing off.