Everything that had happened since Nagisa ran out into that road had been a blur; the call to the ambulance, the swift arrival of emergency services, leading them to Karma -who was thankfully, still alive- the arrival of a helicopter to whisk them all away.
Nagisa hadn't identified Karma or himself, but the Ambulance crew seemed to work out that much on their own.
When they reached Karma, who looked so pale Nagisa would of feared him dead if not for his heavy breathing, the paramedic took one look at his red hair and picked up his radio.
"I believe we may of found Karma Akabane." He had said.
Nagisa felt another stab of guilt, he was technically handing Karma over to the authorities, after all. But letting Karma die just hadn't been an option. Before Nagisa could get close to Karma, the team descended upon the unconscious read head. Suddenly, there was an oxygen mask over his face and a blood-pressure cuff around his arm.
"We're looking at a suspected sepsis case secondary to gunshot injury." One of the paramedics radioed.
"His blood pressures low. It may of already progressed to septic shock." Another said, sounding concerned. Nagisa, with his very basic medical knowledge wasn't sure of the exact severity of this, but it sounded pretty dire.
His questions of "But Karma will be okay, right?" Went unanswered as the paramedic team called for a helicopter to their coordinates.
Impossibly fast, the helicopter was hovering overhead. Karma was strapped to a stretcher and lifted onto it from a rope like he was a piece of cargo, one of the paramedics going up with him.
"Wait- I need to go too- " Nagisa cried out, trying to run over to him. "I can't leave him, I promised!"
"Sorry, kid, there's no room on the helicopter. You'll be riding with us in the ambulance." A blond paramedic said. "Don't look so upset, we're not that bad company."
Nagisa knew she was only joking to cheer him up, but he really was in no mood for it. "Okay." He said, watching as Karma's stretcher was pulled into the helicopter. "He's going to be okay, isn't he?"
"He's in the best hands." The paramedic said. "You did the right thing getting help for him though, he urgently needs medical attention."
Nagisa nodded, feeling a little bit validated. At least if he had given up Karma's freedom, he had traded it for his life. Surely that's a fair deal, right? He wondered if Karma would see it that way.
Nagisa and the other paramedics started the trek back through the forest to the ambulance, still parked on the side of the road. It was only after he left the thicket of the trees that Nagisa realised that the Paramedic hadn't confirmed that Karma would be alright, not really.
Christmas for Gakushuu had never been particularly wonderful events. When he was younger, his father never celebrated, not really. There were few occasions where they would be guests at some wealthy associates house, but that was more about looking good and being on your best behaviour than actually having fun.
The past few years, Gakushuu had always attended Ren's Christmas parties, which were over the top and ostentatious events full of his and Ren's elite friends and associates. They were fun enough, but not exactly the kind of classic Christmas you see in the movies.
But even by his own personal standards, this Christmas was particularly dismal; being stuck in hospital.
The doctors and nurses had tried to make it nice the best they could, decorating the ward and bringing in cake and chocolate for everyone. But it was clear they were itching to finish their shift and get back to their own families. Gakushuu couldn't blame them.
Of course, everyone expected Gakushuu to spend it with his Dad, since they where in the same hospital after all. So instead of being with everyone on the ward, Gakushuu was currently alone sat behind a stairwell, reading a book, after telling the nurses he was off to visit his Dad.
Yep. Pretty depressing Christmas.
He still wasn't sure what to do about the matter of the truth. He knew if he really wanted to confess to stabbing his Dad, he'd have to speak to Karasuma. But was that really what he wanted? He had just gotten his freedom, why should he give it up? It looked like Karma had managed to evade the law so far anyway, so it was win-win.
Suddenly, from one of the doors, there was a flurry of movement. A stretcher was brought in flanked by doctors, nurses, paramedics and police officers.
Wow. Someone clearly liked to be the centre of attention. The amalgamation of various emregency-worker seemed to be arguing.
"I understand he's a fugitive but he's got advanced sepsis he is not going to be a threat- "
"-it's protocol. We need to put a handcuff on him. That won't effect your ability to treat him- "
"I beg to differ. What if we need to quickly transfer him to a surgery bed? A very likely possibility currently."
"He's in the same hospital as his potential victims- thanks to your paramedics mistake- he needs handcuffing at the minimum."
"It was not a mistake. We prioritised saving his life over waiting for another hospitals helicopter to become available- "
Gakushuu found himself slowly creeping through the stairs to get a better look at the drama unfolding. The various essential workers were crowding around the poor soul lying on the stretcher with an oxygen mask on. Through the crowd of people, he couldn't make out the injured person's face. Well. It seems as if at least one person was having a worse Christmas than he was.
Nagisa was indeed driven to the hospital, but he still wasn't allowed to see Karma. He was checked over. His ribs were badly bruised and his leg was sprained, but there was no major damage, thankfully.
By this point he was beyond exhausted- he hadn't slept since they'd been at the Inn and that was nearly 48 hours ago at this point, but he was still expected to give a police interview. This was the part he was dreading. He wanted to protect Karma, but he didn't want to incriminate Gakushuu either. He also wasn't sure if he should admit to Karma being present at the stabbing at all. He was too tired and too drained to even think straight.
Even if Nagisa tried to tell the real story, he doubt they would believe it- that Karma had broken into the house with a knife, but it had been Golden-boy Gakushuu who had done the stabbing. Nagisa wished he and Karma had conferred to agree upon a story in case they were arrested. Why hadn't they thought of that? No matter whatt he told the police, there was a good chance Karma would say something different.. He felt dammned either way.
"So your saying Karma was at your house during the night of the incident- and even though you could of provided him with an alibi- he decided to run as soon as people started to suspect him?" The police officer said, skeptically.
"Right. Karma has had such a bad experiences with authority before, and I didn't think anyone would believe me." Nagisa said. "So we thought running was our only option."
He had decided to gamble on the lie- that Karma hadn't been at the Asano residence at all- he decided that was safest. If Nagisa had admitted that Karma had shown up at his place covered in blood, that would be as good as a confession.
"I see- " the officer said, making a note. He sighed. "I hope you are being honest with us. Lying to a police officer about something so important is a crime, even if he is your friend."
"I'm not lying." Nagisa said, steeling his nerves and meeting the officers gaze. Something had changed within him since the forest. A small part of himself felt stronger. Maybe stronger wasn't the right word. More determined, perhaps. "Now can you please let me know how Karma is? When can I see him?"
The officer sighed. "You won't be seeing him any time soon, son, but he is stable I can tell you that much."
Nagisa let out a sigh he didn't realise he had been holding in. A small part of him was afraid Karma would die and all this would be for nothing. "Thank goodness.."
"Listen, kid, I don't know what kind of 'relationship' you and that other boy have- " the officer started, looking mildly disgusted. "But I can tell he's leading you astray down a dark and degenerate path. You should distance yourself from him."
"Thanks for the advice." Nagisa said coldly, meeting his glare. The man sighed.
"I don't understand the youth of today. They'll throw away everything for nothing. In my day, we only had to worry about girls running off with a bad boy." The officer sighed. "Well. Anyway. We've called your mother to come pick you up. The poor dear was frantic. I bet you weren't thinking of how much you upset her when you ran away, huh?"
Nagisa nodded stiffly. He knew this was coming. He'd known since he'd made the decision to leave Karma and run for help. Inevitably, he would have to face his mother again. Even as his heart pounded and his hands started to tremor, he sat still, accepting this fate.
Karma woke up in an unfamiliar room feeling like complete shit. His eyes were too blurry as they adjusted to the light for him to make anything out. There was the distant sound of bleeping, and something tight wrapped around his face.
He tried to pull it off, but as he moved his hand, he found it was attached to the bedpost. Even with his vision as limited as it currently was, he could still make out the outline of handcuffs.
"Fuck." He cursed out loud, his voice sounding unexpectedly hoarse and scratchy. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
"He's awake- " a gruff voice shouted. Karma looked up, his vision clearing up rapidly now. There was a man sat on a chair against the wall facing him. He had a newspaper in one hand and a coffee in the other. It was clear by his uniform the man was police. Karma decided to stop cursing.
Pretty soon, a nurse walked in followed by a doctor.
"It's excellent to see you awake, Karma, how are you feeling?" The Doctor said.
"Like I've been shot in the arm then arrested for a crime I didn't commit while I was unconscious." He replied grimly.
"It's good to see you still have a sense of humour." She said. Her lips were pursed, looking very unamused. "- We just need to do a few tests."
"Where is Nagisa?" Karma asked.
"-Now, can you follow my finger?" The Doctor said.
"WHERE is Nagisa?" Karma asked, louder this time, verging on shouting. "Where is he? Why isn't he here?"
"The young man you were travelling with? He dearly wanted to be with you, but he simply wasn't allowed." The Doctor said. "He's safe at home."
"Safe at home?" Karma hissed. "There's nothing safe about his home at all- " he glared at both the police officer. "But of course you're too busy arresting people for crimes they didn't commit to bother looking into genuine abuse cases! How does it make sense that adults can torture a kid for years and get off Scott free, but suddenly one of those abusers get stabbed and there's a national manhunt, maybe get your priorities straight!"
He knew he was being irrational, but it just wasn't fair. He and Nagisa were going to run away, and they would of done it too if not for that one nosey bastard on the bus. They had to jump off a moving coach because of him. And then what happened? Karma's memory was fuzzy after that, nothing was clear. He guessed the police must of caught them and they were arrested.
"I should warn you now that you have been officially placed under arrest for the suspected assault causing grievous bodily harm to one adult and one minor. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." The officer said in an almost monotone voice, clearly completely unaffected by Karma's little tirade against him. He'd probably heard it all before- and worse.
Karma resisted the urge to cuss him out or rant further about the unfairness of a man like Asano Gakuhou seemingly getting more protection from authorities than his son ever did. In the end, all he said was;
"I want to call my lawyer."
This was the first time that Gakushuu had been in the same room as his father since the man had woken up. He had spent all of last night and today avoiding coming to this place specifically, but the detectives had asked to see them both together to share some important news.
Gakushuu sat in the furthest chair away from the bed, eyes fixed on detective Karasuma, pretending his father wasn't here at all. Which is easier said than done when the sound of his gasping breathing and bleeps of his machine filled the air.
"We have some good news." Karasuma said, addressing the two of them. "Karma Akabane has been apprehended."
Gakushuu looked down at the floor, ashamed; he really was going to let someone else take the fall, wasn't he? Was he?
"Excellent. I take it he's in custody being questioned now?" His father said.
"He's currently in hospital being treated by IV antibiotics. But I assure you, once he is well enough we can conduct the police interview and make charges against him." Karasuma explained. "We'll keep you up to date with the court process the whole time."
"How wonderful. I'm so relieved that boy can't harm anyone else." The Chairman said. "Soon this dreadful business will all be over."
"What about Nagisa?" Gakushuu asked. "Was Nagisa okay? He's not facing any charges, right?"
Karasuma gave Gakushuu a weary look. "Nagisa Shiota is safe and well." He said. "He's currently back with his family."
"Poor boy. So easily lead astray." The Chairman said. "Karasuma, would you be able to get a phone for me? It's time I started discussions with my lawyers.."
In front of the detectives, Nagisa's mother had been the very epitome of the worried mother. She'd pulled him into a bone-crushing hug and showered him with kisses as she wailed, tears flowing from her eyes. Perhaps Nagisa was being unfair. Her grief and worry had been very genuine, but now they were at home and it was just the two of them, her demenure was very different.
"How could you, Nagisa, how could you?" She screeched for the tenth time, pacing around the flat, eyes red-raw from crying. "You've probably already taken years off my life and you don't even care!"
She did look skinnier than Nagisa remembered, her hair even looked thinner. His few days on the run had taken his toll on her, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel guilty. He was stood in the doorway still, watching her scream.
He didn't know what it was- all his recent near death experiences, his overwhelming concern for Karma - but he felt a sort of detached clarity from his mother's tirade. He didn't feel afraid like he usually would, he was just sort of tolerating it until it was over.
"Look at you! You don't even care about me at all!" His mother shouted, raising a fist to smack in Nagisa. Before she could make contact, Nagisa grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"What do you think you're- "
"I know you're angry, Mum." Nagisa said in a voice that was far too calm. "You can shout all you want, but I'm not going to let you hit me again."
"-How dare you tell me-"
"-I'm not arguing about this. If you put your hands on me, I'm gone." Nagisa said. "I'm an adult, you can't make me stay here. I'll go to my friends, or to Grandmas or even just to a hotel. But I won't tolerate you hurting me again."
Nagisa let go of her wrist. His Mother stared at him with wide eyes full of disbelief. Nagisa had never stood up to her before, he had always been her little ragdoll, even though he had been stronger than her for a while. She gaped, her mouth opening and closing like a fish as she realised her son was being completely serious.
"How dare you. You ungrateful little brat." She cursed. But she didn't make a move to hit him again. Instead, she just glared at him for a long tense moment, her eyes full of hatred, before skulking off.
Nagisa let out a sigh of relief, feeling a sudden burst of pride that he'd finally managed to stand up to her. It was tainted with sadness however, as he realised this didn't fix everything. He was still hurt by what she'd done in the past, and that trauma didn't disappear the moment he was able to face her.
"You're only speaking to me like this because of that dammed Akabane. Well. He wont be in your life much longer." His mother said from across the room, her voice dripping with hatred. "He's going to get locked away for a long time, then you'll only have me. Then you'll appreciate me."
"You don't know that." Nagisa said. "Karma hasn't been convicted of anything."
"Oh. But he will be." He his mother said, a nasty grin spreading acorss her face as she gloated. "While you were gone- When you abandonned me- the police came and they searched the apartment. I don't know what they found, but it must of been pretty incriminating. The police seemed very excited"
Nagisa's heart sunk as he a memory that had been buried with all the drama and events of the last few days became uncovered. When Karma had shown up at his room the night of the stabbing, he had been covered in blood. Nagisa had given him some of his Dad's old clothes to put on. But that blood soaked shirt he had been wearing.. they didn't even think about disposing it properly had just bungled it up in a plastic bag and thrown it into the bin.
Which meant the police currently had Karma's shirt covered in the Chairman's blood locked away in an evidence bag somewhere.
The tiny amount of hope Nagisa had been holding on to dissapeared.
Karma was really fucked.
I guess I'd call this another one of those intermission chapters that has the awkward job of bridging two parts of the story together. Like the runaway part is officially over. Sorry Nagisa and Karma didn't make it, but their plan was never very realistic from the start.
Once again, thanks for the reviews. I'm so happy people are still reading this long into the story, and I love to read people's thoughts about it :)