CHAPTER EIGHT
No! She can't be here! She justcan't
Marie looked in horror at the girl with two plaits and round glasses. She wanted to find her father. The father that wasn't her father. After that she was going to get killed. Miyano Akemi just couldn't be here yet. Not with Marie unprepared and running a fever. No one noticed her at the door watching as the girl cried and the transmitter got stuck on her watch. When she had come downstairs to tell Ran about her fever she wasn't expecting this.
A wave of dizziness rushed through Marie and she had to lean against the door frame. After the wave was gone Marie collapsed on the stairs outside and sat there mind whirling with worrying questions and useless ideas.
This can't happen now!
The door opened and Marie looked up to see 'Masami' bow to Mouri Kogoro and walk down the stairs. Ran called after her telling it would be alright, because her father was a great detective. Marie swallowed with her sore throat and her head started pounding again. She wanted to cry. But she wouldn't. She had to think this through. Make a plan on how to act. She had to save Shiho's sister. Somehow. A throb shot through her head and made her wince.
"Huh? Marie?", Conan's voice was distant.
Now that she thought about it, the world was whirling too. Like her thoughts. Lifting her eyes up she saw Conan's blurry face and Ran turning around.
No good! I can't stay awake!
"Marie!", his brother's concerned shout rang in her ears as the world tilted upside down.
Before long strong arms lifted her up and a hand was pressed on her forehead. It felt nice and cool even though she was shivering.
"She has a fever! Otou-san, get the thermometer!", Ran called and she had the feeling they were going upstairs.
She felt her body slowly going limp.
No! I have to… stay… awa… ke!
The darkness claimed her just as Ran opened the door to their room.
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Marie stared at the ceiling. This week had been horrible. She had been in and out of consciousness and Conan and Ran were clearly worried. Kogoro was too, but he only looked from the door as Ran nursed her. It didn't stop the case from getting forward though. It was exactly a week after Miyano Akemi had visited. Today they would find the 'father'. And he was going to get murdered. If not today, then sometime soon.
"Ah, Marie! You're awake!", Conan had opened the door and came beside her futon.
He pressed a hand against her forehead and his frown softened.
"Good! Your fever didn't come back"
She smiled softly.
"Sorry… Is the case going alright?"
The boy nodded.
"Yeah. We found her father", Conan smiled, but then his frown returned, "Somehow it felt… off. The reunion I mean, but it's probably nothing"
Marie gave him a wan smile and returned her gaze to the ceiling.
Of course it would be off! It's not her real father.
A pang of worry rushed through her again. The day Miyano Akemi was supposed to die came closer and closer and she was still sick. She hadn't even thought of a plan yet! Her head had hurt too much for that. Only thing she had figured out was that there was no time to save Akemi from the gunshot and after that she would definitely die.
"You're still worried?"
Oh, it showed on her face.
"Yeah… I just have that bad feeling again"
Conan frowned.
"Last time you said that a man did a suicide by stabbing himself in the back"
Marie grimaced, "Thanks for the reminder"
They stayed quiet for a while before Conan stood up.
"Try to rest. I'll go check if I find something wrong with the case"
"…Thanks. I will", Marie gave a smile and closed her eyes.
She would try, but couldn't make any promises. Her unease grew by the day and it wasn't good for her currently sick body. At least the fever was gone. With that she fell into a dreamless sleep and woke up properly two days later being much more awake than the week before.
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Marie's heartbeat was abnormally fast as Conan was leading a taxi driver to a hotel where he said the 'giant' that had murdered supposed Masami-san's father was at. Things were going on too rapidly for her liking. She still hadn't thought much of a plan for saving Akemi and this was getting desperate.
The taxi stopped and everyone got out. Expect Marie, who still had something to say to the driver.
"Um, excuse me, sir!"
She got the man's attention.
"Could you wait for me and a lady with long dark brown hair? She needs a ride"
Confused the driver nodded, "How long will it take?"
"Maybe five minutes. Is that okay? Oh! Please pretend I don't exist when I get to the car. Ask her if she needs a ride and don't pay attention to me, please! Thanks!", with that Marie got out of the taxi and ran to the others that were already at the door to the hotel.
She was sure the taxi driver was a little confused as she ran away. The first step in her crazy plan was to make Conan late to see Miyano in the taxi and start following. There was less risk for him and Ran if he didn't follow. The second was to get inside the taxi herself. It might not work, but she had to be there or some things just wouldn't happen. Someone had to be there. The third… she wasn't so sure. How could she save Akemi? She decided to worry about it later. She needed the first and second step done first.
After getting inside the hotel Marie saw Conan already running for the elevator. She gulped and waited close by for the door to open and the suitcases to fall. Then Miyano Akemi stepped outside and apologized for the cases. After that two men, Ran and Conan were inside the elevator and Marie shadowed Miyano Akemi to see what she did. After hiding the money with the big suitcases Akemi started walking towards the doors to the taxi line.
This better work!
Marie darted outside and went to the taxi driver pointing at Akemi saying she was the lady he should take.
"Aren't you coming?", the driver asked curiously.
Marie shook her head.
"She said it isn't necessary"
Then she went quietly to the back of the car when no one was looking and opened the trunk climbing in and shutting it again. Now she could only hope no one would open it before they were at their destination. Miyano Akemi did take the taxi and told the place she wanted to be dropped off at. To Marie's relief the driver did exactly as she had asked. Now that she thought of it that was a little miracle as she was only five years old. Why did that man listen to her? Not that it mattered now though. She could only be greatful. Time to think of part three in her plan.
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The taxi halted to a stop. Marie waited for a second before trying to open the trunk.
Oh great, it's stuck!
That made her panic a little. What if she didn't make it in time? Worried, she patted the 'wall' before her and tried to find something to open it. She didn't have time for this! Then her fingers caught something. She pulled and it clicked. The trunk flew open and she jumped out closing it again. The driver was probably trying to understand what was happening here, but Marie had only Miyano Akemi in her mind. Glancing around frantically she spotted her entering the port Conan and Ran had lost her at the time this happened.
I have to follow her and not be seen…
Determined Marie ran after her and looked around a corner seeing her target turn another one. Marie bit her lower lip and followed quietly but surely. Her heart thumped loudly against her ribs and she slowly took a peak to the place Miyano had went to. It was empty. Her chest tightened slightly and she almost forgot about the 'keep quiet' as she ran to see where the woman had gone to. She was nowhere to be found. The tension in the air increased as Marie begun searching more frantically. She turned around the corners fast always glancing around. It was hard to breath and fear had started to take over as no results came from the search.
Then a loud bang split the air.
A gunshot.
Spinning around Marie sprinted to the direction of the sound. Her chest was tight and it felt like someone was strangling her heart.
No, she can't be…!
Skidding around a corner Marie ran faster. After the next one she halted. Miyano Akemi stood there a hand on her stomach.
She can't…!
The woman dropped down to her knees dark liquid dropping to the ground beneath her.
No!
Marie took a shaky step forward.
No…! Not her!
"No!", she whispered taking another step before running to the woman, "NO!!"
She can't die!
Miyano Akemi looked surprised to see her. Marie fell on her knees in front of her and pressed her hands to the centre of a too rapidly spreading stain.
"What're you… doing here?", Miyano asked her but started coughing right after making the blood spill out of the aggravated wound.
Marie felt tears forming in her eyes as she tried to stop the blood from flowing out.
"I… I didn't want you to die! Don't want you to die!", her whisper sounded broken, fractured, "You can't die!"
After that quiet sobs were the only sound for a few seconds.
"Sorry, girl… It's too late…"
"NO!!!", her scream was heart shattering, "You CAN'T die! Shiho can't lose her sister! Her family!"
"H- How?", Akemi looked pained, she was pained.
Marie didn't answer. She couldn't. Her cheeks were wet with tears and body shaking uncontrollably. Still, she forced the words out of her throat.
"I know things…"
"I… see…", the voice wasn't much of a whisper.
A hand reached out and caressed Marie's cheek. Her eyes widened and she lifted her eyes to meet Akemi's. The woman smiled reassuringly, but it only worsened the sorrow inside Marie.
Akemi can't die! She can't, she can't, she CAN'T!
Marie lifted her head up to scream the sorrow out.
Don't let her die!!!
A flash of light filled Marie's vision as she let her feelings flow freely. It brightened for a second, before dimming and going away leaving the girl falling limp and dropping to the ground. Her consciousness wavered for a second ears catching a surprised gasp before she fell into the darkness.
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Conan was thinking at lightning speed. That woman had gotten away. She probably took a taxi and went somewhere. There was no way to follow her. Unless… The police. They could probably stop the taxi.
"Hey, Conan-kun!", Ran asked behind him, worried, "Where's Marie-chan?"
Conan blinked and looked around. She was nowhere to be seen. When had they lost her? Was it when they had gone inside the hotel? He should have noticed! Why wasn't she around? She should be here. She wouldn't just leave if she knew what was up. A terrifying thought crossed his mind. Had she noticed the woman looked like Hirota Masami and went after her? Not completely impossible. No, she must have gone after her. Was she hurt? Why hadn't she contacted him?
Conan's phone rang. He dug it up from his pocket hoping it was Marie. It was. He answered right away but before he could say anything her voice came from the phone.
"Conan", her voice was shaky and frail, "I'm at the closest port from the hotel… Masami-neechan… she probably died"
Her words were full of grief.
"Please, come here soon!", it also sounded like she had been crying.
"We're coming! Don't move from there!", Conan turned to Ran, "Ran-neechan, Marie is at the closest port from here. The police is needed there!"
"Wha- ?", Ran was cut off by Conan again.
"Please go get them!"
Ran seemed hesistant but nodded and ran back inside, where the police had arrived a minute ago.
"Marie! What happened?", Conan asked sharply worried for his sister.
"I… hid inside the taxi she went in… lost sight of her and then… then there was a loud bang… she was bleeding… I- I don't remember… there's a trail of blood leading… to the… oc… an…", her voice faded and there was a clattering sound.
The phone had probably fallen to the ground. A soft thump was heard afterwards. Conan froze.
"O- oi! Marie! Marie!!"
There was no answer. Ran was calling for him. Conan jerked around to see a police car ready to leave. He somehow found his way to the car and sat there ready to jump out when the car stopped. He had to find that reckless girl.
Marie, you better be alright!
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Yes, I'm evil. It's a cliffhanger. I didn't know how to fit all else in this one so you will have to wait. I'll try to get the next one out on the weekend, but... as I said before, I don't really know how to write it. I'll plan it out eventually... Sorry everyone who wants to know what happens next as soon as possible.