I
"So that thing really hurts people?" Nagisa asked as she, Mami and Sayaka all peaked around the corner of an alley together, one standing over the other with Mami on top, Sayaka in the middle, and Nagisa at the bottom. "It looks so cute though."
There was a creature which could most closely be compared to a puppy pacing around the alley. It had a large box shaped head which was way out of proportion with its comparatively small body. There were three black marbles for eyes on the flat surface of what you could call it's face, and two holes below them for nostrils which it used to sniff around a pile of trash.
"Even so," Mami whispered back to Nagisa, "If we just allow it to run free, there is no doubt that it will try to attack a human one day. They do not always look like this one, and often appear more fitting to what they actually are, but whatever it may look like you need to understand that these familiars are dangerous."
The familiar must have heard them talking, because it stopped what it was doing and turned towards them. It sat back on its haunches, and let it's mouth fall open, splitting its boxy head into two rectangles. There were dozens of sharp white triangles for teeth, and a red tongue flopped out and hung out of the creature's mouth as it sat there and panted at them.
Mami stepped out into the opening, and summoned a musket into her hands. She pointed the barrel down the alleyway and lowered her head to take aim. Sayaka took the cue and reached to the side as she summoned a sword into her grasp, also taking a battle ready stance beside Mami.
They had briefly given Nagisa an introductory training exercise in the park before taking her out on this hunt, so she already knew how to summon her weapon and did so on the opposite side of Mami from Sayaka. Her weapon looked like a cross between a miniature trumpet and a water gun. If she were to blow on it, bubbles would come out.
At first they were not entirely sure how her bubbles could be utilized, until Sayaka had cautiously touched one to see if it would hurt. When it popped the liquid absorbed itself into her and gave her a refreshed feeling. They realized that Nagisa's magic must be supportive, but Mami said she could probably develop the ability to create different kinds of bubbles once she had more control over her magic. Mami suggested that their next training exercise should be teaching Nagisa to create bubbles which can be used offensively as well.
"Okay Sayaka, since you need the practise why don't you take care of this one?" Mami said, still with her gun trained on the familiar who just stared back at the group, panting with its tongue hanging out and dripping black droplets of drool. "Nagisa, you can go in too but stay behind Sayaka and just try to support her with your bubbles, if you can. I'll be right here to step in encase things start to go poorly."
They both nodded, and started walking forward with Sayaka taking the lead. She was disappointed that it was just a familiar, it's not that she cared a whole lot about collecting GriefSeeds, but there is a certain someone who they would have a better chance of running into if it was a full blown witch. After finding Madoka's ribbon in her house she was sure that meant Madoka had been there and left it as a sign. The fact she left such a vague message instead of leaving a note or something meant she must have been forced to leave under duress, meaning Homura had done something to her.
"Alright little guy," Sayaka said as she approached the strange creature which just stared back at her innocently. "Just stay right there!" She suddenly jumped forward, raising her sword high into the air and then slashing downward.
The familiar jumped out of the way just before the sword would have split it in two. When she looked to the side, she saw it's tongue extending and coming at her. The tongue split in half down the middle and opened up, revealing that the tongue itself was another mouth which was also filled with those rows of sharp triangular teeth. "Gah!" Sayaka yelled, and swung her sword at the tongue-mouth. It's teeth clenched around her blade and she grunted as she tried to hold it off. The creature itself was making a growling noise from it's much bigger box-mouth as it's tongue tried to overpower her.
"Nagisa!" Mami shouted.
"Oh! Uh-um!" Nagisa quickly put her lips around the nozzle of her trumpet and blew. A series of bubbles came out in response. The ones with a light blue hue floated over to Sayaka, others were clear and simply floated up into the sky where they popped with no noticeable effects.
The blue bubbles gathered around Sayaka and expanded as they sunk into her, and when they disappeared they were replaced by a blue light which painted itself onto Sayaka and began to glow brighter, covering her in an aura.
Sayaka let out a battlecry, suddenly feeling an extra burst of power flowing through her body and strengthening her muscles. She tensed up and managed to cut cleanly through its tongue with a heavy slash to the right, spraying black ooze as the blade ripped out of the tongue-mouths grasp.
Watching the spray and hearing the creature scream seemed to sooth a certain burning in her chest. Three days and they were not any closer to finding Madoka. Somewhere, Homura was out there doing god knows what to her, and all Sayaka wanted was a chance to take her one on one and make her pay for ever messing with her friend!
Sayaka screamed as she dove forward with her blade and speared the creature right through it's head. It let out a hissing sound that was quite unlike any dog she had ever heard as it's oddly shaped legs stumbled back awkwardly. Sayaka kept it close, advancing on its retreat and slashing at it whenever she could. Eventually backed into a corner, it gave up resistance and screamed that monstrous sound until one more slash created a last horrifying burst and the creature fell limp. It's body lost its form and began to dissolve.
Sayaka stepped back, breathing heavily and watching the creature as it dissipated.
"I-I did it…" She looked down at the sword in her hand and grinned, not expecting that this would be such an invigorating feeling. "Alright!" She laughed and turned to Nagisa. "I mean, we really did it, huh?"
Nagisa just returned the smile and gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. "Yeah we did! That thing definitely stopped being cute too. I can see how it would be dangerous, so I'm glad we took it out."
Mami dispelled her muskett and stepped forward, clapping her hands. "Good job you two! Not bad at all for your first one."
Nagisa was about to turn and respond to Mami, but she heard a sound and with it something caught her eye. She looked up and noticed a red figure standing on top of one of the shorter buildings along the alleyway, hidden in the shadow of another building which stood next to it.
"Huh?" Sayaka looked behind herself to see whatever it was Nagisa was looking at.
The person clicked her teeth and began to turn, until Mami stepped forward and said, "Sakura-san!" which stopped the red girl from walking away. Her crimson tunic was already turned to them, and a fist clenched at her side. Mami grinned, and folded her arms. "It's been a long time. Kyoko!"
II
They sat on opposite sides of the couch, Madoka reading the manga Homura had offered her, and Homura reading a novel she had randomly grabbed from the bookstore. It was a peculiar feeling for Homura, for she had not taken part in a leisurely activity like this in longer than she could remember. Normally she spent the two month span of any timeline on constant guard. Either fighting witches, manipulating the paths of her friends to attempt to give them better outcomes, and keeping an eye on Madoka so Kyubey would not manipulate her into a contract, or stopping that foolish girl Sayaka Miki from putting Madoka into even further danger as she often did.
In this new timeline, Homura did not have to worry so much. She had Madoka right here, right in front of her, and she was safe.
Still, Homura could only concentrate on her book with half a mind. She often found herself peeking over the cover and just watching Madoka as she sat there with her manga. Many past lives ago, Homura had been curled up side by side with Madoka as they read from that same story together. That was a dear memory of Homura's, and a desperate part of her heart longed to have it back. This Madoka did not want that, though, she knew that, and she supposed she would have to accept it. At least for now.
Madoka turned the final page and closed the book, then noticed Homura staring at her. Madoka blushed and glanced away awkwardly. "What?" she asked.
"Oh… nothing. Um, what did you think?" It was only the first of three volumes, the other two still sat inside the stack.
"It started out really cute, but it's starting to seem like it's getting a little sad too."
"Yeah… it is a good story though, don't you think?"
Madoka smiled, "It is, I just hope it has a happy ending."
"It-"
"Don't spoil it!" Madoka quickly interrupted before Homura could continue. Then she grinned awkwardly, her eyes seemed unsure where they wanted to go. "Um… I do like it so far though."
Homura smiled, "Good, I thought you would."
Madoka returned the book to the top of the stack then ran her thumb through until she found the next volume and slid it out. "Um… how's your book?" The way her eyes had trouble staying on Homura showed it was difficult for her to speak casually to her. Homura couldn't blame her, but appreciated that she was at least trying.
Homura actually hadn't paid much attention to her own book. Her eyes would go across the pages without really taking the words in, as her mind had mostly been on the girl who sat on the other side of the couch from her. "It's too early to tell," she said, simply.
Madoka forced a smile, "Yeah, novels can be like that sometimes." She opened up the second volume of the manga and began reading.
Homura leaned forward and looked through the bedroom door where she could see the DVD player which had the time displayed: 12:53.
It was getting late, and she thought about commenting on the time. She stopped herself, though. There was no way she could point out how late it was without it seeming like she was telling Madoka to go to bed, and what that implied coming along with it. She let her eyes drift back down to her book as Madoka started reading hers.
Homura actually was starting to feel quite tired herself. Her eyes started to feel heavy as they scanned across the pages.
After nearly a half hour of silence she caught her head nodding off, but quickly jolted her eyes back open. When she did so, she caught Madoka quickly ducking back behind her own book, and Homura could easily imagine the guilty frown on her face.
Homura's suspicious side pulled at her, wondering if Madoka was anticipating another opportunity to escape. Again, she supposed she could not blame Madoka for wishing for such an opportunity, but she did need to keep her eyes open.
Homura set the book on the table, still open with the pages down, and stood.
Madoka peeked over the top cover and watched her as she picked up the empty cocoa mugs and walked back to the kitchen with them. When Homura came back into the living room she said, "It's getting late, don't you think?"
Madoka simply nodded her head in response. Then after a moment of silence she said, "Just let me finish this chapter, ok?"
"Sorry. I mean, you can stay up as late as you want… I was just commenting…"
"No, you're right. It is late."
Homura then walked to the bathroom. Before going in she said, "I'll be able to hear you, so don't try sneaking past."
When she was done and she stepped back into the living room, Madoka had already disappeared from the couch. Homura glanced over to the door to see the chain-link was still fastened. She walked back to the bedroom to find Madoka already sitting on the side of the bed waiting for her. That's a first, Homura thought.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Homura asked as she walked over to her. Madoka nodded her head while just staring at the ground in front of her. "Okay then, lay down."
"Um…" Madoka moved her hands together so that her wrists were touching and showed it to Homura. "Can you just tie my hands together like this instead?" Her eyes shifted, "I guess… so I can roll over if I want to?"
Homura thought it over, examining the bedframe and trying to decide if it would be secure enough like that. She didn't like having to be so suspicious of Madoka, but she knew she had to assume Madoka would take any chance she could of escaping. "Stand up," Homura said, walking closer to her.
"W-why?"
"I need to make sure you didn't hide anything."
Madoka seemed to have lost that defiant side of herself, at least for tonight, as she stood up and stepped away from the bed without complaint. While part of Homura did like Madoka's more docile side, as it was easier to deal with, it also had a way of making her worry. Those weak moments from the girl she otherwise knew to be strong and willful made Homura worry if Madoka really was going to be okay.
III
Nagisa squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look at the red girl on top of the building.
Sayaka looked over to Mami. "Who's that?"
"Kyoko Sakura," Mami explained, "She is another Magical Girl."
"Oh! Hey!" Sayaka called up to Kyoko, "It's nice to meet you!"
So, she's another Magical Girl, Nagisa thought excitedly. Between Mami, Sayaka, and Kyubey, Nagisa already made three great friends. Maybe this girl could be a fourth one? "Um, yeah!" Nagisa called up to her as well, "Um… I'm Nagisa Momoe!"
"Right, and I'm Sayaka-"
"Idiots!" Kyoko shouted, cutting Sayaka off.
"Huh?" Sayaka took a step back and looked over to Mami uncertainly. Mami folded her arms and put a stern look on her face.
"You morons!" Kyoko continued, now turning to face them. She came out into the light and put her foot up on the ledge of the building as she looked down on them. She was pretty, and had beautiful long crimson red hair like Nagisa had never seen before, but there was a rather mean look on her face. "That wasn't a witch. It was a familiar! Way to just waste your magic on a useless target!"
Nagisa looked between her two friends. Sayaka clenched a fist, seeming like she was about to say something. Mami put out an open palm to signal Sayaka and Nagisa back. "Let me handle this," she said to them, then moved in front of them and looked up to Kyoko who just stared back at her with that mean look in her eyes. "I see you have not changed at all, Sakura-san."
Kyoko clicked her teeth. "I should say the same to you! Haven't you learned anything? Why are you teaming up with a couple of rookies? Those losers are just going to cause you trouble!"
"They were both selected by Kyubey to become Magical Girls, and therefore I am sure they will do just fine."
"Oh, I get it!" Kyoko grinned, "So, you are just going to use them to do your dirty work. Then you'll take all the Grief Seeds for yourself and toss these two losers to the side when they aint useful to ya' anymore! Right?" Kyoko bent over and let out a mocking laugh.
"Where would you even get an idea like that?" Mami shouted back at her, "I know it is hard for a recluse like yourself to understand, but not everyone thinks in such a selfish and devious manner. These are my friends, and together we are going to defend the city as equal partners!"
"You ain't defending crap," Kyoko sneered. "Not if you're wasting all your magic on useless targets! What's going to happen when you are fighting a real witch and run out of magic? Huh? Bet you'll be regretting this idiotic egotrip then! Miss Hero of Justice!"
Mami was silent for a moment, and Sayaka stepped to her senpai's side and raised her fist at Kyoko. "Alright, I don't know what your deal is but if you are saying you would just let the familiars go free and hurt people, then you are not worth listening to! Mami's a real Magical Girl! She isn't some selfish poser like you!"
Nagisa nodded and stepped forward to Mami's other side then pointed up at Kyoko. "Yeah! So why don't you just go away! Mean girl!"
Kyoko let out an even louder bout of laughter. "HA! Well listen to that, one day under their belts and the rookies already think they know what 'being a real Magical Girl' means. You know, I really pity you idiots." She wiped her sneering face on the back of her wrist. "Well understand this: Being a Magical Girl is a competition, there ain't no room for friendship! Just you wait, when things get rough and there isn't enough GriefSeeds to go around, Mami is going to turn her back and betray both of you!"
Kyoko's eyes narrowed as she stepped back, sinking into the shadows once again. Nagisa couldn't help feeling like those intense crimson-red eyes were staring directly at her, but despite feeling nervous she stared back with a brave curve on her lips.
The mean girl grinned, "That is, if you are not the ones to stab her in the back first. If you are smart that's exactly what you'll do." and with that, she turned away and ran off into the shadows, out of sight, leaving the three of them behind.
Mami quickly raised her musket and fired a ribbon up at the area Kyoko had been, and held on tight as it retracted and pulled her up through the air. She landed on top of the building and looked around, but Kyoko was already nowhere to be seen. Mami looked back to her two Kohai who stood below. "I am sorry about that," she said, calmly. "I knew that Kyoko had come back to Mitakihara, but I was hoping she would not wish to make us her enemies. It seems that is not going to be the case, however." Mami sighed as she glanced in the direction Kyoko had run off in. "Please, do not take anything she said seriously. She wasn't always like that, but these days she is just a cold hearted cynic."
Sayaka and Nagisa looked at each other and nodded. "Of course we wouldn't listen to her," Sayaka said, "Anyone could tell she was just spewing crap, there's no way we would take the word of someone like that over you, Mami."
"Yeah! There is no way we are going to listen to what that mean girl says!" Nagisa agreed.
"Thank you…" Mami said, "But, since she is in our town I think I should explain exactly what my relationship with her is." She looked back to them and smiled. "How about we call it a night for now and head back to my apartment? I've got some pastries we can snack on."
"Alright sounds good, I'm in!" Sayaka said.
"Yeah, me too!" Nagisa cheered.
Nagisa hadn't expected that there would be Magical Girls like that as well, she just assumed they would all be nice like Sayaka and Mami. She trailed a little bit behind the two older girls as they led the way. Oh well, she thought, at least she had two friends who she could have fun with. And what the mean girl said about Mami betraying them was just ridiculous. Mami was too nice, there is no way she would ever do something like that.
IV
Madoka watched as Homura lifted the mattress and looked under it, then patted all along the bedsheets and pillows trying to find if Madoka hid anything. Madoka just stood there silently, holding onto herself and rubbing her forearm anxiously.
When Homura was done she turned to Madoka and said, "I'm sorry, I just had to be sure. Are you positive there is nothing else you're up to?"
Madoka shook her head.
"I'm going to try and make this more comfortable for you. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but considering what happened last night, I really shouldn't…" Madoka's hand held tighter to her forearm. Why did those words make her feel so guilty? "If you do try anything, understand I won't be able to keep taking chances. It's for your own safety that you stay in here, you know."
Madoka hated to hear about how all of this was for her own good. As for being up to something… she did have a reason for wanting to be tied differently, and it was not just for comfort, although that was still a benefit. The plan she had was not what Homura thought, and it would not mean she'd be able to escape tonight either… but maybe, it could open up another opportunity in the future.
She shook her head. "I-I'm not up to anything." She hated how small her voice came out. Her throat felt dry for some reason, and though she wouldn't look at Homura she could feel Homura's eyes on her. Madoka couldn't help this strange idea in her head that Homura could read her mind and already knew what she was doing.
"Okay, then. I suppose you can come sit back down." Homura then turned to start undoing one of the knots of rope around the bedpost as Madoka walked over and took a seat. Homura retrieved the rope then kneeled down infront of her and held a hand out, asking Madoka to offer her own. Madoka placed her wrists together and held them out. Her head shrunk down into her shoulders and she closed her eyes as she felt the rope touch her skin and begin to bind her.
Homura was delicate with Madoka's hands as she worked. She actually always was very gentle as long as Madoka was sitting still and allowing her to do what she wanted. It's only those times when Madoka tried to resist her that she ended up being rough, and sometimes hurt her. Madoka brought her mind back to that night when Homura put her arms in that painful position behind her back, she tried to remind herself how angry she should be at Homura for doing that to her. Somehow, she wasn't finding that anger because part of her realized she hadn't really given Homura a choice in the matter.
"I'm going to pull it tight now," Homura warned her, and used one hand to brace Madoka's forearm. "Ready?" Madoka nodded her head and tensed up as Homura's other hand pulled hard on the rope and tightened the knot. "There, all done," she said with a soft voice.
Madoka peaked her eyes open and looked at it. Maybe Homura wasn't a bad person, but she had to keep reminding herself that this wasn't okay. It wasn't okay! She had to do anything she could to get out.
"Here, open your hands. Let me feel them." Madoka uncurled her fingers as she was asked. An odd feeling crept down her spine as Homura pressed her palm, and then held a few individual fingers in her hand. "It feels okay?" Homura asked, "No tingly feeling? No coldness?"
Madoka shook her head. "It's fine."
"Okay." She allowed Madoka to curl her fingers down again, then took her by her bound wrists and led her up to the bedpost. Madoka crawled across the bed on her knees, following Homura's guidance, until her hands were right up to the wooden bar. Homura had one knee up on the bed as she finished the final knot. She had left a loose strand of rope hanging from Madoka's wrists and looped it through the wooden bar then tied it again at the center of Madoka's wrists where her fingers would not be able to reach it. "There, this should be fine."
Madoka sat on her knees for a moment, staring at the bindings with her hands folded in front of her. Here she was again, unable to go anywhere even if she wanted to. She would be stuck like this until Homura untied her again. She cautiously looked over to Homura, who just watched her for a moment.
Homura smiled and said, "It should be a little more comfortable than before. You can lay down now."
"Y-yeah…" Madoka agreed, then lowered herself down until her head was on the pillow with her arms raised above her head. She tucked her knees up into herself. Being like this still made her feel quite vulnerable, and therefore nervous.
Homura walked down to the foot of the bed and started undoing the rope on the bottom posts. Madoka's head shot over to her. "W-what are you doing?" she asked anxiously.
"Just putting these away, there's no need for them."
"Oh…" Madoka hated this defenceless feeling. These ropes around her wrists were not even required for Homura to have power over her. The moment Homura came into her life a few days ago, Madoka stopped being a free person who could have a will of her own. It's such a simple thing, and something she had taken for granted all her life. Now that her freedom had been stripped from her, she understood how precious it was.
There was still that one method she thought of earlier which could possibly give her at least some control back. As she watched Homura take the loose strands of rope back to the closet, Madoka tried to speak but found her voice catching in her throat. She once again had that fear that Homura would see right through her. She was never a very manipulative person in the first place, and she honestly felt quite guilty about it.
"Okay," Homura said as she finished cleaning up, "Do you need anything else?"
Madoka shook her head.
Homura watched her for a moment. Her upper arms were over her head with her wrists tied above her. She had her knees still tucked up to her stomach, and perhaps Homura took this as a sign she might be cold.
Homura walked over, "Here," she said as she pulled the bedsheet out from under her and then laid it over her body. Madoka looked up at her through the corners of her eyes and Homura smiled as she tucked her in. Her hand then reached out to pat Madoka's head, but when Madoka receded back Homura remembered what they talked about earlier and stopped. "Goodnight," she said simply, without touching her, then turned around to walk out of the room.
Madoka watched her as she went, suddenly feeling a small sinking in her heart. When Homura turned the light off, that sinking feeling increased. She remembered that bad dream she had while Homura was out earlier today, and more than that she remembered the horrible labyrinth that Homura and Kyoko had saved her from. She was about to be left alone in this dark room, and fear started to pull at her. Fear which was further incited by a sense of loneliness, and that feeling of being powerless and vulnerable from having her hands bound.
"H-Homura," Madoka said, by the time the taller girl was just a silhouette exiting the doorway.
She turned, "What is it?"
"Can you…" She gulped. She still had that mean plan in her head, but she also just really did not want to be alone right now. "D-do you think you could stay with me…" her voice was small, "Just until I fall asleep?"
Homura delayed for a moment, then walked back inside. She looked around for somewhere to sit but didn't see anything, so she went over to the bed and cautiously took a seat on the side of it, next to Madoka. "Is this okay?" she asked, "I can move…"
"No. It's fine."
They did not say much to each other for a while. Madoka closed her eyes, trying to let herself sleep, while Homura just sat there. She thought finding comfort in Homura is something she shouldn't want, but like it or not she was afraid of being alone, and Homura is all she had. She peaked her eyes open. Homura was watching her, but quickly glanced away when she realized Madoka's eyes had opened.
She loves me, Madoka thought. She had revealed that this morning when she tried to kiss her. It was an odd feeling, knowing someone felt that way about her. Her mother always insisted that she must have admirers at school, but Madoka never thought so.
Thinking about her mom made her feel sad again, and it got worse as some of their daily routines started running through her mind; brushing their teeth together, chatting about her sensei Miss. Saotome, and giving each other a high five before parting ways in the morning. She desperately missed all of those small things, as well as going about her normal school life and being with her friends. She couldn't stay here… she had to go home.
She felt that guilty lump in her throat as she spoke, "Homura?"
"Yes?"
"Um… I was mean to you earlier."
Homura shook her head, "No, you weren't."
"I was though… I mean, I implied a really bad thing about you…"
They were both silent for a little while until Homura said, "It's okay. I know that this situation isn't easy for you either. If either of us needs to apologize it's me." Her eyes darkened, and she whispered her next words so lowly it seemed to be more to herself. "For… never being able to…"
She was the girl who snatched her away from her normal life, but she had reasons for doing it. Even if she could be mean sometimes, for the most part Homura at least tried to be nice. Madoka could see that, and also knew that Homura cared about her. But…
"Homura, what I said before… I mean, you can touch me." Homura's head turned towards her more fully. Madoka blushed and her head sunk into her shoulders. "I-I mean… you usually…" her voice became small and embarrassed, "Before leaving… you… the way you pat my head. I um… Y-you don't have to stop doing that. I-I don't mind." She closed her eyes, feeling like an idiot.
Then, she felt Homura's hand set itself on top of her head and stroke her hair. Madoka's eyes opened and the two of them made real eye contact with each other, which seemed to be a rarity in their relationship. "Then, can I do it now?" Homura asked.
Madoka could only nod her head in response.
Her eyes started to feel heavy, and she let them close as Homura stroked her hair with a soft touch. That desperate lonely feeling in her heart felt like it was sinking away. Those scary images from the witch's labyrinth, and the haunting red eyes of the incubator both vanished from her mind completely. Homura had saved her from those things; those things that actually did want to hurt her. She thought she had other reasons for allowing Homura to touch her like this, and tried to silence the idea that it really was to help with her loneliness.
No, this is just part of my plan, Madoka thought as her mind wandered off to sleep... I… just need to get back home...
V
Junko's head laid against her folded arm on the tabletop. The house was mostly dark besides the dimmed lights in the kitchen. She stared at an empty glass eye level with her, then reached out and grabbed for something else.
She slid a bottle towards her, her stomach jerking with a hiccup as she leaned the bottle down until its neck dinged against the rim of the glass. Nothing came out. A frustrated groan escaped her mouth as she put her hand against the table to prop herself up, then lifted the bottle more so the dark liquid could spill out and into the cup. The bottle hit the counter hard as she set it down again.
She weaved back and forth, looking at the drink she just poured for herself. She was past the limit where she could tell herself no, although she knew she should. "I'm gonna kill 'em," she slurred, letting out another hiccup as she raised the glass. "No one hurts my… baby gurl…"
Her initial reaction to Madoka's disappearance three days ago had her on the phone for a good while, calling Madoka's friends, neighbors, and a lot of time spent talking to detectives and pushing them to "do their damn jobs". She also went out in her car, trying in vain to track down her missing daughter somehow. She had even called a few newsrooms and got them to run a missing persons story on their channels.
After three days of making no progress, and finding herself unable to sleep, she eventually convinced herself it would be okay to have a drink. She was a person of action who was used to always being in control and able to take charge of any situation. Now she felt powerless to protect the one thing that mattered to her most in the whole world, and she didn't quite know how to deal with it. That one drink turned into many more, until the bottle was now almost empty.
Her subconscious debated the pros and cons of taking this shot which dangled in her unsteady hand, until she heard footsteps behind her. "Can't sleep?" asked the soft voice of her husband as he sat down next to her. He took note of how the whisky bottle was now almost empty, then guided the glass back down to the table and pushed it away from her. Junko didn't complain about this. Even though her good senses were too far away for her to stop herself, she still had enough left to at least trust her husband's judgement.
"Couldn't," she said with a shake of her head, then she fell against him and he caught her in his arms. "What the hell are they doing?" she hiccuped, "Where the hell does our tax money go anyway?"
Tomohisa rubbed his wife's arm as he held her. "We'll get through this. Madoka will be okay, I promise you."
"But what if she's not! She's just a little girl… what if… I swear when I find out who's responsible… I'm gonna…" Junko's fist tightened on top of the table, and Tomohisa held onto her a little tighter.
"You don't have to hold it in," Tomohisa said. "You can let it out."
Junko Kaname was never a woman to be crushed by anything. She was a goddess of the corporate world, and dominated no matter what odds were stacked against her. But on that night, for the first time in longer than either she or her husband could remember, Junko Kaname began to weep.
-Atomyst
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