Broken
Part 8
"What are we going to do?" Ken asked as they entered the flower shop. He was clutching his wounded shoulder and tried to find out if his elbow had been too badly damaged in the fight with the two Schwarz-members.
"There is noting we can do," Aya snapped, and passed his team-mates.
"Where are you going?" Yoji asked annoyed when Aya walked out of the room.
"I'm going to bed." Their leader said with a voice trembling with pent-up rage… or sadness?
"But we've got to discuss things here Aya. We have to talk about how we get Omi back." Ken said angrily taking a step forward. "And by the way – you are not going to bed before you explain to us what actually happened back there."
Aya stopped, and Yoji went over to him putting a rather bloody hand on his shoulder. The oldest Weiss let Aya into the living room followed by Ken. Yoji pushed Aya gently down into a chair while he and Ken sat in the bloodstained sofa.
Aya sighed and looked at his team-mates. "I really don't feel like…"
"Cut the crap, Aya – you have to tell us, we can do absolutely nothing if we don't know the details here!" Ken said in a calm voice. "Look we are all busted without Omi."
"Yeah, he is the only one who makes this shitty life worth living, and he is the only one of us, who can manage to keep order in our mess." Yoji agreed.
Aya just looked down at the carpet, not answering.
"Hay, we know you have certain feelings for him Aya." Ken said in a low voice. Aya's head snapped up.
"No, I…"
"Aya, you are staring at him all day, drooling." Yoji said a sly smile slowly spreading across his face. "You can't concentrate on your work, you're always giving him the missions that are less risky if at all possible, and you give our customers wrong change while eating him up with you eyes."
"But, it's not what you think…I I"
"You get up in the middle of the night to check on him because he has a nightmare." Ken reminded him. Aya stopped his arguing; he didn't know what to say. Ken and Yoji were both grinning at him now.
"Aya, the only one who hasn't noticed yet, is Omi himself, and Schuldich didn't choose Omi as hostage incidentally, he said so himself." Yoji continued.
"No, you don't get it…." Aya tried.
"And you jumped Schuldich. That was the most stupid thing I ever saw you do. You are not usually that careless unless it's about Takatori." Ken pointed out.
"Yeah, our attempt in the small room was foolish, but yours… that was suicidal! How were you planning to beat him without your hands?" Yoji went on. "What did he say to you anyway?"
"He threatened to rape Omi." Aya growled.
Both Yoji and Ken looked at their leader in shock. Aya wanted to say something, but the words were caught in his throat.
Ken swallowed hard. "So, just tell us what it is all about, and we can get started."
Aya sighed and sunk deeper down in his chair. Ken waited, but since Aya didn't start talking, he decided to break the ice himself.
"What kind of information is it that they want from Omi" He tried.
"And why did they say you had the information, but kept Omi anyway?" Yoji went on.
"I'm not even allowed to tell you." Aya mussed. "It's classified information on Kritiker."
"But you told Omi!" Yoji said.
"No, I didn't tell him, I gave him the codes, saying they were my sisters and that I wanted to hide them." Aya snapped angrily.
"You just showed the responsibility over to Omi?" Ken frowned.
"No, I just wanted to hide it. If I didn't know where it was myself - I wouldn't be able to give it away, if something like this happened… But…"
"But now Omi is in deep trouble." Yoji finished. "Shit, and he doesn't even know what it is they want from him, he doesn't even know you gave him the codes... Oh damn"
"But, what are we going to do?" Ken asked.
"It's not like there is that much to do – we can go search for him, but Schwarz could be anywhere." Aya sighed bitterly.
"Can't we just give them the information in return for Omi?" Yoji asked.
"Baka, there is nothing I wouldn't have done to save him, I had given them the codes from the very beginning, but I don't know the codes." The red head shouted in anger. "I don't care if it was classified – but I gave the codes to Omi without looking at them first myself… and I have no idea where he hid them." Aya hissed downhearted. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.
"But… is there nothing we can do?" Yoji mumbled.
"I'm afraid all we can do is contact Manx and just wait for Schwarz to call us." Aya groaned and got up. He walked to the phone and dialled the number to Kritiker.
……………..
"No, please" Omi moaned and tried to move as far away from Schuldich as possible.
"Take it easy – I'm just here to give you something to ease the pain." The redhead said and sat down on the bed placing the bucket next to it. "Here," he stretched out to grab Omi by his arm. Omi refused to let him and drew away.
"You know that I don't know anything!" Omi said looking at his captor.
"Oh, yes you do – Aya told us… Come on it wont hurt you." Schuldich crawled into the bed to pin Omi down while he injected the needle with the greenly subsistence. Omi could do absolutely nothing to defend himself, and the German snickered.
Schuldich liked being in control. He loved the feeling of holding somebody's future in his hands, to be able to make the choices that he found most amusing. He liked to taste the agony and despair he inflicted on people. Liked to hear them scream out in pain and beg him for mercy. Liked to play with his victims and manipulate them into destroying themselves and the ones they loved. Liked to let them believe they were the ones to blame.
Right now he enjoyed seeing Omi writhe and wiggle underneath him, while he searched his traumatic thoughts. Digging in Omi's present, which the boy desperately tried to close out and forget. From the boy's mind he drew forth pictures of Aya looking at Omi in the flower-shop turning away when Omi looked at him.
~Aya really hates you, he had probably been planning to crush you like this a long time.~ Schuldich told Omi with his anonym voice in Omi's head while he injected the needle. Omi closed his eyes shedding a single tear.
~He started to hate you when he found out that you father is Takatori Rejii, since then he has been planning how to get you.~ Omi turned his head to hide his tears. Schuldich drew out the needle and placed a plaster over the little red dot, continuing:
~And you never told them anything, never even told Aya that you had certain feelings for him. Never told the others that you felt overlooked and a bit let down, that you needed comfort. You can't blame them for doubting about if you trusted them… can't blame them for being suspicious of you.~
Omi tried to suppress a sob caught in his throat and he attempted to think of something else, but Schuldich kept a firm hold on his mind and proceeded to provoke the sensitive subject, while he covered the boy with the new blanket.
"I think you need some time alone." Schuldich said and caressed Omi's cheek before he got up. Omi jerked away from Schuldich's touch as if it burned him. The redhead took the malodorous blanket with him and left the seller locking the door.
Omi couldn't fight the stream of thoughts ~It's your own fault, and Aya will never know that you were loyal. You will never get the chance to tell him that you just didn't wanted to bother anyone with you problems – Aya will never love you.~
Omi started to feel dizzy, he felt his stomach turn and wondered what kind of drug the green stuff was. Suddenly it didn't matter and he turned over as he realized what the bucket was for. He threw up for the second time that day, only this time there was nothing in his stomach to loose, and it hurt twice as much. His stomach cramp didn't stop and he continued to spasm. Soon the only thing he could cough up was gall and blood. And as if this wasn't enough, Schuldich didn't let him get much rest or sleep, constantly reminding him of Aya.
…………..
Omi's body had a hard time getting used to the drug… but after some time he started to like it. It really did ease the pain and he felt better and better. He couldn't keep track on time – the basement was still pitch black, and the drug confused his senses.
In the beginning he refused to let Schwarz drug him… but his wounds still hurt and he longed to feel better – and when he was intoxicated his head was emptied – no thoughts at all except that it felt nice. He didn't want to think about his friends – it just hurt too much.
He started to long for the light that filled the room when a Schwarz entered to dope him. He felt depressed and started to sense the physical pain too when the drug began to wear of.
Omi didn't know how long time he spent in the basement. They let him go to the bathroom and checked his wounds and gave him food and lots of water… but Omi had no idea how many times a day this happened. In the beginning he tried to count how many times each Schwarz went to him – but he lost track very quickly.
It surprised him that Nagi didn't come, in the beginning it was only Schuldich, Crawford and Farfarello, and when Nagi finally came to drug him he did it through his powers from the other end of the room.
Nagi wasn't very gentle; he used his powers aggressively and didn't care if it hurt. It was as if he was angry with the older boy for some to Omi unknown reason. Omi hated when they gave him the drug no matter who it was… but loved the effect.
Farfarello was never kind either, he always tried to find new ways to make the process as painful as possible, and a couple of times he couldn't resist the temptation to take out his knife and cut the boy. Omi wasn't bound because that made it easier to heal, and the third time Farfarello drugged him – Omi managed to break free somehow – he didn't know how it happened, but as a reflex he headed towards to door with the speed of lightning though his body ached and threatened to collapse. Omi reached the door… but he stumbled into Crawford who must have foreseen his escape attempt.
Omi would not have gotten far anyway – Farfarello was right behind him and seized him before Crawford could say anything. Omi struggled violently to escape the iron grips of his captor, but the madman wrestled Omi's arms behind his back and held them there only using one arm himself, and since Omi's right arm had not healed he realised it was no use fighting. Farfarello put his knife to Omi's throat and dragged him back to the bed. This was the only time Crawford allowed Farfarello to beat Omi – and so he did.
After a sound beating the Irishman also thought of a new place to cut the boy, which would prevent him from trying to run away again. When Farfarello's punishment was carried out Omi's feet couldn't have been used for walking much less running.
From this day on Omi was bound to his bed, not that it was necessary now though, not even when he had his meals he was released. It was very uncomfortable not to be able to move, but when he was drugged it didn't matter that much.
He was only released when he got to go to the bathroom, or rather - when he was carried to the toilet, and the five minutes in privacy he got inside the bathroom were now very painful, every time he put weight on his feet it felt like walking on broken glass.
Schuldich was the only one who was gentle… he always caressed the blond boy – but Omi didn't like it, and every time Schuldich was there, he always started to think about Aya and he couldn't help but cry. He felt so pathetic, and Schuldich always left laughing.
Crawford was usually the one who checked Omi's wounds and the boy always hoped Crawford would be the one who entered when the light filled the basement. He always seemed to be in a hurry – so he wouldn't have time to hurt or harass his captive.
Omi didn't know why they never asked him about the information they said he had. Maybe Schuldich was the one who was supposed to do that. Maybe he was checking his brain for information when he sat there on the bed and stroke Omi's hair in a very uncomfortable manner with that cunning smile, but he had to have discovered that Omi didn't know anything.
Schuldich used to tuck Omi in and just look at him for a long time… really staring at him - just like Aya used to do in the shop when they were on the same shift – which was quite often. Omi longed for comfort – but Schuldich wasn't exactly the person he wanted it from – it was Aya.
Omi knew he was addicted to the drug they gave him, when he started to feel very bad every time Schwarz didn't give him anything before the effect started to wear of, and it got worse.
One day they didn't come.
At first Omi just started to feel uncomfortable, and began to be restless. He couldn't lie still in his bed. He started to sweat and feel cold at the same time – like a fever. His stomach hadn't troubled him since the first couple of days he had received the drug – but now it began to convulse as the last effect of the last shot wore of. The pain in his body returned with full force in the matter of 20 minutes.
Omi started to breathe heavily as the fever got worse. His body was screaming for the drug and soon he began to scream himself. It hurt so much that he didn't know what to do. He pulled at the ropes that bound him to the bed and the tears stung in his eyes. He was sure his head would burst with pain.
He screamed in agony and called out for his captors… but they didn't come. Omi's wrists were bound together and fastened at the headboard with a cord. The ropes were long enough to allow him to roll over which was very convenient since his stomach threatened to let go of his last meal. Omi cried and the pain got worse by the minute.
It felt like an eternity before Schuldich and Crawford entered.
"Please…" Omi moaned but didn't finish his plea; he had to roll over to the bucket as his stomach convulsed.
Schuldich had a needle with the green drug, and Omi's eyes shone. But the redhead didn't give Omi the drug; the two Schwarz members just looked down at the cowering boy.
"We need some information as you might recall." Crawford said smiling evilly.
"I told you I don't have it…" Omi choked. "Please I need it, I feel really bad…"
"I don't care how you feel, I just want my information and quick." Crawford said grinning and took out a chair and sat down.
Schuldich placed the drug on the little table next to the bed, and Omi looked at it desperately. The withdrawal symptoms got worse by the minute.
"I really don't know." Omi sobbed and tried to control his stomach.
"You have the information – you just don't know that you've got it." Schuldich informed him.
Omi moaned and clutched the pillow trying to concentrate on something else than the pain – but that was impossible. He couldn't control his breathing and he started to hyperventilate.
"Look – it seems that Aya gave you the information we want, somehow "disguising" it as something else." Schuldich said. "And I need you to help me find out when this might have happened."
"I don't remember," Omi cried. "Please, please I need…"
"Shut up brat, and concentrate or you wont get anything." Crawford said coldly.
Schuldich moved closer to the boy and looked at him with his usual mocking smile. "Kritiker gave Aya some codes – and we want them. You just have to cooperate and tell me if you remember a time where Aya told you something classified…"
By habit Omi immediately refused to answer. "I wont betray Weiss and Kritiker, and you…"
"They kind of dumped you, you don't have to be loyal anymore – for once think of yourself and what you need." Schuldich said looking very serious. "Come on, you'll feel much better when you get another shot, just try to remember if he asked you to watch something for him…"
"I don't know… I don't remember," Omi choked squeezing his eyes shot against the pressure from his stomach. "And I wouldn't tell you if I…"
"Ah, get a grip! You don't owe those guys anything." Schuldich said impatiently giving the boy a grim look.
"All right then, we will just wait another hour and see how you feel about it then." Crawford smiled and got up to leave.
Omi panicked. Nagi had used that method when he tortured him, and Omi's body was burning. He could not wait another hour to get the drug - he needed it right now.
"Wait!" Omi wailed as Schuldich got up too. Omi tried to sit half up – but his headache exploded and his sore stomach gave up trying to support him. "Don't go!" Omi begged his voice breaking.
Crawford looked at the boy malevolently; he and Schuldich exchanged glances and sat down once again.
It took more than two hours. Schuldich searched Omi's mind and asked questions to pile in on the time. Four times he thought he found what he wanted, but it was only useless information. Omi was so tired and weak that he had difficulties concentrating, but he really tried to hold on despite the rising pain. His goal was lying on the table next to him, and he reluctantly tried to help Schwarz.
Something deep inside him didn't want to betray Kritiker and Weiss, but his body claimed the drug and won the fight against his heart.
Crawford was getting impatient and was about to leave when Schuldich finally stumbled upon something.
"Come on, think – what about in the past half year, there must be something very important Aya gave you."
"I don't know…" Omi whimpered – the burning heat had died away, but now he was shivering. His teeth were chattering and he was feeling dizzy. "… There was that day where… he asked me to hide something for his sister…"
Schuldich raised a brow, "Why would Aya trust anybody to watch something that important to him? When was this?"
"Ehh, about a month ago." Omi moaned. His headache was so bad now he just wanted it all to end – he wanted to die.
Schuldich quickly searched Omi's mind and looked victoriously at Crawford. "I think we got it."
"Finally" the Schwarz leader smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Give me the codes then."
"Ehh, a tiny problem there," Schuldich said frowning. "It's not there…"
"What?" Crawford sighed, "I don't have time for this."
"I don't know what it was – I just hid them without looking at them." Omi snivelled. "He said it was best for me if I didn't knew those codes."
"How sweet!" Schuldich sneered despondently. "What now?"
"Where did you hide it?" Crawford demanded.
Omi hesitated. Actually he still didn't wanted to give Schwarz the information, much less betray Aya and confirm his leader's doubts about him. On the other hand he didn't think he could stand much more.
"I…" Omi faltered looking tiredly at Crawford.
"He hid it in my computer." Schuldich finished leaning back in his chair.
"Fine then, lets go." Crawford said to Schuldich and got up turning towards the door. Schuldich looked evilly at Omi and nuzzled his hair. He also stood up and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Omi wailed desperately. "You promised…"
Schuldich and Crawford just looked at each other their malicious smiles spreading across their faces.
"It's right there in front of you." Crawford said gesturing at the table next to Omi. "Just take it."
Both Schwarz members left the basement laughing, leaving a dejected Omi in shock.
"But… no, please, don't leave me like this. I can't…"
"That's life – get used to it." Schuldich sneered. Then the door slammed and everything was dark.
Omi was lost - he couldn't face the facts. They had made him betray Weiss and Kritiker – made him betray Aya. And they didn't even give him the drug. They had used him. He had gone through so much pain, and they laughed him right up in his face and left him bound right next to his price well aware of that he would never be able to reach it.
"Why can't you just kill me instead!?!" Omi screamed squeezing his eyes shot realising his defeat. Right then he really just wished he was dead.
