No Place Left To Run

By Secera Crystalfire

C4: Repentance of Blood

Farfarello wandered through the offices and hallways of the third floor. He knew that Schuldich's request for assistance had come from somewhere around here…

One of the offices had a light on, unlike the others. Farfarello cautiously entered the room, letting the door creak shut behind him. No, the German wasn't in here…but Crawford was. As Farfarello walked towards the Schwarz leader, he wondered why the man was sleeping on the couch, and at a time like this.

Dreamless, visionless sleep. It was such a simple concept, but seemed ultimately foreign to him. It had been what felt like ages since he had been able to enjoy this simple comfort. Unfortunately, it was a short-lived pleasure.

Brad Crawford awoke to a pair of blurry golden-yellow eyes staring curiously at him. He cursed loudly as the memories started flooding into his mind, dispelling blithe ignorance and causing what threatened to become a migraine headache. Or maybe it was the painful lump on the back of his head that was causing the headache, he wasn't sure.

"That bastard…what are you doing here?" The Oracle peered up at Farfarello with hazy vision.

"Mastermind called. What happened?"

"Not now." Brushing dark hair from his face, Crawford got up from the couch. And unsteadily fell back down onto it.

Farfarello pretended to ignore Brad's futile attempts to regain his balance. "Suit yourself. Where's Schuldich?"

"I don't know, but go find him." 'Stop being so weak', he shouted mentally to himself. 'Ignore pain!'

Farfarello silently left the room in search of Schuldich.

Crawford's attempts to get up failed again and again. The torrent of pain that flooded his head was making him feel distinctively faint and nauseous. His vision was still cloudy despite the presence of his glasses. He coughed loudly and an unpleasant taste entered his mouth. Dread flooding his mind, he touched the tip of a finger to his tongue. When he pulled the finger away, it was covered in crimson.

The Oracle could not help but succumb to his overbearing weariness. He slumped from his sitting position on the couch and fell once more into the depths of unconsciousness. This time, however, he did not escape the visions.

Running, sprinting, dodging, leaping. Her breaths are rasping and labored; she is hyperventilating. Can't take much more of this, but the adrenaline and the fear make her endure the agony and keep running.

The city at night is not a friendly place, but she pays no heed. She is strong, after all…isn't she? Yes, of course she is. And besides, her disease has cleared the streets.

She continues to run, but begins now to wonder where she is going. This world holds no place for her except with the other. But the other hates her.

'No, he doesn't hate me, he can't hate me!'

The child in her mind thinks in terms of black-and-white. If he, Nagi, disagrees with her, then it must be because he hates her. But the woman says no, that isn't the way things work. He, Nagi, still cares despite any disagreements.

She wonders who is correct.

Always in the past, Tot has chosen to trust the child. Children are innocent and honest. Adults are manipulative and deceitful.

Tears roll down her face as she halts in the street…there is no left place to run for someone such as she.

Yohji still hadn't managed to find Aya, and hadn't run into any of the Schwarz members either since the battle against Farfarello. A cold draft of air hit him as he opened the door to a random office. The office's window had been shattered and was letting in the icy night breeze. Yohji shivered as he walked forward to look out the window. No, there wasn't anyone laying on the cement ground three stories beneath it. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to go search another room.

In the next office over, Yohji found a sight even more startling than the shattered window. Hanging half off the couch was the unconscious form of the Oracle. On the floor beneath him was a growing pool of blood.

Schuldich ran after the Shreient girl with the goal of claiming her life. She had caused both him and the other Schwarz members, mainly Brad, unimaginable anguish with the epidemic she had created. He would not forgive her this time.

Nagi was shouting something from behind him, but the boy's voice was becoming more and more distant as he lost ground. Naoe, being younger, shorter, and less athletic, could not match Schuldich's pace. And neither could the Shreient girl, Tot. Apparently she realized this fact, because suddenly she came to a halt in the middle of an empty street.

Schuldich didn't have his weapon of choice or any weapon for that matter, but that was not an issue. He could fight without a weapon just fine, and had definite plans to do so real soon.

Nagi turned a corner and saw the Mastermind and Tot facing each other. Schuldich had a maniacal glint in his eyes, he looked about ready to seriously hurt the girl… "No! I will not allow this!!" Nagi focused his powers.

Schuldich felt his entire body become suddenly constricted. He was completely incapable of anything but the very minor movements. "Damn you, Naoe!" He turned his eyes towards the young telekinetic boy. "Let go of me, now! She would destroy us all. It's time for you to get over your childish desires and see past your delusions!"

"No, I won't let anyone hurt her! She does not mean to harm us. You don't, do you, Tot?"

"Tot…" Her voice caught in her throat. The tears continued.

"You…" Schuldich impatiently started for her, wishing his powers were strong again. Nagi's telepathy was holding him about a foot off the ground. How frustrating.

"Tot is sorry, she understands now. I understand now." She chose the woman, renouncing the child. The woman could love, and not just the admiration of a dependent child. She could know love, true love. The woman had a place in the world.

"Shut up. You don't know anything." The red-haired man was glaring at her.

"I do, I'm so sorry…I meant to hurt, to destroy, and in doing so create a world of my own. But I see the truth now, Nagi, I understand now. Please, please forgive me. I'm so sorry…but I can stop it all. I created the disease, and now I will cure this world of it. Nagi, can you accept this? Can you help me?"

Schuldich was about to make a snide comment, but the word 'cure' made him stop and think. He hated to admit it, but with so many people taken by the epidemic, there was little hope of finding a cure without her. The bloodlust faded, although hatred remained.

"Yes, yes I can. Of course I can, Tot." Nagi walked forward to the girl and wiped a tear from her face.

"Thank you, Nagi. Tot, no…I…love you."

The two embraced in the middle of the empty street. Schu rolled his eyes, still hovering a foot above the ground thanks to Nagi's powers. As the embrace became more intimate, Nagi lost his concentration and Schuldich fell heavily onto the pavement.

"Curse you, Naoe…"

End Part 4.

Note of the Authoress: Yeah, that was short. But I decided to separate this last section into two separate parts so I have five chapters instead of four. I hope you enjoyed, and I should have the last part up fairly soon. Thanks for reading, please review (constructive criticism, comments, worship, flames…anything!^_^)! ~Secera~