Naoko
Hi readers. Right now, i've been thinking a lot about how people are telling me how Out of Character all the characters are. and i have to say, if i get anymore of those, i think i'm just going to erase this stroy. i mean, if you guys dont like how they're out of character, i'll delete the story, but if i do, you'll miss the super surprise ending i have all planned out...::grins mischieviously::
Chapter Ten: The Deaths
A knife was pressed flat up against his throat. His arms were being held tightly behind his back.
"A little detective spying on us?" his captor breathed. All the cloaked people were watching. Their leader walked up.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Kudou Shinichi. What are you doing here?" the woman asked. Shinichi guessed it was Akako. "Let him speak, Taro." The knife was reluctantly removed, but the grip on his wrists tightened.
"Let the girl go," he said. She shook her head, laughing slightly.
"The girl's blood is important. It will destroy Japan, and wherever else we want it to. And now that you're here, you can watch," she grinned sadistically. "And after you watch, you can go next."
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Ran was trying to get over to Shinichi, but Kid was holding her back. He spun her around and looked her in the eyes.
"Do you want to get killed?" he hissed.
"No but I don't want Shinichi to die!" she whispered.
"We can save him, but you have to trust me," he spoke quietly. She took a deep breath and nodded slowly. He grabbed onto her arm but was interrupted when the door burst open. Kogoro and Heiji in the lead, a police force started to pile into the room, aiming their guns. The cult seemed shocked. Taro replaced the knife at Shinichi's throat.
"Drop the knife and no one gets hurt," Megure ordered loudly. Shinichi knew Taro was grinning as he pressed it harder against his neck. He choked. Heiji put his finger on the trigger of his revolver. Shinichi blinked hard, trying not to cry out. Taro turned the knife slightly and pressed the blade into his throat, cutting a thin line. Blood welled up immediately.
"How about you drop your guns and the kid can keep his head," Taro growled. Shinichi couldn't suppress a small whimper as he felt the blood trickling down his neck. Kogoro licked his lips nervously. They were outnumbered, and they had a hostage. This wouldn't be easy.
"Okay, just let him go and we'll leave," Kogoro said calmly. Akako laughed hideously.
"No, no we promised that little Kudou could watch. And he's so excited to have his turn, aren't you?" she asked smiling at him from under her hood. He gaped at her breathlessly.
"Come on, let him go," Heiji demanded. Akako smirked.
"Kill them," she said, waving her hand lazily.
It was complete chaos. Guns were going off and knives were stabbing. People were bleeding and some were dead. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kaitou jump in to help. Ran stood still, watching. Taro started to drag Shinichi away. He stopped suddenly, dropping Shinichi slowly. He scrambled away on his hands and knees. He looked back and saw Taro lying on the ground, dead. Kogoro stood over him, his gun smoking. He caught Shinichi's eye and handed him a revolver.
"You're going to need this," he said. Shinichi took it and nodded.
"Thank you," he whispered. Kogoro nodded.
"If Ran really loves you, then I won't let you die."
Shinichi wrenched the chains off of Naoko as she stilled in fear. When he finally got her free, she was too scared to move. So he picked her up and ran as fast as he could out of the room, grabbing Ran's wrist and pulling her along as he went.
"Shinichi stop!" Ran huffed as they went down another long corridor.
"Can't stop – twenty minutes – they can still catch us –," he gasped. Naoko buried her face in his chest.
"They're coming," she whispered. He skidded to a halt and looked down at her. Then, out of nowhere, a group of cloaked figures appeared at the end of the hall. Shinichi turned quickly and saw they were surrounded on both sides. Shinichi let go of Ran's arm and pulled out his gun. He pointed it at the group in front of him and fired repeatedly, bringing them all down, the sound echoing down the halls. He turned quickly and aimed at the rest of them. They were down in a matter of seconds as well. And Shinichi was out of bullets. He pocketed the gun again.
"They've bound to have heard that. We should go," he stated. Ran nodded dumbly and followed him. He shifted Naoko slightly and she wrapped her arms around his neck, sniffling.
"We have to find an exit," Ran said.
"Well this house is a maze! Do you have a map?" he asked sarcastically. She blushed.
"Well sorry!" she cried.
"Look, just drop it and follow me," he said. He grabbed her wrist again and started to drag her off. She tripped and fell, and a moment later a gunshot was heard. The bullet zoomed just over Ran's head and imbedded itself in Shinichi's stomach, thankfully not deep enough to hit anything vital, but deep enough.
He dropped Naoko as it hit and cried out in pain and shock. He let out choked half sobs as he sank to his knees, clutching the wound. He lay on his side, gasping in pain. Ran was staring at him in shock and horror as she saw the blood seep out of the gushing wound.
"Shinichi!" she cried, stumbling to her feet and kneeling next to him. Tears leaked down his face. Naoko was frozen in place, staring at the shooter. Saburo lowered his gun.
"Daddy?" she whispered in a wavering voice.
"Hello, Naoko," he said smirking. "No, I'm not dead."
"But – But –," she stuttered.
"I'm not dead. You have to die first. It will be midnight in exactly five minutes, and you're going to die then." He said.
"Mommy?" she whispered.
"No. She is dead. But you'll see her soon. As well as Kudou's friends. The Detective of the West, the Phantom Thief, and that stupid, lazy Private detective Mouri!" he was crazy. Ran stood up in blind rage and lunged at him. He raised the gun too late and was knocked to the ground. She kicked and punched the psychotic man with all her might. He finally lay unmoving on the ground. She leapt up and went back over to where Shinichi was lying, pale and clammy. His eyes were slightly unfocussed and clouded over in pain.
"Shinichi," she whispered. "Shinichi stay awake. I'll get you out of here." She lifted him up as best as she could and slung one of his arms over her shoulder and wrapped her arm around his hips, keeping him steady. He stumbled and almost fell, but she caught him and dragged him back to his feet. She couldn't do it alone. She broke down sobbing, falling to her knees, Shinichi landing next to her with a dull thud.
"No cry," Naoko whispered.
"I can't do it!" Ran shrieked hysterically. "Dad's dead and Heiji and Kid! And now Shinichi's going to die! I'll be all alone! What do I do?!"
"Naoko help," the little girl insisted.
"What can you do!?" Ran exploded. "You're just a kid!"
"Someone looking for me?" a voice interrupted curiously. Ran looked over, shocked. Kid blinked.
"Uh –?" she gaped.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" he asked nervously.
"He – he said you were dead!" Ran stuttered, pointing at the unconscious man.
"Dead? That fool wont die," Heiji grumbled, "Believe me, I've tried."
"Heiji!" she cried. "Help me, please!" Heiji blinked and looked down. Shinichi's eyes were now crossed and his face pale as paper. His mouth hung open slightly and he took short gasping breaths. His hair fell limply across his forehead, soaked with cold sweat.
"Whoa!" Kid and Heiji exclaimed at the same time.
Three minutes to midnight.
Heiji and Kid supported Shinichi and started towards the exit as quickly as possible, Ran on their heels. Naoko started to follow but then stopped. Saburo grabbed onto her arm before she could follow them anymore.
"Die!" he cried, lifting his knife. She shrieked. Ran kicked him in the head and he keeled over. Naoko bit her lip. Sneaking out of the shadows, Shiro hit Heiji in the back of the head with the hilt of his knife and punched Kid in the stomach. They both fell, Heiji bleeding from the back of the head and Kid clutching his stomach. Shinichi fell limply and lay motionless on the ground, barely conscious. Ran was kneeling down next to Naoko. Shiro pulled out a revolver that was spattered with blood.
Two minutes.
'Ran...!' Shinichi thought desperately. He flung out his hands and grabbed Shiro's legs. Shiro looked down in disgust and kicked him in the stomach, causing him to let go and curl into a ball, whimpering pitifully.
"Shinichi!" Ran cried. With the last bit of his strength, Shinichi grabbed Saburo's dropped knife and stabbed it into the back of Shiro's leg.
One minute.
Shiro cried out and fell to the ground, dropping the gun with a clatter. He groaned and clenched his teeth angrily.
"Fools! If the girl doesn't die, Japan will be destroyed!"
Fifty seconds.
"I won't let you kill her!" Ran cried, kicking him in the face. He passed out. Naoko looked over and grabbed the fallen revolver.
Thirty-eight seconds. The building began to shake.
"Ran! Get Kid and Heiji and Naoko out! Forget about me!" he said hoarsely. "Please, I can find my way out. I'll kill myself if you get hurt though," he begged. She nodded and grabbed Kid and Heiji's arms, dragging them. Naoko didn't follow.
Twenty seconds.
The walls were caving in. Naoko looked at Shinichi, who was struggling to get to his feet. She held out the gun to him. He looked at her curiously.
"Kill Naoko!" she said. "Please!"
Fifteen seconds.
"No," he whispered croakily.
"Yes! Only way," she said. "I see Mama again!" he looked into her eyes, filled with hope. He took the gun from her hand.
Five.
He took aim at her hesitantly. She smiled and nodded encouragingly.
Four.
He put his finger on the trigger.
Three.
She closed her eyes in complete calmness and spread her arms.
Two.
He clenched his eyes shut and pulled the trigger.
One.
A gunshot, a cry of pain, and the crunch of concrete.
Midnight.
The house completely caved in.
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Don't you hate how mean I am?
Wing Omega - Well...okay. I forgive you.
PRIVATE - LOL
Firestorm2004 - thanks but i'm mad at you.