Disclaimer: I'm in no possession of Digimon, but the big companies do like Toei Animation Co. and Saban Entertainment, Inc.
Author's Note: Sorry I didn't give out the Chief's information earlier in the story. I got preoccupied with other parts of the story and forgot about it. And please feed me constructive criticism. I need to know what to work on. It would be much appreciated.
Trapped in the Core
By: Lady Lara Croft
. . . .
[3] Out of Time
. . . .
...8 Months Later…
[October 26, 2013]
Saturday 2:15 PM
The phone rang in the hallway of a room inside a condominium located West of Sendai. It rang twice…then thrice… and was finally answered during the fourth ring. An aged man of fifty-five acquired the telephone and murmured a soft "hello." At first, no one replied on the other line. The elderly only heard silence as he echoed another "hello" to the absent voice. When he had made his decision to release the receiver, a voice developed on the other line. He listened intently as the secretive being begun to speak.
"It was very nice of you to pick up the phone." Said the voice and paused. "Thank you. I was getting very impatient when you didn't answer at first ring. What took you so long?" The possessor of the voice was also a male, sounding very deep with a commanding tone in his voice, and suggested somewhat younger than the other man was, but not too young. He seemed eager to speak with the other man.
"Who is this? I don't recognize your voice. Tell me who you are," the elderly man demanded as his eyebrows drew closer.
The voice answered. "We knew each other. We…were friends, last time I checked we were inseparable. What happened, hmm?"
The older man gripped the phone tighter. Was this a practical joke some kids in the neighborhood conjured up? Because if it was, he sure didn't feel thrilled about it and he was going to have a talk to those kids who came up with this pathetic joke. In addition, he'll have to lecture them about respect for the elderly.
"All right. Stop this stupid joke right now. You kids better do it now before I come over at your house and cut your telephone line!"
The other voice chuckled in amusement. "My dear old friend of mine. How rude of you to think that I would be playing a childish joke. You haven't changed obviously. You were as innocent and naïve as you have been. When will you learn?"
"What are you talking about? Don't instruct an old man like myself. I will tell you right now, your deception will not go unpunished. I'll be able to find out where you live."
"Well, if you have a way of finding my whereabouts, certainly you will use your sources…that is, if you have enough time to do so. Frankly, I think your time is running out, fast. You won't know who I am. But then again, if you are intelligent, you'll be able to figure out who this is, before you expire. And may I add: It won't matter anymore after this phone call."
He was in deep thought. Did he ever hurt someone so badly that karma itself returned to him by the means of a prank call? If so, who was the person he had hurt so badly? Since he was obviously a human, he had quite a bit of bad terms with some people in the past. Though it might not have been too serious for someone who was so bent on revenge that after considerable amount of years to strike back, he all of a sudden appeared out of nowhere and began his comeback. But what if he had hurt someone in the past so seriously? But why begin with a phone call as a threat? Now he thought of people he brought pain. Who could it possibly be out of hundreds of people he met almost all of his life!
Unfortunately, after much deliberation no one came into mind. At least none he was too familiar with to recall any ill-starred incident that concerned anybody. In fact, the only thing he remembered was the time he left his date for his senior prom because he got back with his ex-girlfriend that same night, almost thirty or so years ago. But the girl he ditched didn't hunt him down after so many years, which wouldn't explain the sudden phone call if he hadn't had any contact since then. And the voice definitely did not belong to a woman. It would have been all too weird.
"I am waiting," emitted the voice harshly. "I have been waiting for this moment for such a long time."
The old man snapped back into reality. The voice on the other line didn't leave yet. He sounded severely determined to spark some memories from the old man's decaying gray matter in the skull.
"Soon you will know my desire, Chief Superintendent Ishinabe. But you will not be there to witness it. There will be no time for you to run and get yourself to safety. The cops cannot do anything about it. You will suffer as I have suffered. Remember that it was you…you who brought me pain, agony, and sorrow. It was all you. And now, it's time for me to strike back," the voice spoke coldly and halted. "There is no time to escape. I will return to you what you did to me."
The Chief gasped. So he did hurt someone horribly in the past. But he still had no memory of the person. Would this simple phone call cost him his life?
He acknowledged the fact that someone was out there, somewhere, trying to get back at him, and he knew he would need help even if he is the Chief of Police. Though, in the Chief's thought, his position in the force couldn't really help him, no…he felt his position in the force couldn't help him, at all.
"Whoever you are and whatever I have done to you, I'm truly sorry. I hope that you find it in your heart to accept my humble and sincere apology," said the Chief truthfully.
A short silence fell between the two men. The mysterious man thought of ways to keep playing with the Chief's mind. The Chief also contemplated who in the world this man could be. And he detected no connection to anything the man had said to him about his past and how he had caused him pain, sorrow, and agony. What could all of this mean?
There was a small chuckle from the other man's voice. "Life is full of surprises, you know."
"I have apologized to you so I think it is wise to terminate this conversation. I am getting very mad."
"No. You are getting annoyed because you cannot remember me," replied the voice mockingly.
He warned the man, "Play all you want. Before you know it, I will be putting handcuffs around your wrists. A man like you should not be playing with the police."
"Actually, I do like this game of mine. I should do it more often. I will tell you again and again, your time is running out. There's nowhere to hide. And there's no way to escape. You are getting too old. You need your rest. Good-bye my friend. It is time that you retire from your profession," the voice bid sarcastically. "I wish I could speak with you longer. But business is business. I will take from you what is mine."
"Wait!" the Chief called out after the other man. It was too late for him. All he heard was the repeating busy tone of the phone. He needed more time for more information. As it turned out, the joke's on him.
The Chief gawked at the phone in disbelief as he whispered: "Who was that man?"
He restored the receiver in its rightful place. He walked some steps through the hallway, on the opposite direction where the phone rested, and turned left as he entered the living room. It wasn't too big, just right for an old man who lived alone and desolate.
Directly in front of him erected a brown old recliner, and to the right of it was a gray lazy boy chair. The center table formed a square, its surface made of thick glass, and the frame made out of oak wood as well as its legs. The rug beneath that held everything was a Persian rug. It looked beautiful, with artistic designs all over while the color red and white overpowered the greens, yellows, and indigos. There was no TV in the living room, just a small radio, off to the side of the brown recliner.
A tall lamp stood several feet beside the gray chair to the right. Past the lamp, a book shelf about five feet wide was hammered to the wall, and across the book shelf mirrored another one, both fashioned from oak wood and both served as a divider of the small living room, and the upcoming kitchen. Evidently, the old man had a fashion sense for oak wood.
The kitchen itself measured not too big. It had a sink, counter, stove, and the fridge, all stuck together. The table looked uninviting, enough for someone to just stand while eating. It was fit for two people and no more. The surface had food spills that had been forgotten cleaning. It seemed the Chief had no time in his hands to brighten the kitchen necessities, especially his small dining table.
The bathroom itself located way back at the end of the hallway. And the Chief's room was to the right of the hallway as well.
The Chief decided to turn around and ventured inside his room. He felt the need to look for something that could remind him of the caller… But what specific information could he likely discover? He didn't even know where to begin his crucial search.
His bedroom didn't look that immense either. Off to the far-right corner lay his bed, the closet across his bed had double sliding mirrors for doors, beside the entry way was a wooden desk that held his personal computer, and other police documentation. That was all, plain and simple.
Within seconds of entering his room, he rummaged through his closet, threw his clothes, shoes, boxes, luggage – anything that got in his way, until he possessed a very old-looking, yellow, 8x11 paper-sized envelope. He untangled the string that bound the flap with the body of the envelope, and peered inside it. His hand came across a folded piece of scrap paper – which looked illegible – and opened it. A note revealed handwritten in a fancy calligraphy font.
He read: It is the year 1976. You and I discovered something so wonderful in time's history, well…I think in our history together. Keep this as a reminder of our dear friendship. I know we are going our separate ways and inside this I kept something I thought of. You may read it if you wish. It may not be the best of my thoughts, but it doesn't hurt to dream big…does it?
As he concluded his short reading, he emptied the envelope as all the contents scattered on the floor in front of him. He knelt down and went through each one. I don't believe it, he thought.
He read paper after paper as old memories slowly returned to him. His hands stumbled from one paper to another, tossing one set of paper aside, retrieving it, then discarding it. His eyes then mainly focused on one crumpled paper, the size of an index card, examining each line of the paper as so not to miss anything that held importance regarding the intimidating calls.
In a way he felt afraid of his findings in his closet, although…why should he be afraid when after all he was in charge of the police force in Sendai? What was the reason for that? What was it that he read that mortified his thoughts? The caller said he meant business with him, and now the Chief accepted the unsuspected phone call to be a serious account that should not be overlooked.
He started mumbling to himself while he fluctuated from one paper to another. He became utterly disturbed and uneasy with every paper he held. His face almost became expressionless.
"It was wrong. It was wrong. No!" he exclaimed firmly but nervously. "It never should've happened! It was an accident. I didn't want anything to do with it."
He breathed moderately, gasping for air. His hands felt cold. His face was warm.
Shoving all the papers back inside the envelope, he folded it in half and inserted everything inside another yellow packet envelope. He sealed it with tape, wrote the address of the new recipient, with additional instructions inside, and left his condominium to mail it.
. . . .
6:00 PM
The door slammed shut behind Kouji as he entered his apartment. He removed his shoes, leaving them near the entrance peacefully and at the same time dropped his athletic bag on the floor accompanied by a thud. He looked sweaty after three hours of rigorous work out in the gym. For the past eight months, working out had been his usual routine as well as jogging very early in the morning.
Being out of the police force meant he was on the verge being out of shape, and he wasn't about to let that occur because being fit and strong kept him healthy. After all, he was highly trained in the force and he felt he shouldn't lose that quality even if he was…out of uniform.
Kouji turned on the water, in the bathroom, worked on the temperature to his satisfaction and took off his clothes as he closed the door for privacy, albeit he lived alone. Twenty minutes later he emerged from the bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
He walked into his room, got decent, and ventured out. His left hand held a towel, which he used to strenuously dry his hair as fast as he could in record time, on his own that is. While he continued this ritual of his after showering, he approached the phone to check if anyone had left him any message while he was away.
"You have four messages," the machine echoed. Kouji pressed a button as the first message played.
"Kouji. This is the Chief. I must speak with you." -Beep-
Kouji became curious after hearing the Chief's message. For a minute there he froze and wondered why after eight months of no communication that the Chief suddenly contacted him.
"What made you call me today?" he mumbled sounding half-angry.
He tossed the towel above the arm of the couch, pulled out a chair from the dining table, sat down in front of the phone, and pressed another button to continue playing the messages, his hair still in disarray.
"Next message sent at 3:30 PM. -Beep- Kouji, I'm leaving you another message. It is urgent that I speak with you. It's a must!"
"What's a must?" he muttered confusedly.
"Next message sent at 4:00 PM. –Beep- My third message to you. I know you're probably wondering why I just contacted you after such a long time. I…I can't explain it on the phone. I need your help. Hurry."
The Chief sounded almost too scared to speak on the telephone. His voice sounded shaky at the same time incoherent. Kouji sensed immediately something was wrong. But could his apprehension be correct? Should he listen to the next messages?
"Next message sent at 4:30 PM. –Beep- You must hurry to my place. It is very important. There's no time to lose. I ask of you Kouji. Help me. Help me."
"Oh man. If he left me messages every half hour then he's not kidding me!" he said scratching his head. He thought for a minute whether he should stay or leave.
Why should he go to the old man's aid? After all, he didn't give Kouji a second to chance in the force. Should he be cruel to him just as the Chief was? But the Chief was just doing his duty…then again should he be a noble man and help?
If I stay, he's likely to call me again and tell me to come and I'll never hear the end of this. If I want him to stop calling, I might as well do it now. I'm getting really tired of his begging. I mean seriously, if this was a joke what kind of man is he? I mean…c'mon now, he's old, and grumpy, and…oh who am I kidding! Let's get this over with shall we?
Before he made his final decision, he played all the messages one more time for confirmation. Convinced that the Chief wasn't kidding he stood from his chair and quickly fixed his hair before heading out.
This better be worth it. I'm not paying him a visit for nothing. It should be something good. I don't want to face another disappointment.
. . . .
7:35 PM
He stepped out of the train; his hair looked better than before, and ran after the flight of stairs that led to the Chief's condominium. He gazed up in the clear and peaceful heavenly sky as the stars emitted their celestial glow that twinkled endlessly. It was such a beautiful October night. A slight breeze hugged his black hair, whipping his face, and the breeze encircling neck. He was thankful he wore his black leather jacket rather than a sweatshirt, in spite of the fact that he didn't feel the need to zip up his jacket and prevented the breeze from uncovering his body, hidden underneath the white shirt he wore.
It wasn't a long walk from the station. He reached the Chief's condominium around eight o'clock on the dot. He stopped in front of it and examined the small place; his hands safely tucked inside his leather jacket pocket for refuge from the cold.
The little house was painted off white, bushes in front of it with a tiny pathway, flattened with gravel about three feet wide, that led from the sidewalk to the front door. Off to the right was a paved driveway, but saw no car.
The window of the small dwelling looked as if it hadn't been washed in years. It had mildew covering almost the whole windowpane. The door was painted mahogany with an intercom attached to the right side of it. The neighborhood itself didn't present to be such a pleasant place. There were several old beat-up cars parked on the curb that no one took notice and no one seemed to own it.
Vandalism appeared to be a common vogue on the neighbors' house walls. Hostile graffiti were almost everywhere. He felt sorry for the old man, but then again, he was a cop and he concluded people had some respect for him and maybe feared him a little because of his title.
"So this is the place. I thought he would be living in a more decent neighborhood. I guess I thought wrong," were his words before he approached the front door.
He pressed on the rectangular button of the intercom and spoke softly and calmly as he could. He waited for an answer as another breeze embraced him. Thirty seconds passed and a new voice became audible. The door opened and the Chief set his anticipating eyes on the younger man. Kouji rapidly observed the older man wearing his gun, securely holstered under his light-brown jacket. He gestured for Kouji to come inside, and so he did.
The Chief led the way through the dark hallway and into the dim-lighted living room. He motioned for Kouji to sit down on the brown recliner while the Chief took the gray seat. The condition seemed gloomy and unpredictable. Happiness had not been present in the room since early in the afternoon, and more likely that it will never come.
"Thank you for responding to my distressed calls. I know it must have been a bit of an annoyance hearing the same words from me every half hour," said the Chief.
Kouji looked down then up and forced out a slight smile. "I came here because you wanted me to. And I hope I get something out of this."
"W-would you like some tea?" he asked as he slowly stood up, stammering.
Kouji shook his head. "No thanks. I don't need any drink to get me interested in whatever you have to say."
The Chief sighed and retreated to his seat. "All right. You are here so I can talk to you about…about the robbery you and Lance handled eight months ago."
"I don't believe you." Kouji raised his right brow and gave him a stern look. "That's not why you called me. Why don't you just come clean, here and now."
"I can't fool you Kouji," the Chief sighed in defeat. "I-I…I truly need your help. I had a phone call, earlier this afternoon. It wasn't a courteous call I tell you. It was a call I never expected in my life."
The younger man brought his right ankle atop his left knee sitting comfortably while his hands rested on the arms of the recliner. He looked uninterested with the Chief's words. He thought about having made a wrong decision. He felt the urge to leave the Chief because their conversation hadn't progressed at all.
"What is this? Are you playing some joke with me?" He said, and paused. "A man like you with a high position plays a trick for his own pleasure? You are unbelievable."
"I'm not playing any game. And my title as the Chief of Police means nothing now."
"Oh? Tell my why that is? I'm very curious to know."
He hesitated for a moment before he found a suitable reply. He knew he couldn't go around in circles while he told him the truth. "This mysterious caller warned me of my 'time running out' and I believe he's about to make his move."
"What are you talking about?" Kouji asked in frustration. "Would you just tell me what's going on? You still haven't explained to me why I'm really here other than you need my help!"
Again, the Chief let out a sigh, this time heavier than before. He began, "Twenty years ago, a very old friend of mine and myself made a wonderful, yet fatal discovery. It was the most extraordinary thing that ever happened. I'm afraid that-that he wants it back."
"Want whatback?" the young man snapped quickly.
"Information."
"What kind of information? Tell me." Kouji's eyes became colder than ice. He was getting so tired of half-answers. His right foot had dropped down and he was suddenly very interested with the Chief's upcoming tale. Maybe there was more to it than what he heard earlier. Perhaps the Chief finally got to the point why he summoned Kouji. He anticipated for more explanations.
"You'll find out what the information is later."
"We're going around in circles here!" The bottom of his right fist met the arm of the recliner hard and fast. "First you tell me that some strange guy needs some information and you can't even tell me what that information contains?" replied Kouji. He already felt angry and his patience started to run out. He shouldn't have wasted his time for this nonsense.
"I need you to help me track down an old friend of mine."
"Oh really?" he said mockingly. "Why me of all people? Why can't it be your other friends in the force huh? You've got them with you. Go to them."
The Chief gave out a deep, massive sigh. "Because I don't trust any of them. And I trust you. When you were a rookie, I saw how good you were with all the hard assignments I gave you in the field. You were one of the best. And you still are."
"And don't forget, you were the one who took me out within a strike," Kouji responded bitterly, reminding him of his resignation.
"I took you out to protect you."
"Protect me?!" he spoke, surprised of what he had heard. "Protect me from what? The press? The media? Everyone?!"
"Not entirely. I wanted to protect your well being. I knew that if you had stayed there, you would have wallowed yourself in misery. You lost your friend and yes that was very hard to take. I know what you felt because it happened to me as well."
"'Wallowed myself in misery'…there's a first from you. Are you saying you destroyed my career just because you wanted to protect my well being? You're a sick joke Chief!" His mind raced with many thoughts. Why? How could he do this to me? I loved my job! He kicked me out just because he thought he was protecting me? I should've known, the order wasn't from the Commissioner General of the NPA. Damn it! Why did I give in? I should have fought right in the beginning.
"I'm sorry if you feel that way. But everything will make sense later on." He hoped. The Chief hoped his words would be correct. He felt so ill telling him the truth. But he had to or otherwise Kouji would never have understood the purpose of his presence in front of the Chief.
"It'd been eight months since the robbery and everything that happened. I don't see myself in a better condition!" Almost immediately right after Kouji spoke, he was on his feet. The Chief also stood up.
"You must understand. You're the only one who can help me."
Kouji's eyebrows were narrowed closely and he had a chilling look on his face. He spoke coldly. "Why should I care about your own business? You destroyed my career because of your own selfishness and lies! You take care of your own problem. You didn't help me."
"But you don't understand!"
"I understand as much as what you have told me! As of right now, I came to a conclusion that after all this you are a delusional man! There's no reason for me to stay here any longer."
"But-" the Chief interrupted Kouji yet at the same time the younger man also interrupted his former boss.
He looked at him with great intensity. "I didn't spend eight months out of the force just so I could be your personal body guard. Handle this yourself Richard."
He already turned his back when a hand stopped him on his shoulder. Richard Ishinabe grabbed him forcefully and spun him around. He knew he wasn't done with the boy. He couldn't leave yet. There were more things to be discussed and there were more things he should know. Kouji needed to calm down and the Chief knew that. He didn't mean to cross the line, he never meant to do it. It just happened because he felt inferior and afraid after the call.
The Chief took out a small silver key from his pocket and placed it on Kouji's palm. Kouji looked at it dumbfounded. He asked why Richard had given him a key and the elderly told him, "It fits something over at East Sendai. Go to Ohta's Club and look for a man whose name is Takeda. Recite to him the number two, seven, nine, four, zero, one, one. After that he'll know what to do. It's important."
Kouji looked at him in the eyes and figured the man wasn't joking. It was something real that he had to do and he must accomplish it. He withdrew his gaze from the Chief's eyes to the key he held and closed his palm tightly. "You better be right with this," he said. The Chief nodded rhythmically as Kouji pocketed the key and the Chief felt satisfied.
Outside, gray, unwelcome clouds instantly engulfed the once clear blue sky filled with twinkling gems. It sprinkled which turned into rain, and almost within five minutes it changed into a complete thunderstorm. Lightning struck miles and miles away accompanied by the loud boom of thunder. It got colder and nastier outside. Mother natured seemed to be throwing a fit, as the howl of the wind grew obnoxiously. The thunderstorm was relentless, the lightning unmerciful, and the thunder grew stronger. It became a dark and dreary night as shadows in the night became darker and dismal.
Back in the living room, the Chief gladly offered Kouji to stay while the storm released its frustration. Flashes of light reflected inside the lonely room. Kouji didn't want to take the offer and would rather walk in the rain. The next thing both of them knew, everything happened in lightning speed as the next minute came unexpectedly. Gunfire echoed in the tapping rain coincidentally with the roar of thunder, while lightning flashed in the distance, as everything in the room went black.
Blood was shed this chilling night. Who killed tonight? And who was killed in the quick action?
. . . .
9:20 PM
Two bodies slumped on the floor, the center table destroyed, the chairs turned over, the lamp rested atop one of the victimized chair, and one of the two men that lay on the floor remained lifeless.
He awoke with a throbbing pain at the base of his skull. He tried opening both eyes but everything in his sight was a blur. He tried blinking a few times to get a clear vision of his surrounding. He witnessed flashes of light inside the room concluding that the thunderstorm hasn't stopped. He lay on his left side wincing in pain. The whole living room was in chaos.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he tried to get up. He accomplished this triumphantly but painfully. What had happened?
He felt the back of his head, it hurt like hell, then saw a tiny speck of blood on the tip of his fingers. He also felt something on his right hand that he failed to notice earlier. He looked at it in disbelief as he held an HK P7M8 handgun. What? Where did this come from? He thought. He dropped the gun quickly as he staggered on his feet.
He looked around. He saw the Chief lying on the ground, motionless. He walked over to his fallen associate and kneeled down. He turned over the body and perceived a pool of blood. His hands were drenched in blood as well as part of his shirt; he then experienced severe emotion of fear, confusion, and wonder as he finally came to his senses.
"Oh my God!" he muttered. "What happened?"
His ears were quickly alerted by the distant resonance of sirens. He needed to flee before the police arrive. If they ever find him there, surely he would be questioned about the murder and most definitely believed that he's the perpetrator of the cruel activity.
With a swift movement his hand connected with the doorknob of the main door. He opened it slightly, peered left and right as he ventured out into the rain. He listened for the sirens; it came to the right. He couldn't go there, he'd get caught. Kouji didn't want that to happen. His only option led him to run opposite the nearing sirens. He fled as quickly as his legs could carry him. The lampposts were his only source of light that guided him down the street, not knowing where he could end up.
"This is what I get for trying to help the old man. This is ridiculous!" he said under his breath as he kept moving and blinking quite a few times as drops of water landed on his eyelids.
Miraculously, the rain had slowed down and he didn't feel as cold as he had been earlier. Before, he was drenched in blood, now he was soaked in water. With each step he made, water splashed after it leaving a small ripple behind. He had to move fast. He ran; ran to wherever the road would take him. It was like for eternity that he left the Chief's house behind that he no longer felt acquainted with the street. He didn't even recognize anything at all. The houses turned into tire workshops, raggedy stores, and tall apartment buildings with alleyways in between them. This must have been the bad part of town because none of the buildings looked formal.
He slowed down to regain his breath six feet away from the curb. He looked up at the sky, its beauty had been restored as well as the twinkling gems.
"Excuse me, you got any light with you young man?" A middle-aged man, who wore filthy clothes, worn out finger less hand gloves, black beanie on his head, boots with a hole in the sole, and a brown coat, questioned him pointing to the cigar he had just placed on his mouth.
Kouji shook his head. "Sorry, I don't smoke. I don't plan to die early."
"Well aren't you such a polite kid," the other man spat back then literally spat on the ground in front of Kouji's shoes.
"Don't be walking around in these streets at night. You don't know whom you'll run into. This is a dangerous place I'm telling ya."
"Yeah? Well I'm big enough to take care of myself. I don't need your advice."
The man snickered as he pocketed his last cigarette. He held on to coat collar tightly, buried his neck from the cold, and walked away from Kouji, snickering. Kouji hesitated for a minute before making a quick decision.
"Hey, wait a minute!" he called out after the man. He stopped and spun around.
"What do you want lad?" he snapped quickly.
"I have a question."
"Let's see if I have an answer, if I don't your wasting my time and I don't like time wasters," answered the other man smugly.
Kouji thought twice. Maybe it was a mistake to ask the guy a question. He looked uncooperative, especially after Kouji talked to him sarcastically.
"I'm wondering if you know how long it takes to get from here to East Sendai."
"That depends on what mode of transportation you take. By cab or bus it'll probably take you around forty-five minutes or so. Take the station and you'll be there in less than half an hour."
"Thanks a lot."
"I'm not a city guide you know. But I know a lot of places in town and out of town. I'm a walking map."
"Right, keep yourself warm," replied Kouji as the man slowly disappeared from his sight.
He kept hearing sirens and decided to leave as well. Just when he took his first step, a pair of headlight came his way and flashed its high beam as he shielded both his eyes and face from the blinding light with his arm. He figured it was a patrol car as the cops inside blasted the siren. With no time to lose, he crossed the street, the cops in hot pursuit behind him and ran full speed ahead nearing a dead end.
The siren sounded close. He had to think fast. He looked around and determined he was in between two apartment buildings. Each side of the building held a fire escape, underneath the one on his right had a dumpster, to the left of him didn't have anything to boost him up, just a broken pipe that probably wouldn't hold his weight.
He made a prompt decision, running over and jumping atop the dumpster. Kouji yanked the ladder so hard it fell with a pound. As soon as he finished climbing it, the cops arrived and one had already gotten on top of the dumpster too. He kept running up the flight of stairs that zigzagged crazily as he tried to catch his breath quickly in between the fire escape.
"You know you can't outrun us! Everyone is looking for you all over town!" the cop yelled from the bottom as he climbed the stairs tirelessly. Kouji ignored the warning and kept running to the top. I have no time for this.
He finally reached the last flight of the stairway not a moment too soon. He couldn't stop there; he had to keep running. He wasn't going to sell his life dearly to the cops that were after him. No way, not ever. The only thing for him left to do was to get above the roof and maybe he'll find something useful there.
It was imperative that he gets on the roof, he'll be captured if doesn't do it and he had to accomplish what the Chief had told him: To go to Ohta's Club in East Sendai.
Kouji jumped, his arms extended in the air hoping to reach the edge of the roof. It was no use; he was three feet short. Then a brilliant idea emerged from his brilliant mind. He looked up and saw part of his answer. There was an insulated power line attached to the building within his reach. Directly in front of him stood a railing. He was going to put two and two together and come up with a solution.
He gripped the power line tightly and placed his foot on the railing. He held on securely because a drop from a four-story building would be a fatal death, he propped himself up, careful not to slip and reached for the edge of the building. He successfully grasped it with one hand, then let go of the power line and had his other hand grab it as well.
"You think you are smart trying to hide up there in the roof!" the cop yelled, still after Kouji. "I think that would be the stupidest thing you have ever done!"
With all his might, he pulled himself up and made it on the roof. Now what was he going to do?
His legs carried him over to the other side of the roof. He looked down and found what he was looking for. He waited for the cop to catch up with his little game before he initiated his plan. When he saw the head of the cop emerged above the edge of the building; Kouji took some steps away from the other edge and planted his feet firmly. This probably was the very first time he got a good look of his pursuer. He stood about five-foot nine heavily built with broad shoulders, he had a mustache as well as a beard, atop his head grew short brown hair, and his brown orbs glared long and hard at his suspect.
"Now I've got you!" spoke the cop victoriously and tiredly.
Kouji scoffed and smiled. "No. I think I've got you."
"You got to be kidding me. You can't go anywhere. The only place you'll end up is in jail."
"I didn't kill anyone."
"Save your breath for the judge."
"All right then, I will. But first you'll have to catch me if you want to take me to him!" he teased.
The cop ran towards him, Kouji turned around, dashed towards the edge of the building and cleared the seven-foot gap to the next roof. He safely landed on the other roof and kept running. The chase had taken a one-eighty from the ground way up in the roof. The cop was still hot in pursuit. Both crossed the new rooftop as the raced one another.
Kouji did the same exact thing as he built greater momentum leaping, but this time clearing an eight-foot gap. The next roof turned into five-footer, the fourth one into another eight-foot gap. He looked back as his hands clutched on the last edge of the roof. The cop had slowed down, this bought him time to hoist himself up. Without further ado, Kouji pulled fought gravity and propped himself up strenuously but successfully. Meanwhile, the cop was left on the other roof. Kouji saw him panting and shook his head. Kouji could only smile as he ingeniously outran the cop.
Another fire escape caught Kouji's sight as he glanced from the edge of the roof and it was time for him to ditch the place. He quickly made his way down trying to avoid any loud effects he made but unfortunately it couldn't be avoided. He reached the last step of the ladder, released his grip, and landed on the ground in a crouch. Siren or no siren, he won't be climbing another roof, one adventure was enough for one night.
But that wasn't his only problem. He would have to look for a place to crash for the night. He figured, if the cops were already after him tonight, then most certainly they'll be waiting at his apartment. He wasn't about to risk being caught trying to sneak there and get some necessities. He needed to stay out of the cop's sight until the coast is clear. He was going to rent a cheap hotel for the night, and tomorrow, he'll go over East Sendai to look for Ohta's Club and find answers to questions he had.
Kouji felt around his pocket revealing the key that was given to him, and gazed at it with disappointment. "I don't know what your role is in all of this, but you've already given me trouble right when I got you." He fell silent for a moment as he tried to absorb the major events this night brought him before walking out into the scarred night. "Whatever this is, I'm going to survive it," he spoke softly.
Stay tuned…