Devil on the Doorstep

Wow… I'm surprised… The teacher who hates me gave me a 1A in my last project (that's the highest mark)… and it mainly consisted of Fan fiction! Bet she didn't realise that! Let's see… ok, it was all ff. I wrote a spin off from POTA – Look out for when I type it up!

Devil on the Doorstep; Chapter XVI: This Flesh a Tomb

Kai had just got home when the phone rang.

"Hello?" he asked as he kicked off his shoes.

"Is that Kai Hiwatari?" An official sounding voice asked.

"Yes… can I help you?" He said politely.

"I believe you know Seth Hiwatari?" The voice continued without waiting for an answer. "This is Bakuten Hospital. Mr Hiwatari was brought in about fifteen minutes ago. He's being treated for asphyxiation."

"Asphyx-" Kai sat down heavily.

"He was found hanging from the ceiling. We are treating this as a suicide attempt. What is your relationship with Mr Hiwatari?" Kai realised his hands were shaking.

"Suicide…" he breathed. "Oh, he's my father."

"I'm very sorry, Mr Hiwatari. I suggest you come here straight away. It… it's not looking too hopeful."

"Right… I'll get there as soon as I can." Kai put the phone down and held his head in his hands. "Tyson!" He yelled shakily. "Training is off today!" He slammed the door and made his way to the hospital. It only took about five minutes.

"Yes, can I help you?" The receptionist looked up.

"My father, Seth Hiwatari, was brought in about half an hour ago… He… he's being treated for… asphyxiation." The receptionist nodded.

"It's the first room on your right. I assume you know about Mr Hiwatari's… problem?" Kai raised an eyebrow, then realised that the girl was talking about Seth's disfigurement. He didn't warrant that with an answer and sprinted down the corridor. He paused before he opened the door, and his eyes filled with tears. He had only just grasped the enormity of the situation. Seth… his dad… could die. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.

He crossed the room quickly and sat in the chair beside his father. He took one of the cold hands in his.

"Hey Dad." He said quietly. "I realise I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but that's just the way it is. I… I didn't mean it when I said I hated you, I hope you realise. I didn't know you were… so… desperate…" To his horror, he realised he was crying. "Please don't die, Dad. I need you, even if I am an ungrateful brat. And more than me… The Demolition Boys need you, and the rest of the kids at the abbey. I know it was bombed, but it'll be back, you realise that? The Abbey needs its Phantom, and so do the Children. I don't want to have Voltaire as my only relation. I… I want someone who actually loves me. Unconditionally, no matter how many times I throw it back in their face. You die Dad… You die and I will kill you. Cliché as it sounds. So, I'll be seeing you, yeah?" Kai gently ran a hand around the side of Seth's malformed face and pressed his lips to the elder man's forehead. As he passed the guards, he heard a snippet of conversation that made his blood run cold.

"Do you know why he did it?" Asked one of them. The other lowered his voice before replying.

"Well, don't spread it around, but I've been his guard since he arrived at the prison. Most guys get lots of visitors, but this guy only got one. He requested it himself. He was really excited before this meeting, kept saying that his son was coming, and he couldn't wait to see him. Well, not in so many words, he's rather posh, but I got the gist."

"And it was after this that he tried it? Must have been one hell of a meeting."

"He was very quiet afterwards. I'm guessing the son isn't as brilliant as the guy believed."

Kai shut the door and leant against the wall, trying to block out what he'd just heard. It was my fault… I killed my father… And I killed my mother… I'm the murderer here, not Dad!

He began to walk, still thinking of what he'd just heard. He didn't want to go back to the dojo and lots of awkward questions. Not ever. Suddenly, he stopped.

Oh look… a bridge…

-

I feel eyelashes on my cheek and they lacerate my flesh, a pain so good...

-

"Try this. What's this, Mr Ivanov?" Tears of humiliation glimmered in Tala's eyes as the psychiatrist picked up another flash card. Bryan glared at them angrily, but they ignored him. Tala opened his mouth, but no sound came out. The two psychiatrists went into a huddle and Bryan drew Tala into a hug.

"Ignore these two loonies." He muttered in his friend's ear, feeling his shoulder going wet with tears. "You are intelligent, just the shock of being bombed has obviously damaged you in some way." Tala nodded and gave him a shaky grin. Then, suddenly, his sharp ears picked up what the other two were saying.

"It's definitely fear. It's obvious that Kyznetsov has something over on the poor boy. See those bandages? Must have been him." Bryan's hearing wasn't as good as Tala's, but he got the gist. He flushed and looked down at his lap, trying to hide the tears that were beginning to trickle down his face.

Tala frowned as he heard the psychiatrists. How dare they even insinuate that Bryan had something to do with it? He stood up angrily and walked to the one who had made the comment. He tapped him on the shoulder.

"Yes?" Doctor Sawtell asked. His answer was a punch in the face.

"Man, that felt good." Tala said.

-

Take me away, kill me slowly, I'll never be the same...

-

Seth? The Phantom looked up, to see a familiar figure walking towards him. Seth, honey, it's me! Bryoni! Bryoni wrapped her arms around his body, like they used to do when they were younger.

Bry! It's so good to see you… It won't be much longer until we're together for good. Seth said, stroking her hair. He frowned as she drew away.

Seth, you can't come yet. It's not your time. Kai needs you. I know you don't think so, but he does. Bryoni rubbed his hands within hers.

Bry… I can't stay there. It's hell on earth for a guy like me. Seth brought her hands to his lips.

Seth, you can't see outwards, but I can. At this moment, Kai is on Bakuten Bridge. He's going to jump! Seth, you have to wake up! Already, Bryoni was fading.

Bryoni…

Seth, wake up!

Kai…

WAKE UP!

Seth…

WAKE UP! SETH, WAKE UP!

Seth's eyes snapped open and he sat upright.

-

I swear to you, on everything I am, and I dedicate to you all that I have, and I promise you, I will stand right by your side, forever and always...

-

So Seth isn't dead… yet. This was fun to write! Any complaints/criticisms, please tell me! Ooo… Just four more chapters to go, guys… what do you think will happen? Please tell me!