Questions man, what the heck
"Damn."
A man said as he was walking around completely messed up room.
It was the room he kept his newly developed poison in, every antidote he made, temporary lab set. The one in which these bastards commanded him to move his stuff in for this damned unstable killing mission. A shame the floor was stained with blood and the equipment was toppled over.
"I leave them in this temporary new hideout to get people especially from the list to test my crap on and what i get is utter destruction. Fucking unbelievable." He kicked the spilled vial so the glass hit the near wall, audible crack echoing in the room.
"Is this a joke? They caught something, which was good, but they were too careless to even keep an eye on it. I get it, they don't like this place, but come on! " He knelled down looking at the suspiciously broken handcuffs. "We are disposable, but putting us together in one place with some shitty instructions will not change that. I didn't even see the results i worked so hard on... I-...I can't give the report. They won't be s-satisfied." He scratched his neck nervously, his brown hair getting in the way. "No... I worked for them for 3 years already, i know they won't dispose of me yet... not because those careless fucks messed up... They won't. They won't, right?"
"This is a disaster. " ...
"A disaster that can bring miracles." The man jumped as he heard a voice behind his back. He turned around, startled, just to be slammed against a wall harshly.
The back of his head was wet with blood but he looked up nonetheless.
"Everything went wrong, i know, but-you said-" The two were inches apart, alone in a dark room. The man let go and the scientist slid down the wall, still looking up at the other. After a beat of silence, the man started again. "Listen, we have everything that we wanted. You and these mutts got the list of assassinations to do, which luckily included our escaping friend on it. The luck does not end there however, since they got a friend in person of our next annoying target - as well as the daughter of the chief detective - as well as being the only son of chief of police. We already started the process you were talking about, exactly as you commanded and instructed, the only left is to find some time to fix our little slip up." He moved soundlessly towards the exit again, turning back one last time.
"Your lack of adapting really surprises me,"
"William."
"Hey, Haibara, You have a minute? " Shinichi peeked into the room, searching for the small girl. Since profesor ordered him to stay inside in case the black organization was looking around for their unfinished job he was pretty much in house jail. Safety and all that.
"Yeah, i'm here." She said as she typed on her small computer. "Just checking some stuff."
"Cool, yeah, so listen ...Um ..." Kudo came closer, looking down on his phone. He had been trying to solve these weird messages he got from Kazuha, with no success. The thought of asking Ai for opinion crossed his mind so he came looking for her. It was the middle of the day, he knew she would be awake by now even if she stayed up all night. "I got some weird codes that i can't crack so i thought it may make more sense in your language. Sciency stuff maybe."
"Sciency stuff, huh."
"Yes."
"And even you, the great detective, can't figure it out? "
"Nope."
"..."
"Gimme that."
...
She stared at it, a flash of recognition in her eyes. She stood up, looked back at expecting Shinichi, but all she said was "Nah, i have no idea. But i just remembered i still have to clean up that house you two were in. Your pal bleeding on that floor isn't exactly legal if you look at it and the mess won't disappear. By the way, would you wake him? We need that info if you are planning on ever leaving without Agasa snatching you back inside 2 seconds later. " Kudo exhaled disappointed after he just lost the only chance in solving the thing keeping his thoughts at bay. Time to find something else to do.
"... I guess you are bored, huh? Since we don't know anything yet how about you just catch up with Ran some more? Also, i will be back soon with all the evidence i will manage to find from around the region so be ready for that. Bye! "
Slam
...That's a tad rough. She thinks i didn't think all about this? She thinks i didn't trouble myself with thinking about how to go back and all? Jeez, that's already done, if i think more of it my head will explode. I have the whole day and nothing to do, what a waste of...-
"Shinichi stop sulking."
...Oh come on.
"I will try, profesor."
Abandoned house, sunset
Haibara held the vials in her hands, glass clanking when she clutched them. There were some with full names, some without, and the one she had at home. From what she can tell, they were all antitoxins and antidotes, probably since the organization chose to turn every failed attempt at the serum into poison they needed those for. Or, some anyway.
That's what concerned her. There was a ... gap ... in the numbers that marked the vials. The poisons invented by black organization have been numbered since a long time ago, and she didn't recognize any of those held in her hand. There was some mess here in the house on both floors, mostly where the vials were left at and some drawers that were open in possible material search. One thing that was left was this blood on the floor, catching the eye as soon as you enter.
Now, she has been standing over it for a while. There were drops, smudged steps, dried hand-prints and this one weird smudged part from a weirder shape. Hesitating slightly, she took a sample from the floor. She was wondering for a while now... how exactly the injection wound just happened to be on Hattori's shoulder just after the organization 'let him slip'? Besides, Shinichi was supposedly getting some messages from Heiji's region which pointed to some possibilities she heard about on one of the organization's gatherings in the past. This all compiled to make her contemplate about some possibilities - even if for now nothing was dangerous.
She typed out some stuff to check to profesor Agasa, planning to head back.
Agasa'a lab, evening
Shinichi was sitting on some video game on the old man's computer. He called everyone, caught up to everything, waited for everybody, and he got bored enough to beg for some saving by this old thing the profesor kept. There was no sign from Kaito, although he has to admit he thought hard about their conversation yesterday. No Haibara yet but she was exactly where she said she would. The old Agasa was making some food and soon going to bed which Kudo couldn't do just yet since he stayed up all night yesterday. His parents are happy he went back to being normal and he talked to them through all day on the phone (while also saying that the BO is stationed close so they shouldn't come until it's cleared up) and overall it was nice to get stuff off his chest. He finally decided to get himself a drink from upstairs but before he stood up from his chair a door opened behind him in the silent environment.
He turned around, almost on instinct, but it wasn't anyone dangerous or anything.
Hattori tried to act as his normal self even when he felt weird. Opening the door quietly he peeked outside just to lock his eyes with Kudo.
"Hattori?"
"Oh. Hi there, Kudo."
"Hattori? You're awake?" Kudo has long since stepped away from his computer, now walking towards his friend.
Hattori took a step ahead, closing the door behind him and leaning on it slightly, a strained smirk on his face. "Kudo, buddy, i see the cure workin' ?" But Kudo just made a face, as if Heiji just said something stupid. Reaching toward him, Kudo beamed.
"Working is an understatement. I'm back, finally, for good. " He said.
"Well that's nice. Could you tell me what i'm doing here?"
Kudo frowned, his half smile now getting even smaller. Hattori noticed, a tad of fear in his eyes. Was something the problem? Did i say something wrong?
After some silence, Kudo seemed to put the words right in his head and asked softly "Heiji, do you remember what happened yesterday?"
The boy had a confused look on his face, clearly not expecting the question. He had a lot of questions on his own, like why was he in Agasa's lab? Or why he felt so weak? Also, why was he woken up by some weird warnings, laying in someone else's bed with clothes already prepared by the side?
He had no choice but be blunt. "Tha last thing i know was that dim street and listening in. I know nothing of how i got here. Sorry..." He felt as if he had done something wrong, as if he hadn't done enough. There was an ich near his shoulder, sudden need to get away from himself present in the back of his mind.
"No, no, it's ok. We just have to help you remember, we have time and everything needed. No rush. You just woke up, didn't you?" Kudo gave Heiji some space, looking towards some plates left from dinner.
"Would you like something to eat? I can always...you know... nuke something in the microwave for you?"
Heiji looked at Shinichi and thought about it for a while. Deciding he wasn't hungry, he was about to decline and go further into the room but the moment he let go of the door his legs almost gave up.
"Hey! You alright?" Shinichi was by him in a second, holding him up by his arm.
"Y-Yeah. I guess i'm still half asleep...Sorry." Heiji said, another wave of dizziness passing over him. Shinichi hoisted him up to a nearby chair, his hand still firm on his shoulder. He drew his eyebrows in a concerned manner, holding his friend straight. Some footsteps were heard and not soon after the profesor showed up in the room, a sandwich in his mouth. He stopped for a second before going near the center of the room, taking in the situation. He locked his gaze on Shinichi, who locked his gaze in return, making Agasa's gaze slide slowly towards Heiji who had his head down.
"Oh, Heiji. Sorry i needed to wake you up but we kinda need you awake. Haibara will be here soon so just sit...sit where you're sitting." Agasa motioned to Kudo to follow him, going off to the side. Kudo stared confused but turned back quickly with a quick: "Rest for a bit, we will be back in a second." and rushed after the profesor, who looked him seriously in the eye. Shinichi started though, cutting him off from beginning the conversation.
"You woke him up? Why? And why doesn't he remember anything?! Is there something wrong?"
"No, it's not that. Not now anyway. Ai needs you both to go to one specific location we suppose to be the old BO hideout. She said to not worry about your friend over there too much, just watch out for him for a while."
Kudo calmed a bit and nodded in agreement. He actually wanted to go out, even for a little bit, and surely fresh air would do Heiji good as well. He still had some questions though.
"Isn't it too dangerous?"
"She said the hideout is empty. It was temporary base for a few assassins and a scientist and the best time to look around is just fresh after movement. It should be ok, especially since these guys were catching the attention of the police for some months now. There is security, cops are on guard."
"Alright. When are we leaving?"
"I will give you 9 minutes. Let me just start up my car."
Agasa left Kudo alone. There was some things he started to think about again as his steps echoed behind. If the police was involved for some time now, is that the way Hattori got mixed up in all this? And there is the fact that this whole thing went unnoticed by Shinichi, meaning Hattori wasn't planning on letting him know.
He was lost in thought for a second, but after a while it changed into an inside battle of wanting to go outside and actually fearing for safety. If BO were to get him again, this 1/100 chance wouldn't happen again. If he were to take Hattori, in his current weakened & amnesia-like state, to this place and supposedly needed to run or evacuate - there would be a problem. Still, he came back onto the room.
"It's kinda awkward."
Heiji stood up from his chair, looking at the ground. There wasn't even a beat for Shinichi to react, more so to answer, before he spoke again.
"Was Kaito here?" Heiji asked unexpectedly. Shinichi widened his eyes, surprised by how Hattori figured it out.
"Yeah. He actually had some info for us... By the way, we weren't supposed to leave for safety reasons but i guess Haibara calls us."
Hattori looked uncertain for a minute, a hint of ...something akin to fear in his eyes. Kudo didn't like how he was slowly seeing it more often.
...
"I have no idea how i got here, or why we have to go, but sure imma go if that lil' friend of yours wants it so."
"Sure." Hattori left, Shinichi hovering close by as they got to the car, a hint of uncertainty in the air.
Agasa'a car, evening
"I wanted to thank you." Shinichi suddenly said. "I have no idea why you did this for me, or what you were trying to prove getting all beat up, but i'm grateful. I never thought you would go wild and alone on such a thing...I hope you can give me some explanation once you remember."
"Shinichi..."
"Come on Heiji, it has been on my mind for a long time. I basically carried you here. You trust me, right? ..." Kudo said reaching out for his friend. But the other just looked away, something suddenly changing.
"Why does it matter? You never trusted me, did ya now? It's done, so there is nothing more to know or explain. "
"W-What?"
"Since i figured out your identity...You needed to tell me stuff. You never would do tha' normally, i just self-proclaimed myself your friend - r''member? So i will just make it up to you and get the hell out where i belong."
"But Heiji- what?-" Kudo was confused by this sudden turn of the conversation. He hoped Hattori's resistance to his questions would pass after he healed up a bit, meanwhile he doesn't answer and gets grumpy instead. He kind of feared the fated conversation about why he never let his friend help out in that dangerous front but he sure wasn't ready for it now. It was pretty sudden. Agasa gave half of his attention towards the back seat, interested.
"You never trusted me enough to let me help you with the Black Organization. You never said you knew Kid's identity. I thought i told ya' you can count on me, but you didn't believe me it seems. Even now you are not telling me anything!"
"No! No,Hattori that-"
"It's nothing new, Shinichi. I helped you out, is' all good. Let's get whatever Ai wants and i will just... go."
Shinichi caught Heiji's shoulders, making Heiji snap back to looking at him, posture straight and tensed from sudden contact. "You... are wrong, Hattori." He said strongly. "Where are those thoughts coming from? Is that why you went there alone?" He demanded yet again. Heiji let out a small chuckle, humorless and hollow, the situation getting to him. His wrists and arms hurt again, itching below his bandages. His friend looked worked up, his intimidating eyes even scarier in his older body, both staring intensely as if right through him. "I...shouldn't have said anything. Forget it."
Shinichi locked his eyes with Heiji who was since struggling against his grasp. "There is still a few things that need checking. Biggest one? What exactly happened." Heiji looked horrified, his head saying all kinds of wrong. He spared a glance on his shoulder, some piece of information falling into his mind. Shinichi didn't miss that, now deciding to pressure his friend further. Heiji meanwhile heard some familiar whispers at the back of his head, catching onto their small protests. These voices, the things he had done, he remembered now. it was all...
They got out of the car, the atmosphere grim. Ai told the profesor where to enter, so he was leading both boys inside the building. There was something more similar in between these walls for Hattori. The bricks were the same bloody color, the ground was gray and full of small crunching pebbles. He could almost feel the small rocks under his hands and legs as he looked at them, more memories getting through the cloud of voices.
The hallways seemed to get closer to each other, collapsing against the other side, blocking out the dark sky. The chill in the air made Hattori shudder, his eyes clouded by black dots for a second making him trip over his legs. Catching onto the wall he steadied himself, waiting for the voices to quiet and the walls to stop moving. Closing his eyes for a moment he rested, not caring for anything for few blissful seconds.
Through the silence Shinichi heard a small sound of bricks getting scratched, distracting him from following Agasa. He turned slightly, noticing his friend lagging behind. Alarmed, he walked towards him quickly, noticing his tired posture supported by the wall. "Heiji?" When he didn't reply, Shinichi scolded himself for leaving him again. He thought he had learned his lesson when he found his friend bloodied after leaving, yet he forgot after spending so much time close. Grabbing Heiji by the arm he roused him a bit, making his tired eyes open. "You really should have stayed to sleep, didn't you?" He asked, earning a grumble out of Hattori. Smiling slightly, he got his arm over Heiji's neck and half-carried him forward, supporting his weight. "Ai better have a good reason for us specifically to investigate this cursed place."
They went down, going through the small entrance through the ground.