You guys know you can take this, right?
If you hate a story, just find a point where it broke and make a fixed version of events in your mind
i do that every time i hate something that happened, just sitting and thinking, taking the new truth
when i'm not thinking about other things, that is.
You know this feel when u realize you did so many mistakes but you dun wanna go back to fix em
fun.
"Ok guys, sorry i had to drag you over here. I would normally go back and all but i fear we don't have much time. This liar will be empty for 2 hrs at most before the police arrives so 2 detectives is exactly what we will use here before that place gets closed off. Try to get whatever you can, tho." Haibara all but yelled at the end of one of the corridors. It was a pretty big place, with quite a few rooms and walkways. The metalic walls and beton ground were giving off a pretty sterile-like vibe, bringing everyone to the ground with a strong smell.
As Heiji got off Shinichi with a quick thanking nod, Kudo started looking around. He was planning on keeping close to everybody this time, not wandering off anywhere, but to his surprise profesor and Heiji were following him around anyway. It would be hard to keep an eye on everything while also looking for clues if not for the already trained mind of Shinichi, used to both danger and quick thinking ever since becoming Conan. As all of them stopped in the biggest room and Haibara was going around the hallways - the investigation officially began.
It was a simple entrance, the ladder wasn't even that long. The first room acted as a wardrobe and a storage room at the same time, judging by the amount of empty carton boxes and dirty footprints on the ground. There was some hangers there and there, with only one tattered coat remaining leaving the rest empty. Looking around the leftover boxes Kudo spotted some papers and a big coffee stain. The documents were about all the trades and what was bought, some containing clear addresses and prices. Going towards the only desk in the room which the profesor was standing near, Kudo looked over the last document in the room.
The profesor corrected his glasses, handing the boy the last piece of paper. "Kudo, i think this is their list. The target list." Agasa said as he walked away. Kudo squinted against the low light to read, which Heiji prevented by turning on the lamp sitting neatly on the desk. The whole thing was filled with various names and pictures, some of them crossed and some circled. The place of work was always written near the name, probably for localization measures. Trying to find someone he knew Kudo began to flip the pages and skim over every side. "Oi, Your name is written on tah." Heiji stopped Shinichi's hands just as he was about to go over it on the list. Hattori was looking over his shoulder, quickly checking the information along, the same thoughts grabbing at his mind.
There was a name, wrote in dark blue ink- 'Shinichi Kudo'- 'Currently not located, missing target. Capture if found.'
"That's uh... I think it's not that bad. Could have been worse."
There was also some side notes, as to where he was last seen, all written in a fast and messy manner. "You think they would get tha' people that know you to tell where ya at, and yet it looks as if they still couldn't get you. Interesting." Heiji went around the desk to look at the pile of documents on the right side, probably finding (and recognizing) some of the illegal dealers and deals made by the organization.
"Do you... remember anything from these rooms? Were you here?" Kudo said loudly enough for Heiji to pick up.
"I... the only room i do remember isn't this one. The aesthetic is similar, though. I think." Heiji uttered, giving the place one more good look.
Shinichi thought back to Heiji's lack of trust in him earlier and suddenly got an idea. Since the detectives dealt best with evidence, this was a perfect way to get him to understand more about why he did things he did.
"Well...You see Heiji, the main reason the Organization does not have all my companions caught and cuffed somewhere in their cells saying all about my location, is that i try my best to not involve them. People rarely know my secret, more so about the organization. It's all a safety measure, you see..." He side-eyed Hattori, gazing away quickly as he saw the unmistakable look of confusion on his face. After a long pause he started thinking that maybe Heiji got angry or missed the meaning, but he finally followed with: "I suppose Kid has some deal with the Organization too? You both like going in solo against everything it looked like. Maybe that's the factor you both share." Heiji suggested. Even if there was still some doubts and betrayal in these words it wasn't audible. He himself put the document away after staring down some scribbled over and torn names near his.
"I suppose so. Although we are...both getting more people to help out lately." Shinichi moved smoothly towards the hallway, Agasa already working on the lock of the door Ai pointed out. Heiji gave a short amused glare at his back, smirking. "That's cool and all, but tell him to not leave his feathers when he visits next time."
The next room was rather long, having a way lower ceiling than the last one. It was way less bright and definitely more humid, some dark puddles and leaks forming on the grayish walls. There was a set of closets in the very end, some papers hanged on the way there. When they closed the door behind them they noticed some hooks with ropes and cables on them, possibly for repairs or tying stuff. There was also a strong smell of bleach and steel in the air, completely overwhelming with the assistance of the previous one. Haibara sneezed awkwardly, coming towards the big closet and entering some codes in the lock. Proving unsuccessful a few times she once again called Agasa over, fiddling with the lock some more. As Kudo looked down on the ground he quickly noticed just how much being Conan helped him find the clues in such places. Being here now however made him want to be nothing more than himself, an ever present dread of coming back looming over him. He never wants to be the way he was again. As if reading his mind, Heiji lowered himself to the ground near kneeling Shinichi to keep him company. Kudo took some comfort in that.
Looking around more, Heiji walked around the closet to inspect it but it opened suddenly, revealing a big arsenal of weapons before them. As they took in the mass amount of guns daggers knives and bullets, the boy took out his phone and took photos of all evidence he could sort out as being from the wanted criminals and illegal sources. Noting the bleach and chemicals to make explosions on the lower shelf he took a step back, pulling Kudo along.
"These are some illegal weapons and chemicals out there. Most for quick assassinations or huge bombings, not counting the obvious straight up murder. I know who makes some of the models and from where they import it. Same with other equipment. If we play our cards right we might get a lot of illegal dealers and buyers in prison for both this and their assaults." Heiji said, obviously asking to get more info on the matter.
Kudo tried to keep Heiji away from it all for far too long - he realizes. Since the BO captured Heiji that meant he was in this as deep as Kudo was, increasing the need for actual trust.
Shinichi was willing to try.
"Glad you're here then. Since we got the documents already, the only thing left to do is match." Heiji immediately looked more certain and confident, finally increasing his trust back in detective. Letting go of the unconsciously held breath the blue-eyed boy went back to take a better look at the weapons himself as the two parted, a new plan in mind.
Flashback-
Unknown time, Osaka Precinct
"Heiji, since you want to be a detective, i think it's high time to take you to some real police training. It's pretty useful, just ask Kazuha's dad. I wanted to start this as soon as you were ready, just like my father did with me. " Heizou took Hattori inside the room next to the training gym, parted by only a piece of one-sided glass. Normally there would be physical tests that needed watching and grading from this place, however tonight it was their talking spot.
"So you want to teach me about all the important parts of being a policeman? Finally decided tah' let me on the bigger cases eh?" Heiji sat down, already grabbing the huge pile of books from the desk. They were both surrounded by thick blue walls, many metal drawers and some chairs before the glass. Some pens were disassembled, a possible habit of one of the workers normally occupying this space. Must have been a stress reliever, since Heiji noticed a lot more in the drawer.
"Every policeman should know a few things. Actually, every member of the police should know as much as they can the minute they enter any activity. That's why the more ya know the better. Same with your men, as all of your knowledge together matters when the time is right." Heizou eyed Hattori, already reading all materials he managed to get on the most important cases throughout the last few years to use as an example, and continued.
"Actually... If someone lies to you, there is probably a bigger reason at play, especially when it's about a case. Let me share an advice with you Heiji - Don't surround yourself with people that lie. The truth is important yes, but a person is worth something only when they don't hide it. If you want to be a detective, you should live by that idea."
Heiji looked up at his father, listening.
"I really wonder if you will fit this job, son."
After sitting down, Heizou continued as he opened the case file.
"Actually, i think there are only two acceptable reasons as to why a person would lie to you..."
Flashback end-
Heiji was determined to find even more stuff than previously. Already having most of the evidence these bastards left behind he turned towards the maze of corridors before him. He left the room not long ago, so all his thoughts already formulated a mess of connections, leaving others behind. Him wanting to leave also had something to do with the fact that there was a lot more on his mind. Shinichi made him think about a few things he didn't consider before, which made him wonder.
...Maybe he really tried to protect everyone? But saying this type of stuff to someone who actually could do something about it could have helped him so much sooner... Besides, the lack of trust from his side... and all this secrecy... especially after i pieced together every signal Kudo has given. Looking back i really did force myself on him a bit, didn't i? I'm just a stranger tagging along, what was i thinking... I'm such an idiot...
He took his phone out to take one more good look at the items, but instead slid over a message from Kazuha. Huh.
It looks like he didn't notice it in his asleep-like state before (which he still had no idea how he got in) and simply looked over it. Same with the missed calls ever since his phone was silent. Besides, checking your phone isn't the first thing you would want to do after being woken up by blaring alarms, the courtesy of the profesor. Thinking back, the last time he checked his phone was back at the... in this... Wait, was it? No...Eh, It was no use. The shreds of memories he couldn't even deem real yet weren't making a clear picture, more so a full chronological sequence. There were only flashes, the most strong ones being the cold syringe and his injuries, the pale white bandages and some blurred surroundings. And Kudo, helping out, surprisingly. Nothing solid enough to actually make their investigation or his statement good enough.
...Anyway, what is she even sending me? I hope it's not about our argument earlier because i ain't apologizin' to no one. No way. Not this time... Heiji thought as he opened the weirdly shifting message. There was some letters above but all he could focus on were the changing and moving kanji from the picture he was seeing. Getting cross-eyed he blinked a few times, taking a look again. The mess of numbers and other symbols messed with his eyes, blending together before him in a fuzzy text:
I bet you were wondering what we did to you, eh, son of the Osaka dogs chief? You escaped having some of our not-yet-fully-tested venom after all. The thing we had the honor of testing on you has many interesting effects. Due to a small amount of people surviving even a week under it, the key word would be torture and fact you can read this? Also an effect. Although we would rather enjoy just having you dead, there is a deal we can strike. I fear that your decision needs to be quick though...
...What was...What's this all about? Code?
*It's about us, Hattori*
*It's about you, too*
*We will make you want to be dead...*
*Just as you should have made yourself be...*
*B̷̡̲̙̬̞̃͌͘a̶͔̪͚̦̪̋͌͆͛̈́͗̋c̵̡̢̜̣̣̲̬͉̫̒̈̃͛̎͝͝k̷͖͕͍̈́̂̊͠ ̶̧̨̗̖̼̰̠̝̽̅̈̊̉̓̕t̶͎̳̣͗̀́́̚͠h̷͚͕̾̽̔͘ȅ̷̢̤̼͚̼̺̦̮̐̕n̴̡̯̣̫̤͎͕̹̈́̾͊̅͂̈́͒̽͊,̸̧̺̎̏̅̓ ̵̻̅̾̍͐͘͘̚͝͝e̵͎͇͉̲͚͆̅̑̽͜ͅv̶̟͒͆̋͛̔̀̚e̶̢͉͇̬̩͍͛͊̽̃̀͆͘r̸̘̭̜̜͍̹͎͠y̸̢̮̼̣̪͒̌̃̽ ̶̼̭͓͈͐͆̆̈́t̴̥̦̟͖̤̂̈͋̉̌í̷̮͕͕͕̔̕m̴̹̲̹̳̭̥̞͚̊͒̊̌͝é̷̯̦̒̀̕ͅ.̶͓̰̀̓.̶̗̬̞̻͔̒̆.̴͈̝̫̘̫̼͕̪̓̔̓̀̆͋͝ͅ*
*It's pointless to resist, It's pointless to escape...*
*You will wish you died a painless death by your own hand...*
*You shouldn't be alive...*
Hattori looked around in panic, the surge of louder and louder voices having no real source in the empty hallway. His skin started burning underneath, his head swimming in a sea of noises and feeling every one of them bring pain along. He didn't understand what was going on, getting more and more memories from his time back here. The feeling became familiar, encompassing him all around just like a few times before. He closed his phone, getting the ominous message away, moving towards the maze, trying to escape from the sensation. The voices however pressured him to follow the trial he used before to run towards a room, a cave filled with everything he hated. Not being able to stand the torture, he took a piece of glass from the floor and slashed it across his hand to regain control, the pressure in his head and blood slowly leaving his body as he was left in a daze.
He has to say, things weren't pretty. The shreds of memories this room awakened slowly made sense. There didn't need to be a reason. A twist of fate caused it all, as most of the things in his life. Options running through his mind merged with the truth, finally seen. This all was something that was supposed to make him break himself, to self-destruct, to destroy himself bit by bit until the torture stops as everything else would. He now remembers taking the sharp rocks from the ground, slitting his hands when he tried to answer the call. He remembers closing the door of the house, so determined and pressured he threw himself on the wall, getting up to search for the knife to slice his face on. He remembers desperately scratching every wound to stop the constant nagging, his every nerve sending signals that were beyond his control. They probably planned to get information out of him with this, no doubt about it. Or maybe it was really a test that turned out good since he knew some of their targets already...
Furrowing his eyebrows he looked around the room. A week? The most important thing is already done, and he sure as hell will still chase these fuckers.
Taking off some older bandages he stopped the bleeding again, covering his hand with the sleeve of his hoodie. Shaking his head, he focused again. The room he was in still had evidence in it, and so he got to work.
There was a pole he remembered being tied to, some of his blood and handcuffs still on the ground. The gag they used was discarded in the trash bin, some more documents and cloth also in it. There was some equipment he remembers seeing as he searched for the vials, now toppled over with everything broken or spilled. ...Guess they were in a hurry, since one call from me would have done it. It's better for us i guess, since we get to analyze the place even before the cops are planning to check it. There is some doubts about them even finding this room since it takes the whole maze to get here but still, he will take it nonetheless.
The place is mostly empty, every closet and drawer useless and most objects destroyed. There seems to be some other blood here, splattered on the wall. Now that Heiji looks a bit closer, it all looks like not only purposeful damage but also a struggle. Taking a sample of the blood from the wall, he plans to analyze their first biological identity clue later. Was there a fight he didn't see? He needed to know who it was. Closing his eyes he forms a plan as to how to deal with both the case and his... situation... all at once, he exhales a pained sigh.
With nothing in his mind, he leaves.
Kudo took his eyes off Hattori for a second and he already wandered away. Amazing. Just as he was about to storm out after low snickers from Ai became full blown barks of laughter at his frustration, Hattori appears in the hallway. The boy in question looks uncertain for a second longer, before lowering his eyelids and gesturing for the others that they should pack up, ignoring the laughter and the whole ordeal.
"Were you... outside this whole time? Please say yes." Kudo asks while sweating as Haibara laughs at his pathetic attempts to make the situation better.
Hattori looks confused for a second, catching on to the whole point. Seems like Kudo tried to keep an eye on him since Ai ordered him so, apparently failing. That's what you get for your lack of communication skills, ahou. "Y-Yeah sure, just went through the evidence again. Coud'av said i learned... more than i wanted. Were you in here the whole time then?" Heiji asked, playing along.
"Phew... See, it wasn't that bad! I kept him in check. Through a wall. It wasn't that far." Kudo turned to Ai who nodded in satirizing manner. Profesor just squinted lightly at Hattori, years making it easier for him to spot a lie. Heiji looked away as if to increase his chances, to no avail. The normally warm man gave a particularly cold stare, almost shutting up most of the voices still disorienting Hattori. Feeling dazed yet again he sat down outside as he saw no one ready to give in to his suggestion on leaving. Not that it mattered anyways since the cops will come here in 20 minutes. What Hattori did NOT expect was Kudo at his back again, following him out alone.
"Ya one ready to leave yet? You spend a lot of time with these guns and bleaches, i think it's tha' high time you got some air." Hattori said as he slid down the wall, Shinichi following his actions.
"I'm totally fine. The only thing that's not well is the goosebumps i get when thinking about... this place... and what transpired in it. Who knows how long it was here? hidden..." Shinichi sighed, resting his head against the wall same as Hattori. It was relaxing for a minute, the two males not doing anything beside sitting comfortably next to each other. Then Shinichi broke the silent moment. "I still wonder how... and from where, you got the antidotes in this place." Kudo started this again, Hattori cursing in his mind. "Hattori, please, there might be something useful if you just try to remember." Hattori heard it all but he just rested his head on the cement once more. Back in the room he decided to not tell Kudo until later, leaving the details out, but he was not ready and too tired to tell it all properly now at Kudo's request.
Shinichi could see the dark circles under his eyes, the tired irises trying to stay on him but failing. Heiji replied however, evidently sleepy;
"What is there to say? I was pathetic, got caught, stole some stuff and had enough luck to escape. I was running on pure instinct and now you can be yourself. Nothin' more to say." He shook himself before he would fall asleep where he sat, standing up. Kudo followed, determined. "What do you mean 'Nothing more'?! What about all these wounds and cuts all over you?! What about the people that did this?! What about you hiding stuff from me?!" Kudo said sternly, holding his ground.
...I really don't want to do this now. Can't you just give up for once? You did before, why not now?
"I did what i thought was best. You ever saw yoself' talking about these guys, you would understand! I won't put you near them, especially if i can deal with it alone. Trust works both ways, therefore what i did was none of your business." Kudo was surprised at this, also noticing how Heiji avoided his other questions. He frowned even deeper at his friend's stubbornness.
"None of my business?! These guys are TOTALLY my business! I can't believe you would hide such a thing... If i didn't call i wouldn't even know..."
"Well i have done it and that's that, so how about we just finish the job and i can take myself somewhere where people actually trust me. Unlike one person i know."
"Are you serious?"
Hattori just closed his eyes for a bit longer, thinking about his words again. "I get it, you did it all to protect us. I get it. Maybe i shouldn't have engaged with them, for all i know they didn't even have me on their target list. I just...I wanted to help you out for once, you always end up being the one that...just like..." Heiji stopped and looked away, making himself seem smaller yet again. "I trusted you, i wanted for you to do the same. Maybe i wasn't good enough for that, eh? Just like for most of the time... "
Kudo's face slacked a bit, anger being replaced with worry. He has been meaning to ask Hattori about all the stuff he said in the house, the depressed remarks and self-hate he kept mumbling while in there. He guessed his self-esteem took a blow from something but he never would have guessed it was his fault on such a big part. Even now he didn't look well, stressed and uncertain, looking like he just wanted to be someplace safe.
"I guess i'm sorry too. I regret not telling you," Kudo looked guilty, his true emotions showing themselves. "but i just ...couldn't. If something happened i don't know what i would do... I would never expect that someone so similar to me could do anything in the matter, especially since i tried in every way i knew on my own already. Guess i just needed someone with different perspective instead of searching for these things only in myself." Kudo smiled slightly, now fully ready to finally begin tracking the organization with some more help by his side. "I do trust you, Heiji. Now i have no reason to deal with this alone."
His smile stayed in it's place as the young detective before him sleepily returned it, grumbling "Yeah, i'm glad. Now, get them out of that place - I think Ai got high on all this bleach by now."
Kudo didn't want to leave Hattori again so he just pretty much yelled through a slightly opened door for his friends to stop looking at the damn guns and come back.
"I think we can get going now, partner."
It was a pretty tiring hour, Shinichi has to admit. Even if he slept during the day just as his fellow scientists, the lulling hum of the car and the calm night made all their eyes close no matter what. Haibara and he argued about sitting in the front seat for some time before the drive, Shinichi having both the traffic laws and power on his side - yet she took it. Now Shinichi had nothing better to do than to stare into her back, hoping some of his focused malice will get through.
He and Hattori were on the back seats, Hattori already out of it. He fell asleep about 5 minutes after the first turn, just as Kudo was about to ask if he's tired. It raised some problems as they were close to the lab and getting him out all passed out will be difficult, but what Kudo thought more of were the things he learned today. All the evidence, names, layout and the maze fresh in his mind, current situation not mattering for a moment of calm conclusions. He had a feeling his friends had an idea about how to track these guys as everything related helped if even just a tad, just as he had a feeling that trust was slowly being rebuild where it needed to be. It wasn't, and never was, in a tragic condition as the two always got along - but he still was frustrated that his friend's psychological state went unnoticed until he was hurt enough to speak without filter that one night.
Just as he was looking out the window to see the last few turns to their destination take place, Heiji leaned on him, still asleep.
He stilled immediately, carefully looking at his shoulder, currently occupied by his friend. The surprise was momentary, quickly being replaced with 'i have no idea what to do' feeling. Now he was getting the impression that their trust was swinging from high to low depending on how asleep Hattori was, which Kudo found amusing a bit. Curious.
He put his free hand on his head gently, not even knowing why he executed such motion so many times lately. He found himself frowning with worry as the temperature was slightly raised, his hand surely feeling colder to his friend. It weirded him out that it stayed the same during the entire day ever since he checked yesterday, since he doesn't think it's good. He has to ask Agasa for some pills for that fever - it's becoming worrisome.
Interestingly enough he let his hand rest there for longer as he was under the impression Hattori got some comfort off of it. Normally he doesn't allow anyone to touch him, yet in his sleep or while being just simply tired he gets all touchy-touchy. Kudo smirked, feeling like he found some hidden clue about his friend.
The crickets were loud in the tall grass that night, some stars visible between the dark clouds. The yellow car moved softly against the black road, smoothly driving upwards to park. The two of his friends exited the car as they stopped in the garage, almost like zombies seeking some bed, not even wasting a second to say "Bye".
Shinichi was about to wake Heiji up to get inside by slightly shaking him awake by the arm - but just as he touched it firmly, Heiji immediately curled against him in discomfort. Surprised, Kodo let go quickly and observed for anything else. When his friend didn't move any more, he gently touched his forearm once more. Going towards the wrist he grabbed the sleeve and pulled it up towards his shoulder, revealing a fresh and still bleeding cut going across the whole space. His eyes widened and he looked again if Hattori had woken up, but he was still fast asleep. He inspected the fresh wound gently, feeling miserable by just looking at it.
...How did that get here? What happened? - He thought, covering it back up again. -...It looks like it was just made, there is no way it's from two days ago. Did he try to hide it from us? He would need to, if it happened so recently...but why? - Kudo stayed on the back seat, deep in thoughts. He tried his best to combine all his clues into what could have led to this, thinking in his lethargic-like state once more.
... Some days back, Hattori started to seek an opportunity to track the BO. Seems like he noticed all the incidents recorded that i didn't tell him about, apparently somehow getting the more advanced database to view this time. He planned it all to get an antidote for me (maybe to prove himself) and help out in tracking my number 1 enemy...alone. He did something that got him caught, the BO taking him in the place (since he recognized some surroundings) and drugging him, guessing by the injection site on his shoulder and his weakened state later on in house. By some miracle, a mistake or a desired action he got released and escaped. When he went on his investigation he did something to upset Kazuha, most probably not taking her with this one time, hence how i got involved. Apparently he got hurt, which got me to follow to check what's up. He gets weird, cries, (which i understand, ever since feeling the release from being Conan and the fear and hope mixed before it) and has some suspicious incident with the knife in the house. The wounds were done in different times, by different things, suggesting a returning attacker or a chase, even though it seemed safe. There was nothing suspicious in the house except some more unexpected blood...Then, he sleeps off his injuries when i try to get more clues on the location and BO plans, apparently giving Ai an idea that led to her findings today. We have a few leads from the 'base' she found and yet still Hattori is not getting better, new injuries from unknown origin appearing yet again looking only hours old. That he had no idea about. He is sure his conjecture is at least 90% correct using common sense, but also 50% incomplete as the case isn't done yet...
He looks back at his darker-skinned friend, still feeling his steady heartbeat against his shoulder, and then looks outside. He evens his breathing without thinking, matching that of his sleeping friend. There was this unexplained feeling growing in him... a feeling that he needed to protect his wounded friend. They really should stop the habit of falling asleep close, but with his face against a window Kudo dismisses it, falling into a void yet again.