Part XI: Hunger
The breeze was pleasant. The sun, high above, warmed his skin. He closed his eyes dreamily, his thick black lashes fluttering against his bronze skinned face. His fingers stroked the pale grass beneath him, white silt trapped under his fingernails. He chewed on a white stem, the petals long ago crushed between his small, brown fingers. It wasn't just bliss, it was home.
"Waterlaw." It was his father's voice. It felt like forever since he'd heard him speak. And instantly he knew he was dreaming.
"Baba," Law breathed out, the stem dancing between his full, soft lips. He wanted to open his eyes but his lids were so heavy. The sun was too warm, too pleasant. He was comfortable and opening his eyes was too hard a chore.
"Waterlaw," his father repeated gently. He placed a large, warm hand on Law's forehead. He stroked him affectionately, shifting the hair from his face.
"Baba?" Law murmured lazily, contentedly.
"You're such a smart boy. Don't close yourself off."
Law chuckled and shook his head, "Baba, what do you…?"
A large shadow blocked the sun. He opened his yellow eyes and sat up, rubbing his cheeks sleepily. It wasn't his father standing above him; the shape was all wrong. The figure lurched forward and gripped him tightly, shaking him back and forth violently. Law protested loudly, his fingers digging deep into the shadowy man's skin. The shadowy man became a mob, screaming and tearing at him.
His brown fingers paled and his skin became blotched. He could only watch in horror as his melanin seemed to seep away, leaving behind chalky white; the absence of color. Law cried out as he rolled away. He scrambled on his hands and knees, the pale grass beneath him growing dry and brittle. Even the blue sky and bright orange sun had been bleached.
"Law," he recognized this voice too. And even in dreams he loathed the man.
Law rolled onto his back, a defiant smirk twisting up the corners of his mouth. He looked up at the enormous sprawl of a man and narrowed his yellow eyes. He licked his dry, white lips before speaking, "What the fuck do you want?"
"Law," Doflamingo repeated, squatting next to him. He lifted a large hand and brushed his rough fingers across Law's cheek. Suddenly his flesh peeled off in Doflamingo's hand, "None of this would've happened if you'd just been a good little boy and died."
"You okay?" Luffy asked, his face inches from Law's.
Law's eyes widened, sweat dripping down his temples. He inhaled shakily, his eyes wandering in the sockets for something to focus on. He sat up and wiped his face, a small grunt escaping his lips.
"Were you having a dream?" Luffy questioned, his warm hand lightly touching Law's shoulder. "You okay?"
At first Law thought Luffy was shaking him, but then he realized he was the one trembling. Law cleared his throat and nodded. He coughed out, "Fine."
"Mr. Law," Brook called out, "Are we close?"
Law closed his eyes. He rubbed his face roughly, the sweat soaking into the sleeves of his shirt. He took several shallow, uncomfortable breaths before finally making eye contact with Luffy. He reached out and squeezed Luffy's knee. It was a small gesture, but it was enough. The younger man nodded and climbed back into the front seat.
Luffy chewed on his fingernails as he spoke, "Give 'im a minute, but I think we're close."
"I'm running out of road," Brook pointed out. "I didn't realize the west was still so un-won."
"Huh?" Luffy crinkled his nose in confusion.
"Ah, well, uh, don't worry about it," Brook finally decided, waving it off dismissively.
"There's nothing but bushes out here," Luffy complained in boredom.
"We're here." Law said suddenly, climbing into the front seat between Luffy and Brook.
Brook began to decelerate, "Oh, okay…"
"Turn now."
"Here?"
"Turn now," Law instructed, yanking the steering wheel to the left and spinning it sharply.
"Don't just grab the wheel, young man!" Brook protested.
"Reverse." Law instructed, ignoring Brook's frustration.
"Would you like to drive?!" Brook demanded.
"Sure," Law snapped, climbing over Brook's long legs and into his lap. "Move."
"Good grief!" Brook exclaimed, scooting out of Law's way hurriedly. "So rude!"
Law took over the steering wheel, sliding his seat closer to the dash without so much as braking. He shifted the truck into reverse and floored it.
"Careful, Mr. Law!" Brook shouted, grabbing hold of his seat for dear life. "You'll jackknife the trailer!"
"It doesn't matter," Law whispered, his neck craned for a better look behind him.
"It does matter," Brook pointed out. "We're in the middle of nowhere if we lose the-"
"Wow," Luffy breathed out in awe. "Is that it?"
As they reversed past a large hedge an expansive mansion came into view. There were several stories and separate garages. The drive was paved with smooth stone. The landscape was perfectly manicured. Even the smallest of details of the property were attended to.
"Must be," Law replied, rolling his neck until it cracked loudly. "Seems we're not the only guests today."
"What makes you say that?" Luffy wondered, bouncing wildly in his seat as they sped across the lawn.
"I suppose you didn't notice the fucking fire? Or maybe the giant hole?" Law grunted.
Luffy laughed, "Oh, yeah, I see it now." Luffy shook his head, his nose scrunched up, "What's that smell?"
"There's nothing I can do about it, Mr. Luffy!" Brook exclaimed sadly. "I apologize."
"Not you," Law corrected, "I smell it too." Law spared a look at Brook, "Not that you don't fucking smell because you really fucking do."
"Sorry."
"Luffy," Law said, "Are you ready?" Luffy nodded wordlessly, rolling down his window. Law reminded him, "Remember if you can't make it back to let me know when you're situated."
"Got it."
Luffy climbed out the window, his thin, lanky limbs folding almost unnaturally. He gripped the window sill with his toes before pulling himself onto the roof of the truck and out of sight.
Suddenly Law veered away from the mansion. "Where are you going?" Brook questioned.
"You're annoying," Law sighed. "Be quiet so I can listen for Luffy."
There was a terrible bang and the entire truck shook violently. Brook looked out the window, watching as the trailer doors flapped madly against the sides of the truck. Brook leaned out, searching for any sign of Luffy.
"See him?"
"Yes! I see him! Luffy! Be careful!" Brook shouted, reaching out with his hands impatiently.
"Hold on to something, skeleton-man," Law breathed. "Hurry up, Luffy."
Law turned sharply again and Brook began to panic, "He's not in! He's not in, Mr. Law!"
"Luffy!" Law growled. "Jump!"
Luffy jumped from the speeding truck. He hit the ground hard and slid several hundred yards. The friction tore at his hoodie and shirt before finally skinning off several layers of flesh. He rolled and tumbled until stopping at last. He gasped for air, his breath having been knocked out of him at the fall.
It was only a matter of seconds, but it felt like an eternity before the truck finally plowed through one of the large garages. The metal and stone screamed as it collided. Smoke and dust seemed to fill the air like flurries of snow. But the truck didn't stop when it collided with the frame of the building. It tore through and almost out the other side.
Luffy sat up slowly, his bloodied hands pressing against his ribs sorely. He gasped in agony and was forced to lie back down. He inhaled several times shallowly before reaching for the pistol he'd had hidden in his waistband. He groaned, realizing it was no longer there. He tried once more to sit up before finally stilling in the grass. He exhaled slowly, unable to inhale again. His body twitched and spasmed; his scarlet blood spilling into the grass.
It took several minutes before his heart finally stopped beating. By the time he revived he was surrounded by men in black armor. Luffy blinked slowly. He smacked his tongue in disgust, trying to swallow the lingering blood taste. He sat up and quickly rolled to his feet. He let out a noise as one of the armored men bumped roughly into him. Luffy raised his hands, shoving the man away. The man staggered, falling onto his face in the grass.
"Whoa, you okay?" Luffy asked. He turned in a confused circle, looking from vacant face to vacant face. He reached out and shook the closest soldier, jumping back as the man let out a hungry growl. "Oh shit."
"Move, ding-dong," Law groaned.
"Oh, hey, Law."
"You're a perpetual child, Luffy," Law complained, cutting carelessly through the protective circle of zombie soldiers. He reached out and grabbed Luffy's hand, dragging him along behind him. "Pain pain, fly away," Law teased.
Luffy snickered, "I'll have you know that hurt."
"It wasn't that great in the truck either."
Luffy spit blood onto the ground as they walked. "Did it work?"
Law released his hold on Luffy and nodded, "Of course."
"Where are we going?" Luffy asked, bouncing after Law expectantly. He realized he lost one of his shoes along the way and simply abandoned the other on the lawn. "Have you seen Zoro yet?"
"First things first," Law murmured walking back toward the destroyed garage. He climbed over the rubble, walking into the smoke-filled building.
"What is that?" Luffy asked, staring at the smoldering ruin of some metal vehicle.
"Helicopter."
"Who's that?" Luffy asked, stepping over the remains of a charred human corpse.
"An extra."
"Law, where are we going?" Luffy repeated impatiently. Luffy looked up and saw Brook. He waved in greeting, easing up a bit, "Oh, hey, Brook."
"Mr. Luffy," Brook hissed, smoke rolling off his body. "I'm afraid I've lost even more of me."
Law shrugged, "At least it was the parts that smelled like shit."
Luffy smiled apologetically, waving his hand at Law, "Oh, Brook, it'll be fine. You look good. You look cool."
"Ah," Brook murmured dejectedly, bowing his head.
"Let's get it open," Law breathed, ripping a piece of torn metal from the frame of the burning helicopter.
"What opened?" Luffy asked, eyes wide.
"This piece of shit!" Law snarled, violently striking against a metal panel in the floor.
"I don't get it," Luffy admitted. "I'd rather go and find Zoro."
Law returned to the helicopter and yanked another piece free. He tossed it to Luffy pointedly before returning his attention to the panel in the floor. Luffy whined, stomping his feet in place before giving in. He alternated blows with Law. He mumbled under his breath, "Zoro better be next."
There was a loud clink and Law's pole snapped in half. The loose shard of metal slid upward impaling itself through Law's hand and into his wrist. The tip emerged out the back of his forearm, blood pouring like a faucet over him and the ground.
"Damn it," Law snapped.
"Here let me…"
"No! Don't pull it out," Law instructed. "I'll bleed out."
"You're gonna bleed out anyway," Luffy realized.
"Give me," Law demanded, nodding at Brook.
"This?" Brook clarified, unclasping his belt.
"Yeah, hurry."
"I can wrap it for you," Luffy offered, taking the belt from Brook.
"Tight."
"Yeah," Luffy exhaled, his tongue darting out the corner of his mouth.
"As tight as you can make it," Law continued, his arm trembling.
"I need something else," Luffy realized, shedding his bloodied, ripped shirt. He tore it into thin strips and tied Law's arm tightly with the makeshift tourniquets.
"Mr. Law," Brook wondered, "wouldn't it be better to reset?"
Law shook his head, "I just reset in the truck… I need to hold out…"
"What's down there?" Luffy asked, finishing dressing Law's wound as best he could.
Law curled his left hand into a fist, "It's a panic room."
"Who's down there?"
Law looked away, his hands shaking, "I can't be sure." He licked his dry lips and scowled, "But either way it's someone we fucking hate."
"I don't need revenge," Luffy confessed. He reached out and grabbed Law's unwounded arm. "I just wanna live my life. I want to be free."
"Wonderful for you," Law spat. "I don't have anything except revenge."
"That's not true," Luffy protested. "Come on, Law. Let's go."
"What do I have?" Law asked, his yellow eyes narrowed skeptically.
"You have the rest of your life and the whole wide world," Luffy claimed. "But we gotta get out of here. We have to find the others."
"They're your friends, Luffy."
"They'll be yours too."
Law laughed bitterly, "Oh, wow. Thank you."
"We're friends. I'm your friend."
Law closed his eyes, blood dripping down his fingers into a puddle on the floor. "We're old cellmates. It's not the same thing."
"Brook," Luffy sighed, turning toward the skeletal man.
"Yes, Mr. Luffy?"
"Ready to go?"
"Ah, yes."
"Good," Luffy said with a smile. He moved quickly, knocking his shoulder directly into Law's stomach. He pushed the man upward and over his shoulder. He tossed his arm over Law's back and began to run.
"Luffy! What are you doing?!"
Luffy snickered, "Carrying you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty?" Law wondered.
Luffy laughed again, "Cause yer such a drama queen."
"Put me down!"
Luffy inhaled the smoke-free air outside, adjusting Law on his shoulder, "Nuh uh."
"I want to kill them…"
Luffy ran hard, his bare feet pounding against the grass, "Law, those aren't the people who did this to us."
"How do you know?!" Law demanded.
"Because they think they own us," Luffy replied. "And they wouldn't pass an opportunity to rub it in our faces." Luffy tracked to the side, running around to the side of the mansion. "They're not the ones hiding back there. They're gonna be the ones hiding behind an army."
"What army? D Foundation lost half its forces in the Houston bombing," Brook pointed out.
"Anyone not 'us' is a bad guy," Luffy explained. "At least until they prove themselves otherwise."
"And there's still plenty of not 'us' people around," Law added. He frowned deeply before rolling his eyes, "Really, Luffy. Put me the fuck down now."
"Can you keep up?" Luffy asked, lowering Law to the ground. "You've never been much of a runner."
"I'm sure I can manage to keep up with a rotting corpse and his stubby-short legged Captain No Filter," Law snapped.
"They're not stubby," Luffy protested with wide eyes. "They're lean and long-ish. I'm proportional. I'm just fun-sized."
"Uh, gentlemen," Brook interrupted. "We have incoming…"
Luffy moved quickly. He fought with his bare hands, easily taking down the armed men as they approached. The door they spilled out of was tight, disabling most of their defenses. Luffy tore through them like they were nothing.
"Wow," Brook breathed out, "Incredible."
"That's nothing," Luffy replied, licking his lips, "You should see Zoro with some machetes."
"I've seen it," Law admitted, stepping over several corpses. "It is equal parts impressive and a huge waste of energy."
"Hey, Law," Luffy pressed. "Can you smell Zoro yet? Where is he?"
Law made a face, his dark brows pinched together, "I'm not a bloodhound."
"Huh?" Luffy asked, busying himself with opening a locked door.
"You asked if I could smell him, like I'm a dog," Law complained, his hand placed over his face.
"Well, whatever you do, however you do it… Can you find Zoro yet? He's here right?" Luffy questioned frantically, barely paying attention to the soldiers he was incapacitating.
"Wow, Mr. Luffy, you really are something else…" Brook murmured in awe.
"Of course he's here," Law snapped, cracking the knuckles of his uninjured hand against a man's skull. "I told you he was…"
"I'm jussssst checking," Luffy drawled.
"You can't sense him yourself?"
Luffy shrugged, "He's just so deeply ingrained in my heart that it's hard to…" Luffy's lip quivered. "I swear I can hear his voice when birds sing…" Luffy burst into laughter. He slammed his opponent against his knee, pressing down forcefully until he heard a snap. Luffy shook his head, "I'm only fucking with you."
"I swear to God I will leave you here." Law warned.
"I'm hungry," Luffy explained. "I can't think so good when I'm hungry. You know that."
"And you're constantly hungry," Law noted, yanking the metal impaled through his own arm out of the chest armor of a soldier. "Everything's suddenly clear."
"Young man, get along!" Brook scolded knocking the back of Law's head.
Law froze in place. He turned around and looked at Brook, his yellow eyes wide with disbelief. He opened his mouth, his tongue pulling back with a hissing sound, "You dare to-"
"I'm an old man," Brook continued, flicking Law on the forehead. "I won't take any sass from you. You get along with your brother or you get along to time out."
"Ahahaha," Luffy erupted into laughter. He stopped fighting to take the time to turn around and point at Law. "He tol' you!" Luffy shook his head, rubbing his watering eyes. "And we're not brothers, Brook."
"Why now, Mr. Luffy," Brook clucked his tongue. "You were raised together? By the same people? And followed the same set of rules? What else makes siblings? Anyone can see that you're family… And I don't even have eyes…"
Luffy scratched his chin, "Hey… he's got a point."
"Shut the hell up and make yourself useful, skeleton," Law snapped. "Fight."
"What's the plan?" Brook asked, raising his hands and waving them in a karate-like gesture.
"Don't bother," Law whispered, shaking his head.
Brook looked toward Luffy expectantly, "Well?"
"The plan is simple," Luffy breathed out. "There is no plan."
Law sighed, an involuntary smile curving up the corners of his lips, "Called it."