Managed to get second one up already. :) Do enjoy

Chapter 22: Rick Got Hurt?!

-In China In The Mansion-

Christian ended the phone call with Rick after giving him instructions to stay with Kai and Sara. If they needed, save those Kai's human friends but only if they needed help from them. They needed to keep low profile since they were among people in the shelters or were going to be. It looks like they were separated and ghouls were acting different than normally.

Mike, Tina and Lara had heard his call since they were still in the mansion and watching their television. Humans were panicking, fleeing to shelters, dying in the streets and so on. Christian had taken a peek into the future and had seen devastation everywhere. From normal ghouls to zombie ghouls if they could be called that. It meant dead humans turned to ghouls as well.

'It looks like those zombies are seen around graveyards and not just one,' Mike calculated.

'Every graveyards from the town to villages?' Tina asked. Mike nodded with worried expression.

'Only way to stop more ghouls from appearing is to find the vampire who makes them,' Lara said calmly. She had been in better mood ever since Kai had left the mansion and it didn't go unnoticed.

'And controls them,' Christian added.

'What do you mean Sir? Are you saying they are controlled too?' Tina asked worryingly, 'This would be the first time for that.'

'That makes ghouls more dangerous as well. Humans can't just go blindly attacking them either if they wish to survive this,' Mike said.

'You like humans now?' Lara growled.

'Oh, shut up and no, I don't. It was just observation,' Mike snarled.

'Go find out where the vampire is. Anyone who finds him, kill him,' Christian ordered standing up.

'Him? How do you know that? Vision?' Mike questioned narrowing his eyes.

'Obviously. I'm going to see if I can see his face. In the meantime, try to find him,' Christian said and headed back to his office.

'Seeing the future comes in handy at the times like this, I say,' Tina smiled.

'And bothersome,' Mike said to himself quietly. No one seemed to hear him as they headed out. All three of them were told to go out. It seems so urgent that Christian didn't bother telling anyone to stay his side now.

'Let's stay out of sight of humans. We don't need to be bothered with them anyway,' Tina said as they took their jackets with them. This might take all night and the next day too.

-With Rick And Tyson In Japan-

They had run around and through ghouls and were standing on top of another building's roof. Well, Tyson was sitting. His legs felt like jelly even though Rick had carried him all the way. Rick gritted his teeth as he saw ghouls still coming at them. This was definitely not normal. Tyson peeked down and he wondered if his yelling lead them here.

'Um… is that my fault?' Tyson asked Rick carefully.

'Maybe a part of it,' Rick walked to the other side of the building and narrowed his eyes to look around.

'A part?' Tyson pondered.

'Ghouls don't normally follow sounds this long. See the one with red shirt? It followed us all the way here from the BBA building,' Rick pointed out without turning around.

'Seriously? Glad that I'm not at fault this time… entirely,' Tyson sighed in relief, 'Wait a minute… Normally? What the heck?' he realised.

'Yeah, yeah. Shut up for a moment,' Rick growled. Tyson covered his mouth quickly and watched Rick look around.

'Looks like we can't go back to the BBA building where your friend and family is,' Rick said finally after being quiet for ten minutes.

'What do you mean? Why?' Tyson sat up and Rick pointed at the ghouls and the direction they came from.

'They are that way but so are those ghouls. If we go there, we will lead those ghouls back there and risk everyone else. Going to other shelter is much saver for you and the other humans,' Rick said tiredly.

'You almost sound like you care but I bet you just follow Christian's orders to keep humans save,' Tyson stated.

Rick sighed, 'You're right about that and once you're save inside a shelter, that's it.'

'You… You're going to ditch us just like that?! Not help?!' Tyson shouted.

'That was the order Sir gave me a moment ago. "Keep low profile and save you kids only if they need our help." For your information,' Rick turned his back again and walked to the new direction. He had to find a path that wasn't crawling with ghouls.

'Ooh, I was so right about you and that boss of yours. You don't care for humans,' Tyson crossed his arms and angrily followed Rick.

'What made you think otherwise? I have never said that I liked humans in the first place. Kai is the only one who has his human morals,' Rick smirked sarcastically.

'And I'm going to make sure he won't stop doing that either,' Tyson said firmly.

'Hah, good luck with that I say,' Rick shook his head and grabbed Tyson's arm, 'And try to keep your mouth fucking shut this time.' Tyson climbed onto Rick's back again and bit his lip as Rick jumped down again and ran.

-With Kai And Kenny-

They had managed to avoid ghouls but it lead them farther away from BBA building.

'We have to go to another place,' Kenny said as he hid behind Kai.

'Let's go,' Kai replied and they stepped out to another alley. They were able to walk quietly but not alone. Kai had dealt with couple of ghouls that were separated from the horde with a pipe or wood.

'Don't you have abilities or something?' Kenny asked.

'At some point… I can't use them at will yet,' Kai admitted.

'Rick told us… that you're not stable and lose control if your emotions go haywire,' Kenny said.

'Just… Leave it already,' Kai didn't want to answer questions right now.

'But he's right, isn't he?' Kenny tried again.

'Okay, yes. He's right. Didn't I say it earlier? They were right all long about me,' Kai grunted, 'Let's go already. A shelter should be in sights soon.'

They walked through the alleyway and finally saw lights at the end. While staying hidden they peeked from the side and saw ghouls walking in different directions but not too many.

'That's a shelter,' Kenny pointed out. He saw police cars, ambulances and many others and barred door. It looked like an office building like the BBA.

'How do we get inside?' Kenny asked frightened. Kai didn't answer and kept watching the building. There was a small place on the window but otherwise everything was barred. Maybe at some point someone would spot them if they looked outside.

'Let's wait for now,' Kai said and Kenny only nodded. He kept close to Kai and they stayed hidden. Kai would have to show himself and Kenny only when someone was looking out. They waited for five minutes before Kai decided to pick up a rock and try throw it to the left. He hoped ghouls would follow the noise and give them an opportunity to run to the building.

Kenny watched Kai throw a rock so far away that it was inhuman which shouldn't surprise him but it did. Kai throw another rock but little closer and it hit a barrel. Sound was loud enough and ghouls followed. Kenny had picked up more rocks and handed Kai one at the time. He wanted to help a little bit at least.

-Inside The Office Building At The Same Time-

Officers were setting up the television just like people in BBA were doing. They were about to turn it on when someone they heard loud talking near the door. Officer James Anderson walked closer and saw a mother trying keep her child quiet. She was afraid her kid's loud voice would attract the monsters.

'Keep quiet. Monsters can come here if they hear us,' she was literally begging.

'But mom, I can hear bangs from outside,' she complained.

'Yes. The monsters are doing that. Now keep quiet,' she continued.

'Excuse me,' James said.

'Yes, officer?' mother stood up.

'I heard what you said. I'm curious. Where did you hear those sounds?' James asked the kid and kid pointed straight outside.

'It makes the same sound when I threw a rock in the metal bucket at home,' child explained.

'Don't be ridiculous,' mother said as James walked slowly to the window to look outside. People watched them quietly. At first James didn't see anything and was about to back down when he saw it. James saw a teenage boy throw something at the ghouls and it hit a barrel, giving out the banging sound. Ghouls walked straight towards it. Then James saw a shorter boy right next to the teenager. They were clearly hiding from the ghouls.

'We have survivors out there,' James called out and other officers came closer, 'Two boys,' James added.

'Okay. Everyone back down and keep quiet,' James ordered and walked to the barred door. People watched anxiously as officers moved furniture and other stuff away from the door. James opened the door very slightly and took out a flashlight. He dimmed it and pointed it towards the ground. He tried to see if he could get teenagers attention and to show door was open. After flashing the light couple of times, boy noticed him and took a hold onto the other one. James nodded and prepared himself.

-With Kai And Kenny-

Ghouls had walked away more and there was less of them when he noticed a flashlight.

Kai grabbed Kenny's arm, 'They saw us in there.'

'Really?' Kenny looked happy when shelter door was open.

'Are they going to let us in just like that?' Kenny asked unsure.

'Who knows,' Kai said and throw another rock but farther away this time. Ghouls walked agonisingly slow towards the sound but finally there was the chance.

'We need to run but quietly,' Kai said. Kenny nodded nervously and kept a tight hold onto Kai's arm. Kai counted in his mind, three, two, one… At zero he dashed forward and pulled Kenny with him. Kenny bit his lip to keep himself quiet. Luckily, shelter door wasn't too far and just when they were one step away from the door, officer opened it and they ran inside. Officer closed the door and furnitures were pushed back against the door. Kenny dropped down and panted tiredly. He had never run so fast before.

'Are you kids alright?' officer asked.

'Yeah… I just need a… minute,' Kenny panted.

'You can call me James. What about you?' man asked.

'I'm Kenny Saien and he's Kai Hiwatari,' Kenny answered.

'Right. We were informed that four boys got separated in front of the BBA building. How did you two get all the way here?' James asked.

'We just walked through different alleys and buildings hiding ourselves,' Kenny stood up and grabbed his laptop he had carried all the way here.

'Why didn't you go to the BBA building? You were there?' woman asked who was holding a child, 'You could have led those monsters here!'

'Same could be said back there. This option was safer,' Kai finally spoke. His voice sounded cold and woman backed off.

'Are you sure they can stay here? What if they were bitten?' another one asked.

'Everyone can see that they don't have bite marks on them. Besides, they clearly can speak, use their brains and look clean,' James looked at Kai and Kenny for a while before answering. They looked clean, maybe too clean even.

'You can sit wherever you want. I'm going to inform Mr. Dickenson and other shelters that you're here,' James said.

'What about Tyson? Is he safe?' Kenny asked.

'Tyson and Rick, right? I'm sorry. I haven't heard about them yet. We can only hope they find another shelter too,' James said and headed to the television again. Kai watched people back away from them like they were a sickness or something but it made no different. Kai didn't have his bottles with him which made him worry.

He took his phone out and texted Rick and Sara. It didn't take long for Sara to answer and it seemed others were happy there about it. It took Rick for a while to answer and he even complained about Tyson's constant complaining. There were Christian orders as well and once again Kai didn't like them but decided to stop himself this time. Things were bad enough and now it was not the time to deny Christian's orders. Besides Bladebreakers would be safe among other humans. Kai walked to the wall and sat down on the ground legs crossed. Kenny sat down too and looked at Kai's face.

'I can see you're worried. Can I assume it's about… the food thing?' Kenny asked. Kai glanced at Kenny and nodded. Kenny was smart as always and didn't seem to hate him for the moment.

'What happens if you don't… get to drink?' Kenny asked quietly.

'Try and guess,' Kai grunted and leaned back closing his eyes.

'Right,' Kenny nodded. Kai would lose control and kill everyone here, including him. Or attack at least one person and reveal who he is. Kenny didn't know which one but both options were bad. They sat there in silence and decided to wait for news for now.

-With Tyson And Rick Again-

'You got a message,' Tyson whispered to Rick's ear while he was running. Rick didn't say anything but jumped up to a balcony.

'Looks like Kai and Kenny are safe in a shelter,' Rick informer Tyson after reading the message.

'That's good,' Tyson smiled. He watched Rick reply something before putting his phone away and grabbing Tyson again.

'How much longer?' Tyson asked as Rick headed to alley this time. They had lost many ghouls but not enough.

'Almost. Stop your jabbing. It's…' Rick began but then out of nowhere he tripped on something. Both of them fell crashing down and Tyson fell few meters ahead of Rick.

'Can't you fucking even run right?' Tyson complained at first but then noticed that there was nothing to trip on. Rick stood up and grabbed Tyson pulling him up.

'What happened?' Tyson asked this time as he stood up. Rick looked back and narrowed his eyes. It felt like someone was there but what. Vampires have high senses and he did sense someone at this moment.

'What is it?' Tyson asked but Rick covered his mouth tightly. Rick closed his eyes after letting go off Tyson's mouth and sharpened his nails. Tyson stood absolutely still and watched Rick. Suddenly Rick dashed forward and threw the same kick as before. It looked like he kicked nothing but wall bricks cracked next to Rick.

'What the fuck?!' Tyson shouted and watched a person appear out of nowhere.

'I fucking knew it,' Rick sighed, 'A vampire.'

'A vampire? Here?!' Tyson looked at the masked boy who stood up and spit blood out of his mouth.

'You're good. Can't wait to kill both of you,' vampire smirked evilly. Rick stretched his fingers and showed his sharp nails. He had to take out this bastard down fast before more ghouls would come here. Human wouldn't be able to go to the shelter on his own.

Tyson backed down slowly and saw his first vampire fight. Rick and the other one threw kicks and punches around. It didn't seem to end any time soon.

'Umm… I don't want to alarm you but there are ghouls coming!' Tyson pointed past them and Rick saw them too.

'Something tells me that those things are not going to hurt you,' Rick snorted and kicked the boy away.

'Aah, you're so right! Nice to have soe allies,' boy dashed back and Rick dodged.

'Are you behind this or something?!' Tyson asked shouting.

'Oh, you are a little pitiful creature. I don't control the ghouls but my boss does. Take that information as a gift from me since you die here anyway,' boy vanished quickly and ghouls attacked brutally. Tyson watched with wide eyes Rick kill a ghoul after another but they kept coming. Tyson picked up a pipe and defended himself since few ghouls dashed past Rick. Thanks to his martial training he received from his grandfather, Tyson managed to kill ghouls that came his way.

'Shit! Run you fool!' Rick yelled and killed another ghoul which ran past him.

'Why do you even care?! You said it yourself you hate us and we are only a meal!' Tyson growled. He didn't like it when someone he hated ordered him around.

'You know the answer to that! Go!' Rick shouted back annoyed. Before Tyson could say anything next, he saw the mask boy appear behind Rick and attack him with his own sharp nails. Tyson saw the attacker kick next and send Rick flying against a fall.

'That's for kicking me you fucker!' boy laughed. Tyson saw that nails had gone straight through Rick's side and blood dripping out from the wound and mouth.

'Too bad vampires don't die very easily. But now, all I need is one could kick and snap your neck. Then it's goodbye and you turn into dust,' boy pulled his leg back. Just when he was about to do the final blow, Tyson surprised them both and hit the boy right on the neck.

'You insolent human! Why are you trying to protect that bastard you hate!' boy growled and held his bleeding neck. Pipe's rough edge had managed to cut the attacker.

'No fucking idea!' Tyson threw the pipe back and hit the nearby rock on the wall this time. He pulled and it caused the wall crack. Boy backed away as wall came down on them and crushing the ghouls. Rick narrowed his eyes in pain and held onto his wound to try stop the bleeding. Tyson had managed to block the alley somehow and no one following them now. Rick closed his eyes for a while and tried to listen their surroundings but he didn't sense anyone anymore.

Then he felt a hand on his stomach. Rick opened his eyes and saw Tyson putting a pressure against the wound.

'What are you doing? You… need to go,' Rick grunted.

'If I leave you here alone, I bet I would never hear the end of it from others. Now, shut up,' Tyson took his red jacket off and ripped a piece off it. Rick watched Tyson use his jacket to stop the bleeding and bandage his stomach.

'Which way is the shelter?' Tyson asked.

'Right at… the end of this… alley,' Rick began to feel tired. Guess the wound was much worse than he originally thought. It would take a while to heal.

'You jerk need to stay awake!' Tyson noticed this exact same thing and pulled Rick up. He put Rick's arm around his neck and helped him walk forward.

They walked slowly and Tyson could feel Rick's weight increasing. He was losing too much strength. It was surprising and even scary to see that even vampires could get hurt like this. Tyson glanced at Rick and saw he was keeping his eyes closed but they showed pain. They even had trail of blood behind them since Rick's bleeding wasn't stopping.

'Come one… Shelter, where fuck is it?' Tyson cursed and continued pulling Rick forward. He didn't know why he wanted to help the jerk but maybe it was because he was human. Tyson knew Rick was Kai's friend and Christian's too. Not to forget Sara's. They were… like family. And besides, Rick had kept Tyson himself safe too for this entire time even though it was an order from Christian. This was the least he could do.

Rick's black hair was sticking into Rick's sweaty face as they continued walking. They walked another few hundred meters before Tyson saw the end of the alley. And there it was, the shelter. Tyson looked around and didn't see ghouls around the building. That was lucky but the walk there was long, at least have a mile.

'Just a little more moron,' Tyson said and pushed forward. Tyson kept his eyes on the shelter building which looked like a big store. It felt like forever but he finally saw the door clearly and someone looking out of the window.

'Hey. I can see someone!' Tyson said as Rick's legs gave out from under him, 'Hey… Jerk?' Tyson turned to Rick and saw him very limb.

'Rick? Wake up,' Tyson shook Rick a bit but nothing. Rick had fallen unconscious.

'Fuck!' Tyson cursed. His wound indeed was very bad. Why wasn't he healing? In vampire stories they healed fast. And a new problem. Tyson spotted some ghouls walking this way but they hadn't notice them yet.

Tyson grunted and pulled Rick onto his back. His yellow shirt got blood on it but Tyson didn't care.

'Man, you're heavy,' Tyson stated and continued walking towards the building which door had opened.

-In The Big Store-

An elderly woman was checking out of the window while many watched officers turn on the television. They had managed to get the connection to work and they could contact other shelters if they wanted. They were also informed that two missing boys were safe and unharmed. They were let inside the office building approved by officer James.

Elderly woman wiped her tears again. She had lost her son right a while ago to the monsters. She had seen him turn into one of those things too. She looked outside of the window and noticed two boys walking this way and one with black hair and black clothes looked very badly hurt.

'Officer Chane!' she called out. Chane Macel was the leading officer in the big store. He arrived quickly and looked outside of the window.

'Quickly,' Chane said and ordered other officers to let the boys in for now. He saw the injured boy's legs give out and the other pulling him onto his back. Now, they were coming closer faster and good too. Chane could see monsters coming again.

'Come one,' Chane said as boys came in and they immediately blocked the door. Elderly woman dashed forward and grabbed the black clothed boy. He was laid down on the ground and his wound was clear to everyone. It caused corners right away.

'Why did you let him in? He's going to kill us all!' one yelled and many agreed.

'Quiet down!' Chane shouted. He first checked that ghouls didn't hear them before he kneeled down to check the wound. It looked like something had ripped it and come through.

'Before anyone gets thrown out let's check this out,' Chane began and turned to the other boy while pressing down the wound, 'Who are you boys and what caused this?'

'I'm Tyson Granger and he's Rick. I don't know his last name but we got separated from others at the BBA building. We were running from the monsters through alleyways and…' Tyson spoke.

'He got bit by a monster! Throw him out!' someone yelled.

'No! He wasn't bit or hit by a monster or anything. It was… a sharp pipe thingy. Monsters were closing in on us and tried to block the alley way by cracking the already broken wall. It came down and pipe went through his side. Nothing else,' Tyson explained but no one seemed to believe him.

'Besides, we have seen how long it takes to turn into one of those things,' elderly woman came into their rescue, 'I saw my saw got bit and it only took few seconds to turn. This boy here is still like this. It's clear they are speaking the truth.' People looked around and didn't say anything.

'It looks like he has lost too much blood. He might not even make through this,' Chane said after examining the wound. It was still bleeding. Boy's big blood vessel must have been cut too.

'Damn it. Sara is going to kill me,' Tyson stated.

'Sara? Oh, right. You are the other two boys. We were informed that Kai and Kenny are safe too,' Chane said.

'Can't we… help Rick or something? Kai and Sara are his friends and they will kill me if he dies,' Tyson complained. It wasn't like he was lying here.

'We can only try stop the bleeding for now. We don't have medical applies here,' Chane grabbed a blanket from elderly woman who was trying to help them, 'And I'm sure they won't. You tried to save your friend here,' Chane added.

'Friend? Oh, right, Rick,' Tyson chuckled nervously.

'Please, contact other shelters and inform about the situation here,' Chane asked. Soon enough Tyson could see video links to other shelters. He saw his father, grandfather, Max and Dickenson on one and Kai and Kenny on the other.

'Dad!' Tyson smiled happily.

-In BBA Building-

'Tyson! You're okay. Thank god,' Bruce sighed. He and others were called in front of television.

'How are you two?' Ruy asked but Tyson's expression turn gloomy.

'Tyson?' Bruce asked worryingly.

'Rick… Where's Rick?!' Sara yelled.

'I'm sorry but we have bad news too for you, Kai and Kenny there,' officer on the screen began, 'Rick has a really bad wound on his stomach and is still bleeding a lot. According to our officer Chane, Rick might not pull through but they are trying to stop the bleeding.'

Sara's eyes widened. How the hell did that happen? She has never seen Rick get hurt even a little bit. Not once.

'Tyson. What happened?' Sara asked angrily.

'Tyson here told us that a pipe went through his side when they tried to escape the ghouls,' officer answered shortly.

'Pipe? How the hell did that happen?!' Sara yelled but Bruce touched her arm.

'Calm down. He hasn't left yet,' Bruce reminded and Sara quieted down.

'I can assure you that we are doing anything we can for now. Though unfortunately we don't have medical applies here. Everything lays with Rick's own strength,' officer continued. Dickenson glanced at Sara who looked extremely distraught and Kai wasn't looking at the screen anymore.

'Please. Keep us informed of his conditions,' Dickenson asked.

'Of course,' officer said and video links were shut off.

'Looks like this has never happened before,' Bruce asked as they walked back to their own spot. Dickenson and others were also listening.

'No, never and that's what is concerning me. It's clear it wasn't a ghoul. We all know what happens if ghouls manage to bite or attack anyone. So, who was it?' Sara pondered.

'Who? What do you mean by who? Didn't Tyson say it was a pipe?' Ruy asked.

'First of all, that would never happen to Rick. He would see it happen miles away. And second, I think it was another vampire. Nothing else could have done it,' Sara said.

'Vampire? That would mean Tyson could only lie there then,' Max said.

'Which is why I need to talk to Tyson in private somehow and ask about it. Phone call or something. Does he have his phone with him?' Sara asked.

'I don't think so. No one has since we left in a hurry. You, Kai and Rick seem to have ones,' Bruce answered sadly.

'Shit but maybe… Tyson could answer Rick's,' Sara wondered and took her phone out. She dialled Rick's number since Tyson could only answer a call since Tyson didn't know Rick's phone password. While waiting Sara was pondering what she should tell Christian and the others.

Who knows where this is going. Do review :D