Ba-bump. Ba-bump.
Tom slowly took the cloth away from the younger boy's face, and then gazed down at the person he just knocked out. Rayman sighed behind him. The fat man raised his arm again, waving it a couple of times. "Close the door." The bodyguards clicked the door shut again. Tom shook badly as he carried the unconscious Ryoma to the couch, placing him on it. Rayman got up from his chair, moving over to the boy with the inkpad and paper in his hand. "I didn't want to come to this, but... you didn't co-operate with me, Ryoma-kun..." Rayman said in a fake-sounding sad voice. He kneeled down beside the couch, brushing Ryoma's black hair aside. Tom noticed how peaceful the young boy looked when sleeping. It was so different when Ryoma was standing on the courts, with the arrogance radiating off him. Tom bit his lip. No matter, he still hated Ryoma for beating him. Now he was in for big trouble - both him and Ryoma.
Rayman gently took up Ryoma's limp hand, pressing the small thumb onto the inkpad. "Here... just a thumbprint..." Rayman said as he moved the paper under Ryoma's thumb. "And..."
Bang!
Rayman jumped, dropping the paper and standing up hastily due to the loud noise. Someone had just barged into the meeting room. Rayman's eyes fell upon his guards, who were on the ground, holding their arms. Then his eyes moved upwards to find a pair of green eyes and soft, light brown hair. Rayman's eyes widened. "Gerlae...?" Rayman asked. Gerlae stormed over towards the couch, and picked up the small boy in it, bridal-style. "Gerlae!" Rayman yelled as Gerlae made a run for it through the door, midway pausing just a little to pick up Ryoma's racket bag as well. "GERLAE!" Rayman yelled, but he was too slow to match Gerlae's speed and strength - results of years of hard training and personal talent. "Gerlae! Come back here!" When yelling did not bring the boy back, Rayman turned to a quivering Tom. "Why are you standing here for?! He eescaped! Why didn't you chased after him?!" Rayman yelled, grabbing a whiskey bottle and throwing it at Tom Evans.
Tom yelled and dodged the deadly bottle, and it crashed into pieces, spilling whiskey all over the carpet. Tom dashed out of the door, chasing after the two that had escaped.
Basement B2 (Carparks) Staircase Landing
Gerlae was sure they weren't followed too closely, and then stopped at a half-landing. He placed Ryoma gently onto the ground, setting the racket bag against the wall. "Echizen?" Gerlae asked, worried. He bent over the 12 year old's still form and slapped Ryoma's cheeks a little. "Hey, wake up! Are you alright?" Ryoma didn't respond. Gerlae didn't know what was going on. He expected Ryoma to be still awake... but this was the most unexpected. Their match is in 30 minutes time. Ryoma won't be able to make it to the competition in this state. And Gerlae would feel that he'd be a lousy cheat if he left Ryoma to sleep and reported to the courts to claim victory. So all he could do now is to stay together with Ryoma. The match would have to be a draw - and at least on later date, they'd be able to play against each other.
"Ryoma...!" Gerlae shook the young boy's shoulders, but the boy's head just rolled to one side limply, eyes still closed. Gerlae was starting to get worried. He slung Ryoma's racket bag onto his back again, and scooped up the boy, making his way up the stairs again. He'd have to bring Ryoma to the infirmary to rest. Maybe then, he'd wake up soon, and the doctors there would know what Rayman had done to him to land him in such a state.
Oh my... its so short! So sorry! :( More will be coming soon! Stay tuned, but do remember to read and review!
