Well, folks, it looks like it will be a three parter. It just was longer than orginially thought. And I kept adding fun little spots. And by fun little spots, I mean fluffy romance moments. lol! To be honest, the story needed them... and they were really fun to write, so I said to myself, "What the hell? I want to write it, so they'll probably enjoy it, too."
What am I talking about? Go read for yourself! :) ps: I think I love Allen in my story. But only as a little brother. ;) Also, if you see any mistakes that I didn't catch, let me know pronto! I hate seeing problems in my stories. Yuck!
Hitomi panted as she jogged down the shaded hallway of the orphanage; following Allen's tall silhouette. Her senses felt as if they were on overdrive. She could see every passing shadow, taste the tingling quiet air, smell the rich birch wood of the antique furniture, and even hear Mr. Fanel's deep, steady breathing from several steps behind her.
Mr. Fanel…
An odd feeling rushed through her. She didn't know what to make of him. He'd come into her life like a medieval knight; saving her from certain death, and vowing to keep her safe. She shook her head slightly and bit her bottom lip. Would Mr. Fanel be willing to help her bring Caesar down? How far would he go to keep her safe?
Obviously he was willing to go pretty far. Even so far as to entering the orphanage alone and demand she remained in the truck for her own safety. Remembering the calm way he acted as he drove out of her neighborhood, Hitomi had a strong feeling that there was definitely more to this man than she'd originally thought. He obviously worked in construction from his clothes and the equipment in the back of his truck, but there was an aura about him – the way he moved, the way he spoke, and even the way his dark eyes solemnly faced the impending danger. He was steady. Firm. Solid.
Just who was he…?
Racing up the familiar steps that circled to the second floor, the short-haired girl swallowed down her curiosity. Not now. Not now. She forced herself to get a grip. Her eyes narrowed and she focused on Allen's long swinging blond hair in front of her. Later…
"He's through here, Tomi." Allen's cheerful voice echoed back to her as the blond man practically skipped through an open doorway. Above the door frame, a large, white poster with unicorn stickers was duck taped to the wall blaring the words, "Allen's lab! Keep out!" written in spicy green marker. Entering the semi dark room, she saw that most of the usual equipment had been pushed to the side to make way for two heavily bandaged figures lying on white beds in the middle of the floor. One of them was a woman with the collar still on. A strange machine with turning wheels and a computer screen was making an odd chirping noise next to her. She was still, her eyes closed. Allen immediately zeroed in on the machine and pressed several buttons on its blinking screen. It began printing out a long piece of paper. The 'nap on the other cot was collar-free with Mother Superior sitting by his side. His body was thin and longer than the bed. His feet dangling off. The abbess stroked his wavy black hair with gentle fingers. He was obviously in better condition than the other one.
"Her vital signs are stabilizing, but it looks as though this 'nap's in for a rough one." Allen's usual childish voice had gotten serious. "The wires connected to her heart were easily removed, so at least it won't explode. I'm not sure the machine can handle deactivation without causing more damage to her brain. I'll keep working the program. Maybe I can counterattack the shock in her cerebellum."
"Allen, which one has the memory?" Hitomi asked, keeping her voice low. The blond man pointed a thumb to the man and she felt instantly relieved.
"He's the one. The collar came right off without a glitch."
"Is he awake?" Van inquired as he stepped inside from the hallway. Allen's head jerked up and he scowled ferociously at Van.
"I have a sign on the door. Don't you know how to read?" The blond man cocked his hip and pursed his lips like a pouting child.
"He's staying, Allen," Hitomi gave him a scolding look.
"But-"
"No 'buts'."
Allen's pale face folded into a sulking expression and he turned back to read the printing paper.
The abbess – who had an old, kind face – nodded to Hitomi and stood up. The short-haired girl exhaled slowly and walked closer to the bed. Gently touching the nun's robed arm as she passed, she said quietly so Allen wouldn't hear, "Mother Superior, we've been discovered by Caesar. As soon as we are done talking with this man, please pack him up with the rest of the 'naps and move him to the hiding place."
"I-I…" the older nun took a step back and her shoulders fell, "I knew it couldn't last forever. Does everyone else know? How long do we have to evacuate?"
"I've informed Sister Merle. She's taking care of the rest. Start packing up. Leave as soon as you are ready."
"My children are in the room next door. I'll bring some clothes out for you once we are done packing. You probably don't want to wander around in pajama shorts and an oversized jacket right?"
Hitomi glanced down at her outfit and smiled shyly.
"You will change into that after you are done talking. God be with you, child." The head nun stepped forward to put her warm hand on Hitomi's short head.
"God bless you, Head Mother. Be safe and be quick."
As the abbess left the room, Hitomi turned her green eyes onto the sick man. His black hair was glued to his pale skin with sweat. His white nightgown stuck to his shivering body. He was obviously suffering from a high fever. She hoped he wasn't too delirious to answer questions. His head twitched and he cracked a navy eye open.
"Can you tell me who you are?" She asked putting her hand delicately on his moist forehead. Her hands were still cold, but he felt like he was on fire.
"Gadeth… Justinas…" he whispered back to her hesitantly. He groaned and shifted his bandaged arm on the bed. "I know who you are… you're a pawn like me…I've seen you on the track…"
Hitomi blinked and swallowed down her surprise. "You know who I am? How-"
"The races… you were always there… I remember last night, too… You caused the wreck… I remember everything… Why can I talk now?" His navy eyes slowly circled the room. "The woman said I am in some kind of safe house."
"We pulled you from the wreck last night. Your collar has been removed. That's what kept you from being able to control your body. I'll have Allen or the sisters explain exactly what is happening later, but first I need you to answer some questions. This is very important. Can you handle that for me?"
The man groaned again and gave a pain-filled nod. Hitomi saw a tan hand reach out from behind her and touch the man's arm. She frowned in confusion as Van pressed his thumb gently on the skin of Gadeth's wrist and rotated slowly on the crease of his palm. Instantly, the fevered man's tight body began to relax and his breathing became smoother. Glancing back at Van questioningly, she caught his bright mahogany eyes looking sadly at the man. He caught her gaze, nodded, and gave her a small lopsided smile.
Turning back to Gadeth, she asked, "Who was your Master?"
"Jackson… Nicolas Jackson…." His navy eyes were getting a little clearer. Van's thumb kept pressing into fevered man's wrist. Hitomi made a mental note to ask about that later.
"He's a registered Master for the games and the Head Justice for the Austurian Judicial Branch." Hitomi said with a confirming nod. "Your memories might be exactly what I need to bring Caesar down."
"I told you, Tomi." The blond man said calmly. He was fiddling with some wires connected to the computer, but he had his blue eyes on Gadeth. "He remembers everything. Even more than me."
"What do you know?" Hitomi asked immediately.
The man blinked slowly and turned his head to the ceiling. "I remember, but… I don't know much. I'm not sure how much help I will be."
"Please," Hitomi felt her heart beat skyrocketing in anticipation. "Anything you know will be helpful."
"I knew what was happening around me most of the time." He kept his face up and never speaking directly at the three listening to his every word. "I knew what he was doing and who he was and what he'd do… to me… I understood why he was angry or happy. I just couldn't control my body. My mind was trapped."
"Your collar was defaulted before they even strapped you in it. You're lucky." Hitomi murmured. "What did he do to you?"
"At the beginning, I was only used for the races. But then, after almost a year as his pawn, I graduated to his personal assistant, his bodyguard, his confident… I still served as the pawn in the games, but I grew more valuable to him… sometimes… sometimes… I was his lover…" Gadeth's weak voice choked and he gave a shudder of disgust, "…Especially when his temper rose… and…God… he'd hurt me…I could never say anything… I was trapped in there…" he moved his trembling hand and grabbed Van's fingers tightly. She glanced back at the black-haired man and saw that his mouth had dropped open slightly. "Thank God for all of you… thank God you saved me… I never want to go back. I'd rather be dead than back in that collar… I am finally free…"
"I should have saved you sooner. I'm sorry." Hitomi whispered to him as tears spilled out of the man's feverish eyes. "Please, tell me what he's told you about Caesar. What do you know?"
Gadeth shook his head and sobs racked his weak body. "I… I c-can't…I just want to sleep and never wake up again…"
"We have saved many people over the past few years, but you are the only one who has kept your memory from the collars. I know this is difficult, but please try. I promise you…" She looked at his sweating face tenderly. "I'll do everything in my power to take all of the Masters down with him."
There was a minute of Gadeth's broken sobs turning into gasping sighs. Finally, he murmured, "He used to rant and rave about the pile of cases Caesar kept giving him to handle. If he was able to subdue the witnesses and eventually rule in favor for the case, I was always fed, bought new clothes, and used however he wanted. When he couldn't win the case - no matter how much he black-mailed, cheated, and lied - I was starved, neglected, beaten. He's lost four cases for Caesar since I was strapped in the collar and bought by him. Several lawyers that are in league with Jackson are Masters as well and work under him. They began using their pawns like he was using me. Like bodyguards as well as race in the games. Anyways, they would get the verbal abuse of his temper when he lost a case. I would get the physical abuse… I both thanked and hated God every time he won a case. I would live to see another day, but it would be another victory for him. I would be fed, but it was one step further from being free… And the process would continue…"
"Why was he participating in the games if he was already powerful enough to handle Caesar's dirty work? It sounds like he was already in the inner circle and would know Caesar's identity." Hitomi reasoned quietly. "He never told you?"
Gadeth shook his head and more tears ran down the sides of his pale face. Allen – who had stopped reading the whirling machine long ago – grabbed a tissue from a box in the corner and handed it to Hitomi. She smiled sadly and began wiping the man's cheeks gently. Gadeth continued, his voice still breaking. "He never said a word even though I was under the collar. He always used Caesar's nickname even with his lawyers. I know he knows his name, but I never heard it…"
"Where is the judge now? Do you know where he lives?"
"He… He lives at…" Gadeth brows furrowed. "I… can't remember…"
Allen's tongue clicked. "It looks as though the collar did do some damage."
"Am I going to be okay?" The weak man whispered, his navy eyes turning to her in fear. The short-haired girl gave Allen a disapproving look and the blond man's face turned to shame.
"You'll be alright. We'll figure it out. You just need time to rest."
"I'm… I'm sorry…"
Letting go of the tissue, she leaned forward and pressed her small palm on the side of the man's face kindheartedly. "Do not apologize. You have been so very helpful to us, Mr. Justinas. We are going to be moving to a new place soon, so be ready. Do you want me to call a sister back in for you?"
Gadeth nodded and reached up to squeeze the back of her hand lightly with his trembling fingers. "Thank you," he breathed. Closing his navy eyes, more tears spilled down. "Thank you, thank you, thank you…"
"Hitomi, it's time to move them. Are you done?" The Mother Superior spoke from behind her at the doorway. She had folded jeans and a t-shirt in her arms. The short-haired girl could feel Allen and Van's eyes on her face. Slowly, she removed her hand from the side of Gadeth's face and he let out a small whimper.
Turning around, she glanced up into the black-haired man's mahogany eyes. The sad yet hopeful expression on his tan face matched her feelings perfectly. They now knew one person who was confirmed to know Caesar's true identity… But how to get that information…?
"Hitomi!" Merle's familiar voice echoed down the hallway. "Are you in Allen's lab?"
"She's right here, Sister Merle. You know better than to yell in the hallway." The Mother scolded.
"An unknown vehicle has just pulled off 120! It looks like a cop car!"
"Shit!" Van cursed and either didn't notice or ignored the disapproving frowns that popped on all three women's faces. Behind them in the room Allen giggled and whispered, "He said a naughty word…"
"Ms. Kanzaki, he'll recognize the truck! We've got to get out of here!" Hurrying, the black-haired man grabbed Hitomi's hand with a firm grip and proceeded to pull her.
"But I can't just leave!"
"We have a lead based on Gadeth's clue. We'll find this Jackson guy's records in the Court House and see if that will give us Caesar's name. But first, we gotta live."
The short-haired girl felt her heart seize in her chest. She tried to push down the burning in her green eyes. This was all too much. She couldn't lose the sisters, the 'naps… everything she'd worked so hard for.
Balgus and grandma…
"Is this the one that's after you?" Merle asked in alarm, panting up to them. "But it's a police officer!"
"Satan comes in all shapes and sizes, sister." the Mother said solemnly.
Stopping short from the doorway, Hitomi tugged on Van's warm grip on her hand. "I can't leave! They are in danger!"
The Head Mother turned to Hitomi. She held out the clothes and the short-haired girl took them with her free hand. "Go on, child. Don't worry about us. God's path is never easy to travel, but with faith and love, good always prevails. Leaving us tonight might not look like guidance now, but the Lord's hand is in all things. He uses us to fulfill His purposes. And if our coven's purpose is to enter His kingdom tonight, then we will meet again in the afterlife." With a small smile appearing on her aged face, she nodded.
A sob escaped her throat. Van's hand tugged on her and she let him guide her swiftly down the hallway and down the stairs.
"Hurry, Ms. Kanzaki!" Van hissed. "We have to get you out of here!"
It felt like hours, but it must have just been only a handful of minutes. Van pulled her down the stairs and through the hallway. The doors all the way down the hallway were open. Many of the 'naps stood muttering to themselves and wandering around like loss sheep. Others were screaming loudly and crying. Practically all the sisters were attempting to contain the chaos and form them in a line. Hitomi noticed the secret passageway through the wall had been opened. She knew from practice drills that the pathway led to stairs and eventually the basement. Another door through the basement took them to a large waterway system. Once they were in there, they'd be alright. The sisters knew what to do…
Glancing at the familiar faces around her – 'naps and nuns alike – she felt like crying.
One of the 'naps sat in the middle of the floor, moaning and rocking his body in a fetal position. Van ran around him without hesitation.
"They won't make it." Hitomi called to him, desperately forcing herself to run. Every fiber in her bone called out to save them. To help them. He didn't answer, but - as if he could read her thoughts - his hand tightened on hers, squeezing her fingers together. She couldn't pull away if she wanted to.
She ran out the side door with him and around the building to the truck. She could already see the headlights of the cop car through the trees.
"Hurry!" Van whispered urgently, picking up speed. He let go of her and clicked open the truck with his keys. As she leaped into the passenger's side, the headlights flashed across the building.
"He's here, Mr. Fanel!"
He jammed the key into the ignition just as a huge thump hit the bed of the truck. Without a moment's indecision, the black-haired man slammed the gas down and the wheels slid a bit on the grass lawn.
"Where's another way to get out?" He asked at her, swinging the vehicle around the orphanage's side and out of view. He checked behind him and inwardly groaned. The cop car's headlights were brightening.
He was following.
"Through that patch of trees!" Hitomi yelled buckling her seatbelt. Swerving ferociously onto a partially hidden dirt pathway, Van hit the accelerator.
"Be careful! It's a very-"
Her words were cut short as a squeal erupted out of her mouth. Van had barely made a ninety degree turn to the left. His truck was so close to grazing a tree, Hitomi could have sworn she heard the bark pealing off.
"Is he following?" The black-haired man asked his voice low and cool. She looked at him incredulously. His body was completely relaxed despite his hands jerking the steering wheel aggressively left and right.
"How in God's name are you so calm right now?"
"Is he following?" He repeated with a more stern tone. She looked behind them and everything was dark. Only the trees passing them by. Suddenly, a hint of long blond hair hit her eye…
"Allen!" Hitomi screamed. "Allen's in the bed of the truck!"
"What?" Van frowned and looked back quickly. "What is he doing there?"
"You think I know?" She shouted. "We've got to get him in the truck. He can't stay out there."
"I'm not stopping till I know we are safe."
"But Allen-"
"He'll be fine."
"Hi, Tomi!" Allen's cheerful face appeared in the cracked rear window. His blond hair billowed out around his head like a patriotic flag. He gave her a happy wave. Through the trees behind his head, she saw familiar headlights flashing through the low branches.
"I see his car coming! He's still following."
"Hang on…" Van announced grimly and swiveled around another sharp corner. Hitomi pressed her head against the headrest on the seat and closed her eyes. Gripping the bottom of her seat with white knuckles, she bit back her screams as the vehicle continually jerked right and left.
She prayed Allen would be okay.
Dilandau's teeth were grinding behind his perpetual smile and he actually flinched as his car's wheels spun dangerously off the dirt road. He could barely make out the navy hint of the speeding truck in front of him. He knew this was probably a fruitless chase, but no matter. Dilandau loved playing cat and mouse.
Like a good feline, he specialized in pouncing on his prey unexpectedly. The mice could scamper into their little hole in the wall. He'd wait, his tail twitching in expectation. They'll emerge soon enough. Meanwhile, he'd find where they were headed and get there first. His grin widening, he slowed his speed down. Lady Luck always shinned on the silver-haired man. No matter whom the target, he'd always win the chase. He pressed the brake further and blinked lazily as the truck's red headlights swiveled out of view.
Turning around, the silver-headed man backed up and maneuvered the car back to the orphanage.
Maybe someone there could give him a few pointers.
Mother Superior fervently prayed in her head as she urged the last few 'naps through the hole in the wall. Only a handful of the sisters remained to check through every door. Down the way, Merle Margaret watched the window from behind a curtain.
The abbess' heart was racing, her palms were sweating. She felt her adrenaline pulsing through her thin body as she supported the arm of another 'nap while they stepped through the opening. It was easy to say that God's will was in all things. If tonight meant the death of herself or her orphanage then she'd have to accept it. The heavens always had a plan for good.
But, she was afraid. Despite all the teachings of self-sacrifice, despite the gift she knew to be received in heaven for her good works and faith, she was still human. And therefore, she still feared for her life.
Only three more 'naps were still loitering about, one lying on the floor eagle spread, the other two shaking in fear against the wood-paneled walls. Most of the nuns were taking care of crowd control inside the basement.
Two sisters came running from the stairs. "It's all clear, "one of them announced. "We are the only ones left on both the second and third story."
"Get these last three in! Quickly!" The abbess pointed and the nuns sprung into action, dragging the two standing towards the hole.
"Mother Superior!" Merle shouted, her young voice echoing down the hallway. "He's coming! What do we do? The officer's car is pulling up to the front!"
The old woman's heart rose to her throat. Her wizened eyes glanced around the orphanage. Sister Merle ran forward and dropped to the prone 'nap's side. She heard the soft-spoken nun coaxing the heavily brain-damaged person up off the floor. The Mother finished guiding the last two 'naps in with a trembling hand and turned to help the struggling sister.
"Get him up, Merle! We need to seal the door!" Mother Superior commanded. The younger sister had lifted the 'nap's shoulders and was trying to support his heavy weight with her small body. He started screaming and kicking at her; his arms and legs flailing wildly.
"It's no good, Mother!" Merle moaned as her cap was knocked off her head. Her unusual bright red hair looked pink in the evening light. "He's upset."
"Let's get him in." The abbess grunted as she grabbed a swinging hand. "Up we go, young man." At her touch, the 'nap's wails became softer. He grew limp in their arms. The older woman supported more of the weight and together, they dragged him to the hole.
"Go with him, I'll seal it." Her voice cracked, betraying her inner fear. Merle stepped through and grabbed his underarms. The Mother lifted his feet to push him in.
Merle's dark eyes glimmered as she pulled on the heavy body. "What are you talking about?"
"Someone always has to seal the door from the outside, remember? Go now, sister! I'm sure he's already coming." She put her shaking, cold hand on the small handle that blended with the wood paneling.
"You're not coming with us?"
"Follow your sisters to the waterway system. Make sure no 'naps are left behind. This is your duty."
"I won't leave you, Mother Superior! You have to come!"
"The rest is up to you, Merle Margaret. Please, when you see Hitomi, tell her that I love her and that she was sent from God to save these people." A rebellious tear escaped down the Mother's eye and she let it trail down her cheek. "Go!"
As Merle opened her mouth, the abbess tugged on the handle and a fake part of the wall slid over the hole, shutting the younger nun in. The simple sound of the wood gliding into place put the old woman at ease.
She'd saved her children. She'd saved her coven.
"So, where are we going?" Allen chirped happily from the back seat. Van bit his lip and prayed for patience. His seat gave another hard but noiseless thump as Allen kicked the back of it for the fourth time.
The road was dark and empty. Van checked his rearview mirror and watched Hitomi from the side of his eye. She was twisting the fabric on the t-shirt the Mother Superior had given her. She looked deep in thought.
"I'll be taking you somewhere safe." Van answered Allen, who scowled. "I have friends who can take care of you for the time being. You should have stayed at the orphanage."
"I'm going with Tomi, you stranger." The blond man announced. "Don't tell me what to do! I don't want to meet any friend of yours! Hitomi always had me help her. I have waited all day to see her and now you want me to go somewhere else. I don't have to listen to anything you say!"
"It isn't safe, Allen." Hitomi said quietly, still looking deep in thought. "I want you to be safe."
Allen's mouth opened as if to spout off another retort and he immediately closed it with a snap. Catching Van's mahogany eye in the rearview mirror, he shot him a smug look. "You want me to be safe? You always think about me first, don't you? I guess you like me that much, huh?"
"Of course, Allen." the girl finally smiled and turned around to look at the blond man. "You're like my brother."
Van almost snorted. Allen's pale face dropped and the smirk was wiped from his lips. He kicked the back of Van's seat once more.
"Speaking of, where do you have planned to take him?" the short-haired girl asked, turning back to Van. "You said you have some friends?"
"One of them knows what's going on to an extent. She'll be alright with taking care of him. Her husband…" Van glanced back at Allen once more and saw the man had crossed his long arms in an obvious huff. "He'll hopefully still be at work. I'm sure they'll let me borrow their car. The cop has probably tracked my license number. Other police will be alerted if they see it."
"These friends of yours sound awfully generous." Hitomi frowned thoughtfully. "Are you sure this is okay?"
Van smiled furtively. "Let's just say they owe me."
Clenching her teeth, Mother Superior tried to stop the tears running down her wrinkled eyes. She made herself focus on the moonlight shimmering through the windows. It casted the curtains' shadows over the cot she was currently strapped to. Ignoring the pain in her aged joints, she prayed feverishly for strength, courage, stamina… and deliverance.
"I've asked so many questions, sister, and yet you love to play stupid. I guess it's true that they'll let anyone be a nun. Whores, thieves, liars, mutes." The albino man spat out each word as if they were poisonous. His footsteps paced the room, but the abbess turned her head away from him. "I know you can talk. It's just a matter of finding the right way. Sometimes it's a gentle nudge, occasionally it's a thin prick of a knife, but mostly it's time. And unfortunately for me, I don't have time. My contractors are already wondering where the girl's head is." He let out a good-natured laugh. "I certainly can't bring them your ugly mug, now can I?"
God give me strength. God give me strength. Father, deliver me from evil.
"It's a good thing I'm a believer. I'd love to slice this thin neck of yours all the way through." She felt a blade stroke the top of her throat and almost cringed at the piercing bite of its sharp edge as it sliced a bit of her skin. She shivered as warm blood pooled out onto the white cot. "I wouldn't want to anger Jesus because I killed his wife and be sent to hell, would I? No, no, no, hell is some place for bad people. I only do good. Only good things…"
She heard him walk further into the corner and start rummaging through something. "You won't talk with nudging or knife pricking… I guess it's time for round three."
A small clinking of glass made her turn to look at what he was doing. He dropped a small satchel on the bed next to her and was holding a small bottle with light blue liquid inside. The albino man swirled the liquid and stood up to walk over to her with a happy smile. He tossed a black air-mask on the bed next to her arm and leaned in close.
"Do you know what this is?" His unnatural red eyes caught the moonlight. They gleamed at her devilishly. There was a pause and Mother Superior remained silent. The man's grin lowered a bit and he reached to her neck. She gave a loud, strangled cry as he ripped and stretched the cut further apart his strong finger and thumb. "Of course, you don't. What was I thinking? How impolite of me to ask you something that you obviously don't know. But, there is something you do know. And guess what? This little baby will get it out of you."
Still crying, the abbess shook her head slowly.
The assassin laughed. "Oh, yes! Yes, it will. You just wait and see, sister. You'll love it. You'll love it so much you'll tell me every thing I want to hear." He swirled the small bottle in front of her face. She wished she had the strength to raise her head and try to knock it out of his hands. Pulling on her bonded limbs, she knew it was fruitless.
"This is a newly altered version of truth serum. They told me it has ethanol, scopolamine, and a good dose of hypnotic variants that I won't bore you with by describing. I just know it works." He chuckled again. "And the best part about it. I don't have to pry your mouth open or any of that nonsense." He set the bottle on her stomach and started putting on the air mask. His voice was muffled through the long vent. He looked like an actual monster. Red eyes, wild silver hair…
A devil.
"You'll inhale it."
Father, forgive me. Father, deliver me. Father, save me.
"Then you'll tell me everything I want to know."
Father, into your hands. Into your hands. Take my spirit.
The silver-haired man reached and plucked the bottle smoothly. He unscrewed the lid.
It is finished.
"You want me to what now?" Millerna stuck one blond eyebrow up as Allen bounced his bottom up and down on her couch with a giggle. Hitomi sat next to Van on the comfy love seat and felt combination of embarrassment and shyness. Her green eyes studied the beautiful woman up and down. She was suddenly very aware of her wrinkled t-shirt and baggy jeans.
"I need you to take care of him." Van repeated with a nod. "I've got something I need to handle."
"That's what you said last time." The blond woman frowned charmingly. "And you need me for a babysitting job? Are you going to explain what is going on?"
"Briefly."
"I'm not a baby! I'm Allen!" The childish man smiled brightly and tilted his head near Millerna. She leaned away. "You're preautiful! That's a combination of 'pretty' and 'beautiful'. Hitomi's preautiful too, but in a different way." He bounced again and slid closer to the blond woman in doing so.
"Okay, Allen, that's enough," Hitomi scolded with an embarrassed blush popping on her face. "If you can't sit still, you'll be put in the corner, understand?"
The blond man pouted, but complied. As the couch springs settled down, Millerna turned to Van.
"Explain."
He sighed and Hitomi watched his Adam's apple bob in his tan throat. "We need to go to the downtown Court House. We have a lead that someone knows some information that will help save hundreds."
"I'm sorry, I'm not sure you were vague enough." The blond woman smirked and leaned her elbow on the white armrest. She gestured a lazy hand to Hitomi. "How does she fit in to saving hundreds?"
To Hitomi's surprise, Van turned his mahogany eyes to her and leaned close. She felt her heart beat skip and a strange shiver run through her as he put his mouth close to her ear and whispered, "Is it okay if I tell her about you?"
He was asking permission.
A sense of relief and mild humiliation ran a course through her. Of course he wouldn't… what was she thinking? And in a stranger's home… Well, of course this lady wasn't a stranger to him, but how could she think that he was going to…? Hitomi blinked and then clicked her mind back on track.
"Go ahead," She smiled, trying to cover up her weird pause. His eyes flicked down at her lips and she felt another jolt hit her. Okay, maybe she wasn't as dense as she thought she was.
"We can't talk long, Millerna, so I'll make this very quick." The black-haired man moved back to his side of the couch and scratched the left side of his tan nose. The blond woman's expression hadn't changed, but Hitomi noticed a strange twinkle in her blue eyes. "There is an assassin after her. She is a part of the motorcycle races that have gone on these past few years."
"She's one of the people racing?"
Van frowned in thought. "Kinda…"
"The races are run by an underground overlord that goes by a nickname 'Caesar'." Hitomi began, her green eyes turning to Van. She nodded, signaling that she'd continue the explanation. "I sneak into the races and try to win in order to bring my pretend Master further inside the inner circle. Our goal was to figure out Caesar's true identity and kill him. They sent an assassin after me and Mr. Fanel learned about it. He has saved my life twice already." She felt Van stir beside her. "We have found a clue that might lead us to Caesar's identity. Allen was part of the races as well. He was one of the many who were freed from the mind control that forced them to be slaves. We kept them in an old orphanage on the outskirts of the city. Allen was in charge of removing the mind controlling device."
Millerna's blue eyes glanced over at Allen – who was fiddling with his long fingers and humming a little song.
Van said, "We need you to take care of Allen while we research this clue. And… borrow your car."
"What about your truck?" Van opened his mouth to explain, but the beautiful woman lifted a hand to stop him. "He's tracked the license number. That was a stupid question. So, that's the story, huh?" Millerna sighed. "That's pretty heavy stuff, Van. So, the man you warned me about earlier this evening, he's the assassin after her, huh?"
Hitomi gasped and glanced at him. He nodded, his neck veins bulging slightly. "You can handle it right?"
"Like I said before, he'd be a fool to even step foot on our sidewalk." The blond woman let a small grin shift on her lips. The short-haired girl's green eyes traveled from Van to Millerna and back again.
Who were these people?
"We need to be on our way." Van announced and stood up. He reached down to hand Hitomi up as well. She was unexpectedly touched by the gesture.
Seriously, what was wrong with her?
"Where are you going, Tomi?" Allen trumpeted, leaping off the couch and hurrying towards her. She stopped him with a palm on his tall chest before her could hug her tightly.
"I have to leave you here with preautiful Ms. Millerna, okay?" Hitomi smiled reassuringly at the taller man. He blinked and his blue eyes widened.
"For how long?"
She paused. "Uh… just a little while. Go sit back on the couch and be a good guest."
"But I want to go with-"
"I know you want to go with me, but this is for the best. Ms. Millerna will take really good care of you."
"I can't let you go with him!" Allen spat out at Van. The black-haired man tilted his head slightly and was obviously trying not to smile. "See!? He's not a good person at all! You can't fall for him, Hitomi! He's bad! He's laughing at me! I'm good! I can do whatever he can do! I-"
"Allen, go to that couch and stay there!" Hitomi scolded. "And you," she turned to Van, "you should know better than to tease him, Mr. Fanel."
The blond man let out a dramatic huff and turned around while Van lifted his tan hands in innocence. The white couch made a creaking groan as Allen threw his entire body on the cushions and curled into a ball facing the backrest. His long blond hair trailed to the floor.
"Is he going to be okay?" Millerna whispered as Allen made a soft moaning noise.
"He's throwing a tantrum. He'll calm down in a bit. Give him some juice if you have any. He loves juice…" she thought for a moment, "and unicorn stickers."
"Shouldn't you lie low for a couple of days? This might all blow over." Millerna suggested, walking with them to the door. "I don't know much about what's happened, but I'm sure we can fight this guy off no problem."
"I won't have Chid in anymore danger than he's already in. Besides, this guy is a leveled tracker and fully loaded. He's good. I just want you to be safe, Millerna. Let Dryden know what has happened, but nothing more. He won't let me go alone if you do."
The blond woman bit her lip and walked over to wrap her arms around Van's shoulders. Hitomi stood by his side, feeling like an intruder. She watched his face slide from surprise to a small smile as he returned the hug warmly.
"You'll always be the self-sacrificing idiot, Van."
"Can't help it. It's the instincts."
Millerna snorted a laugh in his shoulder and backed away. Her watering blue eyes switched to Hitomi's face.
"Please," the blond said in almost a whisper, "promise me you'll bring him back in one piece."
"Millerna…" Van sighed. "We gotta go."
Shaking his dark head, he turned around to stroll to the door. Hitomi stood still and kept Millerna's eyes for a moment.
Then she nodded and gave her a small, smile. Millerna grinned back and wiped her eyes.
The small, beat-up Chevy Cavalier was not his favorite vehicle, but Van had never been more grateful that Dryden had kept the "Turquoise Tantrum" running all these years. The axle squealed slightly when he turned the steering wheel, the green-blue paint job was pealing on the top and trunk, and it smelled slightly of mold. Still, the black-haired man knew to never look at a gift horse in the mouth, especially when that gift came from people who could beat him if they ganged up. He turned off the main highway and signaled his blinker to the left.
"Hey, Mr. Fanel?" Hitomi's soft voice piped up from the passenger side. She had been quiet since they'd left Millerna's house.
"Van and yes?"
"Van, sorry. Who exactly are you guys?"
Van sighed and felt his stomach sink to his lap. "What do you mean?" He asked, stalling.
"Why are you so calm during the moments we are fighting for our lives? Why did Millerna say she could handle the assassin? Who are you really?"
He knew she'd ask at some point, but he wasn't expecting so soon, especially when he'd need to have his best instincts on his side. He allowed thirty seconds to tick by as he pretended to concentrate on the empty road in front of him. Finally, he unthinkingly scratched the side of his nose and said, "I'll answer you, but not right now. I promise."
He could feel her green eyes prickling the skin of his tan face. "Okay," she sighed. "I'll hold you to your word."
"It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just… a tough story to tell…" Van added, trying to clarify. He watched her nod slowly and turned her eyes back to the road.
"I see…"
There was a moment of silence.
"How are we going to break into the Court House?"
The black-haired man pointed to the back seat. "That reminds me. I took my tool box from the truck and set it on back floorboards. Would you mind bringing it up here? It'll save us more time."
"Sure," she said easily. Van bit back his smile as she grunted with the heavy box. "What do you put in this thing!?" She gasped and finally tipped the large box in her lap.
"All my dictionaries and a couple of bricks," the black-haired man joked. "It's locked. The combination is 5-8-8-2-9. Open her up and take out the long, brown pouch. It's kind of tucked away."
She set the box in her lap and fiddled with the strange number lock. "Why do you have a lock on here?"
"You'll understand once you get the pouch out." He turned right with a blinker. The streets were empty. He both liked it and hated it. Where were the people? They should have passed at least a hobo or gang member by now.
The lock clicked and he heard his loose tools clink together while she dug inside. "You've got a lot of junk in here. It's kind of hard to see."
"All we need is the pouch."
"Is this it?" She held up a long, thin, leather bag with her left hand.
Van nodded and took it from her. "Go ahead and close the box." He stopped at a red light as she let the metal lid of the box clang shut. The lock clicked and she gasped as the number dials reset themselves. She placed the tool box near her feet.
"It's an automatic reset lock. The numbers have changed." the mahogany-eyed man explained as he shifted the Cavalier into park. "Hold this."
He placed the pistol into Hitomi's lap. Van saw her back straighten and her hands hover timidly over the gun. The expression on her face was unreadable as her green eyes danced slowly over the weapon, but he understood. She was thinking of Balgus and her grandmother. Maybe it was a bit thoughtless of him to hand the gun to her after all the things she'd already been through tonight. The only woman he'd been around for the past nine years was Millerna – and she loved her guns so much that she named them.
Unbuckling his seatbelt, he frowned as he tried to hook the pouch to his belt. His thick flannel shirt was getting in the way. Unbuttoning the shirt, he stripped it off and tried to hide his blush as her gaze switched from the weapon to his exposed arms. He had on the gray undershirt that was always a bit tight on him. He instantly wished he'd worn one of his looser white ones instead. Heart beat picking up an unnatural rhythm; he tried to play it cool as he casually tossed the red flannel to the backseat. She kept staring; her eyes like small pin pricks on his body. Did he like it? Of course he did. Van was enough of a man to admit that he found her attractive. He'd liked her since he'd first set eyes on the photo of her. But it wasn't like he knew her or anything. They'd only just met a few hours ago. So, it was just physical attraction and nothing more.
And physical attraction could be dangerous.
Distract yourself! His brain supplied. Say something…
"The pouch is a lock-picking set. The best money can buy. I've even been able to nab a few sizable skeleton keys to add to the collection. It's got a traditional set as well as a few advanced rake picks."
"I'll take your word for it." She murmured. "But I want to see you pick a lock for myself. A construction worker turned super spy. You sure are hyping up this story you're going to tell me later."
"Or is it super spy turned construction worker?" Van joked and caught her eyes with his. The Cavalier was smaller than his truck. He only had to reach out a few inches to touch her arm… but he shouldn't…
"Isn't it a felony to possess lock-picks without a license?" She whispered shifting her head a bit close to him.
Van knew he was grinning like a fool, feeling his entire body responding to her advances. He was getting pulled in towards her. In the back of his mind, the small alarm told him that this wasn't the smartest idea, but the rest of his brain was too busy concentrating on the nearness of her lips. Van tried not to look at them, but they were curved into a lovely smile. This close, he noticed she had small dimples.
It was just like at Millerna's house. It was almost as if he couldn't help it.
Oh, God, she'd said something to him, didn't she?
Van thought up a quick reply.
"Who says I don't have a license?"
"Wild guess," She laughed quietly, her eyes twinkling merrily and leaned further. Despite the warnings, he lifted a hand to reach for her cheek.
The light turned green and the mood broke instantly. Van blinked, pulled back, cleared his throat, and shifted the car back into drive. He watched from the side of his eye as she straightened up as well and her gaze traveled back to the gun that still rested in her lap.
He felt feverish, and yet cold inside. What the hell was wrong with him? What was he doing? They were in the middle of being hunted here! They were about to sneak into a government building and steal.
Now is not the time!
"I'll take the pistol back."
"Please, do."
He reached over, grabbed the weapon from her lap, and put it in his own next to the pouch. He saw her shoulders sag and she sighed. He noticed the metal of the gun had been warmed by her thighs. His grip tightened a bit on the steering wheel and he wished he'd never seen her legs in her shorts.
The majestic, columned building rose into view on the right. Austurian flags waved on tall flagpoles all across the top of the building's roof. A statue of blind lady justice stood proudly proclaiming the balanced scales. Her stone robes spilled out over the top of the long stairs leading to the doors. Van drove past the Court House and parked in front of a bakery quite a bit a ways.
"Why did you park here?" Hitomi asked as he turned off the car.
"We can climb down the roof from here. Do you see the fire escape in the alleyway right there? The space between the Court House and the next building is jumpable with a running start."
"The roof? Why the roof?
"If we need to escape in a hurry, the roof is probably the safest bet. Of course, there are also a minimum of four emergency exit doors that led out the back and to the sides; however, anyone attacking would immediately zero in on these doors. The only problem with the roof would be cover. If the assassin follows us there though, he'll be just as open. I've still got a gun and I'm not too bad of a shot."
"A minimum of four exits? How do you know that?" The short-haired girl gave him another suspicious look. "See? This is what I mean. You own a set of lock-picks, you are a good shot with a gun and you automatically know the number of exits outside a building by only driving past it."
"I kind of inherited this lock-pick set from my brother, I said I'm not too bad at of a shot, and it's also standard building procedure to make sure every building over the length of forty feet has to have at least four exits." Van grinned at her. "It's not anything special, Ms. Kanzaki. I still work in construction, remember?"
Hitomi blushed and looked away.
"I understand why you'd ask though. It is kinda weird that I would know and have things like this." He turned away and scratched his nose again. "I'm used to always knowing where my exits are. What's the safest way to escape, to hide, to sneak in and out unnoticed? I automatically do that." He paused and sighed. "We need to get going?"
Van felt her green eyes travel back to his face and she smiled softly at him. "Of course. Let's go."
They both opened the squeaking turquoise doors and Van locked the car with the keys. Another downside to this green monster was the manual locks. No more unlocking from his keys.
Van already missed his truck.
Buckling the picks to the side of his belt and tucking the gun in the back of his pants, he and Hitomi walked the quiet sidewalk towards the Court House. The night's breeze had caught the short strands of her light brown hair and blew her bangs back from her face. Her bright green eyes peered out at the darkness. Her slender hands grasped the edge of her light purple t-shirt with a nervous tug. He inhaled slowly and mentally shook his head.
God, she was cute.
"Is it quiet out here to you?" Her voice was hesitant.
"I was just thinking that." Kinda… He added in his head. Well, he had thought that before at least.
"Isn't there going to be security cameras and guards? Should we get masks to cover our faces?"
"We'll be alright. We'll be in and out before the cops show. We just need the court records. If worst comes to worst, we can act like rebellious teenagers trying to get a kick out of vandalism."
She smiled and her hands stopped tugging on her shirt. He took the opportunity to grab one and pull her into the alleyway on the side of the Court House. She gave a small gasp, but he kept leading her further down the narrow dark passage. It smelled slightly of sour Chinese food and wet dog. A green and yellow dumpster stood proudly rotting at the very back next to an unnoticeable metal door. He let go of her hand and bent to check the lock. Two dead bolts. Easy.
"Hello, emergency exit," Hitomi whispered behind him and he smiled back at her. He could see the visible blush on her cheeks. Reaching into the pouch flap, he took out the thin screwdriver and small metal pin. Working the keyhole, he felt her lean over his back to watch. A shiver of pride ran through him as – with two quick flicks of his wrist – both dead bolts clicked unlocked within seconds of each other.
"Wow, you weren't kidding." She beamed. "You're amazing."
Van placed the tools back in the small satchel and stood up scratching his nose. "Thanks. It really isn't that hard though. Come on, let's get in and get out of here."
Opening the door quietly, he pulled out the gun and made her wait while he checked inside. The metallic stairwell was completely dark. Van immediately wished he'd had the hindsight to bring a flashlight.
The only sound echoing through the room was his breathing. He still didn't like it. A feeling of danger wrestled inside his skull. Were his instincts telling him to get out? A warning signal in the back of his mind urged him to leave.
Well, he was going in regardless, but maybe she shouldn't…
"Well, is it clear?" She asked, putting a hand on his shoulder to peer inside. He grabbed her hand, turned around, and faced her. He tried to let go of her fingers, but decided he didn't want to.
"I should go alone."
Her green eyes zipped from his face to their clasped hands and back again. "What? Why?"
"It's not safe here. You should wait back in the car."
"What are you talking about? I'm going with you."
"I shouldn't put you in danger like this."
"I've been in plenty of dangerous situations before, believe me. I'm not letting you go in there alone. We are supposed to be vandalizing hoodlums, remember?"
"Please, just trust me on this." He squeezed her hand and stared hard into her eyes.
He saw her slowly softening. Finally, she sighed and nodded.
"Thank you." He breathed. Relunctantly letting go of her hand, he turned back around to the doorway…
And looked into the barrel of a gun pointed at his face.
Cliffy! Sorry!
Actually I'm mostly sorry because if I had posted the rest of what I'd written, then this chapter would be EVEN LONGER.
Well, stay tuned for the next - and hopefully last - part of Racing for Freedom. A big thank you to Nai for the proofreading beforehand and being so patient with my changes, to Missing White Wings 15 for the support, to Arienhod for being awesome. You guys are my lifeline. :)
Have a good one. Now to secretly shoot my boss in the back with rubber bands with my homemade sling shot...
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