Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters involved in this story.
As she read, a frosty feeling overtook her. She gasped and sank to the ground.
She released the paper as she crumpled. The paper spun precariously and landed.
"Accidents happen to everyone, even the best of us ... Miyano-san."
XXX
A message awaited her when she returned to the residence. Thankfully, she heard only the mellow voice of the Professor when she switched on the answering machine. The lecture had been quite very delightful and most informative. A former classmate had also attended the lecture; consequently, they were both going to be significantly diverted for much of the night. Yes, particle physics was quite the most remarkable thing in the world. He simply must experiment when he comes back. Yes, he was moderately certain that he wouldn't create a black hole or anything similar. And even if he did, it would be in the name of scientific progress, the most admirable pursuit in the world. See you later. Click.
She sat in the dark kitchen, a lonely silhouette surrounded by darkness. A lamb cast out among the wolves. Wherever she walked, the soft laughter of her predator echoed in her ears, a reminder of her weakness and the ephemeral quality of the life that she lived. It would all be gone soon. The Dark Syndicate had never failed to succeed in its actions.
Outside, a moonless, starless night engulfed Tokyo. Outside, the wolves began the prowl.
XXX
She toiled assiduously in the laboratory, searching for the elusive antidote to the toxin that was the magnum opus of her years as a chemist. How ironic. Always, always, there was an ingredient that was unknown, something that could not be procured. Hundreds of compounds, hundreds of hours of work, all wasted because of the final step. She could not effect a lasting product. She analyzed the components of the original drug one more time, searching for the component that she was unable to counteract. Perhaps a genetic change needed to be brought about? She felt herself relax as her mind slipped into the scientist mode; this was always what she was best at after all. Why did the air in her laboratory smell so sweet? She reached for a small vial on the shelf – she would try just one more time with this ingredient … it was of particular interest to her …
The vial plummeted to the fall, shattering and scattering. Broken shards …
Her head made contact with the table and she slipped into unconsciousness …
XXX
Atop a nearby corporate building, the sniper spoke quietly into his transmitter.
"The experimental sevoflurane seemed to have a soporific effect on the subject."
"Insertion of the gaseous agent into the ventilation system was an excellent idea."
A crackle. Prepare for entry. You know what to do – after all, you are the best.
The man in the trench coat smirked. "Roger. I am preparing for infiltration."
Little mouse, surprises await you every day. Sleep well … while you can.
XXX
She was surprised to find her face planted into the desk of her laboratory. She glanced drowsily at the setting, and looked around for her sister. Where? She was here just a moment ago. She turned and found a note, pinned to the table with a knife. A knife plunged three inches into the hardwood table. Reality flooded back to her, and her eyes widened in realization. On the note were three simple words: Call this number.
There was a mobile phone beside the note, an inexpensive type that could with ease be bought and disposed of. She felt her fingers trembling and her body began to quake. She could swear that she had locked every door before entering the laboratory. She walked through the house, and found messages on each door, simple words that were written with disdain and in a gloating manner, all indicating the inferior quality of the locks.
She returned to the laboratory, deliberating over what she should do. She glanced out of the window, staring into the dark night. Atop a skyscraper, something moved, a quick flicker. Could it be her imagination? Outside, something rustled. Then all was still.
With shuddering hands, she picked up the mobile phone and dialed the number. The phone was picked up almost immediately, but there was nothing but silence. Then, the sounds of soft breathing. A saccharine voice. "Are you alone, my little mouse?"
"Yes." Simplicity was the best way to consort with Syndicate members.
"Don't you remember that escape is impossible? Don't you, Ai-chan?" Derision.
"State your business." Her words were strong, but her voice was trembling perilously.
"State your business." The voice mimicked her, and chuckled softly and artificially.
"Your countenance is cool and calm, but inside you are trembling like a mouse seized upon by a cat. You may flee, you may hide, my little mouse, but you cannot escape."
"You were always the coward. You believed that your façade would defend you. But the Syndicate has found all the cracks in your armor. You are weak and you are afraid."
She could feel panic sweeping through her body. The voice was thoroughly amused.
The voice turned cold, callous. "Meet me in five minutes at the park. You know where."
There was a click. The scientist stood in the laboratory, a roiling mass of despair. A mass of despair that was already beginning to break through her armor of indifference.
XXX
She walked to the park for the second time that day. As soon as she arrived, she headed directly for the waste bin – she knew that this was the designated rendezvous point.
As she leaned on the waste bin and waited for the arrival of her opponent, she listened to the sounds of nature. The wind and the rustle of the leaves had always calmed her, given her a respite from the artificial situation of the laboratory. But now, they were terrible; they had mutated into despicable sounds that could only hide the presence of the enemies. The wind whistled past her, carrying the sound of soft laughter. Each rustle of the leaves had her looking around cautiously for the enemy. Traitorous nature, she thought bitterly.
She didn't even sense the presence of the sniper until she was blindfolded and tied down.
XXX
"I am afraid that I cannot tell you my name. Anonymity is optimal for our business."
"You may remain silent for the duration of this meeting. You have nothing to tell us."
"Listen carefully – we have a clear message for you, mouse. I will only say this once."
"Do not dissemble – your identity is widely known amongst us. We have a proposal."
"The Syndicate is always generous. From this generosity, it has decided to give you multiple options. Do you care to hear them?" A brief pause. "Of course you do."
"Your first option is to stay in your illusionary shelter. You will live in constant fear. The Syndicate will always know where you are. One day, you may hear that a distant classmate, only an acquaintance, has fallen from a bridge. You will not know this classmate well. Then, perhaps, another equally unfamiliar acquaintance will perish in a tragic fire. Then the accidents may approach you. Kaitou 1412 – doubtless you know him – may find that while he is admiring the moon, he slips and falls. He will release his hang-glider, only to find that perhaps he has not maintained it very well." A long pause.
"Hattori-san has a traditional family with a wooden house. Someday, he may find that wood is a very flammable housing choice. Too bad it will probably be at three in the morning. Too bad that all the doorways and windows will be engulfed in flames. You will hear of these accidents. They will be hailed as accidents. You alone will know."
"Then, some tragic events may happen even closer to home. Ayumi-chan will meander in front of a train. Genta-kun might come down with a particularly vile case of botulism poisoning while indulging himself. This might happen on a day when his parents are not home. He will slowly feel his motor capabilities slip away, and – who knows what might happen? Mitsuhiko-kun may be in the reference section of the library when a heavy shelf collapses with disastrous results." A brief pause. "Tragic, but purely accidental."
"Kogorou-san may attempt to apprehend a criminal in a dark alley when a construction accident causes a bag of bricks to fall. Ran-kun might have a karate accident. Perhaps her opponent will accidently use a lethal blow in the tournament. Who knows?"
"The elderly bachelor may find that experimenting foolishly is not so safe. Did you know that many scientists have accidents?" Pause. "Of course you do. Just look at yourself."
"After this series of unfortunate events, you will find yourself alone, without defenses. The last vestiges of your artificial life will be swept away. And you may find yourself atop a building, surrounded by shadows. You have always been afraid of the dark. You tell yourself that the dark is the best place to hide, but you obviously think otherwise."
"The next morning, perhaps a lonely child will be found on the streets below – a terrible culmination to the catastrophic chain of events. Well … accidents happen."
"That was quite delightful, was it now? But perhaps, just perhaps, there is a better way. The other option is to return to the Syndicate. Your chemistry skills are still deserving of awe, despite your failed attempts to create the antidote. No need to fear, my little mouse. The Syndicate has produced an antidote. You will return to the Syndicate and receive the antidote. You will forget about the outside world and you will produce toxins for the Syndicate. That is your job, correct? Once a killer … always a killer."
"Don't try to deny it – you are a killer. Your toxins have been responsible for dozens of deaths. Our assassins are the delivery boys – you are the creator. You are a monster!"
Monster … Am I a monster? No! It can't be … it can't be … but it is …
"You have twenty-four hours to make a decision. If you choose the first option, you may stay at the residence of the Professor. If not, you will have to leave the residence and venture into the world. We will be watching. We will find you."
"Farewell."
With that, the sniper walked away. When he was one hundred feet away, he pulled out a handgun and fired twice. She felt the bonds on her hands slackening, and she stood up.
By the time she removed the blindfold, he was gone. She was surrounded by the ominous trees and the sinister rustling of the leaves. Surrounded by treacherous nature …
That night, she cried herself to sleep.
XXX
I may feel the need to refine and repost Chapter 1. It was rather poorly written.