Days and days went by…
"Astoundingly enough, at least twenty of the missing children have been found! They received medical attention immediately as they were emaciated. Doctors have explained that there is no other serious injury on any of these children, remarkably enough."
Weeks, weeks went by…
"A steady stream of children are coming in from what looks like their own free will! Many have shown up in small groups, all walking back to their homes."
Now, a month has barely passed…
"Unresponsive and mute. Alive but dead. So have been the recounts of investigators and the children's family. At first it seemed to be a typical trauma; but realizing this 'trauma' has inflicted every single child has caused havoc amongst the relatives and bystanders as well. If the same children from eight years ago were found, would they be in this state? Is this all connected in some way?"
…Winter is far from over.
Glass shatters and disperses in an array of glittering shards as they catch the grey sun's light. The millions of jagged pieces twinkle and scatter onto the cement floor. Specks of red dot the floor as well.
The ringing of the dispersing shards subdues to a soft echo. The heavy breathing from Ken drowns out any other sound from within the warehouse.
"What the hell is going on! ?"
White, white, white.
So much white.
Why is there so much white?
Now there's screaming.
So much screaming.
It's so loud.
So loud.
"You will not tell anybody, will you?"
Tell…tell what?
About this place of white? About the constant wails of pain?
No…
I won't tell.
If I do, I'll be the one screaming.
They are hesitant to speak, worried they might be heard.
"He's coming home late everyday. Is that safe?" the woman speaks.
"Safe for who? Us or him?" the man scoffs. "He's maturing too fast."
"Do you think…"
"No, don't think like that. We'll have to take part soon."
"I hope it won't come to that," the woman worried. She had every right to.
CREAK
CREAK
CREAK
The swing swayed back and forth gently, its occupier deep in thought. Hands gripped the rope firmly. His feet dug into the ground as he pushed in a steady rhythm. His upper back sore from hunching for so long.
"Ken," a voice called.
The blond blinked, a tug of a smile making way to his lips. "Kakipi."
"Let's walk, I'm bored," Chikusa decided, already turning his back.
Ken chuckled half-heartedly, "You just got here."
…
They walked far from in synch. Ken with quick stride and stomping feet, while Chikusa with a steady pace and soft steps. Complete opposites they were; but they enjoyed each other's company. Their walk was a silent one. The two deep in their own thoughts, hardly aware of the other's presence.
It was when a sudden breeze picked up, ruffling Ken's usually kept bangs over his eyes in which his normal reaction was to reach up and hold his hair down until the wind died down, that Chikusa caught sight of the poorly bandaged hand.
He found himself grabbing for that hand, examining it with skeptical eyes. His unexpected action caught Ken by surprise.
The two speak up at the same time.
"Uhh, Kakipi?"
"What did you do to your hand?"
With a sigh, Ken scratches his cheek with his free hand. Why not 'what happened' instead of 'what'd you do'? Geez, he knows me well. The blond chuckles. "Just being stupid as usual."
The beanie friend shook his head, but not from Ken's expected reason but for the lame wrapping around his hand. He could tell his wild friend did this himself, and a poor job at that. "Let's get a real nurse to fix this up. Don't want to risk infection." He decided, not waiting for his friend's consent.
... .. ... ..
"Aw sweet! I even got gum!" Ken cheered, happily chewing said gum. "Strawberry flavor! Double sweetness!"
Chikusa sighed, as per usual. Ken's ecstatic mood not surprising him in the least; though he was moody before.
A strange thought occurred to him. Ken could have simply come here, to the hospital, to get his hand properly bandaged. Was Ken really so careless or did the blond really wait until Chikusa himself scolded him for his poor excuse of first aid? Weird guy. He sighed.
"Hey, Kakipi."
"Hn?"
"Ken?" Chikusa glanced to his suddenly quiet friend, flinching at the taste of strawberry invading his mouth. "...?"
Ken grinned widely. "That's my 'get well soon' gift! You better be grateful, dumb four eyes!" He stuck his tongue out childishly to emphasize.
"...Ken-"
"Now, come on! I could've sworn I saw a familiar hat pass by earlier!" Without pausing, Ken took hold of his still stunned friend's wrist and pulled him as he briskly led them to someplace.
.. .. ..
The street market was surprisingly crowded today, even though the chill of late Winter was dropping every minute.
The vendors by the sidewalks called for customers with jolly hollers of their fair prices; while indoor stores were decorated with catchy phrases and colorful banners. The cars were few today, all of most were shipping their deliveries. The market was bustling.
Since it was so busy, not one passer-by took notice of a pair of boys sneaking their way around the back of a private café. Their slender forms squeezed through an opening of the chained fence with ease. They tip-toed their way through, being as quiet as quiet can be. They climbed atop a pile of wooden crates, making their way towards a certain half opened window. The pair kept themselves from view as they listened to the chorus of murmurs and whispers from within.
"Lost children can't just walk back home like that," a young male spoke.
"Of course they can't. This is obviously some sick plot by someone," a woman replied.
"Question is, who?" a deep voice says, quieting the room when he spoke. "Who ever it is must be in a nearby location to the children's homes; or perhaps that's what they want us to think."
The young man huffed. "You're saying these kids are in some kind of trance?"
"Yes."
The young man struck a table. "That's crazy talk, man!"
"Colonello! Settle down," the woman said sternly.
"Sorry, Lal."
"Still as rash as ever. Maybe a boot camp will discipline you enough," the deep voiced man taunted.
"What's that, Reborn?"
"Colonello! Reborn, please. Don't drop down to his level," Lal pleaded irritably.
Colonello scoffed. "Wha' do you mean 'his level'? Geez, Lal."
"Hm," Reborn paused before speaking at a serious tone. "There must be a reason why these children are in this state. For all we know, those kids have all been tampered with; the trance being a side-effect. Although...the children aren't the only issue right now."
...
A trail of goose-bumps bristled the eavesdropping pair's arms and neck as a dark figure appeared near the window.
" First and foremost, this issue should be taken care of," the fedora of Reborn's cast an uneasy shadow over his eyes.
"Kakipi, run for it!" Ken shuffled his way down the crates with no grace; whereas Chikusa, nimbly jumped his way down, not missing a beat.
Ken's foot slipped on a loose crate which tumbled. Soon, an avalanche of wooden crates came crashing down.
"O-oi! Those kids!" Colonello watched in shock, worried for the stupid kids.
"Don't be such a girl, Colonello. They'll be fine," Lal rolled her eyes at the fretful man. She directed her attention to Reborn. "You think it's alright to let them go?"
Reborn watched the boys scamper away, a strange feeling emitting through him. "They won't be any trouble." Not yet at least.
...
He trudged sluggishly, exhausted from all the running from moments before. His heart had calmed already, and he was sure to find fresh purple bruises marked around his body.
Stupid, Ken.
He had taken themselves to the small hospital again, but this time to get himself patched up as well. The nurse, the same nurse that had helped Ken some time ago, teased the pair for their reckless behavior. "It's amazing how you two had the guts to sneak past the Arcobaleno Caf! Out of all cafes, you chose that one! Kids these days!" The nurse had her laughs and jokes. After the first-aid, the two friends called it a day. Before they parted though, Ken rewarded Chikusa with another gum.
Now here he was, spitefully chewing the fruit flavored gum as he walked to the house.
Day was turning to night, and Chikusa soon found himself alone. Looking around, he realized most of the houses were dark, its occupants probably fast asleep. Not even the neighborhood dogs were awake.
Complete silence.
That didn't last for long.
"You won't get away this easily!"
Chikusa side-stepped out of the baton's path, responding with a swift kick to the knee; tripping the man.
"Argh, damn it! What the hell?" The baton wielder muttered, his face planted on the ground.
"Why do WE gotta do this? Shouldn't those two do it themselves? He's their-"
"Shut it, you runt. Just do what you're supposed to," the leader snapped, bringing out his bladed staff. "No telling how dangerous he'll become," he muttered.
Chikusa bent down and grabbed a handful of rocks into both palms. He chewed the sugary gum, letting it fuel his veins. He waited for a strike.
Shorty moved first, spinning his nun-chucks at fast speeds, he kicked off the ground before striking downwards at his target. He felt a sharp sting on his cheek, this distracting him.
Chikusa took advantage of this small opening.
A loud smack followed by the sound of wood breaking resonated throughout the quiet neighborhood.
Shorty was no threat, for now.
"Tch, I can see why they sent us. He's dangerous," the leader gripped his staff and attacked.
He heard it.
The sounds of fists being thrown.
The clash of metal.
The slams against the rocky ground.
The wood breaking.
The sounds of violence.
His scowl deepened, and his eyes narrowed.
Chikusa was starting to get really annoyed. No matter how hard he struck them, the hooded men would get back up. They lacked in strength but not endurance.
He was just about to land another hit on the baton wielder when out of nowhere, a tonfa came crashing down upon the assaulter's head.
Oh sh-
"Hey, herbivore. Why aren't you in bed?" The cold voice asked, threatening to hurt him too if he didn't get out of his way.
Chikusa gave no hesitation. He sprinted out from sight, cringing at the sickening sound of Hibari's 'discipline'.
...
He found himself in that white place again.
...
How many times will he feel that prick?
Will they ever stop?
It hurts, you know?
Having a needle imbed itself past your skin and into your bloodstream.
The icy-hot sensation of the drug flooding through your veins.
It really hurts...
...
I won't tell anyone.
I won't.
Please let me go.