Ryou wasn't entirely sure how the killer would approach him. He suspected that Jack the Ripper would solicit a prostitute like another patron would, leading her back to his "home" where the murder would take place. Knowing that, Ryou remained guarded, carefully reading each situation as male suitors passed.
The number of men who were convinced he was a woman was disturbing to say the least.
Ryou didn't like to be reminded of how often he had been teased for his soft features and long hair. He figured this would be something he could leave behind once he got past childhood. Luck had a different fate for him, unfortunately.
Whether Malik realized it or not, his words before had been very reassuring. It was good to know that Malik liked him for being himself. He didn't see him as feeble nor impervious – Malik could see him for who he was and still embraced him for that. And the fact that Malik was willing to reject preconceived notions to make sense of the confusing narrative that was this case showed his true intelligence and character.
People of such esteem were far too few in this world.
Ryou held his shawl a little closer, eager to get out of his garb. The attitude shift in how men treated when they thought he was a woman startled him. He never realized how… demanding they would be, a sense of entitlement to them. Ryou never really learned this habit, probably because he never connected with people very well. He had always been off on his own, marching to the beat of his own drum so that cultural and societal standards were seen as something to be observed rather than ideals to be internalized.
It offered him a perspective that gave him clarity. It allowed Ryou to see and observe things objectively, without having to rely on stigma to form his bias. He had obviously internalized some beliefs, but part of being a detective meant being able to separate assumptions so that you could see how all the pieces would fit together.
So despite the disrespect Ryou faced parading around as a woman of the night, he knew that all the facts would finally come to order. What seemed so confusing and convoluted would be made clear. All of which started with catching the killer in the act tonight.
Ryou ignored his own tired feet, turning the corner. He glanced down at the pocket watch, attached by a string to his wrist, noticing that it was quarter after midnight. He would keep making rounds until almost 2. At that point, few sex workers would be up as no one would venture out, unwilling for such little work prospect.
As Ryou brought his hand back down, the watch slipped off his wrist, rolling briefly on the cobblestone. Swearing under his breath, Ryou shuffled a few steps forward, hoping he wouldn't need to pay Joey another visit. He knelt down, his hand just brushing the worn brass when he heard a soft click.
Ryou froze, hand hovering over the watch. He forced himself to take a slow, steady breath, despite his heart rampaging in his chest. He didn't dare to hope, uncertain whether it was good fortune or terrible luck that he should run into him now. Ryou swallowed hard, shifting his head slightly so he could catch a glimpse into the shadows…
"Don't move." Ryou kept his gaze down, knowing that the gun was already cocked and ready. A simple twitch of the finger would be enough to kill him. Despite the knowledge of death so close, Ryou forced himself to remain calm. This was it. He needed to play the role right. The police would soon notice he was off-kilter and that would set off a chain, resulting in the police waiting to capture him at the rented property.
He heard the killer take a step closer, still remaining cloaked in the darkness. "Follow my orders or I will kill you now. You're going to stand up and walk into this alley way. Any sudden movements and I will shoot."
Ryou inhaled, forcing himself to nod shakily. He resisted the urge to frown, his mind already racing. He knew it was Pegasus waiting, but something sounded off. His voice sounded similar enough, but the inflection was off. Likely, he was disguising his voice and, truth be told, Ryou had never heard him speak seriously – only in giggly squeals. It was really the perfect cover, if he thought about it.
Ryou stood up stiffly, his hand tightening on his shawl. He kept his gaze down, not wanting the killer to recognize his face. That was a slim chance, what with the makeup and wig, but Ryou didn't want to take any chances of upsetting the killer. The moment he disappeared from the sidewalk, he felt a strong hand grip his upper arm.
Ryou resisted the urge to jerk away, especially when he felt the barrel of the gun against the back of his head. Jack the Ripper leaned him, his voice a low whisper. "Not a sound. We're going to take a little walk over to my flat."
Ryou forced himself to nod, his mind racing. This was exactly what they were hoping for. Their plan was going off without a hitch and if they played their cards right, no one would get hurt. But that was a big if and Ryou knew better than to assume things would go so swimmingly. He needed to play the role of a meek, terrified maiden, too scared to even speak in the presence of the killer.
Or, at least, Ryou hoped he came off that way.
He let himself be guided, realizing that the killer was quite acquainted with these alleyways. This thought led Ryou to realize that Jack the Ripper would get to his flat sooner than the police would get there. Ryou needed to stall him, if only for a few more minutes so they could move into place.
Ryou pulled away slightly, allowing his voice to shake. "W-what are you going to do to me?"
His voice was soft and light, hoping that it sounded meek enough that the killer didn't notice that it was a male speaking. Jack the Ripper chuckled, the sound sending a chill down his spine.
"We're going to play a little game. How does that sound?"
Ryou swallowed, shaking his head. They were still moving too fast. The questions weren't slowing his pace. Would a struggle be too risky? Ryou knew they were only two blocks away. He didn't have time to reconsider.
Ryou jerked away, hoping it was enough to confuse Jack the Ripper but not enough to anger him into shooting. To his surprise, he actually broke free of his grasp. The shock of this startled Ryou enough that he didn't have time to think of running away. That he should run away. He heard Jack the Ripper swear, a shadow quickly darting towards him.
Ryou stumbled backwards, turning as he tried to put some distance between them. He barely got a few steps away when he felt a hand swipe at his hair. The hard yank caused Ryou to fall forward, the detective crying out at the hair being pulled. His head hit the pavement, the pain distracting Ryou long enough to realize his scalp no longer hurt.
It was that moment that Ryou saw his own white hair falling forward around his face.
Before Ryou could even move, Jack the Ripper pinned him to the ground, his knee digging into his back. Ryou gasped, swearing for his own stupidity. The damn wig! "Shit!" he swore, trying to twist away, but he felt the murderer tug as his white hair, whistling for a moment.
"What do we have here? I go searching for a little birdie and instead I catch a little bunny in my trap."
"Fuck you!" he muttered, ignoring the barrel that rested against the back of his neck. The charade was falling apart and Ryou was pissed at himself for screwing up.
"I'd watch what you say if I were you, Detective Ryou."
Ryou's breath caught, his heart rampaging in his chest. In that moment, he realized it was over. In the end, there would be no escape for him now, not when the killer finally had the man who hunted him at gunpoint.
But that didn't mean Ryou intended to accept his death just yet.
Time seemed to come to a halt, Ryou's mind racing to make a plan. He wasn't stronger than Jack the Ripper, but Ryou considered himself to be smarter. He would use his intellect and wit to keep himself alive long enough for the police to find him. It was a lot to ask of Kaiba, but he knew Malik could do it. He could find his trail and catch the killer. Pegasus wouldn't have anywhere to run so they would need to follow the breadcrumbs that Ryou was already planning.
He twisted his head around, trying to glare at Jack the Ripper from his periphery. "What do you intend to do now? You must be aware that a singular gunshot now will have the police flocking towards us."
The killer snorted. "I was wondering where you were keeping your friends. I imagine they have this area on lock down. They can't possibly know where I'm headed next… Unless…"
Ryou couldn't see much in the darkness, but he could see Jack the Ripper smile, his white teeth gleaming brightly. "You didn't try struggling even when I was leading you to the slaughter. Even when you broke free, you didn't try to run. Not really."
He chuckled, leaning in close to his ear. "Wouldn't be interesting if you already know where my next murder was planned?"
Ryou glanced away, scowling. His breath caught in his throat, the words catching. If he tried denying such claim, Jack the Ripper would see through him. But his silence served as confirmation regardless.
Ryou twisted, still struggling as he realized everything was starting to fall apart. He knew it was futile, the weight of the man above him pinning him into the cold stones. He winced as the killer wrenched his arm behind him. Despite his attempts at squirming away, his wrists were still bound together.
"You can consider yourself lucky, detective. You'll get to live a few more hours before I can finally kill you. I can't dawdle here any longer," the killer whispered, amusement tinging his voice. He didn't seem annoyed by any of the events surrounding them, instead relishing the capture of the detective leading the investigation against him.
Ryou felt himself lurch, the killer tossing him over his shoulder. He tried writhing to force him to lose his balance. It was a last ditch effort, trying to waste time until Malik and the other officers realized that he wasn't going to the flat. If they started combing the alleyways now, then they still might have a chance.
"If you know you're surrounded, then what good would running do now? They will catch you if they see you fleeing with another person," Ryou hissed, trying to think of something, anything, to break free and escape.
"My dear detective, you don't give me enough credit. You haven't figured it out yet?" Ryou frowned, staring at the stones below him. His eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness.
Despite how the blood rushing to his head was making him dizzy, a thought crossed Ryou's mind. He remembered Isis and how she became tied to the case. He initially wrote it off as a struggle. Perhaps that was what it was, but it was a clue as well. Pieces that can be put together.
Ryou would need to leave his own clues along the way.
He noticed the necklace that grazed his chin. The chain wasn't long and if he jutted out his neck, he could feel the chain grow taught. Carefully timing it to the killer's steps, Ryou snagged the necklace against his chin, holding it tight. A bit more pressure and the chain would snap.
He needed to time it just right. If he did, perhaps he could lead Malik in the right direction.
He noticed Jack the Ripper had stopped walking. Ryou flicked his eyes back, noticing him kneel down to move some debris out of the way. A grate came into view, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. The reason he chose this area to commit the murders. He wanted an escape route just in case.
Ryou realized this was the moment. He stretched out his chin as far as he could. The chain strained against the back of his neck before snapping, beads scattering several feet behind him. Ryou glanced back to see if Jack the Ripper had noticed, but the act went unnoticed. The killer lifted the grate, leaning in, unaware of the clues left behind.
Ryou felt himself pitch forward, as the killer slipped downward. A half-second of heart clenching fear, but only for a short fall. Ryou collapsed onto his side, unable to right himself. He twisted his head up, trying to see the killer. Jack the Ripper moved quickly, hiding their tracks before slipping after him.
Despite the killer's best efforts, Ryou noticed something's about his frame. Though cloaked in black, not all could be disguised by the night. Even in the darkness, Ryou noticed the golden eye sitting at the center of his forehead and the distinct glow of lavender gems that disappeared the moment the grate closed.
In that moment, Ryou's heart stopped. Any hope of escape seemed impossible as the night sky was blocked. What's worse was the revelation that they had the wrong man. Pegasus had been nothing more than a red herring, used throw off the scent. Ryou knew the truth, but what good would it do if no one knew who the true enemy was?
Jack the Ripper cackled, kneeling down to pull Ryou up by his hair. Ryou cried out, fumbling to his knees. He took in a shaky breath, the killer's laugh mocking his pain.
"Finally pieced it together there, eh Ryou?"
Ryou inhaled sharply, glaring venomously through slitted eyes. He ignored the stinging pain in scalp, unbridled hatred finally taking grasp of him. "Namu, you bastard..."
Malik didn't want to stay in the flat.
Every fiber wanted to run out and escape the almost suffocating darkness. They had a candle lit to provide a little lighting, but they didn't want Jack the Ripper to realize they had already accessed his estate. They needed to remain hidden until it was too late.
Despite knowing this, Malik wanted to light everything on fire in the tiny bedroom. At least then there would be some light.
Malik forced himself to take a slow breath, staring at the flickering fire. Though small, it cast gruesome shadows along the wall, horrid fiends only found in the darkness. The room reminded him too much of his childhood. It reminded him of when he was a young boy, pressed against the floor to spot the light that slipped in. It was a brief escape from the encompassing darkness around him.
Malik shook his head. Even now, he couldn't escape his fears. He had figured when he got older, he would finally outgrow such childish terrors and learn to move past them. He felt ashamed for his own weakness. Perhaps he was doomed to a life of discomfort.
Well, perhaps not. He found himself at ease with Ryou. His partner knew of his fear of the darkness and didn't mind letting light shine over them while they slept. Ryou provided a sense of comfort in his life, one that had been long absent.
Which was why Malik refused to let his fear keep him immobile now. Ryou was putting both his career and safety on the line to save Malik's sister. Malik would make sure everything goes right on their end. There would be no mistakes.
Malik stepped closer to the flame, ignoring the other officers standing alert alongside the wall. He pulled out a watch, frowning at the time. They had been waiting for five minutes already. That meant Ryou had been missing for ten minutes now. Though seemingly brief, Malik felt a twinge of worry pass through him.
"This is taking a while," he muttered, turning to Duke.
Even in the darkness, the officer's green eyes glowed like cat eyes at night. "The killer may be trying to cover his tracks. We have him surrounded. Even if he doesn't come here, he will run into the police."
Malik narrowed his eyes. Was he surrounded? They tried to cover their tracks, not allowing for any escape but this was the infamous Jack the Ripper. No one had seen him commit a murder and he'd always vanished before anyone could lay eyes on him. Malik wouldn't call it witchcraft, but he sensed that the killer would anticipate the police narrowing in on him. In fact, he suspected that the murderer knew this would happen and had a contingent plan in case such a situation would rise.
Malik's paranoia consumed him. But he knew his instincts had been right before. He knew the killer was tied to his sister's kidnapping. He knew the evidence tied Pegasus to the crime. He knew that Ryou could be trusted and would do anything to capture the madman.
Malik supposed the detective had rubbed off on him more than he realized.
"I'm going out." Malik decided, tightening the holster to the small pistol at his side. He wasn't sure how he felt about having a weapon, but he knew it was foolish to refuse one on such a dangerous mission.
He felt Duke grab his arm, holding him in place. "You can't. Kaiba ordered us to hold our post."
Malik smirked. "He ordered you guys to do that. Last I checked, I'm not a police officer."
Duke's expression darkened. "Are you trying to get killed?"
"Hardly. But something's wrong. Ryou is taking too long. We should begin sweeping now."
Duke shook his head. "It'll alert him to our presence and he'll try running."
"What if he already knows? He'll be trying to make his escape now," Malik argued back, hands resting at his waist. He peeked out the window into the darkness cloaking the city.
Duke growled, lowering his hand. He brushed back his bangs. "You're heading out there no matter what, aren't you?"
Malik shrugged. "I have a reputation for being a bit stubborn."
Duke pursed his lips, thinking through his options. He sighed, walking towards the door. "Fine. But I'm coming with you. We'll take a peak around the block and then head back."
Malik didn't say anything. He allowed his silence to be his answer, as if complying to Duke's request. He decided to withhold the fact that he would chase down the killer if it came down to it.
Despite the lack of light in the apartment, the darkness outside seemed blacker than ever before. It was overcast, blocking out any chance the moon and stars had of lighting up the city. Malik forced himself to pause for a moment after rounding the corner, the night suffocating him.
He needed to get over his fear. It was his idea to come out here and search for the killer. He wanted to run out into the streets, where at least the lamps provided light, but Malik could sense something was wrong.
Perhaps he was acting like an old woman, but every instinct told him he needed to be outside searching for the killer.
Malik took his time, carefully checking around each corner for any movements or shadows that might be out of place. He found himself falling into a pattern, scouting each block carefully before moving on to the next one. Even Duke followed along, parallel to Malik as he silently searched alongside to him.
As if in defiance to Malik's fears, each alleyway stretched as empty as the one before it. Despite his best efforts, it was as if the killer had vanished. Malik knew they hadn't covered half of the area, but he felt his hopes fall. Perhaps he was just paranoid. But the silent streets echoing with their footsteps sent another chill down his spine.
Why had Malik not heard anything?
It was as if they were truly alone but Malik knew that couldn't be right. Ryou should be with the killer. There should be some sign, visual or aural, of their presence, but everything around Malik echoed empty.
The unsettling truth started to dawn on Malik when he heard Duke hiss at him. He snapped his head up, scampering quietly towards where he last saw the officer. The grave look on his face clued Malik in to the horrible revelation.
"Malik." Duke's voice was gentle, patronizing even, the officer licking his lips. Duke's hands shook around the clue clenched in his white fingers. Malik frowned, his breath growing short. He didn't look at the officer beside him, his eyes locked on the mess of brown hair clenched in his hands. A wig.
Ryou's wig.
"Shit. He figured it out," Malik whispered, his heart threatening to break free of his rib cage.
"But how?" Duke asked, shaking his head in a mixture of disbelief and horror.
Malik felt himself grow angry, no, furious. He let this happen. He let Ryou use himself as bait. They didn't keep a good enough eye on him. He...
Malik jerked his head away, fury etched in his face. "It doesn't matter! We have to find him. Report to Kaiba. Now. We need to start sweeping immediately. We might still be able find him!"
Duke stepped back in shock, still now processing what had transpired. Malik growled, gripping him by his shoulder before shoving him back, forcing him to move. "Go!"
Duke broke out of the stupor, turning heel as he raced to inform Kaiba of their failed plans. Left alone, Malik felt the world caving in on him. He forced himself to breathe, hand against the brick wall to steady himself.
Jack the Ripper had Ryou. And his sister. Malik felt as if the world was taking everyone important away from him. He had thrown himself into the case, heedless of the risk to himself or others so long as Isis was saved. Never had he thought he could experience this wretched pain again, his heart unable to bear the weight of it all.
Tears burned in his eyes, but Malik would not let them fall. Even if Jack the Ripper escaped, he couldn't go back to his estate. If Kaiba was smart, they would seize Pegasus's manor. They would hunt him down like the rat he was. Malik refused to let this murderer walk away victorious. He would find him and he would save Isis and Ryou.
Malik buried his own grief, anger moving his feet forward. No more hiding in the shadows. He would drag Jack the Ripper away from the darkness, and Malik would make certain that he paid for all of crimes.
