Chapter 6:
Grimmjow hadn't got far when he was forced to stop, one of the tires had blown of his car. With a string of loud curses he pulled up on the side of the road and got out to examine the damage. Glancing around he noted that he was in the rough side of the city due to the hospital being pretty much in the middle of this area. No one was around however so Grimmjow didn't feel there was any immediate threat so he crouched down to examine the tire.
Immediately alarm bells where ringing in his head. Someone had removed the cap so air had been slowly leaking from the tire for hours by now. This was no random chance. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind when he heard the sound of crunching rubble behind him as someone approached. Before he could so much as blink however something sharp stabbed him in the back of the neck and he had just enough time to pull it out to see it was a small dart before falling unconscious.
The sound of voices woke Grimmjow. Opening his eyes all he could make out was the blurry outline of two people talking, men by the sound of it. One of them turned, noticing he was awake and spoke louder, the words taking a while to register in his head. "He's awake, inform the boss."
Frowning he turned his head and looked around as the second man left. His vision was coming into focus again and from what he could see there was makeshift curtains surrounding them made of this plastic. A wave of nausea forced him to shut his eyes and opening them again the man who had spoken was stood over him. Grimmjow couldn't make out his face, he was wearing a surgeons mask.
Trying to move Grimmjow suddenly realised he was strapped down, he couldn't move his arms nor legs. Panic surged through his body, how hadn't he noticed before? Someone else entered the room but the surgeon had a hold of grimmjow's chin so he couldn't turn to look.
"Is it ready?" This voice was different, but oddly familiar. Grimmjow couldn't place it though his brain wasn't working properly and his thoughts were muddled due to the drugs.
"Yes sir, I'm just about to attach it."
Attach what? Grimmjow tired to form the question but all that came out was a hoarse choking noise. There was the sound of footsteps as the second man approached the place he lay and stopped just behind him.
"Let's see how much the infamous Detective can take shall we?"
A sharp pain in his neck and Grimmjow was unconscious again.
The next thing Grimmjow knew was the sound of dripping water. Opening his eyes he found he was lying in the middle of a desolate room. There were a few chairs knocked down around the room, all covered in a layer of dust and it looked as if they hadn't been touched for a long time. Sitting up Grimmjow concluded he was in some sort of waiting room judging by the reception desk across from him and there was only one door.
He was just standing up when a searing pain in his arm caused him to fall to his knees. With a choked gasp he looked down at his arm, eyes widening in surprise at what he saw. There was some sort of metal device attached to his forearm, one which Grimmjow had never seen before. After a moments hesitation he tried to pull it off but the pain returned, worse than before so he quickly stopped. Whatever the device was, he was sure that it was the cause for the pain.
Standing agin, he breathed a sigh of relief when there was no pain and walked slowly towards the door. The combined effects of the drug used to knock him out with the pain of the device had left him feeling lightheaded and dazed. Pushing the door open he found himself in a hallway. The paint was peeling from the Wales and the tiled floor had uprooted in some places as plants grew through.
"Hospital." Grimmjow muttered, reaching out a hand to touch the faded insignia of Karakura Hospital on the wall.
The moment his fingers brushed it however the pain returned, jolting up his arm as if it was on fire and he had to lean against the wall to remain upright. Once it had passed Grimmjow waited to regain his breath, wiping his face where a sweat had broken out and started down the corridor. His footsteps echoed down the deserted corridors and listening as hard as he could, Grimmjow couldn't hear anything or anyone else.
Was this part of Mr Heart's plan? What was the point in knocking him out to bring him here when he was already coming? Possibly to attach the device on his arm, that seemed the only plausible reason to Grimmjow at the moment. He stilled when a loud crash echoed form somewhere ahead, it sounded like metal.
Cautiously and slowly to mask his footsteps, Grimmjow crept down the hallway and pulled out his gun. For a moment he stared at it in confusion, why did he still have it? Deciding not to fathom what goes on in the serial killer's mind he continued and turning a corner saw light spilling form a partially open door. The sounds were louder now, it sounded as if someone was moving around. Was there someone else here with him?
Grimmjow had just reached the door when the device was activated again. He wasn't expecting it, too focused on who or what was behind the door and he fell, the gun clattering out of his hands and into the room. The noises inside stopped either at the sight of the gun or Grimmjow's falling to the floor he didn't know.
Standing up, he leaned to the side of the door, pushing it open slightly. "So can I come in or what?"
There was a long pause then… "Grimmjow?"
He froze at the voice, his heart pounding. Before he could stop himself or even think about it Grimmjow had entered the room. There sat on the bed was Ichigo. He was blindfolded and bound to a cot and the sight of him triggered the memory of himself being in a similar situation and strangers talking about attaching something, possibly the device.
"Ichigo!" Running over he untied the blindfold, sighing in relief when Ichigo blinked in the harsh light coming from an overhead beam before turning to look at him and smiling. "Come on, let's get you out of here."
It took a while to undone the restrains but once they were off he helped Ichigo to his feet. "Thank you." His eyes landed on his arm and widened. "What is that?"
Reaching out to touch it Grimmjow had to grab his hand to stop him. "Don't touch it, that sets it off." At Ichigo's perplexed look he went to explain but instead gave a demonstration as it activated again. Crashing into the cot he grabbed the railing to remain steady and felt Ichigo's hands steadying him.
"Are you ok?"
Grimmjow laughed, turning around to smile weakly at him. "I should be asking you that." The bruises on the teen's face were faded now, but still visible under the light. "I'm going to get you out of here, I promise."
Ichigo smiled and hugged him tightly. "I'm fine, he didn't do much just the bruises. He took some photos afterwards but he hasn't touched me since. I'm not the one he's trying to hurt right?"
"You're more perceptive than I thought." Grimmjow sighed and pressed his head to the top of Ichigo's. "He took you because of me, it's my fault you're in the mess." Clearing his throat Grimmjow stepped back. Now was not the time to be talking, they needed to escape first. He couldn't afford to get emotional or they would never get out. "We'll talk later ok?"
"Ok." Grabbing his gun from the floor Grimmjow lead the way back into the corridor. "Wait a moment." Turning he saw Ichigo grab something from a desk in the room and flinched when a beam of light hit him in the face. "Oh, sorry!"
Turning the beam away Ichigo grinned and showed him the flashlight. "Keep that ready and stay behind me." Nodding the teen fell in step behind him and they started down the corridor. "Did you see his face?"
"No, sorry."
"Don't worry about it, I wasn't expecting you to say yes but I might as well ask. This guy is smart he wouldn't leave any loose ends." Holding out an arm to stop Ichigo as they reached a set of double doors he carefully opened one and scanned the room. "It's clear."
Crossing the room with Ichigo at his heels he paused as they reached the middle. "What's wrong?"
"Shine your light over there." Grabbing Ichigo's hand he guided the light into the upper corner of the room. "Look, a camera." The blinking red light he'd spotted was that of a camera. "He's been watching everything."
"Are you enjoying the show you sick pyscho!" Ichigo yelled, shattering the silence.
"Ichigo!" Grimmjow hissed but it was too late, the damage was done. The pain was sudden and intense enough that he stumbled, falling to his knees as he grabbed his arm.
"Grimmjow!" Ichigo's voice sounded strange, it echoed as if he was far away but Grimmjow could feel his hands on his back. "Grimmjow come on!" The pain stopped and shaking his head slowly, Ichigo came back into focus. He was now in front of him and his face was pale with fear. "Has it stopped?"
Nodding he attempted to stand but Ichigo's hands forced him back down. "We have to keep going." Grimmjow said, but far from sounding reassuring his voice came out weak and raspy. "Let's go."
"No." Ichigo said firmly, pushing him down again. "Rest for a minute." He didn't have the strength to fight so Grimmjow just nodded and slumped against an overturned table to regain himself. They sat in silence for a long time before Ichigo finally spoke. "I'm sorry."
"Why?" Grimmjow asked in surprise, his voice returning to normal.
"That was my fault. I yelled at him and he set that thing off." Ichigo waved a hand at the device. "He can control it… I hurt you." The last part of his sentence came out so quiet he almost missed it.
"Shut up Ichigo." Grimmjow muttered and he reached out to touch the teen's cheek. "It's my fault you wouldn't be here if it weren't for me so don't blame yourself." Leaning forward he kissed Ichigo. He only meant for it to be quick but it seemed Ichigo had other ideas as he kissed back earnestly, his hands moving to weave in his hair.
He couldn't help it, just knowing Ichigo was safe wasn't enough anymore. The teen had breached a wall Grimmjow had been keeping firmly in place since his abduction. He needed Ichigo so badly that it was starting to hurt. It was only when something on the table above them fell to the floor and shattered that Grimmjow remembered where they were and more specifically, why they were there.
Pulling away from Ichigo suddenly he smiled at him. "Maybe later, once we're out of here."
Ichigo laughed breathlessly. "Ok." He stood, helping Grimmjow to his feet. Handing him his gun back he turned the flashlight on and scanned the room, illuminating another set of double doors opposite the ones they'd entered. "That way?"
"Yeah." They set off again but this time Grimmjow kept a firm grip on Ichigo's free hand. He was not going to let Ichigo go again, no matter what.
Grimmjow took lead again and after following corridor after corridor, down winding stairs and many deserted rooms he got the feeling getting out wasn't going to be as easy as he'd thought. Everywhere they went blinking red lights followed them, watching with unseen eyes. The device was set off five more times and each time it activated Grimmjow was sure it was getting worse. Soon he doubted he would be able to keep walking, Ichigo was having to support him now.
"Any idea where an exit is?" He asked Ichigo but he only shook his head in reply. Every window they had passed so far had been boarded up and barred from the inside, most likely to keep them in. They had to have been going more than an hour by now. "God damn it!" Grimmjow burst out suddenly, kicking out at a stray chair. "Where is the fucking exit?!"
"We'll find it." Ichigo said reassuringly and Grimmjow felt the grip on his shirt tighten. "I believe in you."
He snorted, managing a wry smile. "I'm no superhero Ichigo."
"You came to my rescue didn't you?" He argued before shaking his head. "I wasn't saying you were. What I'm trying to say is I know you'll get us out of here because I'll be damned if you're not the best Detective that Karakura's got. You found me didn't you?"
It was the burning passion in Ichigo's eyes that gave Grimmjow the strength to force himself to continue, but more than that it gave him hope. "You're right. Come on we'll find the exit soon." If it was the last thing he'd do, he would get Ichigo out alive.
Looking around the room, Grimmjow's eyes landed on the wall and he noticed something odd. There was a strip of green pain running along the wall. "Follow that." He told Ichigo, pointing it out and with a nod the orange head secured his grip around Grimmjow and took the lead, following the green strip.
They had been following it for maybe half an hour when they reached a large room and at the far end Grimmjow could see a green sign above a set of doors. It read 'EXIT'. Ichigo laughed and grinned at him. "Told you so!"
Practically dragging Grimmjow over to the doors he set him down before approaching the doors. Sliding down the wall Grimmjow watched, his stomach dropping when Ichigo gave the doors a push, his face falling.
"What's wrong?"
Ichigo pushed again, throwing his whole weight against the doors but they didn't budge. "They're locked."
"They can't be." Struggling upright Grimmjow stumbled over and tried to open them but what Ichigo had said was true, they were definitely locked. "Damn it!" Hitting the doors he sighed deeply, pressing his head to the wood. "What are we going to do?"
"Grimmjow?"
Ichigo's voice had changed, he had gone quiet, he sounded afraid. Whirling around Grimmjow saw exactly why. There was a gas spreading into the room. "Go!" He yelled at Ichigo and without further instructions the teen ran to the door they'd entered to open it. Grimmjow was only halfway across the room when Ichigo called to him, "It's locked!"
Turning back to the exit he tried again but the doors didn't budge. Ichigo joined him and they both threw their full weight at them but with no results the doors remained firmly shut. "Fuck!" Grimmjow fell to the floor as they device activated again, inhaling sharply and then choking on whatever the gas was. Ichigo grabbed him and lifted him up again.
"Grimmjow?!" He gave him a shake. "Come on don't you dare leave me!"
"I'm ok." He managed to choke out and Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief, helping him to his feet. "The door… Get the door open…" It took all his strength to remain standing and watch Ichigo try fruitlessly to open the door.
The gas was filling room at an alarming rate, soon he could barely see the orange head so he grabbed his arm to make sure they didn't get separated. Ichigo had to catch him when his legs gave way and they both fell to the floor.
"Grimmjow…" Ichigo gasped, his arms going around him but he couldn't find the strength to return the gesture. The gas had obscured everything and Grimmjow felt the edges of his vision dimming. "Don't leave me…"
"Promise." He managed to get out and Ichigo laughed weakly before going limp in his arms. Panic surged through his body, giving him a surge of strength enough to fight of the darkness for a moment. Pressing his fingers to Ichigo's neck he was relieved to find a pulse, it must be type of knock out gas.
The doors suddenly banged open and Grimmjow managed to catch a glimpse of the familiar face of Ulquiorra before passing out.