Hello everyone!
I don't even know what to say after a year of absence apart from I'm soooo sorry and, at the same time, so thankful to all you lovely readers for your constant and unfaltering (is that even a word?) support! Really, there are no words to describe how happy I am to know that some of you still look forward to this story. I just have the most horrible case of writer's block and even writting three pages seems like something impossible, but somehow, this evening, I sat down in front of my computer and with a little help from some amazing and inspiring soundtracks I started to write this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and I'll try to update the second part of it, which is unfinished, this week.
Once again, thank you so much for all the support and kind words! And don't be shy about constructive criticism or giving your opinion on the plot, characters... It realy helps me improve. Well, without more delay, enjoy~
Chapter 15 (I)
Drip, drip, drip.
The only sound that reached her ears was the constant dripping of the pipes. Each step echoed in the dark seemingly endless tunnel and it made the anxiousness grew inside Shiori as she stepped into the unknown depths of the sewers. She squinted her eyes trying to see beyond the shadows ahead but it was useless, all her eyes were able to distinguish were the grubby stains on the wall and the dark mass of water flowing down the waterway at her right.
Makishima was silent for once, walking just a few steps ahead of her, wielding the only source of light in the tunnel. Under the dim light he looked like a ghost out of a scary story. A part of her wondered what would happen if she dared to reach out to touch him, if he would vanish in thin air. She almost laughed out loud at the occurrence; at how her mind kept trying to distance itself from the situation and the course of action she had decided to take.
Shiori looked up at him. He was far more real than any ghost she ever imagined she'd have to face... and far scarier.
''Why underground?'' Shiori finally spoke up, breaking the silence. A shiver run down her spine at the echo and distortion of her own voice.
''Why do you think?'' He retorted. She could almost feel his smirk. Shiori frowned involuntary, but took a deep breath before trying to put together the little information she had about what they were going to do.
''Well, I guess that being stripped off the sky view makes you feel pretty hopeless'' She muttered looking around ''It is also harder to orientate yourself... besides the layout of the tunnels... it's maddening. Everything looks the same''
''For them''
''Is that your upper hand? The layout?'' I asked, suspiciously. He turned his head to look at me and smirked.
''No, not only the layout''
In that moment, before Shiori could register what was happening the light went out, followed by the splashing sound of water. She felt the air move around her at a great speed and she turned towards the sudden movement one second too late. Something hit her leg, making her lose her balance and slip towards the waterway. Shiori grasped at the emptiness in front of her, but before she could fall into the dark and dirty water, a hand grabbed the collar of her shirt. Quickly her hands found his.
''What would you do if I let go?'' he breathed on her neck. ''Would you fight for your life or surrender to the current?''
Shiori's eyes were starting to adapt to the darkness as they desperately tried to find a way out of that situation. The rational part of her brain knew he wouldn't drop her, but right now, the part in control was frantic, clinging desperately to Makishima's fingers; to life.
''Does it make you feel anything? The rush of adrenaline, the fear of death... the false sense of power that blinds your mind just for a few seconds and makes you wonder: what if?''
It was then when Shiori saw it. Her what if.
''... What are you, Shiori? A wolf or a sheep?''
At that, she let go of his hands and put all the weight of her body on the edge of the platform. Amber eyes shone in the dark, surprised at the action. Knowing that she couldn't see him and his vision was limited too, she allowed herself to smile. If she was going to fall, he would too.
They were in it together.
She took that chance to pull herself up and push Makishima off of her. It was just for an instant, but the feeling to have overpowered him made her blood pump. It didn't last long though. Makishima caught her wrists and cornered her against the wall. By now her eyes had gotten accustomed to the absence of light and she could see the outline of Makishima's silhouette in the dark. A single drop of sweat run down her neck. She parted her lips and let out a shaky breath.
''What's your bet?'' She manage to say, answering his previous question. But before he could answer the sound of a shotgun going off broke the silence. Shiori tensed up immediately and Makishima felt it under his fingers. ''What was that?''
''It seems like the hunt started without us''
He held her against the wall for a few more seconds before letting go and searching for something inside the pockets of his jacket. After a brief rumbling sound a new light filled the tunnel. It was a red flare. He handed it to her.
''So what now?''
''I have to go set something up first. I need you to continue until you reach the end of the tunnel, there you will find a stair that goes up, follow it and continue down the hallway'' He instructed her. She shook her head.
''What's there?'' There was a growing uneasiness building up inside her.
''A safe place for you to observe the outcome of this game'' He said ''If you want to intervene feel free to do so''
A million questions went through Shiori's mind, but she still found herself unable to formulate any. The only thing that kept ringing in her mind was a monotone and cold voice muttering over and over: ''Are you a sheep or a wolf?''.
''Shiori'' He called her name and everything went silent again.
''I understand'' She replied with the little courage she manage to gather. It was too late to turn back now, too late to feel sorry for herself and wish for better circumstances. He watched her expression, he was about to turn around without another word but something pulled him towards her, and he laid a ghostly kiss over her eyes. She brought a hand over them and when she looked up again he was gone. Shiori fought the urge to bite her lip, choosing to chew on her cheek instead as she started to walk further into the tunnel, without looking back.
The red light gave the tunnel an even darker and dangerous glow. Her own footsteps sounded too loud in her ears. She rose the flare above her head trying to see the end of the tunnel. She stopped on her tracks when she felt a breeze in her skin and right after that she saw the metallic stair Makishima had talked about. She placed the flare on the ground and put both her hands on the rusty stair. Her hands and feet moved on her own and she started climbing.
Every time the metal creaked under her weight she stopped breathing, it wasn't until she reached the next floor that she allowed herself to let out a long sigh. She gazed at the flare still lightened, wishing she had been able to bring it along with her, but eventually she decided to move forward. The breeze from before had followed her upstairs. It seemed there was a current, meaning there had to be a way out of that labyrinth of tunnels down the hallway. She taunted in the dark, until she reached a door. She placed her hand on the knob and it opened effortlessly. Her eyes closed at the sudden source of light, but when she opened them again no words left her lips. Shiori took a step forward taking in her surroundings. A dozen of screens were displayed in front of her, they were recording in real time different locations of what Shiori had assumed were the sewers.
''That's...''
''A train station?''
More is coming your way my dear readers, in the meantime...
Feed me reviews :3
