Hugging her knees is the only move she can do freely. She tried to study where she is but only darkness meet her gaze. The only thing she knows is that she's in a metal container, big enough to fit her in a sitting position. Destroying the container entered her thoughts several times but it scared her that in the time she get out, a dark place will only welcome her. She cursed herself for being a coward.
She's Celty Sturluson, a dullahan. She's an underground transporter, darkness should not scare her. Her color is black yet this hue started to terrify her.
Shinra! Is Shinra safe? Celty remembered and started to bang the container.
"Shut it! If you still want to see the doctor alive, behave!" A low menacing voice shouted at her and kicked the metal. The container threatened to fall in the side but Celty was able to steady it.
The dullahan returned in hugging her knees. If she ever try to make another commotion they might kill Shinra and that's the last thing she wanted to happen. Celty hugged her knees tightly and clenched her fists. Shinra.
A lean man nudged the buffy man who kicked the metal container. "What are you talking about? The doctor got away, remember?" he whispered.
"I know. But making this monster believe we have him makes it easier." The buffy man whispered back and the other nodded in agreement. "I don't want to witness the black shadows mentioned in the rumors."
"The monster might hear you" the driver hissed silencing his companions. He then glanced at the metal container before steering the van back in track. The driver gripped the steering wheel tightly remembering their blunder.
They plan to kidnap the two in the evening but seeing them travel in an empty alley at dawn, the three men found it as an opportunity. The lean man grabbed Shinra and slam him on the wall before pressing a knife on his neck. The pressure draw out some blood. This ruthless action stopped Celty from attacking making a big opening for the buffy man to tackle the dullahan and push her inside the small metal container. The doctor yelled in protest and struggled but stopped when he felt the knife slightly enter his skin. The lean man grimaced while leading the doctor inside the van. Shinra was greeted by the buffy man as he entered the vehicle and searched for the container which is still near the door, he felt the van move while the man who held him captive a while ago is closing the door. Finding a chance, he pushed the lean man aside and jumped down the moving van pulling the metal container with him. Shocked, the buffy man's reflex controlled him and pulled the container back while Shinra's gripped loosened and he rolled on the road alone. The driver slowed the van into a stop but the buffy man sternly shouted for him to continue driving. They did lose an important hostage but they can pretend to the kidnapped that his life is in danger.
A cellphone ring made the driver's thoughts vanish, though his mind is in another place, his hands are magically leading the van to the right path. He looked at the rear mirror and saw his buffy companion answer the ringing phone. He leaned on the seat to hear their whispered conversation.
"The doctor was able to escape but the dullahan doesn't know. Right now we're pretending we still have him." the man stiffly reported.
"As long as we have her. If she tried to fight back tell her you'll kill the doctor." An old man's voice calmly said back. "I'll update the others. Have a safe trip gents. Nice working with you."
"It's an honor to work with you Yodogiri-san" the man answered before lowering the phone. He grinned at the driver. "Drive faster. Let's bring this monster back to the facility."
Shinra paced around his apartment waiting for the people he called to come. The yellow helmet that fell off from Celty during the struggle sat on the table across him while her bike remained on the street since he can't move it. After calling Shizuo, the blond instructed him to return in his apartment.
After falling off the van and realizing that he failed in saving Celty he ran after the vehicle despite his scratches. But because he is physically weak he immediately got tired and decided to call Shizuo to ask for help. Unfortunately, the van never passed through the main road of Ikebukuro. After the futile effort of the two, it ended up for the four of them to meet up. He nervously looked at the clock and continued to pace around the place.
"Shinra" Shizuo said to let the doctor know that he arrived.
"Shi-shizuo" the always smiling face of the doctor is missing and was replaced with a creased forehead and watery eyes.
"Who else did you call?" Shizuo kept his voice calm but his body is trembling in anger and worry.
"I-I don't have Sev's number… " he replied between sobs.
"I know they will come…" Shizuo said. He doesn't know why but he has a feeling she'll come together with that guy.
The two were quiet for another hour when they heard the apartment's door open. Shizuo hurriedly stood up to defend but relaxed upon seeing the familiar face of the violet-eyed woman. His eyes seem to ignore the troll behind her.
"Shin…ra?" Seven said upon seeing the expression and dirty appearance of the doctor. She ran towards him and grabbed his shoulders. "What happened? Did they do anything else to you? Did Yodogiri's people do anything to you?!" Seven didn't notice that she started shouting while shaking Shinra. Shizuo and Shinra suddenly stared at the woman in her last question.
"Yodogiri?" Shizuo seriously asked snapping Seven back to her calm self. The blond has an idea who Yodogiri is based in Shinra's stories he got from his father, and Shizuo describe him as cunning, evil and dangerous. He is also sure in one thing, they never mentioned that name in front of Seven. "You knew what's happening all along?"
Seven released Shinra and turned around to face Shizuo. "I…" She started but shut her mouth upon seeing the raged face of the blond. Seven exactly knew that kind of expression, it is when a friend or a family is in danger and he found out the cause of it. She can't argue back, it is her fault.
"You knew all along didn't you?!" Shizuo gripped her shoulders and pinned her on the wall. Because of his crazy strength he didn't realize he did it hard enough than he expected. Seven just stared at him wide-eyed, completely lost of words. "You knew yet you didn't warn us! Why are you always like this?!" Shinra remembered the words of Seven when she visited weeks before: 'stay close with each other'.
"Stop it Shizuo, you're hurting her. And she did gave a warning" Shinra tried to pull Shizuo away but failed.
The blond knew that the doctor is pulling him away but his words didn't enter his ears. Seven too saw Shinra's action but her brain didn't process the words coming out from the doctor's lips, she only understood Shizuo.
"Why do you always act like you can accomplish everything by yourself with only small or no help from others?! Don't you trust our decision at all?" the blond continued to shout at the woman. "Did you return just to see how miserable we will be?"
NO! Seven wanted to shout back but she can't find her voice. She shut her eyes tightly regretting her decision. I should have told them.
"Don't ignore my presence" Izaya finally talked. Everyone's attention went to him. "You shouldn't blame others, Shizu-chan"
"Why are you here flea?" Shizuo said with overflowing venom as he finally noticed the presence of the troll. He released Seven and is ready to kill the man in black.
"I'm the one who told her not to tell you two" Izaya has his usual smile on. Shizuo and Shinra curiously stared back at the informant while the woman behind the two men have a confused expression. He gave Seven a 'don't-talk' look.
"I called her back here in Ikebukuro because I know this will happen"