Life, Her Hell That Holds Love

Word count: 1710

A/N: Hello there! Sorry for late update, as I was busy with scholarships, colleges, sketching and other stuffs that keeps bothering me. And, I have to apologize because I can only make it until Chapter 6.

By the way, 'Born to Die' is performed by Lana del Ray. It's not a relatively new song, but it describes Ai's emotion flawlessly. So, enjoy at the meantime. I'll be back after 3 months :)

Review please!

Characters: Haibara Ai, Kudo Shinichi, Vermouth, Mouri Ran

Chapter 6: Born To Die

The irritating fusty odour is suffused in the air. There is basically nothing in the obsolete factory other than rusty machines. The quietness is enhanced by the echoes of footsteps in the massive factory as we walk.

I steal a glance at Shinichi. His steps are heavy, but relatively quick. His eyebrows frown, lips apart, revealing his teeth that grit in tense. He senses my gaze, so he turns to me, giving me the I-told-you-not-to-come-with-me stare.

I shrug, pretend to be nonchalant. Though he never says, I know very well, the condition to release Ran is to hand me to Vermouth.

He let out a small sigh, I guess he's agreeing with the unspoken voice in my mind, this is the only option. He doesn't have to feel sorry for me, I have no right for that, because right in the beginning, I got involved in his life is just another mistake.

I'd rather to choose my death, if he's ever needed to choose between Ran and me.

"Your angel is behind this gate, cool guy," a voice, oddly familiar, loud and clear, suddenly sounds from one of the rusted, heavy iron gate, breaking the creepy silence.

"Release her! She has nothing to do with our resentment," Shinichi demands.

"Resentment?!" the witch's laugh follows her exclamation, "don't take it personal. I don't want to involve Angel too, you see. It's a matter of command, from that person. Hand Sherry over, I'll return your Angel."

I sneer, feeling my heart beats steadily, though heavily beneath my chest. That Person, together with the rest of the BO, is already surrounded by FBI and Japanese police force, or as well already under arrest, thanks to the tracking device Vermouth left there. Akai Shuichi had told Shinichi over the phone when Shinichi asked for help.

I have a feeling Vermouth knew about the device and left the tracking device there willingly, as destroying BO is in her desperate wish list, which comes right after destroying me. Maybe having the police force focus on the boss is just a tactic to draw me out without much hinder.

All these years, I'm running away from my fate. The shadow is after me, if I don't turn to the shadow, more innocent would be dragged into this unnecessary battle.

"Deal," I answer, determined. I know for my entire life, this day would definitely come.

Shinichi holds his breath for a good few seconds. He looks at me, fearing he may lose both women. I understand his trepidation and nod at him, giving him the best smile I can make in the situation.

"Well, well," Vermouth's voice is heard again, I hear amusement in it. "Sherry, walk to the gate. Cool Guy, stay where you are. Don't try anything funny. I've told you, this factory is surrounded with bombs, if things don't go how it's supposed to be, every one of us will be blasted into ashes."

My breath go heavier and deeper as each second passes, I know I have to make things right. I manage to brave my heart and make my first step, sluggish and palsied.

It's either Ran or me who'll be the oblation in this battlefield, but if my sacrifice can save Shinichi and Ran, so be it.

"Don't..." Shinichi begs under his breath. I look into his blue eyes, suffocate in compassion and regret. Knowing everything would soon be my last, I reach out to him.

I lean against his frame, as his slightly trembling hand cuddles my waist. I feel the tenderness and the contradicting intense when he put his hand around my waist. I grin, for I know, at least, he feels the same to me as how I feel to him.

I touch his cheek, perceiving the delicacy for the last time. He closes his eyes, and so do I. Standing still, I sense the softness of his lips pressing mine. His still-trembling hands run free on my back and my hair; I know I need to cherish this moment, it's the last glorious I'll bring to hell.

He bits my lower lip gently, and takes the chance to slide his tongue into my mouth. All of a sudden, I feel the dampness on my cheeks, unsure if it's me or him, or both of us. The sensation finally comes to the end, as I tilt my head and whisper into his ears under my heavy breathe, "Goodbye, Shinichi."

Reluctantly, I break free from his arms, soon from his desperate gaze; I make my way to the gate, knowing behind the gate lies my execution ground. Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough.

"Interesting," the cold voice claims in amusement.

Without looking back, I walk. With each step I take, my heart pound faster, harder. I breathe in deeply, smelling the scent of death that lingers in the air along with the odour of the old factory.

Feet don't fail me now; take me to the finish line. All my heart, it breaks every steps that I take, but I'm hoping that the gates, that they'll tell me you're mine.

"Say so long, Sherry," Vermouth's figure is slowly seen as the gate is raised. My head turns to face Shinichi almost automatically. Though tears cover my face, I smile brightly to him, who is now shaking, crying.

"Release Ran-san or I won't go any closer," I demand immediately as I turn to face the devil again, feeling the bravery that I never had in front of Vermouth.

The gun that is pointing to unconscious Ran's forehead is exceptionally dangerous. The Angel is tied onto a chair, unconscious.

"Sure, I don't intend to harm her from the start," Vermouth says as she moves her gun, so that it points at me now instead of Ran. "Just come to me, then I'll leave her here with Cool Guy after we leave."

"Leave?" I raise an eyebrow looking at her, surprised that I'm going to go with her instead of getting killed at once. "What are you going to do with me?"

"Of course," her lips curl upward; I feel the chill in my spine looking at her mysterious, dangerous smile, "Why? Do you think I'll just let you die after all this I've been through? I'll torture you with every possible manner until my hatred faded."

"Why do you hate me so much?" I ask. There's no fear in my voice, but curiousity and surprise. For a damn moment, I even feel sympathy for her. How on earth anyone can contain such unbearable enmity towards another person?

"You have the right to know," her sly eyes are still burning in hatred, but her voice has softened a little, "but not now." She walks steadily to where I stand with her gun pointing at me.

I take the final gaze to the love of my life, to see him clutching his fists, furious tears streaming down from his beautiful blue eyes as he knows there's nothing he can do. I feel a faint smile on my lips, as tears continues to blur my vision. The man who saved my life numerous times, giving me strength to live through every day, is the one I'm leaving now.

If only I could find my voice, I'd tell him not to cry for me, but save his tears for the time when he really going to need them. He has been over-optimistic all the time, which more often seems like foolishness to me, trying to keep everyone he loves alive.

That is not possible, anyway, after all.

"Walk now," the gun in Vermouth's hand is practically pointing to the back of my spine, barely a centimetre away. I listen to her demand, and walk to the exit where she intends me to as she puts on handcuffs for me.

"By the way," she turns to face Shinichi, "I think you already realised that the bomb has already counting down. You have 1 minute or so from now on, just enough to either carry Angel out from the factory. So don't try to do something stupid, because Sherry had made her choice to be the one to sacrifice."

I gasp a little, hoping he would do as how Vermouth demands. Right at the moment when he's about to rushes to where Ran and I are, out of expectation, Ran, who is still tied onto the chair, stands up and runs to the wall behind.

She throws herself to the wall. The wooden chair that she was tied onto is broken upon the overwhelming force, and Ran frees herself from the rope. "Shinichi! Go and save Haibara-san!" she shouted to Shinichi who's running to us.

I can sense all of us, Shinichi and me, even Vermouth are dumbfounded by the sudden incident. Nervously, I glance to the timer of the bomb, which is now showing 57 seconds left. I hate how endless thoughts flow into my mind in this moment that determines the live or die.

Was Ran mentally conscious all the time?

Did she know what we said and did?

What is she thinking?

Why she's risking her life to save mine?

...

I know I have to break free from Vermouth in order to save all three of us, because I have a feeling the other two wouldn't leave if I can't. I take the chance when she's distracted to knock her from the side with my elbow as hard as I manage. It hurts with the handcuff on my hands but I can't care less.

Vermouth, with her waist hit by my elbow, moans in pain but quickly reacts by kicking my stomach, so hard that I was thrown to the wall. My stomach and my back hurt like hell, making me can't move even an inch. I fall involuntarily to the ground like jelly.

Vermouth points her gun to me furiously, and pulls the trigger several times without hesitation.

I know I am going to die...

And just then, Ran who had been rushing herself into the fight between us, comes to me, kneels in front of me, covers me with her own body, with her arms wrapping around my head.

Just like how my sister would do for me...

Reply to dear guess reviewers:

Someone else, thanks for reviewing. I love writing in Ai's POV too, as my personality is similar to hers. I'm not sure if my ending is what you expected, but keep reading to see if you're right –wink- And regarding your question, I'm actually going for National Service for the next 3 months, that's why. I won't abandon this fic as this is the best fic I've written so far.

Sherry's fan, thank you for your review. Indeed it is. See you.