Chapter 50
Luki had followed Rin the entire way to the floor Ted was on. On the elevator ride down he'd stopped trying to convince her to change her mind, and now as Rin strode down the hallway she wondered what had garnered his silence. He'd been avidly persistent that she abandon the plan. He'd pursued the subject so desperately as if he knew a great tragedy to strike that she was ignorant to. She felt his eyes tracing her figure beneath her dress, and if it hadn't been for her determination she would've paid him more mind. There was no doubt his persuasive skills were stellar but as he'd come to realize she didn't intend on listening. Perhaps he'd thought up a new idea. Maybe this anxious feeling he made her have was an experienced emotional game.
As they drew closer to the room it became a fact that he was truly not going to stop her. She didn't feel relieved. His silence was absolute and equally unnerving. Reaching the room Rin looked around. Ted was injured, he wasn't supposed to be in his office. The room was unguarded. After a breath Rin cautiously slipped inside. Luki followed her in and she immediately wished he hadn't. She could feel the rage rolling off him and when she looked at him there was a savageness in his demeanor though he kept quiet. She watched him stalk across the room and lean against the wall.
Only then did she turn her head to Ted: the office caught her attention first. Papers were scattered everywhere. They were plastered to the walls, stuck to the ceiling, and pressed onto furniture. He had immaculate stacks piled high behind his chair and more piles were in the corner. Ted for all the drama yesterday, did not lay broken in a hospital bed, but worked diligently without noticing them. Rin noticed there was something off about him. He worked but he looked wrong. His usually neat hair was messy. His motions jerky as if he were a life-sized marionette. Rin immediately became uneasy. She glanced over her shoulder at Luki oddly thankful he was there. Yet she should've known better than to look to Luki for comfort. He was a blank slate once more, and didn't look at her. His emotions were professionally compressed. Rin focused on Ted again before Luki could look up. She approached Ted slowly as not to spook him. A broken cup sat next to him on the desk.
"Ted?" Ted froze as if Rin had hit pause. When his eyes met hers Rin shuddered. They were duller than they'd ever been and as she stared they got gradually darker. Rin could feel something dark and cold swirling around Ted. She gritted her teeth and laced power into her words when she called Ted the second time.
"Ted." For a moment all that happened was Ted's eyebrows lowering in confusion. And then he blinked. Color burst forth into his irises and he sagged with exhaustion. Rin could feel Luki's eyes on her neck.
"Ted, can you hear me?" Ted shuddered. "Ted," Rin called and finally he gazed at her with recognition.
"Rin?" Rin nearly cheered with relief. It had worked. But if Yuma had been willing to go this far then she didn't have much time before he noticed; and that was if he hadn't already. If this had even been Yuma. A chill coursed through her as Luki simply standing where he was served as a catalyst to paranoia.
"Ted, I need you to tell me what you did to me. I'm getting us out of here today."
Ted blinked and his gaze swung to Luki. He hesitated.
"He already knows," Rin admitted. "I cut my hand and my blood hurt him."
Ted swallowed. Rin saw him visibly struggle to put thoughts together. Ted's fingers dug into the fine wood of his desk. Rin narrowed her eyes and focused. There was a tender pressure at the back of her head that made the hairs on her neck stand on edge. She pictured the room in vivid clarity and began her circle behind Ted. It burned into the floor and when it snapped closed there was only Ted and her who could hear what they said. It was a private circle only she could see.
She glanced at Luki and sure enough he was staring at her. His gaze was intense with disapproval but he kept quiet. She turned her attention back to Ted as he was visibly less ill as he took his seat. Rin leaned forward and steadied him. He seemed calmer as she touched him.
"A barrier?" Ted inquired.
Rin blushed. "It's a private space. Only you and I can be heard in it." He nodded though he was visibly concerned.
"I injected you with your mother's blood," Ted said. "To make you the Seer of this generation."
"And that nullified the effect of Yuma's power because?" Rin stated.
"Seers and demons don't react well to each other."
Rin watched Ted stiffly tug files out of his cabinet. It read his prints and then opened. He snatched something out of it and placed it in her hand. It was a vial of scarlet red. The tiny vial hummed.
"Blood?" Rin gazed suspiciously at the tube. Ted's eyes were serious.
"Remember when I told you had to get Teto out?"
"She won't leave without you, Ted," Rin reminded. "That's why we failed yesterday."
"I need you to get her to drink this. Then get her out of here, Rin."
"She won't leave without you," Rin reiterated.
"Yesterday you proved my theory worked." Rin raised an eyebrow. "Seer blood is still powerful. Can still nullify even if significant time has passed."
"How many years has it been in this vial?"
"Too long," Ted said vaguely. "It'll be enough if that's what you're worried about."
"It doesn't matter, Ted. Teto won't leave without you."
"That's where you come in. She needs to drink this."
"Then why don't you order her to drink it." At Ted's blank face Rin sighed. "There's only one here. Did you take yours?"
Ted's clear eyes met Rin's. In that moment fury nearly got the best of her. One look and she could tell that coming back to the agency with Teto would have the same results as it had before.
"You're not planning to come with us are you." Ted said nothing. Her voice came out in an accusatory tone. "You never intended to come with us did you?"
Ted kept his eyes on her but he said nothing. There was a haunting acceptance in his eyes. Rin, horrified, took a wobbly step back.
"You're not really planning on staying here are you, Ted?"
"I am."
"Why? I came back to get you out of here."
"I never asked for anybody to take me away from this place. Besides, the people here need me."
"Your sister needs you!"
"She doesn't. I got her into this mess."
"Why can't you just use my blood."
"It's not pure enough to work for me. I already tried."
"Ted be reasonable."
"I am!" Ted shouted. He rubbed his temples in small circles. "There's nothing left for me out there, Rin."
"What about a life with Teto?" Ted let out a sad laugh.
"Me and what sanity?"
"Ted, I can help you."
"There's nothing left of me, Rin. Not by the end of today I'm sure. That's why you have to get Teto out. Please."
"Then escape with us," Rin pleaded.
"I'd only be sane around you, Rin. What kind of life would that be for Teto and I? From one master to the next?"
She tried to refute what he'd said, but after she gave the idea some thought she understood what he meant. She felt morose at the thought that Teto wouldn't be quite so understanding. She'd throw a tantrum when poor Ted already had so much on his plate.
"So, you're not coming then."
"I'm not going with you, Rin." She nodded and silence fell into the space between them.
"She just has to drink this, right?"
"Yes."
"I'm not sure I can get her to."
"You'll find a way."
"Ted." His scarlet eyes met her blue ones. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm still going to be here, Rin."
She turned to go then. It was only when she was so far into her motion to break the circle that Ted said his last words to her. "Rin, please don't come back this time." Then her foot crossed the threshold, and the circle broke. She didn't look back at Ted as she strode out the door. Doing so would've broken her heart.
. . .
The moment the elevator door shut behind Rin the hair on her arms rose. An ominous silence made her feel alone. She looked for Luki but he was nowhere to be seen. She listened, but there were no cracks, no footsteps, and not even a skeletal groan of the walls to prove her wrong. The click of her heels was an unwanted sound as she began to walk. When she reached Teto's door she hesitated. It was only the thought of Ted that gave her courage to enter the room. It was extremely cold inside, and the blue of her dress dyed navy in the darkness. She could make out a worn armchair, a coffee table, and a bookshelf. Rin groped along the wall in the darkness, her fingers finding the switch after a moment. However, before she could turn on the light, a voice called out to her from the shadows.
"Rin?" It was Teto.
For a moment nothing happened. Then, there was a click and weak light filled the room. Teto was barely recognizable. She wore old red pajamas. Her hair was unwashed and straight. She looked young and fragile. She was not the resilient plotting Teto, but a little girl clinging to the only family she had left. During their escape yesterday she'd had a light in her eyes before Yuma had stolen even that. Then Rin thought of how helpless Teto had felt as her brother had laid broken in her arms. Her eyes looked exhausted but she rose quickly from her chair.
"Where's Ted? Have you gone to see him?"
"You should sit back down, Teto," Rin said as she moved forward.
"I don't want to sit down," Teto said firmly. She immediately became hostile at the avoidance of Ted's well being. "Where's Ted?"
"In his office."
"But?"
"He sent me to come get you."
"Why?"
"We're leaving today."
"So why isn't Ted here?"
A second passed before Teto's head dropped, and she stumbled back as if someone had punched her in the stomach. She'd answered her own question. The horror in her eyes flamed into rage.
"What happened to him?"
"We have to get out of here, Teto." But Teto shook her head like a patient denying a fatal diagnosis.
"No, no, no." She pointed an accusing finger at Rin. "We came back here to save him, Rin. To save him!"
"We're all leaving together," Rin lied. "He just sent me to get you."
"No. He did this yesterday." Teto strode across the room and hunted viciously through her clothes until she found something to wear. She quickly changed and when she was intent on going through the door Rin got in her way.
"Teto, let me explain to you," Rin said but Teto was uninterested.
"Move Rin."
"He's going to be upset with you, Teto."
"Move Rin," Teto ground out.
With a sigh Rin moved out of the way. She followed Teto all the way back to Ted's office. Rin shut her eyes as Teto barged in. She didn't want to see what would happen between the two siblings now that Ted was no longer himself. After there was no shouting or yelling Rin opened her eyes. Teto was holding her brother tightly and Ted was running his fingers through her hair. All the papers were gone. The office was shockingly immaculate, and portrayed the Ted they'd known well. But she knew he was only like that because she was in his presence. Their hug was a simple act of family. An even simpler bond. In that moment Rin missed Len so much a pain so sharp in her chest made the air leave her lungs.
Rin tuned out of the conversation between the siblings to think of Len. It had been so long since she'd last seen him. She wondered what he was doing. If he was looking for her. Then her mind drifted to a darker place. What if he'd never looked for her? What if he'd just accepted her note and was peacefully biding his time. She nearly drew blood with how hard her hands were clenched. Even when she focused and prodded for him with her mind she got nothing. Was he holding Miku in his arms? Had he kissed her? Had he forgotten about her? She turned around and saw Teto swallowing the last drop of the vial. What shocked her was that Ted was also finishing a vial of his own. A pang went through her as she watched Ted deceive his sister. How could they be so close and yet not understand each other at all. She knew Teto would want to come back for him again. There was no remedy to the relationship they had.
Rin had a chill go through her as she walked with Teto and Ted. Teto was leading Ted: none the wiser to his plans. Nobody was trying to get in their way to stop them this time. It felt wrong. Still she kept walking with her senses tuned to everything around her. She was extending her senses to feel out Luki, however he slipped through her hands like sand. There would be no pinpointing his location. Likewise, she felt no disturbance from Yuma. All was quiet.
They'd crossed half the courtyard before the alarms came in an explosion of noise. Rin reached back and snagged Teto's hand. The three began to sprint but no guards ran to stop them. Her answer came in the form of gunfire, and Rin pushed the bullets downwards instead of stopping them. Rin's hand snapped out as they reached the barrier. She felt the humming, the burn up her arm, and the drain of energy all in one second. Then she and Teto were through as if the wall had never existed. Ted hit the wall hard and was stopped like a bird hitting a glass window. He dropped to the ground dazed but he stood up after a moment. Teto shoved Rin away and forced her hand back through the shield for her brother. Ted took her hand but each time Teto attempted to pull him through, his fingertips always stopped at barrier. The noise grew louder behind them and Teto panicked.
"It's not working," she cried. "Why is it not working?"
"I'm not going with you, Teto," Ted said.
"What? What do you mean? Don't be ridiculous the blood will just take a second to kick in. Keep trying."
"Teto, go with Rin." But Teto kept pulling on his hand like the shield was something she could break with sheer willpower.
"No no everything's gonna be fine, okay brother." Tears began to well in Teto's eyes. " W–we can go. We can go see?"
"Teto," Ted smiled ruefully. She ignored him and turned towards Rin.
"Rin! Help me!"
"It won't work," Rin whispered. Teto narrowed her gaze.
"You haven't even tried! How do you know? Everything works for you here!"
"Not this," Ted admitted. "But you can finally leave, Teto. I promised didn't I?"
"You drank it too," Teto declared through her voice shook. "We can both leave. You drank it too, right? Right?" When Ted only smiled Teto's eyes widened in horror. There was a flash of pink hair in the distance.
"You had to," she cried. "I saw you!"
"Go Teto. And don't come back this time. That's an order." Ted pulled his hand out of Teto's.
"Rin," Teto stared at her but Rin knew she couldn't help. Ted had already chosen.
"Teto, we have to go," Rin said.
"I'm not leaving him," she shrieked. "Ted, you lied to me. You—"
"I know, but this is my choice." Ted's smile was so bright that Rin's heart broke.
"I'm not going. You can't make me," Teto issued stubbornly. Ted pressed his hand against the barrier.
"I already have. Get her out of here, Rin. Protect her."
"Of course." Rin gripped Teto's hand and Teto fought against her.
"We didn't come back to do this again," Teto screamed.
Rin turned her face towards the forest and Teto's voice faded as if immersed in water. The landscape before her tinted blue and the power pulled her under. She felt the strong wind whip past her face before she was outside of herself. A familiar haunting tune blared in her ears till she spotted the way out of the agency. She didn't fight it this time and no pain came. When she turned her vision on Teto she was still fighting. She screamed when she saw Luki descending a few steps behind Ted. Ted's grateful smile never wavered.
"Go," Ted ordered.
"No!"
"I love you."
"Stop," Teto cried. "We can't leave him here! Ted! TED!"
And this time when Teto tried to grab Ted, her hand hit the barrier and stopped. She looked down at her hand and when both of them bore no mark of the agency her gaze snapped back up to Ted with horrible realization. She broke free of Rin's hold but she could no longer see the agency or Ted. It was just another large forest. As if the building had never existed and the land had kept growing undisturbed. Then everything exploded into a blinding flash and a thousand sparks of blue.
. . .
Now that Rin was about Yuzuki had decided to do some investigating of her own. She hadn't missed the countless looks of hatred towards Rin from Lily. She knew Lily had never liked Ia and Yuma together. Yet she'd scoured Lily's office and found nothing, she was having similar results with Lily's room. The only thing she'd found of Yuma in Lily's room was a picture the two of them in a standard picture frame on her dresser. It was a pleasant picture with the two of them smiling warmly at the camera.
Yuzuki walked back over to it and picked it up. She reexamined the photo. Yuma looked so happy. The picture had to predate Ia's death because Yuma hadn't smiled like that once since her passing. She was about to set the picture down when she thought to check the inside for a message. Perhaps Yuma had written his own incriminating evidence a long time ago. She flipped the photo over and unlocked the clasp with a dexterous movement. A low, almost inaudible sound rumbled throughout the room. At first she thought she was hearing things but being a doll, that was rarely the case. So she followed the sound to bedroom and raised an eyebrow at the elevated bed. The bed had shifted entirely to the right, and left an unobstructed view of an ominous staircase below.
A chill ran down Yuzuki's arms despite the warm air that wafted out of the staircase's expansive opening. She descended into the darkness but kept her ears keen on the opening above her. She knew that Lily often took long breaks in order to dress up for the day's encounters with Yuma, however people were prone to surprises. Rarely did they ever respect the sanctity of snooping. Which was precisely another reason Yuzuki didn't illuminate her way. The darkness was nothing to her but it would be for Lily. When Yuzuki hit the floor she was surprised her feet did not touch cement. It met with wood and after a few steps forward she touched carpet. A leisurely beeping resounded throughout the room.
With what she was able to make out she'd walked into another bedroom. Yuzuki gazed around in suspicion. Did Yuma know about this? She stopped when she got close to a dresser. She felt the neatly folded clothes on top of it. Usually nothing to spark interest, except that Yuzuki recognized the clothes couldn't be Lily's; they were far too small. Her suspicion grew well-founded as she walked through the room feeling around for more evidence. When her foot hit a large glass cylinder she decided it was time to turn on the lights. As soon as she flipped the switch her stomach turned.
Plastered all over the walls her hundreds of photos of Yuma. All of them were from different angles and place; he looked at the camera in very few of them. There were even more mementos of things he'd touched, hadn't finished eating, or has used, either laminated and hung or framed around the room. One section of the room was devoted to Ia and as Yuzuki stepped closer she realized what the shrine really was. It oozed hatred and jealousy. Beautiful pictures of Ia were mutilated with red marker, and numerous tears and rips that Yuzuki knew hadn't been caused by scissors. Profanity and degrading words also littered the altar.
For the first time in a long time, Yuzuki shook with fear. Her stomach twisted with revolution. The beeping in the room continued and slowly she approached the glass cylinder. A white sheet hung over it and muffled the weak light coming from it. With trembling fingers, Yuzuki yanked the white sheet off. She clapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her scream as she stumbled backward. She was familiar with the tube as she remembered constantly entering one for endless tests and searing pain. Inside a girl floated much like Yuzuki had watched Luki and Rin float in the same liquid. She knew instantly that the girl was alive. With her vibrant pink hair and perfect features she was more disturbing than anything else Yuzuki had ever encountered. Instantly the clothes she'd found made much more sense. Yet, she was only truly frozen to the spot when she read a small inscription on the tube and read it aloud.
"My beloved daughter." Horror froze Yuzuki and her head began to spin. This couldn't be. Yuma had never been with Lily. At least not to her knowledge. But his features in the young girl were undeniable. Then Yuzuki realized Lily wouldn't have had to be with him and she nearly threw up. Hurriedly she threw the sheet back onto the girl and scanned the room for evidence of her intrusion. When she found none she flicked the light off and was back up the stairs in record time. Her breathing was erratic and she knew she had to calm her system. She couldn't afford to lose this information. She couldn't to get too excited and experience a reboot. She returned the photo and listened as the hidden staircase was sealed.
The discipline she'd spent her life learning due to her own failure of a birth was as solid as a wall of sand. Another attack was coming on. She was losing her breath as she left Lily's room. The world before her spun and her head throbbed. Her memory started to shift and break into kaleidoscope fragments. Her eyes wandered down to the vibrant purple color of her clothing and the throbbing in her head stopped. She regained hold of her composure and leaned against the cool wall. Attacks were becoming more frequent. She realized the danger but she hadn't had one since she'd met Len so long ago. She couldn't afford to forget important chunks of what she'd learned. She cursed her situation. It was so unfair that she was the only one who was so immensely flawed.
This time she wasn't going to forget. Not till Rin knew everything and was happy. The only problem was that her abyss was eager to suck the memories she was fighting so hard for. And it's appetite was only increasing.