Chapter 12

"Get Ludwig-san and get him to the car. It should be parked across the street."

Feliciano tilted his head. "What are you going to do?"

I pulled the door to the boss' office close after locking it from the inside. "I need to clean myself off. I do not want to spook Ludwig-san with a bloody katana." Spooking the military building with a headless body was all right for the moment, just not my friend...I guess. I gave my clouded head a shake.

I did not have time for bodily nonsense as Feliciano gasped, "I forgot my pasta in the bathroom!"

"I will get it."

He thanked me and we went in opposite directions. The secretary was still unconscious on the floor as I stepped over her and swung the bathroom door open. I slipped into one of the stalls and ripped toilet paper off the roll. It was a temporary and pitiful fix. Some blood dripped onto my glove from holding my sword upright so it would not spill onto the carpet.

I slipped the bloody toilet paper and my gloves into my coat pocket, then slid my katana back into its sheath. I breezed out into the hallway and almost bumped into Ludwig. I took a step back and apologized. Feliciano was clinging onto his arm with a smug expression, but my other friend was sporting big bags under his eyes.

He must have noticed me staring. "Remind me not to take double shift again." His eyebrows mashed together. "I should tell my boss I am leaving now."

"It is done," I quickly said. "Come, let us go home now. It is getting late."

Ludwig furrowed his eyebrows, but at his state of fatigue, even he did not argue.

~.~

~BOING~

~.~

My body felt raw after I scrubbed it with a hot bath, trying to rid of any possible blood that was on it. I padded down the hallway and pushed open the guest room's door.

"Kiku!"

I sighed and turned around. Feliciano looked alarmingly nervous as he took uncertain steps toward me. "What is it you need?"

He stumbled a bit with his words. "About the thing...we did...we won't get in trouble, will we? What if those military guys come after us-"

"Do not worry about it."

Feliciano did not appear comforted. "But I hurt a lady!"

"You got Ludwig-san back."

"What if he finds out we..." he gulped and whispered. "We killed his boss?"

"He will not find out if you do not say anything," I hissed. "Besides, who will suspect you? Feli-kun, as much as I know, you are not a citizen of this town. You have no family, and no credentials in your name."

"What about you?"

I put a finger to my lips. "Do not wake up Ludwig-san! I could always..." I trailed off, tossing a quick glance to the clock on the wall. "I could always go back to Japan."

"You'd leave me?" He whined.

I glared at him. "Go to bed, Feli-kun. We will decide when the time comes."

He gulped. "If you say so...then I will believe you."

"Good," I slipped inside the room and closed the door behind me.

"Goodnight," Feliciano murmured, and I listened as he turned away back into his bedroom.

~.~

~BOING~

~.~

I turned on the faucet to the bathroom sink and submerged my hands into the cold water. I looked up at the mirror at my baggy, dark eyes. I raised a hand to touch my cheek, but it was painted in blood. I gasped and jerked away. The sink basin was overflowing with warm blood as it choked the drain. I blanched and tried turning it off, yet the flow did not stop. I put a hand under the faucet in a stupid maneuver, but the red kept spraying out, all over my forearm. I shook my now wet arm, and jostled the door knob to get away, but it was stuck. I twisted the knob again a few times and pressed against it, yet it would not budge.

"Feli-kun!" I pounded on the wood. "Ludwig-san! Your door is stuck!" Warm liquid lapped at my feet, and I glanced down at the rising pools of blood. I groaned and scrambled onto the toilet seat. I pushed at the window, but it too would not let me out. I slipped on the bloody toilet seat and tumbled into the tide of red. I gasped and spat as the blood lapped at my clothes. I tried standing up, but it unnaturally clung to my legs.

I let out a yell of panic, and the hot liquid rushed into my mouth. I coughed and feebly jerked away. The heat from the blood was overwhelming, and I squeezed my eyes shut as it washed over my head.

I twitched, rolling over. Blankets tangled around my body, and I tumbled off my bed. I smacked the floor, landing on my back. My mouth popped open as I arched my back, unable to utter a word from the pain. I flopped on the floor, grabbing my chest, and felt my heart thump quickly against my hand. I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes. Ever since I used that spell, my nights were of empty sleep and harsh dreams. I grunted and clutched onto the bed to pull myself to a sitting position. I clenched my teeth as my back twitched, threatening to give out. I was not that old...yet!

I swung open the bedroom door to see Feliciano skip from the kitchen and down the stairs. The door flung open, and I rushed to peer over the balcony, and see what he was up to.

"Lizzie!" He squealed and threw his arms around Elizaveta. I glared at the both of their chipper greetings.

"Long time no see!" She looked up and smiled cheerfully. "You never called me, so I decided to stop by."

I turned away, and peek into the bathroom. I left the door open as they hammered up the stairs and went into the kitchen, giggling loudly. I reached over and twisted the sink handle. Clear water ran down the drain, and I let out a shaky exhale.

When I entered the kitchen, Feliciano was making something he called goulash. I shuddered from the smell of tomato sauce, and not in a pleasing manner. Elizaveta was seated at the dining table chattering away to him. She stopped to look up at my sullen entrance, and asked if I had a good night's sleep.

"Fine," I snapped and reached into the refrigerator for a jug of milk. I heard a snicker from Feliciano as I grabbed a glass. I threw a glance over my shoulder.

"If you drank more milk, you would be taller!" He said and turned back to stirring his noodles.

I glared at his back. My face grew red as Elizaveta chuckled, but I opted to keep my mouth shut as I poured the milk. "That is an old wife's tale."

"My grandpa told me I would grow big and strong if I drank a lot of milk!" Feliciano cheered. "But you are small and cute the way you are."

"Ludwig must have not ate or drink anything else when he was young then," Elizaveta mused, taking a sip from her cup. She tipped her head. "Where is he anyway?"

"He's working!" Feliciano sounded proud.

I gritted my teeth and chucked the gallon back into the fridge before shuffling into the living room. I plopped on the couch, my glass of milk sloshing around as I reached for the remote. There were nothing but talk shows, and there was no way I was watching the weather channel. It is cold out; I did not need the television to tell me that, I thought bitterly and tucked my knees to my chest. I settled with the afternoon news. I did not realize how late I slept.

Elizaveta and Feliciano joined me on the couch with bowls of steaming goulash. My stomach twisted at the thought of eating at the moment. They slurped and chattered over the television. I stared at the bright colors and reporters dancing across the screen, realizing every story was a sad one, or told of what awful things were happening in the world. Two men ordained in camouflage popped on the screen, and were speaking into a microphone, pointing at the building behind them.

I reached for the remote, and increased the volume a bit too much. My friends ceased their chatter, and looked at the television. Elizaveta gasped while Feliciano's jaw dropped.

He whispered, "Is that...the militia building?"

We gawked at the reporter speaking of a body being dismembered, and the murderer attacking the lady at the front desk. Yet it did not say there were any leads or suspects. That was...a good thing, I suppose. Unless they did, and are not fessing up to the public, so there is no panic... I gripped the couch cushions with my free hand at the slur of self-inflicted curses at my carelessness. Then again, what could be better than leaving the body there? Drag it out onto the streets, in front of those men patrolling outside?!

"Some people these days," Elizaveta scoffed, snapping my inward attention. "What kind of animal would do such a thing?"

My fists clenched and Feliciano wiggled uncomfortably next to me. I leaped up and strode across the living room. I desperately needed fresh, cold air.

"Kiku?" Elizaveta called after me, "Where are you running off to?"

"Out," I spat and stomped down the stairs. Feliciano skittered after me, and stopped at the top of the steps.

"Where are you going?!" He panicked. I hesitated, unsure myself.

I grabbed for the door knob, but the screen door flew open. I took a step back in surprise as the innermost door opened, too. Ludwig breezed inside the house, and slammed it shut behind him. I followed him up the stairs after he shoved by me. Feliciano cried in delight, and threw himself at him.

Ludwig stiffened, and looked at Elizaveta staring at them wide eyed on the couch. "You need to leave right away."

"Wait, why?" I asked, nearly demanded.

"Please, I need to talk to Feliciano and Kiku in private, immediately."

"Okay, okay!" Elizaveta leaped up, grabbed her purse off the kitchen table, and whisked past us. "Call me later," she hissed in my ear before galloping down the stairs and out the door.

Ludwig whirled on us, his icy blue eyes full of panic. "The militia are on their way, right now!"

"Ve, why would they come here?" Feliciano gave him a dopey smile.

Ludwig shook his head. "Two men saw you go into the base late last night, and they want to take you in for questioning. They suspect you two may have seen something relating to the murder."

Feliciano cried out, "What?! That's silly!"

I barked, "Why would you come here and tell us this?"

He looked stumped. "I-I thought I should give you two some warning..."

"Do you think we should run?" I asked.

Ludwig's mouth gaped open as if he did not know what to say. "Did you guys do anything?"

Feliciano shrieked, "Oh no! They know! Kiku!" He flapped his arms and yanked my sleeve. "What are we going to do?!"

"Know what? What are you talking about, Feli?"

"Idiot!" I hissed. "Did I not say we will worry about that when we come to it?"

"The scary military men are on their way now!" He whipped his head around. "They'll shine bright lights on us and hit us with sticks!"

The driveway rocks tumbled as vehicles rolled over them. Ludwig glanced at us before flying down the stairs and out the door.

"I will not let that happen." I told him and breezed down the hallway. Feliciano hesitated before following me. I threw open the guest bedroom door, and dove into the dirty wash pile.

"What are we going to do? Oh, Kiku! I do not want you to get in trouble because you helped me! I knew this was a bad idea! But I did not know what else to do s-so Luddy would stay-"

I pulled out the spell paper from my coat pocket, and brandished it. "We are not going to get into trouble. I have this."

He wiped at his watery eyes and sniffled. "W-what's that?"

"You are about to see." I pushed by him, and reached for the clock on the wall. He was not going to remember what I am telling him, anyway, "It helped me before, when I made a mistake. I was careless then, too." I peeled off the backing and unfolded the paper.

There were several heavy knocks on the door. Feliciano jumped with a little yelp.

"At least now, I know what not to do," I muttered, twisting back the hands. Last time, I was too uninvolved. This time, I was too involved. I started to chant the words once more, and all too soon.

Winds whipped my clothes in front of me. I squeezed my eyes shut, shouting out the last few lines of the incantation. A harsh ringing seized my ears, and my stomach twisted as I fell onto the floor. I grunted and curled around the clock defensively.

I did not breathe or move for a few heartbeats after the noises and whiplashing subsided. I peeled open my eyes, and let out a shaky exhale. The room spun, and the clock slipped from my grip. I rose to my hands and knees, but my limbs violently quivered, and I collapsed on the floor again.

"Kiku?" A light voice called out.

"Feli-kun?" I croaked.

"Oh, no! What happened?!" He fell to his knees, grabbed my kimono and tugged on it.

"N-no, do not do that," I hissed, weakly smacking him away.

"What is going on?" Ludwig ducked into the hallway. His eyes widened. "Are you all right? What happened?"

I coughed. "I fell."

He swooped down and seized my armpits. He hoisted me up to my feet as if I were a rag doll. The room swam and I clutched my head.

"Luddy, I think he's gonna-"

My knees buckled and I fell to the floor.