Trigger warning* Mentions of Sexual abuse.
This chapter is close to 10,000 words. What the hell was I on? Drugs? Anyway, I hope you enjoy it :D
Chapter 11
Stakeout
There is always something new to learn about a person. His attention now focused on a strawberry blonde expressing a childlike grin, raising a hand to the squirrel that had just passed by. It was late afternoon, and the once blazing sun had settled into a rather pleasant temperature. Sunlight streamed through the maple trees and leaves rustled in the breeze as it passed. Somewhere, the birds chirped, and Shinichi observed the girl with growing affection. A few hours have passed since the incident, and neither had wanted to address the event that transpired before.
Despite his efforts to avoid thinking about it, Shinichi could still feel the reminiscence of heat emanating from her body. Swallowing, he glances at the girl.
She was smiling brightly. Haibara clearly enjoying herself as the squirrel edged closer. The furry creature sniffled, wiggling its nose, and she chuckled as it teased her fingers. He was aware that she loved animals. The fat cats around the neighborhood were a testament to that. The rare gentle smile she displayed when she cared for them was opposed to the mask she frequently assumed.
The detective boys' shouts interrupted the peace. Haibara's smile vanished, and once again, she settled into her usual stoicism.
Kobayashi-sensei running behind, was eager to learn more about the mission Shinichi had in mind. The teacher had practically dragged them from class to Minabashi Park as soon as school ended. Her extreme enthusiasm—was somewhat off-putting. The detective boys, however, did not mind and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Much to the chagrin of the shrunken teenagers who could only resign themselves to be, yet again, baby-sitters.
"Figured you'll be here," Haibara greeted Inspector Shiratori. Kobayashi-sensei gave him a bashful grin, and the two adults were reduced to love-sick puppies, blushing and spluttering, acting like pre-teens on their first date.
"Ah, that's why sensei was rushing us!" Mitsuhiko exclaimed.
"Sensei and Shiratori-san are sitting on a tree," Genta teased. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
The children laughed as the adults tried to stop them.
"So," Haibara interrupted the procession as Shinichi snickered to himself.
"What is the inspector here for?"
"Well."
The man kneeled, pulling out a file as the teacher and children gathered around him. "Mouri-san was right," he said, "I went through the files and found the connection he was referring to."
Haibara snorted a little, giving Shinichi a playful glance, "Why not call yourself Mouri-san from now on?" she whispered into his ear, sending a shiver through his spine.
"The world only needs one Kogoro Mouri," he retorted. Haibara regarded him with a smug look as he folded his arms, making a point to ignore her comment.
"The 2nd division had been treating the cases as separate incidents. But as I looked through them, I could find a startling commonality between them."
"The first responder," Shinichi blurted out, unable to contain his excitement any longer. The answer was right there in front of him, and he waited impatiently for the inspector to pull out another file.
"The first responder?" Kobayashi-sensei asked, puzzled.
"In every instance, the police were able to respond relatively quickly when a report was made. It was as if he was nearby," Shinichi explained.
"At first, we thought that the first responders were different people," Inspector Shiritori continued, "but when we dug deeper, we found him. A traffic police officer named Yasuo Kawabata."
As the inspector opened the file, Shinichi was greeted by the face of an ordinary-looking Japanese man. He had an unassuming appearance, was a little handsome, and of average build. Like most men his age, he had his black hair cut in a crew cut with his fringe parted with gel. He was grinning in the picture, revealing pearly white teeth.
"He looks like my dad," Genta commented.
"38-year-old Yasuo Kawabata joined the force five years ago and is now a senior police officer. He has a wife and two children, both boys, aged nine and eight," the inspector continued, and Shinichi winced. There were times when he wished he'd been wrong.
"He is married," Kobayashi-sensei murmured in response, and the inspector nodded grimly. "Yes, we do not know if he is the one. He has an alibi, and his motorcycle was near where he was supposed to patrol."
"Despite that, nobody saw him?" Shinichi asked, and the man nodded.
"We should observe him before making any conclusive arrest," Shiratori-san stated.
"That sounds like a stakeout!" Mitsuhiko exclaimed.
"Just like in the movies!" Ayumi continued.
"Hey, hey, there would be no stakeout. It's too dangerous-"
He was whisked away by the children while the inspector took Yasuo Kawabata's schedule from his jacket. Forced to play a strange game of short and long sticks, Shinichi was ordered to another place by Kobayashi-sensei.
"Why am I stuck with you two," the inspector groaned a while later, looking disdainfully at the two shrunken teenagers. Haibara and Shinichi walked beside the tall man who looked miserable. They were assigned camera duty and made to wander around the parks by the children. The kids taking on the role of following Yasuo around. Their reason—
"We won't stand out as much!" Kobayashi-sensei had stated, "You two…" she pointed to Haibara and Shinichi, "Are too smart for children. He'll spot you a mile away, and you…"
"Are a police officer, so he will recognize you immediately," she points to the inspector. "So now, what's left is-"
"The detective boys at your service!" Genta exclaimed. The children grinned gleefully as they made their way toward Yasuo Kawabata.
"A teacher and three children, moving about like crabs. Inconspicuous indeed," Haibara said sarcastically. Shinichi pulled out his badge to whisper instructions to the children. "Avoid staying too close, act as if you are doing something else, and do not hide behind pillars."
"Mo, we know Conan-kun!" Ayumi asserted.
"Yeah, so shut up," Genta continued.
"How long do you think we've been doing this!" Mitsuhiko quipped.
The children were annoyed by his advice, and Haibara snorted.
"How long, indeed?"
"Are you both coming?" the inspector sulked. The usually collected man was moping about his circumstances.
"Why am I stuck with you guys?"
"We drew lots," Haibara types on her laptop. A live video feed from the cameras was rolling in the background.
They stood in front of the playground of Minebashi Park. It was late afternoon and relatively quiet. There were only a few older people sitting about, performing leisurely exercises. No children were out playing at the moment, and if Shinichi was right—too early for Yasuo Kawabata to make his move.
"We see him!" Ayumi exclaimed excitedly into the badge.
"Keep your distance, don't stick too close," Shinichi instructed again.
"We know!" the children shouted back. Their sharp protest made his ears ring.
"Quiet, you guys," Kobayashi-sensei scolded the children, and they were hushed once again.
"Do they really understand?" Shinichi wondered out loud.
"Give them some credit," Haibara was still looking at the laptop. "They've been exposed to crime scenes ever since you arrived. They're not as inept as you think."
"You make me sound like a…" Shinichi trailed off when he saw the teasing twinkle in her eyes and pouted. "I'm not even going there," he snapped, and she chuckled.
Following Yasuo Kawabata's schedule, the children were on a separate street. He was scheduled to patrol the Beika roads near Heishu Park. The area has a reputation for speeding vehicles, making it popular with traffic police trying to raise their ranks. Often they would hide in plain clothes beside the pavement and monitor vehicles with speed cameras. Many speeders were caught using this method, and it was very effective. It would seem, however, that Yasuo Kawabata was not dressed casually.
"He's in his uniform," Ayumi whispered, the children still trailing him.
"Oh, he just gave a ticket to a young man." Koyabashi-sensei describes. Haibara exchanged a glance with Shinichi, who could only sigh in irritation.
"Oh, he stopped," the teacher barely masked her delight. "He's holding his walkie-talkie and speaking into it. And now he is scratching his head and bending down to tie his shoelace!"
"Sensei," Shinichi groaned, "There is no need to report everything."
"Really? Isn't it protocol?"
"Sensei, we only need to report the important things," Genta lectured her.
"Sorry, it's my first time. Oh! His flirting with that woman!"
"Sensei!" the children berated, and the woman laughed nervously.
"And you thought the children were incompetent?" Haibara was not amused by the teacher's antics.
"Hey, it's cute!" the inspector smiles at the exchange going on right now.
"Sure, she's adorable," Haibara snorted, "until you marry her."
"What do you mean?" the inspector asked, genuinely confused. Shinichi lowered his face to his open palm. "Haibara..."
"The rising divorce rate is pretty evident, isn't it?" she continued, "Reaching a record high of 19.1 percent. Happy marriages dissolving into petty legal disputes—"
Shinichi pulled her aside before she could elaborate.
"Haibara," he tried to stop her, "Are you trying to ruin a relationship before it even begins?"
A look of mock surprise crossed her face. "Ara, does it seem that way? I apologize."
"You're so not cute," he retorted, and she shrugged. "It's a matter of being realistic, Edogawa-kun," she quipped, unrepentant. The inspector considered her statements.
"Are you implying that my relationship with Kobayashi-sensei won't work?" the man's expression darkening. Shinichi nudges the auburn-haired girl. With a heavy sigh, Haibara mustered an innocent fake smile, beaming at the man.
"Hakase showed me a documentary last week, and I just recited what he said." She responded rather childishly as Shinichi stifled a laugh.
The image of the old man watching something so cynical and dark would have been unimaginable. Those shows were more, Haibara's cup of tea. It was no secret that the girl was captivated by anything remotely macabre.
"Well, tell that old bachelor I'll never leave Kobayashi-Sensei!" Shiratori grumbles as he marched ahead of them, still fuming.
"You even provided statistics," Shinichi pointed out.
"What can I say? It was in the documentary," Haibara replied. "Not everyone can see the world through rose-tinted glasses."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow at her smug expression. "And I just wanted to tease them for a bit," she admitted, and he sniggered.
"Don't go too far, Haibara. We still need him for the information."
"What?" he asked when she gave a heavy sigh.
"Kudou, you're just as bad," Haibara answered, "At least I don't just—use him."
"I'm just trying to keep the peace," he argued, and she looked at him in disbelief.
"Sure. Boss."
"I am not your boss," Shinichi frowned as she raised the laptop she was holding.
"If it bothers you so much, I could always provide a salary," he declared, and she scoffed.
"Will you be able to afford it, Kudou?"
"I do own a mansion," he chuckled as she raised her hands in defeat.
"Technically, it belongs to my parents, but it would be mine-"
"When they pass?" Haibara interrupts him, and he stumbled, gawking at her statement.
"I never said that!"
"I might need to message Yukiko-san to change the will," she threatened, her lips carrying that teasing tone again.
"How did you get her number?!"
"She gave it to me. More like forced it," Haibara replied after a while, and he groaned. He could barely handle Haibara's teasing nature and only shuddered at the thought of the two women meeting up with each other. The bombastic woman known as his mother would be the death of him.
"Are you scared of your mother, Kudou?" she asked, the mischievous glint in her eyes again, and Shinichi snorted.
"No, Haibara, just—"
"Afraid."
"Stop putting words into my mouth," he snapped, and she chuckled slightly, reverting back to her usual sardonic playfulness. He groaned before relaxing, giving a small smile of relief.
His smile caught her eye, and she looked at him curiously.
"What?"
"Are you feeling better?" The words spilled from his lips unwittingly. She paused, unable to conceal her surprise for a moment.
"Why? Worried? Don't be. You'll lose your hair," Haibara teased, changing the subject.
He frowned, sick of it—this game.
"What if I am?"
"Kudou, I'm fine. There is no need for you to bother yourself with this mad scient-"
The words that came from her lips were not what he wanted to hear. Haibara was pushing him away. She always did.
"I want to," he grabs her, "Haibara."
Realizing the implication of his words, he released her. There was a strange tension in the air, and he could barely bring himself to look at her.
"Hey..." Words dying on his lips. Green eyes wavered, carrying a twisted smile—one he could barely look at. Shinichi attempted to reach her, but she avoided him.
"What are you two doing?" the inspector interrupted them, and Shinichi was startled, jumping back.
"Were you two flirting?"
The man was surprisingly childish if he wanted to be.
"What-" Shinichi exclaimed, flustered.
"You are mistaken," Haibara denounced it harshly. The inspector was taken aback by her defensive tone and chuckled nervously. "I'm joking, girl," he said, rubbing his neck awkwardly as he trailed off.
"I'm sorry."
"There's no need to. We should be focusing on the task at hand," Haibara quipped. Shinichi stuffed his hands into his pockets after the inspector gave him a sheepish glance. The girl's behavior earlier was somewhat disturbing. He wanted to stop her but knew she would not offer him anything else.
What aren't you telling us, Haibara? He thought.
What aren't you telling me?
There was always something new to learn about a person. Shiho thought as she regarded the shrunken detective before her. His words linger on, the intensity of his blue eyes impossible to ignore. It was almost as if he was—
No, she will not go there.
It was getting harder to control her beating heart. The boy's almost selfless kindness and secure presence had become a constant. Shiho did not understand the sudden change in his behavior, but if she had to guess—
She gave a bitter smirk, a sharp pang running down her chest. There was no way— not ever. These feelings can never come to fruition. She would not allow her taint to harm anyone ever again. Shiho glanced at the boy, who was now staring at the ground, a hand resting on his chin as he contemplated the situation.
The detective boys had lost Yasuo Kawabata. After spotting the man's motorcycle parked under the Jou Highway, the children followed him into a convenience store but soon lost sight of him. There was no sign of the man, and the situation was getting worse with evening approaching.
"Hey Conan-kun," the inspector tried to get the boy's attention, but Shiho stopped him.
"Wait a minute," she told the man, who gave her a questioning look. It took a few minutes- longer than usual, but it eventually appeared on his all too familiar annoying, all-knowing smirk. Shiho opened her laptop and pulled out the area map before he could instruct her.
"He's using the old canals!" he declared as he walked over to her excitedly, bouncing like a child who had just received an early Christmas present.
"The old canals?" the inspector asked.
"Haibara, could you…" he trailed off when he found the map she had pulled out for him displayed on the screen.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"It's written all over your face, great detective," she mocked, and he brandished a toothy grin.
"Thanks, partner."
Shiho waved him away before cursing inwardly at the blush that threatened to rise in response to his smile. Like always, she forced it down.
"So? What's the verdict, Conan-kun?" the inspector looks at the map.
"The parks are built in separate districts, and we always thought they were separate entities. Here's the trick, though," he points to the old roads built alongside the canals running through the neighborhood.
"We didn't notice them because no one uses them. They are narrow, dark, and empty most of the time. With the newer sidewalks built, the people in the neighborhood would no longer have to use the old canals to move around."
"And?" the inspector asked.
Shiho thought the inspector smarter than most other police officers, but apparently, even he sometimes needed a little help.
"You said he always had an alibi," she told the inspector, who nodded in acknowledgment.
"The GPS on his motorcycle always showed him patrolling in the area he should be in," Shiratori trailed off.
"The children say he's missing now, but his motorcycle is parked underneath Jou highway," the man examining the map Shiho had retrieved.
"The parks are interconnected by the old pavements that line the canals. It has been rarely used, so he uses it for staking out the parks. The attacks in these areas were opportunistic, and most were brief," Shinichi explained. "Yasuo needed to make up an alibi. Taking too long a break in a convenience store would be suspicious."
"While we believe him to be taking his break, Yasuo was actually traversing the canals to move between parks," the inspector realized. Shinichi nodded.
"If my deductions are correct," Shinichi studies the map. The old canals were indeed present in all three neighborhoods, although not visible from the road as they had not been used for many years. "There. The canal ways link the three parks together. We got him. Jou Highway. It's near—"
"Heishu Park."
The inspector quickly pulled out his phone. "Satou-san," he instructed, "I'll need you and Takagi-san to pull out the records of Yasuo Kawabata's schedule. I'll message you the details in a minute."
The inspector talked quickly into the phone.
"Did you hear that?" Shinichi said into the badge.
"Got it, Conan-kun," Mitusuhiko replied, "We'll be there soon!"
"Yes, back up, please. I'll need a warrant," the inspector said.
Both boy and man were looking at each other. Shiho closed her laptop. "Are you ready to catch a pervert, Haibara?" Shinichi asked. While she would never admit it, the annoying smirk she always complained about was reassuring to her. "We have been chasing him for two days. It's time we caught him," she replied nonchalantly. Shinichi was chuckling.
"You're so not honest," he sees through her lies, and Shiho folded her arms.
"Let's go!" the inspector ordered, and they made their way through the small pavement next to the canals. The entrance to the old pathways was abandoned, surrounded by overgrown weeds and tall, sharp grasses. Shinichi helped her across the thicket as they made their way through.
As depicted on the map, the canals were erected fifty years ago, linking the old paths in the neighborhood. It was a long-forgotten shortcut. Eventually, it was covered up as new developments and apartments were constructed. From the main street, the path is hidden behind terrace houses, tall apartment buildings, and condominiums. The area was dark and shadowed, making for an excellent hiding place. The man could quickly disappear on this secluded path if he so desired.
"Another right turn," Shiho glanced at the map she had imported into her phone. After squeezing between an old wooden signboard and an opening, they found themselves facing Heishu Park. On either side of the playground is the notorious forest of trees where the crime occurred. It was already evening, and some children were playing near the swing. The setting sun stains the grounds a deep orange glow.
"The cameras," Shinichi exclaimed, and she opened her laptop to the surveillance systems they had placed around the area. As Shiho flipped through each surveillance video, she frowned. The evening sun cast long shadows that made it difficult to see clearly.
"We're here, guys!" Genta shouted. The detective boys appeared behind them with Kobayashi-sensei. They were panting, having run from Jou Highway.
"How long did you guys take?" Shinichi wanted to calculate the time.
"Genta and Sensei were slow…but we took around eight minutes," Mitsuhiko answered. Shinichi looked at his watch before turning to the cameras. "We took four," he whispered. This seemed to confirm his deduction of the canals used as a shortcut.
"Have you found him yet!" Kobayashi-sensei exclaimed. Genta and Ayumi crowded around her, and Shiho had to drown out their noise, trying to concentrate on the task. The footage showed nothing much, shadows of tree leaves, two small elementary school girls playing by the swing sets, and—
She paused. There was a faint outline of a shadow— it wasn't clear, but— throwing some codes in, she clarified the image and gasped at what she saw. "Edogawa-kun," she snapped, and Shinichi pointed to the forest clearing.
"Inspector!" he shouted, "There!"
The culprit, Yasuo Kawabata, was among the trees and in the deep shadows. Still wearing his motorcycle helmet, he stared at the children playing on the swing. Shinichi's shout alerted him, and he began to run. Inspector Shiratori charged forward and tackled the man to the ground, grunting. There was a struggle and then a cry. Kobayashi-sensei screamed when Yasuo Kawabata overpowered the detective.
Keiko was right. He was wearing a rather strange jacket. The edges of his shoulder looked oddly jagged, and that's when she realized. He'd turned his uniform inside out so that the police logo was hidden. It was how he had been able to get away with his crime and how he was able to blend right back in with the crowd once the deed had been completed.
"Sensei, protect the children!" Shinichi shouted at the teacher, who was cupping her mouth in shock. The man was glaring at them now, unhinged, shocked by their appearance. Yasuo gave another blow, and the inspector collapsed.
"Shiratori-san!" Kobayashi-sensei exclaimed. As the man charged toward them, the detective boys screamed in horror. Shinichi whipped out the watch, ready to shoot, but he was too late. With a roar of anger, the man lunged toward them, knocking Shinichi's hands aside. He raised a fist, ready to strike the boy.
Shiho dropped the laptop pushing the shrunken detective aside. The impact was instantaneous, and she felt the sharp pain in her cheeks. Shiho stumbled to the ground, gasping at the force of impact, and gritted her teeth. Her vision blurred. The teacher's frantic screams were heard, followed by the children's, and then—
"Haibara!" Shinichi screamed. Shiho struggled to stand and gasped when rough hands grabbed her and pulled her up. Her feet dangled as the man named Yasuo Kawabata held her in his tight grip. His gloved hand circled her neck.
"Stay back!" Yasuo roared, his breath was hot against her skin, and she felt the panic rising. "Don't come any closer!"
"Let her go!" the children shouted. In her peripheral vision, she saw Shinichi raising the watch again. This man had to be stalled somehow, but he did something unexpected. Yasuo whirled around while Shinichi cried out in alarm. The man was running now, clutching her tightly and whispering frantically, rushing headlong into the canal paths without thinking. His movements were rapid and relatively effortless, Shiho noting that he had memorized the route.
The pervert held her hostage, shaking Shiho roughly. Her body hits the walls of the enclosed pathway. By the time he exited the canals, Yasuo was hyperventilating. Shiho found herself at Jou Highway. The motorcycle in front of them. Several pedestrians were alarmed by his presence. He yelled at them to move.
"Stay back!" He cried, grasping her throat as they paused. Yasuo Kawabata backs into his motorcycle and then throws her on it, pinning her down with his weight. Shiho winced as he sped through the traffic at high speeds.
Keep calm. It's ok. I have the detective's badge. Shiho repeated this mantra several times. She felt a sharp sting in her cheek, the manhandling was making her dizzy, and she closed her eyes, feeling blood running down her broken lip. Focusing on the pain instead of her emerging fear.
If she wished to escape this, she needed to remain calm.
Eventually, Yasuo stopped, taking her roughly once again. An abandoned warehouse? Shiho noted the appearance of the building. The structure was derelict, crumbling, and small—the man flinging her onto some sacks after kicking the door open. The darkness made it difficult to see anything. Wincing, she tried to pick herself up, but he knocked her down with his feet. "Stop moving!" he ordered, pinning her down. Shiho had her hands pulled behind as a rope was tied around her wrists. Yasuo tightened it, and the rope cuts into her skin. He shoved her, and she slammed against the walls of a rusted warehouse—the madness in his black beady eyes a sinister threat.
"How!? How did they find me!" he was losing his cool, pacing the empty warehouse, and slamming his fist into the walls as the building rattled.
This was not good. He might do something drastic.
In the darkness, she looked around. An object lay nearby. It was a piece of glass. Shifting towards it, she picked it up.
It was broken, the jagged edge sharp. It was sufficient.
She began sawing, hoping that the man wouldn't notice. He was still ranting, and the situation was becoming dangerous.
"Keeping me as hostage," she said firmly, and he turned to glare at her. " would carry severe consequences if you're arrested."
"And why would they arrest me!" Yasuo snarled. "I wasn't doing anything wrong!"
"You're the serial rapist," she replied matter-of-factly. His eyes bled black, no longer holding any light.
"You cannot prove that. There is no evidence!"
"What made you run? Why did you take me as a hostage?" Shiho asked, and the man bared his teeth. "How else would you react if attacked?" he shouted. Shiho couldn't help but snort as she sawed through the ropes that held her hands tight, trying to stall the man for a bit longer.
"Video recordings," Shiho kept her voice steady. He had to keep talking. "We had them around…you never noticed, but it captured your actions."
"Shut up!" Yasuo roared. Bending over her, he hit the wall behind her. Control yourself. Shiho repeated her mantra, closing her eyes. You've got to keep calm. The man's volatile nature was getting worse.
"Do you know how damaging this would be to my reputation as a senior officer?" he screamed. "I've got a wife; kids! How would they look at me now!"
Yasuo pulled off his helmet, revealing a mess of oily black hair. Throwing the helmet onto the ground, it bounced, hitting Shiho in the knees. She flinched. "I can't get caught. It'll ruin my life," he shouted, his hands cupping his face tightly, trying to calm himself.
Shiho regarded the man before her with disgust, the hatred she felt growing exponentially. Yasuo Kawabata wasn't afraid of the repercussions of being caught. Instead, he was more concerned for his reputation. Keiko had been crying and suffering in that little body. It had taken all her strength just to speak about it. The memories would stay, and the nightmares would never go away. Her recovery will take years, and she will never be the same. There was no empathy in those hollow eyes.
Yasuo Kawabata was a monster wearing human skin.
"I can't control it," he whispered feverishly, "it's a disease, an urge. I need to release it. It's not my fault."
And all Shiho could see was red.
"Unforgivable," she snarled, the words leaving her lips. She couldn't control her anger. It boiled deep and wouldn't stop. She glared at the monster before her, who had fallen silent. "You had a choice!" Shiho shouted, reverberating throughout the empty warehouse. All she saw was Keiko-chan. The little girl doomed to suffer the consequences of his actions.
She wanted to rip him apart.
How—
How could they harm others so easily? The question she often asked herself— as she lay bruised and broken in the basement of a foreign house years ago—emerged again. The memories swirled, and the agony of its weight crushed her as she screamed at the man who could only care for himself.
"They were children! You could have walked away. Controlled your urges, but you chose not to! How are you innocent!" Shiho snarled at the beast, and a sinister grin spread across his face. Yasuo had failed to hide it, his true nature showing as he neared her.
Picking her up, he slammed her into the walls. Leaning in, his breath was hot on her ears. Shiho froze, reacting to his scent, to his weight. Terror gripped her immediately. Her anger was forgotten as he chuckled softly.
"It's not my fault, girlie," Yasuo whispered, into her ears, "I can't control it. I've let it fester for years now. You do not understand this need. You do not understand how I have suffered."
He placed his lips on her neck, biting down.
"You sick fuck," she lashed out, struggling, and he laughed, dropping her. Shiho fell, wincing as she met the ground, and he squatted, facing her menacingly.
"I'm getting out of here, girlie. They won't be able to find me," Yasuo licked his lips.
"I would disappear, I know the streets well, and I'll be back. As for you..."
This was her chance. Shiho pulled. The ropes tying her wrist came undone, and she kicked him in the groin. He yelled in pain and cursed as she pushed herself off the ground, running. Her heart pounded as she staggered through the darkness.
"Where do you think you're going!" his voice sent chills down the back of her spine. Shiho shouldn't be scared, but she was. There was something about him that terrified her. He reminded her of—
"You're mine, Sherry." Gin's voice echoed in the darkest corner of her mind. Shiho closed her eyes, determined not to lose control. Reaching for the door, she turned the handle, her eyes widening in shock as she realized it was locked.
No.
Yasuo laughed, trapping her against the door. He reached out, rough leather gloves stroking her cheeks, and she grew cold.
"You owe me for all the trouble you have caused," he snarled.
She tensed as he reached for his pants, her eyes widening as he lowered them. No. Not— Shiho pushed him, but he was like a rock that would not budge.
"Shiho," the man grunted, his skin touching hers in a nightmarish fever. His body was hot, and it burnt; she could feel the sharp pain between her legs, and she closed her eyes. There was no way out of this. It was hopeless. A deep abyss stares back at her, crushing her as she sinks.
Shiho could not succumb. Not to this deliberating all-consuming fear. The agony of memories she did not want to relive pierced her like white-hot knives, the pain coursing through her body, immobilizing—rushing in like a flood.
Erase it. Forget it. Don't speak of it. Dissociating; is better than confronting the reality of her situation. If she remains silent, it'll be over soon.
Hands reaching out, Yasuo's voice mixing with another. As he tore her jacket apart, she grew limp. Fighting this man was futile. Shiho had no way of overcoming him. She wasn't strong enough—she was never strong enough. The darkness spread out, the man like a dead weight as he forced himself onto her. She shuts her eyes tight.
Akemi.
"Not struggling anymore?" Yasuo laughed. Years of training had taught her to remain still. There were consequences to retaliating. It left scars that raged like a forest fire. Burning everything that she touches, her sister, her family—Kudou Shinichi. "I've never taken it this far before," he confessed. "But," he leaned in, his lips dangerously close to her ears. "Maybe it's time for me to go further."
Erase it, do not feel. Don't go there. Don't fight it. Let it pass. It'll be over soon.
"Haibara!"
He was running after her. The panic was almost deliberating. Shinichi could not understand why she had protected him. Again, she had put herself in harm's way. His glasses were beeping, and Kobayashi-Sensei and the detective boys were calling out to him. Shinichi had to find her. The image of a woman bleeding out on the ground surfaced in his mind. No. He would not allow it! He had to save her.
"Hakase," he shouted into the phone a while later, "Call the police, tell them Haibara has been taken hostage and to come to the warehouses near Jou Highway!" The professor's panicked voice came through, but Shinichi ignored him, slapping the phone shut.
He could answer them later, but right now, finding the girl was more important. His glasses were beeping furiously now. The girl was near. Warehouses surrounded the area in disrepair. It had been an old mill factory that had been unused for years. Seeing the motorcycle, his breath hitched. Shinichi leaped forward, blood rushing into his ears. She was close. He could sense it.
Think—Shinichi thought to himself, whipping around frantically, looking at the buildings. Where would you go? What would you gain from taking a hostage here if you were being chased? The conclusions he reached caused his eyes to widen. It'll be the last time. Yasuo was desperate. Something terrible will happen. Shinichi seethes, the anger taking root, churning like a wild storm. His anxiety reached new heights, buzzing continuously...he felt like he was losing control. A hand seized him, bringing him back.
"Conan-kun!" Inspector Satou appeared. The woman arrives with Inspector Takagi. They were alarmed by the situation, and he grabbed the woman. "We've got to find them! Satou-san, Haibara is in danger. She's around here. I can't-"
"Calm down," Satou said as she held onto his shoulder, the weight grounding him for a moment. "Breathe, Conan-kun."
"There's no time for that!" he snarled and paused. Shinichi could hear a faint noise ahead. The inspectors heard it too. Following a brief exchange, they rushed toward the origin of the noise. It was a red, derelict building, rotten from the outside and locked with a blue door.
"Takagi-san!" Inspector Satou ordered, the man leaping into action, slamming the door with his shoulder. It would not budge, so Shinichi reached for his shoes. "Move!" he ordered the police officers, who had no time to react as he launched a ball into the door. There was an explosion, metal debris fracturing as the door burst open, flying from its hinges and bouncing into the darkness inside. Shinichi rushed forward, and his blood grew cold. The inspectors gasped in horror at the scene.
A half-naked beast pants down, trying to rip the girl's jacket off. He was leaning on her, lips on her neck. A fire erupted inside him, burning everything it touched. Losing all sense of control, Shinichi powered up his shoes. He kicked, not caring about the consequences. "Conan-kun!" The inspectors shouted as the ball whirled at incredible speeds, flying towards the monster that had pinned Haibara down. The ball struck its target, causing the man to cry out in pain. Yasuo flew, the force of the ball pushing him backward, and he crashed into the derelict walls behind him. Almost immediately, the man's eyes closed, and he slipped unconscious.
"What the hell!"
The two officers looked at him as he rushed toward the girl who lay motionless on the ground.
"Haibara!" he called out. A wave of worry swept over him as he saw the rope burns encircling her wrist. "Haibara!" he grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. Her green eyes were glassy, unresponsive.
"Conan-kun!" Satou-san shouted, pulling him away from the girl, who fell limp again. Haibara wasn't looking at him. It was almost like he was looking at a lifeless doll.
"Haibara," he whispered breathlessly.
"Ai-chan!" Ayumi called, and Shinichi turned to see the detective boys running over. The children gasped loudly from the run. Kobayashi-sensei followed behind with a limping Inspector Shiratori, concerns expressed on their faces. "Haibara-san!" Mitsuhiko shouted, Genta kneeling beside the girl, their eyes widening at the mangled jacket.
"Ai-chan!" Ayumi exclaimed again. She grabbed Haibara by the shoulder. It had been a mistake. The shrunken scientist slapped Ayumi's hands away, standing up quickly, arms wrapped around herself. A violent tremor raced through her body. Backing away from them, Haibara struck the wall behind her like—a cornered animal.
"What's wrong?" Mitsuhiko asked.
Satou-san extends her hand, stopping them from approaching the girl. A grim line set on her lips. "Ai-chan," the woman called out softly to the girl. "It's safe now. Nobody can hurt you." The woman coaxed her slowly. Little by little, she advanced. Shinichi watched helplessly as the girl remained unresponsive.
"We're here, he's gone, he can't touch you anymore," Satou said gently. Silence filled the room as the girl looked up. Satou-san paused at the sight, hands reaching to cup her mouth. Torment swirled behind those wavering green eyes, and the sorrow—was carved deep. It left them in a state of shock. Her taut expression conveyed a scream that seemed to echo through the still air.
"What's wrong, Haibara?" His voice cracked from the strain.
Tears rolled down Ayumi's cheeks as she cried out, "Ai-chan!" The little girl was the first to make a move. She leaped forward, engulfing Haibara in a tight hug. At first, the strawberry blonde struggled but eventually relaxed. Shinichi joined Ayumi, taking her free hand. Dazed, she glanced at him, and he squeezed. "You're safe now," he told her, and she took in a shuddering breath.
"We're all here, Haibara!" Genta appeared along with Mitsuhiko, who was nodding. Shinichi gave her a wry grin as the children surrounded her. It took some time, but when it was done, her expression reverted to her usual stoic mask.
"Too close," her voice still weak from the ordeal but carrying her usual sarcastic tone. In glee, the children embraced her tightly. "You guys are crushing me," Haibara protested, telling them to get off, and they laughed. Shinichi chuckled, releasing the tension he had carried inside.
"Are you alright?" Kobayashi-sensei inspected her for wounds. Apart from the bruises on her cheeks and the rope marks on her wrist, Haibara appeared to be physically fine.
"Yes," the girl muttered, her voice lacking strength. Haibara was purposefully covering her neck, and Shinichi tugged at her hand. The sight of teeth marks made his blood boil.
"Did he..." Shinichi trailed off, his fury unmistakable, and for a moment, considered kicking the beast two more times with his powered shoes.
"It's fine, so don't worry about it."
Shiho giving the children and the teacher a reassuring smile.
"We need to take you to the hospital," Satou-san commented shortly afterward. The woman hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm fine."
The inspector was not convinced and was about to continue when the professor appeared.
"Ai-kun!" the old man rushed in. He looked a mess, his shirt untucked, his hair flying everywhere, and his cheeks red from running. When he saw Haibara, the professor's distress turned to relief. He picked her up, carrying her princess style.
"Hakase?" Haibara asked as the man squeezed her. Shinichi had no choice but to release her. "Are you hurt?" the old man asked, and the girl sighed.
"No, I'm fine. How many times do I have to..." Haibara trailed off. The professor had tears in his eyes. She paused before slowly grabbing the lapels of his shirt.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you apologizing for!" he snapped. "I'm just glad you're safe." The professor began to move, carrying the girl towards the beetle he arrived in.
"We're going to the hospital!"
"Hakase, I can walk."
The old man held her tighter. "No, I will never let you out of my sight ever again!"
The protectiveness was like a father's, and Shinichi couldn't help but chuckle as Haibara protested, struggling to get out of the grip. The children and Kobayashi-sensei laugh at her plight.
"Conan-kun," Satou-san said, the woman touching his shoulder, staring at the professor and Haibara. "Is there a reason…why Ai-chan is living with the professor?"
The inspector regarded him, and he shrugged. "She's an orphan. The professor took her in." It was a scenario they had made up, and they had told the children the same thing.
"Is that so?" Shinichi noticed the troubled look in the woman's eyes.
"Let's get to the hospital."
"Satou-san?"
"Come on."
With the professor's car fully packed, Shinichi had no choice but the ride with Inspector Satou. Entering her car, they followed the yellow beetle.
Settling into the leather seat, he slumped. An uncomfortable ache persisted in his chest. The agonizing look Haibara had shown him earlier was distressing. He was not able to reach the girl in time. Yasuo Kawabata had snatched her from him— so quickly. Shinichi grimaced in discomfort.
Just like with Akemi, he had been too late.
"Conan-kun," Satou-san started, the woman grabbing his shoulders. "Are you ok?"
Looking out at the passing buildings, he could not answer. "You can't save everyone, Kudou-kun," Haibara had told him, the girl flashing him a bitter smile. "That is the truth. Some people aren't meant to be saved."
He hated when she did that. Being reminded of his mortality bothered him. How—at the end of it all, humans were never meant to play god. He could not beat fate no matter what he did or how hard he tried.
"Don't panic," She had whispered to him on their first soccer match case, "People can't go against the stream of time. If they try to force it. They will be punished."
The quiet grief Haibara had displayed at that time pricked at his heart. It reminded him of his constant struggle to save the people he had failed like Akemi— like the countless victims of the organization, their lives—discarded like rubbish. Falling into the deep abyss, forgotten by the tumultuous world they lived in. Humans cannot turn back time, and Shinichi will never be able to save everyone.
Reaching the hospital, Shinichi hurried out of the car. Following the professor, Kobayashi-sensei, and the children into the ward. Haibara was propped up on the examination table by nurses after she was taken from the professor. "We need to inspect your wounds," they said, and she nodded.
The inspector continues to study her.
"Satou-san, is there anything wrong?"
The inspector sighs before turning to him and the professor. In one swift movement, she pushed the two of them into the hidden space behind the vending machines, away from the prying eyes of Kobayashi-sensei and the children.
"I'm going to go off a tangent," she told them. "Though I'm no expert."
"What do you mean?" the professor asked, the woman's words alarming.
"When Ai-chan was younger, did anything happen to her?" she asked cryptically.
"Why do you ask that?"
"For confirmation," Satou replied. The professor glances at Shinichi before relenting, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"I adopted her. I had, well...you could say I found her alone."
"I did not know," Satou whispered with sympathy.
"Haibara wouldn't have wanted anyone to know," Shinichi stated, "She has always been this way."
"I guess so," the woman giving them a sad smile. "The girl might have PTSD," she confessed. Shinichi's body went still as if he had been doused in ice. The professor stumbles back.
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," Satou-san explained, "I suggest she see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis. The level of fear she displayed earlier was not normal. I've seen it in some of my officers, and well...it's not something you would wish on even your worst enemy."
Why hadn't he noticed? Shinichi was shocked. The shrunken scientist comes to mind. The sadness, the fear, the bitter resentment, the avoidance, and the hurt that she had displayed. Leaning against the wall, he felt defeated. It was all so simple, yet he had not figured it out.
"We..." the professor whispered, and the woman placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand it'll be difficult to ask her to go for treatment. She's stubborn, I can tell, but please, stay by her side. If it gets worse, I'll help." She offered.
"Thank you, Satou-san," the professor muttered, and she gave them a slight nod before looking at Shinichi.
"Don't worry too much, Conan-kun," Satou assured him. "It'll be ok."
Shinichi could not reply. His mind was occupied with images of a shrunken scientist, and he wanted to see her. He needed to know that she was doing fine. Leaving them, he walked quickly through the corridors and then to the ward in which Haibara was held. The children were still crowding around her. Kobayashi-sensei, talking to the nurse, wrapping her wrist up with bandages.
"Does it hurt, Ai-chan?" Ayumi asked.
"No."
"It looks like it'll hurt!"
"Genta-kun, you're too blunt!" Mitsuhiko scolded. Haibara gave the children a faint smile, and Shinichi became aware of the silent anguish she carried. Of the secrets, she kept buried beneath that deadpan mask.
She had never asked for help. The answer was staring right in his face. Not once. Not ever.
When the nurse was done, they escorted Haibara out. The professor and Satou-san were holding cans of drinks and beckoning them over.
Shinichi took her aside as forest green eyes greeted him. He will never admit it, but he liked her eyes. They were clear, frank, withholding nothing from him. Despite the girl's dishonest nature, her eyes never lied.
"Don't do that again."
There were bruises on her cheeks, and her lips were broken. Injuries she got when she shielded him from the punch aimed. He reached out, fingers touching it. Haibara winced slightly as he cupped her cheeks gently. Once again, he was reminded of his worthlessness. Shinichi had failed to keep his promise.
"Kudou-kun."
Haibara lifted his chin tenderly. Her voice carried a gentleness that she had never shown before.
"You can't stop me. I will always—" She paused. Words left unspoken expressed in the intensity of her eyes. He was rendered speechless, and she let him go.
"Besides," she turned away from him, and he watched as a teasing smirk appeared on her lips. "If it bothers you so much, why not take karate lessons, you're severely lacking in the physical department," she mocked, and his jaw dropped.
"I am not!"
She chuckled. Her smile was enough, and his desires overflowed.
"Haibara, never again," Shinichi whispered, "Please, promise me."
"I don't make promises, Kudou."
"I don't care; you're going to keep it."
She flinches.
"Haibara?"
"I'm just a little tired," she murmured, "It's nothing."
"Ah! Conan-kun, what are you doing!" Mitsuhiko shouted, spotting them.
"Are you guys holding hands!" Ayumi exclaimed. The adults standing behind the children were grinning mischievously.
"Ehhh, what do we have here?" Satou-san teased.
"If you don't hurry up, I'll steal your drinks," Genta exclaimed.
"You're dealing with them."
Shinichi groaned and held both hands up as they descended.
It was not over yet. Nothing was.
The black organization still stood, and—Haibara was still keeping secrets.
Thank you for the reviews :D I really appreciate the feedback.
Episodes used in this chapter:
Episode 131 :D