Chapter 14 (A
day of rest)
After
taking a Jump Comic from the trashcan, John followed a business man out of
Omiya station’s central one gate. Why
didn’t my shoes dry like the rest of my clothes?
Raw,
blisters dug at all sides of his feet. The rotten smell of blood and mildew
hung in the air around him, and the large crowd at the station gave him a wide
berth.
I finally made it back … after more than a
week, I’m actually going home. John laughed.
“Has it really only been a week?”
Darkness made a clicking noise.
If that TV in the station was accurate.
“It feels like we have been divided for much
longer than that.”
I’d rather not consider how long it has been
since I went crazy.
“We could always become one again.”
Squish.
Squish.
Squish.
After
walking down the stairs and out of the station, John shook his head. I don’t feel like going on a killing spree.
Darkness
scoffed. “It’s only three people. I
doubt that’s considered a killing spree.”
No, I think I’m just going to bare you and
return to my normal life.
“For now, but one day, we will be one again.
Those responsible for my creation will pay the cost with their lives.”
You keep saying that, but we both know that
once my life returns to normal, you’ll vanish. John strolled down the
street, doubling up on his steps.
Squish,
squish.
Squish,
squish.
Squish,
squish.
By the
time he reached his apartment,
John’s wet shoes had rubbed his feet raw. Each step burned as if he were
walking through fire. Tears blurred his vision, but it no longer mattered. He
had made it home.
Thunk!
When
he pulled on the door handle, it didn’t turn.
Thunk,
thunk, thunk!
Fuck! John jerked on the door handle. I can’t believe I locked it.
Darkness
laughed.
It’s not funny. After pounding his fist
against the door, John placed his back to it and slid into a sitting position. I was so close. He rested his face in
his hands.
“Well … I guess we have no choice but to —”
No.
“If you can’t get inside, then it’s
impossible for you to return to your old life.”
I said no! John climbed to his feet and stumbled
back down the stairs. There is another
way to get in.
“The problem with unlocked windows is that
you live on the third floor.”
It’s not so high up. After exiting the
building, John glanced up and down the street. I just have to make sure no one tries to call the police.
Darkness
guffawed. “Yes, because the last thing we
want to return to jail for is breaking into our own apartment.”
The
muscles in John’s face grew taut. I won’t
go back. He gritted his teeth. No
matter what I have to do, I won’t go back.
“That’s the spirit.”
The
few passersby ignored John and moved on their way. A car zipped past. Then,
silence. Stillness.
Okay, here goes nothing. John pulled
himself upon the wall surrounding the first floor apartment. I guess Sara did a good thing when she made
me join the rock climbing class.
“Well, the real reason you stayed in it was
because Haru was there.”
I never noticed her until we had the
drinking part together.
“Sure you didn’t.”
Maybe I saw her once or twice.
“And by saw, you mean ogled.”
I never did any ogling. John grunted and
pressed his hands between two second-floor balconies. I was happy with Sara at the time.
“And by happy, you mean miserable.”
Will you stop doing that? While holding
himself up with his arms, John locked his feet against the bottom of the
balconies like an X.
Daggers
of agony stabbed through his raw feet.
John
almost screamed out in pain.
A
second, moist substance began to soak into his shoes.
“Stop what? Speaking the truth about your
thoughts?”
It’s not the truth. John shimmied
upwards, moving one limb at a time. He gritted his teeth and ignored the pain. It’s just how you see it when looking back
on my memories.
“Deny it all you want, but I’m right.”
The
ache in John’s muscles cried out before he climbed onto the second-floor
balcony.
John
sat down and panted. This is so much
tougher than I had imagined it would be.
“That’ll teach you for living on the third
floor.”
Ha! John grinned. You can say that again.
“If you rest too long, your muscles will go
into apathy.”
I know, but … . Several moments later,
John rose and climbed up between his balcony and another one on the third
floor.
The
rough concrete-like material dug
into his palms. Each inch murdered his grip. His muscles quivered.
John
pushed upwards. Breathing hard, he bit into his lower-lip.
The
last foot could have been a mile away. Each dragging crawl up the side of his
apartment scored his flesh and rent his confidence. His arms and legs trembled.
While
clenching his stomach muscles, John placed a hand on the rail of his balcony. Almost —
His
muscles gave out. The air grew thing. His legs released their hold and dropped.
John
yelped when his body crashed into the side of his balcony. He reached up with
his other hand.
Holding
on by his fingertips, sweat beaded across his forehead. Soon, it covered his
entire face, and salty pain clawed at his eyes.
Thump!
Thump,
thump!
Thump,
thump, thump!
One of
his hands slipped free.
“Fuck!”
John closed his eyes and forced himself to relax.
Thump,
thump, thump!
Thump,
thump.
Thump.
John
whipped his free hand back upon the rail. You
can do this!
Darkness
chuckled. “Are you talking to me?”
No … just coaching myself up. John
pulled himself up and pushed his body over the rail.
Thump!
John
fell flat onto his balcony. Safe.
His
bloody palms throbbed.
After
taking a well-deserved rest, John climbed to his feet and reached for the
window.
Click.
It was
also locked.
Through
gritted teeth, John screamed. “Fucking shit! Fuck! Fuck! Damn! Fuck!”
A
group of school children froze in place and stared up at the cursing foreigner.
John
ignored them and continued to rant.
Darkness
made a clicking noise. “You should
probably do that quietly in case someone decides to call the police.”
While
squeezing the bridge of his nose, John shut his mouth. You are right.
“I thought we already went over that?”
And fuck you too.
“So, what will you do now?”
I guess I climb around to the other window.
John worked the muscles in his forearms. It
shouldn’t be so difficult.
“For someone rested, maybe.”
I can do it.
“Don’t die.”
Before
climbing back up onto the railing, John groaned.
The
other window seal was about six feet away from the edge of the balcony.
John
crouched, tensing his leg muscles. If I
jump —
His
legs gave out.
After
swooning, John slipped forward. No!
Despite his spinning head, he kicked
his aching feet backwards.
The
balcony slammed into his middle.
John
gasped. He couldn’t breathe but managed to wave his feet around and flip his
weight back onto the balcony.
Thwack!
Ass
first, John landed on the balcony.
Daggers
of agony shot from his tailbone up to his neck.
John
stifled a scream. I guess that’s not
going to work.
“I told you so.”
Shut up. John forced himself to his feet
and removed all the infused items from his shirt. Then, he removed his shirt
and wrapped it around his right arm. I
hope no one hears this.
Not a
soul appeared to walk the streets.
Three … two — John pulled his fist back.
— one. Here goes nothing! He struck
the balcony window with everything he had left.
Shatter!
In one
quick motion, John slipped inside. I
swear I have some old potato chips around her somewhere.
###
While
driving down the highway, Keisuke held up a finger and waggled it. “Don’t
argue.”
Ami
leaned the passenger seat back and pouted her lips. “But … besides being with
the police, he is ungifted.”
Keisuke
sighed. “How many times do I have to say this? Taisei has been friends with
John much longer than we have and has
the resources of the police on his
side.”
“But
—”
“He
won’t betray John.” Keisuke turned off of the highway and followed the ramp
down to the streets below. “We’ll need his help if we don’t find John around
the bay.”
“I
still do not like it.”
“You
don’t have to, but if you really want to find John, you’ll keep your mouth
shut.”
Ami
choked down whatever smart-ass comment she was about to say. “Fine.”
“Good.”
Keisuke slid his finger across his smartphone like a Z, unlocking it. After plugging it into the handless outlet, he
called Taisei.”
“Is
that you, Keisuke?” Taisei’s voice rasped as if he had been yelling at someone
for hours … or crying.
“It
is. I want to meet with you as soon as you can get over to Riki in Urawa.”
“What?”
“I’ll
go ahead and reserve the seats, just get over here quickly.”
“Why?”
“Besides
wanting to discuss John, I want to tell you the truth.”
Ami
hissed.
“Is
Ami with you?” Taisei asked.
“Yes.”
Keisuke pulled into a time parking lot and cut his car off. “She is a part of
this.”
Taisei
gulped. “This sounds serious.”
“If
you want to stop a war, then you will be there as quickly as possible.”
“What?”
“I’ll
explain more when you get here.” Keisuke hung up the phone and climbed out of
his car. “Come on, Ami. We need to think of how to phrase this.”
###
Taisei
stepped into Riki. Why did Keisuke put
John and war in the same context? He swallowed. John couldn’t … .
The
packed room bustled, and boisterous laughter echoed throughout the far corners
of the room. Neon lights flickered along the walls, displaying the team colors
of the Urawa Reds. The sweet, grilled scent of yakitori drifted across the room.
Salivating,
Taisei licked his lips. I should hold my
opinions until I hear what they have to say. He glanced about the room.
No one
in the sports-bar even remotely resembled Keisuke.
Did I come to the wrong Riki? Taisei
narrowed his eyes. Is there another Riki
in —
His
phone vibrated.
Taisei
flipped his phone open. Email from
Keisuke.
— ‘On
the second floor.’ —
Oh. After climbing to the second floor,
Taisei scanned the tables.
Keisuke
sat with Ami at a booth by the window. The two booths around them were empty.
They waved, and a waiter sat a third beer on the table then walked off.
Taisei
strolled over to the table and slid into the seat next to Keisuke. “So … war?”
Ami
clutched at her pants legs. “Keisuke … .”
Before
turning to Taisei, Keisuke shook his head. “Ami, if you want to save John, then
be quiet.”
“What
do you mean, save John?”
Keisuke
swallowed. “I guess I should start with the reason your memory about the other
day’s event is fuzzy.”
The other day? Taisei blinked. “Sure?”
“I
know this is going to sound crazy. I mean you will probably not believe us at
first, but just hear me out.”
Taisei
nodded. “Okay?” He took a sip of his beer.
While
cracking his knuckles, Keisuke took a deep breath. “John, like me and Ami, is a
power-user or someone who can use magic.”
The
beer caught in Taisei’s throat, he coughed. “Wha—”
“Just
let me tell you about everything else before you start complaining.”
“Fine.”
So,
our magic has a special property that makes us hard to notice as well as remember,
especially when we are using a specific power. Beyond that, there is a really,
really evil man named Hyuga. He is the one you saw John with at the hospital.”
Taisei
twitched. He can’t be serious, can he?
Keisuke
chugged his beer and sighed. “Hyuga is the man who left John in that gold vault
and plans to use John as a catalyst to start a war with America.”
Ami
kicked Taisei under the table.
Taisei
yelped. “What the fuck, Ami?”
After
blinking, Ami licked her lips. “Sorry … that was meant for —”
Keisuke
squealed. “Stop fucking kicking me!”
“You
have already told an outside too much.” Ami’s hands quivered around her glass
of sour.
They are both serious. Taisei gulped.
“So, what do you want me to do?” I know for
sure that there is nothing magical
about me.
Keisuke
thinned his lips. “We want you to
expand the search for John, focusing on any place he had been before rather
than where you last saw him.”
Taisei
nodded. I had already thought about doing
that, but I delayed the suggestion.
“I
think the gym and park would be the primary locations he may try to hide at.”
My thoughts exactly. “And?”
“When
you catch him, you must turn him over to us. As you now know, Hyuga can get to
John no matter where you keep him.”
Not if we move him to a high security
prison. I hate lying but … . “I can agree to that.”
“Good.
For Japan’s future, it is imperative that we take John into custody as soon as
possible.”
“I
understand.” Taisei finished his beer and stood. “Then, I guess I should get to
work.”
Keisuke
rose to his feet. “Thank you, Taisei.”
Taisei’s
heart thumped, and a spike of guilt
pierced his chest. “Anything for a friend.” Even
if that friend is not you … . He turned around and walked out of Riki,
intent of protecting John from himself.
###
Tossing
and turning, John found sleep hard to come by. Why the fuck can’t I relax?
Each
lump in his bed dug into his sore muscles, and the small bag of expired potato
chips barely gave him enough energy to heal his serious wounds. A cardboard box
covered the hole he had made in the window. On top of it all, spoiled milk and
rotten meat still hung in the air, despite him throwing it out earlier.
John
gagged. I … have to do something.
“Like go out and get arrested?” Darkness
laughed.
That’s not funny.
“I thought it was, and I’m always right.”
After
throwing the heavy futon — an out of season blanket — to the side, John climbed
to his feet.
Darkness
surged, and John’s hands jerked forward. His body leaped out of the bed.
Darkness howled through John’s lips.
No! Mentally wrapping his hands around
the hateful force, John jerked Darkness out of his mind and wrestled it until
his body was once again his own. Stop
doing that!
“Then do what you need to do.”
I do not need to kill people.
“We’ll see.”
John
stretched, and using the peaceful life
like a collar, bound Darkness in a tight box. That should hold you.
Darkness
murmured, but no words escaped the box.
While
shivering, John moaned in relief. Finally.
Peace. My wonderful peace.
Other
than the smell, the room was in perfect order. Some clothes sat in his washing
machine and a few dishes in the sink. The floor needed to be vacuumed due to
the dust from a week-long absence.
I guess I’ll clean. John plugged in the
vacuum and went to work.
Back
and forth. Back and forth. The vacuum hummed while it removed the dust from the
floor.
John
moved the Vacuum back to his closet and moved into the kitchen. Dishes or clothes?
Time
being his enemy today; the clothes became the first priority. Washing powder in
the dispenser and fabric softener tossed directly atop the clothes themselves.
After
pressing the button to turn on the short
cycle, John moved over to the sink and turned on the hot water. He poured
the soap onto his sponge and scrubbed the dishes clean.
The
warm water soaked into his hands, and his fingers turned white. They ached as
if the wounds were still there, though no wounds could be seen.
John
rinsed off and sat the last of the dishes and turned the cup upside down on the
counter beside the sink. And that’s done.
Thump.
Thump,
thump.
The
solitude struck at his heart. Peaceful. Yet … lonely at the same time.
I guess I’ll just surf the internet until
the clothes are finished since I’m too tired to workout. John strolled back
into his bedroom and over to his desk.
Being
off for a week, the computer took ages to startup. The fan buzzed. The room
became hotter, but when the screen flashed on, all the tension fled from the
air.
I have to make sure I don’t post anything
online. John opened up Firefox
and tapped his foot while it loaded. I
can’t let anyone know that I’m even alive, much less back at home.
The
browser popped up and loaded ESPN as
well as several other websites. It moved slower than a fat man through a
ball-pit.
John
played around on the internet long past the washing machine beeped. After a
long delay, he stood and hung his clothes up inside since the internet said
that it would rain over the next few days.
A
weary exhaustion crept into his bones.
While
yawning, John smiled. Now … I can finally
get some sleep.
###
Ami
flared her stomach oven and tightened her link around the mirror. Her vision
flared. Even in the dark, she could see as if it were noon. Why could this not wait till morning?
The
cold sand slipped into her shoes and itched at her feet. The constant rap of
the waves against the beach made her want to fall asleep. It was so late. Why
was she walking along the beach with Keisuke
of all people at this time of night?
While
yawning, Ami clapped her hands. “Keisuke … .”
Keisuke
spun to face her. “Do you no longer want to find John?”
Her
mine awoke with an explosion. Yes, John … . John was why she did something so
stupid. John was the reason she worked so hard without sleep.
“Thank
you for reminding me, brother.” Ami worked her mouth. Did I really just say that?
Keisuke
froze in place. His lips quivered. “Ami … are you alright?”
“Yes.
It is just … thank you for helping me against your girlfriends orders.”
“Ha!
You know, John’s my friend, too.”
“Thanks
anyway.” Ami dug her foot in the sand. “It feels like old times.” Before you ran Mom off and drove Dad to —
stop thinking like that! Her face scrunched.
“We
should search for a —” Keisuke scrambled forward.
“What
is it?” Ami took off in a full sprint, rushing to his side. “Did you —”
Keisuke
pointed at the sand in front of him.
Large
shoe imprints dug into the sand and led towards the road.
“This
is it!” While jumping up and down, Ami squealed. “Thank you so much.” She
leaped over to Keisuke and wrapped him in a tight hug.
Keisuke
grunted. “We still have to find him first.”
Ami
released him and nodded. “You are right.” She almost cringed. It does not hurt as much to say that
anymore.
Together,
they followed the trail off of the beach and down the road.
By the
time the trail went cold, a shimmer of light flashed over the horizon.
Ami
stretched and pointed to a station in the distance. “Either too many cars or he
dried out by this point, but I would bet the lotto that he went to that station
over there.”
“Good
call … sister.” Keisuke grinned.
Thump,
thump, thump.
Ami’s
face flushed. Why does my heart beat
faster when he talks to me like that? “Shall we ask them for the video to
make sure it was him?”
“Yeah,
but I have a feeling that we might be better off just going straight to his
house.”
Ami
nodded. “Me too —” Especially since I
have never been in John’s room. “— but in this situation, I would rather be
sure than misinformed.” Before striding off towards the station, she took a
deep breath and clapped her hands eleven time — a Chef’s lucky number.
Next: BURNING Chapter 4
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