Limitless

Chapter 34: There's Still Hope....

Shuichi blinked as he stopped using his powers, his eyes losing their glow. No one and nothing else has been pursuing them. The people that had sent the Exisals clearly decided that they had captured enough Limitless. Shuichi was quite surprised that they didn't think to grab Keebo or attempt to get him back. After all, if White was at another location, Keebo might know as to where it is and how they can get the others back. Speaking of the others, Shuichi turned his attention to them. The group was so small. Too small. Shuichi had been used to being surrounded by fifteen other people for so long that the group being reduced to four people, including himself, he could help but feel this sense of loneliness. Himiko was huddled up by a smokeless fire that Maki had been able to light. Hours had passed since everyone else was abducted, and the sun had almost set completely. Himiko didn't take much notice of the cold until Maki had started the small campfire. The entire time that he the group had made themselves disappear into the woods, Himiko had been crying. This was the most emotion that Shuichi had seen from her for a long time. Keebo had been equally quiet. His eyes were flashing neon blue the minute everyone had stopped walking. He was searching deep into the data that had been stored on him. When Shuichi asked him if he knew of any other locations, Keebo said that he would give it a try.

Maki was a different story. She was silent like everyone else, but it seemed that she regressed herself back into the "Murder Girl" that Shuichi knew before they escaped and got to know her. She barely paid attention to the others. She only acknowledged them when they started to need warmth. She kept her eyes down cast and her face as emotionless as a wax dummy. However, Shuichi knew what she was thinking. She was furious and had self loathing. She was angry at the people that took Kaito and the others. And she blamed herself for not stopping the Exisals when she had the chance. Shuichi tried to speak to her, but she stayed mute. She had almost shut herself off from nearly everything around her. Maybe she'll come back when the others have been rescued.

"I apologise, Shuichi." Keebo sighed hopelessly all of a sudden. The three remaining Limitless looked at him. His face was grim, showing that they weren't going to get the answers that they wanted. "I'm afraid that there is nothing in my data banks about another location. White must have made sure that I wouldn't know anything about it." There it is. The bad news that no one wanted to hear. They didn't know where the new location was. They didn't have that much food and water. They had no shelter or clue as to where they were. They had no one to help them. Himiko looked like she was ready to start crying again. Keebo went silent, not sure what else he could say or do. The guilt that Shuichi had deep inside increased as he looked over at Maki. She seemed to be sinking deeper into herself, suppressing her emotions unhealthily. Shuichi felt like he was responsible for what happened to Kaito. If he didn't trip, or if he was just a little faster, Kaito might not have been captured. Maki didn't say it, but Shuichi had a feeling that she secretly blamed him for it. Shuichi can't say that he blamed her. He just wishes that he could somehow make things better for everyone right now.

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Kaito discreetly slipped a hand into his jeans pocket. He knows that it was a long shot, having a feeling that he might have been searched already. But on the off chance that they didn't find what he was looking for, it could really give the others some hope. The hope that they needed. It took everything that he had to not smile or cheer as he felt what he was looking for in his pocket. Something small with a button. Without hesitation, Kaito pressed the button. Kokichi, who pressed himself into Kaito's side for comfort, didn't seem to notice. No one did. Good. If there were cameras in here that Kaito couldn't see, he didn't want the staff to know what he was doing. As discreetly as he could, Kaito slipped the device into Kokichi's pocket before giving the smaller boy a reassuring side hug. Again, Kokichi didn't seem to notice. Kaito silently took a deep breath. He's still fighting. No matter, he'll keep on fighting until everyone gets out, even if he doesn't.

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"Everyone! I'm picking up a panic signal!" Keebo suddenly announced, jumping up with his eyes lighting up. He didn't know how but he suddenly felt a signal from one of the panic buttons that Miu had made. He was certain that they were all left behind on the train that they had abandoned. Someone must have been able to hide it on themselves just well enough to activate it.

"What?!" Himiko shouted, her eyes wide with surprise and hope. Shuichi and Maki looked just as hopeful.

"It's a panic signal, I'm sure of it. Someone activated it." Keebo encouraged, his eyes still lit up.

"Can you track it?" Shuichi asked, standing up.

"Yes." Keebo smiled, continuing to light up everyone's hope. Maki promptly took out her water bottle, and dumped the entire contents onto the fore. She stomped on the remains of the campfire, making sure that the fire wouldn't be relit by accident.

"Then let's go." She said quickly, slipping her back pack onto her shoulders.

"But Maki, we don't even know if it's a trap. What if White found out about it?" Shuichi asked, trying to make sure that their group wasn't rushing in without a plan.

"I don't care. So long as we get everyone back, as long as I see Kaito again, I don't care." Maki simply said, her eyes filled with determination at the thought of seeing Kaito again. "I'm done hiding."

"Same goes for me. Tenko and Angie mean a lot to me. I'm not going to abandon them." Himiko added, standing up. Her voice suddenly sounded stronger and more awake compared to how she normally sounded. Shuichi decided not to argue on it. He had no argument to say. While he would rather be safe then sorry, they can figure out a plan once they get to this new location of the Facility.

"Very well. Keebo, lead the way." He said, just as determined as everyone else. Keebo silently nodded before he suddenly started running. The others followed as closely as they could behind him. They jumped over and avoided roots of trees that jolted out of the ground. Maki picked up speed as the thought of saving Kaito once again came to her mind. If those bastards...if that one bastard...has harmed Kaito in anyway, Maki will personally make them wish that they had never even tried to "experiment" on any Limitless in the first place. 'Kaito! I'm coming!' Maki vowed silently, concentrating all of energy into saving the one person that she cared about more than anything.

As they ran, all four of them thought one thing. There's still hope...