The Red Doves

Chapter XIX

           The wind was cold outside and the trees were moving a lot. It was raining a little but it wasn't enough to wet Suziky's hair. She was now walking beside Sora, on the pavement, both totally silent. He was looking serious, not smiling a bit. As for Suziky, she was controlling her chills to look more normal next to him.

An hour ago, Sora was in front of her window, telling her he wanted to meet outside. And now they were walking side to side. Suziky's questions were turning in loop in her head : what was he planning?; would he try anything on her?; what did he want from her?; was she going to die? Thinking of all this made her walk faster without noticing and Sora grabbed her arm.

- Slow down, no need to rush, he told her.

- I can't know if I should, you almost killed me last time we met and now you wanna talk, she just answered even though it wasn't a question.

- I'm not here to kill you, I just want to talk like I mentioned lately.

- Talk about what?

- Business.

- Pfff..., she started, holding her laugh. A man like you talking business with me? We don't see that everyday.

- Take that seriously, would you. I'm serious.

- You always look serious, she commented.

- I can be funny some time.

She wasn't imagining him laughing or having fun. He had such a look of a guy who would pass is entire day walking or relaxing. But in truth, he was dangerous and talented in fights. « Never trust what we see outside before knowing it's inside », her mom told her once. For that point, she was right.

- But not with you, continued Sora. You don't deserve my time actually.

- Then why coming to my house, a Wednesday morning? I was supposed to go to work...

- To work or to your little secret agency of murderers?

- It was work this time, I'm not only bad.

- I know, Sora said, looking at her with the same serious face.

- What else do you know about me if you know that? said Suziky, stopping.

- I know... pretty much everything honestly, said Sora, also stopping and turning around to face her.

- And how? questioned Suziky, looking right into his blue eyes.

- I made research. You are quite popular on the webs.

- Am I?

- Indeed, yea. Suziky Daichy, known as the daughter of an abusive mother and an ancient serial killer, the first person to see the mysterious killer without dying..

- A what? asked Suziky, believing she heard wrong.

- Did I say something wrong? Wait... you didn't know about your father? said Sora, surprised himself.

Suziky looked at the ground, agape. She never really heard of her father. Actually, she never heard of him at all. Her mother used to say he was an idiot, an asshole and a drugged man. She never pronounced that he was a serial killer.

- How... how can I know you're not lying? asked Suziky with the best she could.

- Your father was and still is famous for his murders. He killed multiple people, innocent ones.

Now Sora was the one looking at the ground. She thought she saw a tear coming from his eye but when she was about to tell him, he looked back at her, totally normal... and serious of course.

- He killed my family, my partner, my friend. He took everything away from me with no mercy. And it was the same for many other families. Luckily, I am alive. I don't know how it is possible, but I remember the face of my trainer, his arms under my shoulders and knees. He brought me to his place, in security.
« He never really explained to me what happened, he just mentioned I got badly injured and that I was now the only one left, the last Zimmerman. I remember crying all night, until he came in my room, telling me that crying won't resolve anything. He took me under his wing, took care of me like a real father.
He taught me how to fight and I trained as much as I could. Even all the bruises and wounds I had wasn't painful enough to beat the ones on my heart. I never had revenge though, this isn't a good thing. I am fighting for justice now, not for myself. I save people, at night most likely, and go back to where I come from when the job is done. »

Suziky was looking at Sora while listening to his story. He was looking at the sky, the rain – which was stronger than lately – pouring on his pale face. His eyes were closed and from the heavy rain, she couldn't notice the thin tear rolling down his cheek.

- What happened... to your trainer? then asked Suziky after a moment of pure silent.

- He died of cancer 3 years ago. I gave him the promise to continue on the right way. His last breath was only another reason to keep going on this path.

- It's a really nice goal, to save people, said Suziky more to herself than to him.

- You can still change path, Suziky.

- It is too late. Now that I'm in, there is no going back.

- It is never too late.

- What do you want me to do then? Go tell my boss "Hey, I'm quitting! Bye, losers!"? she said before letting out a chuckle to then continue. I'm not leaving Alan behind.

- He can come to.

- Come where?

- Suziky, I didn't contact you for nothing. I have... let's say a proposition to offer you.

- You sounded like my boss for a moment, that's creepy.

- I give you two choices. One, you come with me to the police station and tell them what you did.

- Are you insane? shouted Suziky. They're going to keep me in prison for 10 years at least!

- I'm going to adjust your sanction for less than 10 years because you got the courage to denounced yourself.

- Even though, I can't do that : Alan's going to kill me or get me out of there, which makes more sense. And the person taking care of me...

- Carolina Silvasta.

- Yes, whatever... She doesn't know a thing. She will probably kick me out of the house and I have nowhere to go.

- Ok, well I think you'll have to take choice 2 then.

- And it is...

- You contact Alan and bring him here. I have a mission for both of you.