𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚗 - 𝚝𝚘𝚔𝚢𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏𝟏 - 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧

They clutched their chest, trying to cover the two wounds and stop the painfully unstoppable blood pouring from their injuries. Aiko fell to the ground, her vison blurred before eventually passing out.

---

She woke up slowly, the harsh rain hitting her face, the cold numbing what she could feel. Everything sounded so loud to her, the rain colliding with the pavement, the muffled voices of the others around her, the birds flying from the nearby trees.

"Call...wake......now!"

"Soon......wait."

In a instant, it was like the muffle she heard disappeared, the rain became fainter, the voices increasing in volume. She was tired, she heard barking. Slowly, her eyes opened, they only seemed to be able to open halfway though, no matter how much she tried. 

"Aiko? She's up! When's this damn ambulance coming!" Draken shouted, the hands which were carrying her shaking slightly.

His arms were stained with her crimson blood, it was still running down his arms.

"Kuma! Stop.... stop-" Takemitchy's struggles could be heard to hold the dog back with his injured hand. "Aiko, stay- stay awake, alright!" 

Tears seeped out of Aiko's eyes, knowing what was bound to happen. She had to meet the reality of the situation, and the result of it.... was hard to face. 

"Stop crying, you-you baby!" Draken spoke, trying his best to keep his calm demeanor when he, too, was breaking. "You'll be fine. Because we need you, okay. All of us."

The tap of bare feet against the ground came closer, "They aren't here yet!" Hina's familiar voice rang out, a sense of urgency in it. "Aiko! You're awake! Thank god, how are you? Wait- stupid question-"

"I'm doing ju-st fine." The girl managed to say, blood dripping from the side of her mouth. Hina whimpered, covering her mouth with her hand, Takemitchy completely dropped the leash of the dog and stared at the girl, tears welling in his eyes.

He didn't want this. She was his friend. He had done this. It was his fault, his fault.

Kuma jumped up at Draken, barking and whimpering at the same time. Draken lowered the girl, Kuma whimpering and licking her face.

A small, weak laugh came from Aiko, she managed to lift her hand, the male dog putting his head under it and laying on her chest.

"I'm sorry. I should've been there! Why wasn't I there! I got caught up in the moment, why wasn't I watching you? Why did you save me, it should be me here instead!"

"Ken." She weakly mumbled, "Kindly shut up. I....did it because you're my...brother. Isn't..isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

Draken dipped his head down, "I should've done it."

Takemitchy was still in shock, Hina was sobbing silently covering her face. Silent tears also flew down his own cheeks, he sat next to Kuma, looking at her blood soaked body.

"What're you- all looking at?" Aiko closed her eyes, unable to keep them open any longer, "Ju-just a little blood."

Nobody could say anything.

"Thank- thank you- all. Ta-Takemitchy. M-Mikey. Ken, B-Baji. Chifuyu- Mitsuya. Thank....you..."

She became limp, her eyes remained shut and the unsteady rhythm of her breathing slowed until it completely stopped, the loud sirens of the ambulance could be heard in the distance. Draken just stared at her lifeless body that seemed so peaceful and in pain at the same time.

Takemitchy burst out sobbing, along with Hina. Kuma endlessly wined, moving his owners hand as if expecting her to begin petting him again.

The ambulance completely drowned out their painful cries as Emma led the paramedics down the alleyway, they had to get Draken to hold Kuma back while they took her into the ambulance, they were refused entry to go in the ambulance with her and left behind.

Draken just walked out of the alley way, a bang was heard before he shouted, then the quiet noise of his leaving so they couldn't hear him any longer.

Emma stood still, looking into the bushes.

Takemitchy burst out sobbing furiously as he tried his best to move the blue staffy from the spot Aiko had been lying in, Hina was silent, still occasionally whimpering.

Time of death: 10:52