Blood Rose (Midnight Rose Sequel)

Chapter 19: Choice

Sorry this one took so long.

Writer's block has struck again! BOO 😒

The morning after seemed to be more draining than ever. When the sun finally graced the land, no one felt like making themselves known. Maki stayed locked away for a bit more than she intended, her knife clenched so hard in her hand that the handle started to leave marks. She might have been upstairs and barely heard hat had happened, but a terrible feeling knotted in her stomach about it. Kaito had almost passed out from suffering his mental breakdown that lasted the entire night, with Mondo staying up with him to make sure he didn't hurt himself. Neither one wanted to leave the basement until they were sure that Kaito was relatively normal. Even Kaito's grandparents were hesitant to unlock the basement to let them out after the scuffle that they heard the previous night. When Maki finally let herself out, she watched as Mondo helped to get a very uncoordinated Kaito out of the basement. He looked so drained. His skin was frighteningly pale with dark circles under his eyes. His body was shaky and he looked like he was ready to pass out. Kaito was so out of it, that he didn't process Maki helping him up the stairs with Mondo and into his room. Seeing that Kaito was docile enough with her, Mondo left the rest to Maki. As he left, Maki noticed the fresh scar on his arm. Did Kaito do that?

Maki shook off the internal question, focusing more on Kaito. He didn't speak or do much at all. He was barely responding to what Maki was doing. She helped to strip off his shirt, and gently pushed him down onto the bed in a laying position. As she covered him up, Kaito just looked so lost for a moment. He just looked up at Maki until he finally closed his heavy like lead eyelids. He was so exhausted that he just passed out. Maki stayed with him a little longer, seeing if he wanted anything all of a sudden. Kaito remained still, blissfully unaware of anything happening around him.

After debating whether or not to do so, she decided to leave him for a moment. She tried to eat something, but she was too distracted by everything that was going on and something that has been going back and forth in her mind. Something that she's been thinking about for a while. Since Kaito's grandparents were out to get something in town, she and Kaito were left with Mondo. Trying to think of something to do to clear her mind a bit, Maki decided to bring some coffee to Mondo, since he was absent from the table currently. After looking around the house for a minute, She found him on the front veranda of the house. He was wearing his jacket, hiding his scarred arm. He was also holding a phone to his ear. She didn't want to listen in, but she couldn't help it. Despite everything, she wanted to make sure that Mondo could be trusted.

"Yeah, I know. No I don't know how much longer I'm gonna be out here. Look, da kid is in deep shit an-don't start about my language now!" Mondo half spoke calmly and half shouted. Maki could just about hear a voice on the other end of the line, but she couldn't make out who it was or what they were saying. Mondo seemed annoyed but calmed down after a second. "I'll call ya when I know what's happenin'. I love you too. Bye." After that, Mondo hung up, shoving the phone into his pocket. He rubbed his tired eyes, trying to stay awake. However, that was when he immediately sensed that Maki was there. He looked over at her tiredly as she approached.

"Sorry, didn't mean to listen in." Maki said, passing over the still hot mug to the biker.

"It's fine. Thank you." Mondo sighed, gently taking the mug from the assassin.

"Who was that then?" Maki asked, still feeling a bit suspicious about the phone call. It seemed innocent enough, but looks can be deceiving.

"My partner." Mondo answered quickly. "How's Kaito?" He changed the subject really quick. He must have wanted to make sure that his partner remained as anonymous as possible. Maki can understand that in a way.