Hiding In Plain Sight

We Reached Our Destination

Shuichi stared up at the water tower above them, threatening to topple in the faint breeze. Smiling, Shuichi released a sigh of relief, proud of the feat. "We did it, we made it."

"We sure did," Rantaro muttered, grinning beside his boyfriend. "Now we just have to wait for the others. Our route was the quickest, so they should be another day at the most." Hearing Kokichi and Akamatsu behind them, the two turned and heard static prickle from the woman's skirt.

"Hello? Um, Gonta not know radio language."

"It's okay Gokuhara, what's the matter?" Akamatsu asked, the group smiling at Gokuhara's sweet apology.

"We have not many supplies left. Gonta want to know if Akamatsu has spare."

"Where are you guys? We're at the water tower, if you're nearby, we can share supplies," Akamatsu explained. As she continued to talk to the man on the other end, Shuichi stared up at the water tower again.

"We near big tower. Huh? Oh, 'water tower'."

"Alright, see you soon and you can have whatever you want." Ending the conversation, Akamatsu pocketed the walkie-talkie.

"We need supplies too!" Kokichi argued. "Don't just give everything away to the others!"

"A few people can go to a store to restock. It'll only take a few days and then we'll be out of the country." Shuichi offered a solution. It wasn't ideal, but it was the best choice they had. Everyone shared a glance and nodded in agreement. Pointing up at the tower, Shuichi had another idea in mind. "Hey, do you think there's any drinkable water up there?"

"Probably not. If there is water, it'd be disgusting," Akamatsu muttered, grimacing at the thought.

"Let's take a look. It'll be something to do while we wait for everyone," Shuichi suggested. Approaching the ladder coated in rust, Shuichi carefully started climbing each rung, the metal squealing after decades of remaining dormant. With each step, Shuichi's confidence grew as he climbed the noisy ladder with ease, Kokichi floating behind him.

Reaching the top, Shuichi crawled onto the platform, hoping he wouldn't fall through as he rose to his shaking feet. He glanced out at the world, seeing the tops of dilapidated homes and commercial buildings, a forest spreading along the horizon behind him, climbing the mountains. "You waiting for the second coming of Jesus?" Kokichi joked, floating millimetres above the platform.

"Let's just check the tank. Be careful where you stand," Shuichi warned as he carefully approached the brick-red cylinder.

"I know I weigh as much as Gokuhara's hand, but even I'm not dumb enough to walk on that shit." Following at Shuichi's side, the two reached the tank and climbed the second, smaller ladder to the top. Peeking over the edge, Shuichi noticed the tank was bone-dry, not a drop of water or other supplies in sight. Only piles of debris and dust remained.

As the two surveyed the tank, the breeze became more violent, the water tower creaking as it swayed back and forth. Slipping down the ladder, Shuichi crouched on the unstable platform as he waited for the breeze to calm. Focusing his mind on anything that wouldn't heighten his anxiety, Shuichi listened to the sound of the breeze. With the tower rocking, Shuichi jumped as three loud thuds could be heard from the container beside him. Must be the debris rattling.

As the breeze died down, Shuichi approached the ladder and peeked at Rantaro and Akamatsu below, hesitant to descend. "It'd be quicker to jump down," Kokichi chuckled, floating in front of the male. "Don't you dare get any ideas from that."

"I'm not, I value my life, thanks," Shuichi sighed with a smirk. "If I could survive jumping, it'd be safer than climbing down this fucking thing."

"Oh, you value your life, huh? Glad you changed," Kokichi smiled, floating forward to kiss Shuichi briefly. Smiling in return, Shuichi hesitantly contorted to descend the ladder, all of his anxiety flowing out of his body as he returned to stable ground. "Nothing up there, I was right!"

"I was the one who said there'd be nothing there!" Akamatsu pouted, crossing her arms underneath her chest.

"It was worth a shot. Come on, let's find shelter in case we need to hide," Rantaro suggested. The four slipped into the closest building, only big enough for eight people. "This will do for now..." Yawning, the greenette curled up into a ball, lying on the neglected floorboards. Reaching into his bag, Shuichi pulled out his blanket and wrapped up Rantaro, kissing his forehead.

"Get some rest, you've done great so far," Shuichi whispered, smiling to himself as Rantaro slipped off to sleep. He keeps offering to stay awake for patrol, I think the lack of sleep is getting to him.

"Hello! Akamatsu?" A familiar voice shouted through the streets. That's Chabashira! 

"They're here," Shuichi muttered. Grabbing his bag, Shuichi flung it over his shoulder and stepped towards the exit. "I'll go and meet with them, you guys wait here with Rantaro."

"No way! You're not breaking our promise!" Kokichi argued, stomping his foot with his hands on his hips. "Remember? You aren't to go anywhere without either Rantaro or me. I'm coming with you!"

"Okay, okay. Is that alright Akamatsu?" Shuichi asked the woman.

"Yeah, don't worry, it's just Chabashira's group. I'll be here," she smiled, waving off the men. The two left the small shelter, walking into the street. Noticing movement in the distance, Shuichi watched Chabashira, Gokuhara, Yonaga and Tojo approaching them, travelling in a compact group.

"Hey, idiots, over here!" Kokichi shouted, waving to the group who turned their attention to him. As the group approached them, the duo closed the gap. Before they could meet, Kokichi thrust out his arm and stopped his boyfriend from walking any closer. "Something's wrong."

Analysing the group with more awareness, Shuichi noticed Yonaga shaking her head in rejection. Despite requiring supplies, they seemed to have no problem taking their time in approaching their friends. Chabashira had no problem relying on the two for help, despite her hatred for men. I'd have thought they'd be more talkative by now. "Run!" Yonaga shouted as police officers jumped out from the surrounding buildings and flora.

Kokichi took off into the air as Shuichi turned and bolted, aiming to run into an alleyway. If I can get to the other side of the building, I can get Akamatsu and Rantaro out of there. We'll save everyone! Reaching the opening between buildings, Shuichi felt a sharp sting in his shoulder, yelping as it distracted him. Not the time to bump into the wall. Frowning, Shuichi attempted to continue running, stumbling towards a fence that blocked off the building where Akamatsu and Rantaro remained, unprotected.

Feeling his body losing strength, Shuichi used what energy he could muster to climb the chainlink obstacle, falling to the ground on the other side. He tried to stand, to keep running, but the world started spinning as his vision blurred. I can do it, I can do it! Shuichi's arms trembled violently as he heaved his body as high as he could, his head only just hovering above the ground. 

As the dizziness became too much to handle, Shuichi fell to the ground, having no strength to breathe as he lay there, defenceless. Dark shoes entered his vision, the sound of guns cocking and shouting radiated around him as the world went black.