Stitched Together

Chapter 10: My own Path

Our boots tap against the ground as we run through the base. "Where are we even going!" I call up to him. He's leading the way so he's a few feet ahead of me. He neglects to answer and keeps his face forward. I can't see his features but I'm guessing he's grinning from ear to ear. The muffled sound of battling beneath us is starting to rise. The only two agents on this floor are Suzuya and I, no one else has made it up as far as I know. We sharply turn a corner, only to run into a group of ghouls. They are startled briefly before drawing out their kagunes, but Suzuya was quicker. He tosses up his scorpion with a spin before snatching it out of the air and rushing towards them. His speed is incredible, but I quit my gawking when I see a ghoul charge at me. Jumping out of the way, I hold out my gun and fire it straight through their head. We heal fairly easily, but direct contact through the brain like that'll put the nail in the coffin. I step back and support Suzuya with various shots until I'm grappled from behind. Swiftly, I counter and hold them from behind, aiming the gun at the base of their kagune. Damage to the kakuhou can wreck a ghoul as well. My opponent struggles in my grasp.

"But y-you're a ghoul," they utter in a barely audible raspy voice.

"Shh, we can't have that," I giggle quietly in their ear and pull the trigger. I drop the lifeless body to the ground and turn to find Suzuya taking care of the last one.

"Hang in there," he repeatedly stabs the clearly dead corpse. He keeps it up for a moment longer before just looming over the body.

"Juuzou...?" I approach him cautiously. Somethings not right. His shoulders start shaking with laughter.

"How many points did I get?" he chuckles softly.

"W-what... Suzuya?" I stop in my place and take a small step back. He turns and smiles at me, blood spattering his chest and face.

"Oh Reina, Look at you, you're a mess," he laughs and approaches me. He reaches up and brushes the small splash of crimson off my cheek. I flinch under his touch, but his grin remains plastered on his face. "Lets keep going okay~" he spins around and marches on. What on earth was he talking about, honestly I was genuinely afraid of him just now. I can't forget that the cute, bubbly Juuzou I'm usually with can also be a crazed psychopath. I walk a significant distance behind him. He hums and has a slight hop in his step. I open my lips to say something, but a hand goes over my mouth and an arm pulls me into another corridor. I struggle fiercely as the person pulls me away from Suzuya. I'm finally let go and I jump away from them immediately. A typical Aogiri member, mask and all.

"Are you alright, why were you with that human... wait why are you wearing a CCG uniform-" The person starts, but I hold up a gun and point it at their head. "W-what are you doing! You're a ghoul!" They cry out with their hands in the air. I click my tongue in annoyance and cock my weapon.

"You know, you seem like a nice ghoul, but you just had to stick you nose where it doesn't belong," I sigh and look on bored.

"Why are you doing this, please spare me!" They sob, but I keep my expression.

"Oh dear, but you know, and I can't have you ruining things for me. And as far as why..." I narrow my eyes and grin darkly as I take a few steps forward. "It's fun~" I laugh and pull the trigger, the warm blood splattering across my face. I let them fall to the ground and I lower my gun. I put them both in their holsters and wipe my face. "Tch, now I really am a mess," I mutter. I stare down at the body and guilt hits me for the first time. "Im sorry, I had to," I whisper, before turning and leaving. Where did they even take me?  I should've payed better attention to the hallways I was getting dragged down. I have to find Juuzou. I find myself on an open air walkway that connects one side of the building to another. Peering over the edge, I see only a few of our forces still there. Everyone must be fighting in the lower floors I suppose. I lean in the railing and take a deep breath. This is all so overwhelming, but I can't just sit idly.