Confession ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 29: Waking from Fever Dreams

The next morning, I startle to wake by my cell phone ringing.

At first, I am confused and still plagued by exhaustion. However, I quickly realize where I am and why, and quickly snatch my phone up, reading the contact name displayed. Though I am tired, I answer it with a whisper.

"Randy? Now's not really –"

"Have you seen the news yet?" he interrupts.

I knit my brows. "No. I just woke up. Why?"

"You have to see what they're broadcasting. Quick, turn to channel thirteen."

"Okay. Hold on."

I quietly climb from the cot and glance at Rui. She is sound asleep, buried under a pile of pillows and blankets. I can hear her soft snores and dare not wake her.

I creep from our space and make my way to one of the guards. He sees me approaching and flashes a warm smile.

"Excuse me," I say. "Is there any way to get to a television?"

"Oh, you want to see what they're reporting?" He says this as both a statement and a question, though that smile never leaves his face. Instead, he motions for me to follow him. "This way."

I follow him to where the kitchen setup is. In this little boxy room are several TSC agents and a few of the children's guardians. All are laser-focused on the news being played on the overhead TV. At first, I stare at it, baffled when it registers.

"Oh, my God," I say as my hand shoots up over my mouth.

Randy speaks, his voice rolling against my ear as the hair stands on my neck and arms. "Clayton Key. They got him. I knew they suspected him, but they actually got him, Y/N. They got him."

"They got him," I repeat.

They did it. They actually did it. They got him. They got Clay. The reporter on the screen is relaying that news to viewers. Breaking news. News that will forever change how people see the businessman.

Clayton Key, arrested for conspiring illegal ghoul business: murder, human trafficking, and more.

That's not how she words it per se, but it's the general gist. And as bitter as it is to admit, it is one of the best things to hear after everything that's happened.

They got him. They really did it. They got Clay.

"Though I'm relieved they got him, I still feel horrible," Randy says, interrupting my thoughts. "I feel as though I put you girls at risk. And as though Janelle and Stirling..."

His words fade, but I know what he's saying. He blames himself for what happened to them. I know that feeling. I know it quite well. It is one I have become familiar with myself.

"Don't beat yourself up," I say. "You didn't know. None of us knew."

"I know you're right, but –"

"No but's. No one knew. What matters now is that they got him. Now, Janelle, Stirling, and all those other women can rest."

"Or at least start to."

I nod, "Or at least start to."

At some point, our call ends and I find myself still in that kitchen, watching. Honestly, it feels surreal. Seeing his picture and hearing the words coming from the reporter's mouth... It's all like one really weird, screwy dream, but one I can finally wake up from.

Finally, they have Clay. I know the battle's not over yet. There are still unidentified remains and other victims to tie to him, and there are still more missing children. Locating them may take months. Maybe even years, but this is a start. Just capturing the man responsible for all this is a major win.

I exhale and take a seat. My knees were starting to wobble from all the excitement and nerves and overall feelings. This is a lot to process. A lot. But they did it. He said they would do it and they did.

Juuzou...

They did it.

**Bello lovelies! So, a shorter chapter today. The news has reached Y/N, which is good. BUT the story still isn't over yet! This is still a Juuzou x Reader AU, after all. Ugh. I don't wanna go to work tomorrow. Alas, we all gotta do stuff we don't wanna do. That's just life. Well, until the next chapter! Thank you so much for all the love! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross