Dark Alice in a Dark Wonderland

Widow

Halo Twenty-Nine: Widow:

Winter is coming. The worst of the game is coming. It all starts with a package in December.

December 14th, 2015.

10:00 a.m.

Kitano and Aya stood waiting in the car park near the hospital. Kitano looked at his phone.

"I already told Etsuko about the delivery," he said. "She'll be on her way to the hospital soon." He looked up at the other therapist.

"Are you ready to do your part in the game?" Kitano asked.

"Yes," Aya said. She turned toward the exit.

"Pretty convenient of them to meet us near the hospital," she said. The other therapist nodded. They looked up when they heard a car pulling up. A black van pulled up to them. Kitano held out his hand as he walked up to the driver's side with caution. He watched as the window rolled down.

"Do you have it with you?" Kitano asked. The driver dressed in black said nothing as he reached over to the glove compartment. He handed him the glass box. Kitano opened the box and peeked inside. Aya came around for a look. She let off a low whistle.

"Wow," she said. The therapist took out her pendant and held it over the inside of the box. A small pulsing sensation ran through her hand as the little jewel started to glow as it floated in mid-air. That was all Kitano needed to know. He handed the driver the money. There were no more words exchanged. The men bowed their heads and the driver drove off. Aya pulled out her phone.

"Sensei where are you now?" she asked. "Good. We have the box. I am heading inside now." Aya hung up and turned to Kitano.

"She's already here," she said.

"Good," Kitano said. He shoved his phone into his pocket and started walking back to the exit.

"Heading back?" Aya asked. Kitano nodded as he waved her off.

"I have to get started on the final stretch on my end!" he shouted.

"See you soon!" the other therapist shouted. Kitano was already gone. Aya bowed her head and left the car park as well.

Naru skipped through the streets. She didn't mind Monday mornings. The girl didn't understand why everyone hated them. That was the only time she could spend with her father. Naru slowed down her pace.

Her father.

She could barely remember him anymore. What did his laughter sound like? What did he look like? Did he ever smile? What did he sound like? How tall was he? What did he smell like? What was he like? Was he nice? Did they spend much time together? Was he around that often? Naru frowned. It was like the shape of her father was there and nothing else. Try as she might, the details wouldn't come to her. Naru shut her eyes and grabbed the sides of her head. Why couldn't she remember anything about her father?

"Naru-chan!" someone yelled. The girl turned her head. Mikado was flagging her down. Naru perked up.

"Mikado-kun!" she said. She pushed through the crowd and ran over to him. The girl wildly hugged him. She burst into laughter. Mikado kind of looked awkward with the should touchy-feely greeting.

"And how are you doing today?" he asked.

"Fine," she said. Mikado couldn't remember seeing eyes so bright. She didn't know about the darkness around her. Part of the tadpole wanted to keep it that way. Naru let go and backed up.

"Heading to school?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Are you?"

"Uh-huh," Naru said. She started walking ahead of him now. Mikado couldn't piece her together. He didn't know anything about her. Sure, he saw her around the city at times but he never had the chance to talk to her. The tadpole didn't know why. (He had some guesses but still.)