Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 42 - A Final Thread

Her fingers trembled at the sight of Yukari's body hanging from the ceiling.

Machi looked up at Lilah emotionlessly as she dropped her victim's corpse, getting rid of her Nen threads as she hit the floor with a thud.

"There you are. I thought you'd gone and betrayed us," Nobunaga chuckled.

She didn't respond to his comment and looked at the corpse on the floor. Pakunoda stood up from the box she was sitting on, sporting a black minidress and black heels.

She walked over to the woman Machi had just killed, and rolled her body over with her stiletto heel. She chuckled and looked at Machi with her hands on her hips.

"You do realize you just killed the owner of the Beitacle Hotel Casino's daughter, right Machi?"

The pinkette scoffed. "I don't care who she was. She would have interfered with our plans, so she had to die."

Lilah stayed as calm as possible. She didn't move a muscle. She didn't say a word. She even forgot to breathe. 

Even the slightest change in her aura would arouse suspicion. All she could do was sit on the crates beside her friend's dead body and stay silent.

"Lilah."

She stayed mute.

"Lilah," repeated the voice, louder this time.

She turned her head gradually, her lifeless eyes landing on Hisoka. He urged her to stand, motioning her over to where he was seated.

Her limp body swayed to where he sat, still not accepting the fact that Yukari was dead. She was gone, forever. And there was nothing she could do but sit beside her corpse and pretend that she wasn't the first female friend that she had ever made.

"Breathe," he commanded quietly, eyes fixated on the vase that was being rolled out to the stage of the auction.

"Now, listen to me closely."

Without turning her head in his direction, she heeded his words.

"I need you to get out of here. Find Kurapika, and stay with him for as long as you can. I have a feeling that you will be in danger if you stay here any longer, I will handle the Troupe and your reason for departure."

With a simple nod, she stood up. "I understand."

Machi watched as she walked away from Hisoka, a suspicious glare on her face. She quickly mentioned something to Pakunoda, and went after the woman as quick as she could.

Machi followed her through the back hall of the auction house, and eventually outside of the building. Catching sight of her figure near the gate, she hesitated a moment before calling out her name.

Lilah spun around slowly, a pale hue on her face. Machi opened her mouth to speak but heaved a light sigh and swallowed her concern. "Don't do anything reckless, okay?"

The ivory-haired woman gave her a nod and turned back around.

Machi watched her walk away from the building, sensing an emotion that hadn't plagued her since her very first encounter with Chrollo. Biting the inside of her lip, she turned around and closed her eyes. Never did she wish upon another person the agony she had felt that day.

All Lilah did was run once she was out of sight. Her legs pained her as she reached the Beitacle Hotel, but her only objective was to locate Kurapika. She asked the receptionist which room the Nostrade family had booked, and quickly raced to its location.

Upon arrival, the bodyguard informed her that Neon and her entourage were spending the night at the hospital, due to unforeseen circumstances. This gave Lilah peace of mind, and she managed to change into a fresh pair of jeans and a white blouse, quickly pinning her hair up before running out of the hotel.

Her heart stung as she ran, avoiding the crowded streets with barred-up roads, and police officers directing the flow of traffic to the best of their abilities.

Her speed was almost inhuman as she took to the free roads, finding the hospital in record speed. She managed to gain the information needed to find Neon's room, walking down the halls with a dagger in her chest. She had been denying her friend's death through the whole venture to meet Kurapika, and was finally right before the door.

With a deep breath and a knock, she took a step back. 0501...He must be here.

A man, likely in his fifties, answered hesitantly, but ruffled his brow and stood up straight when his eyes met Lilah's. "Can I help you, young lady?"

"Yes, I'm looking for someone. Is Kurapika in the room you're in?"

The man looked at her suspiciously. "What business do you have with him?"

"I was told to speak with him. Only momentarily, it has nothing to do with Neon Nostrade."

The man heaved a heavy sigh, letting his shoulders fall. "Oh, thank goodness. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he isn't here. I was recently informed that he was at the auction hall. I have no idea when he will be back."

She bit her lip. "I see. Well, could you pass on a message for me? If it isn't too much trouble."

"Of course."

"Let him know that Delilah stopped by with orders from 44. I'll be near the main city park tomorrow around two in the afternoon."

The man eyed her hesitantly but nodded regardless. "You have my word. I will pass it along to him."

"Thank you," she graciously bowed. "I never caught your name, sir."

"Light Nostrade. If you ever need a fortune of your future told, you know where to find me. Have a safe trip home, Ms. Delilah."

He handed her a business card, which she took with curiosity. "Ah, I see. Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Nostrade."

He gave her a curt smile and closed the door. Lilah looked at the card, reading its contents with a perplexed expression. What an interesting business.

- - -

Walking through the streets the following day, a yawn escaped her mouth. She had hoped that Nostrade had relayed her words to Kurapika.

Sitting in the crowded park wasn't her first choice of scenery, but it was nearly two in the afternoon. Better to be early than to miss her opportunity to see if he would show up.

With a sigh, she eyed the happy families and people in the park, all safe and unharmed. They were all so blissfully unaware of the previous night's events. The bloodbath that occurred, the bodies sprawled on every end of every street. She stared at a family with a small child with a frown, deep thoughts consuming her mind.

Her life was now in her own two hands. She had the power to control everything. A trapped childhood that showed no other outcome but becoming an assassin, was now hers to choose. It was a bit ironic if she thought about it. She had a full intention of following in Illumi's footsteps, making the Zoldyck family proud of their sacrifice in raising her. And now she was a rebel of her desire to find out who she was. What part of her exactly, was missing?

Raising her eyes from her interlaced hands, she caught a familiar sight a few meters away.

They didn't take notice of her as she began to approach them, since they seemed to be having an eating competition of some sort. She folded her arms and paused a few paces before them, looking in the direction of the one person that Lilah was in desperate need to find.

"Kurapika!"