But in the End

It was a Trap

"So, what did Taguchi find out?"

"Turns out the anonymous tip was from the Azure Messenger, and we have pictures of the victims Taguchi pulled from a server." I heard Kunikida sigh, he response causing me to furrow my brows. Azure Messenger?

"Sounds like there's not too much to go on." I replied, keeping my eyes in front of me as I walked.

"We're about to head to the abandoned hospital that the tipster mentioned, possibly where the victims are being held." He explained.

"The one that shut down a few years back?" I asked, curious.

""Yeah, why?"

"I'm actually not too far from there as we speak, I could scope the place out as you head over, make sure it's not a trap." I suggested, stopping in my tracks.

Kunikida seemed to mull over the idea, before he replied. "Sounds good, the cab I called should be here any minute."

With a short bye, I put my phone in my pocket, changing my direction to head toward the abandoned hospital.

Once I reached the premises, I took slow steps, glancing around. With it being dark, I took out my phone, turning on my flashlight as I scoped around the building. Making a full circle back to the front, not seeing anything, I decided to make my way in to take a look around.

I slowly pulled open the door, trying to be as quiet as possible in case the kidnapper was inside. As I walked down the hall, I shone my light from side to side, making sure to check any doors I passed by.

I cringed at the eerie atmosphere, never liking hospitals in the first place, much less, when they're abandoned. I wonder why this hospital ended up like this in the first place.

I came to a stop, picking up a few papers that were strewn on the ground, glancing at its contents. Seeing a few were just patient documents, I tossed them aside, trying to see if there could be anything useful regarding this Azure Messenger.

"I am not afraid of ghosts."

"Don't fall behind then."

Hearing voices coming from a distance, I turned my flashlight to point into my chest, blocking the light as to not be spotted. I glanced around, seeing if there was anything I could hide behind.

"Haven't you ever seen a horror movie? The person who goes first, is always the first to die."

Wait- I stopped in my tracks, glancing towards the voices. Isn't that Kunikida? As the figures grew closer, I felt myself relax, realizing it was them.

"Took you guys long enough..." I sighed, turning my flashlight off.

"I was wondering why we didn't see you outside. Figured we beat you here." Dazai said, the three coming to a stop.

"Figured I'd look around, see if I could find anything." I replied, waving the papers in my hand, tossing them to the ground. "Sadly it's all stuff that was left behind."

"Lets keep going then, check the lower levels." Kunikida stated, walking forward, the rest of us following along.

As I was walking downstairs, I couldn't help but smirk. "So, I couldn't help but overhear that someone is scared of ghosts~"

"I am not scared!" Kunikida seethed, pushing his glasses up.

"I never specified who, Kunikida." I chuckled as he tensed, realizing he walked into my trap. "Awe, is someone embarrassed?~"

As we began walking down a set of stairs, Kunikida whipped his head in my direction. "Can't you take this seriously? We are on a-"

"Look at these footprints." I heard Astushi speak up from in front of me, cutting Kunikida's lecture off. Walking over to where he was crouched, I noticed it was only one set. "They're still fresh."