From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Thirteen

It's been six days since I found my father unconscious in his bedroom and Shiori and I have so far taken turns visiting him in the hospital, waiting for him to wake up. Today's her day and while she's texting me updates every hour or so, I'm out on patrol with the first lead I've had since finding out about Juro's potential return.

"You sure this is it?" Kirishima asks me, ducking beneath a low hanging sign as we enter a seedy bar on the far side of town. I nod, glad he was free today and even gladder that he hasn't said anything about my dad so far.

"This is it" I reply, the two of us walking down a set of grime covered stairs and entering into a dimly lit room. It's empty save for one person and it's exactly the person I was looking to speak to. Kirishima takes my flank as I walk up to the bar and take a seat.

"I've gotta say, I never expected to see you out of prison, much less tending a bar" I say, getting the woman's attention. She turns around quickly, sickly white eyes widening and breath coming out in a hiss. I smirk at her, surprised by how different she looks. The last time I saw her was four years ago and she was a much bigger, much more threatening sight, but now, she's rail thin, short black hair brushed tight against her scalp, and the bones of her face stick out so that they're almost the most prominent feature about her.

"Pulse" she rasps, glowering at me even though she's pressed against the back of the bar, as far away from me as she can get. I give her my most winning smile.

"Deathtrap. Long time no see. How's life treating you these days? I've gotta say, you look like shit" I reply and even Kirishima stiffens. No matter how used to me he may be, I think it never fails to shock him just how forward I am. Deathtrap glares, baring her razor-like fangs.

"What do you want, hero?" she snarls, her voice sounding wet and thick with illness. I'd probably gag if I wasn't trying to maintain an image.

"Aw, what? No hello hug? After everything we've been through?" I ask, getting up from the stool and walking around to the swinging door. Her eyes widen.

"What are you doing? You're not allowed back here!" she barks, backing away from me as I walk behind the bar, slamming the door open with my hip.

"Kiri, you mind?" I ask him, gesturing to the other end of the bar. He nods, his body already rock solid as he keeps pace with Deathtrap. Her eyes widen even farther and I can tell she knows what's coming next.

"Wait..." she begins, but I'm not in the mood for waiting. I smile at her, energy thrumming through me.

"Where is he, Deathtrap?" I demand and when she tries to turn away, my energy lashes out and wraps around her, squeezing tightly. She yelps as I yank her backwards.

"Come on now, don't play dumb with me. I know you've been keeping tabs on Juro, so, where's he hiding out now?" I ask her, tightening the strands of energy just enough that it makes it hard for her to breathe. She rasps, eyes wild.

"I-I-I... I don't know" she insists in a gasp and I can tell she's scared of me. Part of me relishes in that, my adrenaline pumping.

"Hm... I don't know about all that. Word on the street is that you've been feeling a little jaded since Juro took off with the rest of the crew... in fact, the way I hear it, he never even gave you the serum..." I taunt, tilting my head at her curiously. Rage sparks in her gaze and I can feel myself beginning to win.

"You mean the serum... he gave you" she wheezes, spitting the words like venom. My eyes widen, body going very still

"What? What is she talking about, Kaida?" Kirishima asks, confusion coloring his gaze. Deathtrap just starts laughing, the sound coming out like a cough. Very few people actually know about what happened when Juro took me captive and both the Association and the Commission have done all they can to keep it that way.