The Silent Script - Bungo Stray Dogs

Escape

The door had barely clicked shut behind them when Jouno’s hand shot out, gripping Yosano’s elbow. She turned, ready to ask what was wrong, but stopped at the sight of his raised finger pressed against his lips. Her eyes widened, disbelief kicking in.

Someone was approaching.

Impossible, she thought automatically, glancing at her watch. There wasn’t supposed to be a patrol here for at least twenty minutes!

But Jouno stood perfectly still, listening. They had absolutely no excuse to be in the personal deposit room at this time. None of the items in here belonged to them, and even if they did, the hotel staff would have delivered them upon request. They were as out of place as two thieves could possibly be.

Jouno’s grip tightened slightly, his brows drawing together. His mystified expression mirrored Yosano’s troubled one.

Please walk by without coming in here, she silently pleaded, knowing full well it was futile. The guards had no reason to be on this floor unless they needed something from the deposit room or were part of the regular rounds. But Yosano knew it wasn’t the usual patrol—it couldn’t be. The rounds were always punctual. These guards had been sent for the deposit room.

Her breath quickened. There was nowhere to hide. The room was too small, and the second anyone opened that door, they’d be caught immediately. The footsteps drew closer.

Jouno didn’t need to speak; she could sense his unease as sharply as her own. Panic and disbelief fought for dominance in her mind. How could this happen when they were so close? There was no way she’d let herself get caught now, not when Ranpo was counting on them to return successful.

If they even made it back at all.

Neither she nor Jouno moved a muscle. The air felt thick, suffocating as the footsteps approached. They’d be heard if they so much as breathed too loudly. Yosano closed her eyes.

Please walk away.

And then the footsteps paused.

A loud voice echoed down the hallway. Yosano’s eyes snapped open as Jouno shifted beside her, both of them recognizing the voice instantly.

“Wait!”

It was Akutagawa. Relief and frustration swirled in her chest at the same time. What the hell was he doing here? They weren’t supposed to deviate from the plan. That meant Atsushi was with him, though she couldn’t hear him yet. If Akutagawa was here, their escape route was at risk.

Jouno tugged at her sleeve, pulling her back to focus. He was right—they had to escape this situation first before worrying about anything else.

He turned the gold-rimmed handle, pushing the door open just a fraction. The voices outside became clearer, though Yosano still couldn’t make out what was being said. Akutagawa had managed to engage the guards, but where was Atsushi? His soft, distinct voice wasn’t part of the conversation.

Jouno nudged the door open further.

One good thing about a high-end hotel heist? Everything was built to perfection. The door swung silently, not betraying a single creak, and Jouno stepped through the gap immediately. Yosano followed, her pulse quickening.

She glanced back as her fingers pressed the door shut with a soft click. The guards had their backs turned, standing closer to the deposit room than she liked. If either of them turned around, they’d be caught immediately. Akutagawa was still speaking with them, his voice insistent, and there—Yosano spotted Atsushi standing beside him.

Her first thought wasn’t relief. The moment she saw him, she knew. 

Something happened to him.