The Six Keys

Deadman Wonderland Part Three

     Ganta and I stared at each other as the cage faded away.

     "I know you don't know me very well," I said, trembling in fear and holding my hands up in surrender. "but I don't want to hurt you."

     "We have to," he said, shaking his head apologetically. "They'll kill us."

     "Woodpecker is correct," the announcer said. "You have to fight at least a little."

     I knew that Ganta couldn't control his abilities yet, not until he felt threatened at least. It was on me to start this fight, or it would be hell on both of us.

      My heart racing, I started picking at the thin scab on my arm from the laser injury.

     "I have no intention to hurt you, either," he said.

     "I believe you," I replied, smiling weakly and flicking the scab onto the floor. The blood surfaced quickly, taking its position on my back. Ganta stared in shock at the form my blood could take. "But its you or me," I finished, taking a sideways stance.

     Releasing a battlecry, I thrust my hand out towards Ganta. Hardened shards of my blood flew towards him, and he easily averted.

     Getting his balance again, he sighed nervously and pulled off his bandages that covered his wounds from his previous Carnival Corpse fight. His blood swirled around him like vines, the ends resting in his hands.

    We stood off for several seconds.

     "This is such a boring match," a speculator's voice echoed overhead.

     "I must agree," said another.

     Many murmurs came through as Ganta and I waited for the other to attack. He didn't move so it had to be me.

     I charged at him, pulling off a crimson feather and shoving it towards him. His Branches wrapped around my arm, slicing into my skin and making me drop my weapon. It shattered at our feet as he threw me aside.

     Pulling out more feathers, I got to my feet and threw all of them towards him. He leaned left and right, dodging all of them. Not missing a beat, he fired the Ganta Gun at me, and the orbs followed me like missiles. I jumped forward, the pulsing orbs barely missing me.

     Taking advantage of me being on the ground, Ganta's Branches wrapped around my ankles and dragged me towards him.

     The faceless onlookers started to "ooh" and "ahh" in approval. Branches came from my wrist and I used them like a whip across Ganta's cheek. In pain, he released me and brought his hands to his face.

     Gripping another feather, I tackled him and raised my hand to plunge it into him. His Branches wrapped around my hand to stop me. Narrowing our eyes and gritting our teeth, we wrestled, trying to gain the upperhand.

     In all the mayhem, his legs got free and he kicked me off of him. Before I could gain control of my blood, he shot his Gun at me once more, nailing me right in the gut.

     The blow shot me onto my back. Fading in and out of consciousness, I looked up at the pitch black ceiling. Ganta stood over me.

     "Sorry!" he said, kneeling beside me. "I had to! You'll be okay though, we did it!"

     I managed a small smile before blacking out.

*   *   *

     A bright light was shining in my eyes. I blinked, coming to. I faced a huge slot machine designed like a chicken, the prison's nurse standing next to it. A tray of surgical tools sparkled under the spotlights.

     "Welcome!" the announcer chimed. "to the after Carnival Corpse show!"

     I gulped, looking at the list of body parts I could lose.

     Hair, eye, hand, stomach...

     My eyes started to water before I could read the rest.

    
     I struggled in my restraints, remembering that they don't numb you for this. The nurse said something to me but I was too panicked to hear.

     "Huh?" I asked, holding back sobs.

     "Are you ready?" she asked.

     I whimpered and nodded. She pulled the lever, holding it and waiting for my command.

     "Stop," I said, staring at the slots as they slowed.

     Already assuming the worst, my vision was completely lost as I cried hard and contemplated asking them to just kill me.

     It was the buzz of a hair tool that snapped me back to reality. I looked back at the slots, which all stopped on hair.

     I was so relieved that I actually laughed, relaxing against the chair. I didn't even bother to think about how I failed to get the key as the nurse started removing my hair.

*   *   *

     "Ganta? Are you awake?" I asked, tapping my knuckles against the bars of his cell.

     He turned towards me, smiling and meeting at the cell bars.

     "Are you okay?" he asked. "I tried not to hurt you."

     "I'm fine," I answered. "I can't stay long, they're going to keep me locked up since I have those... abilities."

     "How long is your sentence?"

     "Probably longer than I first thought."

     Shiro appeared at my side and gave me a hug.

     "Good fight, Lillianna!" she exclaimed, looking at my head and pouting. "Lillianna's pretty hair is gone."

     She congratulated Ganta too, handing us each a small bag of chips, then pulling something else out of her pocket.

     "Lillianna needs this," she said, placing it in my hands.

     I looked down at the golden key, the handle being a fat, round chicken mascot.

     "Wow, Shiro!" I said, smiling big and hugging her again. "I did need this, thank you!"

     "Bye-Bye!" she giggled, waving and scampering away.

     "Before I go," I said, turning to Ganta. I reached through the bars and touched his shoulder. "I have to let you know... everything is going to be okay."

    Confused at first, Ganta smiled at me and nodded thankfully.

*   *   *

     Back at the abyss, I clicked the key into place. Too exhausted to listen to what the voice had to say, I dropped to the floor and was instantly asleep.

Author's Note: OMG I FORGOT TO UPDATE YESTERDAY I'M SO SORRY *cries for days* But Deadman Wonderland is finally over and I have to say I really liked writing this one. Onto the next!