Ye old Willow

Part 21 Shield

 The red headed girl replied, a dark expression on her face, “No. My brother is not dead. They may say he is, but brother could not die so easily.”

She gripped her hand, Her heart was still in turmoil from the words they had told her all those months ago. “I won't let myself believe such lies.”

The businessman gripped the back of frays collar to keep him from leaving, “So I was right, they did tell you something along those lines.”

Kazuki's sister pulled out a small knife from behind her, the blade clean and unscratched from lack of us. She swung it around skillfully, a theatrical habit that she had yet to remove.

Fray gulped as she took a step forward towards the two males.

Zachariah's smile widened, “You are right you know. Your brother is alive.”

The girl blinked.

The adult pulled fray in front of him, “This guy is your brothers friend, He met him nearly 3 weeks ago. You understand what this means.”

Kazuki's sister was at a loss for words.

The businessman however was still ample in his supply, “See your already getting distracted. You want to question this guy in order to know if what I said was true. Well I'm in no mood to impede you.”

He pushed fray towards the girl taking a step back, whispering to fray as he did so, “You'll be fine. Just don't insult her brother and she won't kill you.”

Fray swung his arms randomly trying to keep himself from being pushed forward to the knife wielding girl.

“Uhh... Hi.” He mumbled, unable to keep the pretense of any cool act when up against a knife.

She ignored his introduction taking a step forward.

Zachariah said calmly, “I would tell her about her brother, I doubt she has the patience to keep up with introductions.”

Being held in front like a shield. Fray was more angry than scared, “I know your brother. Kazuki.”

The girl kept walking, merely three steps from striking distance.

That anger quickly vanished and was replaced by rational fear.

A laugh came from the businessman. “She won't accept that. I already said Kazuki's name earlier. You need to verify you know him.”

The girl took another step.

How is a person supposed to verify someone else's existence? How could he prove to this girl that he knew Kazuki? Why the hell was he the one doing it?

…

A scene replayed itself in his head. A garden, where two people were playing happily together. The day of parting between them.

“Kazi, “ Fray repeated from memory, “Let’s play a game, a game!”

The girl dropped the knife. “How...”

Before fray could answer, Zachariah pulled him out the door, shutting it behind him.

Fray looked between Zachariah and the door. “Why did you pull me out?”

“What do you mean, “Zachariah asked, Breaking into a stride. “You wanted to stay in a room with a knife wielding girl that’s threatening to kill you?”

Fray grimaced, 'Wasn't she ordered only to kill you?'

Fray followed Zachariah, his reaction slightly slowed by his internal rebutal. “But-”

“But what, “ Zachariah interrupted, “She doesn’t know about her brother. Are you going to risk your life to say to prove something I already said was true. She has been ordered to kill. When she gets the information she will kill us.”

The door slammed open, leaving a little doorknob sized hole in the opposing wall. The girl jumped through, her teeth clenched in annoyance and anger, chasing after them.

Zachariah increased his pace, and Fray did the same. The headed towards the exit of the subway, a large staircase that lead to the streets of the city. Where people would be walking by.

Fray was slightly behind him, his breath heavy. He was not a runner, and he had hated PE lessons for this fact.

Zachariah in comparison was perfectly fine, almost as if he was used to running away from troublesome instances.

They headed up the stairs, taking the steps three at a time. Fray stumbled once, but caught himself his pace not slowing. Reaching the top of the stairs when the girl reached the bottom. Zachariah paused for a second, as the girl climbed the stairs, to wave goodbye and say almost childishly, “We can't play this game right now. Let's play again later. Maybe next time you wont get distracted.

Fray who was behind him a the time, let his fist drag out to the side and slam Zachariah in the gut. Before dragging his collar and pulling him into the street.

The very crowded street, where numerous people were staring at them for running out of the subway entrance. The same subway entrance that had been oddly empty of any individuals.

Fray wasn't sure how long they were going to keep running.

After recovering from the punch the businessman showed no signs of stopping and maintained his pace, throughout the street. Crossing intersection and intersection. Till without warning abruptly stopped, and calmly walked into a nearby coffee shop.

Fray followed behind him, leaning up against the wall, acting not nearly as calm and elegant as Zachariah had been before him.

As he walked in he was handed a coffee by the smiling Zachariah who had already made himself home, ordering some food. His attitude was completely relaxed, ignoring the fact that someone had just been threatening to kill him.

“So, “ the businessman said, “We got the information we wanted. Do you want me to explain Frayce Meyer?”

Fray shook his head, “I think I understand. His sister is part of that cult? The one Kazuki was raised in?”

Zachariah took a sip of his coffee, swirling the liquid gently around in the cup, “You do know a lot don't you. Your a lot like your father. Nothing like your sister.”

“What do you mean?” Fray asked.

“Well you find things out for the purpose of knowing them. You will go and ask the person directly to do so. Your sister is a lot more covert, she keeps her darker emotions of hate and revenge to herself and will not ask others for the information she desires. Maybe its to hold herself back from doing something stupid. There is no other reason why she has yet to ask Kazuki of your father's death.”

Fray kept on glancing towards the window, making sure Kazuki's sister would not show up. “I don't think you can say anything about my sister. You have not known us long enough to make any sort of judgment on what type of people we are.”

Zachariah sat his cup of coffee down. Opening up a packet of sugar, and pouring it in the half finished liquid. “Don't you dare insult me. I know people, People are frightfully simple. They give away their inner desires when they think no one will notice. Not asking someone for information when you know they will give it. Not asking someone for information, when you know you want it. Leads to only a few possibilities. Don't you dare doubt my judgment.”

Zachariah remained as calm as ever when he spoke, although his words felt barbed, his smile never leaved his face.

“Although,“ He added, “ I hope I'm wrong.”