Tangled Fates {Tokyo Ghoul/Seraph of the End}

Chapter 6

"What's 1000-7?"

Piercing screams and choked numbers intertwined to form a bloodcurdling symphony.

It had taken three months before Jason had found a way to get to Kaneki. After being forced to endure experiment after experiment and failing to be pierced by various weapons, including swords and vampire nails, Jason had figured it out.
Kaneki had been forced to unleash his kagune, and the moment he did, Jason ripped it out of his back. Kaneki had never felt pain like that before. He'd never been severely injured before. And as 9 year old Kaneki lay on the ground, screaming in pain, Jason left the room, Kaneki's kakuhou in hand.

Kaneki had been given a week to heal before Jason's new weapon had been tested on him. After that, Kaneki's life became hell. He was fed blood to allow him to regenerate, and then his kakuhou was ripped out all over again. Over and over and over and over again.

All the while, Jason had his own fun, delighted by Kaneki's regenerative abilities. If Krul was aware of Jason's sadistic hobbies, she didn't show it. No one interrupted Jason when he was torturing Kaneki. Vampires had heightened senses, Kaneki's screams should have reached the ears of all vampires in a one mile radius. But no one came to his rescue. He was alone.

Sometimes Kaneki thought of his friends, praying that the were safe, even as he screamed with a burning throat. He convinced himself that it was best that he was suffering. As long as his family was okay.

"It is better to be hurt than to hurt others."

Kaneki wasn't sure where the ideal had come from, but when it surfaced in his mind like a fish leaping out of water, Kaneki wanted to believe it with conviction.

Unfortunately, he wasn't sure if he could handle that hurt. He felt that his mind was crumbling and clung to every number as he spoke them, as if they were the keys to his freedom. In truth, all those numbers did was make sure he felt every pinch of the pliers.

But Kaneki didn't allow himself to lose his sanity. After all, he was fighting for something. Kaneki had managed to convince himself that he deserved the pain. That in his suffering, he was protecting his family.

How cruel.

Because far from his knowledge, Mika had discovered a map in Ferid's mansion. A map that had important two locations. The exit from the vampire's world.

And the chamber were Kaneki was being held.

~~~~~

"C'mon! We're almost there!" Mika whispered.

He led the group of children through the dark passages of the vampire city. Hide walked on the side of the group and Yu took up the back, making sure no one was left behind.

Gentle footsteps echoed down the musty hallways. Mika held the map closer to his face as to see in the almost nonexistent lighting. "Turn here... then follow that hallway... up the stairs... Then straight down this passageway and we should be out!" Mika cried excitedly.

A light was visible at the end of the passageway and the children broke out running. The blinding light grew closer and closer and they could almost taste the freedom of the outside world.

The group exited the hallway and squinted, their eyes trying to adjust to the light.

They had entered a large chamber that appeared to have immaculate design, completely different from the mildew lined walls of the hallway they'd exited.

"Y'know, I was nervous at first, but we're already at the gate." Yu said, looking surprised. "Is this really the exit?"

"Yes." Mika answered. "At least, according to the map it is. I guess the vampires never expected we'd escape."

"Still we're so close." Yu murmured.

"Barns aren't high security places either." Mika stated. "But the livestock doesn't try to escape. They underestimated us."

"We're gonna escape." Yu still seemed shocked.

Mika smiled. "Right! We aren't livestock. If fact, I'm a genius." He smirked with playful cockiness.

Behind him, the younger children's eyes were glimmering in excitement.

"Me too!"

"I'm genus too!"

"And me!"

"It's genius, dummy!"

"Hey!"

Mika laughed. "I guess that means everyone in the whole orphanage is a genius then! Parentheses, except Yu, end parentheses."

"You didn't need parentheses for that." Yu muttered, looking irritated.

Hide ran up to Mika. "Where'd the map say Kaneki was being held?" He asked, worry showing in his eyes.

The cheerful mood died down.

Mika held the map up in front of him. "The exit should be straight ahead of us." He stated. Mika turned sideways, facing another hallway to the left. "And the room labeled 'Prisoner 240' is that way."

Mika faced Hide, lowering the map. "Hide, we don't know for sure that it's Kaneki. The vampires probably have other prisoners. For all we know, Kaneki's dea-"

"He's not dead!" Hide stated firmly. "That's him. I know it!"

Mika gave him a sad look. "Hide... it's been four years."

"So what? I should just forget him?!"

"Of course not!" Mika shouted. He paused, lowering his voice. "I just don't want to see you get hurt whe-... if it's not him."

Hide sighed. "Do what you want. I'm going." He turned, beginning to walk away.

Mika reached out, grabbing the sleeve of Hide's livestock uniform. "Hide... we're a family!" Mika exclaimed. "Do you really think I'd let you go alone?"

Hide turned, giving Mika a surprised look. The sound of a cough reached Hide's ears. He turned again, noticing Yu standing behind him.

"I'm coming too." Yu muttered, looking uncomfortable.

Hide's face lit up and he pulled the two of them into a group hug. "Thanks you guys!"

Mika grinned, wrapping his arms around the other two and Yu turned red. "G-get off me, you two!" He pushed them away.

"Let's just go, okay?" He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"M'kay!" Mika agreed. "Akane, can you take everyone outside? Wait for us out there, and if you see anything dangerous, make sure to come back in."

Akane yelled her agreement and began guiding the younger children towards the exit. That is- until the sound of footsteps filled the chamber.