The Sum of Our Parts

Chapter 13

Soft grey light filtered through the early morning air as the group made their way through the sleepy city. The smell of the sea was strong, and the gusts of wind stronger than the day before. Everyone huddled further into their coats, and clung tighter to their bags.

Shoyo's bright hair stood out from where it peaked under his hood. He had insisted on carrying the bag since Tobio had done so all of the day previous. It made the smaller man look bulky in the dim light, but easier to keep track of as they traveled.

Making their way through the city streets was fairly easy. They blended in with other early morning travelers, and everyone they passed kept their heads down and their attention elsewhere. It was the benefit of heading out so early.

The hardest part of the trip came when they closed in on the docks. Large stretches of open land separated them from the water. There was little to give them cover in order to hide from prying eyes. Making their way across would have to be quick and determined. Hopefully, there would be no workers to spot them, and try to stop and question them. Tobio just had to trust that Teppei knew the best route to take.

They set a brisk pace as they walked into the open. Crossing quickly and with confidence was the key. If it looked like they knew what they were doing, all would be fine. What few dock workers they could see in the distance paid them no mind. The plan seemed to be working well.

There were a few stray shipping containers placed haphazardly and the group gave them a wide berth as they advanced on them. Tobio's heart rate kicked up and he could feel his pulse on his tongue. Everything was so quiet, yet so tense. Things were supposed to be going this well, yet it didn't feel normal.

It seemed he wasn't the only one thinking that. Everyone looked on edge, muscles taut, and eyes darting around the area. Shoyo shivered, but it didn't look like it was from the cold. The hairs on the back of Tobio's neck stood on end. Teppei pulled something from his pocket — a taser.

Was it just shared nerves? Or was everyone feeling on edge for a reason?

They were about to pass the last container. The speed boat could be seen moored in the distance. They all unconsciously picked up their pace, eyes set on their target. Something softly clattered along the ground, metallic sounding. Litter, mostly likely, kicked by someone's foot—

"RUN!" The lone man from their group yelled and broke into a sprint. Everyone followed suit.

From the corner of his eye, Tobio saw men in uniforms rounding the shipping containers. Police! A hissing noise filled the air, and Tobio realized what the noise had been. They had thrown a gas canister at them. He immediately pulled his scarf over his nose and shouted at the others to do the same.

One of the younger children from the family stumbled, and Teppei scooped the kid up in his arms. It made the taser he held useless if he intended to carry the child. Tobio ran to keep pace with the man and held out his hand.

"Give it to me!"

Teppei handed it over without pause. Tobio glanced behind him and felt his blood run cold. Perhaps he could outrun the officers gaining on him, but the rest of the group could not They were just average people, untrained and exhausted from their attempts to find safety, weighed down by what little possessions they could carry.

They weren't going to make it.

"Get him out of here!" Tobio ordered.

Teppei gave Tobio a look full of too many words to say. After a moment, Teppei nodded and moved to make sure Shoyo couldn't see what was happening behind him. "We're all together! We can make it! Run faster!"