Christmas Eve Murders

Chapter 5

While Yoriko drives Vincent to another location...

"You're going to the 11th Ward where the Aogiri Tree are living," he stated while looking at the gadget where he looks for locations.

Upon hearing the request, she is filled with dread. This is because the 11th Ward is the most dangerous ward in Tokyo because ghouls have taken over the place and make it their living headquarters. Hence, their organization has existed, and it has become one of the CCG's most priority targets.

"Are you crazy?" Yoriko asked with intense fear. "That place is..."

"Dangerous, I know, but you're going to meet the person who hired me to kill those ghouls," Vincent stated.

"Oh, really?"

"Yup."

Then he focuses on another subject in mind.

"Being a chef, huh?" Vincent started.

"Don't start," Yoriko stated in a mood that she's not in the right mood to talk about what she does best.

"You really like being a cook, huh?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"You're still a waitress."

"But I still want to be a cook."

"So you're a good cook, huh? Nice hobby."

"What is it you want to meet up with him?" Yoriko asked a question.

"Just drive, and you'll see," Vincent replied. "They project onto you their flaws. What they don't like about themselves, their lives, whatever. They rank on you instead."

"How do you know?" the waitress asked in a puzzled expression.

"I had a father like that," was the reply. "My mother died before I remember.

"What happened to your father?" Yoriko asked with sympathy.

"Hated everything I did. Got drunk, beat me up, foster homes. Went back with him. Like that."

"Then what?"

"I killed him. I was 12."

As she hears this, she makes no other expression. This is because she never thought of him doing this on a young age.

Then he laughed.

"I was kidding. He died of liver disease."

"Well, I'm sorry," Yoriko said.

"No, you're not," Vincent added.

For about 11:30 PM, they're in the Aogiri Tree headquarters located in the 11th Ward.

"Now, you're coming with me on this retrieval," Vincent asked.

"Why me?" Yoriko glared at him.

"Because you're responsible for losing my list, and you're going to help me get a new one. Originally, I'd have you pose as me to get my list so I would remain anonymous, but you might blow my cover, especially when you have to disguise yourself as a man. Anyway, I know my employer would want to meet me directly instead of sending a proxy like you to do that."

"Okay, then."

"Just stay close to me, and you'll be safe."

They got out of the Oasis delivery car and approach the front door of Building 1 of the 11th Ward Base. Vincent knocks on the door, and Tatara answered the door.

"What do you want?" the ghoul asked.

"I'm here to meet your boss, the One-Eyed King," was the hitman's reply.