Secrets of the Shrunken Ones

Chapter 8: Miyano Akemi

No! She can't be here! She just can't!

Marie looked in horror at the girl with two plaits and glasses. She wanted to find her father. The father that wasn't her father. After that she was going to get killed. Miyano Akemi just couldn't be here yet. Not with Marie unprepared and running a fever. No one noticed her at the door watching as the girl cried and the transmitter got stuck on her watch.

A wave of dizziness rushed through Marie and she had to lean against the door frame. After the wave was gone Marie collapsed on the stairs outside and sat there mind whirling with worrying questions and useless ideas.

This can't happen now!

The door opened and Marie looked up to see 'Masami' bow to Mouri Kogoro and walk down the stairs. Ran called after her telling it would be alright, because her father was a great detective. Marie swallowed with her sore throat and her head started pounding again. She wanted to cry. But she wouldn't. She had to think this through. Make a plan on how to act. She had to save Shiho's sister. Somehow. A throb shot through her head and made her wince.

"Huh? Marie?", Conan's voice was distant.

Now that she thought about it, the world was whirling too. Like her thoughts. Lifting her eyes up she saw Conan's blurry face and Ran turning around.

No good! I can't stay awake!

"Marie!", his brother's concerned shout rang in her ears as the world tilted upside down.

Before long strong arms lifted her up and a hand was pressed on her forehead. It felt nice and cool even though she was shivering.

"Her fever is getting worse! Otou-san, get the thermometer!", Ran called and she had the feeling they were going upstairs.

She felt her body slowly going limp.

No! I have to... stay... awa... ...

The darkness claimed her just as Ran opened the door to their room.

xXXx

Marie stared at the ceiling. This week had been horrible. She had been in and out of consciousness and Conan and Ran were clearly worried. Kogoro was too, but he only looked from the door as Ran nursed her. It didn't stop the case from getting forward though. It was exactly a week after Miyano Akemi had visited. Today they would find the 'father'. And he was going to get murdered. If not today, then sometime soon.

"Ah, Marie! You're awake!", Conan had opened the door and came beside her futon.

He pressed a hand against her forehead and his frown softened.

"Good! Your fever is gone. Don't scare me like that!"

She smiled softly.

"Sorry... Is the case going alright?"

The boy nodded.

"Yeah. We found her father", Conan smiled, but then his frown returned, "Somehow it felt... off. The reunion I mean, but it's probably nothing"

Marie gave him a wan smile and returned her gaze to the ceiling.

Of course it would be off! It's not her real father.

A pang of worry rushed through her again. The day Miyano Akemi was supposed to die came closer and closer and she was still sick. She hadn't even thought of a plan yet! Her head had hurt too much for that. Only thing she had figured out was that there was no time to save Akemi from the gunshot and after that she would definitely die.