Half-Sight

08 | faith

a/n

happy new year! wishing you all a renewing start to 2020 :)

with that said, enjoy chapter 8 of half-sight!

all my love,

krissy

♙

present day

hina ogawa

"SHE'S WHAT?"

We're tucked beneath a drooping tree in an amber-lit alley, all the tatami storefronts sleeping. Familiar wanted posters are scattered across one of the doors.

"I pulled Kotomi aside before you two left for Dotonbori," explains Ren. "If the police were going to chase us down...well." He smiles. "Might as well make the most of it, right?"

I recall his gaze on Kotomi. Calculating. I need to talk to you.

My mouth falls open. "But how..."

"I gave her a tracker and an earpiece," he goes on, tugging off his mask. "She has a friend in the press too. Reporters are crazy enough already, but it doesn't hurt to make sure they'll clog up the main streets, you know? It's hard to get anywhere now." The sound of a helicopter rumbles in the distant sky. "Hope it worked."

My mind flashes back to the knowing triumph on Nobu's face. "It did."

He looks to me. "Really?"

"There was a detective with me before the blackout happened. He thought he could see through her. Poor guy though he made a successful bribe." I squint my eyes, wincing at myself. "I thought she actually fell for it."

In the lantern light, his face lifts in another rare smile. "Good."

The helicopter's rumble loudens. Blades disturb the wind and ruffles the scrawny trees. We press ourselves into the shadows as a spotlight sweeps past us, grazing black-shingle rooftops on its way southward. Shouts and sirens ring out. I hear dogs barking.

"We need somewhere nearby to lay low for a while," he mutters. He glances my way. "Where's your place?"

I shoot him a half-amused look. "You're inviting yourself to my place?"

"You stayed in mine," he defends.

"Only because you kidnapped—"

"Kidnapped?" He narrows his eyes at me. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll let you bleed to death."

I glare at him. "I'm on the edge of Minami and Kita. It's too far."

He tilts his head with a disappointed exhale. Metal jangles against metal in the distance. Dog collars clinking. After witnessing the blind fury on Nobu's face, there must be search parties armed with search dogs, competing with reporters for control over the streets.

Voices become clear. "Move, please—you two, down that way!"

"Hai!."

"Riku! Come with me."

My voice drops to a whisper. "Where are we going to go?"

Ren leaves the shadows. "I might know a place." My throat goes dry as he races down an alley cloaked entirely in darkness. As if sensing it, he pauses. "Can you see?"