Worth More Than a Sapphire

Chapter 13: E-S-C-A-P-E

   You bolted to the door with all your might, the blaring lights and alarms giving you a headache beyond belief. But you had to keep going. If nothing else, at least so you could go back to wearing normal temperature clothing. You reached the door as you heard shouting in the distance, and you pounded on it.

   Jigen opened the door halfway before Lupin shoved it all the way open. "Well, we messed up! Just start running!" He ran to the right, probably to go find the other two.

   Jigen pushed you to Zenigata and pointed away wordlessly as he followed Lupin. Your instructions were clear; Leave. Your reflexes took over, and you booked it away from the building. Part of you was worried about Zenigata, but the bigger part of you knew that if he could force open metal bars, he could handle escaping these guys pretty easily. Sure enough, you heard him fumble after you, and somehow he ended up ahead of you. Watching him run ahead proved two things, one, that he was confident in you being able to keep as up as you'd said, and two, yeah, he was gonna be fine. And so, you both ran like your lives depended on it, mostly because they did.

   The rain beat down heavy, sliding down your back. Unlike the last time you'd been running in a downpour, your heart felt like it was about to give out, your feet stumbling every few feet in what could be a disastrous misstep.

   Zenigata noticed your struggle over his shoulder. He wasn't sure how much longer you'd last under conditions like this.

   As Zenigata looked behind you, you turned as well, worried at what could be steps away. You saw nothing, and instead felt a sharp push in your side. Between the dark of the night and the blur of the rain, you weren't sure what had happened until you felt something lift you slightly and guide you off the street.

   A cold, slimy brick wall touched your back, and you without much second thought, you began to inhale sharply, ready to scream your lungs out until Zenigata or whoever heard you. Or until your lungs gave out. Whichever came first.

   A large hat came over your face, halting your upcoming scream. You lifted your hands, grabbing the brim of the hat and pulling it away. Before you stood Zenigata, frantically signaling in the dark for you to please, please be quiet, don't make a sound. You nodded, not caring whether or not he could see it, and leaned back on the wall, catching your breath. Your mouth tasted dry and metallic, and your chest ached. The adrenaline could only kick in for so long before your body remembered it was only mortal, and Zenigata must've known that.

   You wanted to reach out for him, but the sound of tires on the flooded pavement made you freeze. But Zenigata did not do the same.

   So quick you almost didn't register it, he came closer, placing the hand facing the entrance to the alley on the wall behind you and the other around your waist.

   As the sound got louder, you reached out, sliding your hands under his jacket around his waist, as if this was bulletproof and enough to shield you both. You were already missing his usual frumpy coat. You couldn't quite see over his arm, but maybe that was for the better.

   You heard a car screech nearby, and winced, clinging to him tighter. You felt him stiffen at the harsh sound. He grit his teeth as he watched the car lights paint the brick wall opposite of you both. It was clear he was looking at something, but you weren't sure what, until you heard footsteps. Heavy, determined footsteps, footsteps that got their payroll from axing off those who got away. You felt your legs twitch, telling you to run away, but when you began to move Zenigata just held you in place.

   You opened your mouth to quietly, but ferociously, tell him, "Move, idiot, or we'll BOTH die or worse!" but he quickly clamped a hand over your mouth. It was like he was used to this exact bizarre situation, and if it weren't for the fear reigning supreme right now, it would probably be a little annoying. He removed his hand, not looking away from the light.