{Vocaloid} Where the Odd Ones Lie

Safety

     Piko was running straight towards them, looking absolutely defeated. Around his arm was Fukase, blood pouring from the scarred parts of his skin.
"Mayu! I don't know what to do!"
Her heart sank. "Piko...Luka isn't going too well either!" They both looked at each other in shock and utter defeat. Seeing Fukase bleed made her cry before being able to process the emotion. Her body reacted before she was able to. Her arms felt weak, but she held onto Luka sternly.

"Okay,um. Do we need to get Luka to master?" Mayu panted. Piko almost didn't make out what she said, but came to his senses quickly.

"Yeah and as for Fukase...I don't know what to do. These injuries are from Master, I don't know if he'll help or not." Piko began to feel frantic, his chest rising and falling violently.

From Master? When did that happen?

...What happened while I was out?

Mayu shrugged the thought. "We'll..just have to convince him somehow. Beg if we have to. Whatever it takes."

Piko nod. "Whatever it takes."

They began their trod to find Master's train cart. Luka continued to groan, pushing herself with all her might to continue walking. Mayu felt the stress with each step, trying to help Luka with her pain. She'd glance over at Piko and Fukase every now and then, and each time they seemed to struggle more and more. Fukase's condition worsened as well. Piko's simple white attire became drenched with the blood seeping from Fukase's face and torso. He was completely unconscious. Fukase wasn't much bigger than Piko, but he was solid. Piko struggled to carry Fukase on his own.

"Piko, wait!" Mayu stopped him briefly to assist him. Piko draped one of Fukase's arms around Mayu's side. She felt Luka begin to become weaker on her other side. Piko became for stable, and the four of them continued to trot through the clearance back to the train carts.

The trail back was a struggle. Mayu and Piko gripping onto their partners desperately, blood continuing to gush on the both of them. Once they'd finally reached home base, they were faced with the task of finding the right cart. Master was known for being spontaneous, and liked to move his cart around the area frequently. His cart was marked with a singular purple plank in it's side.

They made a few wrong turns, went to the wrong several times, their feet aching and their stomach turning as the sun began to set. After mindlessly wondering, they stumbled upon the right cart. It was much larger than the rest, and the purple plank was beginning to fade.

The door was wide open, as though he had been waiting for them. The entrance to the cart was well lit and and dainty, illuminating the beautiful vanities and jewelry in the cart. Mayu let go of Fukase, and helped Luka up into the cart. She was sweating and panting, but still conscious. Piko drug Fukase in, and propped him up beside him. There was an eerie chill in the air as they entered. The pine of the cart smelled old.

"H-hello?" Mayu called out, half-sternly. She was still very weak and nervous.

She heard footsteps from deep within the cart. Slow, heavy footsteps. Mayu stood her ground. Piko tried to do the same, but couldn't help but tremble a little.

Out of the darkness came Master. His black, shoulder length hair slicked back neatly, adroned with a dark, floral hat. He wore a purple suit. His eyes gleamed from above his bead-strung glasses. His mouth twisted into a little smile.

"What can I do for you all on this evening?" he asked quietly, completely ignoring Fukase's blood seeping into his floor boards. Mayu stood sternly, trying to keep her composure as she became more aware of her surroundings. The amount of torches he had lit was...alarming.

"Luka is having a bit trouble of right now and...and we need help." her voice began to waver, but she kept her composure. Master slowly approached Luka, tilting her chin and raising her head slowly. She faced him with half open lids. She looked too tired to be scared. It made Mayu very worried how uncomfortable Luka looked in his grasp.

"I will take care of her. You can leave, now." He began to walk away with Luka.

"W-wait!" Piko yelled. Master turned slowly to face him. He set Luka down and approached them once more.

"What is it?"

Piko's face turned red with frustration as tears swelled in his eyes.

"What kind of question is that?! Fukase is in...he's in so much pain!" Piko yelled, holding Fukase tighter. Mayu began to feel emotional herself. If Master weren't to help him...she wouldn't know what to do.

Master laughed slyly;mockingly. "It's his own fault he ended up this way. Why should I help him?"

Piko grit his teeth. "You monster...you're a monster!" He began to scream repeatedly. "Monster, monster!" his head hung low as he held onto Fukase. Master slowly began to make his way towards Piko. He grabbed him by her hair and rose him into the air, leaving Fukase flat on the floor. Piko began to kick and wail, repeating the phrase still. Master grabbed him by the neck, continuing to pull harshly on his hair.

"Who do you think are, to call me such a thing? Who took you in when your own mother didn't want you?" Master's voice made Mayu sick to her stomach. She couldn't stand back any longer.

"Kai."

His eyes widened, but his smile didn't falter. He dropped Piko swiftly, and he hit the floor with a thud. He was shaking and coughing, but kept the same infuriated expression.

"If you take care of him I'll...I'll do whatever you want. Comply with every order. Go through...whatever I have to." she starred at the ground with her hands in tight fists,trying her hardest not to break down. She couldn't let him die. It wasn't the fact that his death would be on her conscious. It was the throbbing in her entire being from seeing him in such a state. It was the hollowness and emptiness to think about him not being there.

"...Very well." He slung Fukase over his shoulder, still ignoring the blood getting all over his suit.

"Now be out of my sight."

Mayu closed her eyes and took a deep breath for a brief moment, then turned to get Piko.

                                 ☼☼☼☼☼

Mayu and Piko sat outside of the group train cart with candles, slowly taking in the events that'd occurred. Mayu wasn't exactly sure how to process what had happened, but she still felt like she'd done the right thing.

"Mayu...are you worried?" Piko asked softly. His gentle petite attitude returned. He smiled gently at Mayu. Mayu smiled back.

"I'm not too worried. As long as Luka and Fukase are okay, I'm okay."

Piko smiled cheerily. "Mayu...you're such a nice addition to our family."

"Really? That means alot..." flashes of her own family whipped through her mind, but she was able to ignore the mental whiplash. Tonight was too good of a nigh to feel gloomy.

"Of course. Mayu...there's so much we have to teach you. Once you begin to learn about us..and about this place, I'm afraid you won't like us as much."

Mayu smiled brightly at Piko.

"Hey, i'm one of you guys now, right!"

"And besides, what do I have to lose?"