Twice a Day

Chapter 8: The Time of Reckoning

"There."

"There?"

You gaped at the red and gold building, the ornate shingles stopping you dead in your tracks. Somehow, Goemon didn't think standing in the open was wise, and darted toward some bushes not far off, dragging you by the wrist.

Goemon squatted in front of you, the bushes behind him hiding him effectively as he whispered to you. He put his hands on your shoulders to insure you were listening to him and him alone. "Stay close. In the event I'm captured, keep running. I can survive, but I do not wish for you to take such a gamble."

You nodded. Running sounded like a fine plan to you, and you didn't doubt for a second that he could withstand this and then some. Really, the concern of the break-in was you and how quickly you'd get skewered on those claws that had haunted you since the morning.

"Try to remember: End of main hall, left, right, right. Their treasure keep is beyond the red door." He shifted his weight, turning so he could see the building with a scuff of his sandals.

You kept nodding, almost a reflex by this point, before something dawned on you. "Goemon, how do you know that?"

He froze before looking over his shoulder at you. "Know your enemy."

It made sense, but only if you didn't think it over too long.

"Are you sure it'll be there?"

"I have solid reason to believe so, yes. It is not heavy, is it?"

"Well it's... It's solid wood except where the gears go and stuff." You weren't going to pretend that you were some clock expert. "Shouldn't be too heavy, I think. I've lifted it before, it's just weighted."

Goemon looked a little surprised. "Even with the gold?"

You cocked your head, brows furrowed. "Go--?"

A loud shout came from the building, startling you both. "QUIT FOOLING! You know they'll be here. They've taken longer than usual, so I'm sure of it."

It was a cruel voice, and had all the softness of fresh, unused sandpaper. His harsh commands echoed through the clearing, bouncing off nearby trees and cutting right through the bush you sat behind. Hopefully, this guy's nightshift was almost over, and he'd be replaced by a quieter, friendlier evil guard. You didn't think that was how a group with 'Demons' in the title would work that way, though.

"They're expecting us?" you whispered in a panic.

"Not us," Goemon replied, much calmer. "They aren't keeping an eye out for someone like you." He froze, thinking over his choice of words. "They are old fashioned. Their views, not mine."

You shook your head at Goemon's blundered tone. In normal circumstances that might've stung, but if old fashioned views are what kept you alive, you were THANKFUL more than offended.

"Make a run for it on 3."

"N-Now?"

"See the smaller door, to the side? That is the entrance for the lower ranks, the expendable group members. We will go in there. And you?"

"Stay close behind you, but keep running if you're halted. Running is better than fighting, but if I have to, I'll keep in mind what I learned."

He almost looked proud, and gave you the tiniest smile. Something about the mix of adrenaline and his confidence in you made him look... Very kissable. Could you? Should you? It was dangerous in there, so would you even have another shot?

He turned. "Are you ready? Please say you are, we ca--"

It was quick, and barely even a touch, but you went right for it. In fact, it was so quick you weren't even sure he'd processed it. The speed of it almost made it feel more like an electric shock than a kiss. 

"W-- You--" He sputtered, weakly pointing at himself and then you. "Wh-Why--"

"Just in case. I'm extremely terrified, you know." You said it without emotion, just unloading every thought your brain had as it happened. "I felt like I should... Say thank you? In case something bad happens."

It was hard to gauge in the night, but you could tell he was red as a lobster and working on recovering. "Y-You are welcome. But I assure you, nothing bad will happen."

How could he just say that?

"On three?" You reminded him.

"On three," he confirmed. "1... 2..."

You both took off towards the plain door, not pausing to even breathe. Wait, when had he opened the door? No time to think about it now. He led you through exactly the route he mentioned, only stopping when his ears picked up on footsteps or conversation. You'd made it a quarter there already with no bumps, but it was only thanks to one of you constantly pulling the other back at any sign of danger.

"Almost?" you whispered quickly.

"Nearly there. Last turn, GO!" He slowed a little, pushing you ahead so you turned at the appropriate moment as he kept going straight. You'd be anxious splitting up normally, but it was clear he had a plan of diverting their attention, and you weren't going to argue that.

You stumbled into the room, nearly falling onto an assortment of porcelain pots and jingly goodies strung about. It was like everything you'd imagined the cave of wonders to look like, but with more visible floor and less mystique. Sifting through this pile of gunk while looking for that clock was going to be a hell of a time. Wait... time. Where did people normally hoist up clocks like that?

You looked up at the ceiling that seemed to never end. It seemed that the most important treasures were set on display on shelves reaching far up. You continued to inspect the room, looking for a sign as to what could lift you up to their level. If only you had seen a man leap onto your roof with ease in the past week, huh?

You saw a weak pulley system at the top, realizing you'd have to stand on that excuse for a plank and raise yourself. No problem. You stepped onto it, and began tugging. It was a fresh find, so it wasn't high up, but it sure was annoying. Tug... Tug... Tug... There. The clock shone in the dim light that bounced from the jewels below, coated in other colors. It looked wonderful, but you didn't have much time to appreciate it. You swung in its direction once, twice, then used the momentum to reach out and scoop it towards your chest. SCORE!

Lowering yourself, you took note of how much it stood out from the other marks. It was just a clock... Why would they have gone through the trouble?

Carefully and quietly, with minimal interruption thanks to Goemon's diversion, you retraced your steps back to the freedom of the outside world, ducking behind the same bush you started in. Goemon hadn't really cleared a recon point with you, so it seemed like you'd be here until you--

The distinct thunk of Goemon's sandals hitting the soil was enough to rise you from your hiding place. "Goe--"

"GO!"

Then you saw it. Only three, but enough to worry you. They were hardly three steps behind each of his precise moves.

You ran.