Truth, Perjury, and Sacrifice

Destiny's Calling

The four of them exited the school, stepping back into the cool autumn air. "Uh-oh," Makoto muttered. When the others glanced at him, Makoto pointed forward, "I think Toko knows."

Karen focused on where Makoto was pointing, noticing a purple-haired figure seemingly catching their breath. "Toko?" she called out. She sprinted off the stone steps, heels clicking against pavement. "Toko, are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay! Yo-you think it's ok-okay that Komaru was kidnapped!?"

Karen glanced back at the others, "Kyoko, did you call her?" Kyoko shook her head, followed by Byakuya and Makoto signaling that neither of them had either. "Toko, I really am sorry, but I didn't know Komaru was involved, honestly! Who told you that?"

"Why, you-your best friend, of co-course!"

Karen's shoulders tightened as she resisted the urge to sneak a glimpse at Kyoko's burning gaze. "Nagito called you?" she whispered. "Why the fuck would he do that?" she asked herself, still whispering.

"To tell me it was his fault. Why are you whispering?"

"Because he wasn't supposed to call any one of us. We shouldn't be communicating with them right now." Karen sighed. "Toss your phone in the incinerator."

"Wha-what? No!"

"Toko, I don't have time to argue with you! Ditch your phone so they can't trace us!"

"It's a little too la-late for that, isn't it? I already tr-tried calling Komaru's phone."

This wasn't good. Whoever had taken Komaru now knew that they were on the move to finding her. They had no way of knowing if she was okay nor what the captors wanted. Karen buried her face in her hands, pushing hair away from her face. She shut her eyes and began pacing slowly. If this was a game of chess, how would the board look at the moment? How could she finish this game and win? Recalling every major event that had taken place since her return, what pieces would she have left? "The three students, Makoto. Do you have their names?"

"You mean the three I scouted?"

"Yes. We should talk to them." Karen spoke through her hands. A beeping pulled Karen from her concentration. Toko's phone was ringing. Before Karen could stop her, Toko accepted the call. Realizing it wasn't Komaru on the other side, Toko hesitantly handed the phone to Karen. How did they know they were together?

"Where's Komaru?" Karen asked.

<Wow, you really don't have any patience! Maybe start with a 'hello'?>

"I'm not interested in playing your game. Tell me where she is or what you want."

<We see you haven't carried out with the announcement of the Remnants return.>

"Are you with the Ultimate Hunt? What's your mission?"

<Tonight at six o'clock. You will announce their return and your treachery, alone. Then, we will release the girl.> The call disconnected. Karen returned the phone to Toko.

"Well? What did they say?" Kyoko asked.

Karen raised her sleeve, glancing at the time according to her watch. "I have to announce the Remnants return in an hour."

The others glanced at each other, "Well, we can call Hina and the others. We should be ready by then." Makoto said.

Karen shook her head, "No, Makoto. They told me I had to go alone. Stay on stand-by. I'll make sure Komaru is returned safely." She nodded at Makoto and Toko. "While I'm speaking, find those students and figure out who's behind the Ultimate Hunt."

Byakuya reached out, taking Karen's wrist in his hand. "You can't be serious. Karen, that's suicide. This is clearly a setup!"

Karen stared at him, then glanced at Makoto and Kyoko. "I'm well aware that this is a trap. But if it means some peace can come from all that I've done, then so be it." Karen pulled her arm away and began her walk back to their home.

"Hey," Toko said. "Are you just going to let her walk away?" She asked Byakuya.

"What?" Byakuya blinked, bewildered by Toko's sudden wave of confidence.

"Don't just stand there! You'll regret not being there if she dies." After all the crap Karen had put them through, Toko even surprised herself.

"Toko's right. Go. We'll inform the others and figure out what the Ultimate Hunt's plan is." Kyoko pushed on Byakuya's back. "Keep an eye out for suspicious figures." Even with Kyoko's nudging, Byakuya still didn't move. "You're not chasing after her again. This isn't about her. This is about all of us, our lives, Byakuya."

Byakuya nodded. He took off, running towards his car. In a moment's notice, the tires squealed to life in search of Karen.

"She couldn't have gotten far," Makoto said, confused by Byakuya's reckless driving.

"You'd be surprised if you had watched her on our re-con missions," Kyoko said. "Anyway, there's no time to waste. Let's get going." Kyoko, Makoto, and Toko ran back to the car, quickly piling in, and took off.