And Then, There Were None

The fan whirring, churr, churr. That's the only voice to be heard in this air-conditioned room, the nurse already left. The young — definitely hasn't graduated yet — woman, asked them to wait awhile until she fetched a cold pack.

The time is enough for Yuuki to inspect the marking on her neck. Skin to skin, gross feeling aroused him. For he has not a human skin but a shell of it. It always weirded him out when he touched skin to skin. Sometimes warm, sometimes cold, sometimes hairy, sometimes silky, a wonder of biology.

He craned her neck to view the marking on it. It's hastily drawn using black marker, one used on the whiteboard. Like a sigil, some kinds of incantation, but indecipherable. To him at least that is. Undoubtedly a hasty work by human, he mused. Yet still the fact someone out there tries to mimic, or that she of all people joined this 'cult' is worrisome.

A faint glow emitted from him touching it. Like a spirit was let out. It was surprising for him, he didn't think it would work the way they wanted. Rather, he expected no reaction.

This has invited his faces closer. A pattern that look like an anarchy goat was branded into her neck, there's residue of obsidian-like crystal. Unlikely as brittle as obsidian.

"Arcane crystal."

He concluded, despite being human and the fact that such crystal is only circulated between Liminal. It is a rare piece that barely of any value, a residue from excessive incantation by specific Liminal. But it is commonly sought after for the virtue of it, not that there's any way to dispose of it.

It being in the hand of a cult and use it for scarification. One would fit such images, 'Miyazawa'. Cult which enthralled many shrines of the north.

A subject of Harutaka case, Haru as in far and taka as in heaven/castle. Indeed, by the notion of his name, he fared too close to a heaven. One which he shouldn't dwell. In the process, he made himself a target and got himself killed. A gunshot, from his own revolver, on the hand of Yuuki.

He wasn't excited at first, he had bloodied his hand after all. With the consequence that he have to be his mimic until much a better explained death. Yet fortunately for him, the man whom he killed — Harutaka — is distancing himself to other coworker in his department rather people surprised he was visiting their office formally when Yuuki disguised as one. So now he just helped with the case, then returned to school shortly. Absent as always, like Harutaka is. Haru as in far, taka as in castle.

Frivolous man who donned a yellow and blue Hawaiian shirt even into office. Frazzy hair, unkempt face and smoke cigarettes. He who has flirted with many coworkers. Yet he never got fired, purely for he is a brilliant man, solving many cases, including his current case, the 'Miyazawa' cult.

Then he put his nose what it needn't be. Liminal being that the cult revered.

"What a pain," Yuuki mumbled, remembering that the case still going on. He had no obligation to follow through and just drop it to do another case. After all, it is an old case that had no lead. But by eliminating this cult, less chance of people, normal sane people become aware of liminal.

The curtain was drawn to admit the nurse. One which had set off to grab the ice pack, now one in hand. As she supplied it on Yuuki's bruised arm.

"You should be careful, who you are choosing with," she said, slightly tempering the lesion area.He inspected her slow disgorge of the cold ice pack: "Can't help it we are president and it's vice after all"

"Still, getting into this doesn't bode well, doesn't it?"

"Well, she seems to be under influence," he shrugged.

"Which?"

"Alcohol."

"Alcohol?" She titled her head, the smallest increment toward Ichiha face and, "I cannot smell the alcohol."

"But it's str…"

Realization raced into his mind, this alcohol scent isn't truly alcohol, one that others would smell.

"Ah, my nose must be numbed from all that," he reasoned quickly. His hand then caressed her hair, seeing if there's more mark hiding behind.

"What is with that tattoo," the nurse asked, seeing the imprint brand on her neck.

"Don't tell her, but she is really, really into cult." He giggled, then a wrought voice: "Don't tell her."

"Someone you don't exactly want to die for." She yipped, shrugging meanwhile as she keep patting the lesion with ice pack, clearly unbothered.

"Ehh, people can be hard to crack."

Ow, let out Yuuki, realizing the ice pack tear the skin to musk the liquid. He put his other hand on the ice pack, keeping it sealed. He looked toward the nurse, "I'll do it myself, thanks."

Given a proper dosage of smile, she put her hand off and take the clipboard. "Next period will be soon. You should be back if there's nothing else to do," she muttered, leaving them both and closing the curtain.

After confirming no peeping eyes. He took the talisman and applied it to his arm. "I need to bring another spare," he mumbled, seeing that it might happen frequently.

What left is still reddish stripes, but it should be sealed now. He patted the spot where it would take a week to recover. Even if it can be explained, a risk of it getting scratched is high. The school do have a long sleeved jacket made of soft material. However, if he was grabbed suddenly, it will not help. That is high possibility, knowing Haruka.

Suddenly, his arm was grabbed by none other than the president. She yanked him closer to the bed. Soft, as soft as nurse bed is, turned harder, like a rock. She picked the pillow up and start suffocating to what is her vice.

The was vice is writhing, scream muffled. The bed move erratically. The sound of metal clanging was loud, it would draw attention. His arm tried to let loose of the pillow, gripping by her arm, yet she was unmoved. Her eyes cloudy dark, as she continued pressing harder into his face, so much that it leave an impression on the bed.

His frailing hand subsided, it has been full 2 minute of suffocating hour passed. Feeling like full hour, just trying to kill him. She breathed a relief and muttered under her own grasp, "I'm sorry, I can't…"

Suddenly, Yuuki body jerked, grabbing by her stomach and churning it inside. She shrieked in response. Her body limped to the bed in an instant. As elbow land on her neck, choking her. The vice and its president look behind the curtain and see the nurse not there.

She might have left upon hearing that, he thought. Well it's a relief then.

He breathed to her ear while closing the curtain with the other hand. Cold seeping through each other, wriggling skin. A wearable disgust plastered on his face. Yet again, he touched skin to skin. Even with the gnashing, the disgust hasn't faded away.

His insides want to be set free. Churning back and forth. Frantic breathing as iris dances wildly. He was finally able to mutter a distinguishable sound. A whisper, one to her face, a warning: "Don't."

She can feel the rising and falling heave of his breath that condensed into her cochlea. Her mouth was sealed shut by the broad palm of his hand, she tried to bite yet unable to do so. Only a spat — like a snake — that she managed to do.

"Don't."

Her small hand with roughen knuckles reached toward his hand. Trying to exercise it out frantically. Then by seconds, her once surprised eyes smoothen into a slight cry. Her shoulder quake and her face went static.

Once again, energy was seeped from her. She let the startled hand down and cry once again. Bubbling saliva filled the inside of her mouth. As she choked on her pitiful cry.

He stopped breathing, then said, "never ever tell others about this. Where do you get that brand?"

But silence answered. She doesn't respond, her eyes are still and frail.

He pressed his head, which of ruffled rough hair, to her cheek. His hands travelled into his shoulder, who shuddered, and getting off from her mouth as he wiped it on her uniform. The feeling of disgust has left him by that point.

She tried to scream but quickly subdued. "Don't think about it," he shushed. "Don't tell anyone about this. However, I have something to ask, what is it in your neck?" Yuuki shook her body to get the point across. Then he let her speak.

"What do you want, traitor," she admonished.

"Let me ask you this again, who mark that on your neck."

"Why do you ask?"

"Tell me!"

"Why should I tell you!" she bellowed while trying to peter out his grasp but quickly overcome.

He yanked her face closer to his breath, with teeth bruxing: "I am not known to be merciful when it comes to information."

He grabbed her neck and chin, showing a mocking grin all the while. She sweat yet she didn't respond.

Impatient is what allowed Yuuki to thrash her to the bed.

"Useless. Allow me to say that if you wont keep quiet, then I will do everything in my power to destroy you," he declared. Leaving her alone. Still hung, pale-faced, teeth clenched and limp on the hardened mattress.

"Yuuki! I heard you in there!" someone said as footfall echoed. It was none other than Haruka, letting herself as an arrival when the creaking door announced it.

"Hey, what are you doing here, Mizuno told you to fetch you again," she giggled yet a worrisome look is clearly visible.

You aren't coming here on Mizuno credulotion, his period ended already, and even if he did, he only asked you to fetch me from bathroom. You would have told the teacher instead when I wasn't here, irrational nuisance you are, Hakura, Yuuki mused.

His breath caught when he heard the rumble behind the curtain. Though he couldn't bring himself to look, feigning ignorance, showing absolute nonchalant-ness.

Different reaction showed in Hakura face. She was curious, to say the least. She walked after him and draw the curtain. Submitting to the scene of the student president lying in bed.

"Woah," her voice dropped. "Well, well, well, what we got here, someone else?"

Now if Hakura expect that I was here, she must have learned it from someone and they would obviously point out I was carrying the student president, so I don't know why that comes as a surprise that she is here. Yuuki reason, yet only nod gesture was communicated.

Suddenly, Hakura jump on the bed, occupying the quarter that was empty. Causing Ichiha to shriek as they bumped. She wasn't exactly expecting it, not that those two interact much.

"Ichiha, are you asleep?" Hakura popped, prodding her cheek, practically hugging her.

It was apparent she was trying to sleep but couldn't when Hakura decided to barge in. With all the act of a carefree woman, whose innocence knows no bound. He couldn't help but a soft snirk as the third standby.

Ichiha couldn't keep the act together and pushed Haruka away, so much so Haruka is losing her space and fell to the cold floor. Taking with her frantic Ichiha.

"Get off!" Ichiha barked after hitting her butt to Haruka stomach. Yet that did not evidently loosen Haruka's death grip.

"Tell me what did you do with Yuuki!" Haruka asked, even if muffled.

"Harrgh?" Ichiha groaned, unable to answer, she pivoted the conversation away: "please get off me!"

The struggle continued with Ichiha trying to get on her feet while Hakura keeping her from leaving her embrace. They both making quite a ruckus of the place.

First Ichiha managed to stand, but the binding arm of Hakura make the walking bothersome. Second, Hakura tried to climb up from stomach to her shoulder, getting higher from the centre point for easier leverage. Third, Ichiha anchored herself to the metal post, while using the leg to kick on her stomach. Fourth, Hakura tickled her belly to stop her from attacking. Fifth, Ichiha bind Hakura by her wrist, long red nail digging into her hand.

"Alright, alright, why are you so relentless?" Yuuki — an assent of neutrality, not really — asked.

"What you guys do?" Hakura shot back, anger wuite evident on her voice.

"Are you like envy or something?"

"I am concerned! Look, both of you are badly hurt," she shouted, jerking in defensive position. Then she screamed, turned and said, "stop digging your nail into me!"

"I don't think that's the way to show your concern," he muttered slowly, piercing a look. Then he sighed, "well, you can say we got into a fight."

"What fight," she said, turning her head, with worry; that much's true, but there's a hint of a certain flavour of angry.

"The usual kind," Yuuki answered. His eyes wandered to the window, avoiding both their gaze.

Haruka's grip loosened, just slightly. Ichiha took the opportunity to wrench herself free completely with a single breath, stumbling backward until her spine hit the metal bed frame. The clang resonated through the small space.

Haruka articulated the situation at hand in a way that wasn't her. An icy, orderly restraint condensed in between her eyes. She took a deep sigh, one she held for long, until a concern: "Just what is with both of you. Getting physical all of a sudden, it worries me both, okay?"

Suddenly her iris shrink in a new development within her vision, her mouth caught not only once or twice but thrice until, "Ichiha, your throat…" was said.

"Don't," Ichiha cut her off, voice hoarse. Her hand flew to her neck, covering whatever was there. The same mark Yuuki had been asking about. Her fingers trembled against her skin. It yet again glow like before, in reaction to her movement.

Yuuki watched the exchange in silence. His breath had steadied now, the jolt of energy from before settling into something milder. Even if he wanted the answer, even if it needs to be lie that; he'll be misguided.

Not once a thought crossed his mind to exercise it from a third party like Hakura will come into fruition. It will be in vain, not like Hakura will understand or able to continue the conversation. Rather he liked to keep it between him and Ichiha.

"Haruka," he mumbled, and it came out as a warning. "Leave it."

But Haruka, in spite of her spirit, wasn't known for leaving things alone. A newfound determination, a newborn detective as they say. Her gaze darting between Yuuki tired looks and Ichiha's defensive stance. A clue that would be put in corkboard, where pin, string and red marker would be used a lot. Her mind worked her way, to form a picture she would like to know. One that would satisfy all the question she asked herself.

"Come on, Hakura," he said, asking once again, yet less polite. "Get out."

"I don't need you meddling between our fights, leave, it's for your good." In a way that wasn't false, nothing good from putting your finger on someone else matter. The only good thing is the trill from it and the happy visage they wore, but it doesn't matter at all to someone like Yuuki or even Hakura for that matter.

"Who did this to you both?" she asked finally. Not playful. Not curious. Serious, in a way that made Yuuki's jaw tighten.

Suddenly, a bell echoed within the building. Announcing the end of the period and the end of the school. A lot of chair is moving quickly; while class is usually dismissed by the teacher, they aren't exactly want to keep you beyond the school alarm so some class left earlier. Maybe because the lesson already finished or it can be resumed later.

Three of them waited until the bell stop ringing, as the erratic footstep subsided. Turning into a steady rhythm, that rung, like a group of people walking. They walk with purpose, something that alerted Ichiha.

Ichiha breath caught yet again. She looked toward the door with a sweat of foreboding, then back to Yuuki. For the first time since he'd choked her, there was something other than hatred in her expression. Fear, perhaps. Or recognition of a shared problem.

"We need to go," Ichiha whispered, pushing herself off the bed. Her legs were unsteady, but she forced them to cooperate. "All of us. Now."

"Go where?" Haruka asked, but she was already moving toward the door, her body responding to the urgency even if her mind hadn't caught up.

Yuuki didn't answer. He was already pulling the curtain back into place, erasing the evidence of their presence. His mind raced through possibilities, exits, alibis. The footsteps were getting closer. Two people, maybe three, judging by the rhythm.

When he turned back, Ichiha had grabbed Haruka's wrist, pulling her toward the back entrance. The one that led to the storage room, then to the rear stairwell. Convenient route for an escapee of such circumstances.

"Move," Ichiha hissed at him.

Yuuki didn't argue and upended her wish. He followed them into the shadows, the door clicking shut behind them just as the infirmary's main entrance swung open.

In the darkness of the storage room, pressed between dusty shelves and forgotten equipment; the three of them held their breath. Haruka tried to open her mouth to natter, but Yuuki's hand clamped over it immediately. As always, not a gentle one, but a command for silence regardless.

Through the thin walls, voices filtered in. Multiple of them, searching with intents. Which all not clear but to Momiji.