Chapter 201

Lost

"Where are we going?"

I snapped out of my trance.

We were now walking through a grungier side of town.

The streetlights were dim,

houses were more ramshackled,

and there was an eerie silence that settled.

My gut churned and my mind told me

we weren't walking in the right direction.

I looked around. "The subway...?"

Where was the subway? It should be around here.

This place looked alien and unfamiliar at night.

Airu stepped a little closer to me. "W-where are we?" She whispered, slightly distraught.

"Daijoubu yo. It should be around here." I assured. I threw her a quick grin. "Let's just keep walking."

Japan is a safe place. No matter where you go, no matter how lost you are, safety shouldn't be a problem. Or so we all believed.

Chapter 202

Lost

Around fifteen minutes later, even I could tell we were really lost.

Even though I have been to the hospital countless times,

I've never walked to the subway station before.

My house was nearby,

so I just usually walked home,

or my mother would pick me up.

But this area was uncharted territory for me.

It wasn't a good situation to be in at all.

"Err..." I muttered. "Let's double back."

She nodded and tightly clung to my arm.

I wasn't sure what she was doing that for, but in this scenario,

I couldn't blame myself for feeling relieved to have company.

Was this a mistake?

Chapter 203

Lost

Unfortunately, all the small streets looked the same,

and soon we found ourselves in some back alleyways.

"Eto..."

I looked around us. Nothing looked familiar.

In Japan, small side street and road names

were numbers

and enough to confuse

even taxi drivers.

If I called my mom, I wouldn't know what to tell her,

and she would probably need half an hour just to find the street we were on.

I gave her a ring anyway.

I felt safer when I heard her voice.

"Okaasan?" I paused.

"I think we're lost."

Chapter 204

Lost

She told us she would be right there as soon as possible. If she can find the place.

With time to kill, the two of us sat down on the curb, our heads in our hands.

After a moment of silence, I glanced at Airu, only to find her grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you grinning about?" I asked, stupendous.

She nearly broke out in laughter. "This will be quite the story to tell."

"Some story..."

"The story of how Seiji has got no sense of direction."

"Hey! What is that! You're not going to tell anyone else about this! You got me?"

She giggled and covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

Our voices echoed around the street and against the houses a little too loudly.

"Shhh!" I whispered at her.

It only managed to crack her up even more.

"Urusei yo!" I reached over to clamp my hand over her mouth.

For a second she quieted down.

Then I realized what I was doing and jerked my hand back, now with a touch of lipstick on my palm.

Embarrassed, I apologized profusely. What was I doing? She wasn't Aoi.

But it was no use because she had resumed giggling.

Chapter 205

Lost

"What're you two doin' out so late huh? Lost?"

We jumped. I knew we had been too loud. Someone saw us.

My blood pounded at my ribcage. It wasn't a good idea to be here.

Airu clung to my side. But that was no use, because I was shaking in my shoes too.

There were three guys around twenty feet away from us. The one who spoke was tall and lanky boasting a skinhead cut. Tattoos were along the base of his skull, and a metal chain around his neck. He wore an arrogant smirk as he looked us over. His eyes slowed as he focused on Airu. I watched as he glanced her over, from head to toe, licking his lips.

I remember the same look, a year ago. Merciless, perverted eyes that had violated my Aoi with just its gaze. Luckily, I held them off long enough for her to run. But after, it wasn't a pretty sight at the hospital. Thinking about it, I was the one on the bed and she was the one looking at me with pained and worried eyes. But it was worth it.

I felt Airu shiver next to me and I shifted over in front of her. What do they want this time?

Chapter 206

Lost

I reckon we had around a four second timeframe to escape down the sidestreet. It wasn't enough.

When was my mother coming? Could she even find us? Would she find dead bodies instead?

Skinhead stepped closer. We stepped back.

"Where are you going? Why don't you join us for a drink?" He sneered.

"I think we'll be fine." I held my voice steady. My heart was racing.

We backed away.

"I'm sure the chick won't mind." His companion piped up, grinning widely.

"When I say run, run. Down that sidestreet." I whispered to Airu. "Don't forget to call the cops." She looked at me with frightened eyes.

I knew it was coming.

Chapter 207

Lost

I had my days when I got involved in things

that left me with more than a bruise.

It was probably for one year

where one of my friends got me mixed up into the mess.

It wasn't fun being chased down by people you didn't know.

But I toughened up.

I saw their leg muscles tense up before I saw them move.

"Run!"

I shoved her and she got the idea.

Skinhead took off after her, leaving his two companions to finish me off I assumed.

But it was a narrow street and I threw myself full force into him.

The rest was chaos.

Chapter 208

Lost

There was a force of a sledgehammer as a fist hit me.

The world exploded hot around me.

In retaliation I launched my foot sporadically which connected with somebody hard.

I was on the ground the next instant.

I only prayed I gave her enough time. Run! Aoi... run!

Chapter 209

Lost

It didn't take me out. I scrambled back on my feet and ducked the next fist.

Was I really taking on three people? I couldn't believe it.

I saw Skinhead start down the sidestreet. Damn!

His two companions were on me the next moment.

I didn't have time to waste.

"Police!" I pointed.

The trick works every time. They always come handy with a sense of guilt at the back of their heads.

I didn't skip a beat. It was time to take off.

"You fucking punk!"

With them hot on my heels I chased Skinhead down the sidestreet.

Chapter 210

Lost

We emerged into a back alleyway. It wasn't a sidestreet.

It was a dead end.

Skinhead had Airu cornered. I swore under my breath.

She screamed as he grabbed her roughly and threw her against the wall.

With no choice, I sprinted at him.

Oh God.

Chapter 211

Lost

"Leave her alone."

Skinhead stepped back and turned towards me. I moved in front of Airu, my arms out as if my arms can offer extra protection for her. So much for the hero of the day. It was the second dumbest thing I've ever done in my life.

"What are you going to do punk?" He paused for emphasis. "We'll fuck her right in front of you and you can't do shit."

The other two companions showed up. They were surprisingly slow.

"Kill him. That punk."

Skinhead showed me a wide grin, full of predatory teeth, in my mind I could imagine the sharp fangs in his mouth. With pleasure, his eyes seemed to say. He remained silent but took something out of his pocket.

It flashed a cold silver as the blade flipped out.

Shit.

Chapter 212

Lost

My mother would find my dead body here after all.

Did Airu call the cops? I could use some help right now.

For some reason, I wasn't shaking anymore. It was quite the contrary. I felt relieved, calm.

Time slowed to a crawl

and suddenly

I could feel everything around me,

all my senses intensifying around me.

My sweat drops lingering on my skin, dampening my shirt.

The crisp night air, so airy and clear it hurt my nose.

It was the kind of misty air that can lie to you

and make you feel like this would be over soon.

The lazy moonlight above was hiding its face from the scene.

The silence was devastating.

My nerves were tingling,

wound up like an elastic band.

Was this what it was like when you faced peril?

Before you died?

I didn't know what was happening to me. Maybe I was relieved I might be able to join Aoi in dreamland soon.

Chapter 213

Lost

He stepped closer. I could feel his breathing now. It had a foul stench. I could almost feel his cold blade pierce my skin. Even the air around it turned sharp and cold.

He whispered in my ear.

"I'll kill you. Then we'll take turns with her."

"What can you do?

Tell me what you can do.

You are a weak helpless human being.

You bleed too." He chuckled.

His words could be nearly as sharp as the knife.

Oddly, he was speaking truth.

And the truth hurts.

There was nothing I could do.

There had been nothing I could do since the accident three months ago.

And right now, being cornered in a dirty gritty alleyway wasn't any better.

I'm not ready to die. Please not here.

Chapter 214

Lost

I've got my entire life ahead of me. I wasn't ready to have my life flash before my eyes. I didn't have enough to go through. What would my future be like? What was I meant to do?

I'm sorry Airu, I couldn't protect you.

I'm sorry Aoi. I couldn't do anything for you. I'm so sorry I can't see you again.

Why does it have to be like this? Why is God so cruel? I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry dad.

I'm so sorry.

Chapter 215

Lost

He raised the knife. I braced myself. My last few minutes. Everything depended on what I did. It was a large gamble. One centimeter and I could be dead.

I tried to imagine what it would feel like to have that steel blade rip through my flesh, maybe cutting through bone. The sharp unbearable pain that flared through your body and head. Enough to send you reeling in shock.

Will anything I do help?

What could I do? He had asked me. I am flesh and blood. But I still had a life to live. I wasn't about to give up.

Aoi was waiting for me. Aoi, I want to watch the sunset together once again. I want to walk with you hand in hand on the beach. I want to see your smile again, hear your laughter. Aoi, I've lived for you for so long. So don't let this be the end. Aoi, help me!

Chapter 216

Lost

He licked his lips. His eyes shone with a glint of maniacal laughter. The kind that gives you the chills because you were never sure what he could do to you. The type that looked like he was one of those psychotic murderers you hear in the news. When holding that knife, he enjoys the feeling of cutting into flesh. I knew if I gave him one centimeter, that knife would be driven into me and that would be the end of the story.

One second could kill me.

The reality cut through to me like barbed wire, like the cold wintry air you suck into your lungs and almost pains you.

My life rested on one second. One centimeter.

Chapter 217

Lost

Airu cried at the last moment. "No! Don't!" For a few seconds I was saved. I don't have to die so soon.

He cocked his head curiously. What are you going to do girl?

"Don't hurt him! I-I-I'll do anything!"

She tried to sidestep me. "Stay back." I barked.

The two Skinhead sidekicks came to try to grab at her offer. But I kept myself between them.

Skinhead had no choice but to raise the knife again. His hand trembled in anticipation. In psychotic excitement.

This is it.

Chapter 218

Lost

I swallowed.

The knife came down at that precise moment.

But I had braced myself.

I threw myself forward and hoped for the best,

which was the last thing he would expect.

I waited for the pain I was imagining just moments ago, but none came.

The knife blade had just skimmed my shoulder, but I slammed into his body, and we flew backwards.

With one hand I took his wrist and drove my knee as hard as I could into his stomach.

I heard the knife clatter on the ground.

That was about all I could do because the others were all over my case.

But I didn't mind, because I wasn't dead yet.

Chapter 219

Lost

I didn't have a chance to react.

I was thrown into the ground, my bones nearly shattering on impact. My body screamed in pain.

Get up! I shouted at myself. I tried but promptly received a boot to my gut. I curled up in more pain.

I took more kicks, my body seized up, on fire.

Funny how the body contracts when its in pain. Like it gives up automatically, instead of fighting back.

But I couldn't let my body give up on me. I couldn't give up just like that.

I wouldn't let them have it so easy.

I wouldn't let the world underestimate me.

Give me one more chance.

Chapter 220

Lost

One more chance I got.

One of the guys who booted me in the gut fell as I kicked his knee.

I rolled to the side and got up as fast as I could. My muscles complained in agony. I looked up.

Skinhead was still struggling to stand, except Airu was next to him.

Despite my pain, I grinned when he fell again

because Airu swung a piece of wood she'd found on the ground.

She stood there for a few seconds shocked at what she had done.

But within the next few milliseconds Skinhead's comrades came on me.

I fought but they already had my arms from behind and held me down.

Damn.

Chapter 221

Lost

"What the hell are you kids doing? What time is it?" We heard a voice echoing from above.

I looked up to see a head sticking out of the wall. Fortunately, this dead end wasn't as abandoned as it looked.

"I'm calling the cops!" The grumpy old man shouted. Oh yes, please do.

I watched as he pulled out a cordless phone with his head still out of the window.

Skinhead swore and looked at the others. They released my arms. They couldn't do anything with him watching us.

We were saved.

There was no time to lose. I ran over to Airu and grabbed her hand.

"Run!"

Chapter 222

Lost

We were panting by the time we slowed down.

We lost them. We were free.

Above all, I was still alive. I faced down a knife and I was still alive. I faced down three thugs and survived.

My heart was still racing, and my blood running hot through my veins.

Then without so much as a warning, I lost balance and collapsed.

It was like my body finally realized it was hurt.

Suddenly, being alive wasn't so exhilirating anymore. I felt pain from every direction.

Chapter 223

Lost

Airu was at my side now.

"Daijoubu ka?!"

"Yeah. Other than the fact that I might've had an extra piece of metal sticking out of me, I think I'm okay." I laughed shakily.

I grimaced in pain.

She pulled out a pack of tissues out of her bag and tried to wipe my face.

"Thanks."

There was silence for a while.