The Runaways

We had no time to waste. Every minute that we remained inside the mansion, the risk of getting caught was getting higher.

My mother's garden was gratefully filled with all sorts of plants that it had concealed us from the main view of the house.

Somewhere around here, I remembered that there was a gate that led to a bare lot beside our house.

My sister and I had called it the wasteland. It was just that. The lot has been empty for years and it seems that it will be for a few more.

Once again, my heart constricted. Madelein and I had always been close. She was not only my sister but she was also my first best friend.

There was not a single thing that my sister didn't know about me. The thought of not seeing her ever again nor hear her laugh was shattering my bravado.

Tears began to blur my vision.

The sudden sound of a dry leaf being crushed by a footstep halted me in an instant. I caught Mary's stare and gestured for her to keep quiet. I did the same with Mikee.

With instinct kicking in, I carefully dragged my brother towards the flower bushes that made an aisle which would lead to the gazebo in the backyard. It was lined with multiple Palawan Cherry trees, the Philippines version of Cherry Blossoms, behind it, perfectly hiding us from plain sight.

I had no idea where Mary had chosen to hide and I was about to look for her when I heard the sound of footsteps accelerating.

"Yohoo," I placed a hand over Mikee's mouth, our assailant's voice triggered his fear. He was trembling against my hold.

"Come out come out now *Otomes," the voice seemed familiar. I tried to hack my brain attempting to put a face that matches it.

It then hit me.

Myojo, Takahashi's first Capo. He was also the late Mister Ryuji's Capo.

I remember now.

As much as possible my father didn't want to involve me and my siblings whenever he had a business transaction while at home.

It was too risky, he had said which in fact was a ridiculous thought.

But then, he later on had no choice and dragged me into one of the deals. I was after all, his chosen heir.

I couldn't forget Myojo's voice. It was unique in my hearing. When I heard him speak, it was like thunder rumbling which I admit kind of spooked me.

And right now, those thoughts weren't helping.

I risked taking a peek seeing that he was dangerously close to where we were hiding.

I wasn't scared for myself. I was scared for my brother. He was the only precious thing I hold dear aside from Mary. If I lose him too, I can't imagine how to even move on from that.

I was terrified that I might not be able to protect him. I was powerless to save our father, mother and Madelein.

I was afraid that I might end up unable to do anything for him too.

With these thoughts, I was beginning to brace myself for defense.

No matter what happens to me, I need my brother to live. Between the two of us, I'd rather die than watch him be taken from me as well.

"Damsel in your face!" I barely had time to register what just happened when suddenly Mary had jumped out of her hiding spot giving the second Capo the element of surprise hitting him with the back of the pistol on the face.

Blood dripped from his eyebrow, probably interrupting his vision. It made him lose his grip on his gun but it barely held him back as he grabbed Mary, pinning her on the grass, locking both of her hands firmly against the ground.

I know Mary can handle herself. Both Mary and I had the same trainer in hand combat. It was one of our bonding moments. I can guarantee that she was capable of fighting off Myojo but I can't just watch and do nothing.

"Stay here Mikee," I whispered to my brother, gently releasing him. He nodded vehemently while I held my dagger firmly, getting on my feet.

As quietly as I could, I came up behind Myojo, tapping him on the shoulders.

"Hey." I said plunging my dagger on his throat the moment he locked eyes with me, pulling it out right after not allowing him the luxury to even defend himself.

I watched him clutched his open wound, gurgling blood as he fell on the ground beside Mary.

"You've messed with the wrong people,." I spat witnessing the life slowly ebbing away from him.

Bang! The sound of the gun invaded the once silent garden.

"I should be the one telling you that," I spun and found Takahashi's underboss, Daisuke coming towards us, his gun aimed in my direction.

However, I knew that he wasn't intending to kill me. At least, not right now. Else, he would have fired the bullet towards me instead of firing it to signify to the others our location.

And he would never dare shoot Mary, unless he wanted Takahashi to have his head on a platter instead of mine.

I was then left to wonder where he and Myojo were when everything went down. I don't remember seeing them in the great hall during the massacre.

"Takahashi wouldn't be too pleased to find that you have killed Myojo." I smirked.

"Oh, that person has feelings? I'm surprised." Daisuke's lips twitched a little. He must be agreeing with me, but of course, he must feign innocence.

"Just give it up little lady, you stood no chance," Finally being within reach, he stretched out his hand indicating for me to give him my dagger.

"Give it," I slowly raised my hand in a gesture to hand it over.

Seeing that his attention was fixed on my blade, in one quick motion, I slashed his hand away avoiding the bullet from his gun.

He howled in pain but before he could fire another shot, Mary had already pulled the trigger of the pistol, hitting Daisuke right in the chest and ultimately, he fell on the ground.

Crouching to pick up his weapon, I took the time to admire it before getting back on my feet, towering over him.

"This is for me and Mary." I fired, shooting him on the chest once again. I knew that he was already dead but I wanted to release a tiny portion of the anger that I was feeling.

"This is for being Takahashi's loyal toy." I fired again, hitting him in the same spot.

"And this, this is for everyone whom you and your people have killed." I fired for the last time, giving him the perfect headshot just as his boss had done to my father.

"Bullseye."