Silence In Numbers: File One, page 19
He brought his hand up and blocked the punch she threw at his face. Her other fist came low again and he slapped it down, grabbing her arm and pulling her past him. As he did, though, she spun left and slammed her elbow into his face, knocking him back. Fortunately he had the presence of mind to jump back, avoiding the kick she followed up with. Sano jumped back in and threw his own punch but she ducked under it, coming up outside and bringing her knee up into his stomach hard enough to lift him off the ground, knocking all breath out of him. Her palm slammed into his chin right after, sending him back and to the ground.
Sano wasn’t done just after that, though. He kicked up and came back at her, ducking the punch she met him with and scoring his own on her stomach, wincing himself as he heard the pained gasp and realized he’d just hit the spot she’d recently been shot in. The fist that hit the side of his face prevented any apology, however, and he was forced to duck another strike in order to get back into an even position. After that their strikes connected less, blocks and counter-attacks meeting in a flurry of speed.
They’d done this many times before, training and practicing against each other to get better. Sano was a little worried this time, however. He knew Katsumi would never seriously hurt him, even in a situation like this, but… that only meant she wouldn’t intentionally hurt him. In her anger, he could tell from the hits he received that she was using more and more of her strength every second, forgetting her control. If it continued this way Sano could end up with a broken neck or splattered head in a total accident. His fears proved well-founded several seconds later when Katsumi, in a move of pure speed, seemed to simply appear beside him outside his defenses.
Her fist slammed into her stomach and, as he doubled over, her foot kicked out his own, sending him face-first to the ground. Sano would forever after this moment be grateful for their sparring practice because Katsumi’s foot continued the arc and came down in a vicious axe kick. A flash of memory triggered Sano’s reflexes and he threw himself to the side, watching Katsumi’s heel meet the cement in an impact that shattered it and sent cracks out in every direction for several feet. There was a virtual crater where his head had been less than a second earlier and a bit of light shone from where she’d broken through to the floor below.
It went deadly silent after that; neither of them moved to continue the fight. Sano looked up to see Katsumi’s eyes wide, her gaze fixed on the spot her foot was in – the spot where Sano’s corpse would be had he not reacted as quickly as he had. The expression of horror was clear on her face and all traces of anger were gone. “I-I’m… I’m sorry… I didn’t…”
“I know,” Sano said as he pushed himself up and dusted off his suit. “I knew I should’ve backed off.” Katsumi looked scared so he moved to put a hand on her arm. “It’s fine, Katsumi.”
She shook her head, looking at him fearfully. “I almost…”
“Yeah, well, I’m the dumbass who thought it’d be good to fight you angry.” He smiled at her, knowing she needed to see it. “Look, forget that.”
Katsumi looked away, her voice a lot softer than it was before. “Sano, I… I really need to be alone right now, okay?”
“You always do that.”
“Well it’s how I deal with things. And this…” She looked back at him, her eyes pleading with him to let her go. “I can’t talk about this right now. I’ll… I might talk later, but not now.”
Sano tilted his head. “You’ll forgive me for not wanting you to just run off again after last week.”
Katsumi smiled sadly. “I’m not going to run off. I just really can’t be around other people at this moment.” She looked down at the cracks beneath her feet. “It’s just making it worse, and I’ll do something I can’t take back.”
“I understand,” Sano sighed, folding his arms. “Go.”
“Thank you.” Katsumi met his gaze for another few moments before walking into the building.
Sano shook his head, looking up into the night sky with a thousand thoughts in his mind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sano was lying on his bed looking at the ceiling when his phone rang. Seeing as it was two in the morning he didn’t expect many calls so he picked it up quickly, especially once he saw the name. “Katsumi?”
“Sano…” It sounded like she’d been crying which, frankly, didn’t surprise him after the way she’d reacted tonight, especially after all the events of the past two weeks.
“Everything alright?”
“I just… Well I… I don’t know where you are, but you could come over now… if you wanted to. I know you wanted to before.”
Sano smiled at the weak ‘cover’ she used as he headed for the door. “I’m just down the hall. I’ll be there in a sec.”
“Well you complained before about not being able to-“
“Yeah, I appreciate you doing this for me,” Sano chuckled, hanging up and opening the door after knocking. He noticed Katsumi on the couch staring down at an older pistol in her hands and moved to join her, pointing at the weapon as he sat beside her. “What’re you doing with that?”
“You know how people always have one thing from their parents that means something? That they keep forever?”
“Yeah. Your father gave you that?”
Katsumi shook her head. “I took it. It’s the first weapon I ever tried to kill him with.”
“Ah…” Sano looked at it. “You know, I don’t think that’s the same kinda thing other people keep.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Why’d you keep it for that meaning?”
“Because I failed to kill him with it. I usually take it out a few times a year to clean it and remind myself.”
“You’re planning to kill him with it eventually, then.”
“When I get a chance,” Katsumi nodded.
“That’s a morbid reminder, Katsumi.”
“Maybe so.”
“You know…” Sano scratched his head. “I had no idea who he was…”
She smiled at him. “I know.”
“Why do you hate him so much?”
“That’s…” Katsumi looked down. “I’m not quite sure how to answer… it’s nothing I’ve ever talked about.”
“Okay, so how about this: you’re good at clinical facts, right? Just state a few facts about what he’s done. Or about him. Whatever you’re comfortable saying.”
“Might be easier… Okay. He… killed my mother indirectly.”
“He what?!” Sano looked at her in shock. “How? What do you mean indirectly?”
“Joseph Elwood is a criminal. He’s always been a criminal.” Katsumi narrowed her eyes. “Even though my mother didn’t know that. He had some… twisted form of family loyalty. It was like he cared and didn’t care at the same time.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Katsumi sighed. “He wanted my sister, Ayane, and I to be ‘great’, but his definition of great is as twisted as he is. He wanted us to be the ‘next generation of criminal’. Skilled killers tearing cities apart by ripping out the upper ranks. He said our family could take over; he had a plan for it. He even trained us both for it for years, but mother eventually found out. She told him to leave. That he’d never see us again.”
“Did he kill her?”
“No,” Katsumi shook her head. “He didn’t need to… He had a way of twisting people’s minds. He twisted her and she came after us. He was going to take us all somewhere no one could find us and complete what he was going to do.”
“So what happened?”
“I was fifteen by then; Ayane was twelve. We could think for ourselves and take care of ourselves, all we had to do was get out… But he wouldn’t let us. I stole one of his guns with the intent of forcing him back and… he didn’t like that. He ordered our mother to kill one of us as an example.”
“That’s insane… What did you even do?”
Katsumi looked away. “What do you think I did, Sano…? Either I died and my sister was taken by him, or she died. So when mother – what was left of her – came after us, I killed her.”
“Jesus Christ.” Sano shook his head. “I can’t imagine a situation like that. I guess you did the only thing you could.”
Katsumi closed her eyes. “That’s what I hope.” She sighed and sat back, laying her head on his shoulder. “You always wonder if there was another option you missed.”
“Yeah, that’s how you drive yourself crazy. You have to just accept what you did was the right thing. What happened to your sister?”
“She’s alive,” Katsumi answered softly. “I visit her all the time. She’s the only thing that keeps me sane.”
“I never even knew you had a sister.”
“I never mention her,” Katsumi replied in a harder tone. “And you won’t either. You’re the only person I’ve told and I expect you’ll keep that trust.” She sighed. “I won’t have my job endangering her. She never wanted this kind of life and I won’t force it on her.”
“I can understand that. She’s lucky to have you.”
Katsumi smiled softly, pulling her legs up onto the couch beside her and leaving her eyes closed. It was late; she was tired. “Maybe you’ll meet her sometime. But not yet. I need to go see her tomorrow… Tell her about this in person.” She sighed. “I’m not looking forward to that.”
“Do you think he knows where she is?”
“I don’t know… I may have to move her if he does.”
“Move her?”
“It’s a long story…” Katsumi grimaced as a headache came on. She opened her eyes and lifted her head from Sano’s shoulder, putting her fingers to her forehead. “You should go.”
“Huh? I thought you wanted me to come-“
“Yes, of course. But it’s late and I’m still catching up on sleep.”
“Oh, right! Stupid me.” Sano stood up and moved towards the door. “Lemme know if you need anything.” He smiled at her.
Katsumi summoned up her willpower and forced herself to stand and walk straight, returning his smile. “Thank you. For now, just… keep this to yourself.”
“Of course. Night, Katsumi.”
“Goodnight, Sano.” Katsumi closed the door after him and leaned back against it, sliding down it to sit on the floor.
I’ve probably spent almost as many nights on the floor as in the bed, she thought as she looked longingly at the bed that grew harder to see in her swimming vision. After a moment she made herself grip the door handle and pulled herself up painfully, using the wall to help her stumble to the bed. She fell on it gratefully, curling up in the sheets as pain wracked her, thinking of Ayane as she blacked out.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Date: April 5, 2068
Time: 5:00 AM
Location: South Ashfield Hospital, 3rd Floor, Room 302
Ayane sat up, blinking groggily. It was early morning, judging by the dim light streaming in through her windows. She looked at the door as another knock came and it began to open. She smiled, assuming Katsumi was here for another of her way-too-early morning visits. Her smile faded as Joseph Elwood appeared in the open doorway, a man she hadn’t seen in over a decade. Suddenly she was fully awake.
Elwood took a step into the room. “Ayane… You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. Your mother would be proud…” That was as far as he got. Ayane reached beneath her pillow as soon as she was over her shock, withdrawing a pistol and firing. Elwood moved with unnatural speed and dodged out of the doorway, speaking from out of view in the hallway. “I’m saddened that my daughters would react so harshly to our reunion. Perhaps another time…”
Ayane threw away her sheets and dropped out of her bed, running to the door and stepping out of it, aiming down the hallway. Unfortunately no sign of Joseph Elwood remained; all she saw was a few terrified nurses. Ayane cursed and slammed her fist into the door frame, cracking it and sending a few pieces of thin metal and plaster flying. She leaned against the doorway, dozens of emotions flooding through her, charging and draining her at the same time. Katsumi… The way Elwood had said ‘my daughters’ made Ayane think he’d paid her a visit as well, and she hoped it wasn’t worse than that.
Ayane got a few unfocused thoughts in response from her sister at first, the sort of thing she recognized as her sister coming out of an attack from her illness. Where are you, Katsumi? Are you alright?
I’m… My apartment. Fine, I’m fine. I need to… come there today. You can see for yourself.
I think I just saw for myself, Ayane answered as her glare focused down the empty hallway. I saw him.
There?! He showed up there?! Now Katsumi was awake, that much was clear. He went there?! And there was the expected rage and panic.
Yes, and before you ask I’m fine, except that my shot missed.
I’m on my way.
Don’t rush yourself.
Katsumi was there in a short time, pacing Ayane’s room, caught between seething and worrying. “I can’t believe he was here. After all the trouble of hiding you...”
“It’s fine, he didn’t do anything.”
“This time.” Katsumi stopped to face Ayane. “What if he came when you were asleep?”
“He did. He knocked.”
“I mean if he didn’t. But he did ask to meet me, as well, instead of just coming to me.”
“It doesn’t make any sense, unless…” Ayane frowned. “You don’t think he’s trying to get us to join him, do you?”
Katsumi looked at her incredulously. “Join him?! Is he insane enough to think it’s possible?!”
“Maybe he is.” Ayane looked off to the side. “He mentioned mother…”
“As if he has any right to,” Katsumi growled. “Did he…”
“No,” Ayane answered the unfinished question. “He didn’t try to blame you for it like last time, and I wouldn’t take that if he did.”
“I know you wouldn’t, I just…” Katsumi sighed. “Hearing it makes it harder anyway.”
“Then forget it. Let’s focus on now: what are we going to do about this?”
“He’s impossible to find, we’ll have to wait for his next move. I’m not leaving you here, that’s for sure.”
“What are you going to do, lock me in a guarded vault?”
“No…” Katsumi folded her arms. “I’m going to do the opposite. I think it’s time my team met you.”
Ayane blinked. “I… didn’t expect that. Why?”
“It will give you more people to call on for one. And two…” Katsumi sighed. “As much as I hate to admit it, we can’t hide from the one person I least want to find us… So there’s really no reason to hide from the people on our side. Besides, we’re trying to build a life here and we’re on the right track to do so, it’s not fair to move again.”
Ayane smiled. “I’m glad you’re thinking that way. To be honest I didn’t know what you would want.”
“I want to kill him, I want us to be cured and I want all of this to stop so we can just live. Unfortunately we can’t get all of that at once so we might as well try to be happy in our current situation.”
Ayane stood and stretched. “In that case, I need to go shopping!” She smiled at Katsumi’s smirk. “Come on, we both know that if we can’t kill him, forgetting him is the best option. We’ve been miserable because of him enough; at least now he’s within possible reach. Besides, if I’m going to meet people I’ll need more clothing than patient attire.”
Katsumi sighed. “You’re very right. Okay then, we’ll do that today and meet people tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it.”
“Oh, I will be. And then later this week you can meet my friends!”
“I don’t see how that’s necessary…”
Ayane gave Katsumi her best ‘kicked puppy’ look. “You… You don’t want to meet my friends?”
Katsumi’s eyes widened and she held up her hands. “I didn’t say that! I’d love to!”
Ayane beamed. “Great! I’ll let them know!”
Katsumi groaned, closing her eyes. This is promising to be a fun week.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“I’mcomingI’mcomingI’mcomingI’mcoming!” Lenora skidded around the corner, picking her ringing phone up off the bar. “Hello?”
“Hi, Lenora. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Katsumi!” Lenora smiled, taking a seat. “No, nothing important. How are you?”
“That’s… a complicated answer. My father is in town.”
Lenora blinked. “Your father’s alive? I didn’t know you had any family.”
“It’s not a good thing,” Katsumi followed up quickly.
“It isn’t? But-“
“I might talk about that later, but it’s not a favorite subject. Listen, this call isn’t about that, it’s about my other surviving family member, the one I actually care about: my sister.”
Lenora brightened. “You have a sister?”
“Yes, and I- hey!”
There was the sound of shuffling and two voices, leaving Lenora confused. “Katsumi?”
After a moment a different voice came over the phone. “Hello! I’m – Katsumi, lemme go! I wanna talk on the phone!” There was a sigh and a ‘fine’, followed by a laugh. “Thank you! Where was I? You’re Lenora, right? The only woman that Katsumi knows because she’s all tough and macho.”
Lenora smiled. “That would be me. I assume you’re the sister?”
“The sister? I like it! Makes me sound important. In case you want my name at some point it’s Ayane. Anyway, Katsumi’s finally giving in and letting me meet people, so we’re going to see if we can get everyone together tonight.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect! We have no plans.”
“Great! If the others agree we’ll send details. See you tonight!”
The phone cut off and Lenora looked at it, unable to suppress a smile. Apparently Katsumi wasn’t as alone as she seemed.
