THE FINALE - 【 ZERO 】 ESCAPE

[vivariummods]

It's been ten days since the so-called "anniversary" on Day 90. Every single trace of a makeshift casino has been cleared out, leaving this suspiciously identical second warehouse empty (and the doors within that lobby locked), and Calhoun has mysteriously stopped dropping by as often as he should have. In the rare times he did drop by, he hemmed and hawed about what was happening and outright avoided answering any questions, shrieking that he's a busy mouse and he shouldn't be harassed by test subjects. Thus, for nine whole days, not a single particular event has occurred. No Calhoun Hours, Ambidex Games, or even a little announcement. It's not until the morning of the tenth day that something finally transpired. A loud siren goes off and the sound of a heavy door being slid open echoes from the second warehouse's lobby. Within seconds, however, both nuances cease and silence returns...

Comments

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, but we'll manage it in the end." Heiji beamed happily at Snake. "So? Looks like we both kept our promise! We're gettin' out of here together." Well... 'together' in more ways than one.

"We'll find your sister. And I can tell you all about myself! I wanna hear about you, too."

[blind_badass]

Now that I remember everything, yes. I guess we'll have time for all of that, won't we? *Over his shoulder, he slung a knapsack worth of all the meaningful supplies he'd collected at his stay in the warehouse.* We've had quite the adventure already, haven't we?

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji's packing was quick and economical, since he already had a case for everything. "Yeah, we have. I don't even know where to start."

He put away the rest of his first aid kit, the flares, the knife, the rope and lighter. Actually, they had some pretty good starter supplies between them. "So... did you remember where you're from? Where your school is?"

[blind_badass]

*Snake handed over his pack to Heiji to make sure he hadn't missed anything.* After the accident, my family moved to Issaquah to be down the highway from the hospitals and blind centers. *He remembered now, the quiet town they escaped to and found welcome there.* I remember the school too. University of Washington, right in the heart of Seattle. It's interesting because their motto is "let there be light." And so they did. *He chuckled.*

[detectiveofthewest]

"Oh? So you are from the area, after all." He'd more or less taken it as truth, but it was nice to have confirmation.

"I'm from Osaka, of course! Lived there all my life. My dad was the Superintendent Supervisor of the Osaka Prefectural Police. Both he and my mom are kendoka, so it's not really a surprise that I picked up the same thing."

[blind_badass]

Ahhh, so policework and kendo are in your blood, detective. We might need both of that where we're going. *Snake took his pack back.* I'm kind of sorry I can't carry the pianko with me, but I thought it might have been a bit too impractical.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Maye we'll find another one later." The important thing was that they were getting out.

"Oh, and that other fella I talked about? My friend? His name's Kudou. He was from the Tokyo area and we tackled some cases together! He's a great guy. Kinda arrogant, but he's also got a sort of cute charm!"

Cute...?

[blind_badass]

Oh, so you had a crush on him? *Because why else would a guy call another guy cute?* Maybe you'll get to introduce me to him once we meet up.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Wh-wh-what?" Heiji was immediately flustered. He'd never connected Kudou with romantic interest, even if his actions toward Shinichi were occasionally... suspect....

"Why would you say that? We're fellow detectives, that's all!" And self-appointed best friends. Nothing to see here, obviously.

[blind_badass]

Oh really. *Do you see the keywords on this icon, Heiji?*

Why would you call another man cute? Actually, I thought I was the only man you thought was cute.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji's face flushed. Dammit, Snake.

"I meant... in a childlike way! Like when his face lights up during a case." How was he going to explain those heart-filled text messages...

[blind_badass]

*Heiji could get a pass for that by not ever mentioning it. It's not like Snake would be able to see it or hear it since they weren't done on his phone.*

So it's not really a man crush but an admirable sort of feeling for a fellow detective? Hmmm...which of you is the better detective then?

[detectiveofthewest]

"Don't call it a man crush," said Heiji, a tad grumpily. "...Are you jealous?"

That was an idea... after all, it sounded like Snake wanted to be the only guy Snake found cute. Which was cute in itself.

[blind_badass]

I suppose I could be, given enough time and actually having met your friend, Heiji. *He did smile though.* But why don't we worry about that when it happens. We've got family to find.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I don't think it's Kudou you gotta worry about, anyhow," said Heiji, his expression darkening somewhat.

"It's probably gonna be Kazuha." He was fully expecting her to hit the roof. Or worse.

[blind_badass]

You really do like her still, don't you? *No sarcasm in his voice, just honest fact.* Were you going out with each other before you met me?

[detectiveofthewest]

"I... yeah." No point in denying it, he supposed. "We weren't goin' out, but that was just because I was waiting for the right time to tell her."

"We were childhood friends from way back, since our dads were cops together. She used to insist on taggin' along on my cases, even though she was a total scaredy-cat when it came to ghosts and stuff like that."

[blind_badass]

Well. *That's going to be awkward. At least with his past relationships, they were in the past and not interrupted.*

I'm sure she's a good person...but I love you too much to give you up, detective.

[detectiveofthewest]

Strangely, it was that little bit of selfishness that made things a bit easier for Heiji. He could take Kazuha's ire or anything else that came his way; what would have been intolerable was Snake giving up on him.

"Me, either," he said quietly. His face was still flushed, but he reached out to take Snake's hand. "I love you, too. So... don't wander off in that wasteland, 'cause I still have to hear all about you!"

[blind_badass]

I think we'll have a lot of time to exchange memories with each other, Heiji. *He gripped his boyfriend's hand.* Are you ready for our new adventure?

[detectiveofthewest]

He smiled. Well... tomorrow was tomorrow, and he'd worry about it then.

"Yeah, I am."

[blind_badass]

*With his meager belongings over his shoulder and his hand in Heiji's, he walked toward the Number 9 door.*

You lead. I'll follow.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Your wish is my command!" They walked through, Heiji first and Snake close after him. Whatever they'd find outside, they'd face it together.