RABBIT 21: Shutters

KOBAYASHI AMANO:

The town was a maze; tall buildings and hard brick walls closing distances and separating us from one another. It was sometimes difficult to know where you were going, and that wasn't helped by the shutter-alleys. Each entrance to the town, formed in the brick walls' gaps, were pathways leading inside. These pathways wouldn't connect to the entirety of the town, though. They connected to small regions and areas of the town, which also held more pathways connecting to other areas. This made getting around confusing, all the more-so by the alleys' shutters.

Though it wasn't a huge issue at first, as most pathways were instantly accessible with their shutters drawn up, they became an issue once the power had been restored. You could only enter the town through alleys, but some alleys were closed off by shutters that couldn't be opened from the inside. These could only be opened from the alleys' outside via switch; the inside of the alley being absent of any. Unless you could open that shutter from the outside, you would have no hope of making it through.

The brick walls were too high to climb, nevermind dangerous thanks to the rusty spikes placed atop. And you couldn't even see through the shutter, so half the time you wouldn't know where you were headed.

Most importantly, these pathways were consistent in their 'outside' direction. For example, the west entrance to town (direction of the Rabbit's apartment), had its outside entrances facing east; meaning they could be opened from the west. The east entrances worked opposite, and the same applied for the north and south. When it came to the town's inner, though, it was far more inconsistent.

The paths could lead you to a dead end.

That's why we decided to leave them open, when we searched for Konsako-san and the others. They did that too, which made it easier to track where they'd gone. And thanks to the shutter's obnoxious scraping when lifted or closed, we could tell if anyone was close by.

But the maze remained an issue. It was designed with the intent to separate us, and it had succeeded in doing so with Michifuku-san.

She was a result of that intent. That's why, even after fifteen minutes had passed, she'd barely made progress on her objective. The east apartments could be on the other side of the wall she faced, or halfway across town. But she knew she was heading the right direction, thanks to the North-East looming radio tower, which reached over the brick walls.

Using the west entrance, as she had in our group and with Daikubara-san, Michifuku-san was intent on finding the glowing light that emanated from the convenience store. However, a slight problem prefaced. Though previously she could use this light as a mark, it now blended in with lights of the same power.

No marks, only a specific direction.

This town wasn't large, but inside it you were small.

"...Oh, right." she gasped, flicking her finger against a shutter switch, and stood impatiently, watching as it noisily retracted, "ehhh, handy."

Rushing through the small, cramped passage, she came to a stop, peering her head around the corners in preemption of the unexpected. It was clear. She had been led to the park area, partially in the town's centre; and not far from it should have been the convenience store.

Intaking a deep breath, she lightly ran right for another alley. The alley with most potential was shut, so to take a gander at where it would lead, she flicked a switch again. As the shutter lifted, a green light could be spotted from the end of the path; a familiar light.

The convenience store was here, just next to the park through the alley… but it didn't lead anywhere else; not anywhere helpful, at least. It seemed to connect to the area she had previously started in, but to the east, where she was headed, the shutters were inaccessible. A reroute was necessary.

It was necessary, but… something had begun to echo in the town's darkness, bringing her to a halt.

Though we had spent little time in the town, its silence was quick to adapt to. Its silence, as well as its few existing sounds; dripping water, buzzing lights, knocking footsteps and light wind. Anything else was abnormal, a figment of our imagination. Something we either hoped or feared to hear. At least, that was the easy way of looking at it - as something you refused to believe.

Within these existing sounds now came the shifting shutters' rusted metal.

But this sound, like the knocking footsteps, was deliberate. It had to be, turning it from an uncomfortable noise to a sign of life. Someone deliberately used the shutter switch. Someone deliberately chose that pathway.

The noise came from the east. Did they enter, or leave? Were they friends, or…? Though nervous, only one option came to mind; to continue east.

"Huphhh…" she puffed in annoyance, hastily entering the convenience store before returning to the park. Rummaging through the office, she searched for remaining first-aid kits, knowing they'd come in handy; especially if she found Itogaya-san. Only two of seven remained, one being used on Daikubara-san and herself, one on the Rabbit, and two on Itogaya-san and myself. She grabbed hold of a single kit, slinging it around her shoulder, before lightly sprinting to the entrance.

Until something had caught her attention.

She hadn't entered the store since Tatesada-san's disappearance. And assuming Daikubara-san's theory was correct, there had to be a connection between the store and sewers. She had noticed such a connection, in the form of dark marks underneath the store counter, embedded into the silk tiles. She pushed and pulled against the counter, before dipping her head under the desk.

"Maybe a button, like the shutters…" she mumbled, "like in spy movies~", but unfortunately nothing could be spotted in the shadows.

She pouted, drifting her right hand through the darkness, hoping to collide with something sticking out.

Skkkrrrreeeeeeeeeeeee…

She shot up.

It was that noise again, from the shutters. Even closer this time. It sounded scarily close actually. Far too audible for her being in the store.

Piercing her gaze through the dirty glass of the store, though remaining in the shadows to avoid detection, she waited and waited. For anything. It had to come from the east, through one of the inaccessible alleys. Anything that dared to step out of that darkness would be spotted by the store's light. She would see it before it saw her.

At a time like this, it was hard to think of what was to come as anything but a threat.

There was no choice to view it as anything but that. She had to prepare for a threat. She had to make time for the decision of whether to run or hide.

At least, that's what she had presumed. Moreso hoped.

But when the predator leaped from the east alley, it wasted no time in the light, returning to darkness in the blink of an eye. The time between entering her line of sight, before being absorbed by the darkness, had made it look as if it teleported.

Like the lights went out, but they were still on. Even with exceptional vision, she'd have no way of telling where it would strike from. The previous predator almost killed two people on its own, in a preemptive attack. What chance did she have on her own?

Panic set in, obviously. Heightened breathing, sweat running off her body, tears building in the corners of her eyes, and despite all that movement; the motionlessness of her limbs. Connected to the dirty tiles that refused to let go, she couldn't move. In spite of her likely death at the hands of a predator in mere seconds, she couldn't move. And even though she could before, when the Rabbit feasted on prey before her eyes, she couldn't move now.

Despite it being her second chance at life, she couldn't move.

"Oh…" she choked, a dark shadow making its way through the lit store. The back entrance was open. Someone had blown the door off, after all.

That's why, until now, she hadn't noticed the predator was already inside.

MICHIFUKU:

I wasn't alone in the apartment. There were people that looked out for me. If it wasn't for them, I'd definitely be dead. They were the same as me; people who had experienced death and given the chance to try again. Knowing death and the loneliness that surrounded it, we're all desperate to survive, no matter how far we have to go. And yet, a few still go out of their way, putting their life at risk just to make sure someone else can survive.

The type of person who's fine with losing what they have, as long as others can keep their own.

I'm not that type of person. I'm much more hesitant to stick my neck out for people when it isn't beneficial. I wouldn't expect them to do the same for me, of course. When we're given a second chance, we should be grateful. Choosing to waste it is pointless, and yet… I can't help but feel guilty about everything.

When the Rabbit first attacked, Sakakibara-kun and Shiroito-san were killed right next to me. I didn't try to help them; I didn't even watch them die. I just ran until I couldn't, which led me to Daikubara-san, Ishimasu-san and Kobake-san. I wasted their time with pointless tears and bated breaths, which gave the Rabbit the opportunity to catch up and kill Kobake-san. I didn't watch her die either, and Daikubara-san was too preoccupied protecting the kid.

Konsako-san distracted the Rabbit when it approached us. He can't run anymore. Itogaya-sensei and Kobayashi-san put their bodies on the line to keep Tatesada-san and I safe. They're alive, but in bad shape. Daikubara-san protected me in the basement. I don't think he'll survive.

The results of my cowardice.

The unwilling, whose deaths benefited my survival, and the willing, whose actions protected me. But what have I done for them? When it came to retrieving Tatesada-kun, all I could do was watch as Daikubara-san bled out on the floor. I didn't even move. Once I was alone, my cowardice took control.

I wish someone had come with me. I wish I wasn't alone again. Even though I decided to go on my own, I just wish Konsako-kun, in all his ignorant empathy, would have joined me. If it meant I could survive a little longer, if it meant I could hold onto the hope of escape-

-But he didn't. I'm alone.

No one to rely on. Just me. The predator's teeth will sink into my flesh and end my second life before it can even begin. It's what I deserve for being selfish. But am I really all that bad? It's not like I wanted to die. It's not like I wanted to suffer, just for a slim chance at life again. But I had no choice.

When it comes to death, I understand its loneliness better than anyone. I'd rather survive alone than die alone. Yet my body refuses to move, because it knows what to expect. Instead of fighting for that second chance, I'll die now, and keep my expectations from being defied.

…I'm still going to die alone, though.

Maybe that's why, in spite of the floor keeping my feet planted, and my stomach churning with fear, I finally moved.

I was metres from the store's front entrance, but running through it was pointless. The predator would catch up to me once we got outside. In this situation, what would they do?

When she fought the Fox, Kobayashi-san didn't run, right? Its corpse was in the alley created by the store and brick wall, just where we'd left her. All the blood and remains that could be found were there too. Why did she stay there?

Because that alley was to her advantage. She could see, thanks to the store's lighting and the dim moon. And the Fox could only approach from two directions. She thoughtfully positioned herself, as if she was used to fighting. That's a reason she survived.

I was in the store. Although I hadn't repositioned in time, I was still in a decent spot. The cluttered space, brightened by fluorescent lights and easy enough for me to manoeuvre in had to be to the predator's disadvantage. I had the upper hand, for sure.

Fighting isn't my thing; the last time I was in a fight was elementary school, and I was like eight. I don't even think I won. But I'm familiar with the convenience store's layout. I've escaped using my body once before. As long as I can move, I can escape again.

Even with these cuts and bruises, I'm just as nimble.

So I moved.

Throwing my body over the counter, I dashed through the small gap made between packed shelves, the predator knocking into them to trap me. But I managed to push through, squeezing out of the remaining space before it fell on me.

The predator expected me to run for the door, so digging my fingers into the dirty tiles, I shoved my body off the floor, shifting towards the back, past cosmetic racks and packed rails, past spilled drinks and discarded items. It immediately followed, only getting its fur stuck in sharp turns and edges of metal, bumping into shelves and tripping over supplies. Its approach wasn't as quick and straight-forward as I had expected, reminding me more of a clumsy drunk.

Was it blinded by the desire to sink its teeth into my flesh?

Making a further mess of the store to reach me, I continued swifting through the small gaps between shelves and racks, the predator struggling to keep up. If it preferred outdoors, I preferred indoors.

Through my manoeuvres, I had changed my direction to face the entrance. Running through the back might be easier, but it would still catch up to me. I had to draw as much distance between us as possible. It began to leap over shelves, but failed as its hind legs knocked into them, tilting his direction. Was that Fox also this clumsy? The Rabbit certainly wasn't. It wasn't that big, either. Not that I could get a good look at it, though.

My eyes only focused on the entrance in front of me. And while the creature could force most of its body through, it continued to slow down, especially so when its last was caught; the tail.

Moving on all fours, it had charged towards me, knocking a shelf over in the process- which landed directly on its tail, pinning it to the floor. It yelped lightly, before pulling and pulling using its paws. At this rate, it was going to tear off. Did that matter so little in comparison to food? It didn't matter. My chance was now.

Thanks to its clumsy behaviour and one track mind, it had trapped itself, while I was nimble enough to avoid clattering and bumping. It was much less of a threat than I'd expected, but then again, that's only because it hadn't dug its claws into me.

The doors dinged as I sprinted through, not spending another second relishing in the predator's pain. It used an alley facing the store; likely the east, otherwise they wouldn't have made so much noise activating the shutter. I didn't need to guess, though, as the east's dim light shone through an alley directly in front. All that was needed was to keep running straight; then I'd be safe. I could just close the shutter and separate myself from the predator, even if only temporary. But that'd give me enough time. Enough time to get further, to get help.

The doors dinged lightly once again; but that wasn't what caught my attention. Overshadowing that noise were the heavy, bolting footsteps that followed. I didn't need to look back. It wouldn't make much of a difference.

I just needed to take a few more steps. The bolting drums grew closer and heavier. Just a few more steps, and I'd be safe. Because they were waiting for me just past this alley, weren't they?

My lungs were shrinking, my sides aching and my muscles cramping. It would be easier to fall down and die, but considering it a choice was losing. Like the predator chasing me, I could only run.

Almost there. Just one more step, one last step - reach your leg out a bit longer! Even with its breath running down your neck, even with its claws poking at your spine, just take that last step! I had no choice but to make it, to separate it. After all, I was bringing it to them now. I couldn't bear the responsibility of it doing more damage.

I slid out of the shade, my knees grinding against the cold ground, as my right hand reached out, flicking the shutter switch. The lights of the east apartments shone upon me, and I turned behind without resistance, for a look at the predator that could only watch as it was closed off from prey.

The shutter hadn't fully made it down; it was still falling. Only the tiniest gap remained. At most, it could fit a limb through and no more. Once it fell, I'd be safe.

But I wasn't safe yet. The predator's desire to pierce flesh was also stronger than I had expected. Despite the falling sheet of metal, the predator reached its right paw through, hoping to draw a speck of blood. I could barely move, pushing against the ground one last time. It wouldn't reach me, I knew that, but I still feared those claws. But the sheet of metal was still falling.

It howled in pain as the metal fell against its exposed limb, slicing past fur, flesh and fat.

I decided to relish in its pain once more, stomping against its paw, the claws cracking off against the pavement, a dark white bone lodged out of its socket, blood spitting on the brick walls. If its howls couldn't be heard, surely my own would be.

"SERVES YOU RIGHT, JACKASS!" I howled back. "Stalker! Asshole! Hound!" I screamed and screamed, continuing to crush its paw, until it managed to pull it out of the trap, the shutter meeting ground with a thud. Only bits of fur and flesh remained, the metal claiming its spoil.

Shivering in the cold air, my legs unable to buckle, I fell to the ground. Heavy, rasping breathing, my lungs struggling to support me.

That cold ground was cold. It was a nice feeling. Even if I was dead, I could still feel. I could keep feeling if I survived.

Letting out a hefty sigh, I gave back to the cold air, tricklets of blood running down my left shin. When did that happen? Oh well - it wasn't enough to cry over. If anything, I'm lucky that's all I was branded with.

This blood proves my potential for survival, too.

KOBAYASHI AMANO:

Twenty minutes prior, we found a retracted shutter, leading us from the east apartments to a small corner of the town with a singular building. It seemed to be a record store, but we had no interest in exploring it. What we did have an interest in, however, was what lay by it.

"Is that…" I spouted, catching my breath as the smell hit me.

The doctor approached it; a corpse painted in dark blood. Its fur, previously white, was red. The tip of its right ear had been sliced off, and many gashes and splits were found all over its body, especially the waist.

A dead Fox.

"It was stabbed." the doctor said.

In the time we first explored the town, up to now, this Fox had been killed. We hadn't encountered it before, but it was alive while we were here - so what had taken its life? "It must've been the Rabbit." I said.

"Yes, that would offer the best explanation." he said, picking and prodding at it, without touching the wounds. "It's been dead for hours now. Its claws are coated in blood too; undeniably the Rabbit's."

"Do you have the time to inspect it?" Kuro asked bluntly. "If it's dead, there's nothing to gain from it."

"Not exactly…" he countered, lifting the tail of the fox, "there's something different about this one. Not only is its build slightly smaller, and its claws shorter, but…"

"...It has a second tail."

He had lifted up a second tail of equal size.

The Fox had been stabbed to death by the Rabbit at some point. This proved that despite their objective being to kill us, they weren't working as a team. It only made me think more and more that the Rabbit wasn't supposed to be out here.

We steadily approached the south apartments, the doctor mumbling as his eyes focused on the dirt below.

"It's bothering me." the doctor suddenly started. "We've encountered, now, two Foxes. There has to be a skulk, and yet… they haven't attacked us since before."

"What are they waiting for?"

Kuro-san joined in. "They're luring us, like they did with the convenience store trap, and dragging that guy into the sewers."

"Mm, that would make sense." he said, grasping his neck with hand, "then, do they have an advantage underground? Something greater than the combined strength of a skulk?"

He was beginning to slow down. It seemed like he was the type who had to come to a stop to sort out his thoughts. It would explain why he hadn't the chance to second guess his decision when coming to save me.

"I was wondering that, too." I added. "Two Foxes likely worked together to trap Michifuku-san and Tatesada-san, but only one attacked us."

"Because you were on your own at first." Kuro-san refuted. "They might've assumed it would've remained that way."

He continued, "The other Fox could've left before the other was outnumbered."

Nearly up the south hill, Itogaya-san came to a stop again.

"That would explain this arbitrary standstill. Why we've been left alone." He stated, a cold air escaping his lungs.

"Are you suggesting they're dead?" I asked directly.

He lifted his head towards me, slightly shaking it. "I can't know that. But, I think it's definite that we're walking into a trap, whether they're alive or not."

"Otherwise," he further argued, "Tatesada-kun would have been killed in the store."

That much was certainly clear. Unlike the Rabbit, this 'skulk' has had little interest in risking their own wellbeing; at least before engaging in a fight. They've continuously used their wits, separating us, luring us and trapping us. It's easier to sort us out one by one, which means they have a major disadvantage in those situations.

There's a small chance those guys are dead. But if they aren't, I can't let them act as bait.

"One condition." Kuro-san said callously. "If anyone is in the sewers, we leave them."

"Cut our losses?" Itogaya-san questioned. "Yes… that might be for the best."

"Let's get there first." I quickly interjected. It wasn't like I couldn't understand where they were coming from, but, moving forward now with the possibility of loss on my mind - that only made me hesitant.

Approaching the apartment was inevitable now. I'd worked up my courage, and I couldn't be dissuaded.

"Although the Fox appears weak," the doctor said, "even it won't surrender lost prey."

MICHIFUKU:

My body was warm, in spite of the chill air. No one had exited or entered the apartment, and so after a few minutes, I trudged towards it. They didn't hear the commotion. They'd probably left by now.

I weighed my choices. If I returned to the others now, without Itogaya-sensei and the rest, I'd have only wasted time. It'd be great if they were already there, but it was unlikely. On the other hand, if I checked the apartment now, and they weren't there, I could survey the town from that height. And if they were there - that would be great too.

I'm not sure how I held on to the first-aid kit. I thought for sure I'd dropped it, but it remained hanging on my shoulder.

I forced myself up the steps and railing of the apartment, pushing the entrance open. It was difficult even taking steps. I'd definitely exhausted myself past the point of return, but I had to keep going. Calling out their names in the hall led to nothing, so I pushed upwards to their likely apartment room.

My ankles shaked with every step. I thought I'd fall. Had they ever been this weak, other than when I'd catch the occasional fever? Along with my shaky ankles, my head was splitting. Sweat dripped from my forehead, and with every step taken, I felt it build.

"...Is this… it?" I sighed, bumping into the open door of a messy apartment. They were probably in here before, so I should check it out.

I'll call out to them again.

"Ko… Kobaya…" I failed to exert, my words disintegrating in the thick air. Huh? What's going on? Why am I struggling to speak? Was I really this tired? That screaming must've hurt my throat.

I kept shuffling forward, leaning against the walls and counters as support, towards that bedroom where they had to be.

But they weren't there. Aside from the litter of tattered sheets, medical supplies and dried blood, it was empty.

"Ha… ha… ehh…" I nervously coughed.

I pushed my body against the bedroom window, shifting my eyes towards the south apartments.

Three figures climbed the south hill. It had to be them.

"...I just missed them, huh." I groaned. Though tempted to lie back down and wait for my exhaustion to end, I wasn't interested in sticking around any longer. Cus' if that jackass caught me like this, I'd be screwed. But, if I fall down the stairs, I'm even more screwed… so I'll take a minute to sit down and catch my breath. It's better to be ready. I should close that door first, I thought. Just in case.

In a pathetic attempt to close the apartment door, I slid my weight against the walls of the apartment. My legs were weak, very, very weak. My upper body felt overall fine, though still exhausted. But again, my legs were killing me - far more than my head.

I could barely take a step, clinging to the kitchen counter before I could fall. I just needed to close that door. It'd be better if I did. But my legs were cramped, unwilling to trudge further. I looked towards the light of the entrance, and-

The predator, drool gushing from its open jaw, bleeding arm and yellow eyes starved for revenge, blocked the entrance.