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Atsushi Nakajima sighed loudly as he rubbed his eyes, tapping his foot as he waited for his mentor to arrive. Why the man had asked him to meet so early was beyond Atsushi, but he figured it was urgent. As he stood there, he glanced up and down the platform and shuddered. God, first he wanted to meet really early in the morning, then he wanted to meet at an abandoned train station and now, he was running late? Atsushi shuddered again and flipped open his phone.
Still nothing, no texts, no calls. He really should have asked if Dazai wanted him to stand outside the station. Standing on the platform all by himself was just too much. He glanced up when he heard footsteps, ready to give Dazai a good tongue lashing when he froze. It was not Dazai at the other end of the platform, but none other than Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The two stared at each other, both startled.
“What are you doing here, Man Tiger?” Ryunosuke demanded, his ability, Rashomon, coming to life right over his shoulder.
“No idea, why are you here?” Atsushi demanded, his arms shifting to his tiger paws.
He couldn’t tell him that he was meeting Dazai here. It would definitely cause a problem, but shit, what were they both doing here then? Ryunosuke scowled and opened his mouth when two very distinct sounds went off. Atsushi glanced at his phone while Ryunosuke pulled out his.
“Hello?” he demanded, placing it on speaker.
A soft giggling made them both pause. Ryunosuke held the phone out like it was diseased.
“Who is this?” Atsushi asked.
Another soft giggle. Just then they heard a rumbling on the tracks and they watched as a train slowly pulled into the station. It was an older model, covered in graffiti and other stains. Atsushi stared at it in confusion. As far as he knew, this station wasn’t even in operation.
“Get on the train.” the voice said.
Both of their bodies suddenly became tense. Atsushi felt his arms fall to his sides, felt his ability disappear, but could do nothing to stop it.
“What is happening?” Ryunosuke hissed as his ability too faded away, arms falling to his sides.
“Get on the train.” the voice said again.
They both turned towards the train without wanting to, their legs stepping forward as the doors opened. There was nothing they could do.
“Sit.” the voice stated as the door slide shut.
Together, they sat down, right next to each other. The phone rested between them and the voice kept speaking.
“Now, don’t go getting any ideas now. I would hate to have to hurt you both.” they continued.
“Then why kidnap us?” Atsushi asked.
“Because I have a point to make. That just as easily as he stole something from me, I can take twice as much from him.” the voice said coldly.
“Dazai-san. This is about Dazai-san.” Atsushi said and the giggling came again.
“That’s right. I feel bad for you both. Getting wrapped up in that man only leads to ruin.” they continued.
“Why us?” Ryunosuke asked.
“Why not? I mean I have to punish him for both the past and present.” the other replied.
“Listen, if you are angry at Dazai-san, hurting Akutagawa isn’t going to do anything. Why can’t you let him go?” Atsushi asked.
Ryunosuke glanced at him, startled.
“Oh, you really are a bleeding heart, huh? Makes sense now.” the voice stated.
“What makes sense?” Atsushi asked.
“These.” they said.
The line went quiet as a picture popped up on the screen. Atsushi felt ice go through his veins as he stared at his own scarred back. His own weakness was staring back at him in the worst way. Crisscrossed scars and faded burns reminded him of years of torment. Shame filled his chest as heat rose on his cheeks before he glanced away.
“You are always just someone’s punching bag, huh?” the voice asked.
The picture changed to his legs and he flushed harder. The marks were so clear on his skinny thighs, a cruel reminder of all he had suffered. Ryunosuke was starting at them too now, face blank.
“They beat you and beat you and beat you, but you keep crawling back for more. Some man tiger you are.” the voice hissed.
The picture changed to his arms and he wished with all his heart that he had enough control to throw the phone against the wall. Instead, all he could do was bow his head and squeeze his eyes shut.
“Please stop.” he whispered.
“Fine then. I think that’s enough for now.” the voice said.
The picture disappeared and Atsushi felt his chest lighten a little bit, but he still couldn’t feel anything. He longed to run away. To sit next to his enemy and have his weakness be shown was horrifying and shameful.
“Since we got that cleared out of the way, I suggest you keep you cute, little mouth shut, ok? I would hate to have to hurt you like they did.” they continued.
“What is the point of this?” Ryunosuke asked.
“Relax, you are just going for a little ride for right now. This train will take you all the way out to the countryside. Don’t worry, I will be with you all the way.” the voice said sweetly.
“What should we call you?” Atsushi asked.
“For now, you can call me whatever you want.” they stated.
Atsushi and Ryunosuke glanced at each other. The voice was definitely feminine, but it had a tone to it that was extremely aggressive.
“Your ability?” Atsushi asked.
“Oh, do you like it? It’s called Pride And Prejudice. Anyone who answers me falls under my control. Well, their body does anyway. Their mind is free, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t do anything.” they replied.
Atsushi let out a deep breath. This was bad, so very, very bad. He could see the buildings giving way to forests and then the countryside. If they didn’t do something soon, there was a good chance they would never make it back to the city.
Dazai hummed as he entered the agency, idly rubbing the back of his neck. It was quiet today, a little too quiet. A quick glance told him his apprentice wasn’t here.
“Oi, Ranpo, have you seen Atsushi-kun today?” he called as he sat on Ranpo’s desk.
The detective glanced up and titled his head to the side. He seemed startled by the question, as did everyone around him.
“Nope, haven’t seen him all morning.” he replied.
Dazai frowned and wandered around. No one he spoke to, from Yosano to Kunikida, had seen Atsushi all day. This was odd, the boy usually at least called to let people know where he would be.
“Hey, Dazai, take a look at this.” Ranpo called.
He pointed to something on his computer, a picture of Atsushi from a nearby surveillance camera. The time stamp was extremely odd.
“Where is he going that early in the morning?” Kenji asked.
“I don’t know.” Dazai stated.
“Where else did you see him?” Kunikida asked.
“He pops up a few times actually, all heading towards the old train station.” Ranpo explained.
“The train station? Do we have any information on that?” Kunikida asked.
“As far as I know, it’s been shut down for years. Been under lock and key ever since.” Ranpo said as he pulled up an map of the city.
“But look though.” Dazai pointed to one picture of Atsushi looking at his phone.
“He’s waiting for something.” Kunikida stated.
“A phone call, maybe?” Yosano said.
“So he is heading towards the old train station while also waiting for a phone call?” Kenji asked.
“Or he’s checking the time.” Dazai said as he stood up.
Something wasn’t right. Atsushi was known for being on time, so if he’s checking the time, he was scheduled to meet with someone. However, it wasn’t anyone here, so that meant…
“Check his phone. See if you can find anything. I am going to the station.” Dazai said as he ran out the door.
He made it to the train station, but it was clear he wasn’t the only one. Chuuya stood outside, arguing on his phone with someone else. When he saw Dazai, he stopped dead and ended his call.
“What do you want?” he growled.
“Oh, nothing. I’m just looking for someone, shortstack.” Dazai said with a smile.
“Oh really? Because we are too, asshole.” Chuuya said crossing his arms.
Dazai eyed the other and then looked at the train station entrance. So they were both looking for someone?
“It wouldn’t happen to be Ryunosuke would it?” he asked suddenly.
Chuuya eyed him with a sneer.
“And if it is?” he demanded.
“Well, that’s important because Atsushi-kun is missing.” Dazai said as he moved towards the entrance.
Chuuya followed him, but the place was empty. Chuuya glanced around, but Dazai was happy to stand right where he was.
“They aren’t here.” Chuuya said angrily.
“Any more.” Dazai replied as he glanced over the side of the platform.
“What?” Chuuya demanded.
“Please try to use whatever brain cells you have hidden under that ugly hat. I said, any more. Look at the dust.” he said pointing to the ground.
Chuuya looked down and then around. There were footprints in the dust and dirt beside his own. He could see them moving towards the platform.
“Ok? So they are walking along the tracks?” he asked.
“Nope, look at the dirt in the tracks. It’s been wiped away. A train must have come through here. Anyone could see that.” Dazai stated.
“But this railway is offline, you fucking ass!” Chuuya snapped.
“But it’s not. Do you hear it? Or does that mop of hair keep you from hearing correctly?” he asked.
Chuuya frowned and listened hard. He could hear a faint buzzing noise.
“That is electricity going along the rail. Someone reactivated this rail line.” Dazai stated.
“And they got on the train? I doubt even your boy is that dumb.” he muttered.
“Atsushi-kun’s still twice as smart as you. And they would if they didn’t have a choice.” Dazai said evenly.
“But there are no other footprints here! They couldn’t have been forced! You’re making it up!” Chuuya snapped.
“Really? You think physical force is the only way to do things? Even you should know there are plenty of abilities that make people do what they don’t want to do.” Dazai said coldly.
Chuuya scowled and eyed the rail line below. If that was true, then whatever it was must have been powerful for it to move Ryunosuke. Dazai’s phone went off just then and he answered.
“Hello?” he asked.
“It’s Kunikida, listen. We just got reports of an old train using the station you are at. According to witnesses, they saw two people on the train when it left the station about two hours ago.” Kunikida said quickly.
“Let me guess, Ryunosuke and Atsushi?” he asked.
“Yes, how did you know?” he said shocked.
“Just a hunch. Anything on Atsushi’s phone?” Dazai asked.
“Yes, he got a text from your number, or what looked like your number. Someone hacked his phone and told him to meet them there.” Kunikida explained.
“Of course. He would have thought I needed help on a case and couldn’t call. Probably didn’t even think twice.” Dazai hummed.
“What about the station? Anything there?” Kunikida asked.
“Nothing, but dust and dirt. Looks like they were taken by force. Any ideas on where they are heading?” Dazai said as he moved towards the entrance.
“Sources tell us that rail line heads out of town and into the countryside. We are tracking Atsushi’s phone right now, but we are having trouble. Someone is attempting to block the signal.” Kunikida said.
“Keep on it, we can’t let them get away.” Dazai said before hanging up.
“Hey, what’s going on? Where is Ryunosuke, you insufferable bastard?” Chuuya demanded.
“He’s on a train with Atsushi heading for the countryside, hatrack. What we need to do is find out what station they are stopping at.” Dazai stated.
“I’ll call around.” Chuuya muttered as he pulled out his phone.
Atsushi watched as the trees flew by and sighed. After sitting in the same position for more than two hours, he was starting to feel the strain. It was hot as hell in this train car and he could feel the sweat rolling down his back. Ryunosuke looked even worse, his face very pale.
“Oh, we are almost there. Hope everyone had a fun train ride!” the voice cooed from the phone.
As far as Atsushi could figure out, they had to keep talking to keep the ability working. They had talked non stop about the most mind numbing and mundane things, such as the weather or their favorite color, but Atsushi was starting to see little bits of who they were. They were older, at least late twenties-early thirties and if Atsushi had to guess, female. They were well-spoken, which showed some vocal training at least and while they spoke mostly of useless stuff, they did seem to know a lot about weather forecasting, gardening, and other more feminine interests.
“Just answer me this.” Atsushi asked suddenly.
The voice paused, maybe thinking about it before answering.
“Go on.”
“Are you going to kill us both?” he asked.
Another long pause and the sweat dripping down his back seemed different this time.
“It depends on you, really.” they finally replied.
“How so?” Ryunosuke asked.
“Simple, at the next station, you are both going to get up and walk off. You will then walk down to the curb where a car will be waiting. You will get in the back and you will not fight, got it?” the voice demanded.
Atsushi saw the train slowing down and swallowed. The platform he saw out the window looked empty, which means there was no calling for help. Even so, would he dare ask someone if he saw them? Get them involved in this mess? The train stopped and they both got up, walking out the door when it opened. The platform was deserted and covered in garbage and debris. It was obviously not in service anymore.
“Now, down the steps.” they cooed.
Down the steps, Atsushi could see a white delivery van with no windows in the back. Two huge men stepped out of the car and without warning, grabbed them both, stuffed them into straitjackets and shoved them into the back, which was padded. Atsushi yelped while Ryunosuke glared, but the doors slammed shut and they were in darkness.
“There we go, snug like a bug in a rug. And you are going to stay that way. Do not fight back or even twitch when they remove you from the van.” the voice laughed.
“Where are we going?” Ryunosuke asked.
“Someplace nice and cozy. Someplace that will help you with your little issues.” they replied sarcastically.
“Issues?” Atsushi asked.
“Oh yes, the same place that helped me with mine. Though I do hope they do a better job with you two. After all, I still can’t move my left leg very well.” they said hysterically.
Atsushi squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore the almost evil laughter. He hated this, hated the helplessness that came with something like this. The van soon stopped and the door were yanked open. Atsushi and Ryunosuke were dragged from the van and when Atsushi looked up, he felt bile rise in his throat. He knew this place.
The Robert Louis Stevenson Mental Institution had been shut down years ago, but it’s reputation was notorious. The doctors had been known to torment their patients to try and fix their minds, but as far as anyone found, they had never been successful. Atsushi started to shake, but there was nothing he could do.
They were dragged inside where two gurneys waited before they were strapped down. Doctors seemed to flood into the area and they were soon moving through the halls. They talked above them, about different procedures and ideas they had as someone else grabbed some scissors and cut right through Atsushi’s shirt.
“GET OFF ME!” Ryunosuke roared, but it was no use.
“No, stop!” Atsushi cried.
His head was forced to the side and there was a split second of pain before everything became hazy.
“Night, night you two.” the voice cooed.
Dazai crossed his arms and stared down at the file before him. It had taken too long, days of back and forth between the agency’s contacts and the Port Mafia’s contacts to get this information. Days they could have spent finding Atsushi and Ryunosuke, but that didn’t mean they weren’t trying. They had tracked the train, which ended up abandoned at an empty train station in a rural town. The driver was found dead in the front seat, a bullet to the forehead, but nothing else was found.
They had attempted to track Atsushi’s phone, but it had soon died and the signal was lost. Ryunosuke’s phone led them nowhere as well. In the end, it all came back to the train and who owned it. It seemed, even when he tried, the phantoms of his past came back to haunt him.
“Her name is Jane Austen. Age 32, never married, sole heir to the Austen Wine Company.” Kunikida explained.
One side of the room was the Port Mafia, the other was the Agency. Dazai eyed Chuuya from across the room and gave him a smile and a wave. The other flipped him off and he pouted in pretend hurt.
“Her last known whereabouts are spotty at best. We have sighting of her as close as down the street to the other side of the country.” Kunikida continued.
“Why is she so hard to find?” Kenji asked.
“She’s insane, that’s why. She lost her mind after the death of her only son and was sent to the Robert Louis Steveson Mental Institution about five years ago. No one has really seen her since.” Kunikida explained.
Dazai paused and stared down at the file before slowly filing over the next page. The face staring back at him was mad, completely and utterly mad. Eyes wide, a grin like a demon and hair wild, she looked like someone out of a horror movie. Dazai just stared down at her and remembered the beautiful woman he had once known.
“So she lost her mind? Big deal. What does that have to do with Ryunosuke and Atsushi?” Chuuya asked.
“It doesn’t. It has to do with me.” Dazai stated.
Everyone looked at him, startled.
“Explain.” Kunikida demanded.
“I knew Jane once. She was a bright girl, but a hopeless romantic. Fell head over heels for one of my guys and just wouldn’t leave him alone. Seemed to have this idea she could change him, but he was using her. In the end, he left her pregnant and alone. She thought she could raise her son all by herself and well, as they say, the sins of the father.” Dazai said holding up her picture to the light.
“And how do you fall into this?” Yosano asked.
“She came to me, begged me to give her and her son protection, but I ignored her. Figured she was just desperate to see her lover again.” Dazai stated squinting.
“She blames you for her son’s death.” Chuuya stated.
“When I heard she was sent away, it didn’t click with me at first. Did we check the institution?” Dazai asked.
Everyone looked at each other and then scrambled over each other to get things together. Meanwhile, Ranpo sat beside him, staring at Dazai.
“Ranpo?” Dazai asked.
“You know he could already be dead right? That they both could be?” he asked.
Dazai placed the picture on the table and stared.
“No, they are still alive. She wants to prove a point.” he replied.
“And do you think they are the same?” he asked.
Dazai just smiled and got up.
It was dark. Had been dark for a while now. And cold. So very cold. How could a place be so cold? He wasn’t sure. He pressed closer to the other. Two weeks ago, they would sit on the other side of the room, away from each other, but now? This was survival and every once of heat needed to conserved. He had long ago lost feeling in both his toes and his fingers, but he still had them at last count. Overhead, the speaker crackled to life and Atsushi shuddered.
“Up and at’em! Come on, boys. Look alive!” the voice called.
Atsushi squeezed his eyes shut as the door opened, the light too much for his eyes after so long in the dark. The guards, the only people in this place besides themselves and the four doctors, came in with the gurneys. Ryunosuke snarled like something evil, but it was no use. Their poor, weak bodies got to their feet and though they swayed to and fro, they still made it to the gurneys and were forced to lie down. A flash of silver and Atsushi sighed, the warm feeling coming over him again.
He hated the drugs as much as he loved them. They made him feel warm and safe, but Ryunosuke hated them with a passion. Even now, he could hear the other snarling to keep it away from him before he went quiet. Atsushi’s eyes traced the crack on the ceiling as they were wheeled away. It was always funny to him that the crack followed them all the way to the operating room. The voice followed them too, talking through the loudspeakers stationed throughout the institution.
Vaguely, he heard the voice say something that made his hand twitch. That’s odd. He hadn’t felt his hand twitch of his own volition in a long time. It felt odd to be in control of one part again. Control. He had control. His eyes widened, but he tried to hide it. If they found out he had control after so long…
He was wheeled into the operating room, the doctors already stationed to start the procedures when an alarm went off. The room flashed red and the doctors panicked as the orderlies rushed out to see what was going on. He twitched his hand again and he knew, it was now or never. His ability activated and he ripped his arm free before tearing everything else free. Sure, he was a little unstable, but he didn’t care.
The doctors ran from him, screaming in terror, but he didn’t care about revenge right now. He raced across the room and tore Ryunosuke free from his binds before placing him on his back.
“Man Tiger, I don’t need your help.” he hissed.
“Well, I can run, but I can’t fight. Focus on your ability, see if you can get it working.” Atsushi hissed.
“I need my jacket.” he replied.
Atsushi glanced around and found the jacket on the floor. It was dirty and covered in who knows what, but Atsushi helped him out it on and watched as Rashoman came to life. Sliding Ryunosuke back on his back again, he took off, racing down the corridors and away from the horrors they had faced.
“The alarm, it’s over the speaker system.” Ryunosuke muttered.
Atsushi’s eyes widened, that explained it. With the alarm going off, their captor couldn’t use the speaker system to keep them under control. One of the orderlies came around the corner and didn’t stand a chance, his head was bitten clean off. Atsushi winced, but kept moving, ignoring the way the body hit the floor behind him. He just had to keep going, he wasn’t sure how long this rush of adrenaline would keep him going.
He darted by a window and glanced outside, only to see the Agency and Port Mafia standing out there. He stopped.
“What are you doing?” Ryunosuke demanded.
“They’re here.” he stated.
God, his voice shook so hard and he could feel the tears in his throat. He doubted he actually had any tears left to cry since he hadn’t had water in so long, but they were so close to freedom. He heard the speaker crackle, the alarm stop and knew. There was no time to think, only act. He took a few steps back before throwing himself forward.
“Duck your head!” he yelled and he felt Ryunosuke bury his face in Atsushi’s neck and back.
His shoulder hit the glass and it shattered, the force throwing them out the window and to the ground below. He could have rolled onto his back, forced Ryunosuke to take most of the damage, but instead, he just hit the ground with a solid thud and closed his eyes. Vaguely, he heard someone scream his name.
Dazai eyed the institution before him and crossed his arms. It hadn’t taken them long at all to figure out Jane had taken over and put it back in operation. The electricity had been turned back on along with the water and heating. With the combined forces of the Port Mafia and the Agency, Kenji and the Black Lizards had launched an attack on the back of the property to see what people they could force out of the building. So far they had caught one orderly and three doctors.
“What happens from here? We storm the place?” Chuuya asked.
“Patience, shorty. We see what happens from here.” Dazai stated.
“Look, it’s Atsushi!” Ranpo yelled, pointing to a window on the top floor.
Dazai looked up, just in time to see Atsushi throw himself out the window. His world stopped, his heartbeat ceased, his breath caught in his throat. He saw Atsushi fall and then hit the ground with a loud thud. He didn’t realize he was screaming until he was kneeling by Atsushi’s side. Ryunosuke rolled off Atsushi’s back, also knocked unconscious by the sudden stop.
“Atsushi? Atsushi!” he didn’t recognize his own voice.
Was that his voice so panicked and fearful? Was that his hands shaking as he cradled the body of his apprentice? Was that his body that shook with fear, despite feeling Atsushi’s breathing, knowing it could stop at any second? He was shoved out of the way as Yosano got between them.
“He’s still breathing!” she yelled.
There was chaos as Port Mafia members like Higuchi crowded around Ryunosuke while Agency members crowded around Atsushi. Both were alive, but weak and severely underweight. They would need immediate hospitalization. Dazai’s head snapped up when he heard laughter. On the roof of the building, Jane Austen stood there, a crutch tucked under one arm, laughing hysterically, as if it all were some big joke.
“How the mighty have fallen!” she roared.
Dazai grit his teeth before standing up. They had looked into her and figured out what her ability probably was, but he wasn’t really sure how many people she could put under her spell. She let out another screech of laughter and seemed to be ready to talk again when a loud bang echoed throughout the area and the back of her head exploded. Dazai’s eyes widened and his head snapped around.
“Who shot that!” Kunikida yelled.
There was a mad scramble as people tried to find who did it, but it was clear they were long gone. Dazai just stood by Atsushi’s side, no point in trying to figure out what had happened. Instead, he gently placed a finger on Atsushi’s hand and closed his eyes.
Atsushi stared out the window and sighed. It had been three days since Ryunosuke and he were rescued. Yosano had managed to patch them both up since their injuries and malnourishment brought them close enough to death that her ability worked. The Port Mafia had disappeared with Ryunosuke like a ship in the night, but Atsushi couldn’t help, but feel like something had changed.
“Atsushi-san?” Kyouka called and he smiled at her.
“I’m fine, just a little tired.” he said patting her on the head.
She nodded, but didn’t look convinced. She was, however, quickly distracted when Ranpo came bouncing over with a new candy he had found. Dazai walked by them and smiled before sitting down next to Atsushi.
“Did you find anything?” Atsushi asked.
Dazai nodded before pulling a file out of his coat and handing it to him.
“She was following you and Ryunosuke for a long time. She had a lot of information. She could have been a great asset.” Dazai hummed.
Atsushi flipped through the file before putting it down and looking away.
“I’m sorry. For being captured. For causing all this.” he muttered with a flush.
Dazai eyed him and then hummed.
“Would you expect Kyouka to apologize for being captured and tortured?” he asked.
“What? No, never!” Atsushi said horrified.
“So why do you think it’s ok for you to?” Dazai asked.
“Because I could have done something. I should have known it was a trap.” he muttered.
“Atsushi, you went because you cared. Because you were worried about me right?” Dazai asked.
Atsushi flushed hotly and looked down, but nodded slowly. Dazai chuckled and tapped him on the forehead until he looked up.
“I really am flattered. Perhaps this time I can actually treat you to dinner?” he said holding up a wallet.
Atsushi laughed because he knew it was Kunikida’s wallet, and yet, he didn’t seem to mind so much.