Beloved Fans! Here is the long awaited sequel to How I Feel! I got a lot of reviews telling me how evil I was for leaving off where I did, but I warned you. Not my fault you don't read Author's notes. But anywho - I hope you like it and sorry for the wait!
If you haven't read How I Feel, you won't be able to understand this story, so I suggest you read that first.
The first few chapters will be a little angsty, but it's got a happy ending. Pinky swear!
READ AND REVIEW!
NO FLAMES!
Please.
On with the story then...
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How It Goes
Chapter the first: Light in the Dark
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Heiji clutched Shinichi to him as he heard heavy footfalls approaching. Shinichi stared through the bars at the dark hallway, breathing heavily and gripping Heiji's shirt tightly. He squeezed his eyes shut as the door creaked open and Rum entered.
"Please," Heiji gasped, blood dribbling passed his lips. "Have mercy."
"How sweet," Rum said with a sick smile. He reached down and grabbed Shinichi's hair, yanking him roughly to his feet. Shinichi clawed at Rum's hands, but Rum didn't release him. Heiji used every ounce of his strength to crawl forward and latch onto Rum's leg. He looked down at Heiji in disgust.
"Please!" Heiji cried. "Please have mercy! He's sick!"
"I see, all the better," Rum said, his eyes gleaming.
"Please leave him alone," Heiji begged, "He's sick!"
"Are you willing to take his place?" Rum asked. Heiji nodded.
"But please leave him alone," he whispered. Rum considered for a moment, and then tossed Shinichi aside like a rag doll. He hit the wall with a dull crack and slid to the floor slowly. Rum knelt down and seized Heiji's collar, picking him up and slinging him over his shoulder.
Shinichi lifted his head slightly as Rum carried Heiji out. He and Heiji locked eyes, and Heiji saw Shinichi's eyes widen with fear and confusion. Shinichi groaned and tried to speak out, but no sound came. He watched helplessly as Rum and Heiji disappeared around the corner.
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Rum returned with an unconscious Heiji in his arms hours later. He tossed the teenager down next to Shinichi, who hadn't moved since the morning. Rum turned and left, closing the cell door and locking it firmly. Shinichi looked over at Heiji in horror.
Heiji's eyes were closed, one swollen double normal size and bleeding gently. Fresh blood leaked from his nose and mouth, forming a puddle on the stone floor. One of his wrists was bent at an unnatural angle, and what was left of Heiji's torn shirt was gone, revealing black bruises and deep gashes. His hair was caked to his head with blood and two large hand-shaped bruises marred the skin on his neck.
Shinichi hauled himself up as quickly as he could and got closer, pressing his ear to Heiji's bare chest. He was breathing, though barely.
Heiji's eyes fluttered open slightly as he felt Shinichi listen to his heartbeat. He moaned and pushed himself up into a sitting position, but fell and let himself lean against the wall, breathing heavily. He looked over at Shinichi, who was staring at him.
"You're – stupid," Shinichi choked. It was the first time he'd spoken in days and Heiji was surprised.
"What?" he whispered.
"You shouldn't have done that," Shinichi gasped. "You should've – let them take me."
"No, Kudou," Heiji said quietly. "You're too sick – you'd never make it."
Shinichi said nothing for a moment, before:
"Thank you."
Heiji just nodded, smiling tiredly. Shinichi fell limply against the wall too, and both sat in silence. Eventually, both fell into a deep sleep.
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Shinichi was getting worse. Malnourishment and blood loss were killing both of them slowly. They had no idea how long they'd been in that cell, having lost count after falling unconscious so many times. For a few days, none of the members of the Organization had come down. They were giving them a break it seemed.
A break from pain. It was almost laughable. Heiji and Shinichi didn't say a word to each other as days went by. Along time went by, eternity to the two captives, when they heard light footsteps coming down the hall. Shiho stopped in front of the cell and wrapped her hands around the bars, gazing in at them sadly.
"Shinichi," she whispered. "Look what you've gotten yourself into." Shinichi didn't say anything, just laid on the ground, staring up at her with blood running down his face. Heiji watched her nervously too, his chest heaving with every breath.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"You both look terrible," she said unlocking the door and stepping in. She knelt down next to Heiji and Shinichi, first turning to Heiji and examining his chest closely. A few ribs were obviously broken, as well as his wrist and two fingers on his right hand. She gently popped his fingers back into place, causing him to wince, but he kept silent.
She turned to Shinichi, Heiji watching like a hawk. She heaved Shinichi into a sitting position and leaning him against the wall. His head lolled to the side, eyes half open and lips parted slightly. Shiho gently lifted his chin and forced him to meet her gaze.
"Why are you doing this?" he croaked.
"No one deserves this," she whispered. "No one."
"Then why are you letting it happen?" Heiji asked.
"I – I –," she stuttered. "There's nothing I can do…"
"There is always something you can do," Shinichi whispered.
"If I try anything they'll kill me," Shiho said coldly. "They were going to kill me before, just like they killed my sister!"
"You – you can't know that," Shinichi said almost inaudibly.
"Will you stop interrogating me and let me help you, please?" she snapped. Shinichi kept quiet. She brushed away blood that was seeping from his head and placed a hand on his forehead. She frowned deeply.
"Is he okay?" Heiji whispered tiredly.
"His fever – it's too high. He'll never make it if he doesn't get something to help," she whispered. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a smile bottle of water. She tipped his head back gently and poured a little into his mouth. He choked slightly, and she rubbed the front of his neck gently until he swallowed. She handed the rest to Heiji, who accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you," Shinichi whispered. Shiho just nodded.
"I want to help you, Kudou," she said quietly. "I just don't know how."
"It's okay," Heiji said. "We can find a way out of here."
"No," Shiho whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "Gin and Vodka are bored. The boss says it's time for them to get rid of you. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Shinichi groaned.
"I'm sorry. I should have done something sooner," she said sorrowfully. "It's my fault."
"It isn't your fault," Shinichi whispered. "I knew they'd get me eventually. I just didn't think it'd be this soon."
"He's right, it doesn't matter. It's just our time – to die," Heiji agreed.
"Is there anyway you can get out of this place?" Shinichi asked quietly.
"I can leave – but just for a little while," she answered. "And I'm always followed."
"Is there anyway – you could – sneak out?" Shinichi asked, exhaustion overtaking him slowly. Shiho considered for a few moments then looked down.
"I – I think so," she said.
"If you ever get the chance," Heiji said, "Please, explain everything to Ran and Kazuha."
"I will," Shiho promised. "I'll tell them everything."
None of the said anything for a while. Shinichi's face was pale and his pupils dilated. Shiho gently cradled the sick teen's head in her arms and poured a colorful liquid down his throat. His breathing became more even and he gained a little color.
"Just something small I made up, just in case. He won't be cured, but it'll help for a little while at least," she explained to Heiji.
"Sherry!" Rum's gruff voice growled, echoing off the stone walls. "Here. Now." Shiho got to her feet hastily, laying Shinichi down on the floor. She hurried over and closed the cell door behind her. She ran off without saying anything.
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Later that night, after Shinichi had fallen asleep, Heiji stayed awake, just thinking. Memories were flashing across his eyes quickly, reminding him of his past. It wasn't right. He was too young, and he knew it.
Shinichi stirred slightly. Heiji looked down in mild concern as Shinichi raised himself to his hands and knees and crawled a few inches before stopping and vomiting blood all over the floor. Heiji jumped and hurried over as fast as his ribs would allow. He rubbed Shinichi's back as he finished, shuddering in anguish.
"Are you okay?" Heiji asked quietly. Shinichi nodded feebly.
"I'll be fine," Shinichi whispered.
"We have to get out of here, now," Heiji said. "We have to get you to a doctor."
"We're going to die here," Shinichi croaked.
"We don't have to. There's got to be a way out, somewhere," Heiji said. Then something in his mind clicked. Why hadn't he thought of it before?
It was so simple!
Shiho thought she couldn't help, but she was wrong.
Shinichi finally realized it too.
In her haste, Shiho had forgotten one thing.
One thing that was going to save them both.
She forgot to lock the cell door.
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Ohhh and the cliffhangers keep coming!
Don't kill me please.