The water is cool. A very stark contrast to the relentless sun that lays out a sheer veil of radiance over wherever it stretches across. Maybe it was the sound of the waves softly draping over the sugary sand, or the brutal rays of sun bouncing off of the water and blinding my eyes. Either way, it was certainly never my intention to end up half passed out under the swarming waters.



With the crunching treads approaching in the sand, my eyes slowly blink open. Adjusting to the sunlight again and the large shadows of three strange men. The brief consciousness I still have left grants me just enough time to hear relaxed chattering. Still, the echoing pound of my heart beat pulsating through my head drowns out any intelligible words just before two brisk arms scoop under me.

And with that, I slip away again.


“Do you think they’re dead?” Mahito murmurs, tilting his head slightly as he shuts the safe-house door behind him and flops onto the couch.



“I can feel a heartbeat.” Choso gives a brief nod, his fingertips lingering on the side of your neck to check again.


“They would have been stiff already if they were dead.” Geto calmly adds.