Chapter 5
“Do you not like it?”
“It’s fine.”
Shiori had thought an outfit change was in order, considering they had a new pursuer on their tail now. It was… comfortable.
“I can change it.”
Considering the black mass formed it.
“It’s fine.” Shiori said more affirmatively.
There wasn’t a response, leaving only the sound of Shiori’s rhythmic footsteps against the concrete sidewalk to bring her peace. She wasn’t sure where she was going, but she knew she had to walk at the very least.
During this moment of downtime, devoid of strange symbiotic creatures or loud sirens signaling a chase from the law, Shiori began to reminisce. Her life before all this was fairly standard. Or, as standard as it could be when your job was being a detective for the police. Ironic, she thought. How she was being hunted by them now.
Nonetheless, those times were enjoyable. To be able to do some good.
…
Her thoughts were interrupted by the grumble of her stomach, causing her to pause physically.
“When’s the last time I’ve eaten…?” She thought aloud.
“When’s the last time we’ve eaten.”
Shiori frowned.
“Not now.”
“It’s been months.”
Shiori didn’t grace the parasite with a reply, instead starting again towards a cafe she spotted across the street.
After fighting through the crowd a bit, she opened the door and was greeted by a jingle heard from above. A simple glance up revealed a small bell attached to the door. It irritated Shiori for some reason, much to her confusion as she moved to take a seat in the corner of the building.
“Sound.”
“What?”
“Sound and fire.”
“What are you talking-“
“Ma’am?”
Shiori snapped out of her thoughts, looking up to see a waitress at her table, confusion and perhaps a little concern written on her face.
“O-Oh, sorry.”
Shiori gave an awkward chuckle.
“I just have a habit of… talking to myself.”
The waitress just nodded, uncertain, before pulling out a notepad. This prompted Shiori to actually look at the menu she neglected when coming on, placed up high above the counter in the back.
“I’ll… just have a cup of coffee. Black.”
The waitress’ hand flinched, likely not predicting Shiori’s minuscule order, before clicking her pen and stowing her items and starting to behind the counter.
The ring of a bell halted her movement, and caused both Shiori and the waitress to glance toward the doorway.
The former froze.
“Hello! Can I have a cup of tea?”
Standing in the doorway was the familiar face of a white haired girl, now with a guitar case hanging from her shoulder that she struggled with momentarily to get through the door, resulting in an awkward chuckle.
The waitress in response simply gave a small smile and nodded.
“Of course, your orders will be prepared soon.”
She left soon after, leaving the newcomer to take a seat… at Shiori’s table, across from her own, and the guitar case being placed next to her seat.
…
“Hello.” Cecilia said, the friendly tone she used with the waitress now gone.
“…hey.” Shiori replied, skeptical and confused.
There was an uncomfortable air around the table with Cecilia’s presence, the light of the sun seeping through the window next to them deafened by the dead of night not aiding at all in lifting the unease Shiori felt. She sat facing away from Cecilia, towards the interior of the building and avoiding her gaze. Meanwhile, the former sat straight ahead, directly looking at the latter with a stone cold expression.
Eventually, the awkward air was broken by a sigh from Shiori.
“What do you want…”
“You know.”
“Yeah… so why are you here? Or more accurately, why haven’t you killed me yet?”
“I wanted to talk. And I don’t have my lance.”
Shiori narrowed her eyes.
“Bullshit. You know I used to be a detective. Hiding weapons in guitar cases isn’t new to me. And why the hell should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth?”
“…”
Cecilia held no reaction.
“Mhm. Just cause I’m a ‘criminal’ doesn’t mean I’m stupid.”
“…actually-“
Cecilia was cut off by the presence of the waitress, who held two cups in her hands.
“Your orders are ready.” She said.
“Ah, thank you.” Cecilia responded, taking her own cup with that same friendly smile she had when she came in.
Shiori also took her own cup when the waitress turned to her.
“Thank you.”
The girl then took her leave, leaving Cecilia’s expression to fall once again and Shiori tensing up.
“You were saying?” She said.
Cecilia paused for a moment, contemplating… something. Her next words were something Shiori could’ve never expected.
“Are you truly a criminal?”
…
Cecilia took a sip of her tea.
Shiori paused.
She was confused. Both in incredulousness at the fact that this girl who’s been hunting her presumably because of her ‘criminal’ status just asked that and because she couldn’t discern any possible reason she would ask that.
“What the hell do you mean?”
A moment of silence as Cecilia glanced back ever so slightly.
“…I know what I’m doing, Red.”
“What?”
The white haired girl looked back at Shiori, emotionless expression back.
“That thing. The black mass.”
“…what about it.”
“You went into that cafe and came out with it. What happened?”
“…why do you want to know?”
Shiori’s skepticism shot through the roof and into the dreary sky above.
“…answer the question.”
“After you answer mine.”
Cecilia paused once again, seemingly contemplating something. Again. A sigh came before her next response.
“Is that black mass a creature?”
“…what?”
“What I mean is… what its name?”
…
…
…
A black mass began to morph from the coat Shiori was wearing and from one half of her hair, eventually retreating into her back. As a result, Shiori’s appearance was… one of a detective, with a dark red color scheming and her hair taking on a two toned appearance. Half white, half black.
“Venom.”
“Venom?”
“It’s name is Venom. Now answer my question properly.”
“…’Venom’ was the one responsible for everything, right?”
“…sure. You could see it that way. What difference does it make.”
“It means you didn’t commit those crimes.”
“Again. What difference does it make? I’m sure your chief or whatever still wants me dead.”
“…that he does.”
“Mhm.”
“But I don’t.”
“What are you getting at? You come at me all ‘you must be detained’ in the library and now you’re trying to sympathize with me?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Mhm. Whatever. What are you going to do now?”
“…”
“Hello? You broke in there?”
“Green!?!? What are you doing!?!?”
“I know what I’m doing. She’s just like us. Except…”
“Green…”
“Trust me. Red.”
“Hello? Earth to robo cop?”
Cecilia stood up abruptly.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
She began to walk away, slinging her guitar case around her shoulder and starting to exit the small building.
“No. No, hold on!”
Shiori stood up as well, a black tendril shooting out from her arm and wrapping itself around Cecilia’s wrist. The latter turned towards the new sensation on her arm, right before she was yanked back to where she came. She stumbled a bit from the sudden pull before standing face to face with Shiori, her expression unreadable and arm now covered in the black mass.
“What the hell is going on? First, you threaten me in the library. I just assume you’re doing your job. Now, you corner me in one of the only safe havens I can find in this godforsaken life! Spew some cryptic mumbo jumbo and act like you care about me! And now you’re just going to leave!?!?”
“…”
Cecilia was speechless. Shiori had an unmistakable expression of… anger? Frustration? Confusion? It was hard to discern.
“…answer me dammit!”
“I…”
“…fine.”
The black mass receded once again, freeing Cecilia’s wrist. Shiori herself walked back to her table and sat down, grabbing her cup of coffee and taking a swig of it. The taste made her cough.
“Leave then. If that’s what you were gonna do.”
“…”
Seeing Cecilia hesitate to even move, Shiori narrowed her eyes.
“Or are you actually going to do your job?”
“…”
Cecilia’s eyes were still emotionless. It frustrated Shiori to no end that she couldn’t discern what this girl was thinking.
…
…
…
Cecilia began to walk away, and out the door with the bell signaling her departure. Shiori simply watched the event with an empty expression.
She took another swig of her coffee, finishing the drink and standing up. She left a couple bucks on the table and exited the building as well.
The dark of night and its cold embrace began to gnaw at her the moment the door behind her shut. In contrast, the lights of the city brought a warm atmosphere to the city, shining bright like fireflies amidst the shade of the starless sky. Along with the thinning crowd that still remained this late into the day brought some comfort to Shiori’s soul.
Nonetheless, she began walking. Again. The sounds of the world began to invade her wars at this quiet moment in the world. Chatter from the people around her. Cars passing by on the street. The sounds of her shoes hitting concrete.
She guided herself to an alleyway, hidden away from the world. Not too unlike the one she found after encountering Cecilia. She slouched against the wall, hugging herself to retain some warmth.
“Coat?”
“No…”
…
A moment of silence.
…
“…she changed you.”
“Yeah, as if it wasn’t obvious.”
“What do we do now?”
“…I thought you wanted to eat.”
“…yes. But as it turns out, that drink you had earlier was able to satiate me.”
“…huh.”
“What do we do now?”
“…”
“Shiori?”
“I have an idea… but.”
“Just say the word.”
“…Venom.”
“…”
“Away.”
As soon as the words were uttered, the black mass engulfed Shiori’s body.
And it all went black.