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2024-10-29 19:42:56“245?” There was a knock. The Reaper froze for a second.
Then he realized the knock was coming from the room next door.
That must be 246. The man thought to himself as he opened the door.
The man looked down, met with the big eyes of a tiny girl.
“246, huh?”
The girl jumped a bit at the sound of her name.
“Y-yes...” she whispered.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you finally.” He smiled.
“If you’d like, you can call me Rick.”
“Rick...” The girl repeated back.
“Yep!” The man smiled once more.
The girl gave a slight nod as she held her hands to her chest.
“Why don’t we have a seat?”
Before she could respond, Rick lifted her and placed her carefully on top of the table.
“There we go.” He then noticed the girl looking down steadily.
“Not the type of striking up a conversation, huh?” He chuckled.
She kept looking down.
“Well,” Rick began.
“Why don’t we start with blood work.” The girl looked up.
“I don’t like needles...” She whispered, then winced presumably at the thought of a needle.
“Hm,” Rick said as he looked around the room, studying it.
“Well,” he clapped his hands together.
“Let’s make a deal!” He smiled.
“Huh?” The girl looked up.
“If you let me draw your blood this once with a boring band-aid, tomorrow, I’ll bring in special band-aids, just for you!”
The girl looked up in astonishment.
“Really?” She asked.
“Really!” He nodded.
“C-can they be bunnies?” She looked hopeful.
“Bunnies, huh?” He thought for a second.
“Alright! I’ll try my best!” He smiled.
The girl gave a nod and smile.
*
“Ok then! hold out your arm for me, please.”
He looked and saw her carefully raising her arm towards him.
“Good girl...” He whispered.
“On the count of three, follow my finger around the room, please.”
She raised her head and began following his finger.
”Done!” He smiled as he finished blotting, then putting the band-aid on the spot where the needle had been.
The girl looked at him, amazed.
“That didn’t hurt!” She exclaimed excitedly. Rick sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
“I’m glad to hear that!” He smiled.
“I can’t wait to tell 245!” She smiled happily.
Rick froze.
“Uh... yeah!” He looked away.
“Oh! It’s lunchtime now!” She cried, hopping down from the table.
Rick looked around helplessly. He didn’t have the energy or the mentality to tell her that her best friend was now dead.
Especially because of him.
As the girl opened the door, they heard a woman screaming and hysterically crying.
“YOU KILLED MY BOY!”
“YOU KNEW OUR DEAL, AND YET-”
Rick quickly grabbed the child’s shoulders and carefully pulled her back into the room.
“It’s probably not safe out there...”
As he held her shoulders, he felt them bobbing up and down.
That’s when he heard a sniffle.
“246?”
“Hey-”
“That was 245’s Aunt…” She whispered.
She then broke out into full sobs.
“Is he...” She began with breaks in her sobs, raising her head to look up at Rick.
“I’m afraid,” he began as he felt a tiny body grip onto him.
246 began sobbing into him.
Rick glanced out the peephole.
Men were carrying the corpse of the child that he had killed.
This was the first time in forever since he had felt so guilty and so dirty for committing a murder.
But all he could do now was to protect the girl, the victim’s best friend; he had to keep the promise.
He began stroking her hair gently as he let her fully embrace him.
*
It’s 3 am, and I’m here searching for how to draw a bunny. Rick scratched his head, annoyed.
After he left 246, he immediately went to a pharmacy searching for what he thought would be a no-brainer. How the hell do they not sell bunny band-aids? He sighed as he carefully drew the ears on the last bunny.
There. He sighed.
“This place...” He whispered to himself.
We need to get the hell out of here. He flicked the lights off and drifted off to sleep.
*
As he walked, he let out a big yawn, stretching his arms. He had not gotten much sleep after all.
“Oi.”
He turned, looking to see who was talking to him.
“Huh?” He responded as he let out another yawn.
“You’re not in this department today.”
Rick looked around.
“I think you have the wrong person-”
“No-” The other man began.
“You’ve been too soft with these experiments; therefore, you’ve been moved to the adult’s department.”
Before Rick could protest, the man sneered.
“Hugging those things dirties your pretty white coat, you know.” He laughed, walking away.
Rick stood there stunned, but he didn’t have time to get angry and start a fight.
He began running down the hall, not stopping until he reached the bulletin.
He skimmed through the numbers on the ‘to die’ list. That’s when his heart dropped.
He noticed that ‘246’ was on the list.
No. He thought to himself in utter disbelief.
Her abilities were starting to kick in; she bloomed to be what they would refer to as a successful experiment. So why. Why…?
But he had no time to think; he thought about the plan he hatched up but threw to the side, not thinking that this would happen.
He had to hurry. They had to escape. He began running once more.
*
“Well, kid,” the doctor began.
“You know, what happens when little brats don’t behave here, don’t you?” He smirked.
“I don’t know…” The girl whispered.
“That was a rhetorical question, dummy.” The man then laughed.
“Then again, you probably don’t know how to write your own name.” He snickered.
The girl sat there quietly.
What happened to the nice man, Rick? Did he forget to keep his promise? They always do... She began to tear up.
“Ah, you’re crying!?” The doctor snapped.
“There’ll be no room for tears where you’re going now, sweetheart.”
He flicked the needle once.
“More like screaming of the damned.” He laughed.
Twice.
He rose the needle in her direction.
“Demons like you should’ve stayed right in hell!”
Three.
She looked up, horrified as she saw the needle coming right at her, panicked; she screamed, closing her eyes and by reflex, swatted the needle away.
There was silence.
One.
She breathed heavily.
Two.
She began to open her eyes.
Three.
She looked down to see a body lying on the floor. Horrified, she began sobbing uncontrollably.
It was an accident. She just hated needles. She was scared because of the screaming. She didn’t mean to. She didn’t want to.
Suddenly, the door opened.
She jumped up, then noticed it was the doctor from yesterday.
She sobbed even wilder than before and pointed towards the body.
“I didn’t mean to!” She was hysterical.
He couldn’t even begin to care about the scene.
She was safe. She was alive. And that’s all that mattered.
“246.” He grabbed her by the shoulders.
“We need to get out of here and fast.”
“Do you trust me?” He looked her in the eyes.
The girl couldn’t comprehend what was happening, but she gave a nod.
“Good girl.” He said, picking her up and carrying her under his arm.
He began to run.
He ran into a medicine cart, but that didn’t stop him.
He kept running as if his life depended on it. With her tucked under his arm, he ran like hell. He noticed the door towards the end of the hall. Freedom. He thought.
He hadn’t looked back once but heard the alarms going off.
Too late. He thought.
They had successfully made it outside before the lockdown began.
Despite being outside, he wouldn’t dare risk it, so he kept running as fast as possible.
He then turned a corner and noticed a cab.
He banged on the window, startling the driver inside. The driver rolled down his window.
“I could’ve choked on my sandwich!” He cried.
Unfazed, Rick opened the door, quickly put 246 inside, then got in himself.
“Where to?” The driver grumbled.
“I don’t care; take us to any town you can think of.” He breathed heavily.
“Oh, don’t worry, buddy, I’ve got just the place.” He laughed.
“Wait,” he paused.
“Just go!” Rick cried.
The driver quickly put the car in drive and drove off.
“Cash or credit?” He asked impatiently.
“Cash.” Rick sighed, still out of breath.
He then glanced down, momentarily forgetting about the girl accompanying him on their escape.
“246…“ He took his coat off, wrapping it around the girl.
He smiled, collecting his breath. “We made it.” He laughed.
No response.
“246?” He stared down at the girl.
“246-“
“It’s winter?” She questioned.
“Ah, well, actually fall just began.” He said, brushing his hand through her hair.
“It’s cold.” She looked up at him.
“Yeah, it is pretty chilly.” He chuckled. She stared at him for a long second.
“Hey.” She tugged his arm.
“Hm?” He looked back down towards her.
“Are we…” She whispered.
“...Free?” She asked as she kept her gaze on him.
Rick looked out the window on the other side.
“I sure hope so.” He smiled. “Also,” she began.
“Hm?” He looked over.
“Did you get my bunny band-aids?” She asked with a hint of hope.
Kids... He thought to himself, amused.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I did!” He dug into his pants pocket and pulled out three band-aids with bunnies drawn onto them.
The girl’s eyes twinkled.
“You kept your promise!” She beamed.
He chuckled.
I sure did. He thought to himself as he began to nod off.
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Latest Chapter
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 8 - Final Confession
Mikael stared blankly for a moment at Larkin's open palm. "If we dance, will you explain what is going on?" "Of course." Larkin smiled. Mikael blushed as he took Larkin's hand into his own. * As they stepped onto the dance floor, a soft classical melody filled the room. The two proceeded to dance. Suddenly, both men's appearances changed. The two looked as they did back in their days as members of The Organization. "You look..." Mikael began, his eyes twinkling. Just as they spun, he noticed his physical changes in a reflection as well. "So," Larkin cleared his throat. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions..." He chuckled. "Yes, well, will you answer them, or will you proceed to dodge them?" "Ouch!" Larkin let out a hardy laugh. "I suppose I deserved that, huh?" "Mm." Mikael nodded unenthusiastically. "First," Mikael paused. "Am I dead?" Lar
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 8 - Vacant Dancefloor
As night fell, Mikael was busy tossing and turning in his bed."Why am I so restless..." He muttered to himself."Damnit, I wish I could fall asleep already..."*After a few minutes passed, the world around him slowly faded out as he successfully drifted off to sleep."Ah, so you've finally made it..." A familiar voice whispered.Mikael quickly opened his eyes.Upon opening them, he noticed he was not in his bedroom; instead, he was in a vacant, dimly lit room with only a dance floor."What the..."Suddenly, he remembered the familiar voice he heard."L-Larkin...!?" He cried out."There's no way..." He chuckled nervously."This is...""A dream?" Another voice intervened.Mikael quickly looked up.As he did, Larkin was standing in front of him wearing a tuxedo."W-what are you..." Mikael stammered.Ignoring his confusion, Larkin gave a soft smile as he extended a ha
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 7 - Passing the Torch
“Eh!?” Cole cried.“W-what…” Larkin muttered.“So, Rick stole your name!?”Larkin furrowed his brows.“Well, not necessarily; I suppose he put a unique twist on it is all.” He said.“Though…” He whispered.“I wonder how Rick knew what my name was during my days in The Organization…” He frowned.“Perhaps Mikael told him…?” He thought aloud.“Bah!” Cole cried.“What is it now?” Larkin glared.“I’m so bored now that storytime is over!” He cried.He then turned to Larkin.“I don’t like that look on your face.” Larkin huffed.There was a moment of silence.“Alright!” He cried.“What is it, Cole!?” Larkin demanded.“Can we go visit Rick?” Cole beamed.Larkin fell over
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 7 - Mr. Reaper
“Hey!” A voice called out.“Hey, kid!” It called out once more.The boy slowly began to stir.As he opened his eyes, he jumped up at the sight of a man hovering over him.“I have to say…” The man began.“Killing my partner…” He paused.“Color me impressed, kid!” He grinned.The boy glared at the man.“Now, now…” The man chuckled.“No need to be afraid of me!” He beamed.“In fact,” His tone suddenly shifting.“Since I’m now out of a partner, thanks to you,” he sighed.“And you’re out of a mother thanks to him…” His eyes then suddenly softened.“Why don’t I give you shelter in exchange for your services?” The man asked.The boy looked the man up and down.“Fine,” the boy said quietly.&ld
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 7 - Lifeless
Running through the thickness of the heavy smoke was a boy.The boy, huffing and panting desperately, trying to catch his breath. However, nonetheless, he continued to run."Mama!" He cried out."Where are you, mama!?" He desperately pleaded.As he continued running, the boy tripped and fell to the ground.As he sat up, he realized what he had tripped on.His eyes widened."N-no..." He whispered."M-mama...!" Tears filled his eyes."PLEASE NO...!" He shrieked, grabbing the corpse's hand, gently pressing it against his cheek.Just then, a man hovered over the boy and the corpse."Crap, I guess we missed one..." The man narrowed his eyes."Boy," The man began slowly, unsheathing his sword."Grab that knife from that lady's abdomen."The boy looked up at the man, horrified."Now!" The man barked.The boy began to tremble as he slowly reached for the knife lodged in his mother's
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 7 - How it Began
Sitting under the shade of some trees in the Ocleau Forest were the spirits of Larkin Olsen and Cole Hoffman."Say, Mr. Larkin...?" Cole began looking up at the man."I've wanted to ask this for a while now...""Huh?" Larkin replied, seemingly uninterested."Why did you kill people...?" He frowned.Larkin quickly turned to the boy."W-why...?" He stammered."Mm!" Cole nodded."Well, it's a long story..." Larkin mumbled."Tell, tell!" Cole chanted."W-what no...!" Larkin cried."Why not!?" Cole cried, sticking his tongue out at the man."For starters..." Larkin began, standing up."It's not a tale I like to tell, especially to a child." He frowned."Lame!" Cole pouted."I bet you've told Janine and Mim, though!""Perhaps, but is that any of your business?" Larkin glared."Uh-huh, it is!" Cole whined."How so!?" Larkin barked."Because I'm a part of this
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 6 - True Strength
As Kari and Tammy arrived at the park the next day, a whistle blew.“You two are late!” A voice exclaimed.“Eh!?” Tammy cried.“You said to get here by nine, and we did just that!” She frowned.“Yeah, I even got up earlier than usual…” Kari muttered, wiping her eye.“Well, you were two minutes late!” Rick exclaimed, trying to hide a smirk.“Anyways, welcome to Mr. Summers’ training camp, girls!” He beamed.Maru tugged on Rick’s shirt.“Rick, I don’t have to do this, right…?” She whimpered.“Of course not, silly!” He laughed.“Just sit back and relax,” he assured, petting her head.“Now then!” Rick blew the whistle.“Ten jumping jacks, go!” He instructed.“That’s not so bad…!” Tammy giggled, as the two did th
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 6 - Willing
“When we were planning to break into your hideout, I remember the others saying how I should be the one to watch Maru because, well…” She smiled sadly.“I’m not the strongest or most reliable, I guess…” She whispered.“Then when the others were fighting off enemies, all I could do was dodge them…” She bit her lip.“Those moments haunt me…” She whispered.“Big sis…” Kari whimpered.“I guess what I’m trying to say is…”“I can relate to you wanting to become stronger because I want the same!” Tammy exclaimed.Kari stared in awe, then gave a hard nod.“I wonder how we can become any stronger…?” Tammy questioned aloud.Just as she said that, Rick walked by with Maru.“R-Rick!” Tammy cried.Rick and Maru quickly turned around.“Oh!&rd
- 246: A Killer's Promise
Bonus Story 6 - Not Strong Enough
As Kari lay wide awake in bed, she could not help but get lost in deep thought.Tears welled in her eyes.I wasn’t strong enough to protect papa, big sis Janine, or big brother Mim… And now they’re all gone… She thought to herself as tears trickled down her cheeks.“I want to become stronger…” She whimpered, as she closed her eyes.*“Kari?” A voice called out.“Yo Kars, Tammy’s here, you ready?” Another voice questioned.“Ah!” Kari exclaimed, rolling out of bed.“I must’ve overslept!” She cried as she began rushing to get ready.“Honestly…” Abbey sighed as Kari came barreling out of her bedroom.“Leave her be Abbey, she’s still growing.” Sena giggled.“I guess…” Abbey mumbled.“More importantly,” Sena began.&ldqu
