Wasuranai Kara

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

After the lights went out the next night, Rumo dug around under the mattress for something. He pulled out a tiny flashlight, a key ring with seven keys on it, and several pieces of paper.

"What the hell is all of that?" Gren asked, wide-eyed.

"A way out."

"What are you talking about?"

Rumo looked at Gren. "You said you wanted out, didn't you?" he was whispering now, "So…we're gonna get out."

"It's impossible, Rumo!"

"Keep your voice down!"

Gren sighed, but he talked softer. "There's no way in hell we'll ever get out. They'll shoot us. And if they don't kill us, I'll never see you again. I've been through too much shit already to deal with that! This won't work."

Rumo shook his head. "Why do you have so little faith in me, Gren? I've been an escape artist most of my life. I could get out of here easy, if I cared enough. Before I met you, I had nowhere to go. So I stayed here. If I ever want out, I know how. I've escaped from three different max security prisons."

"What? I didn't know that."

"Why do you think I'm here?"

Gren shrugged. "I heard you were part of a syndicate."

"Yeah, but they never had anything real to pin on me that way. Syndicates cover up what they do pretty damn good. Me being caught wasn't because of that. I was set up."

"So you didn't do what they got you for?"

Rumo laughed. "Oh, no, I did it, all right. But somebody snitched. You're not the only one hungry for revenge, you know."

Gren reddened. "I don't want…"

"Bullshit. I know you do. And once we get out, I'll help you get it. I know how the Red Dragon works."

"I'll never get it, though. I know it. Vicious is smarter than that."

"I wouldn't bet on it." Rumo looked up from the maps he was studying. "There's always a way, Gren. The easiest way to get to Vicious…is through the syndicate."

"I don't get it."

"Contact Red Dragon. Find something you know they want. Make sure you really have it. You won't need as much as you say you have, but you'll need something so they won't get suspicious. Tell them you'll only sell it if they send Vicious. He is human, Gren, even if it doesn't seem like it. He can bleed, and he can die. Chances are, he remembers exactly who you are. Whatever he did, he probably thinks you'll never know. Everyone has a weakness. Just find his."

"Maybe you're right…"

"Of course I'm right."

"And so modest."

Rumo laughed and shoved everything back under his bed. "Come over here and I'll show you what I'm really modest about."

Gren smiled and obeyed.