"Yeah keep it up kids." Catie cheerfully invited all the children to the large space behind the closet. There was a secret passage. It was the first time both Kenshin and Makoto encountered something like this. Their target this time was truly challenging. "Come on Kenshin, Makoto, and Larry, come over here." They couldn't escape from the children surrounding them. They were innocent, yet armed. Who would give such weapons to small children? Kenshin was truly angered by Catie now. He would make her pay for this at the first opportunity.
"Well done, my children, you did a good job."
"It's nothing, Mom."
"I'll come back to pick you up later, wait here."
The children nodded in agreement and approved Catie. What had Catie done? How had she influenced the children like this? And they called her mom? Kenshin silently tried to decipher the questions in his mind. "Okay, let's go, two heroes. Or should I say three? I hadn't heard from Larry, but he seems to be a new addition to your team." It was silent. Neither Kenshin, Makoto, nor Larry could say anything.
Catie started pressing the buttons in the space they entered. Suddenly, the front of the void closed, and they started moving downward. "How did you find it? This is my secret technology. I call it an elevator." All three were surprised; it was a strange feeling. They weren't moving, yet they could feel themselves going down.
"Here we are." Catie opened the elevator door. Kenshin was shocked by what he encountered. This woman was up to something big. Many tables and dozens of children filled the space around each table.
"Mommy!"
All the children jumped from their tables and clung to Catie. "Oh, my dear children, please calm down, calm down."
"Mommy, mommy, I behaved well today."
"Me too, mommy."
"Mommy, look what I drew."
The children were all talking at once. Kenshin couldn't understand what they were saying, but he could see it. These children really had an interest in Catie. But there was a problem. Kenshin couldn't see any kind of connection in any of them. The strong bond Kenshin felt with his mother; the bond the children had with Catie was entirely different. There wasn't even the slightest resemblance. "Hey, Kenshin, these children are really weird." Makoto whispered to Kenshin. "Hey, stay in place." Makoto was pushed away from behind. The child behind him was really firm.
"All right, children, come on, everyone to your places, let's all take our seats." With Catie's applause, all the children quickly returned to their tables. "Today we have three naughty children. What happens to the naughty ones, we all know, right?"
"Time out, time out, time out, time out."
"Hey, Makoto, these are scaring me..." Larry approached Makoto. These children were really strange.
"Hey, take your place." This time Larry was pushed from behind. He too quickly moved away from Makoto.
"Take them to the punishment room."
"Alright, Mom." The two children behind them started pushing everyone in line, moving them forward. Kenshin was still searching for a way out, a glimmer of hope. But the situation didn't look hopeful. Was this the end of their adventures? He turned his head towards Makoto. When Makoto noticed this, she turned to Kenshin and smiled at him. It was the 'we'll always find a way' smile. Makoto understood what Kenshin was feeling. She couldn't let him give up. Kenshin felt relieved again through Makoto. Yes, they would surely find a way out.
"Enter." Kenshin was thrown into the narrow room. "Mom, I've taken care of the last naughty child."
"Well done, my child. You may leave now."
The child nodded and left from in front of the three small rooms. "Yes, you are all punished, children, but don't worry, I am a merciful mother." Catie knocked on each of the three closed doors in turn. "Hmm, you don't believe in my mercy at all, do you? Take a leaf out of my children's book; they love talking to me, but of course, if you don't want to talk, the choice is yours." Catie waited silently for a few seconds. "Well? No response?"
"Release my friends. I- I'll take their punishment." Larry's voice was quite frightened and pained. It was evident that he was crying behind the closed door.
"Oh, Larry, Larry, Larry..." Catie leaned towards Larry's door. "Do you really think I'm so cruel as to separate you from your friends? You should be together. Don't worry, I told you I was merciful." Catie stood in front of the three doors again. "I'm offering you a choice. Be my children, join my children. Let me be a good mother to you-"
"Never." Kenshin pounded his fists against the door. Catie couldn't even pass by his mother. "Wowowow! Why are you so angry, little Kenshin? Did I say something unpleasant? Or am I a bad person who can't be your mother?" Kenshin remained silent. He remembered his mother. He missed being in her loving arms, her scent, her smile, her eyes, her crimson hair... he missed everything. When Catie heard the sound of tears falling to the ground, she couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, children, you didn't see it, but I was almost laughing at your situation. Well, it seems the adventure of the little heroes ends here. See you later, for now. If you want to escape punishment, you can inform my guardian children." As Catie walked away from them, Makoto leaned against the nearby wall. "Kenshin, Kenshin, Kenshin..." She pounded the wall with her fists, but there was no response from Kenshin. "I... I'm always here for you, Kenshin. Don't worry, we'll always find a way." Although Makoto's voice reached the ears of the person she wanted through the wall, she received no response. "I'm sorry, Kenshin... it was my fault. I shouldn't have brought us here." Makoto leaned against the wall, burying her head between her knees. Today was truly a bad day.
"Wake up, wake up, it's dinner time." The child banged on the doors with a stick. The three sleeping children stirred at the sound. Larry quickly leaned against the door. "Hey, hey! Please, let us go."
"I'm sorry. Mom will get mad. You're in trouble."
"P- please, just let us go." There was no response from the child. He tossed the meals under the doors one by one and then left. "Hey, guys, do you think we'll be able to get out?" Larry's question went unanswered once again. Both Kenshin and Makoto were exhausted. They couldn't muster a response. Larry lowered his head and quietly started spooning the food that had been thrown in front of him.
"Kenshin, are you okay?" After finishing her meal, Makoto leaned against the nearby wall again, hoping for a response this time, but her questions remained unanswered.
"Good night, friends." Larry didn't receive a response again. He wanted to quickly immerse himself in sleep. He curled up, bending his knees and wriggling in the narrow space. He felt sorry for his friends. But were his friends feeling sorry for him? That question was a monster that would devour him.
"Hey, Kenshin, are you asleep? Are you okay? I'm always here for you. Don't worry..." Before going to sleep, Makoto leaned against the wall with a last glimmer of hope. "Please say something..." but there was no response. She chose to sleep through this hopeless day. Tomorrow, she would devise a plan to get Kenshin out of here, but for now, she needed rest. Whatever Catie had fed them had left a strange effect on her. She needed to get rid of it to think clearly. "Goodnight, Kenshin. I... I love you." Makoto closed her eyes and waited for sleep to envelop her in its embrace.
Kenshin thought to himself, "I love you too, Makoto." Was it right to remain silent? He didn't know. All he knew was that what Catie had fed them had disrupted their emotional balance. He missed, he missed her so much. He wished his mother was with him now more than ever. He wished she could lie beside him, stroke his hair, comfort him, tell him stories, kiss him on the forehead...
"Why do I miss you so much, Mom?" Larry and Makoto had fallen asleep, but Kenshin couldn't sleep. His eyes were bloodshot. Tears were streaming down his face incessantly. "I'm sorry, Mom, I couldn't be a true hero, like you wanted me to be. I'm sorry, Mom, I couldn't be your hero." Kenshin slowly stood up and leaned against the wall. "I'm sorry, Makoto... I couldn't be your hero either." He didn't know how to escape this flood of emotions. He couldn't come up with any ideas. Something was missing. Finding the reason for the absence was easy. Makoto wasn't with him. Despite being only a wall away, he couldn't feel her presence. He wanted her by his side, right next to him. But it was impossible for now. He leaned against the wall and slid down slowly. Perhaps a little sleep would do him good. He closed his eyes again and tried to sleep.
"Get up, it's mealtime. Give me your empty plates from underneath." The child banged on the doors again with the stick. "Please, help us." Larry pressed against the door, but the child remained silent, taking the empty plate and sending a new one to Larry from underneath. "What's your name, guard?" The child didn't make a sound. He took the empty plate and gave a new one. After finishing his task, he left in the same manner. Makoto immediately leaned against the wall. "Good morning, Kenshin. Are you okay? Please, make a sound this time."
"I'm okay, Makoto. Don't worry."
"Finally..." Makoto felt the relief flooding her ears. He had finally spoken.
"I'm sorry, Kenshin, we're trapped here because of my plan."
"It's okay, Makoto. I'm the one who should apologize. I couldn't be your hero."
"What are you talking about, Kenshin? You've always been there for me, you're my real hero."
"But I couldn't protect you this time, and we're stuck here."
"Oh come on, Kenshin, that was impossible. You know that. Don't beat yourself up over such nonsense."
"Okay, Makoto..." Kenshin leaned against the wall. "Makoto, I love you too."
"What?"
"I couldn't say it last night. I wanted to say it to you out loud now."
"Kenshin... you're so sweet. You always make my heart flutter."
Kenshin blushed. "You make mine flutter too..."
While the two were exchanging affectionate words, Larry gritted his teeth. No one was addressing him. No one wanted to talk to him. He quietly started spooning the food in front of him, finishing his meal.
"Hey, Kenshin, what do you think about the food we're given?"
"It doesn't taste like much, but it's definitely better than what's on Catie's table."
"Haha, yeah, you're definitely right."
"Our solemnity was thus broken by the three of us." Three of us? There was one more person; Larry. "Larry, are you okay?" Larry's eyes finally opened as Kenshin addressed him. "Yes, yes, I'm fine, Kenshin, don't worry."
"I'm glad."
Larry finally felt a sense of happiness. He pushed his empty plate with his foot and lay down peacefully. Kenshin hadn't forgotten about him.
"Kenshin, do you have any ideas on how to get out of here?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"Don't worry, we'll find a way."
"Yeah, we will..." Kenshin rested his head against the door. He wondered how the rest of the day would unfold.
"Dinner time."
"What's your name, guard?"
"Here's your meal."
"What's your name, guard?"
"It's time for dinner."
"Hey, who am I talking to? What's your name?"
Days passed by in a similar fashion. Kenshin's hopes of escaping were fading away, and Larry's once uplifting responses had vanished. Larry was once again submerged in loneliness.
"Makoto..."
"Yes, Kenshin?"
"Will we be able to get out of here?"
"Absolutely, don't worry Kenshin."
"But I don't see any way out."
"Even if we don't see it now, we'll find it eventually. Remember, we always-"
"But we haven't found it yet..."
"Don't say that, Kenshin."
"I-I want you with me, Makoto."
"I'm already with you. Just like always."
"No, I mean I really want you here with me. I want to hug you."
"I want that too. Don't worry, we'll make it."
Kenshin didn't respond. He silently lay down and stared at the ceiling in the darkness. The only light he could see was the one seeping in from under the door. Night was falling, and the pitch-black darkness was engulfing everything.
"I'm scared... scared... scared..." Kenshin began to fear the darkness more with each passing day. Now, he fell asleep before being swallowed by the pitch-black darkness. Falling asleep before the lights completely disappeared was his only escape from it.
"Don't worry, Kenshin, I'll save you." Seeing Kenshin's agony, the twin couldn't bear it any longer. He had to save him from this pain. When Kenshin fell asleep, the twin took control of his body. "Don't worry, I'll save you." The twin started to think. He had no idea. The only solution that came to mind was to use brute force. He focused on the door. "We'll get out of here." He began to press his shoulder against the door forcefully. The impact made the door tremble, but that was all. After all, he was just a little kid.
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
Even though the result remained the same, the twin didn't give up. He believed he could succeed as long as he persisted.
"Again."
Makoto woke up at the sound of the trembling door.
"I'll save you, Kenshin."
And the door trembled again. Makoto noticed that he had come back. He placed his hands on the wall. "Hey, you can't escape from me anymore. Talk to me."
"Again."
The twin didn't respond. He continued to press his shoulder against the door, again and again. "You must know this won't work."
"Again."
The twin wasn't listening to him. When Makoto realized she wouldn't get a response, she sighed and lay back down.
Nights continued in the same manner. Makoto was worried about Kenshin's deteriorating mental state. She had to do something. She had to get the guard's attention.
"Again."
"Hey, you're going to hurt your shoulder. Kenshin wakes up in pain every morning because of you."
"Again." The twin wasn't listening as usual. "Ah, what can I do?" Makoto continued to ponder. No matter what the guard did, Kenshin didn't react. There had to be a way. "What could it be?"
"Again."
"Hey, can you stop that? No matter how much you hit the door, it won't open."
"Again."
"Come on, ah, I've got it." Finally, the idea formed in her mind. As uncomfortable as the idea was for her, after the twin repeatedly hit his shoulder against the door for days on end, the idea dawned on her. If verbal communication wasn't enough, they needed physical communication. "I'm really sorry for this, Kenshin."
"Again."
"Ah, come on... I'm going to sleep, do whatever you want. Fool, you still can't see the truth and give up. I can't sleep because of you-" What was Larry doing? Makoto had completely forgotten about his presence. He hadn't woken up at all until now and hadn't made a sound for days. His existence had merged with his absence. Was he also waking up from this door shaking? Why wasn't he making any noise? Makoto pushed aside these questions. She had an important priority right now: to rescue Kenshin from this prison.
"Here's your meal-"
"I've got you."
"W- what are you doing... you're a naughty child, I'll tell my mom on you."
As Makoto approached the guard's door, she reached out her arms from under the door and grabbed him by his legs. "Don't worry, the guard kid, Mom won't scold me. By the way, I don't know how many times I've asked, but can I know your name?"
"Let go of me."
"I won't let go until you tell me your name."
"Let go."
"Tell me your name." Makoto squeezed Clarence's legs tighter.
"Clarence, Clarence."
"Good job, Clarence, that's it." Makoto let go of Clarence's legs. "I- I'll tell Mom on you."
"But Clarence, if you tell Mom on me, how will our relationship work out? Your voice and toughness impressed me from the first day. That's why I've been trying to learn your name all this time. Wouldn't it be unfair to a lady who loves you so much and has put in so much effort for you? Clarence, please don't do this to us; we have a shared destiny."
"Y- you..." Before Clarence could form a sentence, Makoto handed Kenshin his plate and left. Makoto let out a sigh of relief. The plan was successful. "Don't worry, Kenshin, I'll get you out of here." Kenshin had now sunk into silence like Larry. He wanted his mother. He wanted Makoto by his side. He had never felt so alone.
"Hello, Clarence, you didn't tell Mom about me, did you?"
"W- what do you want, you naughty child?"
"Naughty child? That's very rude, Clarence. You shouldn't address someone who could be your wife like that."
"W- wife?"
"That's right, I want to be your wife, Clarence. More than ever." Makoto reached her arms out from under the door. "Hold my hands, Clarence, let's be one."
"You're a naughty child, this can't be."
"My name is Makoto, Clarence, not a naughty child."
Without saying anything, Clarence quickly placed the plates at all the doors and started to move away. "These hands will always be waiting for you to hold them, Clarence. You can hold them whenever you want."
Clarence blushed. He had never felt such things before. But he couldn't betray Mom.
"Food-" Makoto's hands were waiting to be taken out from under the door. Makoto waited quietly without making a sound. Clarence shook his head and quickly placed the plates to escape from the situation, then ran away.
"A-" the hands were waiting for him in the same place again. He blushed. Quietly, he placed the plates and left.
Again
Again
Again
Every time Clarence came, Makoto reached out her hands. She wanted to be as quick as possible for Kenshin. She had been buried in silence for days. Clarence couldn't even make a sound anymore, but this time, she would succeed.
Clarence shook his head, trying not to look at the extended hand. But when he reached the front of the door where the hand was, it nudged him. Trembling, Clarence involuntarily looked towards the hand. The hand was calling him. Makoto gestured for him to come closer. Clarence began to crouch slowly. He could free this girl to be with her, and he would be happy with her. Mom would definitely want his happiness. He held her hands. As soon as Makoto grasped Clarence's hand, she held onto his fingers. Clarence blushed furiously. "Finally, you're one with me, Clarence."
"M- Makoto..."
"Yes, Clarence?"
"Will you be with me?"
"Of course, I've been telling you that I wanted this for weeks."
"I- I love you, Makoto."
"I love you too, Clarence." Makoto was disgusted with herself for these constructed sentences. "Come on, Clarence, set me free and let's live together."
"I- I need to ask Mom first."
"But Clarence, I want to be with you right away. Don't you want me if you hesitate?"
"I do w- want to, but-"
"You don't love me, Clarence. Someone in love wants to talk to their beloved right away."
"B- but Mom will scold me."
"Hmm then I, as a lover, should think of you. Will you give me the keys, Clarence? I promise I won't go anywhere."
"I- I can't, I can't give them."
"I'm saying things thinking of you, but you... you never think of me. I want to talk to Mom face to face. Don't worry, I'll wait for her here, I promise."
"B- but Makoto-"
"You... you're not thoughtful at all." Makoto let go of Clarence's hands and slowly started to back away. "W- wait, I'm sorry... Makoto, I'll give them. I'll talk to Mom."
"That's it, Clarence. I'll wait for Mom here."
"A- alright."
Clarence placed the key hanging on his waist into Makoto's palm. "Clarence, come here, I'll give you a reward."
"How?"
"Lean your head down and come closer to my free hand."
"O- okay." Clarence crouched down and began to approach Makoto's hand. Makoto joined the tips of her fingers and touched Clarence's lips with them. "Muahh." Clarence turned crimson and quickly pulled away. "What was that?"
"Our first kiss, hehehe."
"I- I'm going to call Mom." Clarence stood up with a mix of happiness and embarrassment. "There's no need to rush." Clarence was already gone.
Makoto waited for a while before opening the door. The light that hit her eyes blinded her. After a long time, blinking to adjust her eyes to the light properly, she looked around.
"Kenshin." Makoto knocked on Kenshin's door, but there was no answer. "Kenshin-chan." Again, "From Makoto to Kenshin." Makoto clenched her teeth and squatted down. She threw the key towards Kenshin under the door. "Look, Kenshin, we're free, we'll get out of here through this key."
Kenshin's lifeless eyes came to life with the presence of the small shiny object shining on his face. "M- Makoto..."
"Yes, Kenshin, it's me."
"D- did we make it out?"
"Yes, Kenshin, we made it. Now open the door and let's go."
"I- I thought we wouldn't make it. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Come on, please open the door and let's go."
"O- okay." Kenshin quickly reached for the shiny object in front of him. He stood up. He inserted the key into the lock of the door. The brightness shining into his eyes blinded him just like Makoto. "Give it some time, you'll get used to it."
"M- Makoto, I love you."
"I love you too."
"I love you."
"Yes, I know."
"I love you." Kenshin hugged Makoto tightly. Makoto finally relaxed. She had saved Kenshin. She felt content. "A- and what about Catie?"
"Hmm... Clarence went to call her. She'll probably come here."
Kenshin's eyes sharpened. "Then it's her turn for punishment."
"K- Kenshin, there's no need for that, we can leave now."
"No, Makoto. She's a bad person, haven't you forgotten?"
"No, but I don't want us to get into trouble again."
"Don't worry, Makoto, we won't."
"I trust you."
"I didn't trust you. I'm so sorry, Makoto..."
"It's okay, I said. Tell me the plan."
"We'll wait for her in the closed doors and when she comes, we'll catch her." Kenshin's hatred was incredible. He had been feeling a loneliness he had never experienced before for weeks because of that woman, constantly missing his mother. But today, he finally reunited with Makoto. Now it was time for punishment. "Do you have the knives?"
"Don't worry, Makoto, I still have the knives."
"Okay then, let's get started."
"Makoto, wait." Before Makoto entered the room, Kenshin stopped her. He pointed to the other door. There was someone else they had forgotten. "Larry."
"Right." Makoto knocked on Larry's door. "Larry, are you okay?"
"Larry, we're free."
"No response, Kenshin." As Kenshin was about to take the key from Makoto and place it in the lock, footsteps started to be heard. Kenshin had to move fast. "You'll escape with this, Larry." He quickly threw the key under Larry's door and hurriedly closed the door to his room.
"Well, well, well, Miss Makoto, from what I've heard, you've bewitched my son Clarence's mind and wanted to talk to me. Clarence wanted me to let you out, but I put his mind back in place. I'm warning you, don't try this again. Normally, you would deserve an extra punishment, but luckily for you, I am merciful. You're very lucky. Now, as for another matter; I gave you an opportunity. You could have been my children. Are you still of the same opinion?"
"Never."
"Same old words, Kenshin?"
"Makoto."
"Okay."
"You-"
Makoto quickly opened the door. Catie froze in shock at this situation. This shock would lead her to sign her death warrant. Before Catie could recover, Makoto leaped at her, throwing the two knives hidden in her waist and plunging them into Catie's legs. Before Catie could scream in agony, Kenshin darted from the side and swiftly threw his knife. The knife pierced Catie's head, pinning her to the pipes behind her. As her unconscious body slid down the pipes, staining them red, "Let's go, Kenshin."
"Okay, Makoto." Kenshin stood tall in front of Catie's body. He quickly pulled out the knife lodged in her head. As her body slumped to the side from the impact, "Let's go." Makoto nodded with a smile.
"Do you have any idea how we're going to get out, Makoto?"
"To be honest, no. When we came here, I didn't see anything around that could be a way down. The elevator is our only way out."
"The kids are going to cause trouble."
"Probably, but we can get past them."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." With Makoto's smile, Kenshin regained his confidence. "Let's get out of here."
But things didn't go as expected. The kids were waiting for them with guns. "Where's Mom?" Clarence was furious. "Hey, hey Clarence, look, it's my Makoto. Your dear wife."
"Huh?" Kenshin was confused. Makoto nudged him with her elbow, signaling him to stay silent. "You're not my wife. My mom showed me the truth. You're a naughty child."
"Come on, Clarence, you can't let our relationship be ruined like this."
"Where's my mom, I said?"
"Well, why don't you go see for yourself? She's talking to Larry right now."
"No, liar, my mom wouldn't have let you go. You betrayed us."
"Come on, Clarence-"
"Shut up." Clarence pointed the barrel of the gun at Makoto. "You're a filthy liar... you love someone else. My mom told me everything." Taking advantage of Clarence's distraction as he cried, Makoto slipped her elbow into his stomach. "Ahgh!" They started running to the elevator with Kenshin, but it didn't work. "Stop." The voice of the kid next to Clarence was enough to halt them. The other kids were sitting at the table, watching them. Kenshin wouldn't attack them. They were innocent children whose minds had been manipulated. They began to walk backward calmly with Makoto. "You traitor..." Clarence was filled with rage. The barrel of his gun was aimed only at Makoto. Kenshin and Makoto had reached their last stop. They hit the wall. The three kids in front of them would soon kill them. "My mom always told us to be merciful, but you've lost your chance, you're naughty." Clarence aimed his gun at Makoto's head. "You liar-" Before he could pull the trigger, Makoto and Kenshin's front was drenched in blood. Kenshin froze as the blood splattered over him.
"LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE." Larry was spraying everywhere with his small machine gun. "MOMMMM!" All the kids were fleeing in terror. Larry was shooting every kid he saw without closing his eyes. "Die, die, die."
"LARRY, STOP!" When Makoto saw Kenshin's frozen face, she screamed at Larry. "Die, die, die." Many children were lying lifelessly on the ground. The kids' table was soaked in blood. New pools of blood were forming around. "LARRY, STOP!"
"Die, die, die-" Larry's body finally collapsed lifelessly to the ground. "Kenshin, Kenshin, look at me." Makoto stepped in front of Kenshin. Kenshin's eyes were twitching. "T- th- they're dead. Th- the kids are dead. Innocent ones are d- dead."
"Kenshin, snap out of it."
"T- th- they're dead."
"Oh come on." Makoto began pushing Kenshin towards the elevator. "They're dead..." Kenshin kept muttering the same thing over and over. "Wait here." Once Makoto managed to get Kenshin into the elevator, she also grabbed the unconscious Larry lying on the ground and started dragging him towards the elevator. "Here we go from here." She pressed the buttons of the elevator and activated it. It had been exhausting and difficult times. The surviving kids below were hiding in fear.
"These kids are really amazing, Gor."
"Yeah, they are, Kesh."
"They've turned the place into a pool of blood, just look at it."
"Yeah, it's truly astonishing."
"The real deal is the knife stuck in Catie's head, these kids are amazing." Kesh's mouth was watering. "Now let's get back to business, Kesh."
"Oh, sure."
"I'm moving the kids to the other area."
"Of course, that's why we're here. Come on, kids, let's go." Kesh's eyes gleamed. "To the beautiful lands... the power of god is real hahaha." The children started lining up in front of Kesh in fear. Their nests were completely destroyed now.