Chereads / Threads of the past / Chapter 20 - Into the depths

Chapter 20 - Into the depths

Kaede's scream echoed through the spillway as Renji disappeared beneath the churning water. She clung desperately to the metal ladder, her knuckles white as the icy current threatened to pull her down too. The roar of the water was deafening, but her thoughts were louder—panicked, chaotic, and fixated on one thing: Renji.

"Renji!" she shouted again, her voice hoarse.

The swirling current below offered no answer, just an endless froth of foam and shadows. Kaede's chest heaved as she tried to think past her fear. Leaving him was unthinkable, but the ladder was her only anchor in the chaos. Her mind raced for a solution, but none came.

Then, a faint splash broke through the din, drawing her gaze. Kaede's heart leaped as she spotted a figure struggling against the current further downstream.

"Renji!" she cried, relief flooding her voice.

Her fingers trembled as she climbed higher on the ladder, fighting the weight of her drenched clothes. She reached the top, pulling herself onto the narrow ledge overlooking the spillway. The rushing water stretched out below her, its force relentless.

Kaede scanned the area, her eyes locking onto a rusted pipe that jutted out over the water. Without hesitating, she grabbed a coil of frayed rope lying nearby, its fibers slick with moisture. Tying one end around the pipe, she threw the other into the torrent below.

"Grab it, Renji!" she yelled, her voice straining to rise above the roar.

Renji's head broke the surface again, his arms flailing as he fought to stay afloat. His eyes locked onto the rope, and with a final surge of strength, he reached out and grabbed it.

Kaede braced herself against the pipe, her body shaking as she pulled with everything she had. The rope burned against her hands, but she didn't let go. Inch by agonizing inch, she dragged Renji toward the ledge.

"Almost there!" she cried, her voice raw.

Renji's fingers finally grasped the edge of the ledge, and Kaede dropped to her knees, grabbing his arm. With one last desperate pull, she hauled him out of the water and onto solid ground.

Renji collapsed onto his back, coughing and gasping for air. Kaede knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she touched his face.

"Renji… are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Renji coughed again, his chest heaving. "I… I think so," he managed, his voice weak but steady. "Thanks to you."

Tears welled in Kaede's eyes as she leaned over him, her relief overwhelming. "Don't ever scare me like that again," she whispered.

Renji managed a faint smile. "I'll try."

Their moment of reprieve was short-lived. A faint echo of voices reached them, growing louder with every passing second. Kaede stiffened, her gaze snapping toward the spillway.

"They're coming," she said, her tone laced with fear.

Renji sat up, his body protesting every movement. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice firmer now. "Help me up."

Kaede slipped her arm under his and helped him to his feet. They moved cautiously along the ledge, their eyes scanning for an exit. The sound of pursuit grew louder, the unmistakable bark of orders cutting through the air.

"Over there," Renji said, pointing to a small tunnel partially hidden by debris. "It might lead out."

Kaede nodded, and they hurried toward it, their footsteps echoing against the wet stone. The tunnel was narrow and dark, but it offered a temporary reprieve from the relentless chase.

As they pressed deeper into the tunnel, the air grew colder, the sound of rushing water fading into the distance. Renji leaned against the wall, his breaths labored but steady.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kaede asked, her voice soft.

Renji nodded, though his body ached from the ordeal. "I'll be fine. We just need to keep moving."

Kaede hesitated, her amber eyes filled with concern. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know."

Renji gave her a small, weary smile. "I know. But we don't have time to stop."

Their conversation was cut short by a faint metallic clatter ahead. Renji froze, his senses sharpening. Kaede gripped his arm, her body tense.

"What was that?" she whispered.

Renji didn't answer. He motioned for Kaede to stay behind him as he moved cautiously forward. The tunnel widened into a small chamber, dimly lit by a single flickering bulb. The source of the noise became clear—a knife, embedded in the wall, still vibrating from the force of its throw.

Renji's blood ran cold as a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the chamber.

"Impressive," Kuroda's voice drawled, his figure emerging from the shadows. His eyes gleamed with malice, and another knife twirled idly in his hand. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?"

Kaede's grip on Renji's arm tightened. "How… how did he get here so fast?"

Kuroda smirked. "You think you're the only ones who know this place? I've been one step ahead of you this entire time."

Renji stepped in front of Kaede, his body tense. "Stay back," he said, his voice low.

Kuroda tilted his head, his smirk widening. "How noble. But you should know by now that you can't protect her."

Renji clenched his fists, his resolve unwavering. "You'll have to go through me first."

Kuroda's eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Gladly."

The tension in the chamber was electric as Kuroda took a step forward, his knife gleaming in the dim light. Renji braced himself, his mind racing for a plan.

And then, from behind Kuroda, another figure appeared—a shadow moving with deadly precision. Renji's breath caught as he recognized the woman from before, her face set with grim determination.

"Kuroda," she said, her voice cold and cutting.

Kuroda froze, his smirk fading. "You," he muttered, his tone laced with irritation.

The woman didn't give him a chance to react. With a swift, practiced motion, she drew her weapon and lunged.