Chapter Text
Wiping off his dusty sunglasses Shizuo stares back up at Tom. His eyes follow Tom's chopstick as he plops another piece of fatty tuna into his mouth.
"You did good work today Shizuo, you should go home and rest". Tom suggests turning towards Shizuo.
Clearly tired he yawns, agreeing. "You're right, I'll see you tomorrow, Tom". Heavy legs stand up as he grabs his coat, he walks off waving a final goodbye at Tom.
Stopping at the entrance, he lights up a cigarette. Taking a long drag he checks his watch.
10:57pm
Usually Tom drags him around town as late as 12am. Running around trying to collect debt from all kinds of people. Fathers, mothers, tweakers, runners, you name it.
The night getting colder, he drags his feet against the pavement. The city lights illuminating the street, he strolls down the sidewalk taking the long way home. The crowd shrinks the further he walks, lights growing more dim.
A harsh breeze catches up, dead leaves hitting Shizuo in the face. His angry knuckles bloody and bruised, throbbing against his cigarette. He thinks, a glass of cold milk would be nice.
Time ticking slowly he reaches for his phone. His coat swaying in the wind as he takes fast steps, checking for any messages. Coming up to a dark alleyway he stumbles against a bag.
Agitated he whips his head around spotting a bulky trash bag slumped on the ground. "The hell?" Shizuo curses under his breath.
Creeping closer he crouches low to the ground. Tilting his head to the side he squints as he further inspects the suspicious bag.
His eyes widening at the sight of curly hair peeking from the entrance of the bag. A cold chill runs up his spine, instantly he tears the bag open, discovering a young unconscious girl, hardly breathing.
Panicking, he lifts the girl up, setting her upright against the wall. He checks her pulse. A low, slow thumping can be felt.
Without thinking Shizuo flicks open his flip phone, dialing the only person he thinks can help. Beads of sweat trail down his forehead as the phone rings. A click goes off. "Shizuo?" a scratchy voice answers, clearly haven been woken up.
"Shinra! I need help. I found a girl unconscious, she's dying!" Shizuo shouts into his phone, his fingers shaking uncontrollably.
"Where are you? I'll send Celty your way!" Frantically Shizuo looks around for any street signs near him. None in sight. "I'm a few blocks past Simon's restaurant in an alleyway!"
Removing his coat, he wraps the thick fabric around the small girl. "Come on kid, stay with me." Shivering as he holds her to his chest.
"Celty is on her way, what condition is the girl in?" Scanning the girl, he informs. "I found her in a trash bag, she's cold to the touch and covered in bruises, barely breathing."
Minutes pass, until he hears the familiar sound of an engine.
Arriving at the scene Celty parks next to the two. Carefully Shizuo picks up the girl bridal style, hopping on the bike. Erratically typing on her PDA Celty flips the screen too Shizuo. [IS SHE OKAY??]
"No, we need to get her to Shinra's now!" Swiftly Celty pushes on the gas, taking the quickest route to her house. Street lights blur together as she speeds down the highway.
Wind blows through Shizuo's hair as he carefully grips onto the little girl. Mindful of his strength. His eyebrows furrow as he gazes down upon the child. Poor girl how did you end up like this.
Long dark curls stick to her face with sweat. Dirt litters her body as she lays limp in his arms. She looked no older than maybe 10?
Loads of unanswered questions swirl inside Shizuo's mind.
After speeding past every red light and stop sign, Celty arrives at Shinra's in less than 10 minutes. Abandoning her bike Celty unlocks the front door, letting Shizuo in.
Prepared Shinra shouts from the operation room. "Come in quick!". Shizuo races into the room, carefully setting the girl on the operation table. Checking her pulse Shinra lets out a breath of relief. placing an air compressor on her face.
"She's alive, I'll need the room to treat her." leaving the room Shizuo joins Celty. Collapsing on the couch.
A clink can be heard as Celty places a cup of water on the glass table, standing In front of Shizuo with shadows seeping out from her helmet.
She's startled, just like him.
Lifting his body he grabs ahold of the cup, chugging the water. More calmly Celty types, [you okay?] Shizuo huffs "I don't know, that was really scary."
[Shinra has her now, she'll be okay in no time!] He stares at his reflection from Celty’s helmet. Bags under his eyes, hair disheveled, he looks exhausted.
"Thanks Celty. I don't know what I would have done without you." thanking her, he sinks into the couch.
[wanna tell me what happened?]
"No idea, I was walking home from Simon's when I found her near that alley. She looked so broken and bruised. How can anyone do that to a child?!"
Celty sits next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder for support.
"They put her in a trash bag, Celty. Like she didn't mean anything, like her life was meaning less..."
he may be exhausted but anger boils through him.
Celty begins to slowly caress his shoulder. [Take our guest room. You need rest.]
Lifting his head he looks up at her "you sure?" Assuring him Celty types.
[Yes, If we want to help this little girl we'll need all the rest we can get to be strong for her.] sticking out her thumb upward for extra reassurance.
A small smile takes over his face. Despite not being able to talk, Celty always seems to know what to say. "you're right.. got a hand?"
Offering her hand Shizuo takes it, groaning as he stands up, He trudges into the guest room. From there he slumps onto the bed. Restless he lies there for hours staring at the ceiling, tossing from side to side. He can hear murmuring from the door, yet he can't seem to get up.
Resting his eyes for the final time. He succumbs to exhaustion. Lightly snoring into his pillow.