„You've got a new gun.“ he observed, sneaking behind her without making any noise. „It's a faster one. The old gun did not help much back then.“ „Doubt that it will be any improvement. Hadn't you have any melee training? You're father was an expert...“ Naru closed her eyes, blocking out the sun rays, the soft noise of the water and the smell of the docks. „I was five, do you really think, that Kayin had nothing better to do than handing me something sharp and letting me explore the pleasures of killing?“ „Well no,“ he admitted, obviously a little bit uneasy. „I just thought...“ Naru twisted her head sharp, lashing out with all her bottled up anger . „What were you thinking Eiji? You were gone! Have you any idea how I felt when I woke up? I thought that you had left for good too.“ There was it, all the bitterness of her smal lifespan stretching out, chasing the usual numbness away and filling her with pain and anger. „I'm sorry.“ he said, his voice soft, concerned even, while he sat down next to her. „I really did not mean to...well..hurt you. I had no intention of just leaving. But after the attack and all the stress, you were so tired. You fell asleep on my bike and I thought that you needed a little bit of rest and we would talk later. Now actually, that's why I am here.“ Immediately Naru felt even worse. „Sorry.“ she whispered, fighting her fear with all her might. „I know that you might have better things to do than just hanging around with the sixteen years old daughter of your best friend. I am grateful that you called me. I should not...I am just sorry, let's forget about it, okay?“ „It's fine.“ Eiji assured. „And I want to help you and from what I have seen, you need my help too. The Soshiki is hunting you, that's a problem a gun alone can not solve.“ Naru was exhausted, a cold chill was running down her spine and somehow she felt watched and exposed. Maybe going to the docks at noon while an underground organisation of blood thirsty assassins was after you, had been a bad idea. But she needed to use her time with Eiji wisely, who knew how long they had. So she answered his initial question„I had some fencing lessons in the housing institute but I doubt a professional killer such as this...Rachael...would be impressed. And Kayin...I have no clue where to search next. I could go to Belfast maybe but...“ „Belfast?“ Naru sighted. „When I was a child, we had to flee one night and Kayin used the Belfast ruins to escape whoever was behind us. Anyway, and please don't dare to laugh, I dreamt of it lately and realized that this might be a perfect place to hide.“ Eiji gave her a doubtful look. „Yeah, if you want to grew another head or get another groovy mutation, then it is the perfect place to stay. Besides, I think your theory is rather vague. Kayin never even mentioned the Belfast ruins, let alone visit them. If he wanted to hide, he would chose a place he is familiar with. Not a green glowing décharge .“ Naru bit her lip. Eiji was right. „Look, Naru, I will stay around for a while and help you. I have not talked to Kayin for ten years too, but I will do what I can.“ Narus gaze wandered above the water. Eijis words were calming, but she knew they would not last. In the night, when she was alone again, the monster of her fears would raise it's ugly head again and eat her out alive. _________________________ Part 9 of Blood Society Previous Chapter:
"Even the gods may bleed"
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"I used to think"