Oi!

“Ain’t it a shame she couldn’t protect neither of you?”

A chill ran up my back and the urge to jump forced my legs to move against my will. Just realizing that I wasn’t alone sent my heart into a frenzy.

“Lil shite--!”

Whether it was luck or quick reflexes didn’t matter to me. Those icy claws missed my throat by a sliver, nicking off bits of my scruff. I fell back, having leaned back too far. And the sneasel took advantage of this as she straddled me to pin me to the ground.

“Gotcha. Now, don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll go to the same place your sister is, haha~!”

I grit my teeth, unable to move. Except for my arms, so I wasn’t totally defenseless. But those claws, that smile, I couldn’t focus a Psychic-attack well enough. I just clenched a fist, and threw a punch to meet those claws before they can reach me.

“G-graaaaaaagh!!”

I shut my eyes, fearing the worst, as I felt no resistance as my fist went forward. I could only hear the sneasel screeching and leaping off of me. Peeking out of one eye, I can see I’ve wounded her enough to distance herself from me. I wasn’t too proud of that, though... She was still standing.

“Don’t you worry, I never leave a job unfinished,” she growled through her teeth. “Then the Roost can rest easy.”

“The Roost..?” I asked, still unsure of what was going on.

“Ah-- you won’t have to worry about it where you’re going. I’ll make this quick.”

Suddenly, there was a boom of thunder as a flash of lightning filled the skies. The thunder seemed to drown out the sneasel’s angry talking, but only for a moment. Behind her stood an ominous figure, wearing a bright red scarf and a blood-thirsty gaze. The silence the thunder brought was filled once again with noise as lightning erupted from the sneasel’s chest.

The sight was indescribable, and would best be described as a sight no one deserves to see. The sneasel went down quietly, if you didn’t mind the roar of lightning. Dread set in as that meowstic started walking towards me, her paw stained with blood. What did I do to deserve this? What’s going to happen to me--

“Go get your cloak and let’s get going,” she said, wiping her paw clean. “I’m Aiko. And I will be your escort.”

“M-m-my, m-my, m-m-my store... I, what, can’t leave it like,” I stuttered, shaking on the ground. “H-How long will I be gone..?”

“We don’t know, sorry. But that’s why we’re sending our most qualified to look after your store in your absence,” she said, kneeling beside me to help me to my feet. “And, I apologize for being late. There was more to take care of on the way here, but, now that I’m here, you don’t need to worry about having blood on your paws. From here on out, if anyone or anything threatens your life, I will put them down. And if I can’t, you run for the HQ near the harbor. Okay?”

I was looking into a killer’s eyes, but they were soft eyes, too. She kept eyeing the other meowstic’s body, clenching those fangs behind tight lips, but rested a paw on my shoulder as if for reassurance. 

“Okay, but,” I said, finally whilst twiddling my thumbs. “We can’t leave her like that... Before we go, can we...?”

“Yeah,” agreed Aiko almost immediately. “Ricca deserves a better resting place than that.”

Aiko kept one paw on my shoulder as we walked back to the store. I’ve only noticed now the red scarf tied around my Sis’ memorial looked just like Aiko’s. I thought about asking her, but thought now was a bad time to. Still, Aiko perked up and gave an answer, as if reading my thoughts.

“Monaka was a comrade, and a dear friend. She would’ve worn the Vermillion Stripe if she didn’t deny it in favor of the Defender’s Cape,” said Aiko, turning to me. “I think the Defender’s Cape is fitting for the both of you, really. Neither of you have a killer’s instinct, but a protector’s. Cherish it.”

“Lyn! I’m back! Where are you?” I called, but was only met with quiet.

I started for the backyard, afraid she might be held hostage or something. Yet, before I got there, I found someone else.

A meowstic, covered in serious injuries. She was sitting against the wall, breathing as if she couldn’t get enough air. What happened here?

“Wh-who did this to you?” I asked, my voice starting to shake. “A-and, have you seen Lyn--”

“I couldn’t stop them,” she said, struggling to breathe. “They took her--”

“Wha--!? They?”

“I don’t know either... Forgive my weakness... I cannot fight for you,” she wheezed.

What do I do? My head is spinning, but at the least, I can tend to her wounds. Maybe we can devise a plan--

“I know what you’re thinking,” she said, as if cutting off my train of thought. “Either find another Runner, or investigate yourself. I am... beyond repair.”

“N-No way... You aren’t-- I-I can help you--”

“Take your sister’s cloak with you, so my friends will know you aren’t lying.”

“Please!”

She opened her mouth as if to continue to speak, but she didn’t say anything. What I thought was a sigh, was really her last breath.