Chapter 0 - Running
They say running is the one instinct human beings can never abandon.
We run to survive. We run from our sins. We run to save those we love, or to escape ourselves. We may not even know why we are running... all we know is that if we stop, we will have to face what we fear.
But this time, the two of them were running to create an ending.
On their left stood a building with “Building 109” written across its facade. They passed it in silence, heading toward the western road. Their eyes swept across the pedestrians, their breathing heavy, sweat glistening on their foreheads despite the cold. They ran so fast that the noise around them became nothing more than silence.
Looking at them, you could not tell whether they were the prey or the hunter. There is no difference between the two when it is time to run.
The neon lights blanketing Shibuya made the night as bright as bare daylight, while above them, the full moon watched in cold silence. The pounding of leather shoes against the wet pavement merged with the shouts of passersby and the brush of shoulders. One of them fell, but rose indifferently and surged forward, continuing his run as though he were simply another part of the rhythm.
The other officer was clutching his phone, listening to the instructions of the man on the other end.
“You’re only a few dozen meters away. The other teams will surround the area. He won’t be able to escape this time.”
Both officers stopped at the Asakusa intersection, catching their breath.
It was unusual for the area to be so crowded, or so dark, but a small music festival was taking place at the edge of the road. A truck carrying a small stage stood there, every light directed toward it, while the noise of the crowd mingled with loud pop music blasting from the speakers.
A trembling voice came through the phone.
“We’ve lost the signal, sir...”
“Where was the last location? Hurry!”
“We’re narrowing down the search area... Give me just a few seconds.”
Their eyes continued searching their surroundings desperately, each with one hand on his gun, until...
The music stopped.
The speakers fell silent as though they had suddenly been disconnected, and somehow, the place became quieter.
One of the event organizers rushed forward to check the audio connections. A few moments passed.
Then the music started again.
But it... was not the same music.
It was a strange melody to a crowd that assumed it was part of the performance.
But it caught the officers’ attention.
Both stood still, watching and listening tensely, fear evident in their eyes. They were the only ones who knew exactly what that melody meant.
One of them froze completely, his expression turning to one of despair.
The other raised his phone and shouted:
“Send me the damn location now!”
A woman's high-pitched scream pierced the air, followed by several more.
Everyone turned toward the building opposite the intersection, where a girl stood pointing with a trembling hand.
There...
From one of the third-floor windows, a rope hung down, a body dangling from its end.
A black jacket and blue police trousers.
His face was partially obscured by strands of hanging hair, but there was no difficulty identifying him.
His clothes were stained with blood, as though all that remained of a prey.
Blood ran down from every part of his body toward his shoes, then began to drip.
Drop by drop.
Rhythmically, matching the melody still playing in the background.
The phone slipped from the officer’s hand.
The other dropped to his knees.
Both stared at the same scene, wearing the same expression as they looked upon what had once been their fellow officer.
After that night, it could be said that stopping the run was no longer the only path toward what we fear...
Sometimes, what we fear is waiting for us at the end of the road.
