Akayuki (Red Snow)--Chapter 5

Warning: The following contains references to murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fan fiction. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.

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Chapter 5

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Six days later, Jake carries me to the rickshaw and sets me in the passenger seat. Michael is watching us from the balcony. His expression is blank but his right hand is wrapped so tight around the hilt of his katana his knuckles have turned white. Mixter is standing at the front entrance of the Akayuki main house trembling with fury.

“You are not to stay longer than one hour,” she says. “If you disobey, I will send for you and arrest that perverted old man on kidnapping and endangerment charges.”

I roll my eyes. 

Jake is standing in front of the rickshaw, handles in hand, and looking over his shoulder at me.

I look over my shoulder at Michael and wave goodbye.

Michael stares back.

I turn my back on him and avoid Mixter's eyes. 

“Let’s go,” I tell Jake.

On the way to the Elm District, we see Blue Moon assassin Jason Voorhees outside a flower shop. He sees me in my red-painted rickshaw and red kimono and waves as though we have been friends since childhood. I wave back for politeness’ sake, although, truthfully, I am terrified of Jason, a fact both the bastard possessing me and Freddy find amusing. 

My heart doesn't stop pounding and I don't stop looking over my shoulder until we reach Freddy’s house. 

Nancy is waiting for me by the front entrance. 

“Hurry up,” she orders Jake as he picks me up.

“It’s daylight,” Freddy says, appearing in the doorway behind Nancy. “The masked piece of crap ruining our business doesn't slink out of his hole until night.”

“You speak from experience,” Nancy and I say together.

Freddy scowls and tells Jake to get me in the house so we can get this meeting over with. Mixter, as we all know, is counting down every second.

Jake carries me to the sitting room where the doctor from Haddonfield is waiting. He bows when Jake carries me into the room.

“Doctor Samuel Loomis,” Fred introduces us. “Sensei, I present to you the heiress of the Red Snow, Nica Pierce.”

“Right here,” Nancy tells Jake, who follows her over to the red cushion across from the seated doctor.  

Fred sits beside me and once I'm settled, he kicks Nancy and Jake out of the room. Nancy scowls while Jake shoots me anxious glances before stepping out and sliding the rice paper door shut behind him.

Loomis rises out of his bow. He's as old as Fred with a mostly bald head and a gray beard on his chin.

“Miss Pierce,” he greets me.

I nod in return.

“Sensei,” I say.

“Enough pleasantries. Tell her about your escaped mental patient, doc,” Fred says.

Loomis shows me a picture first. A hand-drawn portrait of a young man with dark scruffy hair and a damaged left eye. No, a blinded left eye.

“Michael,” I whisper. 

“His full name is Michael Myers,” Loomis tells me.

“He’s a mental patient.” Not a question. 

“He has been in my care since the age of six,” Loomis answers. “That was after he murdered his sister.”

“Murdered his sister,” I repeat.

“Stabbed her to death in her bedroom,” Loomis clarifies. “Since he escaped my hospital, he has murdered thirty-one people between Haddonfield and here. I know this masked ronin you are hunting is Michael.”

“Why?” I ask Loomis. I can’t stop looking at the portrait of Michael and thinking he's the masked ronin.

“I don’t know why he kills,” Loomis answers. “I truly believe Michael is possessed by something that is pure evil.”

I can relate to that, I think, but don't say. 

I look up from Michael’s portrait to the doctor. 

“You misunderstood my question, Sensei. What I meant was why hasn't Michael killed me yet? He's been by my side for six months, pretending to be my bodyguard.”

“Exactly, Miss Pierce,” Loomis says. “Pretending. It is an expert at deceiving those It considers obstacles.”

“‘It’?” Fred asks.

Loomis nods. The gesture reminds me of Michael.

“Michael’s humanity died fifteen years ago when he murdered his sister. Since then, it has been dormant, patiently waiting for whatever sign it needs to trigger it into action.”

I think back to Michael tucking me in every night, carrying me around the house, protecting me every day as my trusted (oh, admit it, Nica) and beloved bodyguard. 

“All this time,” I whisper. I turn to Fred. “Did you know about this?” I show him the portrait of Michael. “You know a lot of ronin.”

“I didn’t know until Loomis told me six days ago,” Freddy told me. “If you want the truth…”

“I do. Yes,” I tell him. My hand crumples the portrait.

“I suspected your bodyguard. I even asked some sources about his background but got nothing.”

“Well, now I know,” I say. I turn to Loomis. “May I borrow this? I want my bodyguard to see…”

“Absolutely not,” Loomis interrupts. “I will confront It.”

“I doubt you're going to take your patient back to the hospital, are you, doc?” Freddy asks him.

“No. I tried keeping It locked up and It got out. This is the only way.” Loomis reaches behind him and retrieves a sheathed katana, its scabbard decorated in silver. 

“No.” I try to rise and fall on my bottom. Damn you, Chucky. Wake up and help me. 

“Nica,” Freddy scolds. 

“You can't kill Michael,” I tell Loomis.

“Miss Pierce, It has deceived you, manipulated you, and It will drag you to Hell with It if you try to protect It.”

I snort.

“Sensei, I’m already in Hell, but thanks for your concern.” I give up trying to stand and call for Jake. “I’m going home.”

“I will go with you,” Loomis says, rising from his cushion.

Jake enters the room and picks me up.

“No, sensei,” I tell Loomis. “You leave Michael alone. If you want to confront the Masked Ronin, be my guest.”

“Nica-sama, you misunderstand,” Loomis says. “It is the same person. Your bodyguard, the Masked Ronin, and my patient.”

“Maybe,” I concede. “We will know for sure when we capture the Masked Ronin and unmask them.” I look at Jake. “Take me home. Mixter is waiting.”