Kazuha was breathing heavily – her heart beating erratically inside her chest as she listened carefully to her surroundings. She’d heard Hakuba call her name and soon after seen him crouched defensively in front of her but Kazuha couldn’t tell if there’d been anyone else in the vicinity. She was worried and shaking profusely as she momentarily held her breath.
Kazuha hadn’t moved but shifted her eyes in all four directions until spotting a carefully rigged crossbow. Once she’d seen this – she had let her breath carefully escape her trembling parted lips and tried to regulate her breathing.
Kazuha didn’t say a word – she was in a shock like state but she had managed to take the handkerchief from Hakuba and hold it – semi tightly to her wound. Kazuha’s hand was unsteady as she tried to press harder, however, the harder she’d tried to press the more unsteady her hand became – it even slipped from her face a few times smudging the blood in unnecessary areas.
Kazuha was numbed – her whole body. She’d felt as if she’d been in a dream like state or some kind of sick twisted warped reality as she’d carefully listened to Hakuba. Heiiji…? Kazuha thought to herself for a moment before responding.
“I-I…I can"
Kazuha’s eyes held nothing but a cold blank stare, but her mind was like rushing water. She could have died… Hell if someone had been there – they both would have died…
Hakuba studied the girl’s face, then let out a breath. She was in shock. She wasn’t going to stay calm. He had to take care of this. He reached out with his hand and took the handkerchief, guiding her hand if necessary, to hold it to her face.
"I’ll call… Heiji first, all right? Just relax. I’ll handle this.”
With his free hand, he fished his phone out of his pocket and quickly pulled up the number, then brought it to his ear, and waited. Five rings and the answering machine picked up. Of course Hattori wouldn’t answer his call. He hadn’t expected him to. His expression remained calm and even, and he forced a small smile.
“Ah, Hattori-san… yes, this is Hakuba Saguru. I’m with Toyama-chan presently, in the Aikido studio… Yes. There’s been an incident…” He continued to speak as if he’d actually connected with the other detective, leaving a lengthy voicemail of their supposed conversation. “I’m calling the ambulance now, but as soon as you can get here, the better. Yes. She’ll be fine, but do hurry.” A pause. “Yes. Of course."
He ended the call, and looked back to the girl.
"He’ll be here as soon as he can. Hold the handkerchief, all right? See if you can keep pressure on it while I look for a medical kit..”
Pulling his hand free, Hakuba glanced at the blood before straightening up, and pulling off his suit jacket. This he laid on top of the girl to keep her warm and, hopefully, stave off some of the effects of the shock.
“Stay here. Relax. I’ll be right over here.”
Armed with his phone, Hakuba approached the area where the crossbow mechanism had been set, and called direct number for emergency dispatch.