He’s not going to last, he knows that, the darkness smoothly, swiftly, spreading across his vision making that all the more obvious. But he can’t stop. Stopping means getting killed and he rather likes living, thank you, but—
The world is tilting. Or perhaps it’s just him. He’s not entirely sure at this point.
Safe, safe, safe, have to get someplace safe.
Kaito turns, suddenly, mustering up the last of his strength to sprint into one of the yards belonging to— to someone, up the driveway and towards the front door – the house looks so familiar, why does it look so familiar, is it another mind trick, why – as fast as his legs can carry him. But then they’re buckling beneath him and he lets out a hoarse yelp, fingers just barely having enough time to curl around the door’s handle in an attempt to catch himself – but it’s no use, he can’t see, can’t hear, can’t feel, oh, but at least that’s a relief and—
And then his mind and body shuts down and he collapses below the front door.
It’s prey has stopped moving, his slowing heart beat is like music to the shadow. It rears up again, following up the driveway slowly, enjoying every second. It’s target is so close within it’s reach so close- Wait, no, there is another smell approaching. The shadow backs off again retreating to a nearby patch of darkness to observe and reconsider it’s strategy.
“Yes, I heard it Baaya… no, no; I’ll see what it is, first… not to fret. It’s probably just like the last one…” The young detective shifted the cell phone to his other ear and shoulder, freeing his hands so that he could set the baseball bat in the indent of floor-to-ceiling glass near the door. He pushed the white curtain aside and peeked out into the dark, frown fixed on his face. A body, yes, crumpled against the door. Drunk, most likely. Or attacked…?
Keeping close to that side of the door, he unlocked the chain, the normal lock, and the deadbolt, before pulling the door inward slowly, letting the unconscious form slip onto the polished marble gently.
“Hello, sir…?” Hakuba asked, staring downward. Then he paused. Was that…? No, it couldn’t be. But it was. Kuroba-kun! ”Baaya, I’m going to have to call you back.”
Brows furrowed, he glanced back out to the yard, narrowed eyes scanning the terrain. He couldn’t see anyone, but that didn’t necessarily mean…
He crouched down and slipped one hand under each arm, jaw set tight as he pulled Kaito into the formal reception area. There he left him, just long enough to return to the door, pushing it closed. Then came the locks: regular, deadbolt, chain. Once the house was secured, he go back down to the floor, kneeling as he rolled Kaito onto his back and went about checking vitals.
Fingers on his throat to feel for a pulse, he watched his face, professional training keeping him calm and productive for the time being. “Kuroba-kun? Are you all right? Can you hear me?”