CODE II: THE DEVIL HUNT

I reached the park, and sat down on a bench.

The night was cold. I pulled the chain of my jacket, and put my hands in my pockets to brace myself against the cold air.

Three police cars passed the park, and their sirens tired of the calm atmosphere.

"What's with that?"-I thought to myself.

"I heard that a serial killer is on the loose."-Len answered my question.

Even though I didn't have any interest in the world's affairs, Len used to collect every bit of information he got on the internet and newspapers.

"I didn't need an answer for that.....but thanks."-I murmured.

"Got any idea why your Mr. Guardian sent you here?"-Len tried to keep the conversation alive.

"Nah. I think this is going to be a big one though."

"Me too. As far as I can assume, he told you to come here.....for safety."

"Safety?"

"Yeah. My prediction is that you are safer here than you are at home."

"Don't joke?!?! Mom's alone in the house!"

"Calm down, Exodus404. I don't think your mom is in immediate danger. Or, she shouldn't be....."

I was terrified at Len's word, when the new FM hit my phone.

With my shaking hands, I opened it.

"Listen to me closely, Mashiro. What will happen is way out of your control. Think of this as a convergence. All right? And be calm. Don't panic. No matter what happens, don't lose your cool. And......and I'm sorry for your loss."

"M-my loss? What does that mean?"-I hissed, trying to calm myself down.

Just at that moment, an announcement was made, and I ran for my home.

"A murder has been done in this area. Please stay inside the house at all cost. A serial killer is on the loose. I repeat, anyone who leaves their house may become subjected to danger."

The words made me feel sick. I was worried, not for myself, but for mom.

I ran as fast as I could.

But it wasn't enough. I took a turn, and saw a few police cars in front of my house.

"Mom!"-I cry came out of my mouth.

I tried to run past the police officers guarding the place, but they caught me.

"Let me go! My mom is in there! Let me go!"-I struggled, but couldn't get out of their hold.

I turned and punched the nearest officer in the face. His grip loosened a bit, and I ran for the door.

I opened it before anyone could say anything, and all I found was blood.

The whole floor was covered with blood. The walls and cabinets were red, and a few officers were crowding inside the kitchen.

I ran for them and shoved them out of my way.

And inside the crowd, was my mom, lying lifelessly.

Her head was cut apart from her body, and her stomach was tired apart. The whole body looked like a bloody mess.

My body couldn't take i.e. ran for the basin, and started vomiting.

"Son.....are you, the victim's relative?"

I heard a voice asking.

I looked behind, and saw an officer, holding a report in his hands.

"Y-Yes."-I stammered, still affected by the shock.

I felt that my sadness wasn't much, and I was calm.

Len was doing that. He could control most of my hormones with electrochemical pulses.

"I would like to ask you some questions. Can you please co-operate?"

"I-I'll try."-I said, wiping my sweaty face.

"Thank you. Please come with me."-he said, pointing towards a room.

The next few hours were hazy. All I remembered was answering a dozen questions, and talking about the evening.

I couldn't tell them about the FMs, but yet I tried to tell them everything I could.

At night, the police left with my mom's corpse, and I stood alone inside the house.

[Few days later.......morning, at the local graveyard....]

"......And let us pray that God sends her soul to heaven."-One of mom's work colleagues ended his speech.

I sat in the first row, not paying attention to any of them.

In a few hours, the funeral was over. Everybody started to head back, saying some words to me, not thinking about me, or the incident anymore.

I looked at the leaving crowd, and then turned at the grave.

I couldn't cry.

"Let me cry! Let me mourn!"-I shouted inside my mind.

"Sorry, Mashiro. I really am. But right now, if I let you cry, it'll be all over. Youll be devastated."

"Let me think about that!?!"-I shouted again, trying to regain my control over my brain.

My thoughts got interrupted hearing a voice.

"Mashiro, I need your help with something."-a voice said.

I looked back and saw Mr. Tatsuki. He was the officer who questioned me earlier.

"Yes?"-I asked in a flat tone.

"Listen, don't panic. Okay?"

"What's wrong?"

"Well, we found a trail of blood behind your house. We are assuming that it's from the murderer."

Hearing those words, I couldn't stand. I grabbed Mr. Tatsuki's shoulder, and started shaking him.

"Then why are you here?!?! Go arrest him!"

"My forces are on it. We have already restricted the area where the trail ended. I think we will catch him before the night."

"Oh. So, why are you here?"-I said, my anger fading. Len was regaining control over my brain again.

"Listen. I know we have checked you thoroughly, but.......there was another trail of blood beside the murderer."

"Another victim?"

"No. That's the problem. The blood was yours."

"Mine?!?!"-I was surprised, and that shock helped me gain control of my brain from Len. I heard him sigh in my head, but I ignored it.

"Yes. And we found this."-he pulled out a strange cartridge from his pocket.

"What's this?"

"Some kind of bullet shell. But we have searched everywhere we could, but we didn't find anything like this."

"What about the blood trail?"

"It disappeared after a few blocks. We have restricted that area too, just to be safe."

"So, how can I help?"

"Well, we already know that the second blood trail doesn't belong to you, or at least YOU."

"Hmmm. So?"

"Got any idea how that blood got there?"

"No.........I don't think so."

Mr. Tatsuki seemed disappointed, but didn't ask anything more.

He bid farewell to me, and started walking back to his car.

"Len, scan the area. Search for the restricted area Mr. Tatsuki mentioned."-I thought, directing Len towards the investigation.

"You sure?"

"Hmm. I don't think arresting him will do any good to mom."-I thought, and felt that Len still had me in his control.

"All right."-he sighed, and I heard some crackling in my mind. Len was already on it.

I turned back, and started walking to my home.

[Few minutes later........]

I opened the door, and stepped in. The blood was already cleaned by the police, and there was no evidence of the incident that happened yesterday.

I threw my coat on the ground, and walked up the stairs.

I went inside my room, and saw a message on the computer screen.

"ESCAPE THE REALITY."

It was Faith403. She always tried to hack my PC when I wasn't around. She didn't damage it or any of my information, or to be exact, she didn't even peek at them. She just always tried to hack my firewall.

I shrugged and sat on the chair. My hands flew over the keyboard, and in a few minutes, the message was gone.

Ting!!My phone rang. I looked at it, and saw Faith403 messaging me.

"Awwww! And I tried so hard to hack it."

"My mom just died, Faith. I don't have the mood now."-I said, pain rising inside my heart.

"OH. I'm sorry."-she replied. Even if I couldn't see her, or didn't know her, I still felt that she was sincere about her apology, and actually meant it.

"Don't worry."

"What happened?"

"Nothing much."-I said. I didn't want to talk about it, and she understood me.

"All right. But if you ever need help, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Faith. I really meant it."

"Don't mention it."

Suddenly, Len spoke up inside my mind.

"Found it, Mashiro. The area is about three miles west from here."

"Are the police there yet?"

"They have surrounded the area, but haven't found the murderer yet."

"Good. Let's move then."

"Gladly."-he said, and I jumped off from my bed. I ran outside, and headed for the area.

[Half an hour later.........]

I sat on the hill, looking at the area down.

The whole area was surrounded by a fence, probably the police.

"Len, we should head for the fence around that dustbin, right?"-I said, looking at a broken fence.

"Hmm. When did you notice it?"

"Before we came here. I calculated the map of the area."

"Oh, so that what you were doing with that map........"

"Yup."

"And here I thought you were useless without me....."-he murmured.

I smiled, and jumped from the hill. I slide down the hill, and ran for the fence.

A police officer noticed me running, and shouted.

"Hey, you! Stop!"

I didn't pay attention to him, and reached the fence.

I started climbing it, and jumped off on the other side.

The police officer was still coming, so I ran inside the area to lose him.

After a few minutes, I turned back. No one was following me, and I became relieved.

"So, what's the plan, champ?"-Len asked from inside, impressed by my movements.

"We will search for the guy and take him down."

"It's not easy, you know. The area is about........"

"Two square miles? I know."

"How did you........"

I didn't let him finish. I had already calculated my routes and choices when he was offline.

"Listen, we will use those drones."-I whispered, gesturing towards a drone hovering near me.

"Hmm. I already have the Zeus patch on me, so, should I do it for you?"

"Nah. I should do things like this once in a while."-I said, and noticed an empty storehouse near me.

I entered the house, and closed the door behind me.

I waved my hands over my right ear, and my bionic eye started glowing. This wave was a code to open my holo-computer.

A light came out of my right eye, and formed a few holo screens in front of me.

The holo-computer was one of the basic functions of artificial parts made of Thermoniam, just like my eye. These holo-computers could only be touched by the user. The reason behind it was the electrochemical connection between the bionic part and the user's mind. The user didn't actually touch the keyboard or PC, just felt that he touched it. The bio-part in his body made it possible. The user would only feel the touch, and the A.I would insert the number in the screen according to the user's choice. But to others, they were just like any other holo-boards, as they were unable to touch the screen like the user, or feel it.

I touched the nearest screen, and a keyboard popped in front of media started typing the codes, and a series of numbers turned up inside the screens.

"Accessing drone's visual field.....bypassing firewalls......connecting......and done!"-I kept talking to myself, satisfied by my work.

A video started in the nearest screen, the drone's visual feed.

"You know......you only hacked the visual feed.......you'll need your PC to hack the drone control.....as you didn't install all the patches......"-Len murmured.

"I know.....that's why I have this!"-I brought out my favorite laptop from my bag, and sat down.

I started typing the codes, and the laptop's screen turned white, showing some scripts.

I inspected them closely, and inserted a few new words. The screen turned back, and showed a new menu. I was inside the drone's control system.

I pulled out a cord from the laptop, and connected it with the port behind my right ear.

My visual field became hazy, and for a moment, all I could see was darkness. Then a new picture started.

My brain was successfully connected with the drone's camera and control system.

"Move forward."-I commanded inside my mind, and the drone moved forward.

"You know......you are not actually commanding it, I am."-Len teased me.

"I know. But I'm commanding you, and you are controlling its.....indirectly, I am controlling it."-I replied, still inspecting my surroundings.

Suddenly, I saw a figure running towards the warehouse I was in.

"Len, check that figure!"-I shouted.

"I can hear you even if you don't shout..........no.....that's, not your target."-Len murmured.

"How do you know who's my target?"

"I hacked the police database and downloaded the picture."

"So, its a man? Or a girl?"

"A man. A really old and grumpy one."

A picture popped up inside my visual, and I checked it closely. The man had a deep cut on his left cheek, and one of his eyes were white. A result of too much Microphame. (A drug made of different harmful substance, popular in the future.)

"Anyway...."-Len continued.

"It's a girl."-he suddenly blasted a bomb.

"A girl?!?! What's a girl doing here?"

"Taking a spa, what else? Huh. How should I know?"-he replied, annoyed.

Just that moment, I saw two police officers running behind that girl.

"Oh man. She's going to get herself caught......wait. She is coming here, right?"-I asked, terrified. If she brought the police officers here, I would get caught, and probably be thrown into the jail for three or four years.

"Len, hack their communication system, send a fake message."-I said, disconnecting the cord from my port.

"And you?"-Len asked from inside my mind.

"I'll take care of the girl. Hurry up!"-I yelled, and ran towards the door.

I opened the door, and stepped out, not checking my surroundings. As a result, I crashed with the girl, and the impact was enough to make her fall down.

"What?!?!"-she yelled. And I looked at her face.

She was a gorgeous girl. Long dark hair was hanging behind her back. Her face was so beautiful and mature, it felt like it was curved by God himself.

Her eyes were light green, and they were sparkling. Her body was so curvy and perfect, I couldn't take my eyes from it.

But I had to. I diverted my eyes from her, and looked behind her.

The police officers were about to take a turn and come heretic could see their shadow in the light of the evening.

But they didn't. Just before they were about to that, their radios crackled.

They stood for a moment hesitating.

I took the chance, and grabbed the girl's hand. I pulled her up, and shoved her inside the building. I entered behind her, and closed the door.

The girl was trying to say something, but I didn't let her. I put my hand over her mouth, and silently gestured her to shut up.

The police officers passed the building without checking it. Probably Len's work.

I let out a deep breath, and removed my hands.

"S-sorr........"-before I could finish my words, she slapped me.

"H-how dare you!"-she hissed in a low voice.

"I was trying to apologize, for God's sake!"-I hissed back, shocked by her attitude.

"You can't just apologize after doing something like that!"-she said, trying to calm herself down.

"All right, fine. You can do whatever you want. But I am not here to mess around, all right? So, don't interrupt my work. You almost brought the police here."-I said, opening my laptop. I didn't want to continue the argument.

I had already lost enough time, so I decided to contact Faith403.

I sent her a message, and waited for her reply. In the corner of my eye, I saw the girl opening her bag and bringing out a laptop.

Faith403 replied after a moment, so I decided to forget about her right now.

"Hey, Exodus404."

"Hey, Faith. Sorry to disturb you, but can you do something for me?"

"I'm currently busy now......."

"What happened?"

"Well, you see......I hacked the national website of Japan, and the police found out. They surrounded me, and now I'm stuck in an abandoned warehouse, with a weirdo."

"A weirdo, you say?"-I looked up from my screen, and noticed the girl looking at me.

"Yup! Total weirdo."

"How does he look?"

"Uh....silver hair, blue eyes....quite handsome."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. But he grabbed me and did things like that........"

"Uh huh? Did you ask his name?"

"No...Why would I even bother to do that?"

"Come on........do it. I think I know this guy."

"You know him?"

"Yeah. Go on, ask his name."

I saw the girl standing up and coming towards media closed my laptop and waited for her.

"W-what's your name?"-she asked. Her voice was so smooth, it melted my mind. For just a moment though.

"Why are you asking?"

"Just tell me. After what you did to me, I at least deserve that much."

"Huh. Mashiro Oshiba."

She didn't say a word, and went back to her place.

Suddenly, Faith403 messaged me.

"Found out his name."

"Uh huh? Tell me."

"Mashiro Oshiba. Now, do you know him?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Who is he?"

"He is........me."

I heard the laptop falling down from the girl's hand, and I looked up.

She was looking at me, with disbelief in her eyes.

I shrugged, and smiled.

"Hello, Faith!"-I smirked.

"E-Exodus404?"

"Yup! The one and only."

She kept quiet for a moment, and then spoke up.

"Y-you are really Exodus?"

"Hmm. It seems so."

"How can I believe you?"

"Hmm. Good question. Let's see......the code to CELLOPUNK system is FE-807."

"Y-you are REALLY him?!?!! I-I can't believe it!"-she said, hands on her mouth.

"Hmm. Now, let us introduce myself. I'm Mashiro Oshiba, and this is my partner Len."-Len's hologram came out of my bio-eye as I introduced him.

I designed Len as a boy of my age. He had blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Hello, Miss."-he bowed before her.

"And you?"-I asked the girl to introduce herself. She was surprised at Len's sudden appearance, but I had already told her about my accident and bio-eye, so she managed to cope with him.

"I am Erika Ayumi. And.......sorry for calling you a weirdo."-she said, smiling.

"Ah....Don't worry about i.e. have some work for you."

"Bring it on!"-she laughed, happy that the misunderstanding was clear.

"So.....there is a problem here......I have to take care of the police. Can you scan the area?"

"For the murderer?"

"Yeah."

"Uh.....listen Mashiro. I am sorry for your loss, really. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, or, join you at the funeral."

"It's okay. I'm over it now. I just want to find the murderer......"

"And kill him?"

"......Give him a taste of his own medicine."

"All right. I'm with you, okay? Send me the picture and the details of the target."

"Here you go."-I sent her the pieces of information, along with the drone's control code. She raised one of her eyebrows in question, and I just winked. She laughed, and waved her wrists two times in the air.

A soft pink light came out from the bracelets she was wearing on both of her hands.

"You have bionic organs too?"

"This?"-she gestured towards her bracelets, and I nodded.

She kept quiet for a moment, and then explain.

"No.....well.....kinda. I don't have any bionic organs, but my bracelets are connected with my brain through the nerves inside my hands."

A few holo-screens appeared in front of her, and she started scrolling through them.

I watched her for a few seconds, and then sat down with my laptop.

"Anything I can do?"-Len asked. He was still in his holo-form.

"Calculate the nearest escape route."

"I think I have a better idea."

"Really?"

"Hmm. I'm going to be busy for a while, so I won't be answering you during that time."

"How long?"-I asked, worried. After spending so much time with him, every time he went offline or didn't answer me, I felt like a part of me was tired apart.

"Dunno. All right, be careful."-he said, and I felt a light shake inside my head. I called him, but he didn't answer.

"You look like you lost everything right now."-Erika asked from behind.

"Huh? Oh. No, it's fine. Anyway, did you complete your work?"

"Let me see......oh shit!?!!"

"What happened?!?!?"

"H-he is......c-coming this way!"

[Just at that moment..........outside the warehouse.....]

The guy looked around for a second, and the police caught up with him. He turned and stabbed the nearest officer in the head, killing him instantly.

The other officer pulled out his gun, but a knife pierced his heart, and he fell down.

Contented with his work, the guy looked around. Suddenly, a few more police officers came around the turn, and the guy decided to run towards the nearest warehouse for cover.

[In the same time........inside the warehouse....]

"What?!!"-I asked, surprised and terrified at the same time.

"H-he........"-Erika couldn't finish her sentence, and the door slammed open.

I turned back, and my feet got stuck.

It was the murderer.

"Ooooooo......a beautiful couple!"-he said, licking his lips with his tongue.

I tried to calm down and analyze the situation, but I couldn't.

Erika was closer to him, so the guy started moving towards her.

Feeling desperate, I ran towards him, trying to get his attention.

But before I could even touch him, he turned and kicked me, sending me flying.

I crashed with the nearest crate, and fell down.

"Len!?! Where are you?!?!"-feeling no other choice, I shouted for him.

But he didn't respond. The murderer was almost there, and he was smiling. Erika was shaking, not even trying to run away.

"Len!!!?!"-I shouted, this time loudly. The murderer looked back at me, thinking about what was I talking about.

Suddenly, the wall on my side blasted, and I jumped to the ground to avoid getting hurt.

An armed drone entered the house, its scanner moving over our faces. It paused on the murderer's face, and I figured out what it was about to do.

I stood up, and ran towards Erika with full speed.

The criminal just stood there, deciding his next move.

"Get down!!!"-I shouted, grabbing Erika and jumping on the ground.

Just at that moment, the drone's machine gun started heating up, and it fired on the murderer.

I covered Erika with my body, to protect her from the bullets. I was waiting for one to pierce me, but none came.

"Glad I came in time."-Len's voice echoed in my mind.

"Len!?!"-I shouted in joy, and his holographic form came out of my eye, inspecting the area.

"Hmm.......I saw an armed drone earlier......thought it was a waste to let it go unused.......seems like I was right."-he smiled, and I started laughing.

"Mashiro, what about the criminal?"-I heard Erika's voice, and realized that I still held her in my arms. I let her go, embarrassed. I looked at her and saw her blushing.

I looked back to see the guy's end. The bullets tired his whole body apart. Blood was gushing out from here and there. His parts were scattered all over the floor. The scene was so gruesome that it took all my might to stop vomiting.

I hurriedly turned back at Erika. She didn't see the scene yet due to my body, so I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around.

"W-what......"

"Don't look back. Let's just get out of here. Let's go back."-I said softly. She was already enough scared, and I didn't want to make her more.

"Where?"-Erika said, looking down.

"Your home?"

"I-I don't have one."

"What? Don't joke now. Everybody has one."-I tried to smile and comfort her.

"I-I am not joking Mashiro."

"Why? What happened?"

"The police confiscated it for the hacking.....They are guarding it right now."

"Then it can't be helped. Come to my house."-I said, shoving her out of the warehouse and following her.

"W-what? Are you sure?"