Chapter 112 - Scream

Even if you scream, it is hopeless. Because there is nobody around to hear your voice. Even if they were right in front of you, they will not extend their hand out. They will dismiss you as nothing. It is similar to falling into a deep pit, an abyss of nothing. In that place there is nothing but pure darkness. Tell her, right now is there anybody listening, is there anyone really looking at her? In their eyes, what does she look like? A dead person walking? Ah, if that were the case then ...then even she would…fall apart would she not?

While she has become immune and indifferent to many things, while her feelings has become numb to those peoples words. To the words of those who gave up halfway and abandoned her. To those who claim they care, but the only words they ever gave her are ones that would condemn and make her feel miserable. Even now, she can hear it loud and clear. Everything she did was wrong, if she tried to explain anything, she would look stupid.

"Setsura, are you paying attention?" Victors voice snapped her out of her daze.

"Ah yes?"

"This is the place, not many people come here since people are still adapting. But this is the place where people practice using western weaponry."

Setsura nodded, since they left the cafe. Setsuras thoughts were distracted. So she did not realize when they arrived, she glanced up and saw a tall modern looking building. It did not have the same feel as the other buildings on the street, with its plain metallic rooftop. Victor chuckled at her reaction and opened the door for her. Setsura walked in, still dumbfounded. Perhaps she has underestimated the development in the Meiji era, it looks like there are places like this.

The main foyer looked like an abandoned facility of some kind, and for a moment Setsura felt creeped out.

"Rest assured, I am not tricking you."

"I apologize, I am bad with places where there is absolutely nothing," Setsura was not kidding when she said those words. Other than the front desk, and security guard at front. A single painting on the wall, the huge space had nothing else.

Places like this gave her the creeps, it reminded her of bad memories. The memories she remembered would be of a decent looking house from the outside. But the inside, there would be nothing but the bare necessities to live. Even then these small things would eventually be destroyed. Such memories… Setsura concluded that they must have come from her childhood. In the future, she had that person after all. Surely, he would not allow her to suffer such grievances.

"Hey boss, do you have one more free spot?" Victor asked.

The person Victor called boss was a young looking man with pale blonde hair standing by one of the rooms. It was hard to make out his face because of the hat he wore, "Oh Victor," his lips curve into a smile when he saw her. "Trying to impress girls again?"

"Nonsense, this is Akitos woman."

"Oh my, so she is the rumoured.."

Rumored?

Victor quickly interjected, and grabbed a hold of her wrist. "The usual seems free. Make sure nobody else comes in."

He quickly ushered her into one of the small looking rooms. But, not before Setsura got a glance at the man's expression. Just now what was he about to say before Victor interrupted them? The rumored what? Setsura felt like he was going to say something other than girlfriend. It would not surprise her if there were rumors about her and Akito. It did happens abruptly and maybe for awhile people already thought they were going out with each other.

The majority must think she is a cheap woman who climbed onto his bed to obtain status. Even with Akitos current situation, he still belonged to a prominent family. It would not be surprising if something like that happened. But - why would she a rich girl need to stoop that low? Simple, her status in the future and now was different. She did appear out of nowhere, and she is an outsider in this world.

Outsider… that had a heavy feeling in her heart.

Setsura thought she already accepted it, she is an outsider. She does not belong in this time. Once her mission is over, she would have to return to the future. But, she recalled the words she told Katakura earlier. If, if she could stay here, that would be great too. Setsura knew she would have a hard time adjusting here. No matter how used to things she gets, it does not change the reality. This place, even if she grows to love it. It will be even more painful for her. Since she should not exist here.

The only reason she brought up staying was because of Akito. Setsura was not particularly attached to this place. Ot was she? Sometimes when she looked at the buildings, she would get a nostalgic feeling.

Setsura shook her head and picked up one of the guns on the rack. This place resembled a modern day shooting range. Except the walls here are not made out of concrete, they are not made to be protected from stray bullets and the flooring.. Setsura glanced down at her feet, well it should be fine no? Not like many people here are using guns to practice. On the way, she spotted people using other weapons.

Victor grinned. "You know what to do?"

"Yes." She turned towards the target and raised her gun. Unlike the future there is no protective gear here, but strange enough Setsura didn't feel afraid. In fact she felt calm. Like this, without anything. Surprisingly, it feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

'The gun is given to you as a tool of self de fence. It is not used to harm people.'

Somebody's words flashed through her head.

'But there are certain circ.u.mstances where one has to shoot to protect those they care about...'

'In a situation where you have to choose between a victim and the culprit. A situation where they were both wronged. What would you do?'

The person who said that, was it him?

Setsura fired continuous shots.

Her heart still feels heavy. The earlier misery she felt had yet to disappear completely. It feels like for awhile now, she can no longer control such thoughts. Randomly feeling miserable and sad. What a pathetic feeling. Everything happens for a reason, all this pain, all this grief she feels - all of it happens for something. She does not feel this way for nothing.

Setsura knew she had to keep thinking that way, otherwise she would completely fall apart.

Victor whistles, "I did hear you were good, but this is amazing," he trailed off. "Your marksmanship is incredible. Do you like weapons?"

"I hate them," Setsura admitted. How could she possibly like a tool that brings harm to others? However, "When I use a gun, it makes me feel calm. Instead of screaming when I'm frustrated, this is better."

*UNEDITED*