Painful Secrets: Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine:

Miyagi was looking up at his apartment building from his car. Sighing, he pulled the keys out of the ignition and climbed out of the car, walking towards the apartment complex. (A/N: Are the called apartment complex's?) When he almost reached his front door, he froze, shock and horror coursing through his body. He stood there for a few minutes, his brain not comprehending what lay before him. When his brain, and legs, finally worked again, he bolted forward. He crouched down next to the curled up body of Shinobu, fearfully placing two fingers on the boy's wrist. He sighed in slight relief when he felt a pulse, some of his fear easing away. He considered what he should do for a moment, wondering if it was safe to pick Shinobu up. Shinobu stirred at that moment, moaning quietly in what sounded like pain. Miyagi quickly scooped Shinobu up, unlocking his apartment's front door and carrying the teen inside. He gently laid Shinobu down on the sofa in the living room, wincing when Shinobu cried out softly in pain. Miyagi pulled out his cell, growling softly when the doorbell rang. He snapped his phone shut again, walking swiftly over to answer the door. He opened it, a sigh of relief escaping him.

"Kamijou, thank god it's you. I was just about to call you! Where did you come from?" Kamijou tilted his head, frowning.

"Um, outside. I was looking for Shinobu between here and the university, but I didn't find any sign of him so I came here. When saw your car in the parking lot, I assumed you were home. Why were you about to call me? Did you find Shinobu?" Miyagi nodded silently, stepping aside so that Kamijou could enter. "Where?" Kamijou asked.

"... My front doorstep..." Kamijou blinked, shocked.

"Why on earth would he be there..? Never mind that for now," Kamijou said, shaking his head slightly. "Is Shinobu okay?" Miyagi shook his head.

"No, I don't think so." Miyagi grabbed Kamijou's wrist, dragging the younger man into the living room over to where Shinobu lay. Kamijou looked at the teen, his frown deepening in concern.

"What happened?" Miyagi shrugged, gazing down at Shinobu sorrowfully.

"I have no idea..." He whispered. "I came home after searching the university, and he was here, laying on the doorstep..." Kamijou sighed.

"We need to get Nowaki over here, it looks like he's been bleeding a lot." It was only after Kamijou said that that Miyagi fully progressed that Shinobu's clothes were covered in blood. The assistant professor pulled out his cell and quickly dialled a number while Miyagi stared at Shinobu. His heart ached as he watched Shinobu. After a few moments, Miyagi heard someone talking on the other line of the call. He didn't pay attention to what Kamijou was saying, instead focusing all his attention on Shinobu's shallow breathing. He was so focused on the teen, he almost didn't hear Kamijou say his name.

"Miyagi, Nowaki will be here soon."

"'Kay..." Miyagi replied absently. Kamijou took no notice of Miyagi's absentmindedness.

"So, back to you searching the university. Did you find anything while you were there?"

"Um, yeah, I found Shinobu's bag in the parking lot. And one of the store rooms' door was locked." Miyagi frowned. Kamijou looked up at the older man, surprised.

"Locked? But none of the store rooms are locked after the school is closed." Miyagi's hand clenched into a fist, anger flashing across his face.

"I know. Which makes me suspicious." Kamijou nodded.

"Well, I'll check it out tomorrow. There should be no reason for it to be locked." Before Miyagi could reply, the doorbell rang. Sighing, slightly irritated, he walked over and opened the door. More relief washed over him when he saw Nowaki at the door.

"You sure don't take long to arrive." Nowaki smiled weakly.

"It wasn't that long of a drive, really." Miyagi stepped back, inviting Nowaki in.

"Shinobu's in the living room." He said over his shoulder as he led Nowaki to Shinobu and Kamijou. When they entered the living room, Nowaki immediately knelt down next to Shinobu, examining him.

"Come on, Nowaki will call if he needs us. Otherwise we'll just be in the way." Kamijou murmured, leaving the living room. Miyagi hesitated before nodding, glancing down at Shinobu one more time before reluctantly following Kamijou out of the room.