The Girl With No Name

Chapter Fourteen

"So," Chris started, grinning at me as I slid into the passenger seat. "You got mugged?"

I pursed my lips. "Sort of. Not really. It was more a case of him waving his knife around like a kid playing pirate and me just handing him my phone. I didn't want a confrontation."

"Yet you still got a confrontation?"

I paused. "Yeah."

A loud snort came in response. "Good going," he said. "Though, the important question is: did you win?"

An airy sigh fell from my lips as they twisted into a smug grin. "Well I gave him a couple of bruises, and from the looks of it, probably broke his nose. I'd say that's a fair victory."

His hand came down on my back, giving me three firm slaps. "Good for you, A. Jason would be so proud."

I chuckled (because like hell he would), the laugh settling into a low hum, mixing with the purr of the engine.

We made a left turn down the main street, merging with the traffic, crawling along with the rest of them as the world outside continued to buzz. Japan's nightlife was rich. Here you could be in for the most exciting night of your life or a disastrous one. It was thrilling and it was dangerous - a delicious juxtaposition for some. I could see party girls adjusting their assets as they approached the bouncer, red lips stretching into catty smiles. On the corner, hookers propositioned older men, their eyes wide and cautious as they stepped into the car. I could see couples sitting under bus stops, lips melding together as they embraced. Against the wall, dealers counted their drug money, fingers shaking as they shuffled through the Yen.

I looked. I looked for a long time. Once, I'd been use to the sight of a society driven by fear in a world dominated by crime. Girls dressed modestly. People moved in groups. No one let their guard down. Until Kira, of course.

Now... I wouldn't say people were reckless, but the caution was gone, replaced with a newfound confidence and perhaps a queer sense of entitlement. Crime was dwindling. Only the good walked the streets.

It was almost refreshing. Almost.

We drove for another half hour, slowed by the traffic. As the rundown shacks of suburban downtown morphed into corporate facilities and overpriced hotels, my thoughts changed, the vision of a meek blonde murderess taking priority in my mind.

"Is it still going on?"

The man nodded.

"How's she holding up?"

"All things considered, she's doing pretty darn well. Hasn't spoken a word - not about Kira, and not about the tapes," my friend replied, sounding frustrated. "If she really is our killer, she's doing a great job of keeping that from us."

"Right," I said absently.

Chris glanced over in my general direction before the lights changed, casting a green glow across his face. He stared at me for a brief moment before taking a right turn. I jumped.

"Hey, dolt, wrong way!"

"Nope. Right way. We're taking a little détour."

Is he kidnapping me?

"To where exactly?"

"Roppongi," he answered, his response somewhat anticlimactic. "You haven't eaten today. Plus, we need to get you a new phone."

"Oh," I said dumbly, my heart warming at his concern. "Nice! Thank you. Wait, I didn't bring any cash with me though."

"I did."