Kokichi's POV
We looked around the room cautious of anything around us. I know there is no way in hell this was just here...someone brought this here. But why us? Maybe someone is trying to help us? No, don't be stupid Kokichi! Maybe they are trying to hurt Shuichi! I can't let that happen...we need to get out of here...

"Shuichi, we should go," I whispered grabbing onto his hand. I heard something clatter from behind us. I jumped and slowly made my way over to the sound. There was no one there...this is getting way to strange.

"Look Kokichi, it's a hair clip," He held up what looked like Kaede's hair clip. Kaede was here? Are they still alive?! I looked over at Shuichi and he was crying. "This is Kaede's..." He whispered touching the note hair clip in his hand.

I patted his shoulder and looked over to the door. We have been here for too long... "Shuichi Let's go," I grabbed his hand again but he pulled me back. "She's here and she's alive I know it," He said before walking away from me.

"Shuichi!" I whisper yelled. What if he gets hurt? "Shuichi!!" I walked after him and tried to grab his hand and pull him back but he just kept walking...so I just decided to follow him because I need to keep him safe.

"She was here," He looked up into the distance and I saw something that I hadn't noticed before. It looks like a broken down latter? We made our way over to it cautiously making sure no infected person came at us...we are at the mall.

"What is this place?" I asked myself as we climbed up the latter to reveal the path. How long has this been here? "I'm not sure...but I'm assuming Kaede was here and maybe even-" I cut him off rushing over to Rantaro's necklace that was on the floor. "Rantaro was here as well...does this mean that could still be alive?" I felt myself slump. How could they be alive...unless I was right about Maki...she could have maybe saved them?

"I'm not sure...all I know is that something is going on here and it could be dangerous" I paused and cupped his cheek in my hand. "And I don't want you getting mixed up in whatever this is..." I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him away from the path.

"But what about Kaede and Rantaro?" The desperation in his voice made me frown. "I want to get them back as much as you...but it's too dangerous..." I said lowering my voice into a more serious tone. He looked at me for a moment like he was going to argue but sighed.

"Ok, we should maybe come back and check here again..." He said before we made our way down the latter and out the back of the building. The wall home was quiet. I knew he was mad at me for not letting him go and look for his friends...but there is no way I'm losing my ShuShu...

"Kokichi, How much food do we have left?" He asked still not looking at me. "We should have enough for about 2 or 3 weeks." I grabbed his hand and rubbed my thumb over his knuckles. His hand was tense for a moment before his grip softened. "That's good," I felt guilty for making him angry...but I just want to keep him safe.

When we got back we checked each other's wounds in silence. I was feeling sick because of the silence so I spoke up. "Hey Shu," I asked while I was checking his back. "Yeah?" I paused for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry I didn't let you go look for Kaede and Rantaro...I just want to keep you safe...and I love you and I want you to be ok..." I whispered planting kissed on his back and up to his neck.

"It's alright...I just kind of wanted to see where that path led us all." He paused and turned around to face me. "It's weird that we never noticed that latter before...I wonder how long people have been up there..." He said putting his head in the crook of my neck.

"I'm not sure Shu...but that's why I'm worried...what if they knew we were coming...what if they hurt you..." My breath hitched when I thought about him getting hurt...and knowing it was all my fault for not protecting him.

"I know you're worried and I think it's really sweet of you to care so much about me," He kisses my cheek before looking out the boarded window. "I guess we should get some sleep. I can keep watch first, ok?" Shuichi said putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Alright." He put his shirt back on and went upstairs to help put me to bed. I like how he always waits until I'm asleep to keep watch. It's really sweet of him. I felt myself blush. God, why is he so damn cute?!

I walked up the stairs and slowly got into the bed. "Do you feel alright?" He asked. I nodded my head not trusting my voice. I could tell he was worried about me but he didn't say anything. "Well, I love you Kichi," He whispered before kissing my lips before holding me in his arms. I felt comfortable in his embrace and let my eyes close.

I didn't really have a Dream...it was just quiet and dark while I slept. It made me feel a bit on edge but I knew I had to get some sleep or Shuichi wouldn't get sleep either...

In about 5 hours Shuichi came and woke me up so I could watch while he slept. I got out of bed and went to the spot and watched the empty house. The loneliness I feel without Shuichi makes me shudder...I hate it so damn much...

-Next chapter! I will be updating this book every Thursday!! Thank you all so much for reading!!-

-ShuichiOuma010-