I flopped onto the cheap mattress in my room. Still nothing. The only place available for a reasonable price is that café, and I’m clearly not welcome there. I sighed and flipped myself over. I’m gonna run out of cash if I stay here for much longer. What I get from the pharmacy is good, but not enough to stay here. Leaving without having anywhere to go was a bit of a gamble, but I didn’t have much choice; they charged by the hour, and I was already running low on cash. Time to bounce. 

I made it out before the 6:30 mark, avoiding the extra charge and heading out. Now I just need to figure out where to go. There were a lot of options, each with their own issues. The 15th is Kurona’s territory, I might trust her not to rat me out but I'm not sure I'm welcome. 13th is White Suit territory, but they’re mostly idiots so I might be able to hide there since Eyepatch won’t expect me to be in his ally’s jurisdiction. Unfortunately the White Suits and Three Blades share their territories with each other, and the Blades are a lot sharper than the Suits. 

I glanced at the map as I arrived at the station.  9, 10 and 11 are pretty quiet. I considered my options for a few moments before shrugging to myself. Let’s hope my lucky number turns out lucky here too. Once I’d located the right line I got on the train and sat down, putting Sumi in my lap and using my phone to search for accommodation in the 9th Ward. Expensive. Expensive. Fake. Too close to the Dove nest. 

We were almost out of the 19th Ward when something clanked against the train. Screams came from closer to the driver's cabin, and people started to back away from the front. …well, that’s not a good sign. I signalled Sumi to be quiet and opened my duffel bag, putting her inside and leaving enough of a gap at the zipper for her to breathe just before the speakers crackled and everybody looked up. “Welcome aboard the Ghoul Express!”

Fucking what-? “We’ll be taking a detour around our initial destination and return to the Ward so we can attend an event that you are all invited for! Premium passengers please present your eyes to the staff and relax, and all you tasty little humans can move to the back of the train. Refreshments and meals will be served soon, I hope you’ll enjoy your trip!”

As the passengers screamed and panicked, my left eye twitched. You have got to be fucking kidding me. I took a deep breath in through my nose and tamped down the urge to pop a few heads open, muttering under my breath as I headed down to the back. As long as I look like I'm cooperating, they should ignore me until it's too late. A couple of small families were gathering at the second-to-last car, murmuring uneasily to each other. Ah. Lone travellers have less to worry about, but any parents will try to comply so their children are spared. 

I ignored them for the most part as I glanced around, noting the cameras. I have no idea if they’ve been turned off or not….it’s better to assume they haven’t just in case. The doors were firmly shut, and I didn’t bother with the emergency open or brake. Whoever's in the driver cabin will be able to override both, I’ll have to cut it open. The sun’s last rays were slowly fading, but I could make out the silhouette of a forest around the curve we were approaching. That’s my best bet. Unfortunately, three problems were approaching from the other end of the train.

Masked up already. If I play my cards right…. I took a few steps forward, hands up as I spoke quietly. “I’d like to speak to your boss. I want to bargain; information, in exchange for my safety.”

For a moment the man and his friends just stared, and I flicked a glance at the cameras. “I can tell you about the Quinxes if you like; Mutsuki, the Suzuya wannabe. Her kagune is great for copying, she’s pretty flexible but nowhere near Yonebashi’s level. They’re all on the move now by the way, they’re travelling with one-eye as he hunts for Ninetail.”

The goons still hadn’t said anything, exchanging confused looks behind their masks, and I raised an eyebrow. “Shall I keep going, or have you made a decision?” 

After some hushed whispering I was brought to the driver’s cabin, where a petite woman sat by the guy driving the train. The head of the goons escorting me shoved me forward a bit, yawning. “This kid says he’s an informant, wants to bargain for his safety. He knows about the Quinxes and that one-eyed hotshot.”

She said nothing, but her eyes raked over me as she tried to crack my poker face. With a flick of her wrist the men turned left, the only other ghoul in the cabin the person at the driver’s seat. Her eyes were two different colours, both narrowed at me. “Requesting an audience with me to barter for your life? I’m not sure if you’re brave or stupid.”

I shrugged. “Is there anything in particular you’d like to know? I don’t have my stash on me, but I keep a few things fresh in case of emergencies.”

She let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, no no no.”

She was right next to me a second later, hand on my throat. “I could snap you like a toothpick. You’re not here to bargain, boy; you’re here to beg.”

I flicked her a sideways glance. “Is that so?”

She froze as I pressed my pistol against her chest. “The only reason I didn’t pull the trigger just now is because I’m trying to lay low. We can kill each other, or we can talk.”

Her distaste quickly dissolved into caution, slowly releasing me and stepping back. “……you’re not just an informant. No, not with eyes like that. Who are you?”

I considered her, thinking my answer over carefully. “Hm. You’re right; you could say I’m more of a-”

Running footsteps sounded outside, and I turned as one of her underlings burst into the cabin. “Boss, we’ve got Doves incoming!”

…well shit. The woman smiled. “Good. They will pass the message on for us. Use the children as shields and shoot out their wheels once you deliver the demand for ransom.”

I sighed. “I’ll have to stick around until the Doves are out of sight, but don’t worry; I’ll be well out of your way.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “I don’t know what your deal is, but as long as you don’t interfere I’ve got no problem with you. Come back once we’ve dealt with our guests; I’m curious.” She snapped her fingers at one of her goons. “Make sure everybody else knows; nobody touches this one. He’s mine.”

Well, that could have gone a lot worse. I exited the driver cab and went back to my bags, sitting down near the doors with my gun in full view. The ghouls stationed in the last car scowled and stayed back, but some of the humans came up to me. This will be fun. “Sir, a-are you-"

“I’m not an Investigator, but trust me when I say this gun will work.”

The man brightened slightly. “Th-then we have a chance of taking back the train!”

What an idiot. I rolled my eyes in exasperation, and as the ghouls began to stand I pointed the gun at the idiot running his mouth. “No, you don’t.”

Everyone watching froze. The man stumbled back, staring in wide-eyed shock. “Wh- What are you doing?”

I sighed. “You don’t get it, do you? One gun defends one person, no more. And forget about taking an offensive; I’d be lucky to kill one if I pre-empted.”

The man looked distraught as the ghouls began to snicker, one of them stepping closer. “Somebody’s a smart cook-”

I pointed my gun between his eyes. “Take another step and you’ll learn how good of a shot I am.”

His eyes widened slightly, and I raised my chin. Your boss ordered you to leave me alone; you really want to play this game?

There were a few moments of tense silence, but eventually he just scowled and grabbed the other human. “You’ve got balls, boy. Once we’re done with the easy prey, you’re next.”

The man's eyes were wide with terror as he was dragged away. “W-wait! Help me! Please!”

I let a hint of remorse enter my gaze, lowering the firearm slightly as the ghouls drew back. “Sorry, but I haven’t survived the past two years to get myself killed over a stranger.”

As blood splattered over the floor I averted my gaze from most of the gore, ignoring the sobs of fear and horror from the other humans. The ghouls were eating, but since I had to keep an eye on them I could see them glancing at me every so often out of curiosity. The other humans were staring at me in horror or disgust, but I kept my features blank. Looks can’t kill, so I’m better off worrying about what can.

Nobody made any sudden moves, a stalemate settling as we waited variables to change. I couldn't see into the last car, but I could still hear the sounds of combat. Doves are pretty insistent. It’s well after dark-

Something thudded against the roof a moment later, and I saw three blades pierce the cabin before vanishing. The ghouls were on their feet instantly, kagunes out and human shields up as I stayed low. They've have upped their game if they can jump onto a moving train.

One of the ghouls sidled a bit closer, and I noticed he didn’t have a human shield yet. If one of the Doves see my gun it’s gonna get me in big trouble……but its not like I have many options. The sounds of combat got much louder and dents appeared in the roof, conflict getting closer by the second. I watched the ghoul take a step closer in the reflection of the window, safety off. Come on……do it already before-

Something crashed through the window as he lunged, and I grit my teeth.

A shot through the eye dealt with the ghoul, diving out of way of five pairs of boots. “CCG, RETRACT YOUR KAGUNE AND PUT YOUR HANDS UP!”

The trainjackers charged as ghouls with ram insignia armbands crashed through the windows, fighting alongside the Doves. Goat’s here too?! I ducked as stray shots from an Ukaku sprayed across the train, retreating behind the ghouls to avoid the crossfire. The boss lady must still be in the cabin, and the others are all fighting. Maybe if I- 

Another ghoul launched themself at me with their kagune in a defensive position, and I barely got out of the way as I opened fire. The bullets sparked off her koukaku as she grinned savagely, and I grit my teeth. Damnit-

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!”

A long white nodachi slashed through the ghouls stomach, and a moment later a trident slammed into her head. Liana skidded to a stop in front of me as she decapitated another ghoul, then turned to me. “Kou! Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

I just stared for a few moments. “I- What-?!”

Her brother dashed over and yanked the polearm out of the ghoul’s skull, glancing back at me. “Stay behind us if you wanna live, try not to shoot anyone we care about.”

Liana raised her sword and turned to face the ghouls. “Stay close behind me, I won’t let any of them get to you.”

With that they lunged back into the fray, and I grit my teeth before running after them. It’s just one thing after another today-!

They weren't perfect as far as their techinque went; Loren was too forceful and tended to overswing with holes in his guard, and Liana was a bit hesitant so her combos were slow, but together they cut through the ghouls with surprising efficiency. They shoved the ghouls away and I made it to the other side of the car, but as Liana looked back one more time to check that I was in the safety zone one of the ghouls lunged.

I pulled the trigger twice and the ghoul’s head snapped back, his body hitting the floor. “Don’t worry about me, focus on them!”

She smiled slightly before jumping back into the fray, swinging her sword in sweeping arcs as the Goats and Doves forced the ghouls back. There were shouts further up the train, and as the door to the driver’s cab opened smoke grenades rolled across the floor. Liana cursed. “Everyone get back! Defensive positions, protect the civilians!”

They formed a barrier in front of the civilians as we all shifted back, but I remained near the front of the group with the safety off. They’re either going to make their escape or attack. Hopefully it's the former, but with the confidence of their boss I suspect it's the latter. 

Sure enough, the woman lunged out of the fog moments later with three ghouls flanking her. “KILL THE STOWAWA-!”

She froze up for a moment when she saw me behind the Doves, but I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. The bullet went right through her eye and she screamed, Loren and Liana delivering a two hit combo that tore through her torso before dealing with her backup.

With the head of the snake cut off the fighting didn’t last much longer, and as the Doves secured the driver’s cab and guided the subway to the nearest station I edged towards the doors. Okay, now that all the commotion is over they should relax their guard and- “Kou!”

I very nearly shot Liana as she rushed towards me, but as she grabbed my shoulders and looked me over I managed to drop the gun on a seat. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Do you need medical attention?”

I put my hands up and pulled her arms away. “I-I’m fine. What are you guys doing here? I thought you worked in 19th?”

Loren picked my gun up. “We got called in since it was a big op and they were short on manpower. The real question is, what are you doing here? And where the fuck did you get this?!”

Crap. “I…it was inside one of the ghouls’ bags, when they were taking the train I swiped it while it was unattended. I’ve always had good aim, so I thought it might be useful……” I injected a slight edge of panic into my voice and shifted back a little. “I-I would have gotten eaten if I hadn’t taken it!”

Liana took the firearm and handed it to another Dove. “It’s okay, you’re not in trouble. That was definitely self-defence, once we reach the station you can come with us back to……..”

As she trailed off I followed her gaze to my bags and winced internally. Shit. Her brother noticed too and narrowed his eyes. “You’re leaving?”

I put a hand on my bags and avoided their gaze. Well, no reason to lie. If anything, it’ll get them off my back and earn me a few pity points. “……the motels were only a temporary thing. I couldn’t find anything more permanent, so I decided to try my luck elsewhere.”

Liana’s eyes widened. “Th-then the apartment above the café-”

I cleared my throat. “It looks like we’ll be arriving at the station soon. You guys should go do your……stuff. I’ll be fine.”

Loren pulled her away so they could discuss with some guy near the front of the train, and I let out a sigh of relief. I lost a gun but dodged a bullet. Now I just have to get out of here before things get even more complicated.

The train slowed to a stop, and as the doors opened CCG medics swooped in to treat the injured. The civilians and I were herded in a group towards some police officers that started to conduct short interviews before releasing us one by one. Almost there. Once I get out I just need to walk to the neighbouring ward and find a motel to stay the night. 

There was one complication though; everyone was avoiding me like the plague.