Page 56 of Mercy Written in Blood

The leader crouched. For the first time, something like emotion entered his expression. Not compassion. Pity.

"You would have been useful."

"To you?"

"To the world that comes after."

Haruki laughed. It hurt so badly his vision blackened.

"Work on the sales pitch."

The leader stood.

"Find the others."

The two attackers released Haruki and continued along the passage. He reached for one of their ankles. His fingers closed around black fabric. The attacker looked down. Haruki held on. The man kicked him in the face. Haruki's head struck stone. The passage tilted. The footsteps continued.

He tried to rise. His arms gave way. Somewhere ahead, Takeda screamed.

Haruki crawled. One hand forward. Then the other. His blood marked the stone beneath him. He reached the bend.

A flare of white light filled the passage. Not fire. Electrical. A deafening crack followed. Someone shouted. This time the voice was familiar.

"Down!"

Gunfire erupted. The narrow tunnel amplified every shot until the sound became physical. Haruki flattened against the floor. A body struck the wall ahead. Another fell across the passage. Boots rushed towards him. Family boots. Dark work trousers.

Ken dropped to his knees beside Haruki.

"Boss."

Haruki tried to speak. Nothing came. Ken's hands moved over him, searching for wounds. His face changed with every one he found.

"Get a medic in here."

Voices answered from behind. Haruki grabbed Ken's sleeve.

"The others."

"We found them."

"Takeda?"

"Alive."

"Minamoto?"

"Alive."

"Jun?"

Ken hesitated.

"Alive."

The pause said enough. Barely. Haruki closed his eyes. Ken slapped his cheek lightly.

"No. Stay awake."