[Jikanu]

He stumbled out of the building, looking around frantically, trying to find some kind of help. The street was unusually deserted, and the night was unusually dark. It was always an unusual life for him, and he had tried to keep his family out of it. Not tonight. Running into a side-street, he saw a pay-phone. Delicately lifting her head, he carried her with him. He would have been faster without her, but he dare not leave her behind. Not tonight. He looked down at her face. Her shimmering black hair tinged with the scarlet of blood was thrown over his elbow. She was so beautiful. He had always been there for her. Her first word, her first steps and only last week, her 16th birthday. But not tonight. They had already killed her mother, they weren't about to get her too. They would pay, but she came first. She always did.

He set her down gently on the stool inside the phone booth and fumbled for some coins. He put the coin inside the machine and dialled. He was clueless as to their location so he looked around for landmarks. He found a large hotel called "The Viceroy", which seemed deserted. He told the operator their location and lifted his daughter again. He headed for the entrance of the hotel. If they were attacked again, a confined location wouldn't be ideal. Then again, carrying a body wouldn't be ideal, but he didn't have a choice there. "Stay with me," he whispered. "I won't let you go." He went under the roof in front of the hotel and tried to stay in the shadows. Sooner or later, he would end this. Or atleast get his daughter out of it. Time passed excruciatingly slowly, and he flinched at every movement. Her breathing was getting ragged and there was still no sign of the ambulance. Finally he heard a wailing siren and flashing lights came from around the corner. The paramedics took her and told him they would do everything they could. He nodded grimly. Soon the ambulance drove out of sight, and he removed his automatic pistol from his shoulder holster and checked its clip. It was time to end it, like he had promised himself. His footsteps echoed into the night as he turned back into the building from which he had emerged.