Page 54 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Take him."

"We stay together."

"You die together."

Minamoto looked at Haruki. The older man understood.

"No," he said.

Haruki held out the knife.

"You know where this passage may lead. I don't."

"That does not mean—"

"You found the door."

"I studied rumours."

"And now those rumours are keeping us alive."

The footsteps entered the circular junction behind them. They had chosen the left passage.

Haruki pressed the knife into Minamoto's hand.

"Take them."

Takeda seized Haruki's coat.

"I won't leave you."

He looked at her. She had blood across one cheek. Not hers. Endo's, perhaps. Or Kameda's. Her fear was raw now, stripped of academic caution.

Haruki softened his voice.

"You came here because I asked."

"That doesn't make this your fault."

"It makes you my responsibility."

"I am not a child."

"No."

He glanced towards the approaching darkness.

"But right now, you are someone I can still get out."

The footsteps stopped. The silence that followed was worse. They were listening.

Haruki pushed himself upright against the wall. His vision narrowed.

"Go."

Minamoto gripped Takeda's arm. She fought him. Haruki looked at the professor.

"Drag her if you have to."