It was chillier than Rin remembered. How could she have forgotten to bring a jacket along with her? Neither of her parents appeared to be affected, however, as Izaya continued chattering and teasing Shizuo. A small vein popped out of Shizuo's forehead as he teased back, earning a small chuckle from the smaller male. Vehicles whizzed by as the three walked home. The usually loud conversing on the streets felt muffled and distorted to Rin as she walked beside her family. Even the feeling on her bow bouncing on the top of her head was something she had become numb to. Her senses seemed to have died down a bit, but the chill still remained.
"What do you think, Rin?" Izaya grinned down at his adoptive daughter.
"Yeah, it sounds fun," Rin answered cheerfully, not sure as what she had agreed to.
"See, Shizu-chan?" Izaya smirked at Shizuo. "Rin agrees with me."
A grumble came from Shizuo as he gave in to whatever Izaya had been pestering him about. The trio turned a corner, nearly a block from the apartment, and a dark figure appeared before them. Rin felt fear consume her as she hid herself behind Shizuo (a habit she had formed at a young age from her shy personality). The words the three males exchanged were distorted and blurred, even the shouts were hard for Rin to understand.
Red. It spotted her vision and stained her clothes. Before she understood what had happened, she found herself kneeling on the ground as she tried feverishly to get Shizuo and Izaya to get back up. A dark maroon pooled around the two males as their bodies grew colder to match the night's temperature. Lights flashed around Rin as muffled sirens sounded and she was pulled away. The fourteen year old shouted mutely as others rushed to her parents.
Don't leave me alone...
Rin shot up in bed, her short blonde hair flinging itself wildly at her body's rapid motion. Bright blue eyes scanned the room worriedly before she came to the conclusion she was safe inside her own room in her own home. A sigh escaped her lips as she fell back in bed. Just a dream again. Had she screamed this time like she had before? Was anyone home to hear?
Knock knock.
"It's unlocked, Mama," Rin called as she slowly sat back up.
"Are you okay, Rin?" Izaya asked as he poked his head into the room, staying in the doorway. "I heard you shout again."
"I'm fine, Mama," the younger girl lied with a false smile.
A look of concern crossed Izaya's face before he gave a soft smile back. Rin could tell her didn't completely believe her, but it was doubtful she could ever tell him of her dreams.
"Okay," he said gently as he slid out of the doorway and slowly closed the door. "Get ready for the day, and don't worry. We won't leave you alone."
The door closed as Rin processed what Izaya had said. Yes, she had shouted again during that nightmare. With a quick stretch of her arms, Rin slid out of bed to change.
Shinra stood outside Rin's door as he listened to her have her one sided conversation. As usual, she had shouted in her sleep. She had been having them for months and it seemed to be the same one every night. It had started up about the time that no one spoke of, no one was allowed to talk about it. Slowly, Shinra left his spot by the door and went back to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Celty was setting the table as he entered the room, putting out an unneeded third plate with silverware.
It was rare for Rin to leave her room, but the table was always set for her in hopes she would leave that day. When she did leave, however, it was as though Shinra and Celty didn't exist. The fourteen year old would hold full conversations with thin air, seeming to believe she was talking to either Shizuo or Izaya. Every once in awhile, though, she would talk to the two. It was nice. Things were almost like before Rin's accident, except for when she called Shinra and Celty Izaya and Shizuo.
Shinra smiled softly at Celty before he began cooking. As per usual, he made enough in case Rin came out of her room.
Rin buttoned the last button on her oversized red sweater and tied her usual white bow onto the top of her head. A small smile crossed her face as she examined herself in the mirror. Her bangs covered her right eye as usual (though nowadays she forgot why she had started doing this) and a pair of hair clips kept her hair out of her left eye. Another set of gentle knocks came from the door.
"Are you ready yet?" Izaya's voice called softly.
"Yes, Mama," Rin smiled as she ran to the door.