Dead….
The word echoed around the room,
Silence… then my world fades out…
Slowly becoming aware again, they haven't moved her yet.
Blood… so much of it… It could be a joke… but the odd angle of her head is enough to convince me otherwise.
Why wasn't I here?
Why couldn't I help her?
She looks so small…
Why?
I hear voices now, trying to talk to me, asking me questions.
"Where were you when this happened?" someone asks.
The question is only that. A question. But it echoes in my mind like an accusation.
Where were you? Why weren't you here to fight with her? What good are you too her now little weapon?
They lift her… take her away…
I move to follow but I feel a firm hand on my shoulder.
Sid Kun...
He says I have to be taken in for questions.
Where were you? What were you doing?
What happened before you left?
Who would come after Maka?
I answer as best I can.
This is so not cool, these questions. Pointless.
But they're the only way they can start looking for her killer.
"Maka's dead… "
We're all standing on the street outside of our apartment building. There are still a few hours left till dawn.
Silence again.
Tsubaki's eyes fill with tears. I try not to look at her too long.
Kid looks… dare I say it. Grim. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.
Even BlackStar is silent, it looks like he's been shot and hasn't registered the pain yet.
What must I look like right now?
Before anyone can say anything, something collides with my back and I feel a blade pressed against my neck.
"Tell me why I shouldn't slit your worthless throat." says a voice. "I'll see you pay for what you did to my daughter!"
"Are you crazy old man?" I scream "don't you see that-"
"No. He doesn't see" says another voice coming behind both of us. "Spirit… let him go"
I don't dare move as I feel the blade press harder into my throat then I feel the grip loosen and I whirl around to stare daggers at my attacker.
Maka's father looked even worse than any of us. He was wearing an old T-Shirt and sweats, and his face looked haggard, while behind him stands Dr. Stein, his glasses glinting in the light of the streetlamp.
"Do you have any leads yet?" Kid asks, stepping forward.
"It's too early to say yet." Dr. Stein says. "But we will let you know once we have more information. Nygus is taking a look at Maka as we speak. Perhaps Maka chan's soul left a strong enough impression to be able to give us a better idea of who the killer might be.
"When I find out who did this…" BlackStar cracked his knuckles.
There was none of the usual cockiness in the way he said it; just a cold determination and the glint of steel in his eyes.
Kid's face also hardened "be sure to let us know." He said, and abruptly walks away.
"Come on Tsubaki" says BlackStar, and they walk away as well.
The two adults look after the other two, and then back down at me.
I also turn sharply,
I didn't want their pity. I didn't want their accusations, and I sure as hell wasn't about to sit back and do nothing.
"Soul" Stein starts
I cut him off.
"I will find them…" I say,
And I feel my nails biting deep into my palms, leaving marks.
"No matter what…"
And I walk ahead into the darkness.