To Meryl
by
Black Twilight

"So you're staying here, huh?" Wolfwood asked. For over a year Vash had come to this town looking for a quiet life, one without killing or his brother. A place where he could leave his name behind. However peace came at a price; meaning he had to leave all connections behind him. Neither of them spoke as Vash watched the smoke from his cigarette. If he didn't stop this habit he could die. Then again, if he hung around Vash he could die too; whichever came first.

"Whenever I do anything...people die."

"Alright," he replied rubbing the butt on his shoe, "if you want the pathetic little existence so bad that you'd give up everything else...then go for it." Wolfwood didn't bother to keep the bitterness out of his voice. He was like that, straightforward. No facade, no fake smiles, nothing. Vash appreciated that. He'd been lied to too many times.

"But," he continued. "Before I go I thought you'd like to know something. Are you familiar with the city of Inepril? It seems that the whole population just disappeared. However, one word was written in blood in the town's square..." He paused. "Knives."

With that Wolfwood exited, leaving a distraught gunman to think.

'Knives, how could you? Slaughtering innocent people for your beliefs... How many more times before? Which town will you destroy next?' Vash took a moment to reflect on Wolfwood's words. 'Wait ,Inepril City? That's by July. Meryl's in...in...' He couldn't bring himself to say the words. The words that confirmed the fact that Meryl could be in danger.

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The lobby door creaked open and a tall man stepped out. The sun reflected of his sunglasses and blonde hair, which was sticking straight up. Quite a change from dirty Erics lying helpless in the hospital bed. A silver gun was tucked into the hem of a red trench coat. Wolfwood knew what the trench coat meant.

It meant business.

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*~*~*PHILOSOPHICAL PREVIEW*~*~* Love. Love is a hand that warms the heart. But I also want to hold onto the hand of Meryl Stryfe's When I told the priest I loved her he just laughed. It's been a long time since I laughed like that. Next Chapter: To Protect.

Hate it? Love it? TELL ME!!!! I love reviews, even flames, so just hit the button at the bottom left, kay? Also if you want your philosophical preview in my fiction leave it in the review. No guarantees but I'm afraid that my attempt wasn't very good. How does Vash do that? Oh, sorry for the shortness. The first chapters of all my stories are short, then get longer if I chooose to continue. =)