Chapter One
She trudged down the sidewalk, people around her steered clear or diverted their gaze. And she feared they new. She hugged herself tightly and focused on the ground, not daring to make eye contact. The paint covered jeans she taken drug on the ground with every step and the old long sleeve shirt would have gone past her knees had she not tucked it in.
Silent tears streaked her face as scenes from the apartment played in her mind. She couldn't stop them, couldn't block them, couldn't make them disappear. She shook her head and looked up to the sky. It was torture. But she deserved it. She killed man and as if that wasn't enough she'd stolen his clothes so she could hide and pretend it never happened. But I didn't kill him. She started up an argument she'd already had with herself at least a dozen times since she raced out of the building. I don't remember it, I don't remember anything. Hell, I don't even know how I got there. She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of the old ratty shirt.
The scenery around her became familiar and her heart began pounding hard in her chest. She had been avoiding a confrontation with him for so long. But who else could she go to now, she hated to admit it and she never would to his face but she needed him. Really, truly, needed his help. He was the only one who could prove she was incapable of committing such a crime. Perhaps he could even catch the true culprit. Doubt crept into her, Unless it really was me. Should I just confess? Sirens and flashing lights had her whipping around to find the source. A police car flew in the direction she had just come from. Her eyes widened and her breathing quickened, had someone found him already? She pivoted quickly and took off running. She had to get to him before news spread and any hope she had of clearing her name faded like the sun. Her lungs burned and her legs felt like jell-o but she kept going. She burst through the lobby doors, knocking bystanders out of her way as she went racing for the stairs. It would take too long to wait for the elevator. By the time she reached his door she was utterly exhausted and out of breath. What remaining energy she had she used to ring the bell but even that made her arm want to fall off. She slumped against the wall, if she didn't have the support she knew her legs would give out.
It took a minute but then she heard the familiar padding of bare feet as they crossed the floor. The peep hole went dark and when she was rendered OK the door slowly creaked open. There he stood, not tall, he had a slight slouch, but there he was, her salvation. She knew immediately he hadn't slept in a long, long while. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes and she wanted cry all over again. Instead she exhaled heavily and hoisted herself into a standing position.
"Hello, Van." he looked her straight in the eyes and her heart leapt. His word weren't welcoming, would he even give her a chance? She took a step closer.
"It's been a long time hasn't it, Ryuzaki?"
