Matt was driving (WAY too fast, I might add) down a wide city street flanked by restaurants and pawn shops. Seeing as I'd only been in the city for a day or so, I had no idea where we were or where we were headed. I decided to ask.

"Where are we g-…okay then." As soon as I had opened my mouth, we pulled into the parking lot of an over-friendly Best Western. Matt unlocked the doors and we stepped out. We walked in through the rotating doors and PAST and irritated looking clerk.

"MATT! Aren't you going to check in?"

"Course not. I've already got a room, duh."

"…You can't expect me to share a room with you."

"Oh? Why not? There are two beds. I don't have enough cash right now for another room, sorry."

"You liar!" He rolled his eyes.

"It's not a lie."

"Yes, it is." He turned to face me, curious.

"And how do you know this?" he raised his eyebrows and tried to stare me down.

"Your eyes give it all away." We were outside the room now, and he produced a card key from a pocket in his fuzzy vest and sighed.

"You said that before. What's that supposed to mean?"

"…It means just what it sounds like."

"Come on…uh…dammit! How the hell am I supposed to get mad if I don't know your name?"

"…Just open the door."

"Tell me your name and I will."

"…Rixva. Rixie, to my would-be friends."

"Would-be?"

"Non-existent."

"Oh." He opened the door, and thank the lord he was telling the truth about the beds. "Ladies first," he said grinning as he motioned me inside. I was exhausted and plopped down on the closest mattress.

"No! Watch out for my-"

"OW."

"-…gameboy…" I pulled the device out from underneath me and chucked it at his head.

"Why the hell is that thing in here?!" I kept my vow low so as not to wake neighbors, but just loud enough to be considered raising it.

"Well, that was MY bed! That's where I slept, so that's where I put it."

"…You sleep with a gameboy?"

"…Yes."

"…Sure." I hauled myself up and migrated to the other bed. "No Nintendo's in this one, right?"

"I…don't think so…" I rolled my eyes. Dropping onto the bed, I turned to face the window. I heard Matt using the sink in the bathroom. Closing my eyes, I tried to recall all that had happened.

FLASHBACK

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"I'm leaving! I'm sick of this rat-hole!"

"You don't have the guts. Tomorrow morning you'll be out on my doorstep, begging me to let you in. You're mine."

"Wanna bet you bastard?! You're nothing to me! You call yourself a father, Darren, but you're nothing! Burn in hell for all I care!" I slammed the door in his purple face. I'd show him.

THAT NIGHT…

Walking along a seemingly empty city street, I hated my adopted father. He was abusive, mentally and physically, and still he called himself a parent.

"It's all Kira's fault," I said aloud. Talking to myself was one of my bad habits. "Just because Darren worships you, Kira, don't think you can get to me so easily!"

"You say something, young lady?" A terribly ugly man had emerged from a nearby alley. "If my ears serve me right, I just heard you speak out against our Lord Kira."

"Mn. What does it matter? Your Lord Kira is dead." …That was stupid.

"NO, you little bitch! Our Lord Kira will NEVER die! You'll be sorry for how you speak of him!"

…Fuck you, Kira.

"Hey! If you think Kira's so great, why don't you join him in hell?!"

BACK IN THE PRESENT…

"I'm back! Rixie?" Matt emerged from the hallway. I hadn't even noticed him leave. "I got you a toothbrush and stuff, because I saw you didn't have anything."

"Oh. Thanks. I could've done that."

"You look tired, so I just went ahead."

"Thanks." Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. It was a nice thought; my first real friend since the appearance of Kira.

"So…what are you doing out here again?" …I supposed getting to know him wouldn't be THAT bad of an idea.

"Running away." I doubted HE was the type of person to turn me in.

"Really? Sweet." He didn't ask why. I hadn't expected that, but I was thankful for it nonetheless. "How old are you? I'm almost seventeen," he said, hastily adding, "You don't have to answer if you think I might be a rapist or something." He laughed.

"I'm…fourteen, I think," I replied.

"You think?" he repeated, puzzled.

"It's been years since anyone in my…family has had their birthday celebrated. It's all that damned Kira's fault." Again, he didn't ask why. Instead, he grinned at me and pointed.

"Well that won't do. As of today, your birthday is September 7th. Next month."

"…why?"

"Because that's my favorite day! No particular reason, it just is. Anyway, I know what you mean about Kira." He gritted his teeth. I stood up.

"Where'd you put that toothbrush?"

"Hmm? Next to the sink," he answered, smiling again.

After cleaning myself up a bit, I collapsed back on my bed and pulled the covers over my head. I Matt flipped the lights off and I could hear him getting into his own bed.

"G'night, Rixie."

"…Thanks. You too."