Beeping, why could she hear beeping? She was dead, wasn't she? How could she have survived that? Beeping? Izzy flickered open her eyed and found herself in a white room that stank of bleach. There was a horrible, but not unbearable pain in her stomach, she reached under the covers of the bed she was in to get a better look. She shrieked in horror as a raw, puffy scar was stretched across it. What had happened?

She tried to remember. Yeah, she was leaving Squee's house, then was walking home. Then she met that guy… and he stabbed her. He dragged her into a dark ally and tried to kill her! Did that mean that she was dead? Was this some sort of waiting room for heaven or hell? She tried to control her breathing and not to hyperventilate. Izzy thought of her friends, her family, poor little Squee. She'd broken her promise, she would never forgive herself for that. Never.

There was a tap of metal against wood and the sound of someone clearing their throat. She jumped and searched the room, but it was still late and the room was covered in a dark layer of shadows. In the corner, sitting in a visitors chair, was a figure. A tall, thin figure with large eyes, staring right at her.

"Evening." He said calmly.

Izzy couldn't move, she could only stare in horror. He'd found her and was going to finish the job, she thought, please make it quick! Or, was he dead too? She didn't know what to think anymore.

"You know, you said something back there that sparked my interest, now I'm not one to give into temptation so easily, but I like to keep an open mind." He explained, placing his knife into his black bag, "So what promise were you breaking, and how did being stabbed have anything to do with it?"

She felt her mouth go dry, but she needed to be strong now. She refused to let him scare her again, that was an emotion that she never wanted to feel again. "I promised Todd-Squee that I would always be there for him if he needed me." Izzy answered, face determined, "I can't exactly do that if I'm dead."

He nodded, "And what connection have you to him, I've never seen you around before?"

"I'm his babysitter, I was worried about him. What connection have you to him?" She challenged, not caring what he thought of her now.

"Oh, me? I'm just the wacky man next door, remember?" he spat, "Is that how he honestly described me?"

She thought about it, "No, he said crazy. Who knew one word would cost me my life." I glared.

He arched an eyebrow, "You're not dead, you're in hospital. Lucky for you I pointed the knife upwards, it grazed your stomach and punctured your left lung. No long-term damage now, if I'd left you there however, you would be dead."

Izzy glared at him, "What, so you saved me so that I could answer a question? Let me guess, you're going to finish the job now?"

"No need to be hostile."

She pointed at her stomach, "Don't talk to me about hostile! If you're going to kill me -"

"No, actually it seems that you provide a use. That boy needs someone like you looking out for him, my methods are much more… extreme."

He straightened up and looked at her expectantly. Her jaw hung open, not really sure how to react to this. One minute he was trying to kill her and the next he was making out like they had just finished a slight disagreement. He just stared at her, what was she supposed to do? He remained motionless and the two looked at one another for a moment. Izzy could feel the awkwardness growing in the air. How do you continue from your attacker suddenly introducing himself like that?

"Why did you try to kill me? And why did you bring me here?" She asked cautiously.

"You used that word, which I don't suggest you use again, and then I needed answers. Now, it seems we share a concern for the boy. You show next to little fear and continue to challenge me, I admire that, even though it's not normally recommended around the likes of me."

"Are you some kind of crazy person?"

"V for Vendetta? You're quoting that film? Good choice and yes… I suppose quite crazy."

"And what's to stop me calling the doctors or police to arrest you?"

He smirked, but it wasn't smug, it was almost sad, "You wouldn't, and even if you did, I cannot be caught. No one ever notices me. It's a gift, although, also a curse. Forced to live with the guilt and memories knowing that you will never be able to repay your debt to society. It relieves you, while also terrifying you."

She tilted her head, "You're a bit cocky, aren't you?"

"No, I'm honest. For example, you've been glancing over at the panic button since you've noticed my present, yet you haven't even made a single move towards it. As for my other point… the less proof you need for that the better."

A lump rose in her throat, "You've killed others?"

This time, he smiled, "I had my reasons. Oh, look at the time, I've got things to do and you need to rest and recover." She watched as he casually picked up his black bag and walked to the door of her room, he turned around before it closed and smirked, "I might see you around some time…"

Izzy was frozen for what seemed like forever. She finally noticed that she wasn't breathing and exhaled before gasping for air. Everything that had just happened slowly sunk in and she started her to feel her heart pounding in her ribcage. A cold sweat was forming on her forehead as she realised, he had tried to kill her, he had snuck into her hospital room, and he had a weapon! He was dangerous! She lunged to the machine and pressed the panic button.