I sighed shakily as I looked around worriedly, clinging to Garry's arm warily. The gallery was looming over us as we stood outside of it, and my little bravery was fast fading. But I still stood tall, well, as tall as she could, and faced it head on.

Garry simply smiled reassuringly at me and squeezed my hand before taking slow, long steps towards the gallery with a determined look. I tried to mirror his expression as I took a deep breath, we had arrived at the big doors. I moved forward, pushing at them until they gave a long groan and opened. Garry chuckled and grinned at me, finding my lack of strength most probably amusing.

I pouted lightly and stepped into the building, blinking at the bright lights of the reception. Even Garry screwed up his nose a little bit at the brightness and artificial cheer fullness.

Garry walked to the front desk, where an old man was stood, reading an old battered book, looking quite out of sorts in the clean pristine reception room. He saw us and smiled brightly, putting down his book hastily.

"good day there, are you wanting entrance?" he asked us politely with a smile. I instantly smiled back, it was a real smile he gave us, his eyes twinkling.

Garry smiled at him as well and nodded "Hai, we would like two day passes please sir." he murmured to him. The old man nodded at us and quickly got two out, stating the price. Garry smiled and passed over the money, taking the tickets and passing me one.

"looks after it Ib." he told me, and i nodded, smiling slightly. We moved onwards after giving the old man a polite bow, which he returned. I looked in the first room we had entered, and my breath caught in my throat. I looked at the gigantic picture of the deep water fish. Even Garry flinched slightly, whistling gently under his breath "damn...that truly is scary, eh Ib?"

I nodded shakily, edging away from it. Just as i was about to go to the room where the rose sculptor was, i heard a familiar giggle, and thought i saw a flash of cornflower blonde hair. I gasped, spinning around, only to see nothing.

Garry looked at me, worry clear on his face as he took ahold of my shoulder "are you alright there Ib dear, you look like you've heard a ghost!" he chuckled with a tight smile, his eyes full of concern. I smiled forcibly, and he seemed to have bought it, but i spoke up, just to add to his reassurance "yes, i thought i heard something, but i guess i was just imagining again." i forced a small tinkling laugh, and he grinned, patting my head "oh, well thats ok, its good to have a big imagination!" he exclaimed happily.

I nodded, and then paused, looking at him "Garry...do you mind if i go look around upstairs?" i asked with puppy eyes of my own. He looked like he was going to say a flat out no, but he took one long look at my eyes, and his resistance crumbled. "fine...but be back here in twenty minutes, heaven forbid if i end up losing you." he grumbled, but his words had a double meaning. He didn't mean simply loosing track of me, he meant losing me to the gallery, and i hastened to reassure him. "don't you worry Garry-san!" i said chirpily "ill be back before you know it!" i said, but as i said those words, i swear i heard someone whisper by my ear, someone with a voice like melting chocolate "liar~"

I jumped but hid it, smiling lightly and grinning at him. He nodded and smiled, patting my head before walking off into the gallery, pausing to wave. I smiled and waved back, then headed back to the reception, walking up the stairs, but not before blinking. The man had vanished...

I shook it off and climbed the creaky stairs, looking around as i got to the top. I admired the pictures despite myself. As insane was Guertena would have to be to create such a world with only paint and brushes, he truly was a genius. Just as i was looking at the portrait of the hanged man, i heard some rustling, and small sounds, like something soft was falling on the floor.

I turned myself around, and the first thing i saw was a lemon yellow rose petal resting on the marble floor. My breath caught and i gasped, my hand flying to my mouth, but as i looked on, there where more. Yellow petals led to a small door by the death of an individual. I blinked, the door was green, and i hadn't ever seen it before.

I knew i shouldn't go near it, i should turn tail and run like the wind, trying to find Garry and get out if here. BUT i felt like i had to go in that room, i felt compelled, and my breath soon became short and ragged as i fought against it. Eventually though, i decided that one little peek in the room couldn't hurt me.

I slowly walked towards it, trying to not step on the petals as i finally reached the door. I thought i could hear something behind it, and pressed my ear against the wood. There seemed to be a rustling, and a light giggle. I frowned, and before my new found courage fled, i turned the knob, and opened the door. I creaked, and whatever had been making the noise went silent.

The room was dark, and smelt musty. I stepped in, and looked around, but i couldn't see anything clearly. I sighed in frustration, but soon wished id kept quiet.

A loud giggle sounded near me, making me scream and jump, and a light appeared, making the room much brighter. The walls where yellow, the floor green. A picture in an eight sided frame hung in the middle of the room.

I froze in horror, recognising exactly where i had seen that frame, but as i turned to flee, two strong petite hands grabbed her arms, and a body pressed against her as a childish giggle broke the silence. I turned my head to look at who was restraining me, and nearly fainted.

Blue eyes peered at me, and soft pink lips spread into a wide smile. Mary smiled at me, and just before my vision went black, she whispered in my ear

"welcome back home, Ib~"