Chapter 3

Shilo's Return (or, Echoes)

Disclaimer: I don't own shit except Shura; she's mine. All mine-insert evil laughter-

Author's: No stalk, I know you're out there. Please, please friggin' review? Please? I accept all forms of criticism, constructive or otherwise and honestly, I'd really fuckin' appreciate it too! Man up and balls out; come up and try my new parts! I mean, er, hehe... Also, I'll give you cookies! Lots and lots of cookies but only if you review.

The girl had spent the last seven months hiding out in her old home. It seemed the place that had once been her prison was now her only safe haven. She hadn't even been to see her mother's grave since… since…. Well, the last time she'd been there. When she first met Rotti Largo and her life went to hell in a hand basket. Mostly, she kept to her room and when she had to leave, it was usually at night when no one was around to see her. She hadn't even been to Mag's funeral or her own father's; no one, it seemed not even his daughter nor the Repo's, mourned the death of the Repo Man. Once or twice a week though, a pair of henchwomen would drop by and watch the old Victorian manor with shaded eyes, short skirts, and shot guns. Usually, she'd hide under her bed or in her closet like a child. Scared and frightened and alone.

Not today. No, today, she was going to go outside. Sort of. With a heavy tread, she took to the catacombs that lead to her mother's mausoleum.

SHILO: "This will be quick

I think I'm gonna be sick

I don't think I can do this

It's like staring into an abyss"

The young girl plunged head first into the passageway, dark eyes showing much of her fear and trepidation. Though no one was around to see it. Navigating the path quickly, she came to her mother's tomb and now her father's as well.

SHILO: "Hello, Mother…

What sort of blunder

Have I gotten myself into?

Tell me what would you do?

Hello, Father…

It's hard to see you

After everything you put me through

I-I-… You-you're dead!

And no one came to mourn a monster

Like you… …

And GeneCO's treating you like a martyr

And it's only gotten harder!"

The girl fell silent, angry tears tracing lines down her pale face. Biting her lip, she turned her back on them. She began to sob audibly. A gut-wrenching, soul-ripping sort of sob. Fuck you! Fuck both of you!

SHILO(to her mother): "You left me

Worse yet… Worse yet!

You left me with that.

Did you know what he'd become?

He came undone (undone)

Made us both his victims (victims)

Kept me locked neatly in a box

And everything else neatly with locks."

A soft murmur arose from outside. A delicate mingling of voices. One she found vaguely familiar. She cracked the door and peeked outside. Graverobber… Well, it was impossible not to recognize him! And the woman, Shi didn't know her at all.

GRAVEROBBER: "What's in it for me?"

WOMAN(Shura): "Just come with me

And then you'll see

And then I'll let you be."

Graverobber paused in his nightly ministrations to gaze up at the woman with a blazing intensity. Then, he rose to his feet and waited for the woman to lead him onward. The woman seemed to sigh with relief when they were out of the Graveyard.

Shi followed them, keeping as close as she could.