After receiving the odd present from the night before, Erika couldn't stop being paranoid about things. It was beginning to become more anomalous when the director of True Cross Academy himself took her out of her class just to speak to her. And it was about Sakura Takahashi, her mother.

The package right by her door was a large fan. It seemed like an antique; having a metal frame and a thick folding canvas. It was plain back with small unnoticeable silver patterns on the sides. A decoration isn't something Erika would expect to receive from a mysterious caller.

She kept thinking about it as she hurried to the lunch room. But she noticed footsteps were rushing to catch up to her. The steps were at a distance but she stopped and turned around. It was Shima who tried acting like he was minding his own business. But Erika knew better. She was getting a lot of boys who follow her just to ask her out. She always found the gesture sweet; however she doesn't really know what to do in a relationship. She never had friends except spirits. Most spirits didn't really enjoy having a close relationship with a teenage human girl.

"Hey, Erika," he greets with his hands buried in his pockets.

"Shima," she muttered. "I think you more of a friend rather than a boyfriend-"

"I haven't even asked you anything!" he mumbled.

"But you were going to, am I right?" she retorted. "I've seen you approach girls the same way… Actually, I've seen plenty of other guys do the same thing. So it's not surprise… I'll see you in Culture and Religion's class this afternoon… Take care, and say hi to your friends for me!"

Erika waved at the group of people behind the shrubbery and hurried to get away from Shima. She decided it was a rude way of avoiding the confrontation, but she really wanted answers. Erika has always thought about problems for a long time rather than ask another person for advice.

She was buried in her thoughts to notice that a woman was in front of her, causing another collision. Not again, she thought. Erika felt a little embarrassed bumping into everyone lately, first Yukio, now a red headed woman.

The woman looked a bit confused, as if she was lost. Erika wasn't surprise if she was; the woman's get up wasn't really allowed to be worn on campus, or anywhere else but the beach. She was wearing a bikini top and shorts, as if wanting to attract attention to her marked body. From her chest to her stomach was a violet symbol. Her white scarf was more of an ascot; small around her neck. Her red hair was tied back with the tips bleached blonde.

"I'm sorry ma'am," Erika began.

She was surprised when the woman began to laugh. "Don't be so polite, it annoys me," she muttered. "You have pretty eyes."

"T-thank you," she replied. "I hope I didn't cause you much trouble."

"I just said stop being polite!" she added. "No, you didn't… Looks like you were running away from something; care to share?"

"I'm just in a hurry," she answered. The woman suddenly pushed Erika aside, causing her to fall to the pavement. The Hell, she thought.

When Erika turned around, the woman held a gleaming violet sword. A large shadow was towering over them; having red eyes yet no other features to tell what kind of creature it was. Without a mouth, the creature roared at the two of them.

"Kid, get out of here!" the woman screamed.

More footsteps were rushing to the area, people were running. Erika caught a glimpse of Yukio Okumura with Shima and other classmates she had, even her roommate, Izumo. Damn it, she thought. Erika picked herself up and hurried out of the scene, not having a proper destination was the problem.

She realized Mephisto probably sent that creature. Not only was he technically a friend of the Vatican, but he was also a Demon King. Erika wanted to go to her dorm and calm herself down, but she'd be hounded by other creatures. She could feel her ears sharpening, as well as her senses.

Erika ended up in her dorm, selecting a few items to take with her. Am I really going to run away? It was an odd thought. The reason she went here was to get away from her uncle, who wouldn't stop raising her as the heiress of his publishing company. She was expected of many things back with her Aunt and Uncle, something she'd rather not go through again.

With a few extra clothes, her iPod (with earphones), her phone, a book, a pen, and cash, she headed to the train station. She decided on going to her old home: the old Shinto Temple where her mother wanted to raise her, where Erika first encountered exorcists and spirits.

Mephisto is willing to kill me, she thought. Erika had no idea if she'll be returning to True Cross Town. If she runs away, she won't be receiving any support from her family. But if she stayed, there was a possibility that exorcists would be after her; not to mention the demons that Mephisto had under his control.

The trolley arrived less than five minutes. A lot of people got off while only a few entered the cars. She began to try and calm herself down; trying to slow down her heart rate. She was taught at a young age that anger and panic brought out her demonic heritage. So she kept herself calm, trying to meditate in the speeding locomotive.

Erika began thinking it over. What was the benefit of Erika being in the academy? What did Mephisto want with her? Her past was already covered up, away from the horrible truth that will always follow her. A sigh escaped her lips: she was no good at being a tactician or reading other people's intentions.