*Le gasp* I'm alive? Yes, that is right! I am very much alive! And I've missed you all so much; I'm sorry for not having updated in years! Things have been pretty all over the place in my life, which is why I had to take multiple breaks from writing. But I'm back now! I've pretty much settled into a routine; although I want to resettle into my actual writing routine. That's why I decided to do a different kind of chapter for Reporting The Fire, before we can fully jump back into the action! In this chapter, we get a quick look at Rebecca's (my OC/main character for this story) diary. These are just some quick entries to get a casual peek at the scenes from inside her mind, if that makes any sense haha. These entries take place a little while before the start of the events in the next chapter, despite them not having any actual dates. Hopefully they are understandable– I was mainly going for the content of the entries rather than the actual dates. Thus, this will be a very short chapter, just so we can get back into the spirit of things.

Also, I'm planning on changing my pen name and avatar. So for the next chapter, I'll be going by something different, but don't worry, it's still me. But to avoid any confusion, you can always check my bio; I'll have my former pen name written there just in case! Thanks so much for all of your support!

Once again, I would very much appreciate feedback! Also, let me know how you've all been doing! And again, I'm so sorry for being gone for so long!

[It's been a while since I've been on here, so I'm really sorry if I screw up the formatting!]

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X Month XX Day

I finally went on a date with Riki today. We've been so busy these past few months, it's like we barely have any time for ourselves.

Anyway, we went to the park. It's the cutest little park! There's a baseball field, a pond, some picnic tables, and even a small gazebo. I seriously love it so much. It's just too bad I can hardly ever go. But at least now I did.

Riki told me about his job and what he's been doing lately. He's been helping out with a new rookie policeman. Based on what he's told me, the new guy honestly sounds just like how Riki was when he first joined the team. But all joking aside, I'm really proud of him. He's been working hard to help with the community and although I hate to admit it, I'm actually kind of jealous. Riki has actually been doing things, things that greatly help all of us out. As for me, I've only barely managed to keep my cool under certain circumstances. At least it helps me with my 'bold reporting', or so Nanami claims.

In any case, our date went well. Riki and I got some fresh air, and we spoke about things other than work. I was able to finally let loose and forget about everything wrong with the world. In a way, it seemed as though there really couldn't be anything wrong with the world. But I know those were just my rose-colored glass I had on for the day.

(P.S. Our day was cut short because we saw a spider and I demanded we leave. I guess I'm still not over my arachnophobia, and probably never will be. Oh well. I can live with it.)

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X Month XX Day

Today I just did some shopping. Riki would not stop pestering me about buying ice cream, even though it's getting colder by the day. I even heard it might hit below zero this weekend. Which is weird. I don't remember it ever being this cold. Maybe I'm starting to lose it.

So much work is coming into the office these days. Marcelina tries to hide it from me, but I can still see the headlines and even some words on files. I can see it's the Vongola Famiglia that's stirring trouble. Again. And I thought they had finally calmed down. They've been kinda quiet lately. But turns out it's nothing more than a facade. It seems like they're gaining more power. All the more reason to report to the world what is going on.

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X Month XX Day

This will be just a quick entry, since I need to get going soon. Just wanted to let you know that I finally got a break! In reporting I mean. You know. I was at the local library printing some articles when I heard that the Vongola Famiglia has just signed a sort of treaty with some other family. I don't know too many details, but that's why I'm gonna head out to the office to see if I can dig something up. Hopefully the archived office has information on this too.

I just stopped by to get a quick bite to eat. I'm out now!

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X Month XX Day

My parents called today. They wanted to let me know that my grandmother has died. I'm surprised she didn't have a heart attack back when my dad told her I had "run off with Riki". I know I sound cold, but I actually am crying now. I had to stop multiple times to wipe my face so I didn't stain the page. My pen is pretty cheap and the ink will probably run at the slightest hint of water.

Anyway, I'll miss my grandmother, but she was pretty rude to me. She was constantly telling me to not have a career in mind. The only thing I should focus on was marrying and having children. Since I ended up doing neither of those things, and pursued a career, I was officially on her shit list. She was very old fashioned. In case you couldn't tell. I told my parents I wouldn't go to the funeral. I don't want to go if I won't have anything but bad thoughts to think about when I'm there. As for my parents... we've seen each other a few times these past years, but we're still pretty estranged. To say the least.

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X Month XX Day

Just got back from shopping. Again. Riki still hasn't shut up about getting ice cream. I don't understand him. It's so cold! How can he think about getting ice cream? All I wanna do is curl up in a blanket with a nice cup of hot chocolate and a good mystery book to read.

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X Month XX Day

Not much has happened. Well in regards to me. Something did happen at the office yesterday that kinda gave us all a scare. Our head security, who has been working in our building since before I even joined the company, was caught with child pornogrophy. It was on his computer. I seriously can't believe it. He always seemed so nice, and not the creepy nice. The genuine nice. You really had to see it for yourself, but just take my word for it. Anyway, as a precaution, Mr. Matthews had us empty out our desks and checked through our computers on the spot. Even though I have nothing personal on my computer, just work related material, I was still so nervous when he was checking through. There was just something in the air that didn't sit well. Like something was seriously wrong. I don't know, maybe I'm just paranoid.

Btw, I ended up clean. Nothing was wrong with my computer or desk, I mean!

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X Month XX Day

Things just keep getting creepier and creepier with each day. Our new intern (I don't think I've told you about him before?) has been getting really… well, creepy. And only I seem to see this. Marcelina, Nanami, and the others see nothing wrong with him.

Let me explain. Vigge Rai is the name of the intern. I guess he's kind of cute, but that's not the point. The point is HE WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! Like seriously! He is always there. When I'm getting something to eat during my break, or when I'm on my computer, or even when I'm just walking down the hallway to the bathroom or somewhere else. He is always there. He smiles at me and stuff, and even sometimes helps me out when I'm carrying heavy things or need to research something. The thing is, it's only to me. He doesn't help any of the other women in our office. In fact, he doesn't even seem to like them. I don't know why it's only me. I don't like it. Nanami says I'm lucky. I can have a boyfriend and a side-man. Yeah no thank you.

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X Month XX Day

I'm freaking out. Riki is in the kitchen now, making dinner (it's his turn today), and I'm here freaking out. Why? Vigge, that's why.

He asked me to go to dinner with him tonight. I'm not kidding. He wanted me to go to some clam bar that just opened in a nearby town. It was no accident that he chose that specific place. He must know I have a boyfriend, that's why he chose some isolated bar. That way, no one who knew us would see us.

Anyway, in regards to the date, of course I said no. I said it was nice of him, but no. And then he gave me this look, like a look full of angry thunder, that seriously made me shiver. But it passed by so quickly. He just said he would try again some other time, and then left. But I'm still creeped out. He looked at me with absolute hatred for a fleeting moment. I'm so scared. Am I gonna have a stalker problem now? On top of everything else? And of course I get the stalker who always wears a cow print tie to work every damn day. Sheesh. You'd think the cow was his spirit animal or something.

I need to go now. Riki has called me to dinner twice already. See ya!

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X Month XX Day

Vigge came by my desk today. Big surprise. He's been stopping by so much. Ever since I declined his offer to go to the clam bar with him he's been more persistent. You would think I had given him the A-OK to flirt with me now. He gave me a stress cow. Like a stress ball? But it's a cow instead. Like a little toy. You know. And, as usual, he's continuing the cow theme. If this keeps up I'll have to quit on all dairy products.

I ended up bringing the cow toy home with me. I just told Riki a coworker had given it to me. I haven't really told him about Vigge and his advances. Riki isn't the jealous type, we have a lot of trust in each other and our relationship has only gotten stronger with the passing years, but still. I just don't want to worry him over something that can potentially turn out to be nothing.

I stuffed the toy in some random drawer by the way. There's no way I'm gonna keep that out in the open! It'll be like having Vigge constantly staring at me. And who the hell would want that?

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X Month XX Day

Another quick entry! I did some clothes shopping today. I got the cutest blouse on sale at the local flea market! It comes every month for a week, and it's always so festive in regards to the holidays of the year. I also got some new lipstick in a light pink color too. It's called "Kitten Paws". I know, weird name, but it is what it is. I have to go to bed now, so I'll try to write more again when I can!

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X Month XX Day

I had a horrible dream last night. I was walking down a hallway of a church or cathedral, when I saw Riki talking to some girl. She looked pretty plain, but what intrigued me the most was the red ribbon in her hair. I know I've seen it somewhere before but I can't remember where no matter how hard I try. Anyway, in my dream, as I got closer to Riki and the girl, I realized that they weren't just standing around talking, they were actually at an altar and they were getting married. I got so angry and shocked and confused that I woke up. My breathing was so labored you would have thought I ran a mile. But when I managed to calm down, I couldn't even go back to sleep. I feel like it was the worst night of my life. And Riki slept right through the entire thing.

I don't know what that dream meant, but I've been trying to push it out of my mind. I mean it is just a dream. But still. It seems too... weird.

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X Month XX Day

Diane and I went to lunch together. She told me that Vongola has stopped paying her monthly visits about 2 months ago. At first she said she thought it was a trap, but then they connected with her somehow and told her they'd be coming every other month. She wouldn't tell me how they connected to her though. I can't imagine how tough this must be for Diane and her students. They're all pretty talented, and yet they're constantly being pressed down. It makes me wonder what this Vongola family leader guy must do to the ones he's taken over the years. Prostitution? Human trafficking? The options are endless and none of them are pleasing.

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X Month XX Day

Well. It finally happened. I figured the Vongola Famiglia had been too quiet. No mafia gang can stay quiet and not be plotting something.

The details I got were what I managed to piece together with help from Riki and some outside sources (I'll tell you more about them later if I can). Basically, the Vongola Famiglia signed a treaty with the Casini Famiglia, who are a rookie/newbie mafia gang. Pretty much just a wanna-be gang. The Casinis wanted protection and Vongola agreed, but there was a catch, of course. The Casini head was known for having a stash of hidden hashish and a cocaine factory. So Vongola wanted all of this, and it was working out alright until some of the Casini higher ups were found to be doing some secret side business, which went COMPLETELY against Vongola's terms. Long story short, Vongola tore apart the Casini Famiglia, both literally and figuratively. Reporters who photographed the scenes were so traumatized, some had to seek out therapy while two actually decided to retire altogether. I guess it never occurred to me how graphic some of the content could get.

All in all, this just proved everything I've thought of the Vongola Famiglia. They're cold hearted bastards, and yet no one seems to care or want to talk about this! It infuriates me, but it also gives me the power and determination to keep going. I know what I have to do. And I know it's the right thing to do. Just a little longer before I can finally help out my poor town. I am doing nothing but counting down the seconds for when Vongola is brought to justice. After all, justice has to prevail, and those guys are anything but good.

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X Month XX Day

Guess what? Our mayor has retired. I totally did not see that coming. He wasn't that old, which is why it took me by surprise. But according to Riki, he was having some health issues, which is why he decided to leave office. Elections for the new mayor will begin next month. Already I'm hearing of the candidates. Of course every single one of them are making all sorts of promises. I'm not entirely sure what is going on to be honest, but I plan to remedy that ASAP! After all, what kind of reporter would I be if I can't even keep up with what's going on in my own town?

For now, these elections are going to be taking up all of our time. I plan to be on the front lines of the action. Mr. Matthews has finally given me the respect I deserve, so I know I'll be able to cover the elections rather easily. So now we (or at least I) can finally get a break from Vongola and all their horrid messes. I will definitely keep an open mind from now on, and stay as up to date as I possibly can.

Well, I suppose that's all for today. Pretty much the highlight of the day. But I'm sure the action hasn't even begun and when it does, we have to ready. We have to be, or else our chances of survival will be slim to none. And if we can't survive, then all our fighting will have been for naught.

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So here we are! Once again, this is a different kind of chapter. I was mainly going for the content, just so you all know what has been going on behind the scenes. Some things may seem more important than others. But you'll just have to stay tuned to see what will happen! But don't worry, next chapter we will be jumping back into the action.

Please review and let me know what you guys think! I apologize again for the super long delay, thank you very much for putting up with me and for sticking around! I sincerely appreciate it~

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