Uh Hiyas! Lol My friend's got me saying that a lot now xD

Madhatta51: Aww! Yeah, these chapters can be full of surprises! Lol I don't even know how I ever thought of something like this. Sure it's not original, but eh, I've got disclaimers. xD

Witch of Tragedies: Trust me, it's going to be one hell of a mess in the later chapters. Well, avoiding Vanitas is kind of Ven's only way to stay alive. And the only reason why there's even Ven x Vanitas in the previous chapter was because I kinda have a thing for Ven x Vanitas... Not that I'm a yaoi fangirl or anything... o.0" Eheh... Moving on!

roxas: Hey, none of your words are lame! D: As long as they make me happy or laugh, you cool! b^_^d

Soul of Me: Roxas is being a poohead because he knows he can't get any! -3- Lmaooo! And wow, you're right, that's true! D: My EVIL!Ventus is supa dupa rare! :O I should protect him! xD Oh, and you saying poohead made me giggle. Ah, me an my immaturity! :3

YouWereNeverMeantToExist: (Stupid FanFic doc thingie wouldn't let me type out your name properly) -3- I'm grateful this story even gauges a reaction out of people! x) Heheh, and Namitas is AMAZING! I love you already lolol jkk :D

Ziloves: Oh, phew! I was kinda worried at first that I wouldn't be able to pull readers into the mood or atmosphere of the story. That was like one of my main concerns! D:

katt massacre5: It wasn't soon, but... Eheh, here ya go? :o

luong10: Lmfaooooooo, Aniki that's like the only yaoi you'll ever see in this story... For now :3 Haha and I'm still pretty embarrassed yet laughing at that fact! Muwahahaha! I'm evil, I know. Grace: creating misconceptions since 1945 xD Aww! I love you, too man! (... I wish I could make a heart right now...) D;

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own KINGDOM HEARTS or ANY FRANCHISES MENTIONED WITHIN THIS STORY. I also DO NOT own the PLOT FOR NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. This story is purely for the entertainment of the readers and myself. Oh, and the cover image of this story DOES NOT belong to me. I've stumbled onto that image while browsing Deviant Art. It was done by Cicre. ALL credit should be directed to her for being such an awesome and creative artist! :D Sorry Cicre, but I'm a sneaky bastard ;D

WARNING: Some adjectives in this story may be a tad too hurtful or offensive to some or the faint of heart, so please don't get yourself worked up over my choice of vocabulary, thank you! :) Mild sexual themes and Yaoi/Yuri inferences. Blood... There is blood... Lol :3

You have been sincerely warned...

.The Nightmare on Palm Street.

IV

Twisted Appearance

It was an untimely hour for a boy like him to be roaming the night. After all, he had school within only a few short hours, but why did that matter? He wouldn't be able to sleep for a while anyway because of that.

He grunted as he placed the cigarette delicately between slight parted lips, all the while lighting it up as he continued his stride. The embers of burning tobacco weren't his only source of light as he proceeded down the flashing street that was still occupied by nosy neighbors and demanding cops.

Man, he was stressed out. Not only had he been called under pressuring emergencies, it was under those pressuring emergencies in which he had found out about the fate of his dear, longtime childhood friend. Lying cold and lifeless on the tile floor.

He remembered that Psycho movie he had watched once when they were kids. All the boys slept over Sora's that night.

They were all afraid to take showers after that, but not him, not Vanitas. This enigma of a boy wasn't traumatized in the slightest by the cheesy graphics of the discolored film. All of them seemed perfectly aware of how the boy blankly stared at the television screen, not even cringing or jolting from the sudden change of the atmosphere that suffocated the other terrified boys. The small raven didn't even say a word when Ventus gripped at his arm in fright as the movie continued.

The shower scene that the he remebered sent shivers down his spine. Selphie was a wonderful girl, beautiful even. He felt guilt drown him as he remembered curiously wondering what the sweet girl might've looked like underneath the usual plaid skirt and uniform shirt. Well, in a revolting, unfavorable circumstance, he'd found out alright.

He took a deadly long drag of the cancer stick, trying to calm his nerves somewhat from the gruesome image forever residing behind his eyes. Selphie never deserved such a fatal death, no matter how much wrong she had done to someone. No one deserved to be tortured to death.

The silverette's blood escaped his face, making him feel a dreadful chill crawl up his neck. He started to choke on the smoke that burned his lungs, causing him to become even more terrified.

Ever since he experienced that suffocating aura from that old horror movie, he wanted nothing to do with it. He hated the sensations that came along with it. That's why he became intimidated by Vanitas's nature. Ever since then, he couldn't accept the claivoyant child with the astounding metal eyes and cheeky smirk. Vanitas's lingering presence did a number on him, to speak the truth.

He always had a short temper when he was little, but what Roxas had witnessed between Vanitas and Naminé, on top of all of those words Selphie relayed to him, he couldn't help but snap under that pressure.

Naminé was like a sister to him. He was always her night in shining armor, offering her his protection when she needed it, like after what had happened just hours ago. The blonde was in a desperate need for a hug; he saw it in her petrified round eyes. Usually, irremediable despair only possessed her in times of extreme grief, but she reacted differently to Selphie's murder. This irritated the thoughtful silver haired teen because he recalled how she behaved the day Vanitas died, as well as afterwards. Needy, pitiful, weak, and most of all silent. That was her irremediable despair.

"Naminé," he breathed out the name that felt so pure, so delightful, hearing it echo in his mind like a chiming silver bell in the mountains. "If only you realized the good I've done for you."

On the other hand, he thought what he did had surpassed high morals and expectations. He felt especially proud when he took it upon himself to carry out the troublesome deed, hoping Naminé wouldn't rely on someone as abusive as Vanitas by her side anymore. She should've been grateful that Riku had ridden her of such an evil presence, but that didn't seem possible with the devastating hurt she had presented to the others that day. Well, exempting the blonde's depression, all went along too smoothly for his tastes, with Xion's white lie to the adults and their parents' selfish need to protect them being preeminent.

Although his hands were forever stained with Vanitas's blood, his conscience and records appeared to be squeaky clean.

He stared down at his upturned palms with horror. Shaking his silver bangs away from his eyes and taking one more shaky hit of his cigarette, he couldn't help feeling distraught at the blood he thought he saw on his hands a second ago. He snapped the filter just for fun and let it fall to the ground. The embers had disappeared underneath his untied black sneakers, the toes of his shoes grinding the paper and remaining plant into incomprehensible mush.

Vanitas had done so many wrongs to everyone, but that didn't mean he would've never asked for forgiveness... In time (maybe), Vanitas would've noticed his wrong-doings and become repentant for the ones he had hurt. Riku should've given him a chance. He should've been the first, if not second, person to forgive Vanitas for what he had done. Now, it was too late for sincere apologies. From what had happened with Selphie, and the constant nightmares that he had experienced recently, which were mostly considered close calls, he came to the conclusion that they were all royally fucked.

Riku chuckled nonetheless, still coughing on the poisoning yet addictive fumes that had replaced his need to breathe.

'Man, so much for a happy childhood...'

He inhaled fresh, oxygen-based air, causing his breath to sound raspy until he coughed out whatever it was in his system and resumed walking. Despite the fact that he smoked, he abhorred thoughts of drowning or being smothered. He was a contradiction within himself. He was borderline claustrophobic and yet he sought out the factors that were linked to his fears.

He truly was one weird guy.

Granting that the journey felt endless, it only took him a few measly minutes to reach the front steps to his house. His parents were still outside, comforting the spooked neighbors. Huh, it seemed as if everyone looked up to them for help. Kairi could've ran to Sora's house for help. His house was just across the narrow, two-lane road. But then again, Sora was a heavy sleeper at this hour and he wouldn't have been able to act under pressure like Riku had or have the steel nerves to tolerate seeing one of their friends in such a brutal mess. He'd probably be a blubbering mess.

Hah, such a wimp he was, but Sora was the lovable, goofball of a wimp.

Just when he was searching for his house keys to unlock the door, a voice called out to him.

"Riku?" He turned around, seeing a familiar heart-shaped face with ocean eyes peeking at him timidly from the open gate.

"Ah, Xi-Xion, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Sora or Kairi?"

He stared down at the short girl with wonder and confusion, seeing too much emotions swirling in her eyes. Her black hoodie was three sizes to big, ending at mid thigh, and the sleeves extended past her hands. She was barefoot although it wasn't considered wise since the streets were occasionally littered with broken glass.

"Riku, how long has it been?" She mumbled, averting her gaze as she ignored his question.

"How long was what?"

"Since h-he," she trailed off, choking up, sounding too repulsed to mention his name. "W-When he..."

"Why bring it up? He's long gone—"

"I'm scared, Riku!" He cringed at the sight and sound of her as she fell into him, sobbing in his chest. "Don't you get them, too? The nightmares? Riku, he's still here! H-He's out there, waiting for us!"

He was stunned. He didn't know whether to wrap his arms around her or not, contemplating how Sora would feel about this. It was already enough that Riku left him alone in the world without a brother.

Sora.

The cheerful brunette always looked up to Vanitas, thought he was so cool. No matter how mean or cruely unfair the raven was toward him, Sora's fraternal love was unyielding.

"Riku..." the panicked girl kept repeating his name frantically out of desperation, cupping his face with trembling hands, trying to get a hold of his attention, but he remained trapped in his thoughts.

Unlike most people, Sora enjoyed his brother's company and accepted him for who he truly was. He was dependent on his brother for advice or opinions about certain things.

And Riku took that all away from him...

When he felt warm lips on his neck, he escaped his remorseful mind to notice Xion's inappropriate behavior.

"Xion, what the hell do you think you're—?"

Then he saw it.

Riku remained speechless, watching the alcohol-induced rosy hue warm her cheeks as she pressed wet kisses along his skin. She looked irresistible and neglected in her drunken stupor. Had she been upset earlier? She must've attempted to drink the sadness away. It was apparent that it wasn't enough, seeing that she was already here.

She was hysterical beyond the point of rational thinking, and in his right mind, he knew he shouldn't take advantage of this— more like opportunity in his eyes— situation, but his thoughts were consumed by the cloud of sinful indulgence. His wanton needs festered in his body in an antagonizing way that he gave her a nervous elevator glance.

"I'm s-scared. I can't find Sora. He's not home, and I'm a-alone and— Please, just please! I need someone! Just... Please."

He couldn't help himself. He was still a maturing boy with wants and desires. Xion just happened to be one of them. It wouldn't matter if she didn't throw herself at him like that or not, he still wouldn't refuse her either way. It's just, he had already taken away so much from Sora...

Unfortunately, his greedy lust outweighed his morals on the scale.

He didn't push her away anymore once she let her lips graze his neck, yet he was a little worried about their current position. Out in the open, where any prying eyes could take a gander at the scandalous interaction.

"W-We should, uh..." his mind was a frazzled heap of hot nothing when her fingertips started to inch their way to the waistband of his sweat pants, which he regretted wearing for obvious reasons.

That obvious reason elicited a short giggle from his smaller companion, his face burning from her intense, lusty gaze, causing him to groan.

"What were you trying to say, 'Ku?" He shuddered from the mention of his teasing nickname in the form of an innocent whisper. The hand that had traced his jawline didn't help wonders, either.

"I-Inside? Someone w-will see..."

Man, it just wasn't his day today. First, he had to hold down on his own bile at the sight of Selphie's mutilated body, calm down two overemotional girls (he would be eternally in debt to Roxas for saving him from most of the burden), and, now, he wasn't on par with his charm like he usually was. Riku was a lady's man. He was every high school girl's wet dream and then some. He made the girls melt and go putty in his hands. It wasn't the other way around!

"What about school?"

'School? Fuck school!'

"I was going to call in sick, anyway," he replied in a confident, yet husky tone. He smirked at her apparent shock, mentally praising himself for recovering his attitude.

He finally opened the door, leading the lustful girl into his home by the lips, hoping to make a quickie, or at least make it last, before his parents returned.

Meanwhile, a palm tree top of dark hair poked out of the bushes nearby, topaz eyes shining and thin lips grinning wildly at the sudden act of betrayal.

"Oh, Riku, you dog, you! Barking up the wrong tree like that. If Sora ever found out—" the boy's eyes widened at the new plan that hatched in his mind. He rubbed his chin in a mock thinker impression.

"Hmm... If Sora did find out! Ooh~! Yeah, that'll definitely work! Ah, I'm so brilliant!"

A scowl marred his slightly playful disposition at the sounds. The boy could already hear breathy moans, even from outside. It made him want to throw up just for the sake of not hearing them. Yet, sadly, food wasn't a necessity when you were already dead, so his stomach was empty.

The boy sighed, feeling regret for making Riku his next victim. If anything, he could've just waited 'til tomorrow or followed someone else.

Damn, how he wished Naminé would go back to sleep. He sighed upon recalling his days back then with her. His memories were still as fresh in his mind as ever. Now, all he wanted was to run his hands across that somewhat flawless skin of hers, every inch of her. Taint her innocent heart with his darkness and spoil that purity she had held onto for so long.

Well, in the nonmetaphorical sense, fuck her brains out.

Seeing as he never really was a known giver of fucks, this anxiety he had secretly kept hidden away would've been a shock to most people. He never had the experience when it came to sex for obvious reasons, so it only seemed natural to him to be nervous on how to approach his violet-eyed goddess in that sense.

After his scaring, everyone kinda got the message of what would happen, so they were all awake. Barely, but still. Although, he did enjoy the paranoia that he was feeding to them all.

He phased through his hiding spot, strolling down the street and observing the discord he had caused with a smug smile. He saw a familiar woman with puffy red eyes standing in front of an ambulance where a gurney with a black body bag propped half-hazardously on it was being placed. The short-haired woman seemed to burst a new set of tears, causing the man beside her to wrap his arm around her once more, visibly uncomfortable with the situation he was forced in.

He probably just wanted to shag her and leave, judging by the distasteful look on his face. This man was possibly one of the many, many womanizing douchebags of the world. Always wanting to get some. Vanitas wasn't necessarily a womanizer. All he wanted was to be Naminé's first and last. He wanted to be everything to Naminé, it's just that he'd had quite a difficult time telling her how he really felt. He never really had a firm grasp with words...

"You turned out to be quite a fine, young woman," he added, trailing his hand across the flesh wound, smearing blood on her white dress while he settled his hand on her well-developed chest. "If only I were still around. I would've thought about all of the ways I could fuck you."

He neither winced nor grimaced at his previous actions or words. In fact, he found himself to be quite proud of his administrations, chuckling to himself from the very memory. Naminé was a closeted masochist, after all. No one would've ever thought that such a shy, sweet-as-vanilla, purely angelic girl like her would be so eager and aroused by self mortification and secondhand affliction.

Only Vanitas knew, and he'd rather keep it that way.

He shook his head from such pleasurable and distracting thoughts, turning to see the woman being seated in a car by an officer. The ambulance and cop cruisers began to exit the street, leaving neighbors and parents worried of the serial killer that was on the loose. It's a shame that they would never find out that whoever committed such a cold-blooded brutality such as this was right in front of them. Then again, he was only a dead man, so no penalty for him.

The amber-eyed sadist entered the house that he had only been in twice, excluding his enjoyment of rearranging Selphie's face just a couple of hours before. Hell, her blood was still fresh on his hands. Not warm, but still fresh.

He had become extremely observant of the two blondes sitting on the recently deceased girl's couch. Kairi had left a while ago after Riku took his leave to fuck that two-timing slut, leaving the girl of his pining in the arms of this bastard.

"Naminé, you've been distancing yourself since the incident back at your house, why can't you tell me what's wrong?" Roxas was already past comforting her. She had pushed him off of her for some unknown reason when he came to hold her, kicking at his ego for a moment.

"I— It's none of your concern. I'm alright."

"No, you're not, Nams. Something's up, cut the BS," he deadpanned, staring intently at the conflicted gems of her eyes, waiting patiently for a better response.

"What would you know? Thing's couldn't be any better! E-Everything's all fine a-a-and—" She suddenly cupped her face in her hands, hiding the pent up tears that she wished would disappear or magically evaporate.

Vanitas sat on the couch on her other side, reveling in the sounds of her childlike sobs while Roxas just watched her, clueless on how to comfort her. It was worse enough that Naminé didn't want him to touch her.

The raven leaned into her whispering, "She wasn't really your friend, anyway. All she did was lie through that pretty smile of hers." The reaction he was given was almost instantaneous. The startled blonde jumped in her seat with a cry, turning to her side. Her wide tear-rimmed eyes saw no one. She must've been delirious from the lack of sleep.

As she turned back around, facing a confused Roxas, Vanitas leaned in once more by her ear, placing a finger to his lips.

"Shhh... You wouldn't want this dumb ass to get too involved, now would you? Tell him to piss off, or he'll leave, just like Selphie." Her trembling alone made him laugh and smile.

"N-Naminé—?"

"Shut up," she snapped, glaring at the stunned boy before her. "J-Just leave me alone, alright? Can't you see that I'm not in the mood? Selphie's fucking dead. You weren't the one to see her, Roxas!"

She was panting from how loud and shrill her voice actually was, completely shocked at the fact that she yelled at Roxas. Naminé yelled at Roxas. His urge to know what was troubling the girl he loved was becoming a troublesome itch, now, begging to be scratched.

"Please, Naminé, don't be so—"

"I would like just one day, Roku. One day without having to worry about anything. You being on my case every hour should be one of them," she growled.

His cerulean eyes turned dark. Vanitas was the only one who labeled him with such a demeaning, childish nickname like that. Everytime it left the damn raven's mouth, his blood would boil. Now, he had her saying it.

Roxas stared at her long and hard, trying, with great effort, not to lash out at the poor girl. Selphie was a dear friend of hers, he reasoned to himself. Naminé's just going through a bump in the road. She should have every right to be left alone for a while to mourn. She'll get over it.

The boy stood up, disgruntled by the fact that she was pushing him away once again. If she wanted him to leave her alone, then so be it.

"Fine," he replied through clenched teeth, his fists tight in a white-knuckled grip. "I'll be on my way, but just remember..."

He loomed over, overwhelming her with his heated gaze.

"I was and will always be the one you run to, Naminé. Just remember that." And with that sneer, he stormed out of the vacant house, leaving the helpless girl to her own thoughts.

She propped her legs up on the couch, hugging herself for comfort, her once teary eyes widening when she felt Vanitas's freezing touch return.

She didn't want to hurt Roxas the way she did, but she couldn't help feeling the guilt and denial control her. When she yelled at him, she felt so free. The euphoric satisfaction of being liberated had consumed her. Naminé couldn't believe the small truth that was hinted in her words. Did she really feel that way? Was Roxas smothering her more than he should? What was his deal with her, anyway? They're best friends. It couldn't be anymore simpler.

Hot tears streaked her flushed cheeks for the umpteenth time when Vanitas pressed his forehead against her back, mumbling soft, yet meaningless praises, as if she were a child in kindergarten.

"You did a wonderful job, Naminé," the raven of nightmares purred, praising her all the more by rubbing his hands soothingly over her fragile, trembling shoulders.

"You're such a good girl."

'It's pitiable because the truth is, I'm not...' She thought with a sob, hiding her face from the world in disgrace, thinking of all of the things she'd done.

Until her time comes, she would have to tolerate Vanitas hanging over her head like her personal guillotine. She can only hope for the rope to be cut soon.

Ho my CHIT. That took FOREVER! Dx You have no idea how much I tried to finish this, but freaking writer's block, family/friend priorities, and a broken laptop charger took me away from you wonderful people!

Oh, who am I kidding? I was browsing DAMN!Lol pictures for who knows how long, getting distracted from my writing time! D: But I still think you're all wonderful! :3

Okay, if you guys haven't figured out by now, the chapters are at random dates. They take place before or after some chapters, but it'll all loosely come together in the end! Like, for example, this chapter takes place right after two, but a little ways before chapter three, so here is product four of this story! :D

Heheh, and I hope this chapter was okay for you guys, considering that it's been a while since I.. Uhm... Updated... Dx And this chapter's kind of a filler, y'know? Introducing the other victims in this hell of a story... Fufufufu :3

Welp, let me know what you think! Y'know... You can automatically send reviews and all now... Eheh... o.0

Bai! :D