When there was something Nigh wanted to tell me that we couldn't share with Rem, he'd make it into a puzzle. It was our secret code, back then. Brain puzzles torn from the newspaper with the clues scratched out and new ones written in, math problems and ciphers and word jumbles with a hidden message inside. Even at our young age, the problems were too advanced for the adults to figure out. We took it for granted that we could outsmart them so easily.

Five years after Luida and the others took me in, Nigh sent me a puzzle. It was the first I'd heard from him since the day he left me in the train car and promised he'd come back. The note took me weeks to decode, and when I finally solved the riddle, it was too late. A chemical explosion in the research facility killed three scientists.

It was a game, and I was losing.

Vash couldn't remember a better Thanksgiving break than the one they shared that year. Meryl and Millie had chosen that holiday to take R.A. duty at Chapel Hall, and since neither Wolf nor Vash had a home to visit, the four friends spent the entire vacation together. During that long weekend, the flames in Meryl and Millie's fireplace never went out. Vash and Wolf came over on the first day and didn't bother to leave. When they weren't playing cards with Millie in the R.A. lounge or bringing tea to Meryl at the desk, they were wrapped in quilts on the couch or in the spare bed, getting used to the feeling of each other's skin. They bought a huge feast in the refectory on Thanksgiving Day and sat in the atrium with the R.A. girls, eating dinner on paper plates, watching sci-fi western movies on the TV in the corner, laughing at stupid jokes and completely ignoring the stress of jobs and school and the worries that had plagued them all semester. And for the first time since Rem passed away, Vash was reminded of a word that he'd nearly forgotten: family.

Those few careless days were the richest of his life. Maybe it was the warmth of Millie's laughter that drove out the bitter November cold, maybe it was Meryl's clever ideas for sneaking whiskey into the dorm after hours. Maybe it was the smile on Wolf's face that didn't seem to fade, even when they slept. But the truth was that nothing much happened, and that in itself was paradise.

A drop of ink fell from the brush and spattered the blank sheet of paper. Vash jolted, shaken from his trance. How many hours had he been sitting at the desk, brush hovering over the page, unable to commit to a single stroke? He stared at the ink blot seeping into the grain of the paper. Now that the decision had been made for him, would he take the mistake and turn it into something meaningful? Or crumple the page and start over again?

Only a few weeks had passed since Thanksgiving break, and already the happiness they'd shared was nothing more than a distant memory. Vash's nightmares had gotten worse. With a new round of injections from Professor Luida, the latest drug seeped into his veins with startling clarity. After the sixth restless night of sweating and shaking and screaming from dreams that wouldn't release him, Wolf pleaded with Vash to halt the trial, but he refused. Wolf missed more classes and smoked more cigarettes. Neither of them could get any sleep.

So here they were again, with final exams creeping up while their separate worlds crumbled around them. Vash gave up on his ink value drawing, setting the brush aside and resting his head in his hands. If he could just slip away for a minute or two, shut his eyes without the fear of what waited behind them…

The door opened, and Vash sat up. He didn't have to turn around to recognize the disgruntled sigh that could only belong to Wolf.

"Everyone in this damn city can go to hell."

"That's not very saintly of you."

"Never trust a third grade teacher, Vash." Wolf dumped his satchel on the floor and ripped off his tie. "Do you know what she said? Do you know what that sneaky Amelia is doing to me?"

"I'm on the edge of my seat."

"And it's all because of stupid Professor Midvalley. He's been on my ass since day one, trying to get me fired 'cause of my grades, and then Amelia has to go and tell him about the work days I missed, and then guess what? He bargains with her, about me, behind my back, to get her to go to his lame concert in exchange for my goddamn job. And now I have to go to this stupid saxophone show with Amelia because she doesn't want that creeper Midvalley to think she's single. And you know what she said to me? That I should be grateful. That she's doing me a favor. A favor! Can you believe that?"

Vash listened to Wolf's tirade with a blank expression. A long silence ensued. "So," Vash said at last, "you have to go to a concert. What's the big deal?"

"I don't have time for this crap!" Wolf groaned. "We're taking the kids from the mentor program on a winter vacation trip next week, so I have to turn in my finals early. And you know I don't do concerts. Especially when the main act is my lame advisor and his lame jazz band."

A yawn escaped Vash's throat before he could stop it. Wolf's eyes narrowed.

"Look, I know this must be really boring for you," Wolf said sharply, "but I'm actually pretty stressed out right now. Don't you know how long I've been planning this trip? For some of those kids, it'll be their first time leaving Augusta. It took me forever to get permission from the faculty and the church staff. If I make one wrong move, Midvalley could put an end to the whole thing." Wolf threw his hands in the air. "You know what? Forget about it. You're right, it's no big deal. I'll just flunk out of school—"

"What if I go?" Vash asked.

"—and lose my job and let everyone down and…" Wolf glanced over at him. "What did you say?"

"I'll go to the show with Amelia. Meryl and Millie could come along, too."

"Vash. The music is gonna suck."

"So? There'll be alcohol, right?"

"I don't want to babysit you when you come home wasted."

"Then come with us and babysit me at the concert. I'll be the best date in the world to Amelia, and you'll get bonus points for showing up."

Wolf folded his arms. "I don't think Midvalley's gonna buy it. If he sees you there…it might make things worse. He already knows about us. That you're my…you know."

Vash watched him, waiting for a clue. "What?" he asked.

The question seemed to take Wolf by surprise. He opened his mouth, closed it again, then looked away, shoulders hunched. "Nothing. Nevermind."

Something was obviously wrong, but the more Vash prodded him, the more distanced Wolf became. Vash decided to let the subject drop. "You want to go to the refectory with Millie and me? It's taco night."

Wolf shook his head. "I have to finish some homework before class."

"Okay," Vash said reluctantly. He put away his art supplies while Wolf changed clothes, never once meeting his gaze. On the way out, Vash reached for his shoulder, but Wolf stepped out of his grasp without a word.

The night of the concert was the coldest one yet. Wolf, Vash, Meryl and Millie decided to walk the short distance to the bar off campus. Within minutes, the biting wind numbed their faces and chilled them to the bone. Vash stamped his frozen feet on the ground while Wolf pretended not to shiver.

"I don't get it," Meryl said as she doubled her scarf around her neck. "Wolf's advisor asked two underage kids to go to a bar so Wolf can keep his job?"

"Technically he only asked Amelia," Wolf replied. "But she's the same age as me."

"Couldn't he get fired for that?"

Wolf considered this. "I'd have a hundred Intro to Philosophy students burning me at the stake 'cause they want their free period back. And I'd lose my only referral. So I've got to make some sacrifices."

Vash smirked. Leave it to Wolf to complain about having fun. "When do I get to meet my hot date?" he demanded.

Wolf shot a glare at him. "Amelia is meeting us at the bar. And you'd better be nice to her."

"I'm always nice! I'm a perfect angel. Right, Millie?"

Millie laughed.

"Whatever," Wolf muttered. "Just don't say anything stupid."

Vash saluted him comically, but Wolf didn't seem to take notice. His face was red, and not because of the cold. Not because of finals or lack of sleep, either. Wolf's nerves had been on edge since that conversation they'd had in the dorm room, days ago. He hadn't spoken to Vash much between then and now. Vash couldn't help feeling that it was his fault, though he didn't know why.

When they reached the busy street corner two blocks down, Wolf waved to a bored-looking woman with long auburn hair. She barely cracked a smile in return. "Let's get this over with. I have homework to grade."

"Amelia, these are my friends." Wolf gestured toward them. "Meryl and Millie, the R.A. girls. And…uh, Vash. My…um…"

"Roommate!" Vash broke in. He held out his hand to Amelia. "I also happen to be your charming date."

Amelia glanced at Vash, then back at Wolf. "This night keeps getting better and better," she muttered sarcastically.

They joined the line of people forming on the sidewalk, and Meryl stood on her toes to catch a glimpse of the bar entrance. "Looks like we're screwed," she said doubtfully. "They're carding."

"Don't worry about it," Amelia replied. "Just tell them you're with Midvalley."

Her plan worked. Moments later, they were all inside, short of a few hand stamps.

"How come they stamped your hand?" Wolf said to Vash. "You don't even have an ID."

Vash smiled. "It's because I'm tall."

"Millie can sneak us drinks," Meryl said, but Millie shook her head.

"And risk Mr. Wolfwood's career? Shame on you, Meryl!"

"I'm not going to make it through this show without a beer," Amelia interjected.

Vash gave a theatric bow. "Allow me."

The bar was crowded, but no one seemed interested in the band that was setting up on the stage. A microphone squealed with feedback, and a decidedly uncool voice chuckled through the speakers, "Is this thing on? Hey, we've got a great show lined up for you tonight. Gray the Ninelives on drums, Monev the Gale on keys, and I'm Midvalley the Hornfreak, playing all your favorite Kenny G hits. This first song is going out to a very special lady in the audience…"

Vash glanced across the room at Amelia, who rolled her eyes in response. He winced sympathetically and mouthed Sorry. Then Midvalley's saxophone pealed out over the speakers, and Vash could no longer hear himself think.

The music wasn't good. It wasn't even mediocre. If physical pain could be translated into sound waves, Vash decided, it would sound like this.

But as the bartender handed him the drinks he ordered, just when he felt like his ears were starting to bleed, another sound cut through the racket. Quiet and subtle, yet deadly as a scorpion. A voiceless voice.

It's been a long time, Vash the Stampede.

The man who spoke without words stood at the far corner of the bar, facing the stage. A slight smile on his lips, eyes obscured by his unnatural hair. Vash stifled the fearful instinct that gripped him. Stay calm. Stay level.

I don't think I ever caught your name.

The smile wavered. How disappointing. I expected Knives to have mentioned me by now. Then again, he isn't keen on speaking with you. Why don't you just call me Legato?

Vash smirked. That's kind of a stupid name, isn't it?

Legato folded his arms. I could say the same about yours.

An exceptionally flat note shrieked from Midvalley's saxophone, and Vash nearly doubled over. But when he looked around the room, nobody else seemed to react. He glared at Legato. Don't tell me this is your doing, too.

Legato tilted his head and laughed. I can't take full responsibility. Somebody has to produce the waves. I just twist them to my liking.

Vash raised his eyebrows. So that's how you get into people's minds? By altering sound waves?

Really, Vash. You're an honor student. You should know it's far more complicated than that. Don't you know what they used to study in July, before you incinerated the research wing? Electromagnetism. Dark matter. The real delicious stuff. Too bad it's nothing but ashes now.

The music had faded to a muffled roar, like noises heard underwater. Like the blood pounding in his ears. Just tell me what you're doing here.

Merely checking to see that your babysitter is doing his job. He's something, isn't he? Changing your bandages and all that. Keeping you distracted from what really matters.

Vash's stomach tightened. What…what are you…?

Legato frowned impatiently. Haven't you solved the puzzle yet?

It didn't tell me anything. It doesn't make sense.

Think a little harder. Ask that babysitter of yours. He has his own special talent, you know.

The entire bar had begun to look hazy, distorted. Legato wasn't talking about Wolf, was he? Vash gripped the drinks in his hands until he worried the glass might break. Nothing seemed stable. He felt the piercing onset of a headache from his latest injection.

Please. At this point, his thoughts were only desperate. They weren't even directed at Legato. He was pleading with someone else, someone far out of reach. Quit playing games. I just want the truth.

For a moment, the bar vanished completely. Darkness washed over him, the last murmurs silenced. Vash wondered if he'd fallen asleep. If this was a dream. Until a hand reached out to him, and Legato smiled.

Then come with me.