It astonished me to find just how close to that cliff-like hill the town was, but I didn't let that get in the way of finding Meryl. I looked around frantically, and my eyes finally found a small trail of blood. I followed it; Knives had told me the truth.

Meryl lay face down in the dust, and her right shoulder lying in a growing pool of blood. I felt my eyes grow hot as I knelt next to her. I reached out my hand hesitantly and touched her neck: it was still warm. After doing so, I gently turned her over, being careful not to touch her wound. She opened her eyes as soon as she was on her back, and she looked at me vacantly.

"Vash," she said slowly. I could feel the hot tears streaming down my face, but I made no effort to brush them away.

"I'm sorry this happened," I replied softly. It sounded stupid, but it was the only thing I could think of to say to her.

"My shoulder hurts, Vash."

"I know, Meryl. You've been shot."

"I know." Having said this, I tenderly lifted her into my arms and rose to my feet.

"I guess you were right about Knives," she whispered, closing her eyes and pressing her head against my chest. A feeling of weakness came over me, but I also felt stronger. I began to walk back to town slowly, as not to hurt Meryl.

"I know."

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

"You couldn't. Only I could have known."

"Knives said that I was a fool--."

"You shouldn't speak, Meryl. Save your energy." The blood was oozing down my arm now, and I knew that I had to get her medical attention soon. I couldn't lose someone I loved again, not if I could prevent it.

By the time we reached town, I could feel that Meryl was slipping. So, I quickened my pace. Meryl was groaning with pain, but I wouldn't slow down. It was better for her to be in pain than to be dead. When we reached the house, I kicked in the door and set Meryl on the couch.

As I went to get the bandages, I noticed a smear of red on the wall near the kitchen door. I looked down to see Milly clutching her left shoulder in pain.

"Milly!" I cried out, dropping to the floor to help her.

"Save— Meryl—Vash," she stammered. I nodded and retrieved the bandages from the kitchen. I ran back to Meryl and gently pulled the clothing away from the wound. The bullet had gone all the way through, so I pressed my hand as hard as I could against it. After doing this, I took a small piece of the bandages left from Knives and tied it tightly just above her wound.

I forced her to sit up, with the help of the couch, and bandaged her shoulder firmly. I then propped her arm up and tied another bit of the bandaging around her other shoulder to hold it against her lower chest in a sling-like way. I looked back at Milly, who was trying to stand. I fell to my knees to assist her.

"What happened, Milly?" I asked. She swallowed and looked at me sadly.

"I'm sorry, Vash. This is all my fault."

"Where's Knives?"

"He left."

"Where did he go?"

"He didn't tell me. Please forgive me, Vash."

"For what?"

"I've been helping him."

"What?!" I cried out incredulously. Milly nodded.

"It's true," she murmured. "Ever since Nicholas and I—." She fell back against the wall in a fit of sobbing. I stared at her sternly.

"You've been helping Knives."

"Yes. I'm sorry--."

"Nicholas was helping Knives."

"Yes.."

"Why does everyone side against me!" I cried out in frustration as I punched the wall as hard as I could. My fist went through the wood, scratching my arm and sending a small spray of splinters upon Milly's head. She yelped in surprise, and her hand shot immediately to her shoulder. I pulled my arm from the wall and tossed her the roll of bandages remaining from Meryl. Finally, after a few minutes in silence, I ventured another question.

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Milly nodded.

"You know where he is," she replied. I nodded and looked at Meryl.

"Don't let anything happen to her." At Milly's nod, I turned and walked through the still opened door. As I closed it behind me, I pushed my sunglasses over my eyes and stared up at the sky.

"This one's for you, Rem."