Chapter 2

Amon and Robin sat side-by side at the bar counter of Harry's small café, where they drank in silence. Amon was more of that down-to-business sort of person. Robin was never quite sure how to act around him when they weren't working. She wondered if the Holiday spirit would be able to coax him into actually doing a little bit of chit-chat with her. She leaned down from her chair and pet her new black puppy who was resting at her feet.

"What do you think I should call him?" she asked him. Amon heaved a shrug.

"..That wasn't very helpful, Amon." He looked at her.

"Well, what do people normally call their pets?"

"How about Spot? When my son was young he had a dog and called him Spot." said Harry over the counter.

"Spot? .. He doesn't have any spots."

"Max." suggested Amon unenthusiastically, swirling his drink around with a spoon. Robin wrinkled her nose.

"Do people really call their dogs Max?"

"You're too picky." he complained.

"Think of something Christmas-y."

"Christmas." he replied, and smirked at his own sarcasm. Then an idea hit him.

"What about Noel?" his face flushed slightly. "It.. was just an idea." he bowed his head down closer to his drink.

"Noel..?" she repeated, then looked down at the dog who was now on his feet, looking up at her. "I like it." she smiled. "I think he does too."

When the two left Harry's and began walking down the block towards Amon's car, Amon's cell phone began to ring. They stopped walking as he opened it.

"What?" answered Amon. Robin heard Michael's voice on the other end, and stared at Amon's expressionless face as he listened. "Understood. We'll go check it out now. Yeah, Robin's with me." he closed his phone and stuffed it back into his pocket, then trudged through the snow to his car's driver door. "Get in, we have a witch to catch." Robin got into the passenger seat, Noel seated comfortably on her lap as Amon started his car.

"Who is it?" she asked. Amon turned on his terminal.

"Michael is sending information about her now."

"Her..?" Robin stared curiously at the terminal screen as information began popping up. Michael's voice echoed in the background.

"Miya Takanaka, age 27. She used to be a Super Model until she was fired for quote, "Being too Old". It was said Miya lost control and killed every last employee in her former-job."

"Are they certain she's a witch?"

"Not certain, no one had actually witnessed it." replied Michael, the sounds of tapping keys from his keyboard picking up on his microphone. "But there was something interesting about all of her victims."

"Which is?" asked Amon. Pictures of corpses popped up on the terminal.

"There's not a scratch on them. Though, autopsies show that there was internal deterioration of the lungs, kidney, and liver. Like someone just set them on fire." Robin felt her stomach turn.

"How could she possibly..?"

"That settles it." said Amon. "She's a witch alright."

"Doujima and Miss Karisuma are out of town with their families for Christmas, but Sakaki is on his way. Meet him at the front gate of her Apartment building. There's a side-door meant only for apartment owner's to go through, and it's locked with a card key, but I can hack my way in. You won't be seen in that way, I've turned off all the security cameras." Robin was grateful she thought to bring her glasses with her, and clutched Noel's leash tightly in her hand as Amon stopped the car. He looked at her before getting out.

"You aren't bringing him in there with us, are you?"

"Of course I am." she replied. "I don't want him to freeze to death out here." Amon sighed to himself as they piled out of the car.

"Heaven forbid that ever happen." he muttered as they trudged down the sidewalk to meet up with Sakaki and his motorcycle.

"A dog?" asked Sakaki as Noel came running to him happily, his tail wagging.

"His name is Noel." said Robin smiling.

"Huh. Is he your trusty side-kick or something?" he asked. Robin felt it appropriate to roll her eyes and follow Amon down the side-pathway towards the gate. They heard Michael talk into their ear-pieces.

"I just finished hacking into the side gate." The gates shakily slid open, and the three stepped down the gravel road.

"I can't believe we have to do witch hunting on Christmas!" complained Sakaki as they headed towards the building. "My Mom was just about to bring out the Turkey!"

"I'm sure they'll save some for you, Sakaki." reassured Robin. Sakaki snorted. "When you have 5 siblings, it's every person for themselves." "Enough." said Amon, raising his hand to silence them, and resting his other on the door knob. "We're going in. Look as normal as possible, and Robin, keep the dog close. I don't want children following us." When they walked into the apartment, the lush aroma of Turkey filled the room, and sent a warm fuzzy feeling into Robin. She wished she had a family to sit with at a large table with Turkey.. "Her apartment is on the 3rd floor up, Number 33. I've watched all the recent security cameras, it seems like no one but her has been inside." The three stood at an impasse-- to their left was a stairway, and to their right was an elevator. Amon pondered for a moment. "There's always a chance of being caught in an elevator, you never know who's going to pop up when the doors open to new floors. Then again.. It is three staircases.. " Sakaki and Robin exchanged glances as Amon fought the battle in his mind to go the sensible way-- or go the lazy way. A common battle fought in everyone's mind when faced with the two options.

He chose the lazy way.

(Thank you everyone who has written reviews! Im so relieved that some people actually like it , and I deeply appreciate the pointers! :3 I feel so loved! Hope everyone has great Holidays, I'll definately get the third chapter in before Christmas is over. :D)