Trials of Darkness

Chapter 2

The Bard's Apprentice

Three days passed. I couldn't sleep the whole time. At least it rained those first two days, and I could occupy myself by going out.

Shido had saved up quite a large nest egg from the days when he ran a private detective agency specializing in Breed-related cases. He often gave me gifts or spending money, so I took what I felt to be my allowance. (Technically, part of the money was mine anyway, since I used to help out around the office, too.)

I went uptown and bought a new white dress. Surprisingly, it didn't make my pale skin too noticeable. I couldn't wait for Shido to see it, although I knew he'd tease that it was impractical and that I would get blood on it.

The third morning dawned sunny, however, confining me to the church. I spent the morning playing virtual games with Satsuna, who was almost fully healed thanks to the herb-lore and numerous "attentions" of the sisters. He'd just beaten me at a shooting game again when we heard a commotion from down the hall. I stood up and went to the hall door.

I had to jump back as the door was flung open and an unconscious vampire was carried through towards the intensive care rooms. I glimpsed a gaping wound in his abdomen which was bleeding freely.

I went back to the couch and sat. "They'll have to feed him fast. He was losing a lot of blood." It was then I noticed that 'Suna was paler than usual. He was staring at the floor, eyes wide. "Hey, what's wrong? Did you recognize him?"

He turned to me, bewildered. "Didn't you? It was Mikao."

"Mikao?!" I'd met him years and years ago when I was traveling. He lived at the sanctuary at Kyoto. "What's he doing here?"

'Suna had gotten over his initial shock. "I don't know, but that neck wound was serious!"

"Neck wound? I only saw the hole in his belly."

"He's been bitten."

I couldn't breath. Bitten?! . . . What vampire would bite another of his kind in violence? I was stunned. My mind went blank of everything but disbelief and fear. And yet there was a trace of a thought at the back of my mind that was starting to twitch.

Suddenly, the hall door burst open again. It was the Father. He didn't even spare a glance for 'Suna and me, but rushed on toward where they'd taken Mikao. I tried to follow, but he'd locked the door behind him. My mind swirled with questions now . . . and that nagging sensation that there was something I should be realizing.

We sat there in silence for a while. It's funny; when I was human, any extended silence petrified me, but when I was turned, it didn't seem quite so scary anymore –almost as if, now that I had eternity, I could stand to wait for the next sound I would hear.

After a while, two of the sisters came and offered to feed us. Because healing sapped so much of his strength, 'Suna was famished. But I still had that nagging twitch of a thought. I glanced at the door where they'd taken Mikao and decided I wasn't that hungry. I politely refused and left Satsuna to enjoy himself.

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I simply sat in the apartment that afternoon, missing Shido terribly. It seemed that as each moment passed he was farther and farther away from me . . . and something else was coming closer. A shiver went down my spine.

I tried to think of something else.

Mikao. It was disturbing that he'd been bitten. I kept seeing the blank look in his eyes. If he'd been human, I'd have thought him dead, the way those eyes had stared. It was almost as if he wasn't there at all.

Who could've – would've – done that to him?

There was that nagging twitch again.

What was Mikao doing in Tokyo anyway?

Why wouldn't that twitch go away?!

I sighed and shifted on the couch. Although our apartment had no windows, I knew it was almost sunset.

Suddenly, I looked up. I wasn't alone. There was a presence in the room. I turned myself – made ready for anything. I saw nothing but darkness. Something brushed my hair. I thought I heard a low chuckle. I spun as I jumped up. I recognized the presence – it was the same one I had felt coming closer and closer, as Shido went farther from me. . . . But I knew it from somewhere else too . . . Behind me!

"Riho!" I blinked, stunned, as the light poured in from the hall, flooding my senses along with Father Izawa's presence. I let out the breath I'd been holding. Maybe he was what I had felt. I had not slept or eaten since Shido had left; weakness always made me confused and jumpy. I returned myself to a human appearance.

"Father, is Mikao alright? What happened?"

He ignored my questions, frowning more deeply than I'd ever seen him do. "Please, speak with me in my office, Riho." He turned and headed for the stairs.

I hurried after him. "Father? What –"

"Not here, please." What was troubling him? Mikao? – It couldn't be . . . Shido?

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Well, there's chapter 2 for anyone who's paying attention. I'm really bummed that no one besides my one friend reviewed, & she was forced. Sniff, tear I'll just go huddle in the corner & cry now before dying. Maybe I won't finish this – I mean if no one cares, why bother, ne? I suppose I'll finish posting what I've already got first, though, then decide if I'll stick it out or not.