CHAPTER THREE: INTO ISOLATION (continued1)

"Vash, I need to talk to you," Meryl demanded as she slammed the front door behind her. She glared at Vanessa, who was stitching up what appeared to be Vash's old, red coat "Alone."

Vash abandoned the canteens he was cleaning and followed her upstairs. She ushered him into the girls' bedroom and had him sit on a cot.

Meryl cleared her throat and crossed her arms accusatively. "So you sold the garden."

Vash looked up fearfully. "Uh huh."

"And you're up and leaving me," she added, her voice beginning to crack.

Vash motioned for her to sit on the opposite cot. "Oh, don't be upset, please?"

She sat and covered her face in her hands as the tears rolled down. "This…this ruins everything…I thought…we…could live here…and you could…grow the…the garden…and…and…" she choked out between sobs.

"Oh, Meryl, this isn't like you," Vash said softly, trying to comfort her. "You've got to remember that right now Knives is…"

"Fuck Knives!" she exclaimed angrily. "That son-of-a-bitch, and now you have to leave me again…"

Vash was taken aback by her sudden cursing. "Uh, I don't think I have a choice," he added softly, motioning towards his bandaged arm. "It's too dangerous to…"

"Oh, Vash," Meryl sobbed, grabbing his free hand in both hands, "I don't want you to…The way I've begun to…to feel about you…I …I…"

Vash frowned. "Don't say that; you don't need me for anything, I just cause you problems! No, I should come back someday, but I have to get Knives away now…"

"Can I go too?"

Vash shook his head. "I have to get him away from people, so…"

Meryl grew angry again and tossed his hand aside. "No humans allowed, huh? Just the three of you…You think he's going to learn anything from this? No!"

"Please," Vash asked softly, "Don't hate us for it, we just have to…For everyone's safety…You understand, don't you?"

Meryl collapsed onto the cot, sobbing and cussing.

Unable to calm her, Vash felt it best to leave her alone for a while.

Downstairs, Millie made no move to go and comfort Meryl, but neither was she cheerful towards Vanessa or Vash. She seemed confused and accepting.

Watching Vash, Vanessa, and Millie load the cart, Meryl felt her blood drain from her once-reddened face. She felt faint, and steadied herself against the post.

Vanessa hurried to her, extending hands towards Meryl in concern. Meryl recoiled from her, hissing, "This is your fault."

Vanessa was taken aback. "Wha…"

"Vanessa, make sure we haven't forgotten all the canteens," Vash called, noticing Meryl's appearance to her.

Still concerned,Vanessa obeyed.

Millie wiped the sweat from her brow. "Mr. Vash, do you really have to leave so soon?"

Vash nodded. "They longer we wait, the riskier this is. He'll wake up in the next few days, and he'll be angry."

Millie nodded, frowning. "Be careful." She hesitated, and then threw her arms around him, squeezing so tight he could barely breathe. "Take good care of Miss Vanessa," she added, ignoring Meryl's growl.

Vash finally pried himself from Millie's emotional hug and retrieved Knives.

Millie and Meryl both visibly shuddered as he passed them, still horrified at the sight of Knives, although he was unconscious and apparently helpless.

Vanessa helped Vash settle his brother into the cart, laying him carefully across the front.

"Well, bye!" Vash said cheerfully, holding his hand up in parting. "We'll come back as soon as we can!"

Meryl felt herself begin to cry, and rushed inside.

"Go ahead," Millie said calmly, stopping Vash from following her. "Meryl's just upset. You all have a long trip ahead of you, right?"

"Yep," Vash replied, hiding his sadness. These two insurance girls had been his only friends for months, and had experienced that trauma alongside him. But still, he had to leave them in this unfortunate manner.

He mounted the cart as Vanessa took the reins. Millie waved goodbye as they disappeared into the desert.

"Where are they headed?" the villagers asked her, receiving no reply.

"You're being awfully cooperative," Vash commented, seated alongside his brother in the cart as Vanessa held the tomas reins, days into their trip. "What are you planning?"

Knives laughed, but flinched from the pain in his side. "Nothing. I'm happy, I think. To be leaving those damned humans. And to be headed towards our little paradise."

Vash looked confused. "Huh?"

"It's hardly a paradise," Vanessa murmured, facing out into the desert. "It's a dank little cave, that's all."

Knives smiled, closing his eyes happily. "Any place I go with her is paradise. And now we will have a more peaceful environment to raise our children," he added enigmatically.

Vash felt his stomach turn, but said nothing as his brother drifted off into sleep once more.

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