I couldn't get the encounter with Renji out of my mind, it was just far too wild to truly comprehend. It was strange, it confirmed there's a rendition of life after death where we're not supposed to just become ghosts blindly walking the Earth, drowning in our first life's sorrows. But it also was jam-packed with so much information that my brain was slowly overloading.

My shift ended a bit early at the tea shop today due to the lack of customers; the sun was still up and I was grateful to not have to walk home in the dark again. I waved to my boss and started the journey home; being so lost in thought, I didn't even realize I'd gotten home yet until my feet connected with the plush carpet. I laughed to myself when I realized and shook my head. Himari would be so excited to see me!

I approached the front door and paused. The door handle was covered in ragged scratches, like some kind of animal tried to get in…or another person. I sucked my breath in and tried the handle without unlocking it – the door opened without resistance.

Someone is in our apartment. I braced myself for the worst before remembering that Himari would be home already from school. My blood ran cold when I realized she could be in danger.

I snuck into the apartment with silence and gracefulness. The only weapon-like thing I could find in the doorway was an old umbrella. Fantastic. I made my way through until I came to the crest of the first room – my bedroom. I peered around the door frame and noticed the figure of a man standing beside my dresser, with a pair of my best underwear in his hand.

"Hey, pervert! Get the hell out of my home!" I yelled as I faced my opponent. His face was masked, but his mouth was exposed so I could see the smile spread across his face.

"Are you the owner of these panties? Because if so, my agenda is going to have to change a bit." he said wryly.

"And what is your agenda exactly?" with a smirk, he said,

"I came here for your riches, but seeing you standing there, I think I'm hungry for a whole lot more." he growled. WHERE WAS HIMARI!

Before I could think of a retort, he was approaching me quickly and I didn't have a lot of time. I jabbed his left shin with the handle of the umbrella and as he groaned in pain, I ran to Himari's room. He was close behind me, but I found her room empty. He grabbed me around the shoulders and I struggled to break free.

"What have you done with my sister?" I cried through clenched teeth.

"There was no one else here, but knowing there's two of you now, I should just tie you up and wait for her to come home to double the fun."

"She's just a child!" I cried.

"That's never stopped me before." he said.

A rage so hot exploded in my gut that I could barely contain it. I bit into his forearm so hard that blood spurted out and dripped down my chin. He let me go out of surprise and I was on the run again – I needed to get out and get help before Himari returned here!

I made it to the end of the hallway when he finally caught up; I was almost relieved to feel the bottom of his boot connect with my lower spine. I would have rather been given this chance, flying down the staircase, than dragged back into my bedroom. I hit the cement floor of the entry hall with a thud and could tell that I'd definitely twisted or broken something. Where that something was, I couldn't tell, I didn't have time to think about the pain.

I stumbled into the road; the streets were barren as the sun was beginning to set into an orange twilight. Holding my side and limping on my left side I pushed as hard as I could go, making my way to anywhere to find anyone who could help.

"Help!" I started screaming. I could taste the metallic air of my attacker's blood in my mouth from when I bit him and it was starting to make me feel sick. "Someone, please!" I hollered. I heard a car fast approaching. "Oh thank the Heavens, stop, please!" As the car got closer, I could see my assailant behind the wheel.

No.

It was almost surreal, flying through the air. I don't know when he hit me. I don't know when I hit the pavement. I didn't know if I was alive or dead. I just was.

Until I wasn't.