Chapter 9

Lying in my bed, thinking, dreaming. Regretting. The rest of the day seems to have passed by in a haze. I don't even remember how I was taken back to Devil May Cry. When I close my eyes, I don't sleep. I can only see the images, hear the sounds, sense the fear.

It was burnt when we walked in. Clothes were strewn wildly on the floor. The walls were charred and the furniture, counters, everything was destroyed. Dante looked stunned. That was something that I couldn't help but notice at once. Dante never looks shaken. He never looks scared. But this time, he looked as though he was in a nightmare. I remember how people were screaming and pushing past us, frantic in their bid for escape. If I had known what would meet me, I think I would have also turn tail and fled.

But I didn't. Something forced me on. Something told me I had to keep going, that I had to find out for myself what was wrong and who had been attacked and by whom. I remember thinking that I was going to be sick and failing that, I would pass out from stress. Pretty sad, yes I know. But it's the truth. I pride myself for telling the truth.

I remember jumping backwards into Dante as a pile of clothes suddenly moved. Trish slowly stood up looking dazed but otherwise unhurt. Dante forced me to sit down after that, telling me that I looked as if I was going to "be sick after drinking three bottles of vodka, two bottles of champagne and a brandy". Not having touched drink before, I simply took his advice without questioning.

Siren was the next to be uncovered. Dante had quite recovered his composure by this time and even ventured to smile at Siren. I couldn't help but notice that she had been able to retrieve the many shopping bags that all three of them had been carrying. I have to hand it to her; Siren is full of surprises.

I sat there, not trusting myself to speak. I felt just like Dante had said I had looked; my head was throbbing and I didn't feel as though I was in control of my body. I waited, with Siren by my side. Trish was helping Dante search the area. Siren kept on glancing at me worriedly.

'Arson?'

'They should have found her by now.' I grew quiet and then stood up shakily, wanting to help. Siren pulled me down and I felt powerless to resist. I remember wondering what had happened to me, and why it was that I had become so weak. I think Siren noticed it too because she looked shocked.

I switched my gaze onto Dante and Trish. Both looked confused and troubled. I knew what they were going to say before they even sat down beside me. For some stupid reason, I had looked up at them both, silently begging them for good news. They gave away nothing, nothing but the bad. At last, I spoke, and when I did, I found to my shame that my voice was trembling.

'Where's my sister?' Dante shook his head, perplexed. I jumped to my feet, desperate rage carrying me forward. I grabbed him roughly and shook him. 'Where's my sister?! Answer me God damn it!' Dante looked surprised. I don't blame him. When I look back, I feel surprised by my own stupidity. I had known what he was going to say, but I refused to believe it. I was hoping against hope that she was okay, that she was somewhere close by and safe.

Trish hustled me away from Dante. I was sobbing by that time. I don't recall what happened next. My mind blacked out, though I was still conscious. I could still hear the sound of screaming and crying. And that's when it hit me. That voice was my own.

Siren told me afterwards that Dante had been forced to knock me out, because I had become hysterical. No surprises there. I suppose anyone would be if they find out that the person they're closest to all of a sudden goes missing. Dante's told me that she's still alive, and that she's headed for England. It could be that Val managed to escape and is trying to make her own way towards the source. But if that's the case, then wouldn't it have been more logical to try and help Trish and Siren and then wait for tomorrow? So many questions need answering and yet, the person who holds the answers isn't with us.

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Siren snapped shut her suitcase and looked towards Arson. He had opened his eyes and he was watching her, his eyes blank and dull. Siren straightened up and sat down beside him, running her fingers through his hair.

'Come on Arson. We're going to find her when we go to England. Dante's still feeling her signal as well as the other one that's growing.' No reply. Arson rolled onto his other side, away from her and shut his eyes. Siren looked up towards the door as Dante came in. He motioned for her to leave the room. Siren frowned at him but did as was asked. Dante watched her go before he turned his attention back onto Arson.

'Hey kid.' Arson's eyes snapped open and narrowed. 'You packed?' Silence. Dante rolled his eyes and grinned. Typical.

'Leave me alone.' Dante's grin broadened. Unlike his sister, Arson's voice had a note of biting anger to it. No more tears for this guy. He found Arson's single duffle bag under the bed and tipped it out. A few clothes, a toothbrush, toothpaste and two books. He flipped through one and frowned.

'History?' Arson sat up quickly and looked at him angrily.

'Stop going through my stuff.'

'Why? This book has something about me in it.'

'I know. But it's nothing you don't know already.'

'Then you won't mind if I read it.' Arson stared directly at the book and narrowed his eyes. A sudden force jerked it from Dante's hand. Dante watched in amusement as the book floated in mid air for a second before falling to the ground. Arson looked dismayed as he stared at where it lay.

'I used to be able to hold it up in the air for so long. What's happened to me?' Dante picked up the book and studied the cover. It depicted his devil form. Words in a different language made up the title.

'What language is this in anyway? I gathered it was History because it showed a family tree and it has a lot of dates in it.' Arson shook his head to indicate he wasn't in the mood for questions. Dante reached out for the other book, his curiosity getting the better of him once again. Arson snatched it away just in time.

'We leave tomorrow at nine in the morning. That will get us to the airport at midday.' Dante spotted a packet of bird seed.

'What about Inferno?'

'I'm not going on the plane. I'm going to meet you in England and Inferno's going to stay with me.'

'How can you get to England if you don't go by plane?'

'My powers allow to me to travel through time and space when I wish.' Dante raised his eyebrow.

'That's some talent.' Arson said nothing but flopped back down onto his back.

'Can you leave me alone now? I want to rest.' Dante shrugged but made no move. Arson glared at him but said nothing. Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.

'Nice chain you got there.'

Damn!