Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm beside the futon on the floor is the first thing that Atsushi hears through the haze of his sleep muddled mind. He reaches out a hand from the warmth it cocoons him in, to feel the cool air of the bedroom awaiting the skin of his hand. The weather was getting colder outside as it was mid fall approaching winter. Since his walls weren't that thick, the cold air found small holes, among other places to seep into the apartments close to the ADA. He was saving up to buy a small heater that could warm up the place, he was close to his full budget, but not quite there yet.

He taps the little black button on the top of the alarm, as it shuts off, leaving a silent but calm atmosphere to the room. Atsushi peeks out from under the covers to see that it was 8 in the morning. He remembers that he still has some leftover tea on rice in the fridge to eat, as his stomach growls at him as to remind him that it needs food. Slowly he peels the rest of his body out of his futon, knowing he's got a good hour in a half before he has to go to work.

So he goes through his normal morning routine first taking a shower that takes 20 minutes tops, ,changing into another one of his usual outfits, putting his old clothes in the small washing room, and folding up his futon and putting it back into the small closet close to the bottom. With that he closes the closet, he turns to unplug his phone from the wall, but stops short upon the sight before him.

The phone charger was folded up beside the phone, that wasn't plugged into the wall anymore. 'That's weird...I don't remember unplugging my phone last night. I remember I put it on charge before I went to bed, but after I fell asleep, nothing comes to my mind.' He picks the device up and starts to inspect it for any damage, but ends up not finding anything strange. Maybe he did wake up sometime last night and unplugged the phone whenever he was half asleep, and just couldn't remember.

He shrugs his shoulders, but turns to look out his bedroom window whenever he heard a low rumble of thunder. There was dark menacing clouds above, that looked fat with a heavy downpour of rain, ready to unleash at any minute. With a groan he thinks 'Great. Just what I need. I'll have to hunt up that old umbrella I have around here somewhere.' He slips the phone into his pocket, and leaves the bedroom to enter the kitchen.

As he's getting the bowl out of the fridge a knock comes to the door spooking him. It doesn't take him very long to get to the door, and peek through the hole. Outside he sees Akutagawa coughing lightly into his fist, and he opens the door with a smile. "Hey I wasn't expecting you to come today."

Akutagawa nods as he walks into the room, the door being closed behind them. "I sent you a text last night, but by your reaction I'm guessing that you haven't checked your messages yet."

Atsushi nods "Yeah. I got up at 8 o'clock. When did you send it?"

"Around 11 last night. I got off work around that time, and was heading home. I put in the message that it was my day off, and that I was coming over in the morning." Aku says walking to the couch and sitting down. He picks up the remote, turning on the TV.

Atsushi smiles lightly heading back to the kitchen "Have you eaten yet? I have some chazuke leftover from last night. I was just about to warm it up when I heard you knock on the door."

Aku looks over his way "No. I'll have a small bowl of it if you would. Do you have any tea?"

Atsushi gets to the kitchen taking the top off the bowl, and reaching out to get two smaller bowls out of the cabinets. "Not yet, but I was about to make some. I have to head into work soon, I have work at 9:30." He says busying himself with the meal, and getting the kettle water boiling.

"When was your last day off?" Akutagawa asks once more, flipping through the channels on the small box TV.

The tiger perks up trying to remember the last time he had a day off. "Today is Tuesday, and most of the time I have one day off a week, but sometimes I'll have a couple days off at times, usually when I'm not feeling well, or I'm too exhausted or injured to get into work. But the last time I had a day off was last Monday. Everyone at the agency every week depending on the schedule, has different days off every week."

"Why don't you call in today for a day off?" The rashoumon user asks.

Atsushi looks at the other, having put the kettle on the stovetop to boil, and now separating the meal out into two bowls on the counter. "I can't do that, me and Dazai are still working on this case."

"Well if it makes you feel any better, Dazai texted Chuuya earlier saying that he was ditching work and coming over for a surprise visit to the others apartment to possibly burn all his tacky hats." Akutagawa says as he finally settles the TV on the news channels, not really having much of an option with the cable system. He plucks the remote lightly back on the low table. "If he's ditching work, you at least deserve to get the day off."

"What if some new reports come in? Should we go and get Dazai-san from Chuuya?" Atsushi asks, knowing that Dazai would have pulled something like this eventually. A day off sounded nice, especially since Aku got one of his own rare days off. There schedules very rarely matched up so the two of them didn't get very much time to hang out for very long outside of work. He wanted to keep track of any new murders, or cracks in the case the suspects may have made recently. "Has there been any more cases of murders?"

Akutagawa coughs into his hand as he answers "No. There has no cases not since that couple yesterday. The suspects usually strike in the night, but for some reason last night they didn't kill anyone."

Atsushi feels a bit at ease, but he can't help but worry that eventually they'll strike again soon. "Do you think they moved on? Or found out that we caught on to them?" The tiger asks while heating up the bowls of chazuke separately.

"They may have, and will try to lay low for awhile. We only know of Beatrix, but if she has another accomplish like what Dazai suspects, then that just makes everything worse for us. He reported that her accomplish wasn't in the system." Akutagawa says lowly, as he turns his eyesight towards the tiger. "How come the agency hasn't that detective look into the case? I hear he's a genius at that sort of stuff."

Atsushi rubs the back of his head sheepishly "Well he's currently in another city with the president, doing some business there. I don't know what sort of business, and it's apparently to urgent for Ranpo to come back for a case like this, so were stuck with Dazai-san. The president said he didn't know when they would be back. Kunikida is currently in charge of the office, the standing co-president as it was put."

The rashoumon user just makes a hm sound, and going back to watching the latest news. A different news anchor is going on about the 'Heartstring Murders', rambling about the same stuff as the woman the night before, so there was no new updates. Finally some time goes by as the food, and drink is ready, Atsushi gets a tray he has reserved for occasions like this as he sets both bowls and cups down on the tray surface. He walks to the table setting the tray down, picking up one of the cups and handing it to his partner.

He picks up his own cup taking a sip as he glances to the clock on the table beside the couch. He sees that it's 8:57am, he's got just a little over half an hour til work. Taking another small sip he sets the cup down and proceeds to pick up his bowl of chazuke. Scooping some into his spoon he takes an appetizing bite, the flood of flavors invading his taste buds. Atsushi looks over to the news channel, the woman finishing talking about the murders from yesterday, going on about the police station not giving out much details nor giving a statement to the public, that so wanted some answers this far into the case.

"…..the detective over the case has yet to give a confirmable statement to the mass today concerning the murder that occured in there own police station yesterday." The middle aged woman says with a professional air, yet her face not showing much emotion either. "When will this senseless murder spree come to an end? The public is eager for any kind of answers or suspect in the case. They want to feel safe once more on their own streets." She picks up some stacks of paper as she turns to look at a younger man beside herself, folding her fingers together on the table surface below. "Now Mr. Uchiho, there have been rumors starting up that this is the work of an ability user. We all know Yokohama is crawling all over the city with ability users, but some of the public have made concerning notes, saying that if the city won't do there jobs, they will step up and finish the job for them. What are some of your takes on this subject. Should we start doubting the ability users walking amongst us or not?"

The man pushes his glasses up further on the bridge of his nose, a serious gaze contemplating over his facial features. "My view on this subject is, it's a high possibility that this murder spree is the work of such an ability user. The autopsy reports just prove part of the many theories, the heart burst inside the chest cavity, with no wounds littering the bodies of each victim. Now how would the average person or killer in this case be able to do such an incredible, yet impossible murder? Without having a wound on the body to prove it?" He pauses for a minute before continuing "Though I myself is not going to start accusing every ability user on the street of these horrendous, cold murders. We have to look at every angle of the case, and interview as many people as possible. The police are doing the best they can on the help and resources that they have reached out to get, or have found in the case so far. They did say they have a possible murder suspect, though have stated when asked by the press, that they will not be releasing any names, information, or photo's of said suspect. They are looking into alibi's and checking out statements from many people that think may have been linked with any of the victims, or a possible murder suspect to said people." He goes to say more when the woman interrupts him, looking like she was mad.

"If they have a possible suspect, don't you think the public deserves to know said individuals name and photo? In case they come across them, they won't have a clue that they are talking to a possible murderer. I get the case is still going on, but the public deserves some answers to their questions." The woman says huffily. In a way, Atsushi got the woman's point of view.

She did talk about some interesting things, as he continues to watch the two bicker amongst themselves while the camera's were still rolling. Atsushi could understand why the detective wasn't willing to release the information that he presented to him and Dazai yesterday. People would go insane, if they heard that kind of news, and demand the person responsible, there head or heads on a silver platter. It was safer at this point in the investigation to just keep as much information as possible to themselves, until they have more about the ongoing case. Though at the same time, if people couldn't see the face of the killer stalking the streets, how are they supposed to know who to look out for, who to trust, or who strike up a conversation with.

That Beatrix girl could have been anywhere in this city, doing who knows what, and no one especially him would be none the wiser. Hiis mind then goes back to the report of Beatrix, the look on the girls face in the photo provided by the orphanage, it was an old photo, that was years old, but it could also provide a clue as well. He perks up as he looks over to Akutagawa. "Hey the report for Beatrix's orphanage photo, do you think we could trace that photo back to the orphanage she came from, and get some information from them?" The tiger asks the other.

Akutagawa's eyes go wide as he puts his bowl on the table, hand on his chin. "That could be a possible lead as to where she could be." He looks down to Atsushi "We could try. First we have to bring it up with Dazai-san. Though you could ask to do your work from home, make it a day off sort of thing, and we could look into these leads."

Atsushi nods pulling out his phone to text.

[Atsushi:Hey Kunikida is there anything you need me to do in the office today besides paperwork?]

A minute later he gets a text back from the glasses wearing man.

[Kunikida:No there isn't. Why?]

[Atsushi:Well I think I came up with a new lead for the case that me and Dazai are working on. I was going to consult with him, and see what could be done. Could you give me this day off for that? I promise I'll do all my paperwork when I come back tomorrow, plus the extra that is going to come with it.]

[Kunikida:Sure kid. Have the day off, you've earned it. You've had to put up with Dazai for this case so that is punishment enough, though I do expect you to be here at 8:00 in the morning tomorrow sharp, and finish the paperwork laying on your desk. Do I make myself clear?]

[Atsushi:Yes sir. I'll be sure to be there tomorrow morning. Thanks you for granting me the day off today.]

Atsushi puts his phone down with a smile, and looks over to the other. "Ok I got the day off. Although the price is to come in extra early tomorrow morning, and finish my paperwork." He looks down to hs phone "Should I contact Dazai-san, and ask him?"

Akutagawa shakes his head "Yes. That would be a wise decision." He sits back patting the seat beside him "The report we would be getting back would be in 1 of the four languages they speak over in Austria. Which would be German, Hungarian, Slovanian, and Austrian German." He cocks his head to the side "Unless you happen to know any of those languages Sushi?"

Atsushi shakes his head, a nervous look on his face. "Um no. I only know Japanese, and a little bit of english, but that's all my knowledge of the world's languages go." He perks up "Does that mean you know one of those languages?Or Dazai? Chuuya?"

Aku makes a low rumble in his throat "I know a little bit of french, only because of a rendezvous mission overseas at one time with Chuuya. It was enough to get me by for what I needed to complete. Now Chuuya is fluent in French I do know, he's taken a lot of missions overseas in France and Italy. Dazai may know, but it's hard getting a solid answer out of him."

Atsushi sighs as he picks his phone back up. "Yeah he is. I don't know if he's going to answer his phone or not. I'm going to try though." The tiger clicks the messaging text box and types out.

[Atsushi:Dazai? I need to ask you something.]

He sends the message, as he waits for a message to come back through, wondering if Dazai is still at Chuuya's apartment or was kicked out by the redhead. Not a minute later a message pops up on his screen.

[Dazai:Yes What is it, my little tiger protege!]

[Atsushi:How we saw the report of Beatrix yesterday, is there a possibility we could check into the orphanage where she came from? Maybe they could provide us some answers to some of the questions we have concerning her. Like her behavior patterns, what she did in her free time, etc]

[Dazai:That is a good lead. I'll call Ango and see what he can do. I'll send over the report whenever I receive it, and share my findings with you.]

[Atsushi:Ok. I'm at home. Kunikida granted me a day off. Akutagawa is here with me as well, he has the day off too.]

[Dazai:Boo. He never gives me a day off whenever I ask for one off. :(]

[Atsushi:Maybe because you don't show up half the time ditching work. The times you do come into work, you either dump your work off on someone else or fall asleep.]

[Dazai:You hang out to much with Akutagawa and Chuuya, you never used to sass me!]

[Atsushi:Well get used to it.]

He sits back after typing everything out, to wait for the results to come around. For a few more hours he and the other just sit to talk, watch TV, and fill the time of waiting, until there is a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Atsushi yells out.

Without a beat Dazai and Chuuya come waltzing through the doorway, closing the door behind themselves. Both Atsushi and Akutagawa perk up when they see an envelope in the bandaged wasters hands.

"Did you find out some good information?" The tiger asks, leaning forward in anticipation.

Dazai nods pulling out a pillow from nearby and plops himself down on the floor. "Yes and no. Though there is some very interesting information that can be found in these pages. It didn't take very long to get the information either." He takes out a sheet of paper and begins to read. "The orphanage that one Beatrix Von Lothringen was living in until the age of 4 years old, was located in Sheyr, Austria. It housed a total of 350 kids, and was relatively small, with an even smaller staff. They worked with what budget they had, feeding what mouths they could, with multiple coverups in forms of abuse, neglect, and even death found in their records when an investigation went on two years after Beatrix was adopted by the Perterson couple. Just when the orphanage was to be closed down, and the kids taken elsewhere, with all staff members arrested, the next morning the place was found to have been burnt to the ground. They found just outside the orphanage, the headmaster, and one small girl had crawled their way out of the wreckage. They were severely burned, with 3rd degree burns covering every inch of their bodies. Due to the girls age, she later passed away 3 days later, in the ICU. The headmaster fell into a coma, and it took him 4 years to completely recover, but not without horrid scaring all over his body, after the multiple surgeries and skin grafts he had to go through. When an investigation went on in the wreckage, the detectives found out that someone had sealed all the doors, and windows shut, shutting off what oxygen supply the people would get, and trapping them in the inferno. A body of a small boy was found nearly into ash, his remains were tested to be that of a fire ability user. In the food that was still stored underground, they found traces of poisons and sedatives in the food. The boy that was found to have been a fire wielder was just 3 years old, and had awakened his ability the night before. Though the thought of an accident flew out the window upon the investigation, as they found out that someone had soaked the walls, curtains, clothes, bedsheets, and flooring with gasoline." He finishes reading off, he looks up to the others shocked faces.

"So it was staged, but who could have done that? Could the staff could have done that?" Atsushi asks cautiously.

"I don't think it was the staff that did that, if you look at it this way. What would you do if you were caught in a scandal? Would you take your life or run away?" Dazai asks the tiger back, a hand on his chin.

"I would pack up and run away. Leave everything behind and try to start a new life with a new identity. Go underground and avoid the law like they were the black plague." Atsushi says, looking over to Dazai waiting for the others answer.

"Exactly. Why burn yourself down with other people? What would be the point if the law has all your records, proof against you, and statements from the many that were stationed in that place?" Dazai questions, crossing his arms. He picks up another small slip of paper. "It says here, the headmaster, they won't disclose his name, but were lucky. He lives near the port of Yokohama. We could go over to where he lives and question him about that night. Ever since that night 11 years ago, he's been in hiding, always afraid that 'thing' as he describes it will come back and finish him off. He gave a statement down below several years ago, a day before he was released from the hospital." He puts the other paper down, and picks up the small slip beginning to read.

"That night before I was to be arrested for my crimes in the orphanage, things in the building that night felt weird and wrong. The kids were fed from our underground storeroom, and we were about to send them all off to bed. In 20 minutes we had all the kids in there beds, except for one kid, he was 3 years old, and he was running a fever that night. He didn't have an ability like a few of the other kids in our establishment did, so we had one of the workers up tending to his fever, staying vigilantly by his bedside. I was walking around making sure everything was in order, when the next thing I knew my vision went black, and I woke up to smoke in the air. I was lying on the floor in the middle of the hallway, flames licking the walls, and the curtains on the right side of me burning to ash. The lights weren't on, and the water sprinklers weren't running either, I got up shakily from the smoke inhalation, to try to find a fire extinguisher. Though I found out that all of them have been snatched from their spots. I also found out that all the doors to the kids rooms were jammed shut, they were all screaming for help on the other side of the door, there tiny fists pounding against the wood, but unable to open the doors. All except for one door where I heard the most awful scream in my life, coming from the boys room, where the door was open. When I ran to his room, he was rolling on the floor surrounded and covered in flames. A little girl was on the floor after breaking out from her room, burns covering her hands from pushing the door open by force. I picked her up, and ran to the nearest window, and breaking it open without a second thought. Like a can of bug spray left out in the sun all day, the air entering the building caused the place to explode. We both were covered in flames, our skin melting off our bodies, and chunks of our flesh gone to the explosion. It hurt so bad, I managed to get the flames put out on the two of us. The girl lay unmoving on the ground, but still breathing. I got on my side, tears coming out of my eyes, and beside the doors leading outside of the orphanage a figure stood in a dark hoodie. All I could see in the darkness was crimson red eyes glowing bright, looking straight at me. And a mouth smiling a cruel tone, under the darkness, at me. Whoever it was knew me, and took joy in my suffering, the girls suffering, and the burning alive of all the others in the place. Those eyes haunt me even after these past 4 years, and will forever haunt me. I can't sleep anymore, all I see when I close my eyes at night is those eyes, that smile, and the replaying of that night in my head. A lot of times I've contemplated taking my own life just to escape them, but I know even in death this hell will never end."

Dazai finishes, setting down the paper. "That was his statement to the police."

Atsushi shakes his head "Why didn't they arrest him though?"

"The fire messed up with his mind, so they saw him unfit to stand trial. Instead he was put in a looney bin for 5 years after he was released from the hospital. They released him 2 years ago, and he's been in hiding ever since. Though there are things he didn't tell the police in his statement, things he left out in fear of getting a harsher punishment, and in case the person came back to finish the job. He moved as far away from Austria as he could, and has refused to speak to anyone ever since. The fire messed him up really bad, severe PTSD, and he fears fire even to this day." Dazai looks up to the others, a serious look on his face. "That's why we need to speak to him, and find out what he didn't include in his original statement."

"Does that mean the Austrian Police have all the records from the orphanage?" Akutagawa asks this time.

"Yes they do. A lot of records they won't release even if privately asked. Ango being as high up as he is, and since this case has to do with an ability user, they let him have these records, and statements. They didn't like it, but with a kid that used to be in that orphanage involved with an active case, they really didn't have a choice in the matter." The bandaged man says, putting down the papers. "I have a hankering as to who burned down that orphanage, that night."

"You think it was Beatrix?" Chuuya asks the other from beside him.

Dazai nods his head "Yes. Though the police didn't give how her life was in that orphanage was like before she was adopted. That's another reason we'll have to get the full truth out of this man. Once I figure out how she was treated in that place, with it's records, only then I'll be able to put together a motion of why she did what she did." He stands up his hands in his pockets, collecting all the papers, and putting them back in the envelope. "We should get going before either she gets to him, or he flees this city once more."

The others nod, standing up, ready to go meet with the man that survived that horrible night, and figure out more about Beatrix.