The Girl in the Corner

A/N: I would like to warn you guys that the first couple paragraphs will involve the beating of an innocent teenager by her own mother. If reading something like that makes your stomach queasy than I advise that you skip ahead to when the time set is Monday.

Personally I don't think I wrote it well enough to be really anything terrifying, but hey better safe than sorry, right?

Now that Medusa is around, the more that Kid tries to dig in deeper into Chrona's family life the more he's putting himself (and everyone else) at risk.

Once again, I am grateful to all the reviews, favorites, and story alerts that I am receiving.

In addition, the Lemon that is connected to "Behind Closed Doors" is in-progress, but due to school starting it may take me a while. But even so, keep your eyes open for it!

Disclaimer: This is merely a fanfic meant for entertainment and none of the characters present belong to me unless I say otherwise.

Note: The chapter will switch between points of views. You will know when the point of view changes whenever the character's name appears BOLD and there is a line

Ragnarok

Damn it, when the hell did she get here?

I was so sure that she wasn't going to be home at this time!

"You really didn't think that I wasn't going to try and be home on time, now did you?" Medusa said, her sick smile growing wider as she stood up from her seat on the couch.

Out of those stupid big-brother instincts, I took a protective stance and stood in front of Chrona who was clearly trembling. I knew it wouldn't do much though, which is why I blamed it on my instincts. Why do I even try?

She only chuckled at my actions and stood still, staring us down with her snake-like, golden eyes. "My, my, Ragnarok, are you trying to scare me?" Against other people I would have threatened to snap them in two, but against Medusa I had nothing.

"Chrona,"

I heard the pathetic girl let out a squeak, before she quickly stumbled over towards Medusa. After a decade of torture, Chrona knew her place and therefore also knew when Medusa wanted her to move or respond. And yet, nothing good came to her for being so damn obedient.

Medusa reached over and took a strand of Chrona's long, right side bang, twirling it between her fingers. I stood back and watched for what I knew was coming. I'm a mere bystander- a freaking onlooker who can't do anything in this situation.

"Remind me, dear, what exactly did I tell you not to do when we moved to Death City?" Medusa started the questions. Questions that if Chrona didn't answer 'right' will land her in some serious shit….

"Y-y-you said that," Chrona seemed to have choked on her words there for a moment. You idiot! Don't do that! It shows that you're scared, and that's what Medusa wants damn it!

"Y-you said that- that I'm not allowed to leave the house past three…" Chrona answered. Medusa's expression didn't change and she continued to play with Chrona's hair.

"Correct," Medusa said, "And what did you do tonight?"

"I-I-I left…"

"And where did you go exactly?"

Crap, if Chrona answers this question honestly, there's no way of knowing what would happen to Three Stripes and his two blonde bimbos (I really didn't care but Chrona sure as hell did). The last thing we needed was more problems. I have to say something- anything-

"Don't be pushing' it- I just took her with me to a friend's place," I intervened, keeping a calm tone. That was such a horrible lie. I have no friends. "Did I say you could speak Ragnarok?" Medusa's gaze was now focused on me, and I couldn't help but flinch. Great, now if I try to say another word I'll get my ass handed to me.

"Your excuse was pathetic anyways," she let out this annoying, rather smug laugh that just made me want to hurt her so badly. But I couldn't.

Sorry Chrona, you freaking idiot, but looks like you're on your own…Again.

I didn't say anything after that. All I could do for now was just scowl and leave for the next room. "I'm out of here," I mumbled, leaving Chrona behind in the clutches of our mother.

I picked a room at random, and wound up inside the kitchen. I could still hear them speaking. I had nothing to do but to lean against a wall and just listen. I have grown used to the crying and screaming anyway…But Chrona just couldn't 'deal' with the pain, even after so many years.

Damn it Chrona, why are you such a weakling?

Chrona

I wanted so badly to plead Ragnarok to stay in the room, but at the same time I understood why he wanted to leave. He probably doesn't want Mother to punish him too, which is good. It was my entire fault. I disobeyed Mother.

Bad girl, you didn't follow Mother's rules…

"Let me ask you again," She stopped playing with my hair and instead slid her finger down my cheek, causing me to shiver. "Where did you go?"

I had to answer. I had to tell her that I was with Shinigami-kun. But- but I don't know whether I should. If I told her my 'punishment' won't be too bad, but then what would happen to Shinigami-kun and Liz and Patty? I- I don't want to think about it…This is not good; I can't deal with decision making!

Who is more important- you or them?

"I-I-I-" I couldn't get the words out.

"Answer me, child."

Once again me being afraid made my mouth go dry and I couldn't speak. I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what may happen if I tell her it was Shinigami-kun. Mother always punishes those who did wrong in her eyes. "…" My hold on my own arm tightened as bit down on my lower lip harder, keeping my mouth shut. But I made the wrong decision of looking at the floor instead of looking at Mother.

In an instant blur, I felt her hand come in contact with my left cheek. She smacked me hard, hard enough to push me to the floor. I landed like a rag doll. The feeling of something burning on my cheek was all too familiar for me, but that didn't make it hurt any less. But I deserved it.

"What did I say about keeping eye contact?" Mother questioned me again, her voice harsh. I couldn't deal with the burning on my cheek, but I knew better than to cry. Mother hated it when I cried. She would just punish me more.

"I-I'm sorry," I apologized in an instant, keeping my place on the floor. It was my fault for being careless.

It's always your fault. You can't stop making mistakes.

I slowly put my hand to my cheek, the cool skin feeling rather strange against the burning one. "Now, Chrona, tell me who you were with exactly." Mother spoke again before I felt some sort of pressure on my head before my face was forced right back onto the floor. I have experienced this many times- Mother stomping me down with her foot when I didn't please her.

That is how miniscule you are. You're life is just as important as the dirt under Mother's feet.

"I-I-I'm sorry-" That's all I could say, all I wanted to say. If I were to say something else my punishment would be worse.

"I didn't ask for a damn apology," She lifted her foot off for a second, before slamming it back down on my head, this time much harder so my face was practically pressed up against the itchy carpet. It hurts. I can't deal with this. I can't. I can't.

But you have to.

"Is it one of your little friends at school?" The questions, Mother always asked questions. She had this little game we played- if I give her an honest answer she'll let me have peace for a moment. But if I lie or say pass, I'll be punished.

But even knowing this…I can't deal with the thought of what she may do to Shinigami-kun and his sisters.

"P-pass-"

I could feel her take her foot off my head. I didn't want to deal with the itchy carpet anymore so I attempted to lift myself up, just a bit. Just a bit.

Suddenly I could feel her hand take hold of my hair from behind. Her grip was so tight it felt like she was going to rip out many strands at once. Before I knew it she pulled at my hair, forcing me to move. I wound up kneeling right next to Mother, her grip on my hair still there.

"Did one of them invite you to come over?"

"I…I Pass-"

I was quickly thrown onto the floor once again, but this time Mother kicked my side. I was already 'punished' there before, so the pain was much greater. One time, I complained about the pain. Mother said it was because I was weak.

Weakling~ Weakling~ Weakling~

"'I pass'-Is that the only word you know?" She asked another question, picking me up from the floor once again, but this time by my throat. Mother's hold was too strong, but I could still answer. And I answered honestly.

"N-no-" I choked out. Her hold suddenly tightened, choking me harder, and I started to cough out my breath. She brought me closer to her face so that I was forced to stare at the anger in her eyes. Her snake like eyes that sent shivers all around my body.

"You must think you're real special, don't you sweetie? Your friends must think so highly of you," Clearly she didn't mean what she said; sarcasm was one of her favorite ploys. She loosened her grip on my throat, allowing me to fall to my knees and take in as much air as I can. Her nails had dug into the skin of my neck; I could feel the small cuts.

"They must not know how much of a bad girl you really are." Mother continued to talk. She continued to stare me down with those cold eyes. Those cold, golden eyes that I hated to see furious since I was a kid.

Shinigami-kun's eyes are the same kind of gold…But they're much prettier.

"You disobey your own mother and you can't do one single thing right. You're a mistake that isn't loved by anyone. You know that, don't you? You understand that don't you?"

I do know that. I do understand that. I'm a bad person. I'm a horrible person. I know that. So please. Will you please stop looking at me like that?

"I bet those friends of yours have yet to discover how much of a curse you really are," Mother reached down and took hold of my right wrist, yanking my arm up. She used her other hand to pull my sleeves down, exposing my 'punishments'.

"If any one of your playmates see your punishments, do you know what they might think? They'll think that you're a disgusting person who enjoys being punished. They'll throw you away once they realize how dirty you really are. They'll tell everyone."

No- no that's not true! Shinigami-kun knows about my punishments. It scared me at first, but now…But now I know that I can trust him with then. He doesn't think I'm disgusting. He's still my friend.

But you're a dirty little girl and he's a refined young man. What would he want with you?

"Poor child, the look on your face tells me that you're in denial." Mother released my arm and I immediately pulled the sleeve back up.

"Looks like you once again need to be reminded just how meaningless you are. Ragnarok," with a snap of her fingers, I look toward the kitchen and could see him standing there grimly. The feeling of throwing up was returning and if things didn't get better I might actually do it.

"Will you please take Chrona to the room in the basement?"

My eyes widened and my body froze. I couldn't breathe for that one second. It was because of the mention of that place.

"No," I started to beg. I didn't care how pathetic or weak I sounded, I just needed to beg. "No, please, no- not there!"

"Sorry, but you were being a disobedient daughter," Mother's snake-like eyes were filled with maniacal glee as Ragnarok slowly made his way over to me. I heard his footsteps stop right next to me, but I continued to beg.

"But I can't deal with the Room! I-I can't-" Once again I was yanked by my hair and forcefully dragged across the room to the kitchen by Ragnarok. The whole time I didn't stop begging him to let me go as I tried to wiggle my hair out of his grasp. I would take any punishment over the Room.

"No-no-please I- I can't deal with it. Ragnarok please let me go!" He didn't say anything to me as he continued to drag me from behind. My time was running out when he opened the basement door.

"I-I'm sorry!" My best bet was to apologize. But deep in my mind I knew it wouldn't work.

Bad girls will always be punished. You cannot run away.

"I'm sorry-I'm sorry!"

I said those words like a chant until he started to pull me down the stairs. Each step he took down meant pain for me as my body 'thumped' against each wooden step. It didn't take long for me to fall hard on the cold floor of the basement.

"Please let me go Ragnarok!" I begged again, tears flowing like crazy. I clenched my eyes shut, refusing to look at Mother's make-shift 'lab' in the basement. She never lets us in here unless it was for one thing: to punish me.

I hated it here. I couldn't deal with the smell or with all those things Mother had in those jars. And there were even things on her 'work table' that I didn't want to think about.

But really, I would take this place over the Room.

After a minute of dragging, Ragnarok finally stopped moving and spoke. "Stop complaining already," I heard a latch being removed and a lock click. When I heard him turn the knob and the creaky sound of a door opening, I knew what was coming for me.

Have fun.

Ragnarok

I hated this.

Why the hell couldn't Medusa put Chrona in the room herself? Why was it me who had to punish her? She was none of my business, even if she was my sister!

"N-no- I-please-please no-"

There she was, beginning me once again to let her go as she cried like a faucet. Damn it Chrona don't make this harder than it already is! I know you hate this shitty room already; you don't have to keep on telling me.

I threw Chrona's tiny body into the dark room, than I immediately shut the door. As I put the latch and lock back to its original position, I could hear Chrona stumble over to the door and start knocking her fist against it.

"Ragnarok please let me out! I can't deal with this room! I-it's dark in here!" There she was, beginning again. I couldn't say anything to her now. All she needed to do was shut up and at least try. Though I know that would be hard for someone like her.

"Suck it up," was all I could say, before I made my way back to the upper floor, leaving Chrona in her misery. I knew this was my fault in a way, I shouldn't have said 'yes' when she asked if she could go to Three Stripe's house.

I don't even know why the hell I said yes in the first place!

"Is she in there?"

I was standing at the foot of the stairs when I heard Medusa ask. I looked up and saw here standing at the door way. I just frowned and gave her an annoyed 'yes'.

"Good," The bitch turned around, I assume she was going to her bedroom as if nothing happened as always. "Maybe she'll learn that disobeying me wasn't the best idea."

I just stood there and watched my dear 'mother' leave silently. I had the feeling that she wasn't going to let Chrona off easy this time. Normally a night in the room was enough considerably, but the smirk on Medusa's face told me that she was planning on keeping here in there for a few more days.

It was an effective punishment used on Chrona for years. It was a dark room. That was it- a room with no windows or lights, and the door was the only freaking exit and entrance. After years of being locked in one, you would assume that even a weakling like her would grow used to it. But of course Medusa had to add in her own sick twist. Chrona hates it in there not just because it was a room with no lights or windows.

It was also the room where Medusa liked to keep her freaking snakes.

Monday

Kid

"Chrona's sick?"

Our little gang, minus a little important someone of mine, was gathered up in the school's courtyard since Maka needed to talk with us about something. I get the feeling that since it involved Chrona that I was going to be the victim of Maka and her hardbound book wrath (Not a good thing for anyone).

But the news really surprised me. Chrona's sick?

"How could she be sick?" Liz asked for me, "She seemed fine when she came over to our place"

"Hold on," Black*Star interrupted her to ask his own question, "you got Chrona to come out from under her rock? And I thought the weirdo hated seeing others."

"Don't say it like that!" Maka and I yelled at the blue-haired idiot, ready to punch what was left of his brains out. 'Out from under her rock'? A 'weirdo' who hates seeing others? Black*Star what the hell are you thinking? (If he even thinks at all).

"Man, I was just saying." Black*Star merely looked at us with an annoyed expression, believing that the two of us couldn't do much. Well Maka may not be able to hurt him, but sure as hell I could.

"But anyway Maka, how did you find out that Chrona's sick?" Tsubaki pulled Black*Star closer to her so that she could prevent any struggle. They weren't blood related (much like me and Liz and Patty), but the two of them share a strange, older sister/little brother bond that just seemed to have developed since they met. It's a good thing that Black*Star was able to find someone who can tolerate him. If he didn't have Tsubaki looking out for him who knows what would happen.

"Well…In truth I kind of just assumed it," Maka admitted, clearly embarrassed by the way she was looking down with a bit of shame in her eyes as she wringed her hands together. "You see I tried calling her but she wouldn't pick up the phone which is weird."

"You can't make such assumptions off of a weak moment such as that." I quickly stated, not fond of the idea that Maka just thought that because Chrona's not answering her calls meant the pinkette was sick. Come on Maka, you're better than that.

"Chrona's pretty skinny, in truth I wouldn't be surprised if she caught some cold over the weekend," Soul said, not surprisingly in a calm tone, "it's not like this is the first time she's absent."

"I'm telling you she was fine when she came over," Liz once again told them for me, "isn't that right Patty?"

"Yeah, Chrona looked okay to me~" Patty nodded her head. Maka suddenly glared at me, and I merely looked back at her with a raised brow. "You're looking at me like I actually did something," I pointed out.

"You didn't do anything to her, did you Kid?"

"Did you even listen to what Liz said? She was fine when she was with us. Have you ever stopped to think that I can't be responsible for every bad thing that happens to her?"

"Why can't you-"

"She probably caught a simple cold or something!" Tsubaki stepped in so she could try to prevent an argument, "It's nothing to fight over. I bet you that in a day or two she'll be back in class!"

I really wish I could find reassurance in her words just like the others, but I was not one to fall for fantasy. I guess it's just the way circumstances work. Because I'm the only one aware of Chrona's abuse, I end up thinking differently about situations involving her now. This wasn't the first time she's been absent, true, but it's not because she's sick. In fact I bet all those absences had nothing to do with a mere cold.

I have the feeling that something far worse than any of us could imagine is happening to Chrona right now. Damn it- and I can't help but think that this was my fault. By allowing her to come to my house, did it give a reason for her family to hurt her some more?

DING-DONG

"Aw man, class is starting already?" Black*Star groaned, looking at the building all irritated. "Come on Black*Star, I'll race you to the classroom~" Patty immediately challenged before she made a beeline for Class 2-A.

"Hey, did you forget who's the star here blondie? YAHOO!" Black*Star shouted as loud as his obnoxious self could before chasing after Patty at an intense speed.

"Oh no," Liz and Tsubaki stared at each other with wide-eyes, before proceeding to chase after the young teens so they could stop chaos.

"Black*Star don't run in the halls!"

"Patty you'll hurt someone again!"

I found myself amused with their loud actions, before turning to the remaining two. "I'll be going back now, are you two coming?" I asked, taking a good look at Soul and Maka's faces. Soul was a hard guy to read, but Maka was just like an opened book. She was still feeling bad about Chrona, but I think something else may have to do with it.

"We're fine," Soul answered as he continued to stare at Maka, "you can go ahead."

I smiled at his concern, knowing full well that he intended to stick with Maka for a bit to get her to talk. Honestly, I think Soul is the only one who is able to handle Maka's rather fiery temper, for he is the only one willing to answer back to a ticked off Maka. I admit that even I get scared whenever she unleashes her wrath, but for Soul no matter how many times Maka hits him he won't back down and he'll keep being smug.

"Alright, suit yourself."

A Few Hours Later…

The time passed by and I couldn't help but feel kind of, well, empty. I guess with Chrona not being around I found nothing else interesting to keep my attention during class. Tie this in with my intense worry for her and the combination wasn't very pleasant.

Just knowing that right now, at this moment, she could be going through hell made me sick with myself. If I had the ability I would storm over to her house and help her somehow. Unfortunately, I have no idea where Chrona lives and I can't talk to my father about the situation until tonight because he's too occupied.

"Hey, Kid, concentrate,"

I returned to reality when Soul slapped my back. I forgot for a moment there that we were supposed to be dissecting Dr. Stein's new animal victim, a rare kind of bird that a majority of the class was too horrified to even touch. I just didn't want to get my uniform dirty.

"Sorry," I apologized, only to have him smirk at me, making me wonder what he was thinking. "What's with that look?"

"Still thinking about Chrona, aren't you?" His smirk just grew wider as he was worked on plucking the bird's feathers. Was it really that obvious that I was? I'm losing my composure again.

"Is there something wrong with that?" I asked, making sure to keep a good distance away from the table as I didn't want any of the feathers to fall upon my clothes. I expected Soul to start teasing me again about my feelings, but instead he just continued to casually talk.

"I don't see anything wrong about it, dude. I would have been worried if you weren't thinking about her."

"Is that so?"

"That's just the way it is,"

Hm- didn't really see that coming. Still, the comforting words of a friend weren't enough to quell my fear for Chrona's safety. How long would she be gone I wonder. Normally she would be back in school the next day and still be fine, but I have the strange feeling in my gut that she wasn't going to be okay the next time we see her.

"Now quit standing there and cut open the bird already," Soul commanded, handing me a scalpel. Oh dear god.

"Actually I need to borrow Kid for a minute," The two of us nearly jumped when Dr. Stein suddenly appeared right behind Soul. "Where did you come from?" We both yelled out, pointing at our creepy teacher who was the last person someone wanted to be looming over their shoulders.

"I'm your teacher, I'm always here," was his rather dry answer, "anyway. Kid I need to talk with you for a minute, could you come over to my desk?"

With that he started to walk back to his desk, where he expected me to follow him. I looked at Soul, unsure whether or not I should listen to Dr. Stein. He was the kind of man who most people wouldn't come close to unless they had a ten foot pole.

"If you die I'll tell Chrona you loved her," Soul slapped my shoulder in friendly reassurance. How I wanted to punch him for making such an embarrassing joke, but right now, as I began to walk to our teacher, staying calm was the best choice.

"What is it you want to discuss, Dr. Stein?" I politely asked. He was rummaging through his lab coat for something, and I was prepared for anything he had to bring out, no matter how messed up it was.

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor," Stein said, taking out what looked to be just a white paper bag that was rolled up and taped closed. I was kind of surprised by this.

"You know Chrona rather well, so I was wondering if you could give her mom this bag after school. I'm busy after school and I can't do it myself. I would have asked Maka but knowing Spirit he wouldn't want me giving his 'little girl' orders."

He wanted me to give that to Chrona's mom? Perfect! This was an amazing opportunity in my case. I was going to ask my father about her mother anyway, but with this I could actually have the chance to meet her face to face. Maybe I could ask her about Chrona's condition.

"You've met her mother, right? She has her own clinic on the East side of the city. Her name's Dr. Medusa- if you ask that name around the area you should get a good answer since she's rather well known."

'Dr. Medusa,' that was a 'comforting' name for a mother. But still, while this was an opportunity I should check what exactly Stein was giving her. I wouldn't want to be part of something illegal…

"I'll be willing to do this for you, but first," I pointed to the white bag, "tell me what's in there, since I have the right to know."

"Just a couple herbs, it's nothing like body parts if that's what you're thinking," he suddenly had this sly look in his eyes as his glasses flashed "I deliver those kinds of things personally." I tried not to think too much into that.

"Alright, it's a deal." I confirmed.

"Good, just make sure you head to her clinic right after school. Believe me it's not that hard to miss," Stein handed me the bag, "Now get back to dissecting, I think Soul is having a hard time." I followed his orders and turned back to return to my lab table. But what he said next made me stop in place for a second there.

"Be careful when you meet her, snakes are known to bite when unexpected."

After School…

Here I was, walking down the streets of the East fraction of Death City. I kind of found it uncomfortable walking the streets without Liz and Patty or even the entire gang by my side. Mainly because when I was alone it meant I would have to listen to others talk about my status. The three stripes on my hair were enough to tell them where I stood.

They were easy to ignore. Right now, my priority was to find Dr. Medusa's clinic. By meeting Chrona's mother I might have a good idea about what the rest of her family is like. She's a doctor though, just how cruel can she be?

I shook the bag of herbs that was in my hands, the sound coming from it making it clear that Stein was telling the truth. He must have been good friends with her if he was so intent on giving this to her.

"This must be the place,"

I stopped to stare at the strangely designed yet also seemingly average clinic. It was just a standard white one story building, but for some reason there were thick black arrows painted all over it. Though, really when you look at all the other buildings here in the city this was pretty normal. Yet the horrible symmetry of the building made my stomach churn, and I wanted to complain to my father about it.

There was a sign above the door that said "Gorgon", Chrona's last name, so that was enough to tell me that I was right.

I really had nothing to lose, so I opened the door and stepped in. The waiting room was not crowded, luckily, just a good two or three people sitting down patiently. It all looked rather peaceful to me.

There were two brunette, rather busty nurses sitting at the front desk window. One had short brown hair while the other one had her long hair tied in a bun. They looked to be chatting like teenage girls even though I would assume them to be in their mid-twenties.

"Excuse me," I said as I approached the window. At the sound of my voice, the two of them immediately stopped talking and turned to me. Suddenly they stood up from their sits and greeted me with a smile.

"Hello there, I'm Risa!" Introduced the one with short hair, followed by the one with the bun who said "And I'm Arisa!"

"And what can we do for you little boy?" This time they both spoke in unison. Their perkiness and seemingly never ending smiles almost frightened me in a sense, which was surprising since I lived with Patty. Of course their awkward cheerfulness wasn't enough to faze me.

"I'm here to give something to Dr. Medusa, is she busy now?"

"Is she busy now? Let me think," Risa went into a thinking pose, tapping her cheek with her pointer finger, "it's her break now, isn't it?"

"Yup, she should still be in her office. She won't have a patient for another five minutes." Arisa answered.

"And she was expecting someone to come over at this time,"

"Dr. Medusa sure is popular,"

"I know, right?"

Wow, these two were rather sharp. (Note the sarcasm). I coughed so I could get their attention back. "Can I please see her?"

"Let me phone her," Arisa reached over to pick up the office phone and pressed a button, keeping her finger right on it. "Dr. Medusa, there's someone here to see you….He's a really cute boy who says he has something to give you….." Arisa looked over the window to look at what I was holding, "…He's holding some white paper bag…..Okay, I'll send him right in!"

"There you go little boy," Risa pressed a button and I heard the door the left let out a buzz and unclick, "Just walk straight and make a left. She'll be at the door to your right."

"Thank you," I bowed slightly, before opening the employee's door and following their simple directions. I didn't really expect the place to be like this: it was kind of cozy and simple, plus the nurses were way too happy. Of course, the work place was much different from home, so I might be in for a surprise.

I saw an opened door to my right and looked inside. Right there, sitting on an office chair was the exact same woman from Chrona's family photo. She had the same exact golden-blonde hair with the long side bangs tide together in a braid at the front. This was Chrona's mother, Medusa.

Medusa looked up from what she was working on, and smiled, "Oh, so you must be the boy that Stein sent. He called me just a few minutes ago and told me his situation. You're being very helpful to both of us."

"Thank you, ma'm," Out of my upbringing it is natural for me to act like a calm gentlemen no matter the situation, but something about this woman made me uneasy. The look in her eyes and the way that she smiled just wasn't right. Even the sweetness in her voice seemed strange.

I handed her the white bag and she gratefully took it off my hands. "Now let's see," Medusa opened the bag and took a look inside, "oh I've been looking for these kinds of herbs for ages. Now I can finish with the medicine I'm making."

"Making?"

"Stein didn't tell you?" Placing the bag on her desk, she stood up from the chair and walked over to a shelf that held a lot of books, "I make my own medicine using several herbs. I'm surprised myself at just how effective they are. I'm trying something new though, using snake venom."

Snake venom? That doesn't sound too…Pleasant. I am aware that she's not the first to use such a method, but something about her doing it doesn't seem right.

"That's a lot of risk, don't you think? Using new medicine to try and help patients. What would you do if your medicine doesn't end with the expected results?"

"Oh, I don't worry about that. I have my own personal way of testing whether or not my medicine is effective."

Why is it that when she said that I got this sick feeling in my stomach?

"I see," I recalled hearing this same information before "my father has actually mentioned you before. He said that your medicine works miracles at times."

"Is that so?" She asked, taking out a book and flipping through the pages, "And who would your father be?"

"Shinigami-san,"

Medusa seemed to have frozen in place when I mentioned my father, but she quickly recovered and got back to moving. I sensed some kind of angry aura coming from her though.

"So you're Shinigami's son? Little Shinigami Jr., how cute."

"Actually, my name is Death the Kid."

"Kid, is it? Well that's rather adorable too." Good lord, why is it that when she speaks I feel like punching her? It's like she's merely playing with me with her nice lady act. But I should stay relaxed, and remember that I came here not to just help Stein but to also do some investigation of my own.

"Can I ask you something, Dr. Medusa?"

"Hm?"

"How is Chrona doing?" There she goes again, freezing in place at the mention of a certain person's name. I event think she almost dropped her book because she didn't expect me to ask such a question.

"Oh, you know my daughter?"

"Yes, I'm a friend of hers."

"Really? That's kind of strange," Medusa put back the book she was looking and then took out another one to flip open. I don't know whether she was actually looking for something or if she was just trying to appear normal. "Chrona didn't mention she had friends, especially that she was friends with Shinigami's own son."

That was a lie. That had to be. Chrona's withdrawn but she's not withdrawn enough to hide simple information about her life like that. "Why do you ask?" Medusa turned to me. Her golden eyes were filled with some unexplainable emotion, and it was anything but pleasant.

"I'm concerned of her condition since she didn't come to school today,"

"Why aren't you a caring boy? Chrona's a lucky child to have someone like you looking out for her. But yes, unfortunately Chrona didn't feel well today, so I allowed her to stay at home to get better."

"You would leave a sick child alone at home?"

"She has someone looking out for her; I'm not that irresponsible of a mother." Yes, because all good mothers would leave their daughter in the hands of a guy like Ragnarok. Speaking of that jackass, I had the feeling that by putting him in the conversation I would be risking a lot. So it's best to just stick with Chrona.

"The poor girl has been suffering some emotional stress lately," Medusa continued to speak her lies as I just stood there. She was doing pretty well; I'll give her that much credit. "Is she doing well at school?"

"…"

"I mean, it's just out of motherly curiosity. I've been working too much lately that I haven't been able to talk with her like a mother is supposed to."

"…."

Medusa began her next sentence with a sad sigh "Things just haven't been the same since her sister committed suicide."

What?

"E-Eruka-E-Eruka is-was-she's- she's my…Older sister…"

Chrona's sister is dead?

"Mo-mother, she doesn't allow me to talk about her."

"A sister? Chrona never mentioned anything about a sister," I started playing a small lying game of my own, to see if Medusa would tell me more. The woman just shook her head as she returned to her seat to continue writing something.

"I'm not too surprised. It's hard for Chrona to even mention anything about her. Not that it's been an easy year for me. It really depresses me that I couldn't help her from doing what she did."

Lying witch- you want others to believe that don't you? I would be my life that she wanted others to believe that Eruka committed suicide. Something about this is disgusting, like Medusa here is covering up.

"The police couldn't find her body either, so sad…"

"Wait a minute-"

I was about to ask her to give me more details about this 'suicide', but I was interrupted when a young short-haired brunette woman knocked on the office door. "Oh, excuse me Dr. Medusa; I didn't realize you were busy!"

"Why hello Mrs. Boyd," Medusa waved at the woman. A little girl with the same short hairstyle, about five years old, was holding Mrs. Boyd's hand.

"Hello Dr. Medusa!" The child waved. "And a hello to you too Rachel," Medusa giggled. I think it's best for me to leave now. I wouldn't want to stick around with this woman any longer. But can't anyone else see that there is something strange about this doctor?

"I'm sorry for taking your time, doctor," I bid farewell to Medusa before leaving. I heard her apologize to Mrs. Boyd, telling her that I was just a 'little friend of her daughter's'.

That Medusa, she really is a snake, she's doing something with her three children, and whatever she is doing it drove Eruka to suicide (if it even was suicide). I have to confront my father about this immediately.

Death Room

"Father!"

I slammed open both large doors to my dad's office, silently thankful that the only person there was my father's right hand man and Maka's father, Spirit. That meant that only they would hear me lose my cool composure over something that had nothing to do with symmetry.

"Oh Kiddo, I didn't expect you to visit your dear ol' dad until later~" My father cheerfully greeted, waving a gloved hand on me. I never really understood why, but my father felt that people took him more seriously if he were to conceal his entire identity. He wore a black tuxedo under a black coat and white gloves. His face was either hidden by a white mask or, on lucky days, a hat. Either way Spirit, Liz, Patty, and I appeared to be the only ones who knew my father's true face.

"I thought I told you we were busy," Spirit raised a brow at me as I approached the two. I stood strong before my much taller father who was tipping his head to the side; a sign that he was wondering what was going on.

"So what is it son?"

"Father, tell me what you know about the Gorgon family." He had to know something about them. It's practically the family's job to rule over Death City, and that meant that the current ruler must be aware of every resident or at least have records of them. My father does a pretty well done job with this since he seems to be up to date with everything (though I think that is because he has cameras set up everywhere).

"The Gorgons?" My father and Spirit looked at each other with quizzical expressions. "You think he's talking about Medusa Gorgon?"

"You mean that sexy doctor who owns the clinic in the East district? I love her place, her nurses are the cutest little hunnies," Spirit cooed, once could see the hearts burst out of his eyes. I guess he must have met them before.

"What is it that you want to know Kiddo?"

"I was wondering about her daughter-"

"Wait," Spirit interrupted me just so that he could come up close and have a good look at me face, "Kid, you're interested in a girl?"

"What-"

"Oh Kid, are you asking for an engagement? I knew you would find the right girl!~" My father seemed to bounce with joy. I could feel myself heat up in embarrassment, but I cannot be fazed. Not now.

"That's not it!"

"Oh, it isn't? Awww~" There's his disappointed sigh again. "If you would please listen to me and take me seriously!" I demanded, looking at my father sternly. The way the two men stood told me that they got the message.

"I was wondering if you knew anything about Medusa's children and her husband." I said, changing my question so it would involve all three of them and the father.

"Her kids?"

"Her husband?"

Once again the two of them looked at each other quizzically. "I've never heard nor seen a husband," said father. Spirit agreed, "If she was married I wouldn't be after her, now would I?"

So there is no father figure in the household. This leaves Medusa to be the only real suspect who could be abusing Chrona. Did the father abandon the family? That would be a good explanation as to why his face was scratched out. Did his departure cause destroy that seemingly happy family in the photo?

"Her children, though, I have heard a lot about." This caught my attention so I allowed him to continue. "I know she has a daughter around your age, and a son who is maybe nineteen or twenty now…"

"The daughter's name is Chrona, right? My Maka's her best friend!"

"Why yes. I don't think I met her though. Maybe Maka should invite her over!"

"And don't forget she had another daughter too," Spirit added in, "According to records that daughter committed suicide around a year ago." Wait, so Medusa was telling the truth when she said that Eruka committed suicide?

I asked my next question. "How did she die?"

"I think she jumped off a building," Spirit tried to remember, "But that is just an assumption. The police never found the body and there were no signs of death- no blood at all."

"There has to be a reason behind that. Have any of the police interrogated Medusa?" That mother of theirs had something to do with this. Whatever she did to Eruka could happen to Chrona and I just can't let that happen.

"Medusa said that she had no idea and was completely distraught, and when the other two were asked they said they only witnessed her jump." Father said. I don't believe that. There has to be more to the story than just that. Bodies don't just disappear. Eruka had to go somewhere.

"Really there is no reason to suspect Medusa of anything. She is a hard-working resident who helps a lot of people with her original medicines."

"Nothing to suspect," this was unbelievable, "have you seen her daughter, Chrona? She goes to school with me, and I have the right to believe her strange behavior is somehow connected to her mother somehow-"

"Wait," My father raised up his gloved hand to stop me from talking, "you're friends with her daughter?"

"Yes,"

"…Son, are you aware of the mental condition of the remaining two Gorgon children?"

"What do you mean by their 'mental condition', Chrona's perfectly stable, just emotionally she's having problems?"

"He doesn't know," Spirit shook his head, "I don't think Maka knows either."

"Know what?"

"It's nothing, son," My father turned away from me, "now why don't you go home now? I think Liz is cooking spaghetti tonight~"

"Father, what's wrong with Chrona?"

My shoulders were suddenly grasped by Spirit who attempted to push me out of my dad's office, "Just don't think about it Kid, it doesn't concern you."

"It sure as hell does concern me!" I yelled, trying to struggle out of Spirit's grasp, even though I was clearly failing since I was already out in the hall.

"Sorry Kid, but just forget what we said." Was all the red head said to me before he shut the two large doors tight. I groaned in defeat, knowing full well that I've just been beat and I couldn't go back inside. I clenched my fists tightly.

Right now Chrona could be suffering and I doubt anyone would believe me that it was her mother who was doing it. I really had no other choice but to confront Medusa about this abuse alone.

Chrona

It's dark.

It's dark…

I can't deal with the darkness. But it's all I've been seeing for who knows how long. I just gave up on trying to figure out what day it is exactly. This wasn't the first time I've been in the Room the last month, but it's probably the longest. I wanted to die now. I can't deal with this.

I don't know when Mother will let me go or if she ever will. All I know is that I probably won't see Maka again. I probably won't see Tsubaki, or Liz and Patty, or Soul, or Black*Star again. I probably won't even see Shinigami-kun ever again.

Hisssss-Hissssss

I hear the snakes. They're all around this room. I wrap my arms around my knees tighter as I scrunch my body up in the corner. As long as I stay still in the corner they won't come for me. They won't bite me.

Hissssss-Hissssss

Mother please let me out, I understand that I'm a bad girl now! I won't disobey you anymore! Ragnarok, please let me out, I won't cause you any trouble anymore! Just please, somebody help me. Somebody help me.

"I just want to help you"

Shinigami-kun…

I wiped my face of another tear, realizing just how sticky and wet my cheeks were now. I had nothing to wipe them with though, because this room was practically empty minus me and Mother's snakes.

"Here, go ahead, you can have it."

….

How could I forget?

To my best of my ability, I blindly reached into my skirt pocket and took out the handkerchief that Shinigami-kun gave me. It was soft under my fingertips, and even though I couldn't see it I still remember how it was a nice mix of black and white. I felt around the cloth until I felt the funny surface of the name that was sewn on. By its 'precise' detail I think Kid did it himself.

I used the handkerchief the rub my cheeks, only for me to start crying again when I felt its softness on my face.

"I know something is bothering you Chrona."

Shinigami-kun…

"I know someone is hurting you."

K-Ki-Kid-kun…

"I told you I'll be here if you need help,"

Please…Kid-kun…Please help me…

Sorry. But not even he would come and save you.

A/N: In the case of child abuse, siblings of the victim taking the parent's side, or even taking part in the abuse, is not unheard of. In this fanfic, Ragnarok suffers from this problem. He does care for Chrona in the big-brother manner, but his fear of Medusa is much greater.

It was hard to write the abuse scene, which is why it took me a while to update. Keep this in mind that what happened in this chapter is mediocre compared to what Medusa has done in the past and what she will do in future chapters.

Kid confronts Medusa at her clinic. While many patients see her as a miracle worker, Kid doesn't fall for the act. We are also introduced to Shinigami-sama and Spirit, who know something about the family that everyone else isn't aware of.

Each character has their own respective role in the story, so characters like Arisa, Risa, and Rachel will not be forgotten in future chapters.

In Chapter 7, Chrona will return and Kid will find out more about the Gorgon Family than he would like to know.

Please leave a review and tell me what you think! Thank you for reading~