A/N: Yes, this will be the first stop on the trail to updating all of my fic's. I was so happy to get some recent reviews on here, I immediately got inspired to start writing the next chapter. Hopefully it didn't turn out too awful and someone out there still enjoys reading this. Let's start!

The world around her was hazy and disoriented, figures appearing as fuzzy blobs of color.

Madoka was aware of someone speaking to her, although she hadn't the slightest clue whom. Exhaustion coupled with a burning sensation across her face, preventing her from questioning much. Her body was screaming at her to go back asleep and worry later, but some part of her mind was keeping on high alert.

"You know..." A voice whispered, barely intelligible over the ringing sensation in her ears. She could make out the faint outline of a person taking a seat on the edge of the bed she laid on, begging further questions on how she ended up there in the first place, but she could hardly think at the moment.

"...it would be so easy to end this now, but I'd really like to not have to kill you. This is all Kyouya's doing to begin with, once he's out-of-the-way things can go back to normal, 'kay sweet heart?" They continued in a rather nonchalant tone, gently placing a wet rag across her heated forehead.

A dark chill ran down her spine over their cruel words, prompting a loud shriek to escape her lips, but it was quickly cut off by the stranger's hand pressing against her mouth.

"Calm down. If I wanted to do something to you, I would have already." The individual snickered, propping her head up so she could a small sip from a water dish.

Her tired body accepted it gratefully, letting the cool water rush into her throat as her mind whirled with confusion. What did they want from her?

She attempted to utter the question but her voice only came out as a weak croak, waves of numbing darkness over-taking her once more. Her consciousness ensued in a mental battle, telling her she needed to figure out who was in the room with her.

Ultimately, impulse won and she was sent spiraling into sleep, left with these last words to echo in her ear, "Just stay away, and everything will be fine."

...

It took her several minutes to become aware of a sharp screech echoing against the walls, and even longer to realize the scream was coming from her. Even after making that connection she was unable to calm down, body convulsing in a cold sweat.

"Madoka!" A familiar voice cried out, taking hold of her trembling hand.

Her cerulean eyes shot open and watched the figure of Kenta slowly come into view, concern burrowed in his childish features.

After inhaling several deep gasps for breath, she managed to settle down, mainly from tiring herself out more than anything.

"Are you okay?" Kenta whispered, worry flickering across his umber eyes.

Madoka nodded slowly, placing one hand over her head as she tried to recollect her thoughts. Kenta must have helped her to bed after...

"The box!" She choked, looking down for the blood that had earlier drenched her hands.

"What box?" Kenta cried, surprised by her sudden outburst.

She barely heard him, trailing one finger against her pale arm in disbelief. It was gone, no dark liquid or any cuts. It should have brought relief, but knowing that the blood wasn't hers, and that it indeed belonged to someone else, was far worse in her mind.

What kind of sicko goes through all that trouble to scare a person?

"Does this have anything to do with the paint all over the floor?" Kenta sighed, seeming desperate to get her attention.

"Paint?" Madoka blinked in shock, almost doubling over in relief. That made much more sense than blood, but still didn't answer what this person's motive was. Or how they ended up in her room...

"Yeah, me and Ginga wanted to see if you were okay from earlier. When we arrived, you were passed out in a pool of paint. Ginga started freaking out because he thought it was blood, could you imagine?" Kenta giggled, shaking his head over Ginga's reaction.

Madoka forced a laugh before questioning, "Was there anyone else here?"

Kenta frowned in thought. "Hmm I don't think so. Me and Ginga were here all night, and not a peep from anyone. Why?"

"Oh, no reason!" Madoka stuttered awkwardly, waving her hand's in protest. If no one else had been there then...could it have been Kenta or Ginga who was at her bedside?

It didn't seem likely, after all they were two of her best friends. Ginga didn't have an ounce of malice in him and Kenta was far too sweet. She regarded him as a little brother for goodness sake!

This had to be the act of someone who was clearly bad news. The first person that came to mind was Doji, or any of the Dark Nebula goons from the past. That would explain why they disliked Kyouya, being he quit their organization long ago, but that didn't explain the rose petals...and why now of all times?

"Earth to Madoka, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Kenta whined, placing his hands on his hips.

"I'm sure." She replied with a light smile. It was no use mentioning anything that happened to Kenta, she'd just worry him. And besides, she had a promise to keep to Kyouya.

"That's good." Kenta yawned sleepily, rubbing one of his eyes.

Just past him, she took note of her small alarm clock that read 3:40 A.M, pretty late by even her own standards. "Thanks for keeping watch over me Kenta, you can head home now if you'd like."

"Are you certain? You haven't been looking so well..." Kenta murmured, pushing out his lower lip ever so slightly.

Madoka knew he was probably right, parts of her chestnut hair plastered against her face. Great, it would only figure she would have gotten sick. Did the universe hate her today or something?

"Yes, don't worry so much!" She scolded, shooing him off. Kenta gave one more smile before leaving, quietly clicking the door shut behind him.

Madoka sighed and maneuvered underneath her sheets to get into a more comfortable position for sleeping. Perhaps she was better off just questioning this whole thing in the morning...

"THUD." A sharp tap on the window shook her from her thoughts as she sprung up in shock. Heart racing a mile a minute, she wasn't quite sure what to do, fear coming back to her.

Was it the stranger from earlier making an appearance?

"THUD."

Oh god, what did they want from her?

"THUD."

Madoka had to do something, or risk going insane by the repetitive sound. Sucking in a deep breath, she pulled herself out from underneath her bed's white linen, and marched over to the window, pulling it open with one fatal motion...

To be continued...

I wonder who could be at Madoka's window *mischievous look* Thanks for taking the time to read, and I hope you enjoyed!~lily