A/N: One more chapter to go and then I'm all set through next week, which I'm going to need as I have two exams in that week ^^; Either way, let's get to it shall we?

Disclaimer: Nananananananana!

A Place of Pain

"There's one small thing though." Madeline said after telling Anthony that he could stay with her. His head snapped up so blue eyes met brown. "I can't stay here, so we'd have to move elsewhere, this is just a family cottage, we can come back here but I was in the midst of moving to Morris Island." She said, she could practically see the tension leak out of the young boy's body

"That's fine." He said simply, turning back to his book and before really getting back into it he said "Just as long as we can go back to the house first." Madeline nodded to that

"Like I said, I'll see what I can do."

-The Boy in Blue-

It was a few days later that the duo were finally allowed to visit the burned out house. Anthony was quiet the entire way there, looking out the window and Madeline could see the pain in his eyes every time she glanced in the rearview mirror.

"We don't have to do this." She said

"I do." Was his only response, she sighed and pulled into the long drive, there were only a few burnt out sides left standing of the house, it was just sad to see something like that. She could hear Anthony suck in his breath between his teeth behind her and she reached back, putting a hand on his knee as she pulled off to the side and put the car in park. Madeline could feel the small boy shaking in her grip, though from what emotion she had no idea. She'd only been taking care of the boy for a short while but she could already tell how passionate he was, he had an angry streak a mile wide too. She'd watched him train with his katana and get excessively angry after messing up just a few strikes. She got out of the car and walked around to see him already out and standing, looking at his feet.

"C'mon," she urged gently "what're we looking for?" she asked and Anthony took a deep breath

"This way." He said softly, taking her hand and leading her toward the charred skeleton of the house. He paused slightly upon crossing the threshold of the building, looking toward the one spot and holding his hand over his chest.

"Is that where it happened?" she asked and he nodded

"That's where he murdered her." The young half devil whispered with vehemence. "I won't let him hurt anyone again." He said, his eyes starting to take on a little bit of that otherworldly glow again. Madeline patted his shoulder

"Let's get what we came for." She said, even she could feel the sadness, the hurt that hung over this place, it was heavy on her heart. Anthony took a deep breath and walked over the fallen and burned furniture, careful not to crush anything, then he came upon one room that was slightly less damaged than the rest, easily lifting a bookshelf and putting it back in place. Madeline let out a small squack and rushed forward to help him but by the time she got there it was already put back and Anthony was looking through the books that had fallen to the floor. It continued to surprise her just how far from human he was. He flipped through a few less burned and waterlogged books and stuck them into the backpack he was carrying.

"What ones are good?" she asked and Anthony just gestured around himself

"Any of them, they're all good." He said quietly. Madeline forced a smile and started looking. The first book she came across that was in good enough condition to keep was a cookbook, she asked the boy if he wanted to keep it. A single tear leaked down his cheek and he just held the backpack out so she could put it inside.

-The Boy in Blue-

It was a good several hours later that the two were finally leaving the house but before they did, Anthony went up to one of the closets and stopped. It was one of the few solid walls that was left standing. He reached a hand out and grabbed the doorknob before taking a deep breath and wrenching it open. It was empty. He sighed deeply.

"What are you looking for?" Madeline asked and Anthony just shook his head

"Nothing." He said, carefully closing the door again. Madeline could tell that was a blatant lie but didn't press the issue.

They climbed back into the car and started back toward their temporary home. Madeline was already in talks with social services about adopting Anthony, they wanted him to stay close but she pointed out that if they put him in the system that there was no guarantee that he'd stay close either, at least with her they'd know that he was being well looked after. She glanced in the mirror, Anthony had the backpack clung to his chest, it was mostly books but there were also a few odd trinkets in there as well, including a key that Anthony said didn't go to the house but opened a safe door to the demonic realm. It still boggled her mind that she was looking after a boy who was only half human, it boggled her that she ended up being the caretaker to a child at all. She'd always thought that she'd be the old maid that never married and never had kids. She'd never yearned for them but now that she was looking after Anthony… She looked back at him again to see him fast asleep and clutching the bag, she couldn't imagine it any other way.

A/N: Madeline has really started to grow on me :) I'm wondering if any of you guys are catching on to where this is going :p Cause I have a little headcannon for some of the DMC universe props if you can figure it out.

Till next time,

-Winged Element