Disclaimer: I don't own Black Cat/ credit for Vanessa goes to Chronian Demoness XIV

I woke screaming again. I shot up in my bed and wrapped the blankets around me. I could feel tears rolling down my cheeks. I could hear footsteps coming towards my room but I was to scared to do anything. It had only been a few days since the mayor of Rubeck city had taken me to stay with him and I had woken up from the same dream every night since I got here.

"Are you okay?" Vanessa, the mayor's maid asked me. I didn't say anything. I hadn't said a word since I had gotten here and I wasn't going to start anytime soon.

"Did you have another nightmare?" She asked as she sat at the end of my bed. I didn't say anything. She had tried to calm me down by stroking my forehead the first night but I had shied away from her touch and she hadn't tried it again. It was a big change for me, going from living with my parents to being taken care of by the man who had killed them to living on the streets to be staying with the Mayor of Rubeck City.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me." Vanessa told me as she stood up and walked out of the room with a sad look on her face. I didn't like seeing her sad. I opened my mouth to say something, then clamped it shut again. I was staying quiet, because if I didn't say anything they wouldn't ask question, and if they didn't ask questions I wouldn't have to explain to them why I had been out on the streets.

I curled up under the covers and closed my eyes. I hadn't been getting much sleep because of the nightmares I'd been having and I was tired. I had just started to fall asleep again when I heard Karl and Vanessa talking outside my room.

"Was it another nightmare, Vanessa?" Karl asked.

"I think so. He didn't say yes or no, but he looked terrified. Whatever he was dreaming about was definitely something he didn't like, sir." Vanessa replied.

"I just hopes he will start talking soon. He hasn't said a word since he got here."

"Sir, I'm sure he just has to get used to us. He'll start talking sooner or later."

"You're probably right, Vanessa. We should probably get some sleep."

"Yes, sir." I heard Vanessa say. I heard footsteps heading in two different directions and then it was quiet. Even though Karl hadn't been talking to me, I decided I'd try to get some sleep too.

The next morning when I woke up, the sun was shining through the open curtain. Vanessa had probably opened them. I rolled over and pulled the covers over my eyes. I didn't want to get up. I was just starting to fall asleep again when Vanessa came in and gently shook me.

"Wake up, please. Karl wants to talk to you." She told me. I didn't do anything and hoped she'd leave me alone. "Come on. Please wake up."

I groaned but listened. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. I stretched as I yawned. I was still tired.

"It's about time you woke up, sleepyhead. It's nearly lunchtime. Karl is already at the table waiting for you," Vanessa told me as she went to the dresser in the room and opened one of the drawers, "Here are the clothes you can wear for the day. Come down when you're ready."

It had been like this since I had gotten here. Vanessa would come wake me up, give me some clothes to wear and then tell me to go downstairs to eat lunch with Karl. At least the food was really good. I watched as Vanessa closed the door behind her and listened to her footsteps as they faded away. I got dressed and crept over to the door. I opened it a little bit an sniffed the air.

Whatever the cooks were making, it smelt really good. I crept out the door and downstairs. I peeked around the corner of the doorway that led into the dining room. Just like Vanessa had said, Karl was sitting there, reading the newspaper as he waited for me.

"Good morning. I was beginning to think I'd be eating alone." He said as he noticed me, "Come in and sit down. Lunch is almost ready." I walked over to the chair across from him and sat down. I got ready for him to say something in an attempt to get me to talk but he never did.

Lunch was brought out and still Karl hadn't said anything. I was beginning to think that he and Vanessa had finally decided that I wasn't going to talk when he opened his mouth to say something.

"Did you have another nightmare last night?" Every time either Karl or Vanessa spoke I tried not to laugh. It sounded funny when they were talking to me and never said my name. I nodded to answer his question.

"You know, Vanessa and I are here if you want t talk about them." I nodded again. I heard Karl sigh. He was probably frustrated bout me not talking.

Lunch was set on the table and we started eating. The cooks had made some sort of pasta that I didn't know the name of, but it was really good. Karl finished before me but waited until I was finished.

"Will you at least tell us your name. It would make things much easier."

"Train Heartnet." I whispered. I was starting to get tired of not talking and I didn't want to forget how. I noticed a smile appear on Karl's face.

"Well, Train, I'm glad you've finally decided to start talking. For awhile I thought you would never talk to us." Karl said as he stood up. "You should see if Vanessa needs any help with anything. If she doesn't, feel free to explore the property." I just nodded. Just because I had told him my name didn't mean I was going to start talking all of a sudden.

Chapter 1