(Looks around) Well… I do have an excuse… My aunt just got her uterus removed and we've all been a bit stressed… Yeah, so, I think I might just get this up tonight. Oh! And come visit my site! www . heaven forbid . tk

My art is there… and some really stupid random jokes… (Sigh) all of my guy friends are weird. Me, I am the little cat girl a.k.a. Duet.

Chapter 8

Duet woke to an intensely bright light. He squinted his eyes shut again and slowly let himself adjust. When the light finally seemed to dim, he heard too many different sounds at once. The beating of his heart, the beating of another's, the beeping of hospital equipment, the loud breathing of several people in the room and their heart beats as well. A soft groan issued from his throat and seemed all the more louder coming from himself.

A flurry of movement followed his involuntary sound and he groaned louder, wishing that the sounds would stop.

'Must have said something… They're all quiet now…' he thought and then looked to the nearest person.

"Bikky?" He rasped, his mouth tasted fowl and his throat burned.

"Yeah man." The boy's whisper seemed extremely loud. "We're all here."

Duet slowly sat up and tried to take stock of his surroundings. He looked at each person in the room and didn't recognize only one person. His pink and black hair intrigued him, yet he couldn't really complain, having every colour under the sun on his own raven locks.

"Hello everyone." He had become accustomed to his own voice and spoke loud enough for the entire room to hear him. "What honour do I owe this visit to?"

The tense feeling of the room dissipated into thin air, as though it had never been there. Ryo leaned over to hug him and Dee stood off to the side.

"We were called over because apparently your heart stopped."

Duet's eyebrows shot to his hairline and he clutched at his chest.

"No shit? I feel fine…" His eyebrows furrowed and he looked up again to the near blonde in the room. "I remember a really loud heartbeat… And then nothing."

Karnel shook his head.

"I was here the whole time. Your heart monitor just got disconnected."

Duet had a feeling that Karnel was lying, but he said nothing to dissuade the others from believing him.

"Okay…" He swivelled his gaze to the newcomer in the room and quirked his eyebrow. "And I don't believe we've met."

The pink and black haired man stepped forward and offered a short bow.

"My name is Galanti. Karnel and I are partners."

"It's nice to meet you Galanti. I'm sure you know my name. If not, it's Duet." The boy in the bed stuck his hand out to the other and was pleasantly surprised that the other knew what to do. He shook his hand and then smiled at the other.

And then his smile fell as memories came crashing down on him. He remembered the pain and the shame, and was shocked that he no longer hurt in any place. His face flushed to deep red in a matter of seconds and he would not make eye contact with anyone.

As if reading his thoughts, Karnel spoke up.

"We caught the bastard. He's already gone through his trail and is in jail with a life sentence, though with parole he can come out in about half that…"

Duet shivered slightly and nodded.

"The police station wanted a statement, but you were asleep for so long." Ryo finished for the near blonde and then tugged on Dee's coat arm. "Dee hear was the one to close up the case, without unloaded a pack of ammo into the man might I add."

Dee blushed but then shrugged.

"He's not sorry for what he did, and is trying to justify his actions… But even if he was believed, he's got a nice hefty sentence looming over his head, so don't worry."

Everyone turned to look at the boy in the bed who seemed to be trying to melt away into a puddle of goo. He just nodded and then murmured a quiet thank you. Karnel then ushered everyone in sight out of the room.

-

You know what? I'm worried. My uncle just got a call from my aunt in the hospital, saying that the nurse was giving her trouble. I hate it when that happens… But so he left, and I'm home alone in a big house with three sleeping little kids upstairs. It's a good thing it isn't Friday, or I'd be more worried. Damn partying people. So, yeah, enjoy the chapter? Hope so. I'm done for now!