As soon as I walked out the front door, I knew I had made the wrong choice.

I sent a quick text to Namie to let her know that I was going home.

She didn't respond immediately, but I wasn't overly concerned. She's probably stalking Seiji again. I sighed as I got out of the cab. The vehicle had stunk of cigarettes and bad body odour and I could feel the beginning of a headache threatening me. Staring at the tallness of my complex, I sighed again as the gentle wind rustled my hair. How different everything would be if I had just gotten here without being shot.

The whole dying thing and going to Hell wasn't really sitting well with me.

I shifted the backpack on my shoulder before heading inside. The double glass doors parted for me as I entered, and the secretary seemed surprised to see me. Shocked even. She dropped what she was doing and stared unconvinced for several seconds like I was a ghost.

"Orihara-san! You're back!" I couldn't tell if she was disappointed or happy. I found myself frowning. This is the life I lead.

I grinned falsely as I walked past her, the spotless white tiles squeaking beneath my shoes. Did they always squeak? "Yes, I am back, and how lovely it is to be!" I practically skipped to the elevator with my usual enthusiasm, sending her a flustering wink just before the door closed in front of me. As usual, her face dusted red with a blush and she looked away.

My impact on people hasn't changed. Good.

As soon as she was out of sight, the frown returned to my face. Keeping up with my act is tiresome today. I pouted all the way to the top, noticing the slight feeling of discomfort eating at me again. What, am I claustrophobic now? Groaning, I stepped out from the elevator and made my way down the quiet hall of the top floor. I lived amongst few people up there for it was incredibly expensive and prestigious. It was lined with a cream coloured carpet, and the walls were painted a homey shade of coffee brown. It was a rather peaceful atmosphere; and incredibly quiet.

One out of my two neighbours was an elderly woman, who happened to be exiting her apartment just as I was about to turn the hall to reach my own door in the back corner. Her son was rather wealthy, and her retirement, along with her deceased husbands fortune, paid all of her bills. She was a short lady, with wavy white hair and wise blue eyes amongst an assault of wrinkles. She was nice, but she had this habit of speaking like she could see right into my heart.

"Oh, dear, you're back." She called out to me just before I could escape her failing sight. I had tried to sneak away, but to no avail.

Plastering on my best smile, I turned to the stout woman in the yellow sun dress. The hem brushed the carpet below, and she pulled a thick white shawl tighter around her shoulders. As usual, she was smiling largely. "It's has been some time, dear, I hope you're not in trouble."

"Mei-sama." I bowed lightly, the grin brightening on my face. I was always friendly and respectful towards the elderly. "How have you been?"

"Good, I have been well. Just out to get some groceries." She grinned at me, but didn't move to leave. How troublesome. "My son will be downstairs to pick me up, so no need to worry."

I nodded as if I had worried indeed.

"You seem different dear. I hope you are not working too hard." She eyed me over just as the elevator dinged. Hopefully it was her son just in time to save me. Her smile dipped into a frown as she stared at me a little harder. "You look tired, dear. You need to start living a little more healthily or the Devil will certainly find you."

"Oh my, are you ready to go?"

Just in time, the heroic son appeared to save me from his elderly mothers harassment. She had turned away while speaking her last sentence, not witnessing the break of my mask, resulting in an incredible frown and what was probably a look of bewilderment. Her son turned to me with a smile, a smile which broke upon seeing my face. Her words had struck my gut and I gently ran a few fingers over my belly button.

"Ah, she meant no offence. Good to see you again, Orihara-san." He tried to smile apologetically but I merely waved as I turned away, stone faced.

"Have a good afternoon." I said gravely. I turned the corner to head down to my end unit.

Shoving the key into the lock, I pushed the door open and breathed in the abandoned smell of my house. Surely that could lift my mood. I was hit with a wave of cold, dusty air – there had been no point in heating the place if I wasn't living there.

Stepping in, I dropped my bag as I began to shrug off my favourite fur jacket – my favourite ripped fur jacket, might I add – just to freeze in my actions as something in the room caught my eye. My hand rested above the light switch but my body refused to move. The curtains were closed tight, and not a crack of sunlight had filtered in for days.

Amongst the darkness, there was movement again. Is that... My eyes widened in the dark and I gasped, stepping back and out of my apartment. I harshly pulled the oak door shut in front of me with a slam. Taking two steps back I stared at the door like it had been a portal into my nightmare. My shoulders were shaking along with my breath. Eyes wide, I was suddenly nervous and ready to run, unheated home and old lady forgotten.

Was that...?

"Izaya?"

I whirled around with a breathy gasp to come face to face with Namie. She was wearing a soft purple turtle neck and a short black skirt. Her usual heels tapped on the carpet while she crossed her arms. She was staring. Black eyes wandering over my face in a sceptical look. "Are you okay?"

I debated what to say. My mask was half formed; my face was completely void of emotions. But inside, my heart was hammering into my chest cavity so hard, and there was still a slight shake in my hands. I swallowed thickly. How do I do this?

I grinned. Of course I grinned. I threw a hand into my hair and rubbed my head absently. My body instantly relaxed as I realized how silly that must have looked. "No, I'm fine."

"You just answered my question with 'no' and followed it with 'I'm fine'. So you're lying. What happened?"

My eye twitched.

I stared at her and chuckled. "Namie. I'm fine. I'm just..." Should I play everything off as an effect from the shooting. No one would suspect that I am now being haunted by demons.

Sighing, Namie walked past me and threw open the door. "Izaya. I have kept your place in order. No one has broken in, and there is no word that anyone will try to. You're safe in here." She sounded impassive but annoyed at the same time. But the fact that she felt the need to tell me I was safe had me momentarily stunned. She didn't really like me, but she cared about herself. And in caring about herself, she had come to need me in a way. She didn't overly care for me as a person, but she had grown attached. Humans always did. Spending lots of time with other beings normally bred attachment. She might not have realized it herself, but I certainly did. Almost two years ago, she would have just laughed at the thought of my demise. She would have never forced herself to stay at Shinra's, or to keep any of my business in order.

But as usual, time changes people.

Oh, how interesting.

And after a quick glare, she flicked on the lights and stepped in. She kicked off her shoes and glanced over her shoulder, just to witness me peering into my apartment suspiciously. I was two steps away from the threshold, leaning on my toes and glancing in, like a small child wary of danger. Everything seemed to be in its proper place. But there was something in the room. A presence. I could feel it.

"Izaya." She called out to me in a stern tone like she wasn't putting up with any my nonsense. If she had kids, they would definitely be well behaved.

I caught her staring and grinned again. I took two secure steps and then quickly scuttled into my house, shutting and locking the door behind me. I glanced wearily about the room before sighing. I then began to shrug my jacket off once again.

"See, nothing is wrong." Namie's voice was monotone as she headed to the thermostat on the wall. I shivered, rubbing my arms. If I hadn't known better, I would have mistaken her statement for concern.

"It's just been a while." I said. She rolled her eyes as she set the thermostat simply because I was obviously uncomfortable with the temperature. Her heart was so cold that the temperature probably didn't bother her.

I was still glancing about, unsure. I found my self keeping Namie within my peripheral vision as she began to move around the room.. I made my way over to the couch and touched the leather carefully. It was really cold. It's been a while since I've been back here.

"I didn't think you'd already be here. I got your text not even half an hour ago. So Shinra let you go? Your fridge is empty so I was going to go out and buy some food after I turned on the heat. It is always so cold in here." She said calmly, making her way into the kitchen. She turned on the lights as she went, and I felt myself relaxing. The familiar atmosphere was better than Shinra's questionable one. What, with everyone keeping secrets from me and all. Namie didn't need to know.

It's good to be back.

"Ahh, Namie, you're basically my house wife." I teased, making my way over to my computers. I glanced cautiously behind and under my desk before moving to stand in front of it. My eyes trailed about the room. Everything seemed to be in order even from this angle, but I still felt off.

"Namie, can I come with you to the store?" I glanced at the dark second floor and shivered. I rested a hand on the glass top of my desk. My hands ran over my computers, oddly cool to the touch. My poor babies. They're probably going to need to warm up before I can use them. My eyes suddenly flicked as a small shadow on the second floor caught my attention. My breath hitched and I felt my heart rate pick up. "Namie, can we turn on all the lights? I think there are bugs."

She glanced over her shoulder, curious. "What if someone sees you out and about, who shouldn't? And no, Izaya. There are no bugs in here, I cleaned." She suddenly looked irritated, like all of her hard work and cleaning had gone unnoticed by the most OCD man in the world.

I waved my hand dismissively just as my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket without looking. My eyes were glued to the shadows on the second floor. Is that what I think it is? Prying my gaze away from upstairs, I glanced at the caller I.D. An eyebrow rose. Didn't Shinra tell me not to call him? Why is he calling me? He seemed so mad...

I answered it with a genuine smile. "Hello Shinra." I decided to take a seat in my office chair. The cold black leather stung through my clothes. It wasn't enough to crack my smile.

[Don't sound so smug, Izaya. I'm calling to tell you that you forgot your bag.] He sounded irritated.

I frowned, suddenly remembering the object that had caused my run in with Shizuo in the first place. It was sitting underneath the dresser back in Shinra's spare room. How did I forget that? "Ah. Yes. Do you want me to come get it?" That bag held importance. I suddenly felt my stomach churn at the possibility of Shinra opening it. I didn't even know what was in it, let alone what he would find is he looked.

[No. I'll drop it off. I have to go that way anyway for a job, if that is alright. Give me about an hour?] He didn't sound overly impressed or enthused to come see me. I grinned and my chest fluttered.

I nodded. "Sure thing, bring it by."

Click.

How rude. I flipped my phone closed and slipped it back into my pocket. Spinning once in my chair, I chuckled. He hung up on me! But despite the fact that Shinra was being annoying, I felt good. I feel like my old self again. I laughed harder as I spun once again, the air whooshing past my face. The heat had kicked in and I didn't feel so off placed anymore.

"Izaya, don't make yourself sick." Name was coming back out of the kitchen with a large black purse hanging off of her right shoulder. She was glaring as she approached my desk. "Do you still want to come with me?"

I shook my head, stopping and relaxing into the newly warmed leather. "No. I forgot a bag at Shinra's so he is bringing it here within the hour." Knowing Shinra, he would be early. 'One hour' to him was closer to 'half an hour' in real time. I smiled as if it was no problem for her to leave me behind, by myself, in my oddly vast apartment, that was only half lit up.

With possible little demons running around on the second floor.

Namie nodded and turned away. "I will go now then."

"Wait!"

Namie stopped, glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes glinted as she watched me, a smile tugging at her lips. Apparently me being slightly... needy – I supposed I should honestly admit it – was very intriguing to my cold hearted secretary. "Yes?"

Erm. How should I go about this? It was ridiculous in my mind, but at the same time, it could still be related to my death experience. So therefore, it was a problem, and I needed it to be fixed before it could cause trouble – no matter how humiliated I felt if the need ever arose for me to admit it.

"Namie, you might as well get other stuff that I need, right?" I grinned, my mind over working to try and instantly plot out what I needed. It was a simple task that would raise questions – and that was the problem. What I needed was silly, and I knew Namie would never let me live it down if I straight out told her. This is just a temporary thing, until I fully recover from the other weeks events. "Did you check the laundry room upstairs for detergent and stuff? And I think there are bugs, can you go up there and check? Make sure you turn on the lights. I don't want to wash my clothes in beetle guts, no thank you."

She studied me carefully. I could practically see the gears in her brain turning. It was true that ninety-nine percent of the time I had an ulterior motive, and she was very aware of that fact. "There are no bugs. But I will go up there if you insist." She suddenly grinned, before turning on her heel. "And don't worry. I will turn on all the lights for you."

Namie sure is insightful today. I don't want any demons lurking in the dark. I nodded, grinning as she walked away. I clasped my hands together and spun in the chair once again. Might as well turn on my babies. They need to warm up. I leaned forward, starting up the tower that was lying on my desk. I scooted back in the wheeler chair and powered up the twin black beasts beneath the glass desk top. They roared to life and I felt a little jitter of pride and excitement wash through me. I sat back giggling, watching as my monitors flickered to life. I didn't need to turn them all on – I had no work anyway and my laptop would suffice for personal use – but I just wanted to make sure that they were running fine and still in top condition.

Just as I spun around, I noticed that Namie had turned on all of the upstairs lights and my grin widened. She appeared back at the top of the stairs, looking irritated like I had sent her on a tedious mission. "Izaya. There are no bugs. And you have lots of laundry detergent and bounce sheets, I'm sure you'll be fine." She called down to me. "Oh. And all the lights are on."

"If you say so. Leave the lights on, I have to go up there in a bit anyway." I grinned. My simple plan had worked. I chuckled as all three towers roared to life. Still giggling, I got up to grab my bag and wash my Shinra-smelling clothes. I already had a plan for how my day would go. Namie would go get me food. I would start my laundry. When I was done, all the warmed up computers would be shut back down – after being updated and meticulously scanned for any tampered files or planted viruses – to rest until I needed them again. I could never be too careful, no? And then Shinra should have been popping up by then.

I got up and practically skipped my way across the room to retrieve my Shinra-bag.

Namie met me by the door and stopped. Her face was unreadable as she spoke. "I'll be back in about an hour. I'm assuming you will be alright?"

"What can happen?" I joked, chuckling at my terrible attempt of humour. I waved her off as I stepped backwards, making my way towards the stairs. I seriously had to go up there, I didn't lie after all. "Unless I break the washing machine, but I doubt that will happen." I gave her an open grin before heading to the stairs. "Have fun, Namie-chan, be safe! If you run into Seiji, I'm not paying you for the time that you stalk him!"

She gave me a glare, but then smirked. "Oh, and do you need me to buy you a night light while I'm out?" She asked mockingly.

I froze on the stairs. My eyes narrowed despite my grin. "Do I need to dock your pay?"

I heard her scoff before closing the door loudly behind her. I waited half-way up the stairs for the lock to click into place. As soon as it sounded, I was up the stairs and heading to the back corner like nothing terrible had ever happened to me.

The laundry room was tucked away almost behind a book shelf; you would have missed it had you not known it was there. The room itself was small, fitting the washer and dryer side by side with only a shelf to the left of the room. It was the smallest room in the flat, but it did it's job. Cream coloured carpets matched that of in the rest of the building, with coffee brown walls.

The light was already on, as I had requested from Namie.

I dumped out my bag; more than a weeks worth of clothes falling out. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the way Shinra smells, but there was just something gross about the way my citrous scent mixed with his dark and floral scent.

Absolutely disgusting.

Into the washer they went with an extra cup of delicious smelling detergent, a gentle but fast wash later, and they would be super soft and clean, and smelling like me. Fruity and fresh.

I grinned. Not too many people took this much pride in washing their clothes.

I skipped back out of the room, leaving the light on, with the intent to head back down to my computer desk. Oh, how this weeks power bill was going to be expensive. I wasn't too concern though; as long as I was content. There were still a lot of shadows upstairs, so I made my way back to the first floor rather quickly. I practically jogged down the stairs with a cautious glance behind me.

I skipped back over to my desk with only half of my energy and fell into the chair, spinning once before shaking the mouse to load up my main computer screen. The screen flicked from the black screen saver, showing me that I need several updates. Setting to work, I spent twenty minutes making sure that each tower was safe and running, and compressed and secured, before sitting back and spinning in my chair once again. The monitors gently died off.

"Haaaaa, I like this feeling." I grinned happily, spinning once again, before stopping dead in my tracks. My stomach groaned in a violent protest, reminding me that I had in fact not eaten anything since throwing up the other night. I can't survive off of tea. Sure, there had been a rough patch in my life where I had literally gone a week on tea, but that was besides the point, and that had also ended terribly. I'm not at a healthy weight like I was then. But unlike then, I'm not choosing to avoid food right now. I groaned, deciding to repress the stupidity of my past and get up. I made my way into the kitchen, pulling open the stainless steel door of the fridge.

Just like Namie had said, there was nothing in the fridge expect for condiments. I felt my expression darken while my stomach growled, encouraging my search for something to eat. Shinra will probably be here within the next half hour so I'm sure I have time to find a snack or something. A mostly empty jar of pickles caught my eye, and I grabbed it without a second of hesitation. Letting the fridge door close on it's own, I checked the date label while making my way to the drawer of silverware. Good. It's still within date.

Grinning like an idiot, I got myself a fork, discarded the lid, and chomped down on my dill delight. Shinra had told me he was looking for something I could stomach. I wonder if he found anything. I felt my mood sour at the thought. There was still the chance that I was rejecting solid food; pickles included. I crunched on a pickle, vinegar flooding my senses and I enjoyed the way my stomach anticipated the substance hungrily. I'm sure it was just that margarine. I scowled at the thought. I got myself kicked out before he could help me. That was kind of stupid of me. But I don't know if I should tell him about what happened while I was dead. I just... can't say it.

My stomach flipped as I swallowed, my snack plan crumbling in one bite.

The jar was slammed onto the counter. I aimed for the sink, gagging and choking as my body rejected the new weight within my stomach immediately. It was just one bite! It relocated into the stainless steel sink, along with a good amount of stomach acid. Amongst the green and clear there was another colour: red. I dry heaved several times before it all slowed to a stop. Sweat had broken out across my forehead and there was a disgusting burn in the back of my throat. Tears had pricked my eyes and my breath was coming out ragged. I spit an ugly shade of red again, watching as it thickly trailed towards the drain. My whole body was shaking.

My stomach – no, the weight within my abdomen, flipped. It growled angrily before settling down.

And just like that, peace washed back over me.

I released my death grip on the sink in favour of turning on the tap. Shaky hands let the water run, erasing the evidence that my stomach had ever been upset. I also used it to wash off my blood stained lips before slurping in a mouthful of water and rinsing out the aftermath. I spit weird colours the first time, the second time it was all clear.

I sighed, turning off the tap and wiping my mouth on the long sleeve of my shirt. I took in a breath of clean air and let my head fall back so I could stare at the ceiling. Well. I have a problem.

Just then, there was a knock at my door.

Quickly trying to reform my mask, I made my way over and unlocked the deadbolt, swinging the door open.

Shinra was standing on the other side, looking displeased in his lab jacket. His own medical bag hung from his left shoulder while the bag Shiki was given me hung from his right. They were practically identical, with only subtle differences between the sizes and weight that only a trained eye would notice. He glanced up once I opened the door.

His unusual frown was replaced with occupational concern.

"Izaya... are you okay?" He stepped closer, eyes suddenly taking in everything he could see of me. "You're ghostly pale."

"No, I'm fine." I muttered. I gave him a fake smile. He didn't believe it, I could see it with the way his frown deepened, but to my surprise he didn't push the matter any further. Actually, that might have been why he dropped the matter. He was probably tired of me lying to him.

There was a pang in my chest and I swallowed dryly.

He handed me the bag quietly and I took it. I set it on the floor beside me, my mind spinning as to how I would send Shinra on his way. Do I tell him or do I leave things the way they are? Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to choose. The gentle motion of bending slightly to set down the bag re-stirred the agitation within my stomach. I heaved, a hand flying to cover my mouth. My stomach flipped, something sloshing ominously, and I bolted back to the sink in the kitchen.

Something wet and warm seeped between my lips and smeared into my hand.

Once again, I dry heaved, choking up blood into the sink with my fingers curling around the edge. I gasped for breath as the heaving began to slow. My eyes were squeezed shut as I pleaded for it all to stop. Just let me be. A bag was discarded somewhere near me, and then Shinra was pulling me away from the sink.

My hip fell into the counter and I used my left hand for support. Shinra grabbed my right arm to stop me from running, not that I thought of it or anything, while his other moved closer to my face. Shinra's hand grabbed onto my jaw sturdily. I didn't resist. He glanced me over quickly, eyes scanning my face and neck area before dropping his hand to my shoulder.

"You're bleeding somewhere. Go lie on the couch." He ordered quietly, casting a glance to the blood I had spit into the sink.

I nodded, turning to rinse off my hand and the blood from the stainless steel. Shinra walked off, retrieving his bag, which had been ditched only a few feet away.

Once my hand was clean and my mouth was rinsed, I shakily made my way into the living room, sitting down carefully onto the couch. My entire being was upset. I couldn't tell if it was my stomach, or my hypothesized demon that was angry, but something within me was mad.

Very mad.

Shinra dumped Shiki's bag and his own onto the coffee table.

"When did the throwing up start again?" Shinra asked sternly. He turned to me, his eyes alight and intrigued, but he was still guarded and displeased with me. He was concerned, I could tell, but wary. Harassing Celty for information while he wasn't home was a huge no-no.

His eyes ran over me and I shuddered.

"Maybe ten minutes before you showed up." I whispered. "I tried to eat a pickle."

"Is your stomach still agitated?" He sat on the coffee table in front of me. "Are you going to throw up again?"

"It's a little agitated, but I don't think I'll gag anymore." I murmured sheepishly. Was it technically my stomach?

He seemed to eye me, before his gaze settled on my stomach. Thoughts were churning in his head, and he seemed to be drawing conclusions. He crossed his arms, one hand gripping his chin in thought. "Is your belly still swollen?"

I shuddered again and looked away.

Shinra sighed heavily.

"Izaya. If you don't tell me what happened, then I can't really help you." I knew it was true, but I also knew that he was withholding information from me. I knew how the game worked, but normally it was me who was in control. Normally I was the one who knew everything, while I got people to submit and open up to me for the hopes of their desired knowledge.

It wasn't comfortable the other way around... but it might be the only way to get rid of my problem.

I swallowed thickly. There weren't many beneficial options. I have to tell him. "I..." My stomach flipped again. I brought a hand up to my lips, a lump forming in my throat, just as something piercing shot through my abdomen in disagreement. It felt like sharp little teeth piercing the flesh inside of me, and I keeled over, my head hitting my knees with my eyes squeezed painfully shut. I gasped, my internal organs clenching like something was clawing at them and squeezing until they burst. I panted for breath several times before holding it as pain washed back over me. There was pressure on my hips like gravity was trying to send me to the ground. A strangled growl erupted from my throat just as hands gently forced me onto my side. I curled into myself, jaw clenched so hard it could have broken. When the wave of pain washed over I gasped for air. I was shaking and panting and sweating.

I glanced up to Shinra with panic in my eyes just as another bite had me whimpering. My face contorted and I shrieked.

"On your back," Shinra's face was serious. Chocolate brown eyes were hard as he pushed my shoulder back, helping me roll over. A pinch of pain forced another whimper from me and I clawed my fingers into the leather of the couch. One hand was on my lower stomach pressing hard like that alone would tame the beast gnawing on me. I tried to breathe calmly. Shinra pried my hand from my stomach, and it searched the back of the couch for something to grab onto before another wave of pain washed over me. My hands found my face, pressing into my eyes as I screeched. My ankles were crossed, knees pressed together and pulled up, and it took half of Shinra's body to keep me from curling into myself.

My shirt was pushed up, cool hands moving across the skin beneath my belly button. I lightly arched into the touch, the coldness offsetting the searing heat within me. I hummed in pain and threw my hands back to my sides, catching a dark scowl on Shinra's face by chance. My shirt was replaced just as it felt like my insides were being torn. No no no no no. I don't want anything clawing it's way out of my stomach. It's not allowed to. I can't die. I didn't experience the five fears this can't be it. It can't be my time! My hands pressed back into my face, a louder whimper escaping me just as searing pain had me curling back on my side. Tears wet my palms and I choked out a cry.

Shinra helped me roll over, but I jerked back into a sitting position. Arms wrapped around my hips, I pressed my face into my knees and sobbed quietly. I was starting to feel light headed and breathless. Shinra's not doing anything. He can't even do anything. I have to tell him! He can't help me because it's not what's wrong with my body! There's something in me trying to get out!

I tried to speak, but nothing more than a gasp came out. Shinra pressed a hand to my back, rubbing circles. He was murmuring quietly to me, but I couldn't make out his words. I was panting for breath, and it didn't seem like he was trying to help me anymore.

Maybe he knew that he couldn't.

"What's going on?" Namie's voice fluttered into the apartment and I cringed. I gasped for more air, tightening my grip on myself to try and stop shaking. "Shinra, what's wrong?"

I didn't hear her come near, but a hand suddenly found my head and I noticed Namie kneeling beside me. She ran her long fingers through my hair, her eyes wide. I cried into my knees again as a spasm of pain quivered through my belly. "Izaya, what's wrong?"

"I can't help him." Shinra whispered.

I was breathing hard as the clawing died down. The biting had stopped, and there was nothing left expect for a numb reminder of what had happened. I was still on edge though. I couldn't predict it. Shinra's hand left me and I heard him sigh. "Izaya, you have two options. You're either going to have to wait this out, or I can make you sleep."

I shook my head. I had regained control of my tears at least, and they had simply rubbed into my dark jeans. I panted softly, before raising my head, my eyes bleary from the pain. I hummed lowly, swallowing something metallic.

"I think it's done." I whispered shakily.

"What happened?" Namie asked again. She looked shocked, possibly panicked.

Shinra sighed. He was still sitting on my coffee table, his eyes dark. "I don't know. Izaya, you're bleeding." He reached forward, grabbing my jaw again and forcing my mouth open. "Did you bite your tongue?"

I shook my head with some difficulty.

"Namie there should be cloths in my bag, along with antiseptic wipes." Shinra let me go, looking me over. "Izaya, you're going to have to tell me."

"Okay." Namie turned away, reaching for a bag. I shook my head. I had changed my mind.

A zipper was heard, and Shinra sat back. "Is it done?"

I nodded hesitantly. Is it really done? My breathing had calmed down, and besides the lingering pain, everything seemed to be okay. I was vibrating where I sat. And I felt cold. Incredibly cold. "Wh-what happened?"

Shinra regarded me. He seemed to debate whether or not to tell me. "I think-"

A gasp silenced the room. Something fell to the floor, distracting Shinra for a fraction of a second and he froze. I glanced down, my tired eyes catching what caused the shift in attention. Upon seeing the object in question, I froze as well. The shaking abruptly stopped, along with the rocking sensation in my stomach. I could suddenly feel his eyes on me, piercing holes through my soul, and I couldn't gather enough confidence to meet his gaze.

My stomach dropped in a whole new way. Fresh tears pricked at my eyes and panic exploded back into my chest. The breath rushed from my lungs and my jaw clenched once again. There were things Shinra probably shouldn't know, and then there were things he definitely shouldn't know.

I would take the pain I had just experience over the revelation that had rolled to Shinra's feet.

Gently coming to a stop just below Shinra was a severed head. On it, was medium length and beautiful, silky auburn hair and half lidded sea-green eyes. Her pale skin was flawless just like porcelain. The nose perfectly straight and the slightly parted pink lips full.

I swallowed thickly. Scrap taking the pain. I almost wished I hadn't come back from Hell.

That's Celty Sturluson's head!