WARNING! This chapter is excruciatingly short! This is because I am a sadistic author by nature and love leaving my readers on the proverbial edge! *Cue insane laughter here* Wahahahahahaha! I am so sorry! . . . . . . .er, actually, I'm not. *giggle* I just thought it would be fun ya know. . . .er. Anyway, the next chapter, which will be out SOON, I promise, will really lay out the whole mystery of the folder!

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                                                             Chapter 8    

                                              And so he begins to remember

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"Detectives? If I may have some of your time?"

Two heads looked up at the intruding voice and one smiled wearily while the other just stared at him.

"Sir," Ryo greeted him. "What can we do for you?" Dee just continued staring at him, his face unreadable.

Berkley gave an inaudible sigh and sat himself down on one of the available chairs. Ted, who had followed him in, gave his friends a small smile but kept quiet, standing behind Berkley's chair in silent support. Berkley noted that they had moved Dee to a private room but one near a nurse's station anyway. The room was obviously meant for a single occupant only but it had been enlivened by the bright splashes of color from the bouquets of flowers Dee's well-wishers had sent. He also noted that a pile of comics lay strewn haphazardly on a side table and raised an eyebrow.

"Changed your reading preferences Laytner?" he asked wryly.

Dee saw where his gaze had landed and managed a tired smile. "Bikky thought it'd be good for me. Stop me from doing or thinking anything stupid again." Ryo winced.

"And where is Bikky anyway?" Berkley asked politely. He had met the boy yesterday as they both waited for Ryo to wake up from the sedative he had been given and had gotten acquainted. His impression of the boy had been that of a street kid; tough, world-weary but touchingly innocent under the layers of bluster. What had happened had shaken him up badly and he had taken some time to comfort the boy in his own no-nonsense way. Berkley hoped it had helped.

Ryo answered him. "Bikky's down at the cafeteria with Cal, his friend, getting something to eat."

Berkley nodded to himself. Good. What he had to say would not be appropriate for Bikky to hear. Hell, he doubted whether it'd be appropriate for anyone to hear.

"You two remember that I had assigned Ted here to look up similar M.Os  in old files for this Anti-Christ killings?"

Both Dee and Ryo looked intrigued at the casual use of Ted's name, the former grinning slightly but they both nodded all the same.

"Well he did found a similar case."

"When did it occur?" Ryo asked, a frown marring his forehead. "It must have been sometime back if we hadn't heard of it before."

"It was," Berkley confirmed. "But, before I go on. . .Laytner, do you remember the orphanage you were in before you stayed with. . .ah. . ." Berkley confirmed with his notes before continuing, "Mother Penguin?"

Dee looked surprised at what seemed to be a total non-sequitir while Ryo shot him a puzzled look.

"I didn't know you were at another orphanage before Dee."

Dee nodded uncomfortably, his unbandaged hand fiddling with his blankets. His left hand meanwhile, had clenched up into a fist. "I don't really remember much about it," he started slowly, "it was before I was ten I think. . . .they had to move me to another orphanage because it was. . .closing down."

Berkley noted with some discomfort that Dee started looking distracted and he forced himself to go on before he lost his nerve.

"What else do you remember Laytner?" He was careful to keep his voice gentle.

Dee shook his head. "Nothing else really. . .I liked Penguin's better anyway. . ."

Ryo frowned suddenly at Berkley, a suspicious glint in his eyes. "Where are you leading to sir?" he asked without preamble.

Berkley sighed heavily and waved the thick file he held yet in his hands. "This is the case Ted found. Contrary to what's going on now, it wasn't a serial killing. A group of cultists had taken the All Saints Orphanage hostage. It happened 17 years ago." Dee looked blank. "When you were 9 and still living there Laytner," he finished softly.

The minutes ticked by painfully as both Ryo and Dee took in what he said. Incredulity was the expression that crossed Ryo's face. Blankness was still Dee's mask.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said faintly, but his hands had started shaking.

Berkley shot Ted a helpless look but his detective gave him the same back. He was their superior. Their boss. It was his task to give them the unpleasant news.

"17 years ago, December 24th, a group of cultists attacked the All Saints Orphanage and held around 5 nuns and 20 orphans hostage. The nuns and 7 of the kids were immediately killed but the rest were left alive. 13 of them. The police were somehow alerted and a showdown ensued." Berkley paused to clear his throat. "You were the only survivor."

Dee shook his head frantically, drawing his knees to his chest, clasping them tight. "Nonononononono," he chanted. "You're lying, you're wrong! Nothing happened there! Nothing! I don't remember anything like that! I don't! I don't!"

"Dee, please," Ryo said soothingly. "Calm down. It's okay, Dee?"

But Dee threw off Ryo's comforting hug and pressed his hands against his ears. "No! Shut up! I don't remember! Nothing happened! Nothing! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" He had started to shriek now and nothing Ryo said or do could calm him down.

Truly alarmed now, Berkley and Ted moved to Dee's side, trying to restrain him as Dee flailed about but it was like trying to hold down a possessed man. He went on shrieking and not a moment too soon, the door flew open and Dr. Wyle came running in with a nurse in tow. Ted quickly stepped aside for the doctor but even before Dr. Wyle could do anything, Dee suddenly stopped his frenetic struggles.

Amidst his harsh breathing, Ryo asked tentatively, "Dee?"

In a voice unlike his own, Dee whispered, "I don't want to remember." And his body jerked violently, head thrown back as he started gasping for breath.

Without any pretense at politeness, Dr. Wyle pushed Berkley and Ryo away and shouted at the nurse. "Get a med team in here right now! He's going into arrest!"

None of them noticed the door swinging shut softly behind them.

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                                                      to be continued

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Ah. . . .do I feel a murderous aura emanating from my readers? What a wonderful feeling it is. . . . .*cue laughter Tomoyo-style here* Ohohohohoho! If you REALLY want to know more, why, it's easy! Just tell me how much of a genius I am and how much you hate me for leaving you like this! The best threat will ensure that I get the next chapter out as soon as possible! Ohohohoho! Jaa ne!