Me: Right! Let's do this!

Gene: Looks like she's back on her feet.

Me: Now you're talking to me

Gene: Oh, please, you know we can't stay mad forever…

Me: I mean, in all honesty, you actually could…

Mai: Don't ruin this! Angel owns nothing!

Italics/underlined: flashback
Italics: thoughts
italics/bold/underlined: flashback thoughts

Mai's POV:

The car that we were in continued forward until we reached the gates of what seemed to be some sort of large estate. The car eventually came to a stop in front of an intercom, where a man's voice demanded identification and the driver swiftly provided it. With a loud, rusty creaking, the gates slowly opened and permitted us to enter. We continued slightly uphill towards the entrance of the estate. The immediate area was breathtaking. The path was lined with rose bushes with the most crimson flowers and the most beautiful white roses. There were incredible sculpted fountains that beautifully complimented the old, western, 19th century looking home which was covered with vines. During the day, this lavish residence would surely look like a dream but, in the darkness, it looked threatening yet beautiful, almost as if attempting to tempt pure souls into the depths of darkness; as if beckoning the innocent to willingly walk into the home of a demon.

Something about this place feels off… There is so much malice here… so much hatred and anger. What is the cause of it?

Shivers ran up my spine, every ounce of my being told me that I needed to get away. I realized that whoever was waiting for me was most definitely not going to be the kindest person in the world. I began to look around looking for a good route to try and escape but it was just like Reo had said. No matter where I looked, there were guards everywhere, each in possession of a hand gun. Getting past them would be easier but the problem was that there was no guarantee that the men I could see would be the ones protecting the place. With reinforcements inside the home and outside the gates, getting by without them noticing would be close to impossible. True, I can fight and probably take out a few of them but I am by no means some sort of anime character that could take out an army alone. Sneaking out was my only real option and right now, that would not be possible. Seeing that my escape seemed impossible, I sigh, head down, whilst exiting the car.

"Heh…"

A small chuckle caused me to look up. Reo was there with a wide, bright smile. He was practically laughing but it seemed like he didn't want to. Annoyed, I press up closer to him, put my face closer, and looked him straight in the eye.

"And what the hell is so goddamn funny?"

He looked back into my eyes, undaunted, unconcerned and unyielding. It was clear that this man, although he was obviously childish in nature, was not someone that could be taken lightly. His smile, filled with confidence, made him look like a mischievous Imp that knew something very unamusing to me was about to happen. Almost as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

"Well, I'm just assuming that, based on your exasperated look and deep sigh, you've noticed that I wasn't lying. Getting out of this place will be like trying to get out of a maximum security prison. But, hey, don't let that get you down. Go ahead and try, at the very least it will be unbelievably entertaining."

"You would love that. But trust me, I am no fool. I won't take a chance with something that is practically impossible. Not only would I need to know the movements of the guards, I would also need to know how many there are and their reaction times. Going in blind is just me walking straight towards failure."

"Wow, someone has been watching too much Prison Break. Well, there went my hope for late night entertainment. But at the very least it's nice to know that you're not an absolute idiot."

"Whatever. I'm not here for your entertainment y'know. Anyway, before we go in, as I assume that's what we're going to do, mind telling me what's going on?"

"Oh, you'll see," he replied with that impish smile of his. Knowing that he won't say anymore, I drop the subject.

"Fine. Could you at least take of these hand cuffs? It would be so much easier to walk without them."

"Yeah, no. Last I checked, you walk with your legs, not your hands."

"Oh c'mon. You already know I'm not going to try anything and these things are really uncomfortable. Furthermore, I am walking into a house with a bunch of men whilst I'm in handcuffs. That seems a little…y'know…" I stop because I could feel my face starting to heat up.

"Oh, I didn't think of it that way. But still… Look, let's get you inside and then I'll take them off, okay?"

"Fine," I sighed, "Sounds like the best deal I'm gonna get."

"It is."

Gripping the upperpart of my arm, Reo tugs me up the steps and into the home. Once inside he takes off the handcuffs just as he said he would.

"Does that feel better?" he asked completely unconcerned.

"Yeah, much. Nice to know you're a man of your word."

"Yeah, well, I know that if I didn't follow through you would probably have made a scene about it and, quite frankly, I don't feel like dealing with it."

"Wow, It's almost as if you've known me my whole life," I laughed.

"Oh, if you only knew…"

"Hmm?"

"No, nothing."

Whatever Reo had said, I did not hear. I already knew he wouldn't repeat it even if I asked so I just let it go.

We continued walking and, as it turns out, this place is a lot bigger than it looks. It was, just as it is outside, covered in western décor. But compared to the outside, the interior seemed a little more welcoming. Of course, I still felt completely out of place considering that it looked like the set of some fairy tale. We continued going further in until we reached a very large, antique looking grandfather clock. Reo reached for the side, running his hand up and down the side.

"Oooo, get it…" I snickered.

"Shut up," he growled.

Then, there was a slight click and next thing I know, like a movie, the clock swings open revealing a hidden passage.

Oh, are you serious? Having a mansion isn't enough? Of course they had to add a hidden passage. Damn these rich people!

"Come on, let's go, you," Reo said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Mai."

"What?"

"My name is Mai."

"You want me to call you by your first name? Well, that's quite intimate. Sure, okay, the only reason I didn't really use it to begin with is because I didn't want to come off as rude."

"…Seriously? You stalk me, have me kidnapped, roundhouse kick me, handcuff me and drag me to whatever the hell this place is but calling me by my name is rude? Dude, you have crossed, erased, and gone way beyond that line."

"…Yeah, okay, point taken. Whatever, less talk more walk," he said as he pointed towards the entrance way. Mind you, this passage was barely lit, there was no way in hell I was going down that place first. Horror movie 101…Make the asshole go first. Or better yet, DON'T GO DOWN HALLWAYS THAT SCREAM "YOU'RE GONNA DIE TONIGHT"! But not like I got a choice…

"Ladies first," I said, looking straight at Reo. His brow furrowed and look really annoyed. He then reached for my arm, wrapping his around mine, and then began walking.

"Hey, don't drag me with you!" I shouted in protest.

"It's a gentleman's job to escort a 'lady', isn't it?" he said in a very haughty tone, "Besides, what are you, scared?"

"…Who are you calling a gentleman?"

"What's this? You didn't deny it," he questioned as he leaned closer to me with a teasing smile.

"I-I am NOT s-scared," I stuttered.

"Wow, after everything you've been through, you're actually scared!" He laughed.

I glared at him and began to say, "I'm not…" but at that very moment my arm brushed against something on the wall and I freaked.

"EEEEKKKK!" I shouted. I, in my panic, wrapped both my arms around Reo's arm and practically threw myself on top of him. I felt as Reo toppled sideways a couple of steps in an attempt to keep his balance.

"Whoa! What are you trying to do, make me trip? Or are you just trying to find a reason to cling to me?" He was teasing me but he didn't sound irritated. It was weird. He sounded like…

"Would you stop being so self-absorbed? You just happen to be the closest thing I could cling to, okay?" I said as I pushed him away.

"'Thing', seriously. Whatever. Anyway just a little farther down now."

I looked down the path and saw that there was a not too distant light up ahead. My paced slowed down but I heard Reo sigh and then he gripped my arm once more and pulled me along at a quicker pace. I couldn't help but to want to slow down. There was something about whatever or whoever was at the end of the passage that was unnerving.

What is this feeling? I don't know what is should call this. This unsettling feeling… No doubt. Whoever or whatever is at the end of this passage is not to be trusted.

Me: Well that's that.

Naru: Mai is being overly friendly with this man, isn't she?

Me: Aww! Jealous?

Naru: Not in your wildest dreams.

Gene: Liar.

Naru: Shut up.

Mai: Well not like I expected anything different. Anyway thank you for reading, and please R&R!