Shilo locked her door upon entering her room and immediately situated herself in her bed in case her father came up. Staring at the ceiling, she sighed, feeling a brand new sense of loneliness. While he still seemed distant and strange to her, she couldn't doubt that Graverobber made for decent company. The small chatter was nice and she didn't even mind all of the questions he asked. With him on her mind, she only then began to notice the hot feeling in her hand, right where he had kissed. Noticing this, red began to fill her cheeks, and noticing the red, she shoved a pillow in her face and sighed into it, frustrated.

I know I asked for company…but this guy's too much.

The more she thought about it, the more she thought he wasn't the type of company she needed, and the more she thought about that, the more she missed his presence. The few times they've met Graverobber has managed to leave Shilo wondering, almost intrigued.

Shilo decided to push all her thoughts aside for the night. Sleep was always good medicine for a conflicted mind.

x

A few days later Shilo found herself at her mother's tomb once again, this time with a new set of books. Though they were mostly about bugs and were books which she had already read, she enjoyed them nonetheless.

Shilo sat as she always did, back against the wall and under the barred window. After a quick conversation with her mother, she picked up a book on beetles. While reading about the mandibles of one such beetle, she began to nod off. After attempting to read the same sentence multiple times to no avail, she submitted to her sleepiness and dozed off.

x

Shilo dreamt she was on a brilliant stage, performing eloquent songs just as Mag always did. She wore a long, black dress with fishnet designs covering the outer layer. Her long black gloves were just the same. Shilo's voice echoed through the theater, delivering a soft and sweet sound to those who were listening.

Midway through a verse, she caught a glimpse of something strange. Looking down, she saw red where black should have been. Her voice halted as she examined her dress in despair and confusion. It was covered in blood, from top to bottom. She had blood on her hands and even smeared on her face.

She looked to the audience for some understanding, but was immediately appalled at the sight. All of their eyes had been gouged out, blood flowing where they used to reside.

Shilo ran off the stage and down the aisle, bursting through the main doors that led outside. While she hoped to find solace outside, there was only darkness and unfamiliar territory. She headed right, stepping over cadavers and dodging those who hadn't quite made it there yet. The smell of carrion was thick within the air, burning her eyes. It wasn't until she stubbed her toe on something rocklike that she realized where she now was. Walking further, the tombstones multiplied, forming endless rows.

Shilo stopped dead in her tracks. The air no longer smelt of carrion, but something much more familiar. She couldn't find a comparison for this scent, and couldn't quite place her finger on what it was. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned around to an epiphany as to the source of the aroma. There Graverobber stood, smiling as always, and not a touch of death on him. (Well, other than there would normally be.)

Graverobber pulled Shilo close, closing in the distance between their bodies, and eventually their lips. The kiss melted away all confusion and fear. When the feelings began building up inside Shilo, they felt all too real-his overwhelming scent and the touch of their lips.

x

Shilo's eyes shot open, tearing her from the dream she was having. Her heartbeat was wild and her cheeks were hot. Only when Shilo breathed in to steady her heartbeat did she notice the still-lingering scent of Graverobber. Her mind, coming out of its groggy, sleeping state, made the realization before her body did. She didn't quite remember falling asleep like this-so comfortable. She turned her head to see what she was lying against to see a smiling Grave robber.

"Good morning, kid." He said, stroking her hair.

Shilo, becoming self-conscious, shot up and began composing herself. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. The blush that had originated from her dream intensified.

"Someone's been having some naughty dreams." Graverobber brought a finger up to poke her cheek.

"It's not…" she sighed, rolling her eyes. "What are you doing here this time?"

"I've never seen an angel sleep before." He laughed, obviously amused with himself.

Shilo's blush, to her surprise, increased even more so at his reply. She passed it off as the result of the events of her dream. "A real reason," she inquired.

"I just happened to be in the neighborhood-" he paused to let out a sly laugh, "and I wanted to enjoy your company, Ms. Wallace."

She sighed, slightly amused, herself, at his words. Something about his smile made him seem so inviting.

"Now don't let me bother you, you just keep reading about your Lucanidae." His voice teemed with mocking enthusiasm.

She put both of her arms up like mandibles and pretended to snap at him. Graverobber laughed and this time was the one to roll his eyes. Shilo gave him a half smile before leaning back against him and picking up where she left off in her book.

AN: Basically this chapter was to show a glimpse into Shilo's mind by subconscious means. I also wanted to show the progression of their relationship in that Shilo is beginning to become comfortable with his company and want it more. Note: Lucanidae is the scientific name for a stag beetle. Graverobber flipped through her book while she was sleeping and used the term while mocking her.