Namie looked skeptical. "What do you mean there's no one in there? Have you searched the entire house?"
The man just stepped aside to let her enter. She entered the door and her eyes widened. She turned to the stranger, disliking the uncomfortable feeling of ignorance stirring in her.
'Is this some kind of a joke?"
"I... I don't know," he admitted. "I was asked to meet an old acquaintance there."
Celty was torn. She doubted the fact that this man was her employer, yet the coincidence was so obscure it wasn't completely impossible.
There was only one way to be sure. "Do you go Dutch?" she asked, watching his reaction closely.
"Excuse me?" The man leaned forward a bit. "Could you repeat that?"
"Do you go Dutch?"
He frowned. "I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean."
Now certain he wasn't her employer, Celty waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind, I have to go. It was nice meeting you," she said politely.
"Likewise." The stranger seemed distracted, but Celty didn't really care. She was running late as it was already.
Izaya had a dilemma. He stopped skipping (much to the relief of the people pushing past him) and walked thoughtfully.
Tapping a finger to his mouth, he decided something and pulled out his phone.
Kida stood and offered his hand. "Nice to meet you," he said.
The woman looked amused and shook the slim hand. "Same here. You're quite young for this job, hm?"
Kida restrained the urge to twitch with annoyance and gave a strained smile. "It's never too young to start."
"Out of the mouthes of babes." The woman laughed and walked away, clearly expecting Kida to follow her.
Shizuo pulled up in front of a house. There were two people entering as they got out.
"Are you sure we're at the right place?" Kadota asked doubtfully. Shizuo checked his phone and the house number and street.
"Yep, 2016 Umasi Lane. Your friend should be inside."
Kadota felt a strange apprehension as he walked up the path to the door. He should be looking forward to meeting his old friend. Why did he feel dread? Crushing the nervous flutterings in his stomach, he knocked on the door. Shizuo stood behind him.
A woman opened the door and a man peered over her shoulder. Kadota tried to hide his surprise. She had been on train with him. "Are you the owners of this house?" she demanded.
Kadota was taken aback. "No," he answered. "I'm here to meet a friend."
"I'm his guide, you could say," Shizuo contributed.
"Well, do you know anything about this?" the woman asked, stepping back inside to allow them a look. Kadota and Shizuo entered the house.
"What the heck?"
Mikado Ryugamine opened the mailbox and drew out a package. There was no return address. He turned it over. Blank. In the house, he tore it open. He picked up the object that fell out and read the note attached to it.
"Interesting," he said to himself.
Celty stared up at the house. She had expected to be followed by the stranger, but he had dashed off in the opposite direction. The enameled numbers next to the door stood out.
2016. This was the right house. She walked past a battered van and a dull red car and wondered what sort of people she was going to meet. Her job had insured meeting a lot of colorful personalities. Not necessarily nice personalities. Adjusting her hat, she knocked in the door. It swung open on itself. Surprised, she walked into the house. Four people, previously in a heated discussion, started at her. She was too busy staring at her surroundings to notice.
"What's going on?"
Anri Sonohara flicked the attic light on. She tried not to breathe the dusty air in. This room hadn't been opened since decades ago.
She walked carefully along the wooden planks that served as a makeshift floor. The old record player was in the very back and she had to rearrange the planks to get to it. Anri didn't know why it was needed, but she didn't question his motives.
Tom ran. He ran for his life. The gunshots behind him only spurred him on.
Damn, I should have stayed with her, he thought desperately.
He made a sudden turn into a neighborhood and jumped over the fence, hoping against the hope that his pursuers would find him. He strained to hear the familiar sounds of feet pounding the ground or the rough breathing of men, but heard nothing. He sighed in relief and leaned against the fence. Thank goodness. Now, if he could only remember his initial assignment...
Kida stumbled over a rock, and although he couldn't see her face, he knew the woman was grinning.
Trying to distract her from his clumsiness, he said, "So what should I call you?"
She fingered her earring. "Call me... Kanra-san. No, you can drop the -san."
"Well then, Kanra, could you tell me a little about what I'm supposed to do? The text told me next to nothing."
This time, Kanra turned to smile at him.
"You'll see."
Namie ran her hand through her hair in frustration. They had been arguing about what to do for the last half hour.
"Okay, enough!" she snapped, causing Shizuo to glare at her. "We're never going to accomplish anything if we argue the entire time."
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Celty said. "I need to meet someone soon, but I have to deliver this package to the owner of this... place."
They all noticed her choice of words.
"I have to stay as well," Shinra said. "And so does Miss Namie, I believe." He looked questioningly at Shizuo and Kadota.
"I was supposed to stay here. At least, I think I was," Kadota said.
Shizuo shrugged. "And I was supposed to stay with him," a nod to Kadota, "'til he met with his friend."
"Who is this friend, if you don't mind me asking?" Shinra asked.
"An old classmate. We used to be coworkers as well."
Shinra opened his mouth to say something, but the doorbell rang. All four of the currant inhabitants stared apprehensively at each other. None of them moved. The doorbell rang impatiently again. Namie moved towards the door, Kadota close behind her.
She opened the door and started at the person who rang it.
"What is going on here?" she cried.
A/N: I didn't really like this chapter...what do you guys think? The OOCness is killing me...anyone else? Review? Thank you, SunaT.U~!