Okay, so AX's over, so I'm pretty sad about that since the last two days weren't really that exciting as before… Darn X Games… Not that many cosplayers D:

"Ah!" The child jumped awake, panting and in cold sweat. Her wide red orbs adjusted to the darkness of the room, staring at the bookcases and the painting in the room.

"You're awake, that's good." Garry knelt down in front of her and smiled. "You passed out earlier so I got a bit scared for second there." He placed a gentle hand on the top of her brown head. "Are you alright? You look a little pale."

She remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes on the carpet. Her brought her knees to her chest, keeping Garry's coat with her. Her pale lips parted slightly, but she was barely about to speak. The child was normally quiet, but the one time she wants to speak, she can't. Her body tensed up tightly in her stomach and she began to mumble.

"Ib?"

"I… I had a nightmare." The little girl mumbled, burying her face into Garry's tattered coat. She could feel tears sink into the blue fabric and continued to hide her face.

The man's heart sank in his chest. A little girl should be smiling and enjoying life while she can. She shouldn't be traumatized by art. She shouldn't have to be exposed to feral paintings and statues. "You poor thing. After everything we've seen so far, I wouldn't blame you for having a nightmare." He sighed. He wanted Ib to smile and to stand strong. After seeing that painting of her parents, she seemed battered. She withdrew herself and hid from Garry. "Hey, Ib. Check my pocket."

She looked up, her eyes slightly puffy from crying silent tears. Her little hand slid into his coat pocket, digging around for something that would be in there. She felt something with sharp points and crinkly. She began to drag it out into the open and clenched it in her fist. She stared at the yellow wrapper, able to taste the sweet lemon on her tongue just by looking at it. Ib looked up at Garry, questioning him with her expression.

He smiled. "You can have that. Eat it whenever you like." He reached a hand out to pet her head and comfort her.

STAB

Suddenly he felt numb in his head and his body froze on the floor. The light in Ib's gentle eyes faded and crimson fluid began to flow from her lips, dripping slowly to the floor. She lifted her head up and looked at Garry. Her eyes overflowed with painful tears as she reached her bloodied hand out to him. "G-Garry…!"

Thud

"Ib…? Ib, no!"

Her body no longer moved. It was as if she was a doll, her body on the ground as if she was thrown about and broken. In her back was a palette knife with a dark hand still holding on to it. Blood quickly began to eat away at her white blouse. Garry could make out faint golden threads in the dark and sapphire orbs peering at him in the dark.

The silhouette began to hesitate and loosened its grip on the tool. Garry quickly kicked himself back into a wall and kept watching the figure as it groaned and grabbed its head.

"Not… No… Not me…" It muttered quietly. "I don't want to…!" It then slumped to the floor, curling up into a ball before breaking into spasms. "Stop it!" It shrieked. "It hurts!" It wailed. The voice was clearly familiar and spine-chilling. It sounded like a little girl's pained voice. The shadow rolled on her back which arched into the air as her hands gripped at her own neck. "Leave me alone!"

Garry watched in fear as the shadow kicked and screamed in sheer agonizing pain. He froze, unable to find the strength to move anywhere.

The silhouette got up to her knees, clutching at her head and covering her ears. She started to cry out, wailing like a banshee, screaming out and up to the ceiling. "GET OUT NOW!"

"Ah!" Garry jumped awake in cold sweat. His eyes were quickly blinded by the morning light piercing through the window. His tired eyes blinked twice and gazed blankly around the room then down. The man smiled and reached his hand out, petting the little miss asleep on his bed and letting his fingers get lost in her silky brown locks. His head was hazy, unable to remember anything about the day before. He looked at Ib's sleeping face and felt his heart warm up. She was alive and well, thank goodness. He noticed the tight grip she had on his blankets as she slept and smiled, feeling like he failed to protect Ib from anything that would make her sad. "I'm sorry for worrying you." He whispered.

Ib's eyes snapped open. "You're forgiven."

"I-Ib, I didn't know you were-"

She silenced him with a hug, her arms wrapped around his neck. She nuzzled her face into his shoulder, tears streaming down her soft cheeks. "Thank goodness… Thank goodness, you're okay."

Garry felt warmth in his cheek and his chest. With Ib having a boyfriend and his living alone, he never expected this kind of thing to happen to him. He was so happy that it was Ib giving him this gentle embrace. He was glad that Ib cared so much about him like this. At this point, he was actually jealous of Martin for having Ib has his girlfriend. Normally, by he'd mentally smack himself for that type of thinking. He was much older than her and not only that, she has school to worry about. He's always felt that he doesn't deserve to be Ib's best friend. He was always mocked for being effeminate. He was always looked down upon by passersby for hanging out with someone so much younger than him. Personally speaking, the man didn't care about how others seen him. He had his art and he had a wonderful friend. Still, he felt as if he was a bother to Ib. What if she was being mocked for hanging out with someone like him? What if she was bothered by how people treated them? He was glad that part of his questions was answered. She didn't care about them. She cared that Garry was alive and kicking. Ib was so strong and yet so very kind despite her quiet nature.

He slowly began to hug her back, his arms hugging her at her waist. "I'm sorry for scaring you like that." He smiled and nudged her off. Garry almost frowned at her tearstained face as she wiped her sadness from her face. "Ib, smile. It's a disservice to your cute face if I let you cry like this." He held her hands and let out a small chuckle. He remembered the last time he said that and to be honest, he never thought he'd say it again.

Ib felt nostalgia and nodded. "Even now, you say that." She put on a brave smile and laughed a bit. "In exchange, we'll hang out more, got it?"

"Of course!" He smiled and ruffled her hair again. "I promise!"

Things were suddenly looking up for the two, but there was still some matters that remained unanswered and unaddressed. Garry's dream still sent chills down his spine as he remembered the vividness of that dark place. It scared him to think about it and it made him want to keep Ib even closer just so it wouldn't happen.

As for Ib, the palette knife still rested in her backpack as well as her mind. Having seen the scene at Garry's apartment left her a scar on her heart. Was something wrong? Why did he have a palette knife in his hand? Garry was always strong, there was no way he would've attempted suicide. Or would he? People keeps giving him a hard time and she hasn't exactly been there for him lately. Guilt weighed down her heart and her smile. She didn't mean to, but she might've hurt Garry.

She's mine, Garry. You won't take her from me. Never again.