Author's Note: It's been awhile. Yes I know. Hope you like this update though! Thank you for all the support! :D

Running like a blur up the stairs and down the bland – maybe a rundown – hallway. Creaks resounded in the room and only silence followed him. Though, the silence was cut off, when the stampeding of footsteps rapidly banged against the weakened wooden planks, the huffing and puffing of a person who'd just ran as fast as he could from far away. Running, he turned the corner and up another – unstable – set of stairs. Not bothering to think of his own safety, he rushed forward – not paying heed to the hole he'd created on one of the planks. It wasn't long before he reached a door with the number 114, thus he unlocked it with an old rusty key. The person went in and banged the rackety wooden door shut. A 'click', and with that, the door was locked.

Red walked over to the bed, and sat down with a sigh. He was still panting from all the running, which brings us back to the reason why.

Why was he running?

Reason being, was the fact that after he'd stepped out of the alley those 'Exorcists' – as Neah spat out with much disgust and maybe a hint of nostalgic sadness – had spotted him almost instantly and then began the chase.
He was lucky to have outran them at a few turns, ducks, and leaps – and…okay. Maybe he wasn't that 'lucky' – but at least he'd gotten away.

'Wh' a' dey afta meh?'

That was something he'd pondered on during the run. Why were they chasing after him? They didn't know him…did they?
He certainly hoped to whatever holy being there was – or maybe the 'devil' – that they didn't know him. He also hoped, that they didn't know anything about his arm – or that would be very troublesome – so much indeed, he'd probably be driven out of town, thus using up even more money to travel and settle.

But what he feared most, was to be desperate enough to have to go back and work at the circus. Then again, would they even let him back in? Another point, he didn't know where they'd be. The circus must've left already, travelling to another nation or…country.

~….~

"Whe' am I?"

Red's voice echoed in the void of darkness. It was deathly silent, and to be honest, it scared him. And that was talking A LOT.

Suddenly, out of the blue, he began to hear droplets of water falling into a pool of water.

Drip.

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Drop.

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Drip.

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Drop.

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"Welcome back, my dear brother~"

Red's head whipped to where he heard the noise. Behind him was a figure in beige coat. His spiky black hair seemed to defy gravity as it reached the nape of his neck. A smile was on his face and Red couldn't help but think it familiar.

Which then brought him to register what the man had said:

'-my dear brother~'?

What had that been about? As far as Red knew, he was abandoned on the streets of London at a young age – but then again, he didn't know if he was abandoned or not, he couldn't remember anything before the age of six.
Which got him to think:

'Did this person abandon me on purpose along with 'our' parents?'

Such a depressing thought, correct?

But it may, or may not be the truth. If it was true, then he'd have to face it. Like he always did. When a problem would arise, he'd do what he could in order to trample his problems – and maybe laugh at it for being so stupid enough to even arise and challenge him.

"I need to warn you."

The stranger – perhaps Neah – began with a serious tone. Although, even with the seriousness of the situation, Red could not help but think:

'Wh' is it a'ways meh?'

As though Neah had known his 'younger brother' was thinking, he gave a small sad smile.

"I'm very sorry…but don't you…remember…?" The older said with caution, suspicion or perhaps:

Disappointment?

What was there to remember? Red could obviously not have made a promise – well…not that he could remember.
Even if he did, then what was it? Was it related to why he'd been thrown out on the streets of London to fend for himself?

Were they…CRAZY?!

Why would they just leave him out in the cold at such a young age? To have to fight, to starve, to steal? To have to be so jealous of seeing children pass by his alley with their parents and on top of that, an annoying wide grin that he could never pull off genuinely and not just an act to deceive?

It was such a weight to bear, and for some reason, he'd seemed to feel all the depression and all those negative feelings he had lock within in order to survive, came crashing down on him. There was so much in fact, that he fell to his knees in front of his 'so-called brother'.

"I had enough! I just want to leave! I can't take this anymore!"

His rampage began and his thick street-British accent began to wear off and started to become his 'former self'.

"Wha' da fuck wa' dat?" Red said in shock at how he'd said something.

"I'm sorry. It's only a story that shall be told at the right time; now isn't right."

He watched as Red looked up with tearful eyes, but there was nothing he could do. It wasn't the right time; Red wasn't as near as prepared to take in the information. Though, he couldn't help but let sympathy show in his golden orbs.
So instead, he to the ground and embraced Red safely in his arms. There was a hint of desperation and longing in it. It was as though he didn't want to lose Red again.

'I don't want you to go.'

Then came the shock of realisation that punched him in the face. His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to warn Red.

"ALLEN! THE MILLE-"

~o~~

"Konbawa~ Red-kun~"

An eerie voice greeted him. Red jolted up, intending to stand and run, but wasn't able to. The window was far off, and surely he'd be caught if he were to try. Looking for other options – though they were very limited – he backed up into the corner.
He glowered and snarled at the grotesque man before him. Red knew he was in danger and that he needed to escape as soon as possible.

"Who da fuck are ya?" He said rather rudely. Not that he cared though. The 'man' – more like deformed demon – only stared at him with the same creepy grin. It was honestly creeping him out, but he kept his fiery defiance in his eyes.

"Do tell me Red-kun~ do you know what you are~?" He said with a tongue roll on 'what'.

"What?" That was the only thing Red could say. He was terribly confused, and dare he say it.

He was almost missing the circus…almost.

Ever since he'd left the circus, all these weird occurrences have been coming and going. All these scenes have been going way too fast, and honestly, he wanted it to stop.
He needed it to stop.

"So it seems to me that you don't know~ would you like to know what you truly are~?"

It was that voice. It seemed as though it was actually pleased and satisfied with his confusion. What was it glad about? That it had an advantage over Red because of a human's curiosity, and that Neah hadn't told him about anything?

I think not!

"Yo-"

Before Red could even spout a word, this 'figure', this 'entity' had somehow knocked him out. Last thing he saw before he drifted into forced unconsciousness, was an eerie glint in the man's golden orbs.

Oo0o0oO

"I'm sorry Allen, I couldn't save you."

Oo0o0oO

Red's eyes fluttered open, his vision only meeting the dark. Was he looking at the ceiling? Where was he?
It was absolutely pitch black and not even a shed of light could be seen. It was quite nerve-wracking, but he needed to get out of here, and so he pushed all those feelings of fear away. Slowly, he lifted himself up. The surface was soft, so soft he'd never could imagine what it could be.
Next, he felt his surroundings with caution. He felt something soft and rectangular – and it was safe to call it a pillow. Finally deciding that it was a bed, he tried – and slowly – shuffling to the edge of the bed. What surprised him was the fact that it was huge.
It took a few shuffles before he could actually get to the edge. Not only that, but he knew he was in the 'middle' of the bed. If it was that wide on one side, plus the other, then how gigantic would the bed be?!

Shaking his odd thoughts off, he cautiously placed both his feet on the ground and stood. He felt exhausted and pain in several parts of his body. Although, he felt as though he was awake – alive. Like he'd actually rested after a very long time filled with running, stealing, jumping and fighting.

Now that he thought of it, how long was he asleep for?

Walking forwards little by little, he felt the soft carpe beneath his feet. After a while, Red reached a wall. He guided himself to the right and kept going, following the wall. He reached a corner and continued that way. A little bit more to the right and he reached a knob. It was cold against his hand. When he twisted and opened it, light instantly poured into the room. It was so bright, Red stumbled back a little.

Looking down at himself, he resisted a gasp. His skin was clean and he was wearing new clothing. He turned around to face the room he was in, only to see a luxurious and gigantic room. It was furnished with the finest items, with antiques that could've cost millions!

'How did I not break anything?'

He shook his head again. In the corner close to him, was a well-placed full-mirror. It was as though the person who brought him there knew he'd want to look at himself.
Looking in the mirror, he saw someone he'd never seen.

Was that really him?

In the mirror, staring back at him, was a gentleman. He was wearing detailed white long sleeves, an ebony-coloured vest, black slacks, and a blood red ribbon adored his neck. Red was still wearing gloves, but they were new and black.

Gulping, he opens the door fully to see polished black shoes and a pair of newly cleaned socks on thee floor in front of him.
He crouched down and put them on. Red was a little scared, they were anticipating his every move and what he'd do. It was scaring him…a lot.
It was like he was trapped in a maze – a game. He didn't like it, and he'd do anything to escape. Peeking into the hall, he looked for a window. Rushing to one, he tried to force it open. He attempted to break it with something he'd found on the way, but it wouldn't budge!

"Wha' da fuck?!" Red spat. Looking down at the windowsill, he saw note stuck to it.

Dear Red,

We know you're trying to escape~
just head to the dining hall.
Take the right, right, straight, and then left.
By then, you'll see a pair of giant spruce doors.

~Sincerely,

M

'Who is M?' Red thought with a slight perplexed expression. Gritting his teeth, he decided he'd follow their instructions.

"Allen. Don't worry, they won't hurt you…"

The voice resounded in his head. He jolted a little at the sudden appearance.

"N-N-Neah?!" Red/'Allen' exclaimed. Something like nostalgia washed over him. It felt like years since he last talked to him.

"How…how long have I been out?" Red finally decided to ask. He really wanted to know, because he was in such good condition – well better – he was curious of how long he had lights out. For some reason he felt as though he wouldn't be surprised to find he'd been out for a few days.

"A week."

Came he shocking answer. Yes, he very well did expect a few days, but not a whole bloody week! The brunette was so shocked, he jolted upright. From his slight hunched back, to straight as a board back.

"You should get moving. They aren't a patient bunch." Neah warned. There was still forlorn in his voice, perhaps disappointed in himself that he couldn't get his brother to avoid the very existences that destroyed his life.

Red nodded slightly and began walking in the direction being pointed out by Neah.

Finally reaching his desired destination in front of two large spruce wood doors – as referenced from the letter, of course – he stared at it in shock. There were intricate patterned designs running along the sides and 14 crosses running across it – the biggest one being the middle.

Pale petite hands pressed against the doors, and pushed. The doors opened, and what came in sight, was a sight to both relish and…fear.

Oo0o0oO

"Welcome back Kanda…LEEEEEENAAAALLEEEEEE!" A blue-haired scientist came hurling out a different pair of doors and came glomping his sister whom he most cared about dearly. He was crying comically, and flames and glints came from the office behind him.

"Komui…! GET BACK TO WORK!" An Australian scientist growled with fiery and menacing aura. 'Komui' shivered in fear and then began to cry to his sister about saving him from those 'wretched demons'.

Lenalee only sighed, noting the fact that Kanda had already disappeared from the idiocy.

"Nii-san, we couldn't get the accommodator, but you should really get back to work. I'll give you some coffee too." She said with a small smile. Every day she would miss her brother. No matter how 'unreasonable' or 'ridiculous' he was, Lenalee would always be there to try and protect him. Just as was done to her when she needed it most.

It was time to pay all those years of protection back.

Oo0o0oO

There was something. Something about the boy made Kanda wary…and curious. There was something intriguing about the boy – despite the fact that he seemed to be a normal street rat. The way his eyes widened and glinted with fear when he saw the silver crosses of the Order, got Kanda to think that there was more to this boy than just the streets.

Then there was also the speed and agility. That couldn't have been possible for a normal human with an uncontrolled Innocence. Even Lenalee's Black Boots couldn't catch up or even overrun him!

Hopefully he would get to see this boy again, and within himself, he felt like it wouldn't be long until then.

Author's note: Hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to leave a review, favourite and follow! Da? Also for the music too!

Well until next time! I'm actually quite sleepy…It's still early though. Hm…how odd.

2,545 words! 7 pages in word…so short XD