A/N: Hey everyone, I think that, due to the violent contents of this chapter, I will be raising the rating to M. The violence in this chapter isn't particularly graphic, but I'm still raising the rating just to be safe.

Also, updates after this will be a longer while than normal (as if they weren't long already). I have lots of things I have to do for school, summer classes, my clubs, and preparing for the numerous anime conventions I am going to (making more than 3 different cosplays and my groups' props). Please bear with me.

Misaki awoke with a start, eyes wide and lungs straining to take in as much air as she could. Shadow shifted on the pillow next to the startled girl, letting out a quiet whine to voice his concern as he nudged his nose against her hand.

A young girl woke up to the sounds of screaming and heavy footsteps. Curious as to what was happening so late at night, the child crawled out of her large bed and cracked the door open a sliver.

Misaki took another minute to regain enough of her composure to calm her breathing and respond. "I'm fine. I just... need some air. I'll be back. Go back to sleep, Shadow." She silently crept across and exited the room, closing the door before Shadow could follow her out.

Something splattered into her eyes as soon as the door cracked open. She winced and immediately rose a hand to wipe the offending liquid from her face, a loud 'thump' reaching her ears as she did. The girl wrinkled her nose at the strong scent of iron that invaded her senses. A sticky red substance smudged on her tiny hand.

The girl's bare feet clapped against the cold linoleum floor as she walked. The tips of her fingers brushed gently along the wall, guiding her along the dark hallway. The silence of the girls' dormitory was only broken by the creaking of the building and the high-pitched whistle of strong winds rushing past the windows. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the darkness as she approached her destination.

The child's eyes widened at the sight of her mother lying lifeless before her.

Misaki pushed open the door to her floor's girls' restroom, locking the door behind her. The restroom was hardly used, as each dorm room had its own built-in bathroom, making it a good place for Misaki to be alone. She locked the door behind her just in case.

A low grunt took the girl's attention away from her mother's corpse. Just down the hall, she caught a glimpse of her father with a broken strip of wood in his hands holding back another man, one with crazed, wide eyes. "Father!"

The girl made her way to the large stall at the end, pressing her back against the cool wall in the corner and sliding down to sit on the floor. She ran one hand through her messy brown locks. Her other hand lazily rose up and rubbed at her tired, achy eyes.

"Misaki! Get away from here! Run away!"

The girl flinched as the intruder's head snapped in her direction, his bloodshot eyes meeting her terrified brown ones. He let out a shriek-like cackle and lunged for her.

"Misaki!"

The girl's father rushed over and shoved the demented man away. He leapt back immediately after as claw-like nails slashed at him, narrowly missing his face. Without hesitation, he thrust the sharp end of the broken wooden dowel through the intruder's chest.

Heavy sobs racked the brown-haired girl's trembling body. She lifted a hand to stifle her sobs as tears started overflow, stinging her reddening eyes.

Misaki's father breathed heavily and leaned against the wooden dowel. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he kneeled in front of his trembling child. "You're okay now, Misaki. That man can't hurt you anymore," he said, his deep and gentle voice slowly calming the girl.

Misaki's eyes shut tightly as she rested her forehead against her knees and her hands pressed forcefully against her ears. She tried to block out the shouts of her father that rang in her ears. The suffocating metallic stench that made her stomach churn. The crimson that painted her mind. The damp and sticky sensation of the sanguine substance that stained her skin.

Blood splattered everywhere, followed by a muted 'thump'. Her father's headless corpse fell forward, knocking the child over and trapping her beneath its weight. The crazed intruder stood before Misaki, the wooden dowel still shoved through his chest as he cackled once again.

A breathy whisper passed Misaki's lips.

"Make it stop…"

The child's scream echoed in the blood-stained house.