44. When she wakes up that morning, the first thing she remembers is her nightmare. Dying somewhere in Ikebukuro. No doubt there will be a report on the news about a stabbing incident. She brushes her hand over her belly, tracing her finger over an imaginary slit between the last two ribs on her right. There were others, too, but they were spread out across her chest and stomach, spilling a gruesome, red flower across her clothes. Mai claps a hand to her mouth and slowly sits up.
Her nightmares always get worse when Izaya's hatching something.
And when Izaya's hatching something, it's time to take a job far away from Tokyo.
She runs a hand through her tangled hair and glances at her reflection. Those circles under her eyes are darker now, her cheeks are starting to become more prominent, and her face is pale. Working too hard? Not enough sleep? Unhealthy diet? Probably all of the above, but she resolves to pay Ayako or Shinra a visit to make sure she's not dying.
When she steps into the main room, she realizes the apartment is empty. Namie doesn't come in until noon and her roommate has left a note on the table saying he won't be back until that evening and there's a kettle full of leftover breakfast for her in the refrigerator. Mai sniffs at it suspiciously, but sets it on the stove to heat it up and sits down to watch the morning news.
Then she notices Shizuo doesn't call her like he normally does.
-0-0-0-
Author's Notes: My sister thinks Izaya's note should have read, 'Out ruinin' some lives. Supper's in the fridge.'
Ghost Hunt is owned by Fuyumi Ono and Shiho Inada.
Durarara! is owned by Ryohgo Narita, Suzuhito Yasuda, and Akiyo Satorigi.