49. He loves Mai.

If anyone hurts her, he'll kill them dead.

But he can't protect her from these nightmares.

That frustrates him more than anything, being unable to help her when she's that scared, suffering a death that isn't hers. He hasn't seen her look this sick at heart since the day she described this power to him, an ability that seemed just as bad, if not worse, than his. She's told him she's accepted her gift, acknowledged it's a part of her, and that she'll make use of it in whatever way she can. But he can tell she didn't even want to tell him she'd thought he was dead. From the way she clenches her fists on her knees and keeps her face hidden by her long hair, he knows she's embarrassed, overreacting like that.

"S-So what happened to your phone? Why wouldn't you answer when I called?" She asks, trying to smile. "And where have you been all day?"

The battery died, he explains. Doesn't ring, doesn't charge, doesn't do a damn thing. As for where he's been, he knew she had work in the morning, so he was wandering around, killing time until his shift began. "Are you sure you're okay?" Part of him remembers Mai always has a connection to the events she dreams about, sometimes even knowing the person directly.

So who was it who died if not him?

She's called everyone she knows: her assistants, her boss, other employees from SPR, and the Ikebukuro regulars, Celty, Shinra, Kadota's crew (How and when had she met those four?), even that damn flea. Most of them are accounted for and in good health. Most of them.

She says she hasn't heard from Izaya yet.

"Are you that worried?"

"Despite what he is, he is my friend." Mai blinks in bewilderment. "Wow, that was hard to admit. I'm sorry, I-" Her phone rings, blaring a diabolical sounding rock tune that contrasts sharply with her personality, and she answers.

And her face turns bone white.

-0-0-0-

Author's Notes: This was a lot more fun when I just made it up as I went, but now that it's taken a more serious turn, I have to give this some more calculated thought before I proceed. Sorry for the long wait and thanks for sticking with me!

Ghost Hunt is owned by Fuyumi Ono and Shiho Inada.

Durarara! is owned by Ryohgo Narita, Suzuhito Yasuda, and Akiyo Satorigi.