We

*

"Y-you can't tell anybody!" The girl exclaimed.

"Rachael," he began.

"I'm a wanted criminal...!" Rachael cried, putting her head in her hands.

"Rachael," Alastair said once more.

"I don't want to go back there, so please...!"

"Rachael!" Alastair shouted, startling the girl.

"Did they tattoo you?" He asked.

"Huh?" She sniffled.

"Didn't think so," he smiled.

"W-what do you mean...?" Rachael asked cocking her head.

"Christ, been meaning to get this thing removed for a while now..." Alastair mumbled as he slowly began to pull down the bandages covering his neck.

As he pulled them down, they revealed the number '367' in red ink.

"Man," he frowned.

"I wonder what I should replace this with anyway, much to think about..." He muttered, losing himself in thought.

"Y-you..." Rachael whispered.

"You were there too...?"

"Huh?" Alastair asked, quickly snapping out of his daze.

"Oh yeah, that's where I got this thing," he frowned, pointing to his white eye.

So honest...! Rachael thought to herself.

"Anyway," Alastair continued.

"I guess we are two peas in a pod after all, huh?" He chuckled.

"M-mm...!" Rachael nodded her head.

"Say, Alastair?" Rachael began.

"Hm?" Alastair turned his head, noticing Rachael staring at the newspaper from earlier.

"Eh, can you read any of that?" He asked.

"No offense, it's just, you're pretty young, and that stuff is kind of advanced for your age..." He frowned.

"Mmm, gramps taught me!" She giggled.

"Yeesh, you're pretty smart, huh?" Alastair laughed.

"I guess..." Rachael whispered sheepishly.

"Anyway, what about the newspaper?" Alastair questioned.

"They're looking for exorcists nearby!" She exclaimed.

"Oh, that," Alastair said.

"Don't read too much into that crap, Rach," Alastair sighed, leaning back on the couch.

"But...!" Rachael began protesting.

"You said your business was dying, yes?" She asked.

"So what?!" Alastair snapped.

"A-ah, sorry, didn't mean to snap at you," He frowned.

"I just don't see a point; exorcists are seldom needed around these parts..." He sighed.

"But...!" Rachael cried.

"It's good money they're paying here..." She mumbled.

"The hell, why is a kid like you worried about money? You're not paying any taxes yet, brat!" Alastair exclaimed.

"Alastair!" Rachael exclaimed, sitting up on the couch.

"We can do this!" She cried.

"What the hell happened to you being on the run?!" Alastair exclaimed.

"Oh yeah..." Rachael frowned.

"Well then, seems like it's up to you for now..." She shrugged.

This little smartass...! Alastair thought to himself, gritting his teeth.

"W-we'll look into it more..." Alastair huffed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Really?!" Rachael exclaimed, her eyes twinkling.

"Whatever..." Alastair grumbled, leaning back.

"Hold on a minute...!" He cried, suddenly jumping up.

"What's with this sudden we crap?!" He exclaimed.

"You're the one who said we'd look into it," Rachael began.

"So now we're partners!" She said, beaming.

"Partners?!" Alastair cried, jumping back.

"Who's deciding all of this anyway?!" He shrieked.

"Me!" Rachael said with a grin.

"Hate to break it to you, kid, but this," he frowned.

"This isn't going to work out..." He said.

"The last thing I need is a little girl bossing me around." He turned away.

"You got this far by yourself, why not go the extra mile an-"

Alastair's eyes widened as he turned around; he noticed Rachael's tears.

"A-ah...!" Alastair cried, running over to the girl.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry; it's just..."

"I just don't think this is a good idea..." He whispered.

"Look, you're a bright kid clearly; you'll figure it out..." Alastair said, smiling sadly.

Just as he said that, there was a knock at the door.

"Alastair?" A woman's voice called out as the door slowly creaked open.

"Did you see the news? There's a runaway girl from the labs on the news an-"

As she stepped in, her eyes widened.

"A-and she's right here..." The woman whispered in astonishment.

"Aya...!" Alastair exclaimed.

"She was just leaving...!" He said, grabbing Rachael's hand.

"Are you dense?!" Aya cried.

"Eh...?"

"You dunce, what is wrong with you?!" She exclaimed.

"I don't know, you tell me..." Alastair muttered.

"Did Alastair mention that we were once in the same boat as you...?" Aya asked, kneeling.

"A-Aya..." Alastair grumbled.

"If it weren't for them, I don't know what would've happened to us..." She then sighed.

"You can stay here as long as you'd like; we won't tell a soul, right Alastair?" Aya asked, turning to him with a glare.

"Not a soul..." Alastair muttered.

"Wonderful!" Aya beamed, clapping her hands together.

"We can easily turn my old bedroom in this apartment into yours!" Aya giggled.

"We can do what?!" Alastair exclaimed.

"Woah, Woah, Woah!" He cried out.

"Am I the only one who sees a problem here?!" He shouted.

"What's the problem, Alastair?" Aya asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I mean, we just met her...!" Alastair said, letting out a sigh.

"Fine!" He threw his hands up in frustration.

"Do whatever it is that you want to do, and if you need me, I'll be in my office..." He said, turning away.

"M-miss Aya..." Rachael looked up at her tearfully.

"T-thank you...!" She cried, embracing the woman.

"Of course, you're safe now..." Aya whispered, gently stroking her head.

Alastair, leaning against the wall, let out a sigh.