The day had arrived when Mitsu would be going back home. It was only for a couple of days but it still felt like she was leaving forever. Even in the short span of time that Mitsu had been at Amityville it felt more like home than that cold empty house. Here she had friends, people to talk to and spend time with, mini pets that kept her company, back home….she didn’t have any of that.

As the train pulled into the station Mitsu stood lifting up her backpack and working her arms through the straps. The train ride promised to be a long one but Mitsu intended on working on homework in the meantime. There was no reason to fall behind in her studies. It wasn’t like class was over for her, she was merely just taking a break to gather a few more things to aid her in her summer long stay at the school. Mr. Adolphus had thought it best, whether it was for her benefit or his own was unclear.

Boarding the train Mitsu allowed her ticket to be stamped before she found her seat. A lonely feeling washed over her looking at the seat next to hers that would remain empty during the duration of the trip. Before something so simple wouldn’t have bothered her but she now knew what it was like to have friends, company, companions, it was the greatest feeling in the world…and her greatest fear now was to be without them. She hadn’t even brought Milo to keep her company, too afraid of what the scientist would say about him.

With a sigh she shifted her bag off her shoulders and took a seat, crimson eyes peering through the mask on her face as she looked out the window. It took quite a while before everyone was boarded and the train finally lurched forward, moving toward its next destination. Lazily she continued to sit, unwilling to turn and face the fact that she was alone on this trip. Instead she focused on the scenery as it passed her by, the sights of Amityville shifting into country side.

Hours seemed to pass before the lupine finally decided on doing some homework, reaching for the bag she had brought and withdrawing the first textbook her fingers touched. She flipped through the pages carefully, eyes seeming to go over every detail, but in truth she wasn’t absorbing a word of it. There was too much on her mind. After an hour of attempting to study Mitsu finally gave up putting her notes and books away in her bag. Her eyes once again shifted to the empty seat beside her, missing the company of her friends. What was Shun doing, she wondered. She would much rather be studying with him in the dorm…even if it was awkward like it had been the other day.

The day drew on and night was looming closer when Mitsu realized she would be at her stop soon. Seven hours on the train and ten stops later and she would finally be at her home…if she could really call it that. As the train finally pulled into the station and its inhabitants filed out one by one Mitsu lagged behind, exiting the train nearly at the end. Her gaze shifted about a moment through the crowd wondering if Mr. Adolphus had come to pick her up like he said he would. She didn’t see him but it was possible he was lost in amongst the numerous Halloweeners. Eyes continued to search as the crowd began to thin until she was one of only a handful left standing on the platform. There was no one here to greet her and she realized how foolish she was to think that there would be.

Only hesitating a moment longer Mitsu gave one more look around before she finally started to move, exiting the train station and heading into the streets of the city it was connected to. This place was much larger than Amityville, full of people from all walks of life, none of which paid any mind to the small masked ghoul walking down the street. This lack of attention was something Mitsu had grown used to, she had been used to being invisible, but somehow in the last couple of months that had drastically changed. It wasn’t like she wanted to be in the spotlight but she almost craved for some sort of attention. A greeting, a wave, a nod, even a glance would be something.

The walk was a fair distance from the train station and Mitsu finally reached the edge of the city were the buildings grew further and further apart. Finally she stepped onto a cobblestone paved path that lead up to a large house in the distance. The very sight of it would no doubt be the dream home of most diabolical minds. The lawn was empty and mostly barren, the trees and shrubs all lay in ruin, long since dead and stripped of any semblance of life long ago. The house itself was two stories, dark inside and out, the exterior hinting toward a more gothic architecture. Large stone gargoyles sat at the entrance to the gate looking like they were ready to pounce and devour any that dared venture further. The only thing it seemed to be lacking were the dark swirl of storm clouds over head and the touch of lightening for that particularly ominous feel.

Meekly Mitsu moved passed the creaking gate, her eyes lingering on the gargoyles as they often did when she moved passed them. She honestly expected them to spring to life one day and end her. Careful steps took her up the uneven path to the large door that stood between her and entrance to the house. There was a brief moment of hesitation before Mitsu finally fished around in her pocket for the key and unlocked the door. With a turn of the knob the lycan pushed the door open slightly peeking inside. It was like no one was home, everything was so dark and quiet, but Mitsu knew better.

Once she was passed the door Mitsu closed it with a click, reaching up to push her mask away from her face. Her eyes drifted over the expansive dark interior that felt so cold and lifeless. “I’m home…” She called to no one, her voice not even at a volume that would carry. It wasn’t like anyone would come running at the sound of her return.

Silently Mitsu made her way to the stairs and ascended, her vision barely taking in the violent paintings that had decorated the walls. After years of passing them by the paintings barely warranted a glance. The floor creaked with nearly every step before Mitsu finally found herself at her room, a small ten by ten foot area that was often her sanctuary. There was nothing outstanding about her room, though there were pictures and photos covering the wall by her bed. It was these that she went to first, her fingers reaching out to gently pluck one of the photos she had tapped to the wall.

While she was in the photo the memory of whatever had happened had long sense faded away. She was only a toddler, her parents holding her between them and her older brother standing directly behind them all. The picture looked so light and happy, everyone wore a smile on their faces and from the background there was no doubt a celebration of some sort going on. A slender finger lightly touched the photo, carefully tracing the images of her parents and older sibling. She was the only one with white hair among them so she stood out in stark comparison. Her father had dark gray hair tipped in black, dark skin and deep gray eyes, her mother’s hair was long and silver her eyes a bright blue, even her brother had silvery gray hair and light gray eyes. She was certainly the odd one out of the bunch.

They abandoned you. They knew a lost cause when they saw one…

Those words lingered like a nightmare at the back of her mind. Forever haunting even though she knew she shouldn’t give them any merit. Shaking her head Mitsu tried to focus and being mindful of the delicate backing Mitsu pulled the tape away from the picture and set the photo on her bed. One by one she pulled the pictures off her wall, removing the tape, and neatly stacking them. After this task was complete she looked around for a moment to find something to store them in to keep them safe, her eyes settling on the music box on the opposite side of the room. It was small but intricately carved with small designs of fall leaves, pumpkins, and vines that made up a sort of Celtic knot around the top and sides of the box.
Moving toward the item Mitsu gently lifted it from her dresser and opened the lid. Immediately a tune began to play, an almost eerie sounding piece that Mitsu remembered well. Her brother had given this music box to her one Halloween and it had been of great comfort to her since he was gone. She had been afraid to take it to school, not wanting it to get stolen, lost, or broken, but now she didn’t feel she had as much to worry about. Taking it over toward the bed Mitsu placed the photos carefully inside the box and closed the lid.

She was about to explore to see what else she wanted to take but a sudden chill ran down her spine, a feeling she only got when a certain individual was near. Hair rising on the back of her neck, Mitsu turned slowly to see Mr. Adolphus standing at the door in his lab coat and disheveled shirt and tie. Despite how creaky the floor was under her slight weight it never made a noise when the scientist walked upon it and he often snuck up on her even with her acute hearing.

“You’re late,” Suto said plainly, pushing the glasses up the bridge of his nose until the light reflected off the lenses preventing his golden eyes from being seen. “I expected you here two hours ago.”

“T..the train was set to arrive at eight…” She had told him that on the phone and the train had been on time.

Waving off that bit of information as if it were merely an excuse, the scientist peered down at the lycan with minimal interest. “You also left the door unlocked.”

Mitsu’s ears deflated a little as she took a step back, trying her best to look submissive. “I…I’m sorry.”

“Really, can you do nothing right? Have they not taught you anything at this new school?”

“I-I-I have been working h-hard on-“

Suto held up his hand, a look of agitation on his face. “Enough with the stammering.” He said flatly, obviously not interested in what Mitsu was about to say. “I can tell that is certainly something that hasn’t improved.” Suto observed, his hands moving to settle within the pockets of his lab coat, the clinking of glass catching Mitsu’s ears. It was always a wonder what Mr. Adolphus kept in his pockets; she had never actually seen him at work, though her brother had sternly warned her never to bother him. She just knew he was a scientist and that his work was often dangerous. The lupine had no idea it was actually more dangerous for other people than it was for the scientist himself.

“I..I’ve been trying. Shun has been-“

“Shun? Who is Shun?” The scientist’s eyes looked curious as he cut Mitsu off. The girl had never really mentioned anyone during the few times she had checked in. Though their conversations were often very brief and left a lot to be desired content wise.

“H..he’s ….a friend.” She added hesitantly not sure if she should divulge that her friend was a reaper. Of all things, that was something that Mitsu knew without a doubt. Mr. Adolphus did not like nor did he trust reapers. She wasn’t certain why but it was something he had done his best to share with her…and apparently she had failed to pick up on it.

“A friend?” Suto’s voice was full of disbelief and amusement. “You?” There was a light chuckle as he moved further into the room a hand retracting from his pocket to rest on Mitsu’s head, giving her a pat like one would do a dog. “They certainly must pity a pitiful creature like you.”

Mitsu’s ears drooped all the more, “H..he is very nice. So are my other friends.” She stammered out. They weren’t around just because they pitied her….were they?

“I’m sure they are,” Suto mused. “So tell me, is this Shun another monster?”

“N…no.” Mitsu shook her head a little now nervous about the direction this conversation was going.

“Not a monster, an undead perhaps?” Again Mitsu shook her head. “….demon?” When Mitsu shook her head again Suto’s eyes narrowed through the lenses of his glasses. That only left so many options and for her own sake ghost better have be the answer to his next question. “So what is he then?”

So he had asked, there was no real avoiding it now. “H…he’s a reaper.” Mitsu could feel the hand on her head start to tense and tighten grabbing at hair. The smile that Suto had quickly shifted into a sneer exposing a mouth full of jagged sharp teeth.

“Reaper?” He questioned, his voice obviously unhappy. “After all the warnings I have given you….you go against me and make friends with a reaper?” Suto’s voice was suddenly cold, his grip in the girl’s hair forcing her closer. Mitsu let out a soft whimper as she stepped forward, wide eyes staring up at the scientist. His golden eyes were flared open, almost glowing with his irrational anger.

It looked like Suto was about to yell, his face contorting with rage but suddenly that all dissipated and the corners of his mouth began to twitch until they drew back into a smile that threatened to split his face in two. The hand holding her hair released and slowly moved down to her shoulder. “My pet,” The term was very possessive and demeaning as it crossed his lips. “I believe I have a lesson in mind for you.”

The next couple of days were a blur for Mitsu. Quite literally she barely remembered a thing that had happened, she could only really recall how she felt which mostly bordered on helpless, useless, and scared for her life. Suddenly all those times of blacking out made sense, the ‘problems’ her brother described to her all coming together.

At least soon she would be leaving, going back to Amityville, at least on the condition she could keep her mouth shut. She would though, if it meant going back to somewhere safe Mitsu would be as silent as the grave.

Time seemed to pass her by now that her mind was in a daze, her body feeling odd and sluggish, and soon she found herself needing to hurry or she would miss the train. She had not seen Mr. Adolphus yet the whole day and was rather content to leave it that way. Gathering the things she had packed Mitsu placed her mask on her face before she made her way quietly down the hall, or at least as quietly as she could. Down the stairs she went and she was nearly at the door when a voice spoke out sending chills down her spine.

“Don’t forget what we discussed..” She didn’t have to turn to know that Suto was grinning from ear to ear, that smile would haunt her until the day she died.

“I…I won’t forget.” She said quickly before rushing out the door and locking it behind herself. Like there was a fire under her feet the lupine made a dash through the city streets her arms filled with the items she was taking back with her. The lupine just managed make it to the station as they were closing the door to the train, squeezing passed and narrowly missing getting her tail caught. Huffing a huge sigh she nearly slumped where she stood exhausted from the run but quickly moved to an empty seat to set down her things. She never expected her trip home to turn out like this, it left her feeling edgy or maybe paranoid was the better term. Clutching her bag tightly to her chest Mitsu did her best to hold back the tears at least thankful that she would be going back somewhere safer than here. She didn’t want to believe the things Mr. Adolphus had told her about her friends, she wanted to see them. Bringing her feet up into the seat Mitsu stared out the window again waiting for the train to move. She wanted to go home and that home wasn’t here.