[color=f6989d]"But brother, why won't you let me see him? I'm fine! I've dealt with worse, this is nothing-"[/color] Redmond's sister asked, stopping her arguing after a fit of coughing seemed to seize her body. Redmond walked closer and tried to help her stand, but she pushed him away, and continued coughing. Redmond simply lowered his arms after her refusal and waited patently. [color=f6989d]"Redmond, [i]please[/i], just let me sneak out this once. I promise you mom and dad won't find out, I'll be gone not longer than an hour!"[/color] she added to her plead. This choice wasn't hard for Redmond, he knew his sister too well to let her leave the house. Last time she had gone out alone, she collapsed out in the street alone. If Redmond hadn't tried checking on her that day, she may have very well gone unnoticed a few minutes longer... which apparently would have been enough to end her life. Redmond folded his arms, shaking his head, "[color=8dc73f]No, Akemi. It can happen in a split second, and then you would be done for. Do you not remember last time?[/color]" Redmond said to his sister. She sighed, looking down as she knew there was no getting through to her brother. "[color=f6989d]Yes... I remember.[/color]" Akemi turned to face the window, and saw Makoto sprinting away from the house with two ice creams. "[color=8dc73f]Look, he's right there! Let me just go talk to him![/color]" she squealed, turning back to Redmond just as Makoto moved out of sight. Redmond walked next to his sister, and looked out the window, but failed to see him as it was too late. "[color=8dc73f]Really Akemi?[/color]" he asked with a hint of distrust. "[color=f6989d]Yes yes! He was just there! Please let me go see-[/color]" she continued, but Redmond stopped her with a hand to her mouth as he watched the people out in the street. "[color=8dc73f]Wait, what's going on outside? Everyone seems to be running in that direction, some with weapons. Think a fight broke out?[/color]" Redmond asked, looking out the window to try and see where everyone was going. "[color=f6989d]That's where Makoto went![/color]" Akemi said, pointing in the direction they were all going. Redmond turned away from the window and walked to the door, opening it and stepping out to leave, but Akemi grabbed his hand and stopped him for a second. "[color=8dc73f]Wait, let me come with you! Makoto is out there, you have to let me help![/color]" she said, but Redmond turned to face her and shook his head. "[color=8dc73f]No, stay here. If something's going on, I don't want you getting hurt.[/color]" he said, quickly pushing her inside the room and closing the door before she could speak again. Redmond dashed for his room, dove under his bed to pull out his Struggle Bat, and examined it. It had the usual golden handle and hilt, but a green blade instead of blue. He bounced it in his hands for a second or two to quickly test the wait, then left his room, down the stairs, and out the door in a flash. He tried stopping a few people running past him to ask what was happening, but they simply didn't know either. He let out a sigh as he chased after everyone else, not looking back to see Akemi watching in the window. ---------------------------- Redmond skid to a stop as he reached a wall of people, each struggling on their own accord to retreat the way they came. Some fell down, nearly trampled to death by their comrades. As soon as the group cleared, Redmond saw what they were running from. Those that had fallen stood up and swung their weapons at the frail-looking white monsters. Their swings seemed to be fruitless, but they tried anyway, even as they were swallowed by the attacks from the strange enemies. Soon, Redmond was left standing there, as the monsters targeted him and made their slow way towards him. Redmond took a step backwards, and all three of his attackers seemed to step just a little faster as he made his movement. He tried two more, and they in sync made their way that much closer, even with their slow advance towards him. Redmond quickly turned and ran as fast as he could, not turning back to see the three monsters giving full chase after him, and slowly closing the gap. Redmond reached an open area, just to be knocked down by one of the monsters. It lifted a hand to unleash an attack, and Redmond thought of it to be his last moment as the other's just had theirs. But, when all seemed hopeless, a bright white light blinded Redmond temporarily, as he woke up seemingly safe within an abandoned building of sorts. ---------------------------- Redmond didn't even notice, as he closed his eyes when the bright light engulfed his vision. [i][color=8dc73f]Am... am I dead? Why don't I feel anything? Did someone save me? Did I wake up from a dream? No... is this a dream?[/color][/i] he thought to himself for several seconds. He felt around the floor with his hands, grasping for anything nearby, and soon found his struggle bat. Once he grabbed it fully with his left hand, he opened his eyes and stood up, holding it tight to his chest for protection. Dream... this has to be a dream. [i][color=8dc73f]I couldn't have just died... could I? Death wouldn't quiet feel like this... no way![/color][/i] Redmond stood where he woke up, not daring himself to move. He examined the room, looking for any signs of life... any signs of a clue. Something, [i][color=8dc73f]anything[/color][/i] that might help. He saw off on a nearby wall, a picture hanging up. A kid holding a crazily over-sized key, which doesn't look like it'd go to any particular keyhole anyone'd have the right mind to make. And... [i][color=8dc73f]Woah! Is that... a duck? And a dog? This has to be a dream for sure.[/color][/i] Redmond thought to himself as he saw the two strange animals with the boy. On the ground leading up to the painting, Redmond saw footprints in the dust on the ground. Not just one pair, but several. Redmond quickly stepped back, and entered a defensive stance, readying his weapon for any sudden attackers. But no one jumped him. Some led up to the painting, but all of them lead to a set of stairs nearby. He managed to catch three pairs of footprints, all appearing to be human. Two seemed to be bigger than the other... so he thought it was the possibility of two adults and a child. Or two boys and a girl. He decided to step closer to the footprints he found, and found his own to nearly match the two bigger pairs. [i][color=8dc73f]They must all be around my age then.[/color][/i] he decided on the latter option. One pair even managed to look strangely familiar, but he couldn't place who it was. He knew it must be someone he's met several times if he recognizes it now... [i][color=8dc73f]Unless it's the dream talking.[/color][/i] He looked up the stairs, and saw them lead up to a big door which appeared to be closed. It was a little dusty, but less so than the rest of the room... so it must have been closed recently. At that moment, he thought the footprints might be recent too... very recent. Possibly a few hours ahead of him, or even just several minutes. Whoever these footprints belonged to... they must have just gotten here before him. They must know he's here, maybe they brought- [i][color=8dc73f]No, this is a dream. I just woke up here. I didn't see any of my own footprints before I started to walk around.[/color][/i] He waited at the door, looking at it, somehow hoping to will it open with his thoughts. Perhaps an answer to appear... if it was a dream, if he had died... if he was taken captive by those monsters.