AFTER that awkward moment in the kitchen, he said that we should go to the nearest mall to shop for things I would need. I just agreed with him to stop thinking about his embarrassing question to me. After a while, we got in the car and he drove it to the nearby mall.

It wasn't long before we got there as well. It was only about ten minutes away from his house. When he got there he just parked his car, and without another word he turned off the car engine while I just followed him. It almost looks like I was dog and he is my owner -_-

In the few hours I spent with him I noticed he wasn't really talkative. Though, I still don't know much about him but I can only say one thing. When he opened his mouth, his question was often useless.

"Don't go away from me. If you want to go somewhere, say it, so I can come with you." he said as we entered the furniture and appliances store.

I wandered my gaze around. Even if it's not a weekend, there are still a lot of people. It's been years, this is probably the first time I have been exposed to many people again, because as you notice I never leave our house unless I go to the laboratory.

"You okay?" I heard him ask me.

"Yeah" I smile at him brightly but since this is Giyuu Tamioka he just scowls at me as if smiling towards him is a bad idea.

He turned around again and as before I just followed him. He doesn't seem to need my help in thinking of what I need because he seems to know the things I'll need in the future even though he doesn't have a list. In no time, he already found what I needed. Bed, cabinet, things for the kitchen and bathroom and whatever else I will need.

We walked again until we stopped opposite the coffee maker, microwave and toaster set aside the TVs. While he was talking to the sales lady, my attention was focused on the television that was now reporting on the issue about the murder in Laboratory.

I clench my fist the more I listen to the news. This is pure bullshit!

They even told me what the medicine I was taking was for. They didn't pay attention to Maddy's death and the murderer.

To say that I'm frustrated is an understatement.

I hate the lack of equality in the word. Because it seems like you have to be famous before you can be heard in the world. You need to be known for anything that comes from you to matter.

But the world also deserves the truth. Not just the truth from people with blinding lights pointed at them. Not just the truth, people are protected by their advantages and privileges. We have to hear the truth without sugar-coating. Just pure truth.

Maddy is a person. She matters to a lot of people. I don't understand, is being famous a requirement to make her death known? I expected less from the kinds of news I read from gossip magazines. Not news sites that pledge on sharing the truth of the people. All people.

They can't even say Maddy's name in that news as if she doesn't have any identity.

"If you don't like what you hear on the news, don't watch"

I turned to look at the person who spoke. He just stood there as if he had been watching my reaction, "You know nothing!" my firm response to him.

He let out a sigh, then he walked in front of me. My forehead furrowed so that he almost covered what I was watching.

"What-"

"The whole world doesn't need to know what happened to your friend. She also doesn't need to be famous just to be remembered. It's enough for you, you remember your friend. It's enough for you to know her. That she exists"

I bit my lower lip - I don't know but my eyes suddenly blurred.

"If you don't want to hear the news that you think it will hurt her," he raised both his hands and covered my two ears "It's easy to do this"

My eyes widened as I looked at him. It feels like everything seems faded. That everything doesn't matter anymore.

Because he was here with me.

I'M OUT of breath but I'm still running. Running from something that is chasing me. I don't know where I'm going and where my feet will take me. Just so I knew I had to run. My feet stopped moving when I heard a familiar voice call my name. I tried to find where the voice came from but no matter what I did, I could not find the source of the voice.

I opened my mouth to speak but no voice came out of me. The familiar voices kept calling to me as if she was approaching me. I gasped when suddenly someone grabbed both my arms and to my surprise I saw a familiar woman standing in front of me. She was wearing her hospital gown as her hair tied into a lower pony tail - even though I couldn't see her face I knew who was in front of me now.

"Maddy?"

"How could you..." her voice echoed all around. My mouth dropped open as I stared at her in confusion "How could you, Shino"

My mouth parted even more when I saw the blood gradually spread on her clothes. Her well -groomed hair was now messy "M-Maddy..."

My heart clenched in pain when I saw a familiar situation in front of me. He pointed the blade on Maddy's neck "Help... Help me Shino" Maddy begs.

I shook my head as tears started to fall down in my eyes. "Help me... don't watch me die" Maddy said begging me. I covered my ears so that I wouldn't hear her voice but a guttural scream escaped Maddy's lips when the man without wasting any seconds raised his hand and slit her throat.

I shook my head as tears streamed down my cheeks. I can't breathe. "You let me die, Shino... How could you?" Maddy said angrily at me.

"No... No... No..."

And I wake, gasping for air as panic seized me. I look across the room. The equipment was unfamiliar and I panicked again. Where am I?

I opened my mouth to help me get some air but even if I did that, it was as if not enough oxygen was entering in my lungs. Even if my body was weak I forced myself to stand up. I'm not comfortable. It's too dark. I'm scared. I need help...

My heart clenches in pain making it hard for me to breathe. I didn't know where I was going but I just found myself walking towards the tree which was the reason why my life went awry. But,

I didn't expect what I saw there. A familiar figure of the man stood under the tree with his left palm resting on the trunk of the tree. Seeing him standing there. Relief courses through me.

He probably felt that someone was looking at him so he immediately turned to where I was. And as soon as our eyes met - my tears flowed again along with the path of shock on his face.

This is probably the first time I have seen emotion on his face. "T-Tamioka – san" I mumble, trying to bring my pounding heartbeat under control.

He immediately came closer to me and immediately dried the tears on my cheek. The rush of wet cascade down my cheeks as if it's never going to stop. I tried to swallow the sob but it just won't stop.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and buried my face around his neck. I couldn't see his reaction and I just tightened my grip.

"You, why are you here at this time?" his voice is too small but I can clearly hear it. I can feel his hand gently patting my back – probably helping me to calm down.

"That... a dream...." I sob. No! It's not a dream. I did let Maddy die.

"A dream?"

"I – I... I didn't..." a shaky voice came out in my mouth. The freezing air was wicking my body heat away. The frigid air penetrated my whole body as I unconsciously shivered like a reed in a wind.

"You have to calm down and tell me what happened" his voice feels so far, I shook my head still refusing to speak, "Kocho, let me see your face" I shook my head as I buried my face to his neck even more. 

I shook my head still refusing to let go, "Shinobu" my eyes widened when I heard him say my name "I won't run. Just let me see your face"

Gradually, I removed my grip on him. He gently touched my cheek and looked at her. I could not read what was in his eyes, my mouth opened as my tears flowed again, "Lies..." I mumble.

Surprise was the emotion I saw on his face as he looked at me.

"I lied before... I'm frustrated because... it's my fault why he died. If... if I just listened. If I just stopped developing medicine. It won't happen... It's my fault."

I force myself to tell myself that it is not my fault. That, it was the fault of the man who killed Maddy. But, if only I had listened... if only I hadn't been stubborn... if only I had stopped.

She will not die. Not of this will happen.

"Shinobu..."

"It's my fault... I... I killed her"

I didn't know what came after that. I finally succumb to the dark, letting it consume me after a while. Away from everything that hurts. Because in my reality, the wishes I let the wind be carried to the stars, were all engulfed in fire. Ashes of it fell letting me have a glimpse of them but the moment it hit the ground they all disappeared into nothing.

That's why I didn't feel the arms tightening around me as if promising me that no one can harm me again and the lips that touched the top of my head like a whisper of a feather.

____________________________ End of Caprice #5

A/n: Thank you for patiently waiting for me to update this book. I would also like to thank the "Goya Dark Almonds" (not sponsored) because of them I able to write this chapter. I probably update the next chapter next week, same day and same time. 

P.S. I do hope that you enjoy this whole chapter. 

Khiegilsan