AN: With the difficulty of the past few months, DRR will now be helped along with collabing with TEW. We hope that you will still enjoy it, as it is still the same story with a deeper edge to the psyche. I apologize personally for the lateness, this chapter was very difficult to write.

Our other stories will be uploaded in a more normal fashion now that this chapter is done.

Enjoy!

Death Row: Redux

Vertigo

by Harmonium-Kruger

and Twisted Eternal Wolvetta

"Juliet Zhang, how dare you have the gall and cheek to even name that damn inmate 3181523?" The warden was an inch away from biting into the younger woman's cheek. A disgusted scowl was settling in on her expression, intensifying.

"Uhm…" The woman being pseudo-interrogated leaned to the side to avoid the elder's mouth, clearing her throat. 'Damn it, Nao...' She inwardly griped, knowing that someone sure had a little bit of fun…

"Ma'am, with all due respect, I do not assign numbers at random. There is a system, and the fact that the numbers alphabetically spell out 'crow' is just… a happy accident."

"A terrible accident!" Maria barked, yoking the guard up by her collar.

"Y-you could read it differently! Like… three one eight, and not, three eighteen…?"

Maria narrowed her eyes, dropping Juliet back into the chair. The younger fixed her uniform, clearing her throat and mentally making a note to choke out a certain girl.

"Unfortunately, I cannot change her number. The system wouldn't accept it." Juliet spoke once she had fixed her collar, rubbing at her throat.

"Ugh… The next time your system produces such gall, I will personally shut it down." Maria lowered her voice for the last few words, a growl following.

"Yes ma'am." Juliet nodded, standing and fixing loose strands of strawberry-wine hair from her bun. Her sister was in so much trouble…

Even after hours and an inward realization of day turning to night, the blinding lights stayed on in this odd corridor. Natsuki tried very hard not to succumb to the sickness rising in her gut, the uneven floor impossible to predict.

There were rooms, but no doors; Filled with nothing but the stark ivory that shone with the unrelenting lights. There was nothing all around, not even a shadow she could use to give her eyes a rest.

Nothing in the rooms, nothing down the hall. Natsuki thought there may have been something once, but there was nothing once more. How long had she been down here, exactly?

Hours, no doubt… Isolated and dressed in a uniform alike to that warden she had seen briefly. Paranoia struck, settling in deep into her mind as the inmate scanned around with narrowed eyes.

If the warden came down here, she might not even notice her in that uniform…

Her only solace was her hair; Coal so dark it erupted from ivory and alabaster around her with a loud screech. Whenever her eyes ached too much, she would take the long strands into one hand and stare into black until the pain ebbed away.

She had always admired her hair, far more than what seemed normal. From the tinge of an azure pigment within coal, to the length and silky feel even through its thickness…

Yes, Natsuki loved her hair. More so now that it seemed the only thing keeping her from turning absolutely mad…

Shizuru's heart had not stopped racing. Even back in the studio, shut away in her office for isolation of her own, the rapid heartbeat persisted. Ishigami had tried to unlock her door with his key an hour ago, but a rapid line of insults sent him running.

Why had she seen that? How could she have been led to see it? That despicable murderer…

Could she even use that recording now? Her hands shook even still, hours after seeing that crimson painting upon the wall. Now, she could just barely understand the almost immediate cult following of Natsuki Kruger…

Juliet roamed the halls of the facility, still seething from the earlier scolding. She still couldn't believe Nao had the gall to do that…

Even if it was hilarious.

Stifling a smirk as she strode through the main guard's compound, the redhead cocked a brow. "Mayha, seems your almost tryst didn't go so well, hm?" Of course, she had noticed the Mauryan native liked to bribe the camera controllers.

Receiving a scathing glare, Juliet let her smirk show. "There's absolutely no way to pin Sergei's murder on you, since Maria did walk in on Kruger having her fun…" Relief showed in the other woman's eyes.

"But unless you want to be outed as having outed the Crow… Give me the death row patrol for the next week. No questions asked." Now it was anger, then confusion.

"Juliet Zhang… are you trying a weird reverse bribe? Everyone hates patrolling down there." Mayha eyed her up, taking a seat behind the desk to pull up the scheduled patrols.

"I like it down there. Much better than the regular units, at least." A half shrug was given to the older woman, and Juliet drummed her manicured nails along the top of the desk slowly.

"Fine… But Kruger may not be taken out of isolation in the next week-"

"If you think I'm interested in Kruger, you must have gone brain dead. I mean, more than what was necessary for you to even bring her out of her cell…"

"Not a word further, Zhang."

"Of course, Blythe. I'll start my patrol now, thank you so very much." Juliet snickered, shaking her head as she strode off for the wing.

Mayha was an odd one indeed.

Without her neighbor, Tomoe was utterly bored out of her mind. Pushing the box in front of the spoked wall, the prisoner sat upon her bed. A tray in her lap, even seasonings couldn't bring out the taste of this meal.

Perhaps it wasn't the food, but her mood? She was quickly approaching another bout of depression; Scars on her face starting to sting once more. The pain wasn't real, even she realized this.

Instead, the pain was… phantom; Psychological, not physical. If she was left alone for too long, she swore she could feel the sharp knife cutting into her skin again.

Snapping from her thoughts, Tomoe realized she could hear someone walking along the maze. Listening, she shoved the tray onto a table and sprang towards the door. Was it…?

Juliet rounded the corner, no need of a map as she kept a confident gait. She seemed irritated, and this made Tomoe grin. The expression was muted, barely a ghost of a smile due to the pull of her scars.

The marred, pink skin was an annoyance.

The redheaded guard came to a stop in front of the cell, gazing up to the taller woman through the door. "Is the pain still bad?" She whispered, gaining a nod.

"I brought your medicine, and a few other things." Looking about, Juliet stripped off her jacket and tugged at a seam, a sewn pocket coming out. She passed it through the bars, along with another from the other side.

"Also brought an ointment for your scars." The redhead added, keeping her voice low. The other prisoners of the labyrinth had never ratted them out; From either not knowing or not caring.

Taking the objects slipped through the bars, Tomoe studied them. The white cylinder rattled faintly, though was blank. With absolutely no information upon it, all Tomoe could do was remember they were powerful painkillers.

"And the anti-depressants?" She asked through the bars, shoving the cylinder into her inner-pocket. The pocket was hidden within the underside of fabric, the prisoner having made it herself. Scanning her cell quickly, she looked down to the box which covered the hole. "Nao got herself into trouble again, didn't she?"

How did she know? Juliet frowned.

"More like she got me into trouble. She made Kruger's prison number alphabetically spell out 'Crow'." The redhead seethed again, patting herself down. She slipped a small drawstring bag from another pocket, passing it over quickly.

"Don't be surprised if next time you see her, she's got a shiner." Juliet chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Bloody warden gave me all but a boot. There, your anti-depressants. We've got patrol for the whole week, so you don't have to be so hurried."

"My. Surely you know upright violence solves nothing?" Teal eyebrows arched, hooking a finger around the string. "Discreetly knock her out, make her paranoid." Tomoe snickered, taking the bag from Juliet.

Slipping this bag into another inner-pocket for the time being, Tomoe scoffed. "Also, tell the others to hurry their asses up. The deadline is quickly approaching, you know the drill." Drifting further into her cell, Tomoe slid her foot under her bed. "A 8mm to the forehead."

"I've added another week to it, just in case." Juliet assured, looking around again. "Marguerite… Are you ready to know just why Kruger is down here yet? You said she didn't know you."

Though how that was possible, she had no idea. Then again, with what she had heard about the woman, she was… odd. Unsettling, and just very strange. Almost as if they did not operate on the same plane of existence; Reality itself twisted to Kruger's liking.

Pulling out a box from under her bed by her mere foot, Tomoe paused.

Certainly there was something interesting about Kruger. What precisely it was, she couldn't place her finger upon. Humming, Tomoe removed the contents from within her pockets, and dropped them into the box. "Go for it." She muttered, kicking the box back into the bed.

"She murdered her mother and her little sister." Juliet spoke, clearing her throat softly. "I read the dossier, and it's all anyone can talk about. Radios, television… She's big." The redhead ran a hand through her hair, leaning into the door.

"With stones, she struck down and killed four crows. From their feathers, she made herself and her victim crowns with the bloody things still draining. The photographs are… disturbing." Juliet's voice dwindle down, before she cleared her throat.

"Though she has only killed two, she's gained a cult following befitting a serial killer."

"Family butchering?" Tomoe mused, prowling back up to the door. Resting her back against the wall, beside the box, she angled her head towards Juliet. "That at least explains Nao's little prank." Wetting her lips, Tomoe narrowed her eyes. "Do you have any of the photos?"

"I thought you may ask. I had some copies made." Juliet chuckled, reaching into her jacket. "They're very graphic, so… Well, we've done worse, but still." The redhead sighed, grasping the bundle and offering it through the bars of the door.

It was quiet down here in the labyrinth, even that bank robbing duo was quiet. Chie and Aoi couldn't exactly hear the two of them conversing from their position anyway…

Clearing her throat, Juliet snapped back to the task at hand. "We think we might stage a riot in Kruger's name, as a distraction to get you out."

"Hmm?" Shuffling through the photos, Tomoe paused at a particular one. "How unsightly." Her brows furrowed, scars irritating her skin. "A staged riot would need an… ingredient of sorts."

Violet-steel studied the graphic imagery passively. No feeling filled her stomach, her eyes only absorbing the darkened contrast of colouring. "Hit to the temple, strangulation?" Tomoe murmured under her breath, focusing upon the injuries.

Wasn't that overkill? Truly not a clean kill. This was indeed the work of a psychopath.

Fixing her eyes back to Juliet, she was earned with a jump.

"Mm… It was as if she simply went mad. Three days went by before the cops even went it. She cooperated, the trial was… Odd. She took no representation and confessed to everything." Juliet swallowing, looking a little queasy.

She hadn't even met Kruger in person, but she wanted to. "How is she, in here?" Juliet asked, curious. "I've not gotten to make her acquaintance… I may not want to once her isolation is finished, either."

"Seems more like a commoner, perhaps higher middle class." Tomoe muttered, bringing her focus back down onto the photos. "Speaks proper, is polite. Certainly seems like your typical psychopath." Halting, the prisoner put two photos besides one another, two stacks in each hand. "Something's… off."

The two photos were unremarkable. Well, except for the body which unceremoniously hung. Squinting her eyes, Tomoe looked into the corner of the kitchen pictured. It was dark, but there was an outline. Yet as her eyes trailed to the other image, there was nothing at all.

The other photo had been taken at a different viewpoint, but nothing was there. "Ah, corruption." She smiled. "Seems there's a little mouse."

"What, what is it?" Juliet leaned into the door to see, frowning. If there was something discreditable about that case… This whole justice system might be tossed. That would certainly be fun to see…

Kruger's trial had been rushed after all, and there was talk. Rumors of her father not being the loving doting family member; Not to mention raised suspicion due to him taking night shifts a day before the events occurred…

Holding the photos by her index, and thumb, Tomoe handed them back. The gesture was awkward, but Juliet's eyes caught the location pointed. "Seems we have ourselves a little snitch act."

Taking the photos back, lime eyes set on the location within the photos. Sure enough, there was definitely something there in one photo, but not in another.

"Juliet." The scarred woman murmured, catching her attention. "Have a copy altered to see what it is better. Once doing so, give those to our pretty journalist, hm?" The elder woman angled her head to look at Juliet, a faint grin tracing her lips.

"I will…" Taking the bundle back, Juliet grasped a needle and sewn it back into her jacket. "Nao will be coming tomorrow. Do you have any requests that she can bring you?" The redhead seemed a little jarred, perhaps from first hand knowledge now of the Kruger Crow.

Humming, Tomoe tilted her head back, resting it against the wall. Lazily, she curled a long strand of teal around a finger. "One thing, though not tomorrow." She uttered. Spinning on her heel, she side-stepped in front of Juliet.

Reaching through the bars abruptly, she dragged the younger woman closer by the tie. The weight of Juliet's body hit against the door, stunning her.

Palms against the door to brace herself, Juliet leaned in with a quirked brow. "Oh?" Her lips spread into a faint grin, the redhead peering through the bars to Tomoe.

"Don't get your little ploy ruined, Juliet. You know how much your twin infuriates me." Tomoe muttered, trailing her fingers from the redhead's tie. Instead, those scarred digits ran to up Juliet's neck. Gradually, they rested upon her lips, sliding across them delicately. "Right?" She smiled.

"Right." Juliet smiled in return, lifting a hand to brush against Tomoe's wrist. She pressed a soft kiss against scarred fingers, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "As long as Nao doesn't pull another cheeky prank, we should be fine." She murmured, another kiss pressed to the elder's fingertips.

"I'll be back later." Juliet mumbled, pulling away none too happily. "I should be halfway through the labyrinth by now."

"Of course." That voice filtered through the door.

Eventually, unsticking herself away from the door, Juliet slowly began to walk away. However, Tomoe's low tone reached her ears, making her pause.

"Also I know it was you who popped those sleeping pills in my drinks last night."

"I've no idea what you are talking about." Juliet softly sung back, though turned and winked. She had to amuse them both somehow, right?

Was she going insane? Had she already jumped off the edge into that inky abyss? Why were these white walls and floors so disconcerting? Virescent eyes stared down from where the woman had stopped walking; coal hair falling around her face.

Natsuki had been standing in this spot for what felt like hours. She had learned that the floor was not even; It dipped in areas that were hard to realize the pattern of. Just setting her eyes straight ahead was dizzying…

The whole purpose of this room seemed to be driving her off the edge of sanity rather than calming her down… Slowly, Natsuki found a wall and pressed her back against it. Lowering herself to sit on the uneven floor, she closed her eyes.

This room was going to drive her absolutely insane, no doubt about it.

"Miss Graceburt? I've got the forms for…" Peeking in, Rosalie quieted down. "Well, you know." She murmured, ducking into the office and closing the door behind her.

Maria sat behind her desk, head in one hand as she filled out one document. "I cannot believe what happened." She spoke lowly, tossing the pen down harshly.

Yet it had happened. But that infuriating woman was in the isolation chamber. There was no way of getting out of there. Not physically, and especially not mentally. The Manic Apprehension KEY Isolator was one of Helene's biggest feats.

The M.A.K.I Chamber was certainly going to be used until the end of this prison's lifetime.

"I am just glad you did not have to see that, Rosalie." Maria murmured, accepting the document from the younger woman. She knew the form was just a formality; No one outside of the Artai Intensive Security facility would know that Sergei was killed inside.

If any questions were asked, he must have passed away during his vacation.

Juliet roamed the labyrinth over and over during her patrol, assessing if anyone needed assistance. That robber duo seemed caught up with each other every time she passed. She began to wonder if it was merely a time tactic, or something more.

Humming lowly, the redhead returned to Marguerite's cell and leaned against the door again. "Dinner is up soon. Would you like anything extra with it?"

"I don't think anything much would help." She heard Tomoe mutter from within the cell. Juliet glanced through the bars, and spotted the elder woman sitting upon her bed.

The teal prisoner stared at the plain wall, slowly applying the ointment across facial scarring. This procedure was almost ritualistic in manner, fingertips trailing across the path of old wounds.

The redhead frowned to that, watching her almost methodically for a moment. "Surely you would like something, though? How about a juice box?" It sounded childish, but it was actually something coveted in this facility.

Juliet made a face either way, shaking her head. "Or I'm sure I could have Nao pick up a bottle of your favorite drink?"

"I'm just not up for having anything, Juliet." Tomoe sighed. Her shoulders sagged, her forearms falling into her lap. Looking down to her palms, she frowned, and tightly locked her fingers together.

Depression was beginning to close in on her. It wasn't so much the feeling which affected her, but how much people pestered her. Tomoe knew Juliet meant well, but even so.

"Mm, alright… If you want anything, let me know, okay?" Juliet smiled, giving the bars a gentle tap. They definitely needed to get her out of this place. Trinkets and luxuries meant little if you weren't free.

She eased off from the door, turning to begin her patrol once more.

This labyrinth was hell for all of them.

Shizuru still had not left her office nor accepted anyone into it. She played the tape over and over, earphones tightly in place. The lights were off, crimson eyes closed as she focused. The sound… the awful sound of Sergei's blood painting the wall by that awful woman…!

Then… her voice. Her voice was so odd… Calm, almost seraphic in nature. Kruger's voice did not match her crimes, even if she witnessed one with her own eyes.

"Shizuru… please come out." That annoying prying came from behind the blasted door, and angrily, Shizuru's gaze shot to it. "You have a letter, I swear." By Ishigami's tone, it almost sounded like he was on the verge of crying.

Muting the volume of her headphones, the journalist shoved them onto the desk. Forcing them away from herself, her mind unconsciously listened in on Ishigami.

"It only has your name, nothing else. It doesn't even have a post stamp."

Why was this moron even describing it? Setting her eyes upon the gap under the door, Shizuru's eyes narrowed. The male's shadow distorted for a moment, the letter being slipped under it.

She was glad she didn't have to open the door… Standing, Shizuru slowly rounded her desk and knelt for the letter. She still hadn't changed her clothes, and could still detect a hint of the smell of fire…

She was at least glad no blood was found on her person.

Snatching the letter up, the journalist checked for anything sketchy. A wire in the opening? But no, it seemed safe. Sitting back at her desk, she laid the envelope down and stared at it once more.

Like Ishigami had said, the letter was utterly blank. There was only the delicate handwriting of her name etched into the paper. Although she had the obvious sense of something being wrong, why did it feel… right?

There was a foul taste inside her stomach. But Shizuru couldn't put her finger on what it was precisely.

Surely it couldn't be connected to her visit to the facility, right? Not so soon, she was sure… But…

Shizuru took a low breath, grasping onto the envelope once more. Opening a drawer, she slid a letter opener from inside. Slicing through the thin material with the edge, she upturned the letter and gently shook it.

Out popped a neatly folded piece of paper. It was of surprisingly good quality too, she noticed. Unfolding it, she paused, only just noticing how thick the paper was. On further inspection, she realised something was within the material itself.

That explained why the paper was so thick…

Reaching into the paper, Shizuru gently pulled out a glossy photo. Upon setting her gaze to it, she shoved it away and stood from her desk.

The… Kruger manor scene? Who would send this to her, and why? Ishigami would be happy with this, but Shizuru was… unnerved. They weren't exactly the highest on the reporting food chain - why her?

Did someone… know?

There was another photo, seemingly of the same scene. Sitting back down, Shizuru cleared her throat and brought them both into the light.

She would definitely need some tea after this.

It was… odd.

Upon both photos, it appeared to be directed at the same location, but by different viewpoints. The second image she had almost appeared… manipulated. A brightness filter. Shizuru wondered?

This photo did indeed seem lighter, with a faintly different colouring. But… suddenly, her eyes directed to the corner. It was sickeningly close to the corpse which hung, and she tried to ignore it.

What was… this?

There was something there in one photo, and the next, it was gone. Slipping a small magnifying glass from the same drawer, Shizuru inspected the first photo heavily. The device was definitely present when the first photo was taken; No sign of manipulation around it.

Taking the glass to the second photo, Shizuru's brows furrowed. In the area the device was in the first photo, there was a distinct hint of covering… Someone obviously did not want the device to be seen.

What was it? She had no idea…

Forcing her eyes back to the letter, a vague realization hit her. Upon the bottom was a golden daisy. It appeared metallic in appearance, shining brightly. This logo… where had she seen it before?

Turning the letter over in her hands, Shizuru let it drop as though it had burned her. Fingers shaking, she furled them inwards into her palms and clenched tight.

The mark of the Hinagiku-

Darting her gaze to the door, Shizuru stood from her desk. If Ishigami had seen… No. The envelope was thick, there was no way he could have seen it.

The man wasn't daft; He knew what this mark stood for and what it meant for Shizuru to have received it. She was lucky Marguerite could be so discreet…

Shakily, she inhaled; Crossing to another section of her office. She needed that tea, and a little something extra. Forgetting of her headphones, her ankle tugged the cord.

"No need for such violence, hm?"

Jumping at the sudden burst of noise, the journalist grasped the tape player and shut it off. Her heart thrummed desperately against her ribs; Threatening to break free. That damned inmate's voice, filling her head once again as it had done in the facility…

She needed more than just tea, now.

Time had a fickle way of passing… Mai was so stunned; the events from the night before playing over in her mind. She still had to work, and would no doubt have to visit the facility doctor…

Other than that, Mai wasn't sure what else she could do. Going into the labyrinth might be a bad idea. But what choice did she have in the matter? In the end, they were all prisoners.

She hated going down into the infirmary… It was, however, strongly suggested she report there first. She had been privy to the scene, after all…

Maria had met her in the guard's wing; Imploring she have another therapy session with their resident doctor. That meant it was an order, before she could patrol anywhere near the labyrinth again.

It wasn't the labyrinth which put her on edge, however. It was more… the prisoners themselves. Ironically, it was the labyrinth in Artai Intensive Security which was the safest zone. Death Row inmates were… quiet- usually.

Shaking her head, persimmon hair was rustled before being smoothed down once more. Mai never liked going down into the underbelly of the facility; The lift only capable of going so far.

Was that odd? Yohko seemed… wary of her privacy being compromised; Going so far to section off the lower levels to her access and the warden's alone. Sure, she was allowed, but only on scheduled days in advance.

Mai had a terrible feeling something was going on, worse than what she already did know.

The lift stopped, almost tumbling the distracted guard into the doors. Fixing her rust uniform, the woman took a breath and exhaled. Exiting the mechanism, it was down fleets of stairs next.

The entrance into the lower levels was so frustratingly annoying… It was the oubliette of Artai; A vast trapdoor on the floor before Mai. There were more stairs underneath, and again she wondered why the need for all this extra… secrecy.

Of course the suspicion of corruption was an unspoken topic. Everyone within this facility knew Artai wasn't a saint. Mai had assumed there'd be a little floating about, but to this extent?

Peering down the steep drop, a groan almost slipped from the redhead's lips. There were a good ten flights left before the bottom floor came into view.

Well… She could think on the way, she supposed. Mai lifted the latch higher, easing down a few steps. Turning, the guard lowered the door and let it lock behind her. Immediately, a flood of lights on either side of the steps illuminated the way.

They had surprised her the first time; With a set up like this, Mai had assumed she may need a lantern or a candelabra. Snickering on the memory, the woman gingerly made her way down.

Eventually, time slinked by, and Mai was greeted by a large, heavy door. There was no getting past this without an appointment. You wouldn't even be able to drive a car through this thing.

There were several devices embedded into the wall by the security door. An eye, and fingerprint scanner were via the door's right. Beside these devices, was an intercom with a video feed. Not only this, but a triple locking system was currently active.

Perhaps the doctor's paranoia was near on to an unhealthy obsession? Threading her eyebrows, Mai pressed the intercom into activation.

"Tokiha?" Yohko's voice answered after a moment, the display switching itself on. The guard cleared her throat, able to see and be seen.

"Yes, doctor Helene."

"Here for another session… Ah, you were witness to Kruger's little Van Gogh impersonation? Hmph… Come in." With a mechanical click, the door opened an inch. Mai was almost unsure; An odd smell seeping from the oubliette's menacing innards.

It was either enter, or be forced to do something far less appealing…

Slipping through the metallic barrier, this structure locked after her automatically. The colour theme of the surrounding metal was a dark azure. This shade illuminated around her; lights were dull in contrast, and intensified the coolness upon Mai's form.

Understandably it was cold down here. The hum of machinery welcomed Mai as she climbed down the last flight of stairs.

"Tokiha, just come around here…" She heard the doctor's voice from the corner, almost as if disembodied. Mai sneered but sobered her expression, slipping past a few unsightly things.

She would assume she would have needed therapy just from seeing this place. Perhaps she even had a session on it, now that she thought about it.

Mai had worked at this facility for years. She could barely remember working anywhere else; Except… the diner.

Shaken from her thoughts as the doctor called for her again, Mai finally reached the room. This area looked more alike to a typical office on the surface. There was a desk, computer, filing cabinet, and the like.

Closing the door, Mai breathed a small sigh of relief. It was warm within this room, almost homely. That is if it had windows.

Sat within the corner, Yohko was situated within a plush, black chair. It had wheels beneath it, the woman crossing a leg over another.

"...Hello." Mai softly greeted, a little more relaxed. She wondered exactly what the doctor got up to down here; experiments, perhaps? Deciding she would rather not know, she shoved the interest down.

"Take a seat." The older woman gestured to a chair identical to her own, but this one was stationary. She watched the guard closely, as if she could determine the faults in her from vision alone.

Maybe she could. Mai didn't doubt the doctor could. Yohko was… an odd one, to say the least. In a bad way, too. But this was something she shouldn't think on. After all, Helene was going to help her.

Mai took the seat, gently leaning back as she did. Her posture faltered for only a moment; Back straight against the plush of the cushion. It was already unnerving to have ventured down here in the first place…

Getting people better highly depended on a welcoming atmosphere, right…? So why…? Shaking the thought off, Mai sighed, running her fingers through her hair mindlessly.

She had no idea what even to say. What was she supposed to say?

"So, you witnessed our new inmate make a mess of Sergei's corpse?" Yohko cocked a brow, a notepad in her hand. The guard eyed it suspiciously before raising her gaze.

"I did… She was using his blood to paint the wall. But-" Mai cut herself off, furrowing her brow as her gaze returned to the floor.

"But what, Tokiha?"

"It didn't seem like she was aware that it was blood. Or, like it matched what she had done in the manor." Mai finished, looking down to her hands. She rubbed her palms together, though out of the faint chill or nerves, she had no idea.

Mai suspected it was both.

"Many killers have a resilience." Flicking through a few pages of her notebook, Yohko paused. She glanced up to the guard. absorbing Mai's appearance soundlessly.

Tokiha was far too fragile for this career of hers. Yet she had survived for so many years. Yohko was amazed the redhead hadn't resigned.

"As we know, many… murderers never seem to actually believe what they've done is wrong. Or that they have done it at all. One example of this is the Schwartz Shrike." Yohko cleared her throat, crossing her legs loosely.

Mai seemed to tense up, but nodded shortly. She knew what the doctor meant of…

"The Shrike abducted women, scratch that, girls. No sexual activity, just crude and symbolic murders. One even draped along the back of a moose, impaled upon its antlers." The doctor continued, watching closely.

"He had said he had done it to keep from killing his own daughter. The girls he murdered looked identical to her. He didn't see anything wrong with it."

"But…" Mai swallowed hard, lifting her gaze to the ceiling. The lights gave off a faint buzz, or was it something else?

"...Kruger knows what she is doing, and that it is wrong."

"That in itself is wrong."

Getting a clueless expression from Mai, the doctor sighed. "A killer is unable to understand whether something is wrong. Either this, or Kruger isn't aware of what she is doing. This is what makes an innocent different from the guilty."

"So you're saying… the fact that Kruger is aware of both spurs an idea that something is… wrong?" Mai tried, receiving a nod. She could see where Yohko was going with this; If she knew the motive, perhaps she could get past the fear.

"I do not use the label 'serial killer' lightly; Kruger doesn't fit the label either way. She had only murdered two people, sans Sergei, but it was the way she did it… Her design, shall we say." She didn't feel the need to go into detail, rather took a moment to write something.

"Kruger made her mother into a marionette; Strung up for her amusement. For her sister, she merely made her a sleeping doll. I suspect this means she cared more for Nina than Saeko."

It made sense, but Mai didn't want to believe it. She had always attempted to keep her distance from prisoners. Each time she ciphered information, she always regretted it. Time, after time, it was always the case.

The longer she stayed here, the worse the crimes became.

Above the water, Kruger's crimes weren't all that spectacular. But once you started floating around, you began to realise its sheer significance. There was something… off-putting about this whole thing.

But nobody could place their finger onto what it was.

"It was a violent crime… But there was no anger. That in itself doesn't mean that Kruger was detached. She was very much present… but not with the personality she has displayed thus far. I will have to examine her soon, after she is released from isolation." Yohko murmured softly, writing something else.

"How do you feel about the experience, Tokiha?"

Mai stared, a little lost. "I… It's a cold fear, I suppose. Breathing on the nape of my neck, like I could be next."

"We will just have to make sure there is no one next."

But there was always the risk. Whether Mai kept her distance or not, it was inevitable her life would be affected. It wasn't her who was personally hated here, the prisoners knew this. But some still lashed out.

Kruger scared her. Because although she had a reason to kill Sergei, there was always the chance that…

A chance of what? That Kruger would come after her? The inmate had had every chance when they were in her cell together…

Natsuki… hadn't seemed cold; Rather playful, even flirtatious. Charming and… calm.

Suddenly, she felt a little… better. Mai released a breath, nodding to Yohko before standing. "Thank you, doctor Helene." The guard offered a faint smile, retreating back for the door.

"Be careful, Tokiha." The elder inclined her head, reading over her notes.

Was there any other way to act inside of this place, Mai wondered? With a sigh, she exited the room and began the long trek back up.

Why couldn't her sister understand how hilarious it was? Straying along the corridors of the labyrinth, Nao momentarily checked her nails. Perfection.

Juliet had outright bruised her head! All she had done was change that creep's ID to spell out 'crow'. But oh, no. She had to go and abuse her little sister! Nao would get her back, mark her words, she would.

All she needed to do was figure out what to pull.

"Hallard, Senoh; No canoodling. Do you both want another test down below?" She blankly glanced through the bars of the door, stopping the activity inside.

Of course, they would continue as she stepped further down the corridor; She had no doubt.

Nao smirked to herself, thankful she at least hadn't been the one to receive the warden's wrath. Perhaps her greatest offense would just be laying low… Let Juliet become paranoid.

Snickering, the redheaded guard-in-disguise roamed towards the two last cells. Tomoe in one, and that crow freak in the other. According to Juliet, Kruger was being kept in isolation still… Two days already? A day and a half?

She would no doubt be kept in there for even much longer…

Once that Kruger was out of isolation, she doubted she would hear the end of it. What with the insanity rates brought by that section of the prison. Pushing the thought side, Nao halted by Tomoe's door.

Clanging at a bar with a lone fingernail, she angled her head. "Oi, Marge, I brought your stuff."

"Mmph… Other Zhang." Tomoe's voice was a bit gruff, no doubt from sleep. "Tell Juliet to stop putting sleeping pills in my drinks."

"You apparently need your sleep now more than ever." Nao cocked a brow, eyeing her through the bars. "That ointment seems to work well with your scars, huh?" The pink skin looked less shiny, less irritated.

Sitting herself up from the bed, Tomoe closed her eyes again. Rolling the padding of her fingers against her forehead, she grumbled. "What things? I never asked for anything last night." Looking towards Nao, Tomoe blinked. This notion only continued briefly, the scarred woman bringing her face into her hands.

"Juliet said you might want a few more things." Nao shrugged, taking a patch from inside of her jacket. "Like… one of your cigarillos, maybe?" The thin object was offered through the bars, along with one match.

"A juicebox too, maybe… by that, I mean some wine."

Rubbing her skin, and eyes, Tomoe paused. Pointedly, she stared at Nao, narrowing her eyes. "What happened this time?" She asked within suspicion. Even so, Tomoe's gaze drifted to the items. "Don't you dare tell me the Hinagiku District ha-"

"No, no, everything's fine. Juliet said you were feeling a little down, so I figured I'd do something to lift your spirits." Nao smirked, waving her hand. She felt the items taken, and retrieved the flask of wine from her pocket. "The district is fine, thriving in wait for you to return. Return you will, and soon. Perhaps by the end of this month."

"This month?" Tomoe brushed close to the door. She frowned only faintly, cobbling the items together. Thinking, she peered down to these select things. "So soon? Is the district ready for that? It isn't just me they are pulling out."

There were others here who would be suitable to join. Even a few guards…

"We will be ready, yes. Juliet and I can bribe Mayha, we know what she's done… So we three will be on the inside when it starts." Nao murmured, lime eyes addressing her nails.

"So… How is living next to the Kruger Crow?"

Hearing movement within the cell, Nao peered back in after Tomoe. The elder placed the apparent juicebox atop her nightstand, then situated herself back at the door. "Quiet. Rarely speaks if spoken to."

Carefully lighting the match, Tomoe had no worry of alarm being raised. After all, this pitiful place didn't even have fire alarms in the cells. It was so corrupt, it almost made her look innocent.

"She is a… strange one." Tomoe continued, lighting the cigarillo, she instantly inhaled the smoke, then leant back against the wall.

"So I've heard… So much radio talk, no one had even been able to snag a photo of her before she was locked up. I found one from a year ago, she was an heiress after all." Nao reached into her pocket, offering over the dulled photo.

"That company that her mother founded is loaded…"

Tomoe was surprised she hadn't heard the company. "What's the name of it?" Tomoe murmured, wisps of smoke escaping her lips. She sighed, wishing she had more of these cigarillos.

Though once breaking out, there'd be so many things she could finally do again.

"Shockingly, Kruger Industries." Nao snickered, leaning into the door. "Apparently they've got their name on a lot of medical and military items." The redhead muttered, furrowing her brow.

"It was founded just decades ago, but it's bought out almost every other company like it."

This sounded like a company the Hinagiku District could get their hands on… Musing upon the fact, Tomoe tilted her head towards the door. "By the way. Did the letter reach our journalist?"

They were always careful with their letters. But that particular studio was… Shaking off the thought, Tomoe took another drag from the cigarillo. It helped to relax her nerves, but only just.

"It did. I am sure she was a little.. startled. No doubt she can put together those clues, however." Nao grinned softly, crossing her arms low over her chest. Now that she thought on it, who would be taking over that company?

It had to be Natsuki; the father of the inmate was only on the police force, he couldn't be expected to make decisions…

But… hm. "Say." Nao piped, catching her leader's attention from smoking. "How stable is Crow?"

"As insane as you, or me, it seems. She is calm… Doesn't seem prone to do what she did." Tomoe murmured, relishing in the taste of the smoke.

Tomoe suspected she knew what Nao was about to suggest. But seriously? Was Nao really suggesting they'd take in Kruger?

"She would be a big help." Nao watched her, humming lowly. "However… I think a bit more time getting to know her would be crucial." She shrugged, rubbing her nails against the material of her rust jacket.

That much was obvious. Tomoe took another drag of her cigarillo; Smoke exhaling from her mouth only to be drawn back in through her nose. Nao sneered at the trick, turning away briefly.

"Still gets you everytime." Tomoe teased, snickering under her breath. "You are far too squeamish, compared to your sister."

"Don't relate me to my sister."

"To think, a twin who dislikes being compared to her sister."

"It is a common thing to hate your sibling. It doesn't matter if they're your twin." Huffing, Nao peered back into the cell.

"Surely you don't hate Juliet…?" Tomoe was done smoking, unfortunately, and passed the remains of it back. Nao tucked it into a pocket, humming.

"I suppose not… but still. It is quite annoying."

"Of course, of course." Straightening up, Tomoe faced her. Stretching an arm through the bars, she patted the redhead's cheek. "Kiss your sister for me." Sniggering, Tomoe pulled her hand away before it was pawed at alike to a cat.

"Gross." Nao huffed, turning away from the door. "I'll let her know to bring another cigarillo now and again." She hummed, striding back to her patrol.

With that Kruger on their side, she wondered if the turnout would be favorable for the district.

She did not think she could last in this area much longer. Blinding lights kept her from having any rest; The isolation chamber maddening by the second. She had long ago found a divot in the floor and sat, trying to make sense.

Natsuki lifted her hands, placing them tight over her ears. The sound of nothing grew to be too loud even still. Eyes shut, and she tried to picture an escape.

If that wasn't bad enough, her forehead itched. The white fabric of bandages irritated her pale skin, disturbing her further. She didn't pull it away however, lest she have more vertigo to contend with.

Bring her knees close to her chest, she locked her arms atop them. She sure would adore the next person to bring her out this hellhole. At this point she didn't care who it was.

Pressing her eyes to her arms, she sighed, closing them. It was darker, but still she found discomfort.

Slowly, Natsuki lowered her hands from her ears. Her eyes were slow to open; the piercing white of the entire chamber making her dizzy instantly.

"I very much detest this." She spoke; her voice echoing slightly. It was the first time she had uttered a word since being put down here…

Focusing on the dark coal of her hair, Natsuki closed her eyes again, The dizzying feeling was getting worse… Maybe she should lie down? Or would the unbalanced floor make her worse?

Ah, what a predicament. What even was this feeling?

Slouching downwards, she lay herself onto her side. Scooting herself around, she turned so she faced the wall. It wouldn't make much of a distance, but she sure needed it.

Her head felt hot to the touch; Fever? Infection from the gash on her brow? Natsuki was unsure, maybe it was just that everything else was so cold…

The creaking of a door jarred her; startling the inmate so fiercely she almost clawed up the wall. Was someone coming down to fetch her…?

"Kruger? In a ball on the floor, really? Well, that's not very interesting." The voice was unfamiliar.

Looking upwards, Natsuki hissed, wincing as she was met with yet more white. This woman - doctor, whoever she was. She had a white labcoat on! Sitting herself up, Natsuki's eyes instantly zoomed onto the colour the doctor wore; absorbing the different variations in quickly.

At last… colour.

"Stand up. I have doubt that you will hurt me, but I can cuff you either way." Yohko warned, having the silver shackles in her hands. The inmate eyed her, a little confused.

"You are… retrieving me, then?" Natsuki slowly obeyed, lifting from the odd floor. Her back was already sore…

"I am." The elder woman slipped the cuffs onto the inmate's wrists without trouble, capturing her shoulder briefly. "Do you have a fever?"

"I may." Natsuki's eyes roamed about the area one last time, happy to be free of it. "You must be the resident… scientist?"

"Doctor Helene." Yohko murmured, escorting the younger woman out of the isolation chamber.

Brought out from the large room, Natsuki senses immediately stunned her. Overloaded by the unique array of colour, she halted, forcing the doctor to do so also. There was so much grey, and black within this corridor; she had forgotten all about it…

"Kruger-" "I apologize… That chamber is daunting." Natsuki forced herself to interrupt, and continue walking. She had terribly missed the ebony gloss of these walls…

"I am taking you to my laboratory, my office." Yohko warned, leading her down an empty corridor. There was a stairwell, looking worn and wrought with iron for its winding rail.

It looked far too old for a facility supposedly so… modern.

Had this prison been built on top of something? Being led down this stairwell, Natsuki pondered on this.

The atmosphere altered suddenly, and it became colder. Along with this shift in temperature, she heard the faint hum of machinery.

"Is the morgue down here as well?"

"Actually, yes. It has to be cold down here, but I don't mind it." Yohko closed a thick door behind her, leading the inmate around before an office came apparent.

"We are going to talk." The doctor led her in, closing another door.

What could they possibly discuss? Natsuki's slow decline into insanity? Arching a brow, she lifted her wrists slightly. It was warm within this room at least, and so many colours to gaze upon…

Being guided towards a wheelless chair, Natsuki sat herself down. Curiously, she took in her surroundings. Everything felt far too sharp; like she was hypersensitive. Squinting her eyes, she cringed.

"I will dim the lights, but I need you to focus on me." She watched from the chair the doctor switching the light down. "Natsuki?"

She used her name? The inmate watched the doctor circle her for her own chair, a coal brow cocked. "What is it you would like to discuss…? I dare say I do not have much to say on that isolation chamber…"

"First, tell me how you got the gash. I'm afraid my nurse Yukariko neglected to mention it." Yohko eased back against the plush of her chair, watching the inmate as strictly as she was being observed.

"...I was overcome one night, grasped the bars of my door, and slammed my head into it."

"You think it is really as simple as you just described?"

"I had quite the headache after that bout of depression, if this is what you mean?" Natsuki was clueless, what was this doctor getting out of this? Was she missing something? Crossing a leg atop the other, Natsuki tilted her head. "If you must know, bludgeoning my head across those bars did seem to distress me a tad."

"So, you had a bout of depression before you hurt yourself?" Yohko quirked a brow, writing down a bit in her notepad.

"I had just killed my mother and sister, and lost my freedom. Of course I did." Natsuki stared, lifting a hand to rub at her eye.

"You were crying, then?" The doctor asked, pausing in her note-taking.

"Do you think me not without remorse?" The inmate's lips parted briefly in a ghost of a smirk.

"Now? Yes."

"Such a shame. Yet I thought we were having a heart-to-heart of sorts." Adjusting her leg, Natsuki mindlessly gripped the armrests of the chair. She was still trying to overcome the blocking of her senses. Although now that she thought on it, she doubted she ever would.

Her bandages drooped, and she stilled, staring at white fabric.

This simply wouldn't do.

"I will fix your bandages, check your wound… But I want you to do something after I do." Yohko warned, standing and retrieving a tray of supplies. Nothing sharp, however…

Not that Natsuki would hurt the doctor; She simply had no reason to. Escaping from down here would be next to impossible… If not suicide.

"Alright." She agreed, crossing her arms as she sat straight within the chair. The bandages were taken from her brow completely, as well as the small patch covering the wound.

"It looks fine…" Either way, it was spritzed with a painful spray, but Natsuki didn't bat an eye. Wound dressed once more, Yohko returned to her chair.

"I am going to give you a piece of paper. Upon it, I want you to draw a clock face, traditional. Numbers and hands. The time must be eleven-twenty." The doctor explained, passing a blank sheet over. She found a dull pencil, laying it near Natsuki's reach.

That was it? Simple enough, right? Glancing between the doctor, and the utensil, Natsuki took it. Altering it for drawing, the younger woman quickly went about scribbling onto the paper.

From twelve, she drew clockwise, right around to eleven. It was simple enough, as she suspected.

The clock face she drew was square, which intrigued the doctor observing. Whether or not that meant something, however…

The minute hand pointed to the four, and the hour to eleven. The minute hand was of course shorter, and as Natsuki turned the paper to be seen, Yohko nodded slowly. The clock face was perfectly made, instructions followed to a tee.

It took the center of the paper; Prominent and proud. Yohko set away her notepad, taking the offered paper to see more clearly. "Very good, Natsuki… Why a square face, however?"

"Reminded me of my Grandfather Clock. I miss it."

Cocking a brow, Yohko stretched for her notepad once more, writing down this feat. "Do you often feel attachment to objects instead of people, Natsuki?" Drifting her eyes upwards, she silently regarded the death row inmate.

"Mm… I think feeling attached to objects is natural. Material possessions are something people have raged wars over…" Natsuki diverted attention from truly answering the question, but Yohko's gaze persisted.

"I had a small stuffed bear when I was small. I had it with me over the years, and it had lost an eye and its nose. I stitched it up myself, and kept it in my bed." The inmate hummed lowly, as if trying to remember.

"What happened to it?"

"Nothing. I kept it safe. While it was kept safe, I allowed other things, and people, to… become lost to me. I did not care to keep irritating friends, but I kept my bear."

At the back of her mind, Natsuki wondered what had happened to him. If she ever got out of here- which was unlikely- perhaps she could find him?

"What did the bear mean to you?" Yohko adjusted her position in her seat, observing closely still.

"...What did it mean to me?"

"You kept it, stitched it up… It must have meant something to you?"

Natsuki kept quiet for a moment, humming lowly. "It… He was just a bear. A childhood toy and companion. I'm sure he is still around in the manor… somewhere."

Now the bear had a gender assigned to it? Yohko took note of the pronoun change and personalization of the bear, nodding along.

"But that's all he was. A bear. I take my fancy to certain objects, but not alike to a child anymore." Shrugging, the prisoner sighed, and leaned into the comfort of the chair.

She was already feeling so much better. Anywhere put that blinding, isolation room! This office was heaven.

"How was adjusting to the isolation chamber?" Yohko changed the subject, and Natsuki blinked.

"I was supposed to adjust? I did not."

"Then maybe there is hope for your sanity after all." Checking the clock, the doctor hummed softly. "I will call for a guard to return you to your cell. Please, no more struggles."

"I have no need to." Natsuki promised, sitting still as Yohko stood to exit the room. Now, why did the doctor trust her to leave her alone…?

Not that she could be bothered to make a hassle. That would be far too exhausting, what with her isolation. Natsuki would much rather sleep in her cell bed right now. That felt much more desirable right now, than be battered by night sticks.

She had no doubt it happened in Artai.

Ah, police brutality. Such a beautiful thing.

Her eyes were so… tired. Covering them, Natsuki allowed herself to revel in absolute darkness. Her head still felt a bit hot, perhaps she should mention it to Yohko? No, she would much rather just return to her cell.

The quiet in this office was more welcome than the silence of isolation.

"Sounds like she's coming back." It was already late in the night, almost midnight to be correct. Nao stared towards the corner separating her from the other cell stacks, glancing into Tomoe's cell.

Within these dark corridors of the labyrinth, everything echoed. It took a whisper to not be heard, but even so that was still a risk. But from the sounds of it, Kruger was still a distance off yet.

"Warden Graceburt took a year off her sentence time. Kruger will be executed in the next year instead of waiting two." Nao peeked further into the cell, cocking a brow.

"With a move like that, I'm not surprised." Tomoe murmured from the door. Drifting from the bars, she headed towards the bed. "Would've thought she'd execute her on the spot. Like that last one."

"This one generates more… revenue. The longer she's here, the more stuff we can sell when she's dead. Well, that's their thoughts, anyway. For us, we'll have her out of here with you, hopefully."

"You make it sound like you know her." Tomoe shot her a look of amusement. Setting herself on the bed, Tomoe grumbled, stretching. She just wanted to smoke…

"I'd like to." Nao smirked back to her, straightening up. She strode down the corridor, standing idly by the corner as the footsteps got louder. "Zhang, you've got your resident artist back." Two guards flanked Natsuki, the woman speaking.

"Well, let's get her back into that cell, huh?" Chuckling, Nao turned on her boot's heel. She cast a glance to Tomoe's door, focusing on Natsuki's and unlocking it. "Hey… That isn't regulation." She noticed the prisoner had been changed, and glared to the guards.

"Her father pulled some strings when she was admitted; Wants her to remain as… cozy as allowed." Natsuki had been changed out of her ivory isolation outfit, and back into her starched shirt and trousers.

"...Hm, odd all things considered."

Brushing the thought aside, the redhead opened the door. Upon this, it only took the guards a few moments to push the inmate inside. One manoeuvred inside, unlocking Natsuki's handcuffs. The other however, remained by the door, shutting it once the other made their exit.

Locking Natsuki's cell, Nao turned to the guards. "I've got it from here, thank you." She inwardly mocked them as they turned to leave, waiting until she could no longer hear the echoing of their steps.

"So… Kruger?"

"Guard?" The inmate kept the inflection tone that the redhead had used; Playful. Natsuki rubbed at her wrists, free of the heavy metal. Her wrists felt so much better…

All she honestly wanted to do was sleep. She had been under sensory attack for hours, after all. Her body demanded rest, and she wasn't about to disobey.

"Nice to meet you; Juliet Zhang. I'll be your patrol for the rest of the week." Nao smirked, peeking into the cell. It was different from Tomoe's; Kruger had… less things. But different things.

"Mm… Nice to meet you, too. Unfortunately, I desperately need to sleep." Natsuki cupped her eyes, and the redhead almost felt sorry for her.

"I don't blame you. Alright, get some sleep." Nao pulled back, knocking gently on the door. She retreated back to Tomoe's cell, gazing in silently.

Lime, and violet locked almost instantly. Tomoe shifted her eyes away from Nao's, suggesting dismissal. She didn't want to speak with Kruger yet? Understanding, the redhead glanced back towards the other inmate's door.

It made sense. Who would want to speak to someone falling unconscious, who had just survived isolation? Tomoe would've been insane to try.

She would share with Juliet this odd feeling she had in her gut just now; A feeling that Kruger could get out of her cell without even moving… Nao turned on her heel, striding off towards the other cell clusters.

Such an odd suspicion…

Hearing the patrolling guard walk off, Natsuki lifted her head to gaze out of the small window atop her door. All of these colors… It surely gave her a sensory overload. Lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, she closed her eyes.

She was… very tired. How long had she even been down there, in the chamber?

Laying back, she didn't bother with the flimsy blanket as she settled atop her bed. Resting a forearm over her eyes, Natsuki had a faint realization; A familiar pull at her memory.

There was a woman with the warden, after she had done away with Sergei…

She knew her.