Never in his life would've Shinichi thought that he would miss being Conan. But that was exactly the case, as his pocket sized self was climbing up on the inner side of a greasy trashcan. His face was muddy and there was a large cut on his hand – had he been his normal size, it would be nothing more than a bigger papercut, but like this... and he started cursing his fate and Haibara's failed antidote again.

There was no way he could use his previous method, he couldn't even reach Ran's place, let alone stay with her again. He had to abandon his bowtie too, along with the rest of his clothes, and use the torn rags from a thrown out Ken doll – even those were too big on him.

And, as if the world enjoyed messing with him, it started raining too, making the grease on the trashcan even more slippery. He was freezing as well, tiny teeth clanking together, and he seriously started wondering if he should keep climbing or seek shelter under the crumpled boxes of Chinese food below him – the smell chased him upwards in the end. Besides, if someone came to take the trash away and he would find himself in a bag which would be tossed around mercilessly later... he wouldn't survive.

He didn't even know exactly when they would clean the trashcans, but he assumed it was too early for that. Thus he set a comfortable pace, gave himself enough time to rest and a mental pat on the back after every inch. This went on for a while, until – to his horror – he heard footsteps dangerously close to the trashcan.

The lid opened with a horrifying creak and faint moonlight lighted up the garbage and Shinichi's frightened face. Above him stood a boy around his age, wearing a white cape and a monocle – Kid.

"Why, why him of all people?" Shinichi asked himself and looked for some sort of escape route, but didn't find anything. If he let himself fall, he would've certainly fallen to his death – those shining pieces of a broken vodka bottle would cut him up.

Kid didn't seem to notice him though – his face was neutral as he dropped something that looked like a glove in the trash – there were suspicious red blotches on it, Shinichi noticed. However, he also noticed, that the glove almost made him fall, and he let out a frightened yelp. That caught Kid's attention and he casted a surprised glance on him.

"A doll?" he asked, and reached inside the trashcan and held Shinichi up by his collar. He started squirming, though he probably should've stayed still, but he really didn't want to be around his rival in such state. Kid's eyes were wide now and he leaned even closer. "Are you... one of Akako's..." Shinichi still squirmed and he tried to kick the other, but it only resulted in him almost falling. Kid let out an amused chuckle, though he soon clutched his side with a pained grimace. "Well, let's get you out of here, little guy..." he said with a warm smile and put the growling Shinichi in his pocket.