Ritsuka, of course, didn't respond, didn't move. But she continued to breathe, shallow breaths as her body struggled against all the blood she'd lost, but breathing all the same.

The animals did as they were told, even if Keke in particular needed a little convincing to leave Ritsuka's immediate side. But once again, that odd affinity for animals, the one that Ritsuka had once gone to the strange Goodwill and asked the shopkeeper for something that might help her friend with a pet dragon, did its work.

The rest of the apartment was still. Ritsuka's attacker was so certain of his work he spared no thought for returning, but the sooner they were out, the better, in any case.