After running for what felt like miles, I stopped and leaned against a wall to catch my breath. I ignored looks from humans who probably thought I was crazy, and tried to focus.

Why had I run away? That was the first question that popped into my mind once I had caught my breath. I'd heard rumors that the Phantomhive was the queen's guard dog. Meaning that he would eventually arrive at the scene. But I didn't know if I would be able to stomach waiting for him. I could just lay on top of a building until morning, but there was always the chance someone would mistake me for the killer, especially since I had my scythe with me. What was I supposed to do?

"Scarlet?"

I looked to my right to find the person who said my name. To my surprise, it was Jazz.

"How did you find me?"

"How do you think? You're almost the only person in town with blood red hair. Only I ran into Grell a few times, and this one lady, but her hair was too short, so I knew it wasn't you."

"So then, why are you here?"

She walked over to me and hugged me. Surprised, I hugged her back, not really sure of what else I could do.

When she pulled away from me, her face was completely serious. "Whoever is forcing you into this, they captured me too. They may have only threatened you, but I'm aware of your situation. I want to do what I can to help you find this Phantomhive loser soon so we can both get back to our lives."

I smiled at her. "Thanks Jazz, but I don't want you to risk your life for me. If I have to, I can ask Will or someone if they can help me find him. You're my best friend. I don't want you to get hurt."

"You have no choice. You can't force me to go home. I could always track you down again. London isn't that big of a city..."

I knew she was right. Well, about tracking me down, anyway. I'd like to ask Jazz sometime what her definition of a big city is.

"Alright, but what about your mom?"

"Your brother is going to take care of her. And Will is helping too."

"How did you convince Will to help you keep your mom away? And even more, to help my brother with it?"

"I never reveal my secrets," she smiled, then started walking..... in the direction of the crime scene.

"Jazz, you definitely do not want to go that way."

"Why not? I followed you for miles away from the crime scene. Plus, it's not that bad. Just a severed hand and some gashes."

"It doesn't bother you?"

She shook her head. "We see things like this all the time. Why would it?"

I shrugged.

"Anyway, I'm sure you wanted to wait for the Phantomhive there, right?"

I nodded.

She walked back over to me, grabbed my hand, and started pulling me. "Then let's go!"

***

When we arrived at the scene, the police were already there, along with a giant throng of citizens. I pulled Jazz back and we walked around behind some buildings, then climbed onto the rooftops and looked over the edge. It was too dark to see much, but what I could see was the spilt blood shining in the moonlight. I turned away, close to gagging.

"We stay low until morning," I heard Jazz command. "The Earl won't wake in the middle of the night to come to a murder scene. He'll come in early morning. Keep your head down until then."

"How do you know they won't come up here looking for clues?"

Jazz shrugged. "I don't. And knowing our luck, they probably will. We can just claim to be homeless or something..."

"And then they can take us away and we'll miss our chance at find the Phantomhive. Jazz, we need a better plan."

"Then just go ask someone where he lives."

"That's probably cheating. Besides, he's a wealthy earl. Someone might think I'm an assassin."

"Or someone who has become fond of him."

"He's engaged."

"How do you know so much?"

"You hear a lot on reaping with your brother. People talk."

"Just not about his location?"

"Nope."

Suddenly, I felt a light on us. I jumped and pushed Jazz down to the roof.

"Who's up there?" An officer shouted.

"We have to go!"

We crawled along the roof until we were near the back of the building. We jumped from the roof and made a run for it down toward the nearby river. Once we'd lost them, we slowed to a stop by the river bank.

"Great plan, Jazz. Can you think of any others?" I asked her sarcastically.

Jazz was about to reply when I cut her off. "No, we don't need to fight over this. Let's just think of something else."

"Let's stay here until morning. Then we can go back and try to find the Phantomhive." Jazz sank to the ground. I sat next to her, and we sat silently, watching the ripples in the water until sunrise.