-Erica's P.O.V-

There was nothing suspicious as far as I've checked, but was still reluctant to continue my work upstairs. "Hhah!" I let out a sharp, short sigh. 'I'm SCARED man!!! Nobody WOULDN'T be when they're alone in an old mansion without electricity such as THIS!!!' was the only thought in my mind. I paused for a while before rethinking, and encouraged myself, "Erica, you HAVE to do this; ALL because this is for your PRIDE as a detective and the ALLOWANCE!!!" Suddenly the image of my landlady with an extremely displeased face popped up...-_-'... giving shivers down my spine..... I shook off all these 'unwanted' thoughts and feelings off my head.

"If not because of that BASTARD I wouldn't be out here all ALONE!!! *tch*," I cursed at my so-called partner, Dan, as I climbed up the stairs to the second floor.

As soon as my foot reached the last step, "ARRRGGGHHHH!!! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU AND RIP YOU INTO PIECES!!!" someone, no, SOMETHING, roared throughout the whole floor. I was fear-stricken and my entire body went numb...

'W-WHAT WAS THAT!!??' I questioned myself as my trembling fingers gripped tightly onto the large marble shaft of the staircase, leaning forwards, in order not to fall back. That growl really shocked me to death! My palms were sweating, heart beats racing uncontrollably fast, and my legs were wobbly. My mind was telling me to run, and yes, that's what I wanted to do, but something was luring me to where that cry came from...

"*gulp*" My mouth was dry and what my sense of hearing could pick up were just my heartbeats, "*doki-doki-doki-doki*" . . . as I dragged myself to 'hell'.....

~At the door of the room where Dan & the 'beast' were inside~

It was strange. All those loud Bangs and roars disappeared into thin air like nothing had happened. I wondered 'why'? There was a door – slightly opened – which leads to a random room. Leaning in, I held the door knob with my left hand while the other supported my weight, resting on the wall.

"*gasp*" My hands immediately covered my gaping mouth to prevent any slightest sound to escape. Cold chills spread all over my stiff body. Warm, crystalline tears rolled down my ashen cold cheeks as the eyes widened after witnessing a macabre sight... It was a hot bed of crime.... There was red liquid splattered everywhere on the brown polished floor, where a bloody man laid dead.

But he wasn't all alone.....

Another figure, wearing a black top-hat, was standing in front of him. I couldn't make out the person's facial appearance as he was wearing a mask; one of the cool, creepy ones. It was chalk-white, covering the entire face –obviously– with two red stripes, each running vertically down the cheek areas, from below the extra-thin eye slits, and then narrowing at the ends. On seeing his disguise, a silly thought crossed my jumbled mind, 'How exactly does this person look through from those puny eye slits, for god's sake!?' and in THIS kind of situation! I must be insane...

Being tall and slim, he still possesses a fairly masculine structure. His dark-lavender hair's a bit short –but reached the shoulders– and wavy, curled back a small volume at its ends – somewhat familiar to an omega. The guy was wearing the most unique attire I've ever seen! A thin, grey ribbon – with the symbol 'IV' carved on its gilt knot – was hanged loosely over his half-unbuttoned white shirt. A black tux – its design similar to those of the butlers' – hugged his shoulders and arms, with a sea-green waist coat underneath, and matching black trousers. He was wearing white butler gloves, too. The dark-brown leather shoes that hid his feet glimmered under the faint rays of the sunset.

 'He would've been the man of my dreams...,' I admitted unwarily, 'but all to be ruined by the sight of the familiar red stains on his clothing.'  This statement only increased the frown on my already-scrunching face... They were BLOOD..... As if a freezing winter breeze had struck me, my frail figure was shuddering real badly. This time, my brain didn't allow me any second thoughts, but merely the urge to flee!

'NOW RUN!!!' a voice seeped through my head directing me –more like ordering me– to leave the current spot. Snapping back to reality, my body swiftly turned on its own instincts, and my legs gave long, quick strides on the dusty flooring in the corridor. Everything in my head was none other than ESCAPE, and ESCAPE, and then ESCAPE... Unfortunately......., god wasn't on my side.

"*clack-clack-clack-clack .........*"

The distinct sounds of my ebony heels echoed loudly in the dead silence of the empty mansion.

"Oh shoot!" I cursed under my breath, when a door creaked as it opened from not far behind.... The real nightmare was about to begin.....

"*SCREE––––––– EECH *"

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A/N: Hello again! This is the second chapter of "The Midnight Puppeteer"... I'd appreciate you all for the comments to improve my writing and would be REALLLLYYY happy if you'd vote. Anyway, thank you! ^.^

Oh by the way, they are private detectives but they do work for the police now and then if they were given a job PLUS the jobs given by their private clients... [e.g.; Detective Conan]