Allen leaned his head on Bridget's shoulder, trying to steady his breathing. How was it going to be okay? He wanted to ask, to yell. Just how was any of this going to be okay?! But he held it all back. It wouldn't help, it wouldn't do to get mad at the only ones trying to help him.

"Because I wished for it," he said to Rukia. "He died, but... the Earl said if I wished for it... he'd come back." He could almost see the graveyard on that dark and cold night. "He did... but he became an Akuma... because of me. The dead aren't meant to rise again. I didn't know... I didn't want to hurt anyone..."

He shrugged his thin shoulders. The ghost... no, she couldn't be a patient. "I don't know," he shook his head, "I think so... she got me and then..." Rhode. But Rhode had still been able to run. Rhode hadn't been shaken the same way he had. But Rukia wasn't supposed to know about her... He didn't want them to get hurt. Rhode was his problem and he'd find a way to handle her.