IC: Whispers of the Past Chpt 2: The Dawning [m]

[Kris]

This game is rated mature for sex, drugs, rock and roll, cursing, potential gore-bloodshed and other things that may offend your sensibilities.



http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2105/whispersofthepast.png


The darkness shall Rise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvONzaYl9gw)
Towering inferno, darkness lies
The mysteries unravel before your eyes
Silence stokes the burning embers
As all begin to remember

Fear and fright, both unite
To strip you of your might
Twisted faces, broken light
Break the will you have to fight

Lies and truths both collide
Which one will your faith reside
The life you knew now shattered and torn
A new future to be born

Reborn souls awakened
Old lives to be taken
Fight the future that fate has sown
Battle the strange and unknown

Your will be tested,
Your resolve unrested
Will you fight for the light?
Or succumb to the dark ones Might?


***

They awoke at last, only to be hunted by their past's nightmares.

Slowly they will see that the past is not something easy to rid one of.

Welcome to the future.

and say hello to the past, as some more joins into the small town


***


The past:


It's time...

He felt the tickling sensation of magic burning within his fingers and he loved the feeling that followed suit the moment his body was entangled within the aura of the portal.

The woman's moaning, lovely bitter sweet voice of suffering reached his ear in melody that almost made him sexually aroused, but he knew he was to hold himself from responding to it now. He closed his eyes, absorbing the mental power that was needed for this mission from the partner that stood by his side.

Once he calmed down he opened his eyes, "Are you as eager to go as I am?", asked the man with a twisted grin upon his lips. He couldn't help but turn around and stare at the new virgin sacrifice whose blood continued to pour and encircle the magical symbols to allow both him and his partner the freedom of passing between the two worlds.

"Stop staring at her like that, Dmitriy"

Dmitriy (http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i358/livnatkris/Images/Michael-Fassbender-in-Shame-Review.jpg) grin turn bigger, "a shame", he licked his lips, "I'd rather have other uses for her..."

"Alas, you cannot", his partner brutally stopped him from speaking further.

"Whoa, someone is a bit cold today", Dmitriy chuckled, "Don't get too rough on me, better save it for your lovely princess....".

"Rosaline", The other guy seemed to be lost in thoughts the moment he uttered her name which was followed by a burst of memories. He looked around at the almost dead woman, whose body, soul and blood were to be used in such a cruel manner as a catalyst, for this spell to work, "We are not becoming any better than them... If we do such things..."

Dmitriy sighed, "For the last time... we have no other way... The spell that was used to send the others took a great tool on the mages and they can no longer perform it. Besides, they promised to try and keep her alive once we are both to pass through".

The man nodded softly. The image of the beautiful princess in his mind was more than enough to urge him to pass onward, but he couldn't help wondering about the price his kingdom had to pay with humanity for this harsh war.

Soon the light enveloped them both and they passed onward into the future.



***


Flash Forward - Present day:


It was too fast, too brutal and too painful.

Cherilyn coughed, the fire eating at her flash, but luckily aside of breathing problems she suffered no serious damage. At least not the kind she could tell right away, for she was still capable of moving. And by moving it means to try her best and search if other people were as lucky as herself, mainly her best friend.

"Li..na?", she uttered between gasps of air as she slowly crawled over the floor.

Lina had been sitting closest to the kitchen entrance when she heard a strange noise followed by a blast that sent her reeling from her chair. Shaking the cobwebs from her mind she opened her eyes as she felt a setting pain across her cheek. A warm feeling of liquid on her face prompted her to reach up to find a sticky substance which she quickly recognized to be blood.

Lina groaned then gasped out loud. Cheri, Zack, the others. She tried to sit up but felt a stabbing pain in her side where upon looking she found a piece of metal lodged. Lina groaned, then with all of the energy she had left she called out "Cher? Zack? Kent?".

"Here!". To the sound of her friend's voice Cherilyn was already by her side, she coughed and grinned, "See, I told you, you and I are not the type to die easily", she laughed, but her lips twisted once she realize it was painful to do so, "Girl... You're wounded", Cherilyn saw trails of blood lingering from Lina, "But nothing too serious, you are still beautiful", she coughed again.

Around her she heard moans of pain. This was sure not how she expected this to turned out to be, "So much for dinner... See why I don't let guys pay for me?", she gave a small smirk as she helped Lina on her feet.

Lina reached up and touched her face once Cheri had pulled her to her feet. The cut wasn't deep, but there was still a small piece of metal lodged in her side, or so she thought until she lifted her shirt and the metal dislodged itself, leaving a bleeding wound underneath. Lina left out a sigh of relief "I'll live" she said quietly, quickly tearing a piece of her already torn shirt off in a strip and applying it with a small amount of pressure to the wound, then laughed at Cheri's comment. Guys! "Zack?" Lina said finally getting a good look around at the devastation while trying to locate Zack and the others. Voices of confusion filled the air as everyone inside of the diner began moving, some hurt and others just shaken.

[Setsa]

Trixi was enjoying a nice conversation with Wesley, sipping on some iced tea with only lemon wanting a little tart taste vs sweet this time. When all of a sudden she heard something about a fire and before the deputy could even stand up and excuse herself.....well...the last thing she remembered was a big flash of light and boom.

The woman was knocked back from her chair from the initial blast, hitting her head on the edge of the window. It was a burning sensation on her leg that woke her up, a paper napkin had caught on fire and was burning on her hiking boot and some on her exposed lower shin. Quickly shaking her leg to knock the almost to ash napkin off she stomped it out before slowly standing up. Her leg only had a rectangular half inch red mark where it burnt her leg...luckily burn cream and some fresh bandages for maybe a week would do the trick. The most annoying thing would be the old skin peeling off in time...that would be itching and driving her nuts!

Suddenly she remembered she wasn't the only one here..... Wes! Where was he?!! Looking to where he had once sat across the table from the woman she noticed him on the floor. " Wesley! You ok? Come on now wake up!" He was breathing she saw that much and would take it. The Approaching sirens outside made her think about Max and Thor in the car...quickly running outside she opened the door to the back of the suv to find that Both dogs were safe inside her car though she may have to take a spot cleaner to it from them being scared by surprise. Letting them both out and slipping some issued dog boots to protect from heat and broken glass she ran back into the diner. "Max, Thor....search!"

The German shepards obeyed andbegan the search for survivors that may have been not moving or covered in rubble. First aid Kit in hand she went back to Wesley knowing not even suppose to be out of the hospital long, his wounds maybe more severe. Flashing a small flashlight back and forth on his peeled opened eyes she called his name again. "Wesley....it's Trixi...come on now wake up here." Coughing some from the smoke in the room, " any survivors?! Call out and let me and the responding firefighters hear you! Don't move unless you know you can help is on the way!"

Shaking lightly Wesley's shoulder, "come on man wake up!!"

[The Imposter]

Wesley had ordered a chicken club sandwich platter on whole wheat with a tall glass of soda. The smell of the food and the light hearted conversation was quite enjoyable and even relaxing. That was until Bao came in with a group of people, slowly Wes shifted himself out of the girl's line of sight and it wasn't too long after that that Duke entered. Wesley did his best to remain composed and not give anything away to Trixi, she was an officier after all. They continued to shoot the breeze until the diner went into chaos. The building seemed to shift infron of Wesley's eyes but in reality it was him being thrown to the ground.

When his eyes focused again Trixi was shaking his shoulder, the large muscles in his body ached as he shuffled around and tried to get to his feet. His pride still being wounded from her helping him into the car he tried to stand on his own, however it was too no avail. Wesley was disoriented, smells of burning flooded his noses while his ears still rang from the incident. He figured he must have hit his head on something when everything went down. Seeing Trixi's lips moved he answered with a 'WHAT?!' still not able to make out what she was saying. He raised his hands up in surrender to get some help only to be shocked at the sight of them. The palms were red with liquid, panic gripped him as he choked on some smoke and raised his hands up to Trixi.

'Am I bleeding? Are you? Is this someone elses?'

Wesley quickly looked around near him to see if anyone was close by, but the search revealed little. Bringing his hands closer to inspect them he caught a wiff of something other than flames. His lip curved upward ever so slightly as he spoke loudly still not even hearing himself well and pointing to his hands.

'It's just ketchup!'

Once on his feet he limped towards where the group was sitting, even in his condition he could still exert some muscle and move debris if someone was caught.

'Trixi, give me a hand. Looks like someone is here!'

[Storm]

Day/Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner

Su Lin and Gail gaze upon the others within the diner offering polite smiles and head nods as others assemble. Su Lin and Gail are engaged in small talk when Gail feels a balance shift as Jackie’s soul is robbed from her. This is far more then she felt with the dog and far more than she has ever felt in her Coven. Gail’s focuses is drawn upon the back of the diner as Jackie dispatches the men in back unbeknownst to those in the diner. She stands and slowly makes her way toward the back of the diner with a puzzled expression on her face.

At the same time, Su Lin feels a strong knot in her stomach, far stronger than any which has gripped her before. She closes her eyes as the chocolate color fades to a transparent crystallized color. 30 seconds from detonation she opens her eyes as a bluish radiance emits from her eyes as she stands looking back toward where Gail approaches. Softly she utters
“This does not belong”
as she extends her hand encompassing air molecules in and around herself, her eyes radiating a brighter blue aura.

Gail reaches the kitchen just starting to push on the door as the microwave detonates, the blast wave, flames and debris knocking her back as the flash fire rips through the door. She screams in pain as flames dance about her body, several metal projectiles lodge into her body as she slides back on the floor going into shock due to the pain and blast wave she walked into.

Su Lin keeps her hand extended with intense focus upon the air swirling around her, the blast wave rushing toward her yet streams around where she stands as a shell of untouched air surrounds her. She lowers her hand as her eyes return a chocolate brown, not totally aware of what just happened, starts to snap back into reality. She looks to her side as the booths to each side of her are charred. She smells the smoldering smoke and notices remnants of the blast about her as well as hears the others scuffling around. Her mind still tring to register what happened so quickly. In a soft low tone of concern as she slowly turns
“Gail, …. What jus…” her eyes lock on Gail as she lay on the floor bloody and not moving, she feels as though she has just been kicked in the stomach by a wild animal as her breath suddenly is robbed from her, she fights for breath gasping out softly at first “…no, … no, you can’t be”

As she stares blankly at the woman who was like a mother to her, tears well in her eyes as her tone grows louder beginning to stagger toward the unconscious woman “Gail, get up, please…” disbelief and pain sear through her very being before releasing an agonizing scream as she reaches where Gail lies
“NOOOOO! Somebody, please help me!” as she crouches next to the closest thing to a mother she had ever known. The ambulances and medics arriving at the diner are absent to her mind as she sits next to Gail releasing agonizing cries “Why…. why not me instead … please stay with me…” reaching softly touching her hand.

[Extraordinaire.]

Lukah was used to the danger of explosions, having worked in a mine for the worst-half of his life, but he was totally unprepared for this to happen in a town, which he'd associated as some sort of safe-haven. The explosion happened fast, with a remarkably quick reaction from the town-dwellers. There was a moment of silence, followed by a moment of screams, before the noises were jumbled by survivors and pleads. People calling out to the survivors, checking in on their friends, while others began to moan out their sudden loss.

"My first damned time in the city, in months," was the first thought that he could register and it was minutes later, until he was fully aware of his surroundings. In contrast to his quick mouth, his reaction time and shock were less than ordinary. A shack of some sorts, maybe a destroyed storage container, had fallen on him, before being encased with rubble.

Was he alive? He wasn't quite sure, there were few peaks of light from his shelter and although his ears were ringing mad, he could make out the distinct blare of an ambulance. Was it for him? Was he the only one that had been injured? Had he blacked out again, or had it been a vague attack? What caused it?

When the need to breath finally registered with the pain in his lungs, he found that the rubble was pressing off his nose and whenever he opened his mouth, bits of dirt clung to his throat. Heaving for fresh air, even smoke-tinted air, he starting thrashing his body around, trying desperately to get free.

'Trixi, give me a hand. Looks like someone is here!'

Even in his wounded state, the act of removing whatever pinned Lukah, seemed effortless to the man who had spoken. It must have been a site seeing the miner, with his already charcoal-crusted face, encased with dirt and ash. The unusually blue eyes staring helplessly up, naked to the sudden chaos and trying, at once, to take everything in.

Coughing from the shortage of breath, he slowly helped himself up, kneeling over in the middle of his burrow. The aches hadn't begun yet, but in minutes he'd notice the tightness of his ribs, the etra effort it took to raise his arms. The man, who Lukah had previously failed to acknowledge, was smeared over in red, but in a good enough of a condition to breath and talk.

It seemed foolish at this point to ask what had happened, so instead he grunted and nodded his thanks, before realizing he had no idea what to do from here on.
"Was it just here? That was hit?" he managed to ask, sure that he could see smoke leave with his breath.

[Wattz]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner

Bao was crushed beneath the rubble. She inhaled the gray dust and smoke, struggling to expel it all in a massive coughing attack. Her long hair was caught on something, her body shaking with shock and fear, making it difficult to emerge. Bao would have cried out, but her throat and lungs were coated.

But suddenly the pressure began to lift, if only a little. Someone was struggling to lift the debris off her, and Bao jumped at the opportunity. With a grunt, Bao mustered up as much strength as she could to drag herself out of harm. She heard someone give a pained sigh as the slate on top of her crashed back to the ground and turned around to see Duke. There was blood on his face, flowing down from his head as if he’d been flung backwards. There were flames coming from the direction of the kitchen. Everything was spinning, everything was too coincidental, too surreal….

“Duke,” she choked through the smoke and grabbed his arm. He grasped her arm as well if only to steady himself. “Duke, come on.” Bao tried to lead him away, but they were both struggling, ears still ringing from the blast. Just as she turned around, she heard and saw a figure too unsettlingly familiar. It was Wes.

How did she not see him?

Duke’s eyes went wider when he caught sight of Wes as well. His bony hand trembled more, Bao could feel it in her own, and he tugged on her arm so hard she thought it’d rip out of the socket.

“We need to get out of here,” he said.

“But what about—“

“No, we need to get out of here—“ but Duke was stopped short as he took a misstep and fell down on top of one of the patrons who'd yet to get up.

[Stryker]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner


As the smoke cleared and survivors began to either panic, try to get away as fast as they could or try to see if they could help anyone trapped underneath any nearby rubble, Austin started to stir underneath the remains of the table he had been recently sitting at. Somehow the explosion had sent him spiraling roughly five feet from the booth he had been at before having the table come crashing down on top of him.

While the explosion itself was enough to send anyone crazy and into a fit, the one thing that made Austin wonder what happened was the fact that while the hair on his arms appeared singed, nothing else was burned in the slightest. Of course he was covered in cuts, scrapes and was bleeding quite a bit from his left eyebrow where a large gash had formed, more than likely from the table. It was almost like something had protected him from the flames and kept him relatively safe aside from the force of the blast.

“Austin!” A voice called out which warranted him to lift his head and spotted a familiar face matched with a black armband, a member of the Dollars.

“Over… over here…” he answered before shakily rising to his feet and then collapsing back to his knees. He may not have looked any worse for wear, but he was still beat up and bruised.

“Easy, easy does it.” The man spoke out before grasping his bicep and tugging upward to help him stand back up. He then wrapped Sean’s left arm around his neck while Austin noticed it was Evan who took the time to glance at his leader’s face, covered in soot and scrapes but no burns which struck him as odd. “Hey, Austin… why… why aren’t you-“

“Don’t know, Evan… beats the hell outta me, but for right now… let’s get out of here…” he answered as they slowly began to walk away from the remains of the restaurant.

“Hey…”

“What?” Austin asked, wondering why they had stopped before looking where Evan was pointing to. When he did, he saw a frail-looking girl and a larger man that had apparently toppled over on top of someone else about twenty feet in front of Evan and himself.

“That big guy and the girl still standing… those are the two that got away at the docks, remember?” he explained. “We got the third guy and left him like you said, but those are the other two that were with him and ran.”

“Really…”

[Edynol]

Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Some clothing store

The magic was brilliant and the world unfolding before Dmitriy has turned out to be rather interesting. He took a deep breath as he looked around. Everything was new, big and fast.

Creatures of metal were moving at such speed and his eyes enjoy the feast of women dressing in minimal clothing, "What a fanatic world, do you not agree, Alex?", he looked at his comrade with a huge grin.

Alex glanced around a bit, wonder in his eyes as he saw the vehicles going up and down the streets. All the lights with no fire shining bright, the roads made of black stone the likes of he'd never seen. And the people, they wore such strange clothing and had strange haircuts. "Fantastic...I do not think quite describes it, my friend," he said with a chuckle and a pat on Dimitri's shoulder. When he noticed how a few people looked strangely at him, he looked himself over, then his friend.

"I believe we should find a tailor and get some more suitable attire for this place. It will not do for our enemies to spot us from leagues away like asses amongst steeds." As they walked, Alex stopped one of the few people walking the sidewalks. "My friend, do you know where one might purchase some suitable attire?" They looked at them oddly and chuckled a little before directing them to a clothing store around the block.

Once there, a lady came to meet them and had an odd smile. "Yall work for some Renaissance fair or something?" She asked, and Alex nodded. "Umm...indeed we do," he said, not really understanding what she was asking. The woman then shrugged. "Have a look around, try on what ya like."

"Fantastic, good woman", Dmitriy winked at her, not wasting a moment to find himself cloths and undressing in his spot, much to the woman's embarrassment, "Well then, supply me with cloths, if you will lady", he said handing to her the clothing and waiting for her to dress him, "And call the tailor please to make final improvement, if you will".

The woman, after overcoming her shock and embarrassment, scowled at Dmitriy. "I don't know where you think you are, mister, but this isn't some Hollywood, high-class dressing store. Pick out whatever fits, and if ya like it, buy it and be on about your day. Now put your clothes back on before I call the police for indecent exposure!"

Alex raised a hand at the woman and spoke in a soft voice. "My apologies, my lady. My friend here tend to get carried away with his...performance art." The woman sniffed before turning to go back to her business. Alex then went over to his friend. "I think it best if we chose our own clothing, for now, and dress ourselves. I noticed a lot of people wear these blue colored leggings," he said, motioning to the blue jeans hanging on a rack nearby. "I say we each find a set that fits and some good shirts and be on our way."

"Sounds good to me...", Dmitriy hummed slowly, "But, what about this time and age currency?", he narrowed his eyes, "I didn't bring gold with me, much less silver..."

After picking out some suitable clothing, Alex went up to the woman and pulled a few red rubies and blue sapphires from a small pouch and showed them to the woman. "Will this be accurate, my lady?" The woman's eyes opened wide as she gazed at the stones and picked one up to feel it.

"Yeah," the woman said, her tone distant as she continued to inspect the crystals. "Take anything you wish, for this." Alex nodded and thanked the woman before heading out of the store. But just as the exited, there was a loud bang that sent small vibrations through the ground.

They eyed each other, a quick moment of silence, the nodding, and then they rushed ahead, curiosity taking over the best of them.

(An Edy and Kris Co)

[Mysteria]

The past
Zaraketh's Lair

The chamber was dank, dimly lit by the few torches that hung upon the walls, their flickering light bouncing off bottles, vials, and other assorted containers making the silhouettes of various objects around the room seem to dance. A young woman lay strapped to a stone table, her legs and arms bound by leather straps as she mumbled and groaned incoherently. He needed information from her, so he refrained from hurting her too much, lest she die or her mind become broken, then she'd be useless.

He turned as the door to his chamber creaked open, a man entered, tall, imposing, his voice deep and calm. "Zaraketh," the man spoke. "Have you learned anything yet?" It was less a question and more a demand for answers.

Zaraketh scowled for an instant, the man had no patience and always wanted result now. "Not yet, my lord. But give me time, she will tell us what we need to know. Have I yet to fail you?"

"No. No you have not, my friend. I mean not to harry you, but time is short, you understand."

"I will need not much longer," Zaraketh answered. "You will have answers with in the hour." The man nodded and smiled before exiting the chambers. Zaraketh then turned back to the woman, a sadistic, vile grin on his face. "Now, my darling, where were we?" As he lay his hands upon her, blood curdling screams came from the girl as her very blood began to boil under her flesh.
____________________________________________
Present Day
Jackie's Diner Around 1 P.M.

Zack sat bolt upright and grabbed his head, the room was spinning and he didn't even try to think of the nightmare he had, he'd have to stop watching the Syfy channel so much. As he touched his head, he felt something wet and looked at his fingers. He was bleeding, but not too bad. Head wounds were often pretty bloody, waking the wound look worse than it really was, but aside from the small contusion he figured he probably had a concussion. But that was the least of his concerns.

"Lina!" Zack called, the first name that popped into his head. "Lina! Trixi! Cherilyn!" As his vision became less blurred, he saw Lina and rushed over to her, putting a gentle hand on the side of her head. "Lina. Cheri. Hey. Are you two alright?" He heard others screaming, but at this point in time he didn't pay attention to them, he was focused only on Lina at the moment. She was standing, which was good. He just prayed that there weren't any serious injuries.

Despite the small moment of a smile that had passed between Lina and Cheri, the young brunette photographer was still scanning the room taking in the devastation as her eyes scanned the debris for Zack. From across the room she heard her name being called and then she spotted the man who had taken care of her just hours before in her home. Within seconds he was by her side, his fingers touching her face lightly. "Hey. Are you two alright?"

Lina smiled and nodded but at the same time felt dizzy. She wasn't blaming this one on the salt, she would blame it on the explosion. "I'm fine Zack, I just.." Another wave of nausea flooded her and she stepped away from Zack, almost instantly feeling better but the incident leaving her curious, and uncertain. Fresh air. She needed fresh air.

"I'm fine really, I just think I need some fresh air." Lina said the words calmly as she looked around, noticing others were beginning to move. It seemed odd to her that although there had been an explosion, there wasn't a lot of fire burning, it was more light floating ash around them with several small fires but not one big one. Lina coughed. She was certain she just needed fresh air.

Looking at her, he could tell she wasn't. Blood was soaking through her shirt slowly but was stopping. Zack gently grabbed her arm, careful not to move her to quickly. She might have felt fine, but it was shock masking any pain she felt from the cut or any other serious injuries she might have had. The same could be true for himself, now that he thought about it. "Okay," he said, looking to Cheri as well, "let's get outside to my truck. Easy now, you have a nasty cut on your side, might need stitching. I parked pretty close and I got some medical supplies in my bag and toolbox."

When they got to his truck, he let down the tail gate and helped upon it before going into his truck for his bag. He could hear sirens in the distance, which made him sigh in relief, thankful he wouldn't have to get everyone checked out on his own. He was feeling really exhausted now, probably the shock and adrenaline wearing off. He looked around in his bag, but didn't have any sutures or anything to stitched her up with. He then took his shirt off, and with his pocket knife, cut it in half to make a tourniquet.

"This should help til the EMTs get here," he said in a clam voice, trying his best not to sound worried. As he lifted up her shirt, he saw the cut was at least an inch or so deep and blood was pouring out steadily. "Hold still, you'll be alright. I've seen a lot worse, you'll be okay." His tone now was a bit shaky and not too reassuring. "Now this is gonna hurt, I am going to press the wound in before wrapping it up." As he pressed the wound close in preparation to wrap his shirt around it, a chill went through his body and after a few seconds he fell to his knees, taking deep breaths as exhaustion washed over him.

He had no idea why exhaustion would hit him that fast and so rapidly. But he wasn't gonna let it stop him. He forced himself back to his feet and went back to the wound, then stopped. It had stopped bleeding and the cut now looked more like a deep scrape than a serious laceration. "What in the..."

When Zack fell to his knees Lina's protests that she were fine were even heightened further. "Zack, I told you I am fine. You are the one who needs to take it easy here." Concern flooded Lina's voice but her eyes widened when Zack lifted her shirt again, the wound almost appearing to be healed.

She didn't dwell on it though, brushing it off quickly "See, I told you it was just a scratch." Lina smiled at the doctor, then brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. "It's you I'm worried about." She said the words softly as she heard the sirens drawing closer "Maybe for once you should let someone else take care of you instead of you always trying to take care of everyone."

Zack shook his head. Blood still covered his hands and a huge stain covered half of Lina's shirt. "No," he said in an exhausted tone. There was lots of blood, that wound was way more deep than that. Look at the blood! No way that much blood could come from a small scrape like that..." Thoughts started rushing through his head, he had been geting these bouts of fatigue the last few days, but every time it came when he was helping someone who was injured, like the stabbing victim from Cheri's book store. Was it skill that saved that guy, or something else? "Lina...I think I healed you. Like...magic or something."

"Majic?" Lina murmured softly. As strange as things had become the last few days, majic being responisble for all of the odd events having happened had never occurred to her. It did, however occurr to her that Zack must have fallen and hit his head even harder than she anticipated. By that time the paramedics had arrived and Lina called out to them "Over here, Dr. Acerton needs checked out." As the paramedics neared, worry spread across her features as she reached out and touched Zack's face, her look conveying that everything would be alright now. Lina looked to the other paramedics "There's more wounded still inside....I...I don't know how many."

As most of the EMTs went into the diner, a few of them stayed with Zack and Lina. "Ace," the guy checking him, Zack recognized him as Kyle, said worriedly. "You have a small head wound, but not too deep. Where did all this blood come from?" The paramedic asked, looking at Zack's hands and arms for cuts.

Zack pointed at Lina. "Laceration," he said, panting. "On her side. It...it was..."

Looking at Lina as the other medic checked her over, the other medic shook his head. "Nah, just a small scrape, not even a flesh wound." Kyle then shined a light in Zack's eyes to check for any trauma.

"I'm fine, just tired. I guess...It could've come from someone else...There are a lot of injured in there, far worse than myself," Zack said as he pointed to the diner. "I think I got hit by a piece of wood."

Kyle nodded. "Well no signs of trauma. You're pulse is a little fast, but who's wouldn't be? Just sit tight. Grubby's on his way with his team and Prochner is waiting at the ER."

Zack nodded as Kyle put a small bandage on his head. When he left to check on those in the diner, he looked over to Lina, who was getting a bandage wrapped around her wound. The medic then shined a light in her eyes and down her throat. "No signs of internal bleeding or concussion," he said. "You're lucky. Could have been a lot worse. Just stay put, both of ya. Grubby will want to examine you further before yall can go home."

Zack nodded as he took a seat on the ground, looking at his hands. "I can't be going crazy," he said as he looked up at Lina, his tone almost a plea. "You see all this blood, you heard them. It all couldn't have come from a scratch like that. And I saw it before. You saw it. You had to have seen it." He then lowered his head, shaking it in confusion.

Lina sat on the ground beside Zack, taking his hands into hers "Zack, it's okay. You're probably just tired. You were up half of the night taking care of me, your always at the hospital, and now this to top everything off. Maybe you got up against someone else, I don't know." Lina absent mindlessly ran her thumb over the back of his hand as she spoke "Look, tonight your coming to spend the night at my house, no arguments. You are going to let someone else take care of you for once, I know the EM said you just have a bump, but I'm not willing to take chances with you."

She blushed slightly as she realized what she had just said, then leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek then "I mean, I'm not willing to risk your health. I'd feel better if you spent the night with me."

Zack squeezed her hand softly and ran his other hand through his hair, the blood on his hand making red streaks on the side of his head. "I...Yeah. You're right. Magic, that does sound pretty ridiculous doesn't it," he said with small chuckle, though there wasn't much humor in it.

Just then, two guys approached, one was about Zack's size and had blonde hair down to his shoulders and blue eyes. "Is everything all right here?" He asked, then he saw Lina. "Rosaline? My love, I have finally found you. What happened? Are you injured?" Zack then turned his head towards the man and the guy's expression suddenly went cold. "What are you doing with him?"

Zack looked at the guy confused then back at Lina. "You...You have a boyfriend? Lina, who is this guy?"

Lina grabbed Zack's arm, half hiding behind him as she peered over his shoulder at the blonde haired man. "How do you know my name?" Lina demanded. Then squeezing Zack's arm she shivered as she whispered into his ear "Zack, I don't know who this guy is."

Zack stood then, pulling Lina up and shielding her from the newcomers. Leaning her head over Zack's shoulder she demanded once more "And who he is to me is none of your business, now answer the question, how do you know my name? Who are you?" By that time the police were also showing up and Lina glanced at Captain James Thrush whom she had known for as long as she could remember "Lina, are you okay? Dr Acerton, you okay?"

Lina nodded to the salt and peppered haired gentleman "We're okay Jim, we are fine." but as she said the words, she was eying the strangers.

The man got a confused look on his face. "Rosaline, it's me, Alexander. Don't you remember me?"

Alex took a few steps closer but Zack backed up with Lina. "Hey, buddy, whoever you are, she says she doesn't know."

"You shut your mouth lest I remove your tongue from your fucking mouth," the man said angrily.

Captain Thrush then stood in front of the man and shoved him back a few steps. "Hey! I don't know who you are, but I will not have anyone causing trouble in my town. These people have just been through a traumatic ordeal and I will not have some long-haired punk threatening Dr. Acerton. So unless you want to get thrown in jail, you best leave here now."

Alex took a few steps back, looking at Lina and Zack. They really didn't remember him. Those who came through the first time must have had their slates wiped clean. They weren't who they once were. But still, seeing his love with that vile, cursed wretch of a sorcerer made is blood boil. There had to be a way to make her remember who she was standing behind, who she was looking to for protection. "My apologies," he finally said. "I mean no trouble. All this...commotion has just got me a bit on edge. I mean not what I said. If there is anyway I may help, I will do so."

Lina clung tightly to Zack's arm as they watched the two strangers walking away, the entire time shaking her head as she added "I'm not sure that this day could get any stranger than it already has, so I'm really looking forward to a quiet evening alone, Zack."

Amidst all of the turmoil and strange happenings around them, all she could think about now was having the chance to be alone with Zack again, and oddly enough, what she could possibly make for dinner.

(An Edy and Mysti thang!!!)

[Koti~]

Present day
Random Warehouse around 2 pm

Oh, what juicy morsel do we have here?” Crow said, looking through the glass orb and through Jackie's eyes. She was staring at two oddly dressed men, who had just walked away from the explosion he had just committed. Though he didn’t know them personally, he knew when they came from, mainly due to their clothing. It wasn’t some cheep knockoff, it was the real deal, and two someones had followed him. He smiled at this thought, pressing the glowing orb to his head. Talking quickly to Jackie, he leaned back in his odd shaped chair, staring at the black fire sitting in the center of the blackened room.

Jackie nodded in confirmation, her blank eyes staring outwards into the abyss. Dragging the knife out of the side apron, she advanced towards the two, keeping her eyes locked while avoiding people, knife held down at her side. Instead of attacking, she paused next to them, twirling the knife in her hand.

“My master… Eldrich crow… wishes to meet. Follow” She spoke quickly, her voice monotone and flat as she headed off down the road, knife glimmering in the sun and fire as she headed towards an abandoned building set off in the distance.

Dmitriy's eyes widened, "You hear that Alex?", he whispered as he started to walk after the young girl, "Can it be....?"

Alex narrowed his eyes at the girl. He wanted to just kill her right then and there and be done with it, but perhaps he could catch the man off guard and end this war before it began. Hearing Dimitry's question, Alex turned towards him and nodded once. "Come," he said in a whisper. "Perhaps we can end the wretch and be done with him. Or at the very least learn what he's up to." He then started following the girl to the building.

Jackie led them through a back entrance, seemingly unaware of their presence other than to make sure they were following her if they had heard right. The knife never left her hand as it twirled back and forth, making occasional small nicks in the wall as she headed up, eventually ending at a blood stained door at the end of the hall. Stepping to the side, she swung it open, standing and moving them along.

"Come come, my friends. We have so much to talk. Like... how did you get here for starters." Crow smirked at them through the black flames, the smell of burnt flesh dancing around as four small orbs twirled in his hand, one brighter than the other three.

Dmitriy didn't look pleased, but he eyes Crow in a very suspicious manner, not talking, or moving for that matter.

Alex looked at Crow with a blank expression, betraying no emotion at all. "How we got here of no concern to you, retch," he said to the man. "So you think sending that rat of a sorcerer of yours to enthrall the princess...Well, let us say he isn't the only who knows how to get answers from people." Alex reached his pocket and grabbed something, a severed female finger with a ring, two silver claws grasping a red ruby, and threw it at Crow's feet. "One of your favorites, was she not?" Alex gave Crow a sardonic grin.

Crow looked at the fingers and picked up the ring. Staring at the gem, he smiled, his teeth glinting in the firelight playing across the smooth cut surface. Pulling the finger out of the ring, he slipped it on his own hand, throwing the finger into the fire.

"Ah yes, a favorite jewel of mine, always happy to get it back. I will miss the girl though, she did quite the devilish things in the bed..." Crow smirked at Alex, paying attention to the ring more. Sitting back down at the throne, he smiled, looking at the soul orb.

"You know, these things are quite fascinating to use. They give one so much information about people ... places ... ties ... love..." Crow said, dragging out the last part before looking up ad Alex, fingers tapping the smooth surface.

"And yes, one of my own is following your .. love as it were. I hope you know what he was famous for... because I so do need info ... Not that I plan to use it yet. You might want to go 'help' them out... Because I could find so many uses for that girl of yours." Crow said to the man, tongue dancing across his teeth. He twirled the orb around in his fingers, completely relaxed in the chair as the flames licked around, shifts revealing eyes and facial features as the finger curled from the heat.

"He won't succeed," Alex said, glaring at the retch as he sat on his throne. "And neither shall you!" Alex then holds out his hand and space surrounding Crow warps as he freezes him in time. He then takes out a dagger and throws it at him. " Dmitriy!" He called, signaling for him to attack.

"With pleasure...", Dmitriy, shoot off streams of ice aiming at Crow.

Crow stood there and smiled, his lips moving in a slight blur as Alex’s hand raised, stopping him as his smile curled wide. The dagger sunk into his chest just before the ice hit him. His body slumped back into the throne the smile still wide but the eyes now lifeless as the ice wrapped around his body and freezing him to his chair.

The ice began to drip though as the air around Crow’s body shimmered, his body reduced to a bloody and still burning corpse, igniting the throne in black flames, making it shimmer and waver.

“Now now my dear boy, that wasn’t a nice thing to do.” Crow said, tapping a wavy silver dagger on nape of Alex’s neck. He jumped back a bit and smiled, twirling the dagger in his finger, staring at the corpse some as he pulled out another orb.

“And Dimitry, I thought you would know better than to walk into my presence without preparing a counter for me.” Crow said, tapping the dagger on his teeth as he finished, standing between the black flames of the throne and the still two burning bodies slumped on the floor. He spun the dagger making it vanish into the folds of his cloak as he twirled the still gleaming orb in his hand and pulling out the other.

“I always plan for every .. odd and ends scenario. And nice use of your magic boy… but I won’t be fooled by some silly hat trick like that. You are playing with big boys here, not your lunch buddies or old crones of so called … mages. So please… try to be a bit less obvious.” The black flames wisped around his body, throwing twisted smiles and snarls on his face as he folded his hands behind his back, staring at the two men.

Alex turned to face Crow, his face unreadable. He should've known killing Crow wouldn't be that easy, but he had to try non the less. But with Crow now so close to him, to not do anything would be foolish. Perhaps he couldn't kill Crow, but at least he could...

Alex quickly raised his foot, kicking Crow right between the legs and shoved him to the ground. "Guess you're a man after all," he said wryly. He then turned to Dimitry. "Dimitry run," he shouted, and cast a time bubble around himself and his friend, speeding their movements up. They then took off, running as fast as they could before Crow decided they were more trouble than worth keeping alive for.

Caught off guard, Crow felt the pain before he even recognized it. His mind reeling, he watched as they both ran out of the room, a time bubble encasing them to speed them up. One faded orb and a sigh from the dead body in the flames, he stood gingerly, Jackie helping.

“Well, seems he isn’t as dense as I thought.” Crow said, pushing Jackie off as he stood tall. He laughed some, delighted to see the turn out of this event. He would have to keep up to date on them, if not just to see how things would turn out.

(An Edy, Kris, and KoTi copost)

[Setsa]

Helping Wesley lift the debri off of soot covered person, recognizing the man known as Lukah as she helped him sit down outside so that the EMTs could attend to him. "Yea..it hit right here...big blast too by the looks of it but not big enough to kill us all least. Guess we should take that a good deal then, maybe with a whole truck load of luck as well." Looking at Wesley she waved over two of the EMTs to the small group. "See these two are tended to please...Wesley is currently a patient at the hospital so he needs to go back there right away." Looking at the man who she was set to have a nice day with she smiled, her own face darkened from the blast. "I'll come visit soon as everyone is out of here, maybe see about bringing that lunch that well...was a blast." Chuckling she patted his shoulder before catching sight of Captain Thrush, catching up to her superior after some conversation with Zack, Lina, and men she didn't know has some sort of a quarrel.

"Hey capt' we got alot of people in there that were exposed to this blast...from the quick look I got, it started in the kitchen so I'd get arson here.... Thor and Maximus are already searching for survivors...I'm alright...small concussion and burnt shin otherwise I'll survive...give me 5 to wrap the burn and I'll be back in." As they spoke she sat in the back of her suv while someone began to cut off her pants to expose the burnt leg better and began to disinfect it as she hissed from the pain.

"Alright good job Trixi....you just get back in there soon as your leg is done, we need as many people in there as possible." Nodding to the Captain she reached back into a police duffle bag for an extra pair of pants, glad she decided to wash her things from there last night as the gym bag smell was starting to smell. Though she doubt those still in there would care if her pants smelled a bit or not. Having some extra bandage around her ankle where her hiking boots would rub the woman slipped into the truck and slipped into her police uniform... First aid kit with her, the strap on her shoulder and across her chest the Deputy went back in after wiping her face and arms with some wet clothes to see better.

Flashlight on she scanned in front of her back and forth, whistling for her dogs to see where they were while trying to remember who she saw was there...and who already were out and being seem by medical. Hearing the dogs barking one towards the kitchen and another sniffing at a person who was breathing she directed a rescue officer to the person in the dining area with Thor and went into the kitchen with another into the kitchen hearing Su Lin's cries for help.

"Su Lin! We're here...what's wrong? Where are you hurt?!" Maximus kept barking, whining softly as he nudged Gail on the ground. "Ok ok good boy .... Su Lin do you know what happened to her?" She asked while searching for a pulse on Gail as the officer looked over Su Lin for any wounds or trauma from the blast. "Gail can you hear me? Can you move your fingers or do anything we can see?" It looked doubtful....very doubtful the woman was alive just by looking over her but she had been wronged before. Moving from her wrist to her neck she tried for her pulse again.

[Storm]

Day/Time: Tuesday, Afternoon
Location: Jackie’s Diner

Gail remains motionless upon the floor as she reaches her. With the sound of sirens and commotion in the main diner, it becomes evident that help will arrive any moment. Su Lin touches Gail softly as the injured woman remains on the floor in a deep trance. As Maximus nudges Gail, Su Lin slowly stands as Trixi and the other officer move toward them.

"Ok ok good boy .... Su Lin do you know what happened to her?"

Her tone now soft “Something was off, then there was an explosion, Gail had walked right into it, flames were streaking everywhere…”. The other officer looking briefly at Su Lin noticing she has no soot on her clothes or face, not a scratch nor sign of any heat trauma causing him to inquire

“Where were you when everything happened?” assuming she must have been outside when the explosion happened.

With a puzzled look on her face and equally confused tone “I was just walking into the kitchen when everything just exploded.”

The officer looks to Trixi in a ‘something is off about this’ tone in his voice “There is..” placing special emphasis on the next word “Nothing…. wrong with this one.” As Trixi continues tending to Gail.

"Gail can you hear me? Can you move your fingers or do anything we can see?"

As Trixi checks for a pulse, a faint pulse could be felt while at the same time Gail slightly moves a finger closest to Trixi though she keeps herself in a deep trance she had trained herself to do over her many years.

The other officer places a hand on Su Lin’s shoulder “Let’s get you out of here, the lady there is in good hands….” then immediately jerks his hand back as she turns her head toward him protesting “I am staying right here with my friend.” her eyes momentarily glazed over with a slight bluish glow.

The time it takes the officer to blink and take a second look, her eyes are back to a chocolate brown.

"It's alright Su Lin can stay here, as for nothing wrong with her..well that's a good thing now isn't it Sergeant?" Her tone of voice putting emphasis on his title as he got the message loud and clear to leave them be and help others. "Well Su she's alive...and responding.." motioning to the small finger movement in her right hand. "Also her pulse is weaker but steady...so you got to her in time."

The woman had severe second degree burns nearly all around her body to cover about 60..maybe 70 percent total, she would definitely be placed in the burn ward. Even though Gail should have been dead if what Su Lin had said was true, that she was here when the explosion happened. Things kept happened right and left that was hard to explain, of course kids fall from a third story building before and survived and others reported all over from the news so she figured it must have been one of those "nothing jumps." Shrapnel from the appliances were embedding into her body in various places with multiple depths, Trixi herself had to make sure she didn't cut herself from those embedding in the wall and floor around the ladies.

"Ok Su...I am going to pull out one of these big shrapnel pieces sticking from her chest that I don't like. I need to see how her circulation is and if she punctured a lung...if I tell you to run and get help you do it, if I tell you to press down on the wound you do it understand?" Seeing a small nod from the very worried Su Lin, Trixi kneeled down carefully on burnt leg. Right hand wrapping around the large metal piece and left one just above Gail's chest at the ready she took a deep breath in and on the exhale began pulling the metal out in one, slow but steady pull.

Blood began to run out and over the charred cloth stuck to her body until the metal was pulled completely out... The blood was really running out of her chest and small bursts of air came along with which made the red life source splatter onto her face. "Shit! ...Shit!! The lung is punctured alright and she's a gusher!" Pulling the first aid kit off her person and tossing it at Su Lin before putting both hands over the wound pressing down hard. "Get the gauze from the first aid kit now and wrap the clean cloth around it so it doesn't stick to her burnt skin hurry!"

Staring at Gail she mumbled under her breath "come on...come on don't go on me woman..." A flooding warmth filled Trixi's body, starting out of nothing from her core and radiating up her chest and through her arms like a chill which even made her arm spring goosebumps. Before her eyes the blood started to slow down and coagulate, the burnt dead skin sluffed off to be replace with healthy supple layer while spread out from her hands all over Gail. Staring wide-eyed at what was happening the waves of heat and kept coming from her core and through her arms from a source that she had created entirely all on her own.

"Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my God...!"

The deputy said out loud in pure disbelief as she was in such a shock she couldn't even remove her hands if she even wanted to. "Su......please tell me you're seeing this....please tell me you are seeing me heal her and I'm not going crazy!"

Su Lin simply stood wide eyed in absolute disbelief, before she could utter words that she still could not form, Gail deeply inhaled before exhaling, her eyes which were once blood shot and hazed over were back to their clear hazel color, the whites of her eyes no longer bloodshot. Still in a weakened state she did hear the words of disbelief the Deputy spoke. Gail simply whispered softly somehow sensing the aura surrounding Trixi “Doubt not what you are doing…” before drifting off in a restful sleep, vitals returning to normal.

Su still not able to comprehend what Trixi had done simply offers on Gail’s words “She talks like that sometimes…”. As she bites her bottom lip and glancing around to make sure the other officer was not around, her tone untypically soft and hesitant “There are strange things that have happened lately, odd feelings, my dreams becoming…” cutting herself off before going further. Refocusing on Gail, still in disbelief that her burns and injuries are no longer present, tone hesitant and shaky...

“How did you…. do … that?”

Looking back up at Su Lin, still processing what Gail had said then the woman beside her saying she's been having similar unexplained experiences. Trixi checked her pulse once more to feel a good, healthy pulse under her fingertips flowing in Gail's body.

"I have no..idea Su....but if she said something and you. You asking me how...then this actually happened. I wasn't dreaming any of this here, at the book store, that means those recent paper cuts...."

Shaking her head back to reality and the present, she whistled for help. The same officer coming towards them stopped dead in his tracks staring with his jaw to the floor until he uttered some words to them asking how there could be a charred, near death woman minutes before. Blood all over Trixi and Su Lin's clothes....and all over the floor. But a very healthy woman in the exact same location and position that he left her to be taken care of.

"Don't worry about it you hear? That's a direct order....just get a cart over here and get her over to the hospital for recovery got it?"

The officer gave a firm nod and waved over some EMTs, lifting Gail to a laying position on the stretcher then wheeling her out of the diner to be counted as one of the lucky survivors. Remembering her burnt leg, she quickly lifted up her paneled, tearing the bandages off to reveal a healthy, smooth, toned right leg.

"Ok.....so I..I healed my own leg too?" Standing up, helping the woman across from her to do the same she gave off a somewhat nervous smile while her concussion free mind still worked to sort this all out.

"It sounds like we have much to talk about, how about we check up on those in the hospital, maybe give them some flowers.. Then you and I have a drink at my place, I'll even order pizza."

Still processing the past few days in her mind, Su Lin simply offers “That sounds like a plan. For now, I’m heading home and get out of these things and change. You want to meet at the hospital, pick me up or want me to swing by and pick you up?” Mind still processing the morning’s events is just thankful for whatever reason, the flames that rushed toward her had somehow not burned her. “I do need to warn you though; I drink the hard stuff, raspberry ice tea. I know, you being a cop and all will have to make sure this tea-a-holic doesn’t over do it.” trying to lighten the mood from this completely weird and whacked out day they are going through.

"I need to take a moment for myself too after all this is said and done, so how about I pick you up in a couple hours, I'll text you when I'm on my way. That way we can visit those in the hospital, and pick the pizza on way home to my place...just stay home and relax ok? Don't open the door to strangers until we figured out who is responsible for this mess."

[The Imposter]

Day/Time: Tuesday, afternoon
Locale: Ambulance beside Jackie's

Wesley was coddled to the ambulance which hurt his pride to say the least. It must have been quite a sight to see the large man helped along like a little child. After being taken by the EMT's Wesley realized he was quite lightheaded. He tried to say something but even before the word's rolled off his tongue he slumped into onto the floor of the vehicle, blacking out.

'Hey! Hey! DAD!!!!!'

The words were sharp and in a voice unfamiliar. Wesley looked aroiund to see that he was in a place he often dreamed about. A field outside of town where he and his wife would picnic. Wes felt a tugging on his arm and looked down to see the cause. His eyes fixated on the young boy, unsure how to react. Why would he be dreaming of Ryan like this? Should he be angry?

'It's magic Dad! I can do anything: I can talk, walk, fly, I can be real!'

Ryan's words cut sharply, and the father knelt down and looked his son in the eyes.

'I'm just dreaming this...you are real back in the world, I can't believe I'm dreaming this.'

'Dad, I know this doesn't make sense, but it is really me. I don't know how but I can come here, actually I think I can go anywhere...'

'Wait...wait a sec.'

Wes rubbed his head not really sure what to believe, he was trying to process everything. Could this really be Ryan? In a blink of an eye he found himself opening his eyes looking at the EMT hunched over him. The smell was extremely strong and he realized that the EMT was holding smelling salts.

'Phew...that was close Wesley. I think you may be concussed so we don't want you passing out. Ya hear me?'

Wes nodded still stirred up from the explosion, and that dream. It was so vivid and yet seemed distant. The ambulance was crowded with him, the EMTs, and some others. Wes quickly grabbed one of the EMT's arms as he hopped out of the vehicle.

'Is everyone ok? Did anyone die?'

The younger man shrugged away from Wes knowing that now wasn't the time to chitchat. Wes being left without an answer turned to see who else was in the ambulance. Taking a few moments to collect himself he could still hear a ringing in his ears that seemed to fight with the sirens and noises that were surrounding the scene. His gut wrenched as he worried about the others that were in the diner, it was pretty packed.

[Wattz]

Time: Tuesday, Afternoon
Location: Outside Jackie’s Diner

After Duke managed to scramble back up, the two tried to run. Bao’s leg had been severely damaged by the fallen rubble, and Duke’s arm wasn’t doing much better. He tried to support her, the two hopping away as fast as they could, before Duke finally stopped.

“No, no, this is stupid Bao, you need to go to a doctor.”

“We can’t go to a doctor.”

“Just look at your leg!”

“I’m fine, Duke.” She scratched her arm. “We need to get out of here, you said it yourself.”

“The paramedics are gonna catch up with us anyways.”

“I’m fine.” Bao scratched her arm.

Duke grabbed Bao by the shoulders. He tried to lift her up into his arms, but his left one had severe burns and he had never been the strong type. Bao pushed him away, and then began to snarl.

“I said my leg is fine, Duke!”

Bao felt a sharp pain in her wrist, and she cried out. A spike of ice about two-inches in length stuck straight out of her shirt-sleeve. When she realized the spike was coming out of her skin, she continued to scream hysterically.

[Sickly]

Day/Time: Tuesday, Late Morning
Location: Jackie’s Diner

That sure was one hell of a party.

Get it, hell?

...

Never mind.

Cherilyn couldn't help but joking a bit as the cynical jokes kept rising in her brain. It was her best way to deal with pain anyway. With the barks of the dogs around, the surprise of the people, and the police siren (that just added to the party a bit of blue... another lame pun....) she couldn't help but search for a familiar face that had yet to surface and declare that he was safe.

"Julian?", she called to him, "Where are you?", her voice turned a bit nervous, but she would never let anyone know she was worried, "Now's not the time to sleep, we have work to catch up later!", she called to him, hoping this will bring him back to her.

Julian heard her and smiled, she wasn't looking too hard it seemed as he was only a few feet behind her.

"Yes?"

"Gah!", she jumped, startled by his answer. Not looking behind her was rather foolish come to think of it. She looked at him long and hard, and decided that the best way to check if he was alright was to ask, "So, are you alive?", she smiled a bit.

Julian checked his arms and legs amusingly. "Stlll have my limbs and i'm not burning up in the sunlight, so yeah. I'd say i'm pretty much still alive."

"Well, that's good and well...", she chuckled, "I mean... The last thing I wanna do is start looking for new guy to work in the store... or so...", she forced herself to laugh but it was easy to see she was glad to see him safe, "Look, if you want, I'll free you today from work to go home and change... or maybe rest if you don't feel well.... I'll count this as a full shift work, I promise".

"Nope. I got some good manners. I'll have to decline. Besides it's not THAT crappy of job."

Cherilyn laughed, "Well one could say I guess..."

The police was all around gathering as much information as they could but Cherilyn thought she rather liked to head back to the store as soon as possible.

"Okay, I'll go make sure things are good with everyone", Cherilyn nodded, "I'll catch you in the store later then".

[Extraordinaire.]

Day/Time: Tuesday, Afternoon
Location: Jackie’s Diner, by the EMTs

"Yea..it hit right here...big blast too by the looks of it but not big enough to kill us all least. Guess we should take that a good deal then, maybe with a whole truck load of luck as well."

The woman had almost immediately replied, before motioning for the EMTs, describing the health-condition of her friend, the man who had helped to release him of his trapper. Lukah studied the man for a moment, not seeing any immediate illness that could have had him hospitalized, but as if cursing the thought, the man fell unconscious within the vehicle.

Lukah himself hadn't realized he was being treated until he broke his gaze from the man, at the slightest tickle of his arm.

"130 over 68," the man announced indefinitely, release the pressure in the heart monitor strapped to his bicep.
"Which is normal," he awkwardly added a moment later, as if he'd been considering whether such an obvious fact needed to be told.

He held little resistance as the man checked his senses, pulling at his eyelids and lolling his tongue, to give the man a better look into his throat; however, the man still listed him as unresponsive. The uncomfortably eager tone and moans of disapproval were suppressed, much to the man's enjoying, by the persistent ringing in his ear. In fact, it was as if he were able to detach the sense entirely, to tune out of the chaos at whim and enjoy the peace of a deft man.

"How about the mines?" he suddenly asked, the noise of the commotion and smoke in the air suddenly rushing back and intensifying in his ears. The doctor's head swiveled back, before roughly scratching out something on his notepad and starting fresh.
"Did the explosion hit close? Was there any damage?" he asked impatiently, feeling a greater urge than ever to kick the clipboard out of his hands.

"We'll let you know once you're stable, sir," the man smiled too widely, with an ingenuity that rubbed him the wrong way.

Turning to see the man from before fully functioning, he silently reminded himself to give his appreciation. He hadn't paid much attention to the others in the ambulance and felt instantly guilty at the thought of a death so nearby. Despite his misfortune with his timing, he'd been incredibly lucky to be in such good condition. Having tuned out his paramedic as he was examined and feeling no immediate pain, he assumed that he was in good health and turned away from the doctor, slightly closing his eyes.

[Stryker]

Time: Tuesday, Afternoon
Location: Outside Jackie's Diner

“They both look really beat up, it’d be a great opportunity to teach them the lesson they skipped out on back at the docks.” Evan suggested before beginning to pull out his phone.

“Put the phone up.”

“What?” he replied, caught off-guard by the order.

“I said put it up, you really want to start something like that in the middle of all of this with all this law enforcement here?” Austin explained before shaking his head, trying to get the last few cobwebs shook out. “Wait here,” he instructed before bracing himself against a piece of rubble and slowly walking towards the fallen Bao and Duke.

Nothing physical would occur, he knew that neither side wanted to start a ruckus in front of so many cops and a large crowd, he also figured they’d be worried that they were being watched by the rest of the Dollars because even he didn’t know how many were around.

“Hey… you two, we have something to talk about… now.” he called out to them.

Duke had finally calmed Bao enough to get her to stop screaming. His sunken eyes were wide looking at the slightly-melting point of ice, and his already trembling hands were quaking even harder. "It's okay Bao, it's okay," he kept saying over and over again, until he jumped at the sound of a man's voice.

He had on a black bandanna.

"There's no time..." he said to the man. "No, no, we gotta get her to a hospital!"

"There's time, you'll make time unless you'd rather let us handle her while you're beaten by the rest of us," he threatened. It was a bluff, a bluff that he had to sell in order to get an answer out of him as to who they were and what they were doing here.

"Now, what're you two doing in this area... I want to know everything, now."

"Why would that matter?" Duke asked.

Bao finally worked up the courage to grab hold of the icicle and yank it out. As she did she cried in pain and clasped her wrist with the other hand but to her surprise there was no blood. She pulled up her sleeve, but there was no mark. "W-we live around here, why shouldn't we-" Another gasp of pain. Another shard shot out of the same wrist. This time she could see the skin pucker around the end of the ice, this shard slightly bigger than the last.

Duke gasp in shock as well. He tried to cover Bao's wrist from their sight. "Yes, we live around here. That's right." Bao had always been a better liar than Duke, but damned if he wasn't going to try. Anything to get away as soon as possible.

"... You're both full of shit..." he growled, the look on his face turning sour. "I'm giving you two 48 hours before we come after you," he explains. "Afterwards, it's all... all..." he began before his eyes began to flutter and a wave of nausea swept over him as he stumbled backwards and into Seth's arms again.

"Austin, what's up, you alright?" he asked, now worried about his leader's sudden wooziness.

Bao wanted to use this opportunity to get away. "Duke, come on," she managed to say through tears. Duke kept faltering, looking from Bao's bad leg to the spikes shooting out of her wrists. He had never been very strong, and knew he would not be able to carry her.

But she had grabbed his wrist and had already started running, despite the injury. She gritted her teeth and fought through the searing pain that shot up her leg every time her foot hit the pavement, but there was no other choice. Duke ran parallel to her, looking over his shoulder to see if they were being followed.

They would’ve been followed had it not been for the fact that Austin was still having problems staying upright and would’ve collapsed to the ground had it not been for Evan.

“Austin, c’mon man what’s wrong?” he sandy-haired man asked, the look on his face showing that he was pleading for any kind of positive response.

A slight shot of pain shot up Austin’s body before the dizziness began to fade away and his balance returned to him. “Wha… What the hell happened”

“You got all dizzy and those two slinked off,” Evan responded as Austin stood up straight and on his own once more, slightly shaking his head as he glanced ahead and saw the two scrambling for footing. For a second before they disappeared from view, he locked eyes with the male of the two.

“Get on the phone and tell everyone to keep a lookout for both of them, but don’t confront them, just watch…”

“Right!” he responded before grabbing his phone and beginning to type of a mass message for the gang.

Just before finishing the message he turned to Austin, “You sure you’ll be alright?”

“I’ll be fine, now get after them. Don’t let’em get too far from us, Evan.”

“Alright, I’m on it.” He answered before darting off in the direction Bao and Duke went, keeping a moderate pace so he wouldn’t be too close.

[Edynol]

Lina's house
Tuesday, Early evening

After getting checked out thoroughly and cleared to leave, Zack put on a white shirt one of the EMTs gave him and walked with Lina to his truck and drove to her house. On the way there, he still couldn't shake what he saw. That wound of hers was serious, and the Grubby confirmed he didn't have a concussion or anything, and Grubby didn't make mistakes. He couldn't have been going crazy. Delusions like that were symptomatic of severe cerebral damage and temporal imbalance do to the miscommunication of key systemic optical neurons. But then again, it could have been temporary trauma induce dementia, which is extremely rare, but possible.

Tired of thinking about it, he focused his thoughts on something else as he spoke to Lina. "How do you think he knew your name?" he said said suddenly as they pulled into her driveway. "That guy. I believe you when you say you've never seen him, but he's definitely seen you before. Something unsettles me about that guy, and not just the way he acted. I don't know why, but as soon as I saw him, before the argument even started, I just didn't like him one bit. I can't explain it. Kinda silly instantly disliking someone you never met. Guess this whole day has got me messed up huh?"

Lina smiled softly as she took Zak's hand into her own, offering "No, it doesn't have you any more messed up than any of the rest of us. It was a traumatic experience for us all and then to have that stranger approach us like that..." Her voice trailed off as she released his hand and they exited the car. As she dug in her purse for her keys she couldn't help but still be shaking as she tried to get the key into the door knob.

She had seemed fine earlier but now everything was settling into her mind. How did that happen at the diner, where was Jackie and just who in the hell was the stranger. She fumbled with the keys, almost dropping them but quickly catching them in the palm of her hand. She laughed nervously "I don't know why I can't get my hands to steady. Bare with me here for a moment." She tried again, her hands still shaking considerably.

Zack took both her hands in his as he looked into her eyes and gave a small smile. "You're right. It was a traumatic experience. But we're okay now, and our friends are as well. This isn't something we can just forget about and continue with life as normal. But I think as long as we stick together and help each other, we'll get through this. We're alive and not seriously hurt, so we got that going for us. Right?"

Zack then took the keys from her hand and opened the door, but didn't go inside yet. He touched the side of her face with a soft hand, brushing some hair behind her ear. "I'm just glad you're okay. I know we haven't known each other that long, and I'm not typically an emotional guy, but the only thing I could think of was getting to you and hoping you were alright. I know I may sound a little crazy, but...." He couldn't find anymore words to say at the moment as he looked at her, gazing into her beautiful brown eyes.

Lina stared into Zak's eyes after having relinquished the keys to him, mesmerized by the softness held within them and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She nuzzled her face into his hand, the warmth soothing her and she realized that for the first time in a long time, another persons touch upon her skin hadn't made her feel sick. Maybe the meds he'd given her were already starting to work. Whatever the reason, being there with Zak felt more right to her than she'd ever experienced with anyone else.

With a slight blush upon her cheeks she leaned up, kissing his cheek softly and then with her voice a mere whisper uttered only one word in response to his question of sticking together.

"Right" she replied into his ear before pulling away and looking back into his eyes once more as she took his hands back into her own and adding "Me too."

Zack smiled even more when she kissed his cheek, the soft tone of her words singing in his ears as he looked upon her beautiful face. It wasn't just that she was pretty though, he felt a connection with her unlike he ever felt with anyone else. He wanted her and only her. And with that thought, he leaned in and kissed her, soft and slowly.

Consumed in the kiss, they leaned against the door, pushing it open and going inside. They stopped at the door way, Zack savoring the taste of her lips intertwined with his, the feel of her tongue, the smell of her hair, the feel of her skin. It was something he felt he could get lost in. But in the distance, Alex was watching from behind a tall bush across the street in the woods, an intense glare in his eyes as he watched his love embracing a mortal enemy.

Lina quickly allowed herself to be pulled into Zak's strong arms as they enveloped her and his lips met hers. His kiss was soft, and sweet with a hint of underlying urgency underneath it. Lina didn't resist but pressed her lips to his and allowed her tongue to slip against his lightly as she stepped forward guiding him through the doorway. Their lips were still locked when she finally gave the door a push shut with her foot behind her. Her pets came running into the room but she ignored them for the time being as she lingered in that first kiss.

Finally with her ankles being rubbed in protest she drew away slowly, chuckling softly to herself and offering an apology to the handsome doctor "I'm sorry but I'm afraid they are accustomed to getting all of the attention when I first arrive home." She took his hand and stepped further into the room in front of the big bay window but was still staring into those hazel green eyes that had captured her earlier when suddenly, she leaned up and pressed her soft lips to his, melding herself to him as her hands went around his waist and pulled him to her, completely forgetting that after their ordeal they both could probably use a shower, and also having forgotten about dinner.

As they kissed again, Zack rubbed his fingers through her hair as he gently held her face with the other hand. Forgetting all about what happened that day for that long moment, Zack felt as if someone answered a prayer he didn't remember sending. When they parted again to catch their breath, Zack was panting heavily, the sweat on his brow reflecting the lights in the house as the light from outside glistened on Lina's face, accentuating her lovely features, making her seem to glow in that instant. "I....I think I could use a shower." He looked down then back at Lina and chuckled. "For more than one reason it seems," he added with a smirk.

As Zack continued to hold Lina, not wanting to let her go, Alex continued to peer at them from the distance. "I cannot let her fall into the hands of that monster. I will not," he said to himself. As he looked at them through the window, his eyes met hers briefly as he stood, partially hidden by the tall bushes.

Lina blushed and looked away with the mention of the shower and it was then that she saw the man through the bushes. It was the same man as she'd seen before. Not wanting to alarm Zak she quickly offered "Well you are welcome to use the shower, I feel like I could ummm..." her pause was only a brief second before she continued "use a long shower too." Lina turned her back to the man then as she took Zaks hand and led him towards the bathroom through the hallway. As an afterthought she released his hand and headed into one of the spare guest rooms and returned moments later with a pair of black sweatpants and a forest green t shirt "I just realized, you would need clean clothes. This isn't much but I always try to keep stuff on hand for friends who come by who may need them." Lina had grabbed a pair of light blue lounging pants and a maroon t shirt for herself for when she grabbed her own shower later.

There in the hallway she leaned up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before turning away and tossing over her shoulder "I believe you know where the shower is" she said as she laid her own folded clothes down on a nearby stand in the hall "I'll get dinner started awhile and then once your out, I can grab a quick shower too. How's lasagna and garlic bread sound? She chuckled to herself as she remembered having just had it with Cheri "I just realized I had that with Cheri last night. She stopped in her tracks "How does baked ziti sound? Easy prep, can toss it in the oven and that gives me more time to spend talking to you." A small smile creased her lips at the words.

Zack smiled and nodded his head. "That sounds great. I look forward to it," he said before turning to got into the bathroom. He wanted to argue that she didn't have to that for him, but for one he didn't want to put a damper on the mood with arguing and two, he was really freakin hungry.

As Zak disapeared she shouted over her shoulder "Don't rush on my account, this will take a few moments to get ready." Lina headed for the kitchen and quickly grabbed some pots and pans to start the meal. Browning the burger wouldn't take any longer than cooking the ziti would so she started the burger frying in a pan and put the water on to boil. As the meal began to take shape her mind returned to Zak and to the man who had called her by her name and she couldn't help but to wonder how in the hell he knew her name in the first place.

As Alex stood across the street, he saw them leave the front room and narrowed his eyes, not liking where they seemed to be going. But when she came back alone, he sighed in relief and smiled slightly. He then crossed the street and went up to the house, looking through a smaller window to see what she was doing. Seemed she making a meal or something. But not wanting to wait for Zack to return, Alex walked to the door and knocked softly.

As Lina was finishing up layering the ziti in the pan with the sauce she had prepared and cheeses that she had on hand and was about to toss it in the oven she heard a knock on her front door. Looking through the small window in the door she saw the stranger from earlier. Her heart raced. Zak was in the shower. Should she answer the door, would she be safe. She decided to only partially open the door and keep the chain on as she said through the door "I don't know who you are or what you want from me but quit following me. I don't know how you knew my name but leave me alone."

She moved then to close the door before Zak came back into the room as she didn't want to upset him further. She still wasn't convinced he hadn't bumped his head harder than he thought and she didn't want him to worry.

"Rosaline, wait. Please," Alex said, gently grabbing her hand through the partially opened door. "Please, you have to remember. Do you not remember anything of us? When we first met in your father's armory, the pin I made you from steel and rubies? The first time we kissed at the Harvest Festival ball? The first time we..." His eyes were pleading with her.

"He is an evil man. Remember what he's done. What he did to Kareena, your best friend! How she took her own life after we rescued her because of what he did to her." Alex's heart was racing, hoping she would at least remember something, a spark. Hoping she'd use her ability to see the truth in his words. "Please remember us. If not, remember he is a monster. He may not remember now, but he will. And it ills me to think of what he will do to you once he does."

No sooner had he grabbed her hand and spoke the words "do you not remember anything of us" a vision appeared in Lina's mind and she gasped out loud, backing away "No no...this can't be..." for the vision that she saw was of her and the stranger in a different time and place, naked and draped over each other upon a huge bed in which the design was different than any thing on the current markets or even that she could ever remember having ever seen before. She still didn't remember the mans name but it was her and him that she saw in those brief few seconds of her vision. And somehow she hadn't gotten ill again. If anyone would have made her ill to the touch surely it would have been this man but yet his touch had felt familiar on her skin.

Even in her moment of uncertainty as her eyes searched his she pulled away from his grip. Not that she had to pull away hard as touch hadn't been painful, or that he appeared to wish to harm her. Her voice became elevated as she backed away from the door, not even closing it completely "I told you to leave me alone. I..I..." her voice faltered with uncertainty for a split second "I don't know you!" she exclaimed loudly.

As Zack got out of the shower and changed, he heard Lina yelling and didn't bother to put on a shirt or shoes as he bolted form the bathroom. When he got to front room, he saw Lina backing away from the door. "Lina, what's wrong? Are okay...." He then saw Alex through the small opening of the door. "You again, what are you doing here? Who are you! You better leave right now or I'm calling the cops."

Alex glared at Zack, his skin sweating despite the cool air outside. "You better not hurt her, or I swear by the Cross I will make you bleed Zaraketh."

Zack gave the man a confused look. "Name's Zack, not...whatever you said. Just leave, she doesn't know you and doesn't want to know you. So just...leave." Zack started breathing heavily as they looked at each other, sweat pouring from Alex's face. Then without a word, he turned and walked away and Zack closed the door behind him.

(Part 1 of an Edy and Mysti Co.)

[Mysteria]

Lina's house.
In the evening hours.


"Are you okay? Who is that guy? What's he want?"

Lina heard Zack's words but more importantly she felt his arms wrapping around her. It was funny that she'd felt his arms around her several times already and even after having seen what she saw mere moments before it still felt right to her to be in Zack's arms. She shook her head slowly as she peered up at him "I have no clue. He is convinced I should know him and I..I don't know all I know is this day has been hell and we both just need to relax tonight."

She took a step back and smiled at him as she tugged on her dirty clothes "How's about you watch dinner for me, there should be a fresh bottle of wine in the cooler that you can get out while I go grab my shower quick if you would.." She had already pulled the hem of her shirt out of her jeans before she had even stepped back towards him and planted a kiss on his cheek, adding "Please?"

"Okay," Zack said, nodding. "I'll try not to let it burn, which as you may have noticed I am proned to," he added with a chuckle. Zack looked back to the door, as if making sure he wasn't still there. He was still breathing heavily. "I swear, this day has been exhausting. Maybe I should the cops. Or I could call Trixxy if you want to keep things quiet."

"No really Zack, it's okay. If he comes around again we will call the police." Wrapping her arms around his neck she whispered "It's okay. Let's just enjoy the evening." With a quick brush of her lips against his she said "Be right back" as she began to step away, her shower awaiting her.

As Lina turned to walk away, Zack gently grabbed her arm and turned back to him for one more kiss, his hand slipping part way up her shirt as he rubbed the small of her back. "Don't take too long," he said with a smile, his eyes looking deep into her as he told how much he wanted her right then and there.

With the warmth of his hand upon her bare skin it took all Lina had to force herself to break away from his touch, and gaze. She smiled warmly her fingertips stroking his cheek softly as she replied "I won't, just promise not to let the dinner burn and as soon as I get out of the shower I'll toss the garlic bread in the oven, then everything will be ready for us whenever we are hungry enough to eat."

She chuckled then realizing that she was already hungry. And she was already hungry, in more ways than one but she hadn't known Zack Acerton long enough yet, although oddly it felt like she had known him for longer than she could remember. She added then "Well actually, if you are as hungry as I am your probably just as ready as I am." With a quick kiss on his cheek she turned towards the bathroom and quickly disappeared from his view. She turned on the shower while she stripped her dirty clothes off save her matching black lace undergarments when she remembered that she had left her clean clothes on the stand in the hallway.

She didn't hesitate to step back into the hall sans almost all of her clothing since logic told her that Zack would probably be in the kitchen by now. When she stepped into the hallway he turned to her right to pick up the bundle of clothing from the stand and the was fading quickly in the main adjoining rooms as the sun was beginning to set. Her mind returned to the stranger who had knocked on the door and the odd vision that she'd seen when he had touched her hand. With her free hand she reached up, running her fingers through the loose waves of her long brown hair slowly undoing any knots that she had gotten earlier during the episode at Jackie's. She stood there for a few moments thinking about the day, lost in her thoughts about everything that had happened when suddenly she realized the water was already running in the bathroom. As she turned back towards the bathroom the window where she had seen the stranger before came into view and for a moment she shuddered at the memory although she couldn't explain why. She usually wasn't that jumpy. She was still thinking about it when she stepped back into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar so some of the steam could escape as was customary for her since her outlet fan was still in need of repair. She really needed to remember to call the repairman about that was the last thought she had as she slipped out of the remainder of her clothing and into the warm water of the shower. She quickly washed the dirt from her hair and spread a generous amount of conditioner in it. One of the pit falls of having long hair was the need to go through lots of conditioner, but she was fussy about keeping her hair healthy.

Allowing the conditioner to soak into her hair she took her shower puff and loaded it up with the jasmine scented soap that was her favorite and began scrubbing herself down. Once she was satisfied that she had scrubbed all of the dirt and smell from her body she stood under the pulsing water as it cascaded down her naked form while she rinsed the soap off and conditioner from her hair. The warm water felt good in contrast to the cool evening air and as she turned off the water she felt a slight breeze wafting through the room.

Rosaline slid the door open slightly and reached for the towel so that she could dry her eyes before opening them. She never had liked the feeling of chlorinated water in her eyes.

As Lina walked to the shower, Zack suddenly remember he left his dirty clothes in there when he rushed to confront that stranger at the door. Hoping to catch her before she went into the show, he walks quickly to the hallway just in time to see her exiting the bathroom wearing only a bra and panties. At that moment he lost his senses and watched her, admiring her body. It all seemed to happen in slow motion, but suddenly he got hold of his senses and drew back behind the corner as she started to turn in his direction, barely avoiding being seen.

That would have been an awkward moment, he thought to himself as he went back to the kitchen. He rubbed a hand through his hair as he went to check on the pasta. It looked be doing good, wasn't burnt yet. He knew that much about cooking at least. But he was still a bit distracted. Today had been a crazy day. First, the explosion, then that wound that he swore was serious but then it was just a minor cut, then that guy who knew Lina but Lina swore she had no clue who he was, and he believed her. Then that kiss...Ohh that kiss. He hadn't ever kissed anyone like that. And then that crazy stranger showed up again, he must have followed them and been waiting outside somewhere for an opportunity to get her alone.

Zack knew he wouldn't forget this for a long time, if ever. The good or bad parts of it. And just his luck that of all the girls he could have fallen for, he falls for one with a crazy stalker who thought he was some evil monster. The fool couldn't even pronounce his name right. Zack, not a hard name to say. Not Zarkat or Zareth or whatever that moron called him. Zack hoped they would never see him again, but something told him they hadn't.

With her shower behind her Lina quickly dressed and ran a comb through her hair after toweling it dry. As the teeth of the comb slid through her hair she recalled to mind the words the stranger had said to her

"He is an evil man. Remember what he's done."

The words cut through Lina for a split second as she looked around the bathroom, remembering that she hadn't even completely shut the door. She hadn't even thought about it, that it could possibly even be dangerous. The stranger seemed convinced that Zack was dangerous but when Lina looked into his eyes she saw nothing but kindness and caring. She remembered the warmth of his touch, his smile and as quickly as the thought of the stranger came it passed.

She ran her fingers through her damp hair again to make sure she had gotten all of the knots out, then moments later popped into the kitchen where she found Zack checking on the contents of the oven. She regarded him for a moment before she bothered to speak, a small smile spreading across her lips. He looked at home in her kitchen and that was a good...get hold of yourself Lina for petes sake, he's just checking dinner like you asked him to do she chided herself.

The slippers on her feet scuffed across the floor as she made her way to his side "All done. Let's get this dinner done" she said as brushed past him and reached in the refrigerator for the bread that needed warmed up yet before they could eat. As she bent over to get into the cupboard for a baking tray she looked up at the handsome doctor with a slight smile on her face "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."

"I definitely am," Zack said in agreement as he rubbed his hands together. The pasta smelled so good it was making his stomach rumble in anticipation. Zack helped out by setting the table and pouring some wine. "You know, I never thanked you for having me over tonight. Kinda funny that we only just met yesterday and yet here I staying the night a second time." He chuckled a bit as he finished setting the table. "Would seem we're moving obnoxiously fast, but under the circumstances...I dunno, it just doesn't feel strange at all. Am I making any sense?"

By the time Zack had finished with setting the table, the bread had been warmed up and dinner was ready. Lina smiled "You don't have to thank me, I wanted you here so I can keep an eye on you after that bump you received at the diner today." She sat the hot pan down on the hotplate in the middle of the table before disappearing for just a brief moment to grab the warmed up bread. Once she had sat it down she turned, taking Zacks hand into hers.

"Really, it's okay. You looked out for me last night and this is the least I can do to repay you." She leaned up and kissed his cheek then "And normally I would say this is all moving too fast but things have been...less than normal I would say. So, maybe with a little bit of luck we can have a normal meal and evening without any more abnormal stuff happening?"

With that she released his hand "Dinner is served, doc." she said with a warm smile.

Zack chuckled as he took a seat. "Yes. Some normality would do us both some good, I think." He then took a whiff of the pasta and garlic bread and smiled. "Mmm," he hummed before taking a bite, savoring the flavor of the pasta. "This is really good. Only thing I know how to cook is Macaroni and Cheese and microwave dinners," he said with a laugh before taking a sip of wine. The rest of dinner was nice, Zack told her how he hadn't had a home cooked meal since he visited his mother last and how she said he better marry a woman who could cook or she might have to move in herself.

Lina laughed at the notion of his mother moving in with him, for some reason she didn't see Zack as the type to live with his parents. Throughout dinner the conversation was light and went off without any more strange incidents. The days events quickly faded as did the setting sun.

"Oh!"

Lina suddeny exclaimed as she stood up rather abruptly, a smile spreading across her comely features.

"Come with me, I want to show you something."

Zack interrupted her "But what about the dishes?"

Lina smiled, tugging on his hand.

"Forget the dishes, just bring the wine!"

With one of his hands in hers and her other holding both of their empty glasses she literally rushed him into the living room, dragging him behind her.

"Close your eyes" she instructed as she lead him across the room to come to a stop in front of the bay window, exactly in the center of it. Once there she said "Keep them shut" she said, sitting the glasses down and then she took the wine from him and sat it down also.

She stood behind him then and wrapped her arms around his waist as she peered over his shoulder and whispered into his ear "now, open them."

Zack would open his eyes to the view of one of the most beautiful sunsets Maine had ever seen and he would do it standing right in front of Lina's large window that faced the setting sun.

Lina folded her hands over together over his chest, continuing in a low soft voice as she was mesmerized by the scene in front of her "I get to see this almost every single night, Zack. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

Zack smiled at the sunset, it was indeed beautiful. "That really is beautiful, Lina," He said. "But it isn't the prettiest thing I have ever seen, I have to say." He then turned to face her and brushed his hand on the side of her cheek as he peered into her lovely brown eyes. "That honor goes to you." He then gently places a kiss on her lips. Though this kiss wasn't as heated as the last one, it was every much as passionate, even more intimate. His heart was beating quickly as he held her against his chest, his touch warm and gentle against her soft skin as he tasted the sweetness of her lips.

She allowed her lips to linger upon his for just a moment then moved away from him slowly but didn't go far. She refilled their glasses then handed one to him and retained the other for herself. "A toast?" She queried and before he could even answer she had added, her laughter light "To brighter days ahead" and clinked her glass to his then in that corny old fashioned movie kind of way, linked her hand holding her glass behind his and took a drink. When she had finished taking a swallow, her smile returned. It had been some time since she had laughed so much and had felt so at ease with anyone, almost like she had known him all of his life.

As they linked arm and took a few sips, Zack smiled. "Cheers to that," he said. Then as he tried to unlink his arm from hers, he tilted the glass too far forward and accidentally spilled some wine on Lina. Lina gasped as Zack stood there, mouth agape in embarrassment. "Oh sh...I am so sorry. I didn't mean to..." Zack was cut off when Lina give a sly grin and pushed him, his butt landing on the window seat as he spilled some wine on himself.

"Oh that's how it's gonna be huh?" Zack said as he smiled and raised an eyebrow. He then got up and chased Lina around the living room, Lina screaming and laughing as he he did. Finally, he caught her and started tickling her.

"Oh no! Stop it! Stop it! No fair!" Lina screamed and giggled at the same time before they both fell to the couch, laughing and giggling together.

Once Zack got his laughter under control, he looked Lina in the eyes, still smiling. "You know, I am really having fun with you tonight. After all that's happened today, I really needed this. Thank you, Lina."

Lina was still giggling but her tone became tinged with just a slight bit of seriousness "Me too, Zack."

Not wanting to ruin the good streak or the mood, she grabbed the remote and handed it to him.

"Why don't you find us something good to watch while I get out of this wet shirt and give me yours and I'll throw it in the washer quick too or these stains will set."

Lina helped Zack slip the shirt over his head and quickly disappeared, to only reappear mere moments later with a clean t shirt on pulled down over her sweat pants. She slid into a position on the couch beside Zack and curled up against his still bare chest as she felt his arms slipping around her. She hadn't bothered to bring him another shirt to put on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, outside, Alex peered through the window at them, jealousy starting to swell up inside him. But then he shook his head. "I shouldn't be jealous," he said to himself. "Lina isn't herself right now, she doesn't remember. This is just part of some scheme Zaraketh and Crow cooked up. He may be a good guy now, but once a monster, always a monster." He then sighed as he stood up and turned away. He would revert back to his true nature, of this Alex was certain. But he would stop him, and Lina would be his once again and back in his arms where she belonged.

[Koti~]

Location: Uknown
Time: Tuesday, Afternoon

“Back foul creatures of the abyss!” The words floated from Crow’s lips, but left nary a trace on the demons visage. Forward it crawled, black claws digging into the ground, red eyes and gaping mouth lusting for blood. It continued forward, ignoring any chant that Crow issued, every spell that Crow used, every trick he used to get away. His breath caught in his chest, the creature drawing in the light as it moved towards the man, lusting for one person; Crow.

Soon not even Crow could outrun the encroaching madness, and soon felt the bitter sweet sting of pain as one gnarled talon sunk into his foot, causing pain to shoot up into his spine, pulling him down. More and more the claws dug, grasping and feasting for Crow as they dug into his flesh, each pull dragging out the agonizing pain. Blood pooled never ending from the wounds, soaking his clothes and staining his hair deep crimson. The creature howled, its jaw slowly unhinging, revealing rows upon rows of jagged and warped teeth, bits of bone and flesh stuck between the gaps. Lifted with one giant paw, Crow hung limp while dangled above this creatures maw.

“Why will It not end?” Crow whispered, feeling blood run from his fingers as he hung, pain wracking his body as he started into the pitch black abyss of the creature, before being dropped. Time seemed to slow as he fell, entering the maw of the beast as it rammed shut. Fresh pain seared every fiber of his body as teeth embedded themselves within the soft flesh of Crows body, causing a silent gurgle of pain to emit from his mouth. He closed his eyes, wishing upon desire for sweet relief when something piqued his interest. A soft light, followed by a summers breeze passed his nose, making his hair flutter some as he opened his eyes. No longer was he being shredded to scrap by the teeth of madness, he found himself laying in a grassy meadow, some place new as a small child was looking at him.

“Are you okay mister?” The boy asked, head tilted in confusion while staring at Crow, curiosity evident in his eyes. Sitting, he stared at the boy, wondering why he looked so familiar to Crow, yet familiar all the same. The boy asked again after his well-being, and it clicked back in place.

*The boy from the hospital. But if he is in my dreams…* Crow thought, looking at the boy more intently, who held no fear for the man. Crow patted the boy on the head, smiling down at him while looking at his own hands, which showed no signs of the torment he had just gone through

“Tell me little boy… who is your father?” Crow finally asked the child, making the small boy pull back some, fear finally registering on his face ….

Crow stirred awake with a jump, the black flames giving a pale light to the room around him. Jackie sat huddled in a corner, a small trail of blood heading from her inner thigh downwards; emotionless fear masked behind an expressionless mask. Her soul orb sat within Crow’s hand, trembling in anger and crazed fright, fearing what would happen to it.

“Do not worry my dear, for I have a mission for you. There is a little boy at the hospital who I wish for you to go sew. Caloc will guide you, for he has seen the boy before. I wish to meet with him. So bring him back here unharmed… and I will not have to hurt you again dear” Crow said, a thin dagger trailing across her chest, making both the body and orb tremble and shudder in fear.

“Yes master” Jackie bowed, heading out of the room with her cutting knife tucked into her outfit.

----A few minutes later----

Location: Roadway to the Hospital
Time: Tuesday, Afternoon close to Evening

Trixi went home to gather what all that had happened, one she wasn't imagining this..healing ability that she could do. Su Lin saw it and apparently had special natural abilities as well. So what did all of this mean? Why them? The woman did decide she wasn't going to go anywhere without Thor and Maximus, dogs were greaat as early warning detectors and she trusted them with her life. That and begg'in strips a night for another day well done didn't hurt either ofcourse. Looking at the time a few hours have passed, she was showered, dressed into clean clothes and refreshed. As such it was time to get Su Lin from her place and head to the hospital... She wanted to see how Wes was then there was the dinner with Su Lin to compare experiences..hopefully their questions could be answered a bit more that night.

Getting into her suv, the dogs in the back thankfully calmer after the explosion catastrophe. She took off in a bit of a rush to get to her friend's before anything else bad happened, deciding to keep her police belt on just in case there was a call about something that she thought she could help with... That and it calmed herself down a bit more knowing all she had to do was grab the talkie from her waist and press a button to call anything in. Half expecting for something to launch out at her and go "boo!"

Deep in thought down the road the corner of her eye caught sight of a person in the middle of the street. Turning the wheel away she clipped the person who appeared female with her front right bumper..slamming on the breaks at the side of the road. "Shit...." getting out of the vehicle quickly to run over and see she hit Jackie...blood running down her left leg. "Shit! What were you doing in the middle of the dam street?!"

Jackie had just left Crows residence and had started heading towards the Hospital, albeit a strange route. Following Caloc, who decided on his own path and followed it with ease, Jackie following it with a minor limp. It was also thanks to Caloc that she didn’t even register the Van that was heading towards her until she was clipped on by the van, sending her stumbling some as her body told her that she was in pain, which registered thanks to the knife digging into her side. Her visionless eyes peered at the girl who was now rushing at her, wondering why she was in the middle of the street. Her mouth opened some as her empty eyes scoured over Trixie.

Caloc crowed while landing on the hood of the van, sending Thor and Maximus into a barking frenzy as he stared at Jackie, vibrant blood red eyes locking with Jackie’s pale ones, a silent communication going on between them. Standing and pushing herself back from Trixie, she wrapped her hand around the hidden handle of the cutting knife, pulling it out with a soaked resistance, the sharp cutting blade now soaked as the uniform blossomed red as well. She took a stance and held the knife at a downwards angle and locked eyes with Trixie.

“I am …. Following orders…. You are in the way… and must go” The eerily dead voice sounding similar to Cameron from earlier echoed from her mouth as she rushed towards Trixie, quickly closing the gap and aiming to strike Trixie in the chest, the crow watching eagerly for the draw of blood.

Noticing where the bleeding had originated from the stab wound on her side, Trixi realized that Jackie wasn't amongst them in the explosion even though she worked and owned the diner. Always so nice to her and her dogs, the dogs... They were growing and barking at something..something bad from what she could tell as if it was a whisper deep inside her very being to watch out...that there was evil nearby. Turning her head briefly to only see a crow with glowing red eyes... Jackie's words brought her attention back with an arched eyebrow. "What do you mean you are following ord.. Hey!!" Jumping back when she attacked, grabbing the bladed arm and twisting it back at the wrist behind her, forcing the hand to release the item. "Now stop it so I can fix you up, don't force me to hurt you more Jackie!"

Jackie blinked as the knife fell from her hand, Trixie’s speed outmatching her own stumble. Eyes flicking to Caloc, she nodded and and twisted in Trixies hand, causing her own wrist to pop with a sickening lurch as she stepped into Trixies arms and brought her knees forward, aiming her knee for trixies gut as she wrenched her now useless arm free, knee contacting with some heavy force, using her body weight to push into Trixie.

The sickening pop of bones breaking she worked hard to counteract Jackie's movements which resulted in her abdomen feeling as if a brick was thrown at it.. Groaning loudly Trixie slammed the heel of her hand into the woman's nose, breaking it as more cracking sounds were heard. Kicking straight into the chest to knock her down on the ground the Deputy drew her gun and aimed it right at the one who attacked her. "Stop resisting, stop attackign me or I will shoot..now... Do you yield or is this only going to get worse for you?"

Caloc shrieked loudly once Trixie pulled her gun, giving Jackie cause to pause. Blood flowing freely from her nose and only able to support herself with one arm, the other held to her chest as she tried to catch her breath, she stared. A light flickered in her eyes for a second as she blinked rapidly, Caloc, creeping onto the hood and watching carefully.

“I was only .. following orders” Jackie spoke, words garbled by the blood from her nose and her vision swaying as tears formed from the shock of pain.

"Yea well either tell me who gave you such orders or we'll get it out in the hospital room where you'll be staying missy." Trixie said approaching Jackie, calling in a police car and ambulance to come and get her. Luckily it took them no time at all to arrive as Trixi kept her guard up.

Hearing the crow caw again and the dogs going nuts seeming to want to tear the bird apart she grabbed a stone and threw it hard straight at the crow. "Get out of here you dam bird!" Turning Jackie onto her stomach she with one hand hand cuffed her wrists together then, hearing the sirens approaching fast, laid a hand on the bleeding wound at her side... Not sure if it would work or not but not wanting the woman she knew as a kind, vibrant being dying on her. It was worth a try as far as she figured.

Clearing her mind though keeping eyes open, a soft glow came from her hand, so soft it was hard to detect in the late afternoon sun. Slowly she could see exactly how and where she was wounded, healing the side up to stop the bleeding and mending her wrist back together in a matter of minutes. Trixi wiped her hand covered in blood on Jackie's shirt before heaving her up on her own two feet. Handing her off to the EMTs to then give a brief verbal report to the officer who came...pointing at the knife then at the hood of her car where the crow had been.

Looking at her watch she assured them she was just fine, holstering her weapon. She'd be at the hospital soon anyways if she felt off soon enough and Su Lin was waiting for her anyways... Getting back into the car she rub her abdomen briefly before putting the suv in gear and drive off. It was nearly sunset when she honked her horn in front of Su Lin's place with a wave...looking all over the trees and sky for that red eyed bird that gave her the creeps.

Caloc fluttered down onto the top of the Ambulance as Trixie drove off, Jackie now mute and mostly healed. Caloc squacked loudly as they began to load Jackie into the ambulance. The cop turned and rested his hand on his gun as the crow stared him down, making the cop shutter some. Jackie, attention drawn to Caloc from the cry, nodded, and brought her knee into the left EMTs groin, causing him to double in pain. The other one, trying to grab something to knock the girl out, was stopped short as she rammed him into the door, making him pass out cold.

“Hold it there missy! I don’t want to shoot!” The officer said, pulling the gun and taking aim. Before the cop could move forward, Caloc lurched forward, clawing at the Officer as Jackie ran off. Caloc soon followed as grabbed the officer’s weapon and key ring, flying off quickly as Jackie dived into a side alley, getting lost before the cop could even register what had just happened.

“Robbed by a damn crow.. what the fuck is going on in this town?” The officer said as he pressed his sleeve to his head and headed over to the EMT’s to check them out.

[Kris]

And so... We play (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAwo7DPUFUM)..


***



Alex has gone off somewhere.... silly boy...

Inhaling, he smiled, "Oh well..."

Now... He was alone...Which was just... perfect

About to retake his steps he aimed himself for his next stop which was supposed to be Crow Cavern...

However...

Just then...

A lovely solitary image caught his attention.

Sharp blue eyes turned so quickly the moment he noticed the looming shadow leaving what was left from the burning restaurant.

Swift heart beat.

Ba-bump....

It was her...

With stealth of a skillful hunter he walked carefully after her.

One step.

After another.

Ba-bump....

He was excited, licking his teeth with utmost joy. Encouraged by the walking visage of a sole woman he had known previously..

However, the gap between them was just too great for his liking...

He moved faster now. His fingers slowly lingering across buildings' windows and boulders as his body moved carefully ahead, his breathing soft and gentle, his eyes fixed on her...

He inhaled.

And exhaled.

Ba-bump....

His breathing was done in such a perfect rhythm that one would suspect to be kind of art not from this world.

That wouldn't be that far-off from the truth...

A smirk curled upon his lips as his hands reached to fix his hair. The adrenaline feed the lust that surged into his blood, like he was high on drugs. Everything was of no importance aside of reaching his goals.

Hungry... Blood boiling....

He felt his hairs standing behind his nape and the sweat raising all over his body. How he found the powers to stop himself from just leaping at her was beyond him...

It was easy and tempting.... so much...

To the point he was rather surprised by her dense nature that he started to get cooky and less careful.

Then She stopped. All of a sudden she just halted. With a sharp movement she turned around. She felt like something cold was blowing upon her nape. Evil sensation, that was unknown yet familiar to her...

Shivering she scanned around, her fingers tracing carefully around her neck for the sensation was still somewhat there... lingering...

People were moving around her, yelling, pushing, driving, shouting... busy with their own lives and the progress of moving onward...

She eyed them all carefully... and when she noticed nothing was wrong she turned ahead, walking on her set trail once again, however hands were carefully sent into her purse, shaky fingers already removing the keys of her store, as her legs started to walk somewhat faster.

From the nearby alley's corner he peeked at her, watching her fading reflection from a window, waiting patiently for her to continue walking. He licked his lips before bending his head ahead, aiming his whole body to follow.

The hunt continued...

He couldn't help but being pleased with himself. The bitch was still capable of tracing him. Which of course, was perfect, he wouldn't have her any other way...

Ba-bump....

Greedy eyes were eagerly licking her curvy form from behind, mainly focusing on her walking figure of lovely legs and naughty movements along her hips and short pants.

Close... so close...

His hands were reached to seize...

Almost...

"HEY! WHAT'CHA THINK YOU'RE DOIN'?!".

Dimitriy cursed, looking up with shifted eyes at the drunker that got them both to the ground, he held himself from chucking him. He reached his hands forward and hopped upward, quick as a tiger on both of his legs again. Behind him the guy was still crouching at the ground, uttering something...

But he didn't care...

He scanned around himself. To his right cars were gathered in traffic with annoying wild sirens that was suppose to declare of their displeasure of being stuck there. To his left few people were crossing the street, some women and men seemed to be jogging across the road near the side of a red phone cabin.

She was gone.

Curses.

He spat as he turned back on his track.

Crow will help him...

He had to...

[Storm]

Location: Various
Time: Tuesday, Early Evening

It was some time after the accident that Kant has finally returned to his house. He was tired and sweaty and as he removed his shirt he couldn't help but wanting to sink into the nearest comfortable place and just... die there...

Or sleep... Whatever comes first was fine...

He looked at his mobile, his hands brushing over the tablet like screen, without realizing why, he just hit on the contact name "Su-Lin".

He took a deep breath.

He still had feelings for Cherilyn, but... his other part of the brain just ordered him to call her. Worst case he'll just ask her how she was. Nothing too wrong with that now, right?

Su Lin stepped out of her shower, after patting dry, she slips into a purple velvet type silky gown wrapping the tie around her waist. Thoughts still drift on the madness of the day which still replays through her mind as she fills a tea kettle with water. She still is in disbelief on how Trixi seemed to so easily … asorb Gail’s injuries … no, she will not dwell or try to explain that, she is just thankful that Gail seemingly will pull through the ordeal. She turns on the burner to her oven placing the kettle over the flame.

As she turns to wander into the dining room, her cell phone screen lights up and a ringtone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2RvHid6n2E) causes a slight giggle escape her. Softly to herself she comments “Gail would certainly be dogging me on this.” as she softly bites her bottom lip. She had ran to the phone however stopped as the timer on the screen runs

“Okay girl, don’t blow this. Pick up too soon and you are a desperate stalker…” thoughts drift to her creepy pervie neighbor “…let it go to voice mail and he might get the idea I am not interested…” having given time for 3 or 4 rings to be heard by Kant, she depresses the answer icon. She relaxes into a chair, her tone soft

“Hello, this is Su….” the little voice in her head crying out ‘He called, you better not blow this girl’

"Hello there", Kant said, jumping from his place. Her voice surprised him since it took her some time to answer. Still considering what to say he paused for a long break, "How... how are you doing... Are you well... after...?"

Su bit at her bottom lip as thoughts of the events of earlier replay before softly, in an almost whisper “Things have been better, it has been a crazed day…”

Her tone picks up as she snaps out of reminiscing on the earlier events

“…though doing lots better after a shower” her face cringes to the point her nose wrinkles as thoughts of no, I didn’t just say that rush through her mind.

“it’s sweet you called to check?” dearly hoping that the call was more than just a how are you doing “How are things with you?” while standing and moving to her over stuffed recliner and just falls back into it leaning back into the well used head rest.

shower? A playful smile formed on Kant lips and he tried his best not to chuckle.

"Well I'm fine... I guess... Things gone a bit.... sparkly... there, huh?"

She leans back into the recliner closing her eyes, face still slightly red from her shower slip. She focuses on visualizing Kant as though they are having the conversation at some candle lit table in a romantic restaurant. A soft smile forms on her lips as she in a softer tone continues “It did get a little … interesting, playing things through my mind, it seemed…”

Hell no girl, you are not going to be the freaky chick that thinks fire moved around her, get a grip, don’t freak this guy out

“… I’m rambling, just things were weird. Oh yea, don’t I owe you a dinner or something?” trying to quickly change the subject.

She opens her eyes thinking Great, now I’m the freaky desperate clingy chick

He chuckled, "You are not rambling at all, and yes, dinner was indeed promised", a smile on his lips as he completely lied down on his sofa from his side of the line, "What are you going to do about this promise?", he asked slowly.

A beaming smile forms which certainly Gail would dog her over, gaining her composure so she doesn’t blurt out her thought of ‘Yes!’, offers a calm as possible “Well, I am a girl of my word and Jackie’s does not seem an option….” has an eeep, that was awkward moment “…wow, I didn’t mean it to sound so … well, I have been known to cook a great…”

Her thought is interrupted by the tea kettle whistling as steam escapes the spout. She narrows her eyes looking at the irritating interruption “Just be quiet already…” as she rises from the recliner holding her hand in the direction of the kettle “…oh my, I didn’t mean you, I am making tea and the … what … the…”. She stands a moment in disbelief as the kettle slides off the burner and begins to make a crackling sound. The closer she gets to the kettle; she notices ice particles around the spout. She releases a shocked gasp “This can’t be…” before biting her bottom lip Get a grip girl … there is a logical explanation … I have just lost my mind … or I am a space alien letting a slight giggle out recalling what the old man’s son had said the other day. Trying to keep some form of composure, continues her conversation “… sorry, totally weird day just keeps getting weirder. Suppose stress from the whole diner thing. I can cook a great dinner.”

"Sounds great...", Kant narrowed his eyes from his side, "You sure everything okay over there?"

As Su Lin touches the kettle which is now solid ice, offers in the best attempt at sounding convincing she is capable of at the moment “…sure … everything is … peachy. Guess the whole day is just catching up to me now.” As she taps the kettle, it shatters and crystallized pieces of ice and remnants of the kettle sprawl across the top of the oven. She turns the flame to the oven off as the ice sizzles against the hot surface.

There is a perfectly logical explanation for all this, and that is that there is no logical explanation runs through her mind. She wished she could talk to Gail, Trixi might understand what just happened, she only wished someone could let her know what is happening. Cover story, what to say, I seem to be a freak that shatters tea kettles that irritate me? Yea, that would really get the guy…
“Just had a small accident I need to clean up.” is all that she is able to manage. There is an uncertainty and shakiness in her tone.

Kant did catch the tune changes but didn't ask much, "Okay, I'll come your place then, later tonight okay? I'll see you there then".

A soft smile forms across her lips as her heart seems to be racing. This is the best thing that has happened this week and she will be damned if she will mess this up. Softly she offers
“I look forward to seeing you, just hope dinner doesn’t disappoint a restaurant dinner.” with that, she disconnects the call before anything else weird happens. Quickly she goes about cleaning the shards of what was once her tea kettle. While trying to make any sense out of what was going on, she heard a horn sounding outside. Looking out her window, she saw Trixi’s police SUV. She opened the window waiving for Trixi to come in after unlocking the front door. She calls out “Be ready in two shakes, doors open if you want to wait inside” while making a quick run to her bedroom to get dressed.

[Koti~]

Location: Unknown
Time: Tuesday

"CROW!", Dimitriy's voice roared at the entrance of the man's hidden place. Finding it was easy task... much easier than finding Alex anyway... But it didn't matter now. He wanted answers, "COME FORTH!!"

“My my my Dimitry, what a voice you have” Jackie said, seeming to meld out of the shadows, the cutting knife pointed at his throat. Still hobbling from her previous fight with Trixie, she crept close and put the knife tip against the nape of his neck, her emotionless eyes staring at the man.

“It is so rude to shout, and you forget your manners. Please, allow my assistant to escort you into the building so we may talk in private. After of course, you remove your weapons and spells. No need to get violent for such a ..personal matter.” Crows voice emitted from Jackie’s mouth, a smugness detected with ease from just the voice alone. Jackie walked, or more or less limped, to the side and waited for Dimitriy, knife pointed as she waited.

Dimitry's expression changed all at once to show deep anger, "Don't fuck with me Crow", His voice was low, and his hands trembled. He wanted to just slash open the woman before him, "Not only the princess... but their tactician... who else is here with them?!", he spat as he started to follow, "Just show yourself, damn you, I have no desire to bath my eyes with this poorly shaped female".

“Oh Dimity, why must you be so harsh. This sleek woman is so very in today. Why not try to divulge in today’s fantasies and enjoy what the world has to offer now.” Crow said, melding out out the shadows from behind Dimitry, two daggers in his left hand and his right hidden inside his robe. He smiled as he advanced past the man, winding up slightly behind the girl.

"I rather not".

“Are you sure you don’t wish to indulge in the fantasies of today?” Crow said, slicing the back of Jackie’s shirt, causing it to fall forward to show inked intricate lines burned into her skin. Crow smiled, drawing a thin line just above Jackie’s bosom, causing half the lines to activate.

“Because I bet this girl would love to give you an explosion of pleasure, if you are willing to make a move. And you ask of others here? Yes, quite a few are here, almost all of the people from that wretched kingdom.” Crow smiled more, resting his daggers on Jackie’s left shoulder. He was playing a dangerous game with the seals on Jackie. One false move and they were all dead, along with half the block of the town. Jackie stood there with her kitchen knife at the side, small tears forming inside the woman’s lifeless eyes.

Dimity nodded, "Is she dead?", he laughed, "Well, knowing you I can only assume she is... but the reaction and emotions is till there... your work never ceasing to amaze me, Crow...", he shook his head, "There are more spies like me.... so they must have been sent here as well... I must gather them... Maybe when I'll head along to find Alex... I shall come to find you again... meanwhile...", Dimity smiled, "I want you to gather all the information you can on those of we know.... I wish to find Kent as well... The wizard must have been brought here too since she was no longer in the past... her powers could be of use to us should we find her..."

Crow smiled at this news, stepping besides the girl and bowing a bit.

“I always appreciate a compliment. And yes, we should build up a couple of people on our sides. Especially if I do what I need to do for things to work out, she will be very useful. Besides, I always did like the witchy girl. So full of life for one so cold~ I bet she would love to see me again” Crow smiled, putting away the dagger and pulling out a red orb with the insignia of a crow’s head on it. He tossed it casually to Dimitry while turning around. Jackie took place behind him and shivered some,

“Call if you need some help, or find that so called friend of yours. He would make a great addition to our team, and I have plenty of ways to sway him to outside.

Dimity closed his eyes as he brought forth his hand, the red orb slowly merging within his open hand's palm and sinking deep inside until it was gone. He flipped his hand to show a small red gem implanted in the back of his hands, "I will... Now, I shall depart here to seek the lover boy, Alex... I'll be sure to return here when the times come and report to you...", Dimitry grinned, "Also... any new information about the tactician.... Be sure to report to me... first...".

[Wattz]

Location: The past...

On the last day of the eighth moon Captain Baoli Kent woke from a dream in which she was burned alive. Upon waking she did not scream, she did not cry, but her eyes felt puffy, and her skin felt warm with sticky sweat. She woke up while the moon was still high, late into the night.

Baoli was now reading by candlelight, a book propped up against her knees. She was dressed in her full uniform, a simple blue robe with sturdy grieves on her legs. Her bare arms were covered in tiny circular scars, as if the pores were constantly opening and closing. Her long black hair was down for the moment, sleek, draped over the back of the chair.

Her brown eyes were no longer puffy, but she shielded them from the candle. The words continued to escape her, words of poetry she usually found so captivating and she could hardly concentrate. Only the flames held her attention, until at last Baoli used to fingers to pinch the flame out. She closed the book and placed it on her lap, sitting silent in the darkness.

"What's the matter Kent?", a chuckle, brief one, swooshed into the corners of her private chambers. A voice she'd ought to have recognized. The one to speak didn't know if he might have taken her by a surprise or not, but he couldn't care less for it. Someone working with him, was suppose to always be on guard, "You seems a bit... out of it..."

"Clearly knocking is not an option for you, Dmitriy," Baoli said without turning around. The light from the hallway flooded briefly into her chambers before disappearing, the man entering without announcing himself. "Are you so troubled that you should come checking in on me? Don't you have better things to attend to?" Baoli's tone was as playful as she could muster. She never had been one for making jokes.

"Entering a woman's chambers without formal request? Forgive me, it's an old habit that I just can't seem to rid myself of...", he chuckled back, taking the opportunity with this quick joyful moment, since he knew perfectly well how rare those times were with her, "Kent... I'm eager... Their tactician, Cherilyn, is already suspecting me... You said you had a way to pass through her moves and army formations... and yet there came no words about moving and attacking the kingdom of Lemura. What are we waiting for? You said you could do it. What about King Lech? Isn't Crow doing something?!", he took a deep breath as he entered further inside, the dim light of the candles barely able to show his whole figure, "I've heard the King of Lemura talking to Cherilyn the other night...", he paused as a grin escaped his lips. He thought it was better not to mention how found out about this secret meeting. Baoli need not know about his attempts with the lady tactician, "He said he was willing to agree on her offer. I hardly know what it's about, I can only suspect it has something to do with Cherilyn's abilities and knowledge...", Dimitriy paused, "In some level you both you and her have more or less the same skill, although it flow from another source. You both have some grasp of time spells...", Dimitriy's eyes widen, "Speaking of which... Were you able to 'see' anything... about the next attack?"

"Oh, Crow is always up to something," Baoli said as if she were bored. She gripped her book tighter, trying to channel her aggression anywhere except towards Dmitriy. He certainly did not deserve this. "Crow knows what he's doing. Leave the man be. I have faith that you will not be caught." As for delaying the attack... well... Baoli was not sure if she wished to indulge Dmitriy in telling him why she was waiting so long. But perhaps it was for the best.

"I have been feeling... apprehensive, Dmitriy." The words tasted like ash coming out of her mouth. "My dreams have not been clear lately. Vague little images, but all of them of destruction. Just tonight I had a dream of flames." Baoli fiddled with the book on her lap, turning it onto its spine. "Just flames. Nothing more than that. No battlefield, no buildings, not even a person being burned." She twisted around in her chair to face him. "What am I supposed to do with that?"

Dmitriy shook his head, "How am I to know... You are the master brain here...", he bit his lips, "Damn... Crow...", another deep breath, "I don't have much time, am I supposed to just go back empty handed?"

Baoli sighed and stood up from her chair, putting the book of poetry back down on the chair. "Have you told them about what you overheard? With Cherilyn? Perhaps that is the key." She faced Dmitriy, her arms hanging down by her sides, always ready. "And if not, or you already have, well... I'm sure you can figure something out. Go back, twist your tongue a bit more with Cherilyn's and maybe some truths with fall out of her throat." Baoli gave a smirk and raised an eyebrow. "Or perhaps presenting her with a favor might make her talk? I hear the women like pretty jewels nowadays."

Now she walked over to her dresser and began looking around for a particular compartment.

Dmitriy grinned, "Well, I took to heart the suggestion of getting something out of her throat... Jewels you say?... Could be interesting...", he chuckled, "What do you plan to do now?"

A click, and Baoli revealed a hidden compartment within her dresser. She pulled out two clear crystals, like chunks of ice carved into gems the size of small walnuts. They seemed ordinary, like bland, frosted diamonds. She brought them up to Dimitriy, holding them out in her hands. Looking closer, Baoli could see that one had a small blue dot in the center. The other was flawless.

"Give one to Cherilyn, and keep the other to yourself. We can put hers on a necklace, make it easier for her to carry it around. I've been working on these for a long time, and now perhaps we can find a way to use them.... As long as you pronounce that this clear one belongs solely to the person of your choice, the other belongs to you. Yours will feel warm whenever she tells a lie. At least... presumably so."

"I shall use it", Dimitriy bowed, "Good night to you, my lady, tomorrow is a big day... let's hope you are awake enough when you charge into the kingdom of Lemura", with that he depart slowly by fading into the darkness.

"Good night indeed, Dimitriy. Work your magic, make her talk at all cost," Baoli said as she ran a cold hand across his cheek. "It would be a shame if this was all for naught...."



Location: Return to the present.... A far off alleyway.

"It would be a shame if this was all for naught...." Bao had been mumbling to herself, rocking back and forth, staring out at the cold concrete. Duke knelt in front of her, slapping her face, trying to get the girl to respond to something... anything.

"Come on, Bao, come on!"

Suddenly life sprang back into her brown eyes. Her cheeks felt numb from Duke's frantic slaps. "Duke?"

"Bao? Bao, are you alright? Come on, we need to get you to a hospital, you're hallucinating!"

"I'm hallucinating?" Bao remembered the images in her head far too distinctly. The man in her room, the book of poetry in her hands, the cold glass of the diamonds. Though the burn upon her injured leg returned, she was having a hard time trying to discern between reality and fiction.

"Where are we?"

"Not far from the hospital." Duke hurried up and slung Bao over his good side, then began to drag her away. The white building was on the horizon, a distinct red cross decorating the outside. Bao did not protest.

[Kris]

Day/Time: Tuesday, noon.
Location: The town's police station.


Inspector Erebus Smith had arrived the local police station early that morning with some of his henchmen and his usual nasty attitude.

http://tvmedia.ign.com/tv/image/article/115/1151619/PilotsJason_1298506343.jpg

"As usual... untidy as always", he wrinkled his nose in disgust before he sighed and continued onward, passing around the corridors of the small apartment that was used as the town's station. His eyes glanced swiftly over the heads of the cops that sat beside their desks, most of them were familiar to him.

He noticed a missing face.

Trista...

http://www.nikiomahe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2.jpg

It was another normal day, sunny, bright...

His gaze bunched over to the T.V screen that hanged near the western wall only to see the report of the burning Restaurant.

The usual...

The city suffered much without the need of further attention to this new drama, he thought to himself.

"As you requested", came a frail guy in blue uniforms handing to him set of pictures, into which Erebus Smith shuffled his hands around until hitting the face he was looking for, "Mr. Vickers...", he grinned, "Caught by a camera. I thought he was smarter than that...".

Austin and his gang were one of his most difficult cases. They knew how to act and avoid being caught, and even if some were brought to court, they either kept silence, or just... weren't told much of the big details. Austin earned his respect, but in return Erebus swore to be the one to catch him.

"I wonder what he was doing there... Foolish boy... My, he has grown since his big hit two years ago...", Erebus smiled as he insert the guy's picture into his inner jacket' pocket and return the rest of the pictures to the policeman, "Thanks Karl, I shall use it. Where's Miss Nunrico?".

"Hadn't returned yet".

Erebus eyed the T.V again, "She must be still there, taking care of things... Maybe it's for the better", he nodded, "Please don't mention to her that I was here".

Before he left he picked out his cell phone, "I got evidences, Lawis, the boy is in town, I need a backup... And I need it soon".

[Koti~]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE-rD8vcY4U

Location: Unknown
Time: Evening
Calloc sat atop the red cross on the building, red eyes viewing over the entire place. Hidden from view from most, he watched people as they entered and exited, some in large metal contraptions, others by their own devices. The scent of smoke still drifted on the wind, and the image of that lady in blue was still vivid in his mind, the wounded girl nothing more than a blob. He crowed and flared his wings, taking off into the air some to begin a circle of the town anew, to be taken as a simple crow drawn in by the fevered hope for blood.

“Where are we?”

The voice echoed clear across the sky and drew Calloc interest like a hawk to a fleeing rabbit caught in the open. Cawing loudly, he sailed down in a spiral, coming to land on the street before two individuals. The man he had no idea, but the girl, the one being dragged somewhat lifelessly towards the red cross, drew his interest. Flaring his wings and affixing one red eye to the girl, he cawed loudly, appearing as menacing as possible. He wanted to scare the boy, but leave the girl.

Duke scowled at the bird in his path, though he knew it would do him no good. His frustrations were so high he felt confrontational with just about everything. The moment he decided to stop and stare down a bird was the moment he realized he could really use a hit of coke.

"Fuck off," he told the bird, knowing it would not respond. He continued forward, still supporting Bao, and tried to kick it as he passed. In her confusion, Bao giggled.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you..." she said as she continued to giggle, mouth wide in a stupid grin. "He knows too much. More than you ever will." Bao's voice was hollow, much deeper than usual, as if her throat was scratchy. Poor thing must have been dehydrated.

"We just need to get you to the fucking hospital."

Calloc shrieked in some odd fashion before flying up and clawing at Duke, targeting the hand holding onto Bao before flying past her, winking while landing on a parked car nearby, crowing again and flaring it’s wings, staring down intently at Duke and Bao, blood red eye’s gleaming in the shaded light.

"Jesus--fuck!" The scratch the bird left behind seemed to sizzle as it bled. He tried to hold on to Bao while looking at the three scratches but she was quick to duck beneath his grasp. The blood continued to run, and she placed her hand over the scratches. Her grasp was freezing and only made the pain worse. He began to scream as he sunk to his feet, looking up at Bao with his eyes filled with fear. She was smiling as she gripped his hand harder, red welling up within both of their hands.

She ruffled his blonde hair with her other hand, then cupped his cheek with the other. Her eyes were empty, as if the pupils were lifeless dots growing smaller and smaller until they were almost nonexistent. "I can hear him... I can hear him again-" Bao gave a small shriek as yet another icicle shot out of her arm. This time she did not despair. Bao threw Duke back and began to run, following wherever Calloc may take her.

Duke yelled out her name, but his voice grew thinner and thinner.


Calloc led her through twisting back ways, pausing every once in a while to make sure she was following, before landing on a lamp light on top of a door. It swung open as Jackie stood there, a thin clothing covering the top of the chest that fluttered in the breeze. She stared at Bao, lifeless eyes hiding emotions for freedom or death, as she stepped aside for the girl to enter.

“Ah, my dear dear Baoli, so glad to see you survived. I hope this world hasn’t been to rough on my icy hearted general. Please, have a seat, and let us .. reminisce about the days of old.” Crow’s voice echoed from the dark room, black fire springing to life atop 3 dead bodies, each heavily scarred and yet still seeming alive. Crow could be seen sitting in a high backed chair, smiling happily at Bao with his head rested on his left hand.

Bao was slouched over, her mouth now slack and near-drooling. Her eyes rolled about in her head as if independent of the rest of her body. Now that she was in the presence of Crow, her attention was beginning to flux. Even her name had escaped her in this limbo. Part of her wanted to be Bao... and the other part....

She plucked the icicle out of her skin.

"Where am I?" she mumbled before realizing there was a half-naked woman before her accompanied by the stench of three dead bodies. Bao's eyes grew wide and she clapped a hand over her mouth, resisting the urge to vomit. "Oh... god...."

“Come now general. Surely you have seen worse in your life time, and have caused worse.” Crow said lazily while twirling a dagger in his hand. He send Jackie off to fetch some water and a chair as Calloc flew off, the door banging shut with a heavy thud. The flames flickered some, but continued to burn, giving the room a dangerous and forboding feel. Crow sat upright as Jackie returned with a chair of sorts and placed it near the fire, a glass of red liquid clutched in her right hand.

“Please sit, enjoy some wine. You always did fancy a lovely blush, or chardonnay, if I am correct, though we never did talk much personally. You must tell me though, how is this world now-a-days. Is it still as violent as it always is… or worse.” Crow said with a grin that would chill even the most hardened battler.

The man was familiar, yet at the same time he was a stranger. Bao felt torn into two, with one impulse to kneel before him in reverence and the other to sink to her knees in terror. She could find no medium.

"The world is... as it has always been." Bao began to twitch as some part of her deep within struggled to fight the confliction. Her arms, her legs, her eyes convulsed, while one arm reached out to grab the glass of wine. "Indifferent... usu- usual... fearful.... There are still some that would side with the weak because it seems like the right thing... to do...." Bao lifted the glass to her lips, shaking so violently the red liquid poured down her front. She looked as if she'd been drinking blood.

"D-Duke?" Bao asked sheepishly.

Crow sat back with a smile, a glass of deep red wine clutched in his near bone white fingers. He watched the girl as she spoke, trembling in fear as wine sloshed down her front, staining the ragged clothes red like blood. The woman was torn between fear and confusion, and it showed well. Her eyes had been swaying across the entire room, unable to focus on a single point as her body twitched, making her seem more like a rat cornered in a cage surrounded by fire, ever enclosing fire. He set his glass down, pulling out a rag, white as snow.

“Oh dear, it seems your nerves are not as they used to be.” Crow said, slowly advancing towards her in a circle around the black flames. Shadows played and danced across the swirls of his cape, making him seem to grow and pale, almost deathlike, into something inhuman, which was not far from the truth.

“Maybe, my dear, you just need to relax.” Crow said, dabbing the white cloth gently across her lips, pulling away the few beads of perspiration that had formed, tilting her chin slightly with the right hand as the wine glass dropped to the floor, sending fragments of glass skidding across the, red staining the ground and splashing like fresh spilt blood. He looked into her eyes, a façade of caring hiding the peverse pleasure that this moment brought him. He could smell the fear on her, the terror that coursed through her blood.

“Do not worry, I will protect you.” Crow whispered to her while pressing his lips against hers. Air soaked in alcohol passed from his lips as he held her there, the flames dancing across their bodies as he pulled her into the kiss, his tongue playfully pressing on the corners of her lips.

His breath, a familiar scent. His embrace left her icy heart melting, leaving her limp in his arms more than the pain that wracked her body. Even Bao could not resist as Baoli leaned closer, and though she continued to shake tears of joy began to flood from her eyes. She managed to pull herself away, though she found the movement unbearable.

"Crow... My lord...." Baoli said with a sob. "My lord, I thought I'd never see you again...."

“You should know better than that, my dear Baoli. I have a job to do, and I plan to see it through.” Crow said, turning some as he licked his lips. He could see the tears in her eyes, and the sadness wracked inside her body. She was broken and this would serve him well. Finally, he had melted the ice general, and now he had a new toy to play with. Jackie was soon becoming vastly outclassed as the day progressed.

“Now, dear Baoli, why don’t you slip into something more comfortable and get some rest. We have had a tiring time, and will need some rest for the days to come. My .. assistant will help with any regards that you may need.” Crow said softly, kissing her forehead gently while his hands caressed her body before sending her off with a playful pat on the rear.

"Behave, Crow..." Baoli said as she was pushed away playfully. "We are in the middle of a war, after all. And what of this Duke? Surely Bao will want to make sure he is safe."

“There is always time for spoils during a war, you just have to know when and where. And yes,” Crow sighed playfully, keeping the feeling mood light and airy, “This Bao girl will want to know that he is safe. Why don’t you go play a game of spy, and we shall see where things go from there, okay? Don’t want the enemy to catch on too quickly.” Crow said, smiling at her while slipping a dagger into the waist band of her clothes.

“For some protection, and that I don’t lose you yet” Crow said, tenderly running his hand along her cheek while stealing another soft kiss from her, his free hand resting on her hip. He pulled away after a bit, his smile sweet, yet the fire casting him as anything but. This game he was going to enjoy, and now.. he had a trump card. A way to fully break her if need be, but that he would keep for himself.

"It's been so long since I've played this game..." A smile crept upon her lips. "But you can trust me." The fire was uncomfortable, beads of sweat forming upon her brow. She missed the cold of the outside world, but there was nothing as savory as Crow's powerful embrace. Baoli could feel Bao twitch within her body, but continued to resist long enough to return Crow's kiss and place a hand lightly on the weapon concealed in the waste band of her clothes. Now she turned away, waving a slow goodbye to her lord.

"I will see you again soon, I hope."

[Mysteria]

The woman screamed as it felt like her insides were melting, her whole body soaked with sweat as a little blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and nose. Zaraketh then placed a hand on her belly, rubbing it gently as the girl squirmed. "Tell me what they are planning, darling," he said in a soft tone. "I see you are carrying another life. A shame if something were to happen to it before ever even got a chance to live." He then used his power to make her belly start heating up from the inside, making her feel sick.

"Please," the woman whimpered. "Please, stop. I'll tell you, just please don't hurt my child." The man smiled then as he took his hands off her and lowered his head next to hers. "They are working on a teleportation spell, of sorts. Except it takes them not to another place, but another time. They hope to go into the future, thousands of years into the future, to start new lives in a time were everyone here is long forgotten and not even a story of a memory remain of you and your foul master. But there is a price, once they go through to the other time, they are reborn. They start their lives over as children with no real memories of who they really are other than vague dreams."

Zaraketh gave her a large grin then. "Thank you, darlin. Crow will very happy to hear of this news I am sure. And being the nice guy that I am, I shall let your child live." He then lifted a hand up. "Come," he spoke out, and a few men in red and gold robes came into the chamber and surrounded the woman. "Take her to the prison cells. Make sure she is fed well and kept in good condition. I have always wanted a child of my own to raise as my apprentice," he added as he rubbed the girl's belly, and she screamed as they carried her off.
________________________________________________

The next morning
Lina's house

Zack started awake, the memory of the dream had already faded but for a slight remnant of dread that lingered for a few short moments. But when looked over at the weight on his shoulder, he smiled as he saw Lina's head rested against the base of his neck as his arm was wrapped around the small of her back, his fingers interlocked with hers. The TV was still on, they must have both dozed off while watching the movie. Zack just sat there though, not wanting to get up as he gently caressed the side of Lina's face and smelled of her hair, placing a small kiss on her head.

Lina felt strong arms tightening around her and she settled back into them not realizing that they were real. She was currently dreaming. It had started out oddly enough, with a young boy that she remembered once having seen years ago when she was doing an article on handicapped children for a local paper.

She barely remembered the boys name and when he'd approached her, standing upright and walking she'd been stunned but when he called to her by name and bid her to follow him into the woods and down the narrow path that cut through the foliage she was downright stunned. She was certain there was no way the child could have remembered her name but somehow he had, and he'd called out to her "Follow me Lina, follow me!" as he skipped ahead of her, running through the forest.

Lina ran through the woods trying to catch up to him. She jumped over several roots in an attempt not to trip, her long dress catching on the sticks and shrubbery. For moment she thought she had lost him when she saw him stop at the entrance to what appeared to be a clearing. He turned then and waved at her, beckoning to come forward "Come on Lina, don't be a slow poke" the child sang out in a sing song voice. Lina took a few steps closer "But how did you..." Her voice trailed off as she was about to ask him how he knew her name when suddenly the boy was gone and Lina was left standing in what felt like an all too familiar scene.

She could hear the water in the creek near by, she could smell the familiar scent of lavender and honeysuckle. She took another step forward and heard a voice "Rosaline darling, I'm over here." She recognized the voice immediately and took another step forward and was suddenly wrapped in the arms of her lover, Alexander Garreth. "You look famished dear, have you not eaten again today? How many times have I told you that you must eat to keep your strength up? You know that your powers weaken you, even if are only practicing so that you may use them when it's time to battle Crow."

Rosaline winced at the name. "Forget about him for now my love" Alex said, tightening his arms around her and holding her close before pointing to a soft spot in the grass by the creek where he'd placed a blanket and basket for their arranged picnic.

"You really are too good to me, Alexandar" Rosaline purred into Alex's ear. He pulled her to the ground with him, allowing her to settle on top of him as they stretched out across the blanket "That is only because I love you so much" he whispered and then added, giving her a slight push as he rolled her off of him and pulled her into a sitting position.

"But you need sustenance and I need to know that you have eaten, so let us sup now, shall we?" Rosaline nodded, her long wavy brown hair bobbins softly around her face.

"Of course, Alex" she replied as she accepted the sandwich he'd packed for her. They ate and talked quietly and when they'd finished he'd leaned back against a tree and held her as he kissed her neck. Rosaline purred "I think I shall like to stay here with you forever my love."

Rosaline Bennet twitched in her sleep as she felt something on her face. Alex was caressing her cheek and she buried her face into his hand, kissing his palm lightly. "My love" she whispered to him.

With a start, she left out a small squeal when she felt something resembling lips touching her forehead. The lines between the awake world and dream world were beginning to blur. How could lips be on her forehead when Alex was sitting behind her? The sound of the neighbors oldest son starting his loud pick up truck would wake Lina completely from her sleep as she tried suddenly to sit up only to find that she was anchored to the couch. It took her mind a mere moment to process what had just transpired. She was dreaming. It had only been a dream and it had been Zack who was holding her, and kissing her forehead. She wriggled around in his arms until she was lying facing him on the couch and placing a small kiss on his cheek said "Good morning handsome." She noticed then the tv was still on "Did we sleep here all night like this" she asked the question and followed it with a light laugh that filled the room as sunlight began to filter through the curtains.

Zack laughed in return as he gave Lina a light squeeze. "Yeah, I guess we did," he said with a chuckle. "Good morning to you. Did you sleep well? I think a had a bad dream, but can't remember it. Though after what happened yesterday it makes sense."

At his questioning Lina as to if she'd slept well she smiled, curling up against his chest as she draped a leg over his hip, her dark orbs dancing as she smiled at him "I slept in your arms all night, how could I not sleep well?" Her fingers trailed over the back of his neck "You can't remember your dream" She questioned but continued on, visibly trembling in his arms as the realization set in that her own dream had been about the stranger from yesterday. It wasn't the fact that she had dreamed about him, but that they were being highly intimate with each other in the dream, and then there was that kid who had called her by name, whom she'd followed in her dream and he'd led her to the creek, and the man named Alex. Lina broke her gaze from Zack and looked away then, her eyes filled with uncertainty as she trembled unwillingly. Why had she dreamed about the stranger, even while she lay in Zack's arms? "I had a dream too" she finally said, but foregoing the details attempted to switch topics, following with "yesterday was totally weird, it must have been weighing in on a sub-conscious level while we slept." Although Lina attempted to keep her voice on a level note, it quivered almost as much as she trembled.

Zack grunted a little, considering it as most likely. "Yeah you're probably right. Come to think of it, who wouldn't have weird dreams after a day like that?" He then looked at his watch and sighed. "I really hate to cut this short, but I have to get in to the hospital today. There's no doubt they'll need any extra help they can get. You should come with me, if you want, that is. I have to get home and change first though, can't go to work in sweats, and check my messages." He then let out a yawn as he stretch a little. "Ugh. Wish we could just sit here like this for about a week," he said with a laugh.

"So do I" Lina said softly as she pressed her lips to his cheek. "Unfortunately though I have to work on the article for the paper today. I need to make another trip back out into the outskirts of town and get some more photo's. With the season change in full swing, the colors will be even more vibrant now."

Lina broke their embrace and stood up, twining his fingers into hers as she pulled him up along with her into a standing position. She stood for a moment uncertain of her next move. She liked Zack, she liked him a lot and although she really hadn't known him that well before she was feeling a connection with him even if she wasn't sure if he was or not. And she was worried about him returning to work so soon, and still concerned that he'd bumped his head hard yesterday.

Lina cupped his face softly with her hand "Zack, are you sure you're okay to go to work today? I'm worried about you, the last thing I need is you getting dizzy at work or..' her voice trailed off then. She was being silly, after all, he DID work in a hospital and he was a doctor.

"I'm sorry" Lina murmured softly "I wasn't thinking about the fact that you work in a hospital I just..." she bit her lip then, becoming quiet. She'd probably already said too much.


Zack kissed her softly but his kiss held the promise of his return at a later time and with that Lina closed the door behind him and got ready to begin her day.

[Storm]

Location: Su Lin Mok Residence
Time: Tuesday, Late Evening

As Su Lin reached her bedroom, she heard a brief siren sound as Trixi’s SUV lighting activated and accelerated down the street at a high rate of speed. She runs her fingers through her hair figuring duty called Trixi off to yet another police emergency. Now to take care of the important matter before her – Dinner. She selects a white satin blouse and white satin pants before moving toward her vanity. She selects a soft yet long lasting body mist applying some so as not to be too overpowering or obvious. She moves from her bedroom back into the living room and finally into the kitchen.

“I wish I knew what he liked” drifts through her mind as she removes a baking pan from the cabinet. As she preheats the oven, she starts pulling out various ingredients to throw together a killer lasagna. A soft smile forms across her lips as she giggles more to herself
”If you don’t like lasagna… the hell if you don’t, I’ll just make something else.”

A short time later she slides the lasagna into the oven and sets the timer. Timing couldn’t get any better for as the timer was set, the door bell rang. As she bites her bottom lip before inhaling and exhaling several times whispers “Calm down girl, don’t screw this up” before calling toward the door in a soft tone
“It’s open, come in.”
She slowly starts toward the door not wanting to seem too anxious, after all, she was not going to come across as the clingy type of girl. A soft smile forms as thoughts drift “plenty of time to become clingy later girl”, her soft brown eyes focused on the door as it slowly opens

“I hope you don’t mind las…” immediately her eyes narrow and face scrunches, tone going cold and impersonal “…just what the hell are you doing here?”.

Jeff enters, his 6 foot 3 inch 225 pound frame enters her house wearing his jeans and black leather biker jacket “Well babe, I am coming in off your invite. Just stopping by to let you know that me and Kiki broke up, it is your luck night babe, I am willing to take you back. Stopped by the hospital and convinced that crotchety old bitch you seem fond of to tell me where you were living.” Jeff offers her a sly grin “Seems the old hag didn’t want tossed out the 10th story window of her room.”

Su Lin’s lips curl back as she almost hisses out “Get out of here now, what part of restraining order don’t you grasp.”

Jeff offers a light hearted chuckle “Restraining order; that’s too funny. Seems Kiki took one out on me too. Like I said, I broke up with her, broke both legs, one of her arms, the other only broke several fingers. I am back bitch, now be nice or I’ll have to break you up too.” With that, Jeff makes his way further into the living room “Which room do we sleep in?”

Su Lin starts toward the door, tone still in a near low hiss
“Look, I’ve had a bad night, get the hell out of here now, I am calling the poli…”

Jeff reaches our grabbing her by the back of the hair pulling her back toward him “Don’t walk off on me bit…”

Having waiting for him to make his move, she quickly back stepped with her hand balled into a fist striking him in the groin following with driving her fist up into his throat causing him to release her hair while buckling over, fist catching his throat robbing him of breath. She continues back stepping kicking into the back of his knee caps with the side of her foot causing his legs to buckle while she continues with a swift side kick in the small of his back dropping him prone onto the floor. She quickly makes her way toward the corner of the living room not without leveling a side thrust kick into the back of his head on the way driving Jeff’s face harder into the floor.

Jeff regaining some senses starts to push himself up however Su Lin has already come back to where he attempts to rise kicking him in the kidney. A squeal escaped Jeff as pain shoots through his very being at the same time Su Lin kicks at his shoulder forcing him onto his back. She stands over him while moving the glistening blade of the short sword she removed from the stand placing the tip of the sword upon his chest. Her words almost snarling
“I said I am having a bad night! How DARE you attack a DEFENSELESS Woman! I should do the world a favor and remove your pitiful existence. You called me a BITCH? You threatened GAIL!? Let’s make things clear … Bitch … if I EVER see you again, it will be the last day you breathe on this earth, got it … Bitch?” All the while she presses the blade against his chest easily cutting through his leather jacket, her face with a rage to the point her nose wrinkles with each sentence.

Before Jeff could speak, two police offers responding to the suspicious person call her neighbor placed enter her house calling out “Police, don’t mooo…ummm… are we needed?” as they approach Jeff “You are under arrest, we ran the plates on the motorcycle you rode up on, seems you have several wants on you for assault.” as the officers look toward Su Lin “Would ask if you are okay … but yea.” Before the officers take him into custody, she crouches low whispering “You better pray they lock you away for a long time, you threatened a friend, this I will not forget or forgive and I still need explain how much you screwed up in doing that.”

As the officers remove Jeff from the house and drag him to a waiting police car, she moves across her living room replacing the short sword back in the scabbard on the wall mount. She quickly moves over to a mirror grasping a brush running it through her hair still grumbling about the police arriving before she was able to show Jeff how badly he screwed up tonight. She moves back into the kitchen checking the timer on the lasagna mumbling “At least the lasagna is going to be okay” looking to her cell phone on the counter wishing it or the door bell would ring.

But it didn't ring. something else did; The door bell. Standing outside and looking confused was Kant who just continued to star down at the officers who pulled away some tough looking guy, "Did I arrive at a bad time?"

This time with what had just transpired, she loses control of her normal controlled expression and allows a wide beaming smile form, her tone filled with happiness as the guy she had been thinking of all that evening was there.
“How could this be a bad time, you are here.”

Su Lin’s eyes widen a brief moment as her face reddens having opened the door extending a hand offering Kant inside before turning entering the living room trying to avoid his seeing her now beet red face, thoughts of 'No, I did not just say that, did I?' while finally managing
“I hope you like lasagna, have a seat if you like, lasagna is almost done. I only hope you like meeee…ummmm it. As far as the police, some creepy guy was around. I guess I am lucky I have alert neighbors who called when they saw him hanging around.”

She moves into the kitchen with thoughts of how she is fortunate that the police arrived when they did. She after all figured that it would be a mood killer if Jeff were run through on the floor when Kant arrived. If Jeff had a brain cell in his head, he too would keep out of her sight … but knowing boys. She opens the oven as the aroma of lasagna fills the kitchen and living room. She turns her attention back to Kant, her tone soft

“You’re …. It’s perfect, I hope you like it” dearly wishing he didn’t catch yet another slip knowing full well that Gail would be making a huge production on her slips were she to hear them.

"I'm sure I will", Kant chuckled softly as he entered, closing the door around him.

[Wattz]

”That was me.”

“I am you, yes.”

Bao looked up from her hands to see herself standing in knitted blue armor, arms exposed and covered in scars, long black hair tied into a bun, like looking through a distorted mirror. Her smile was subtle but sweet, as if she had a contented sigh just waiting to escape. Baoli.

Bao. Worn-down turtle neck and jeans caked in dirt and blood, long hair loose and ratted. Eyes glazed and stretched open wide. She walked forward while Baoli walked backward through streets of delusion.

“My name is Baoli,” the girl stated. “But… I am also Bao.”

“What difference does a name make?” said the warrior.

“More than I realized.” Bao was still limping forward. The world around her blurred into shades of blue concrete, and every so often wisps of crystal wind sent tiny icicles brushing past to stick on her cheeks. “But… what does it mean?”

“The pieces are falling back into place. Everything I’ve ever wanted is in this time.”

“But what do I want?”

“To be on the right side when the end comes.”

“Is that all I want?”

“There is no satisfaction in failure.”

“Is that all I want?”

“Crow has always had the power.”

“Is that all I want?”

Location: Hospital
Time: Tuesday, Late Evening

Duke awoke to a plain white ceiling.

The door was closed and the room was still except for a light clank and shuffling feet. He listened Duke was afraid that any movement, any subtle movement at all would cause his body to collapse, to liquefy and evaporate to the bleach-white ceiling. The bandages seemed to restrain him more than the pain itself.

Just one movement, just one tiny neck movement, and he could see who it was, who was shuffling around in his room—

A nurse. Tan skin, short brown hair, standard uniform complete with name tag, hands rearranging miscellaneous objects on a tray. Nurse.

“I don’t have health insurance,” Duke mumbled.

She stopped and turned around. Naturally large brown eyes, gloved hands, little hat, pouty lips.

“Where is Bao?”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Grenier. You’re both safe now.” Poor attempt at soothing words. “Your friend is in another room, being cared for just like you.”

More silence, and so many missing pieces to click back into place. Just how did he get here?

She ran off, but he had been afraid to follow. The look in her eyes as she held his wounds, injecting cold into his blood. She ran faster than he’d ever seen her run, and even after he pursued she was already out of sight before he could ever hope to catch up. From that point on… nothing.

“You’re both lucky she managed to get you here in time.” Teeth held in place with braces. “Just get some more rest and I’ll be back later. You can call whenever you need us with that button over there.”

She pointed to the button, shuffled to the exit. Then, she left.

[Storm]

Location: Su Lin Mok Residence
Time: Tuesday, Late Evening (Part II)

As Kant enters the foyer of the small ranch home (http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p512/RPAStorm/SuLinHome.gif), she extends a hand toward the living room
“Please, make yourself at home, can I offer you a drink while dinner finishes up?” the aroma of the lasagna is all Su Lin needs to realize it is about time to remove it from the oven. She makes her way through the Family Room to the kitchen offering Kant in a nervous tone
“Think things will be ready in two shakes, I hope you like mmmmmm……it…”

As she bites her bottom lip, she is thankful that her back is toward Kant so he would not see her reddening cheeks as thoughts of ‘Get a grip girl, you are sounding like creepy guy next door, don’t scare him off now’.

“I really don’t have guests over much…”

She rolls her eyes feeling like just banging her head on the counter top ‘great girl, think I should let him talk so I don’t dig myself deeper’.

Kant chuckled as he sat upon a small chair, "I think you have a lovely place, I'm glad to see it", he looked up to her, "Water will do, if you may"

Su Lin makes her way to the refrigerator removing a bottle of water which sits next to the chilled orange juice as well as apple juice. She was not taking any chances having wanting to ensure she had a assorted range of beverages available for Kant, of course she had convinced herself that it would be for any random suppliers or customers who might happen by when she made the purchases on the way home.

A soft smile forms as she offers a slight giggle more to herself ‘yea, random suppliers, who so far have spent a grand total of visits to … never … you got these for … a guy’. Her thoughts momentarily drift back to the earlier visit from Jeff as she tightens the grip on the water bottle playing through her mind how he had mentioned threatening Gail. What if he came after Kant had arrived, would he have … her thoughts are interrupted as the heated water inside the bottle melts through the plastic and falls to the floor. She lets out a shocked yelp of

“What the…”

as the heated water pools on the floor, she looks in disbelief as she still holds the withered melted plastic that seconds before was the water bottle. The only thing running through her mind however is the thought of ‘please don’t freak out Kant’ as she quickly moves to dispose of the melted plastic with the intent of getting a new bottle out of the fridge, in a panic she lets out in a hesitant tone

“Kitchen accident, everything’s fine” desperately hoping he buys it remembering the elder’s son’s reaction a few days back whispering more to herself “I am not a space alien”.

"Everything alright?", Kant asked as he followed inside, seizing some of the mess with kind eyes, "Do you need any help, dear?", he smiled softly.

She quickly drops the melted plastic in a trash can while grabbing a towel dropping it upon the small pool of steaming water upon the tile floor of the kitchen while pressing her foot on the towel allowing the water to be absorbed, her soft tone regaining composure

“Everything is just peachy” while crouching to pick up the towel “no, I am fineeee….” suddenly a gleaming smile naturally forms he said dear, am I HIS dear… her tone becomes slightly squeaky “…ummm, just a small spill, emergency averted” offering the last with a slight giggle.

En route to the fridge, she stops by the oven opening the door while the aroma of lasagna fills the front room. Being in a rush to the fridge, she quickly grabs the pan lifting it from the oven placing it on the Formica counter top before rushing to the fridge to get another bottle of water. As the fridge is opened, it dawns on her that she had not used a hot pad to grab the lasagna pan. She quickly flips her hands around ready to see her own burned finger tips however lets out a gasp realizing her fingers are not phased in the slightest. She slowly grasps another bottle of water trying to make sense of it all finally offering herself the only reasonable explanation
I’ve lost my mind, that must be it. I so need to talk to Gail … tomorrow

She takes several deep breaths trying to focus more on the here and now before starting to the dining room softly offering to Kant

“Dinner is ready, I do so hope you like it…”
I hope nothing melts or any other freaky stuff happens are her thoughts concealed behind her soft smile and soft blue eyes.

"It smells great!", Kant smiled, sitting down by her side and looking at the food, "I bet it taste wonderful too!", He took a bite, now before slowly blowing off the heat of the piece, "Yes, it is", he smiled as he chewed it down, "Not only pretty, but great cooker too!"

As Kant sat, she couldn’t help but to inch a little closer conveniently adjusting her chair in the process. As he tried the lasagna and her eyes phased back to chocolate brown, a smile formed as he mentioned the food was good

“Thank you, I tr..”
"Not only pretty, but great cooker too!"
“..y”
A slight blush comes over her face while offering in a amusing tone “Thank you … there is hope for you … there are many expert eye doctors in town to correct your eye sight” her expression changes a little more serious “I hope your girl isn’t upset that I invited such a cute guy as you for dinner…” leaving an awkward pause playing through her mind a whole soap opera scene of the drop dead cute guy telling the other girl that he left his girl for her subconsciously leaning closer to him.

"My girl...", Kant chuckled, very amused from her blushing and cute attitude. He leaned forward, "I don't know about that... You are the only girl here I see... Care to tell me more... ?"

As Kant leans forward, she softly bites her lower lip as her chocolate brown eyes meet his becoming lost in their gaze, her own tone growing soft and near whisper quiet
“I am? … I thought …. you were …” she moves her hand to her hair nervously twirling a strand of hair in her finger “… seeing someone.” She swallows while building up nerve, dearly wishing the next word from this sweet guy is no, fearing though it might be yes. Her soft words drift from her lips while wishing this moment in time would never cease “… Are you … seeing anyone…?” her heart racing as she holds her gentle gaze into Kant’s eyes.

His hands caught hers, and was tucked into her hair as he leaned even further lean, "I do see someone right now...", his breathing becoming heavy as he leaned more, his eyes not leavings her, "I like what I see too..."

As Kant’s hand touches hers, a tingling sensation seems to run along her hand as her heart rate increases, her own words no longer formable as her face grows warm while she slowly closes her eyes keeping his vision in her mind, heart and very soul. She reaches with her other hand so as to ever so tenderly caress the side of his face as she leans in to rest her head onto his shoulder while a crisp gust of air fills the room

“Su, you are never going to believe just who the hell showed up at theeeeeah … “ as Gail enters the kitchen/dining room area “…I suppose we can say bad timing? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

Trying to catch her breath, face flush with the thought of Kant and deep blush as her expression changes to one of a cat being caught with the canary “Hi … Gail … when did you … get released?” trying to distract from the obvious. “You know …..” being so deep in the moment and embarrassed by Gail’s happening in, her mind does not pull Kant’s name immediately, after the awkward pause “…Kant, from World of Wonders … have you eaten …” thoughts of please world, just swallow me now running through her mind though still holding Kant’s hand.

Gail replaces her set of Su Lin’s house keys in her purse offering the two a grin “Young Kant making a … late night … delivery is he?” offering a sly wink. “Shall I leave you two be, oh yea, thought you would want to know, Butt Wipe is in town, visited me already so be careful dearie.”

"Hello there Gail", Kant smiled softly as he raised Su up with both their hands together, "It's okay, Gail you don't go. I think I should leave now... but... I tell you what", he leaned to whisper in Su's ears, "I'll come another time if you like, cookng on me", he winked.

As Kant stands, her hand feeling so warm and natural within his, she softly leans into him resting her head a moment against his chest while at the same moment processing the words Gail had said about Jeff, her eyes flashing a bluish tint for a moment. She looks up to Kant whispering “I am so sorry about tonight, I love … would love to have dinner with you again … though I will have to insist on allowing me to cook for you.”

Feeling an aurora around Su stronger than any she has felt or seen before, Gail moves over and takes Su by the arm not certain if Kant is safe till she determines just what Su is capable of tugging her away, offering in a motherly tone “Young Kant, I can pack you a to go if I interrupted dinner?” Looking to Su takes note of the blue tint in her eyes “… and we need to talk about Butt Wipe too sweetie.”

"No, that's okay, I shall leave now", he smiled, "Good night", he said as he opened the door and closed it softly with, "Call me... maybe?"

As Kant departs, Su Lin inhales sharply while holding her hands to her chest, in an excited tone, nearly squeals out
“He said Call Me, didn’t he? He said CALL ME! Gail, did you hear that! He said for me to CALL HIM!”

Gail peers out from the kitchen with the melted water bottle figuring she would get nowhere talking about what happened with the bottle, she can always let her know about Jeff later seeing how Su’s head seemed to be in the clouds. Offering a smile started to Su “So tell me everything, and lie about the tame parts…”

[Edynol]

Hospital
Later that morning

Rather reluctantly Lina watched as Zack pulled out of the drive and headed off to the hospital. She finished sipping her coffee then called her editor. When she heard the woman's voice on the other end she said “Good morning. Just checking in before heading back out to the same place as those last photo’s I sent you. A few days passing will have changed the scenery, I’m going to get a few more shots and will have them out to you later today.”

The women finished their conversations and Lina fed her furry little friends before grabbing her camera and keys and wheeling the car out of the drive. She’d dressed plainly enough in a dark pair of jeans and then a white button down cotton shirt. With her boots on her feet she would leave the house, the drive out into the woods only taking a few moments but most of it passing by in a blur. Her thoughts lingered on the fact that she had literally spent the night being held in Zacks arms and waking up there had felt like it was the most natural thing on the earth. Never before could Lina remember ever having gotten that feeling from any man she’d met before.

Her mind only slightly left Zack as she muddled through doing a task that normally she would have received great enjoyment from. Today was different, her focus was lacking and the fact that she fully expected to see the bird that had scared her before when she had reached out to touch the shimmering light the last time that she was here still weighed heavily upon her mind. It was a great relief to her to find that the shimmering light as well as the bird was nowhere present to be seen and it took her only a short amount of time to shoot the few photos that she would need. Lina sat on a downed tree reflecting on the past several days. Ever since she had seen that light, that bird, things had gotten very strange in her normally peaceful little town. The only thing that hadn’t seemed weird was Zack.

It was exactly the opposite. Everything about Zack seemed right to her. They way he made her laugh, the way she felt so at ease when she was around him. Being near him was as easy as breathing and they way that he kissed her and held her. Lina could still feel his kiss upon her lips and it stirred something deep inside of her. She’d known him for such a short time yet already she sensed that she simply wanted to know him better, she wanted to know everything about him and she wanted to feel every touch of his hand. She also knew that a good looking and fine man like her doctor was could have pick of any woman that he wanted. Lina closed her eyes as the thought flitted through her mind but his kiss didn’t say that he wanted any other woman, that kiss had told her that he wanted her. A small shiver ran through her and in that moment she couldn’t help but to get in her car and want to drive straight to the hospital. She simply felt as though she needed to do something to ensure that the doctor would want to come back to visit her again so instead she drove home and slipped out of the white button down blouse, before sliding into a rather revealing black lace camisole trimmed in white along the top edge. She would then slip a burgundy colored silk blouse over top of it allowing the top buttons to remain unbuttoned to expose the camisole slightly as it peeked out from underneath the silk.

Lina usually wasn’t one to be over dramatic about her looks, but she wanted to make a good long lasting lingering impression on the doctor, in case she hadn’t yet managed to do it although his kiss had indicated that she may have gotten his attention.

She wheeled the car back out of the drive, ready to drop off the flash drive to her editor later that day but for now, she had one focus. Finding Zack.

When Lina arrived at the hospital she immediately went to Zack’s office to find the room empty. She chewed on her bottom lip slightly; he might be busy with a patient or in surgery so she would wait just a little bit to see if he returned. It was then that she heard the elevator opening and saw the face that she had been hoping to find. She took a few steps towards him, fingers toying with her curls lightly as her hips sashayed softly back and forth until the gap between them was closed and she would lean up and with one hand moving behind his neck she’d kiss his cheek softly “Hey doc, I forgot to ask if you were doing anything tonight? I thought maybe we could” she paused pursing her lips slightly as her lovely eyes gazed up at his “find something to go get into.”

Today had been a very busy for Zack, numerous injured from the explosion at Jackie's Diner had everyone busy. Though for Zack, the thing that had him on edge was the people that weren't there, like Jackie, Camilla the waitress, or Kyle the head cook. They were there yesterday, but there were only two reasons that they wouldn't be there at the hospital today, either they were fine and escaped serious injury, or they were dead. But despite all that and as busy as he was, his thoughts kept slipping back to Lina, which brought a smile to his lips. The thought of seeing her again was the one thing that made this day bearable. The way she smiled at him and looked at him with those beautiful brown eyes stirred up feeling in him he never felt with anyone else. He had always rolled his eyes when Grubby talked to him about settling down with a woman, but now he suddenly understood the older doctor, how someone could be happy spending their life with just one person.

"Doctor," he heard a faint voice call. "Doctor? Zack!" Zack gave a sudden start as he slipped back into reality and looked to the nurse walking beside him. "Hey, welcome back to Earth," she said with a smirk. "So what should tell the director if she calls again?"

Zack pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut for a short moment before responding. "Ugh. Tell her I will call her when I can. If she gives you any trouble, just remind her we are under Disaster Call, so all medical personnel on call until the alert is lifted. Remind her that includes herself and she'll not give us any problems." The nurse nodded and went about her business. Zack knew the director, Janice Whitaker, well, they worked together for a good while before they made her director. They had offered the position to Grubby first, then Zack because he also had a bachelor's in business finance, but neither of them relished the idea of sitting in an office all day so they turned it down. Jan was next on the list, having helped her mother run a private clinic until she graduated from med school.

As Zack stepped off the elevator, his eyes looking down at his PDA, he gave a small start when he felt a hand brush the back of his neck followed by a kiss on his cheek. He then looked up and saw Lina, a smile forming on his lips as he looked into those brown eyes. "Lina, hi," he said with a small chuckle. "I'd love to do something tonight. I'm actually glad you came. I was afraid I might have blown it leaving so quickly this morning, that you'd think I was trying to get away or something." He then rubbed a hand over the top of his head, removing the cloth surgical cover he was wearing. "Despite all that is going on, I've been thinking about ya all morning. Some doctor I am, eh," he finished with a nervous chuckle, spots of color forming on his cheeks.

His revelation that he had missed her caused a huge smile to spread across her fair features. He’d been thinking about her too, despite everything that was going on around him he’d taken time to think of her. That was a positive sign.

“You know, your awfully cute when you blush, doc” she teased him lightly.
Both arms slipped around his neck then, her lithe frame pressing solidly to his right there in the hallway as he’d hear her murmuring into his ear, warm breath washing over him “I’ve been thinking about you too Zack”. Her lips found the very corner of his mouth then, Lina whispering so anyone else passing by wouldn’t hear her “and if you think I’d let you get away that easily, you're mistaken.” Her fingers toyed with locks of his hair now that he’d removed the surgical cap that had been hiding them. Her deep brown eyes staring into those beautiful hazel green orbs that adorned the handsome doctors face.

Lina could feel Zack noticeably relax as he felt her arms around him, her body up against his.. He let out a sigh of relief as he put his arms around her waist. "You know, this is very unprofessional of me," he whispered with a smile and a soft laugh. He then placed a soft kiss on her head as he held her. "Thanks for coming though. Today has been a hard day and it's still early yet. I just got out of surgery and have two more scheduled today, but now the day doesn't seem so bad." He then leaned forward to kiss her, but was interrupted when an announcement came over the intercom. Dr. Acerton to ICU. Dr. Acerton to ICU. Zack let out s sigh of regret as he closed his eyes.

Zack gave Lina a small smile, a wistful look in his eyes. "I have to get going," he said. "I'd like to have lunch with you, but on days like this I don't know when I'll be free. I would like to see you tonight though. I was thinking we could go for some Chinese food at Ying's, if you feel up for it."

"Sure, whatever the doc wants, the doc gets." she laughed and added "And maybe it is unprofessional, but you aren't going to hear me complain." She held her breath when he kissed her forehead then she took a step back as she heard the intercom screaming out his name once more.

"They need you doc." She said, releasing his hand rather reluctantly until it finally slipped from her grip as she walked away. "Pick me up, say six thirty?"

"Umm....Six Thirty sounds good to me, but I can't promise ya that right now, I very well may not get off until late. But feel free to call my cell if I'm late and if I don't answer, that means I'm in surgery." Zack gave her one last hug before turning and running off to the ICU.

(And Edy and Mysti Co.)

[Kris]

Location: "World of wonder" book store.
Time: Tuesday, Early Evening


Back at the book store the bell gave a soft ring as the door was opened and slammed behind, as Cherilyn leaned on it, panting and trying to gasp for air after running so much. She felt the sweat lingering down her cloths, which were soaked and stuck tightly into her body.

Barely capable to keep up with her heavy exhales, her legs gave up, as she slowly slide down, crouching and folding her legs closer to her chest, her chin resting over them.

What the hell?.... that feeling... that... that familiar terrible feeling...

She didn't know how... but she knew perfectly well that she was being followed by someone. And that said person must not have come closer to her.

Running away was her only option.

She shivered terrible and even started to cry a bit, the ringing of the store's phone the only voice to calm her mind from dark thoughts.

She wiped the tears with the back of her hands as she got up from the floor, taking slow paces for the phone, "h-helo?", she asked, trying not to sob into the set, "I mean... World of wonders, how can I help?".

There was a pause.

"Hello?".

"Hello. Cherry....".

Cherilyn gasped. A person calling her by her nick name, giving to her personally by her friend Lina, "Who is it?", she barked into the phone.

"A friend....", a male voice hissed in return.

Few deep breathes, "What do you want?", Cherilyn asked.

There came a soft chuckle from the other side.

Nervously Cherilyn's hands reached into the blue gem necklace she has been wearing since she was a small child and started to play with it to calm herself down.

"You kept my gift... I see...", his voice said.

Alerted she let go, and suddenly felt how the weight of the necklace bonding her neck and almost chocking her.

"Your... gift?..."

"You are horrible one to track... but it's okay dear. The best meals are always the ones you feed after a long day of work".

"WHO IS IT?!", Cherilyn snapped, "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! HOW DO YOU KNOW ME?!".

"Temper, temper. I like... but I think it will be best to save it for another time. By the way, instead of warring about yourself, I think you should take notice of your friend. Her former lover has trouble accepting her new boyfriend...".

"What?... what her you talking about?!".

"Keep an eye on your friend Rosaline. Things will change soon enough around you".

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let us talk more later, my dear. Meanwhile, I suggest leaving this call to yourself. You don't want to make your friend worry needlessly, now would you?"

"YOU-!"

"Goodbye, Cherry. We shall talk more soon".

The beeping sound to follow after he hanged up from his side of the line was very terrifying to say the least.

[The Imposter]

Time: Tuesday, Late Evening
Location: Hospital

"...his condition is..."

"...the bombing..."

"...just found them..."

Voices. Little murmurs somewhere in the back of Bao's mind, slowly fading in and out of focus. Her eyes were closed, but she could hear the footsteps all about the room. She wanted to move, but her body felt heavy, and her eyes felt like metal sinking into the sockets. The voices continued on until at last...

"...won't w..."

"...no insur..."

"...to leave..."

... they faded away...

... and Bao woke up.

"Huh? You're not my father...."

She looked over to see a young boy standing by her bedside, eyes wide and looking down at the ground with nervous pigeon-toed feet. Bao was laying in a hospital bed, clad in a night gown. Her vision was tinted in blue monochrome, and the air smelled sweet like blooming flowers.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him.

It took him a while to find the words to respond. "Looking for my father. Will you help me find him?" He made his way to the door. "He's somewhere out here." The boy did not even have to reach for the handle. He quite simply walked through the door.

The weight in Bao's body seemed to have relieved itself, for she flung herself out of the bed with ease. She could see the bandages all over her body but there was no pain in this scented world. Somehow, she knew too, that if she simply stepped through the door that she would be outside.

She watched the boy slip around a corner of the hall, and she followed too. There was no one around, much to her luck, and every corner the boy took she took as well, until at last they wove their way to another closed door, which he passed right through. But this door was different, and though the boy had no need to interact with the world, Bao knew that she would have to raise a hand, touch it to the handle, turn her wrist.

When she opened the door, the blue-tinted world disappeared, and the weight of her body returned. She stood in the door frame, staring dumbly at the man named Wesley. The boy was gone.

Wes and the others that had rode in the ambulance had been resting in various rooms in the hospital and for Wes resting meant not sleeping. The awful feeling in his gut hadn't left since the dream. He felt awful that he had imagined his son differently, and the realness of the whole thing. He had propped himself up on his bed and been starring blankly out the window waiting for a nurse to return with the all clear for him to go see Ryan. He had watch the sun slowly make its descent for who knows how long when he heard someone finally at the door. He was already mid sentence when he turned to see it was Bao.

'So did the doc give me.....Bao?! What the hell you doing here? You got my truck?'

Bao had forgotten how to speak, her words coming out as a jumbled mess before making sense. "that kid... where did that kid go? Is he your son?"

Wesley's face changed as she spoke from surprise to anger or maybe it was more of a stern protecting oneself expression. His tone got extremely low and cold as he questioned her.

'Kid...Bao who told you about my son, was it Paul? Christ! If that was some type of way to be funny you are striking the wrong chords. Either come in and sit down and start explaining or get the hell out before I do something I'll regret...'

It was definitely anger as his teeth clenched and his knuckles began turning white as his hands were balled up into fists. He shifted himself so he was facing the door. He nodded towards a chair in the room.

Bao couldn't help but oblige. Her legs were knocking together from standing so suddenly. She tottered over to the chair with sunken eyes while gripping the armrests tight. "I am not kidding you, Wesley," she breathed. "He said... he was looking for his father, and he slipped right through the door and he was right in my room--"

Bao remembered Baoli, and the man named Crow, and leaving Duke behind, and running from Austin's gang, and the explosion. And now she was right back with Wesley.

"Wes, how did we get both get here?"

Wesley scrounged for patience to try to sort through what was being said, one would think having raised a son like Ryan patience would abound but it wasn't quite the case.

'Dammit, Bao! No kid walked through here and it wouldn't be mine....'

Before he could continue with his verbal assault a nurse peeked his head in and said that he was clear to go see Ryan. Standing he walked up to Bao and looked down at her, his size being exaggerated since she was sitting down now. Taking a deep breath Wes rubbed his forehead and tried to relax.

'...Follow me. As for how we got here I've spent most of the last few days here, ever since Paul's job went south, and with what happened to Ry...to my son. I had gone out with a friend to get a bite and the diner blew up. It hasn't been the best days, and it doesn't help when people start talking about things they have no idea about. Honestly I don't know how you got here or why you were wandering the halls.'

His tone had lightened up except for his last words, the fatherly stern tone peeked its head out again. He started walking out and towards the elevator. Sixth floor, children's wing, a place he had spent many hours in.

Bao followed Wesley and into the elevator. "I'm not fucking with you, I saw him, I really did." Her lips were shaking and the volume of her voice rose desperately. "There are things happening right now and I just can't explain them, but they're happening and they're happening to me and to you and maybe even to your son, I really don't know!"

Feel no concern for the weak, Baoli. True. Why should she feel such concern? This was not who she was.

"No, no, no, I can't think about that right now..." Bao whispered to herself while shaking her head and gritting her teeth. She could sort all of that out later, when Duke was safe and out of the hospital and when Wesley decided to acknowledge that she was not going crazy.

Crazy, that was exactly what he thought. Even though he could see she was shaken up. Shock and trauma would only excuse her for so long. The elevator dinged and he made his way down the hall towards Ryan's room. As they talked he continued the conversation.

'Things...right. Well we are about to find out if my son has been up and walking around.'

The words came out slightly sarcastic and instantly Wes felt guilty. He imagined himself being slapped by his wife for saying something so awful. He turned the door knob and opened the door to allow Bao to see Ryan, laying still with wires connected to him monitoring seizure activity. His arms and legs slightly under developed and laying limply, Wes was soon at his side brushing his face gently and sitting beside him.

'So is this the boy you saw Bao? The one you led you to my room? Joke is over....wait why aren't you with Duke?'

Beeps from the boy's monitors filled the silence. Though the boy was tied up to tubes and laying limp in a hospital bed, his face was undeniable. Bao slowly approached him, looked into his sleeping face, and lightly placed one finger on his forehead. "Yes," she said. "This is him."

She let the light beeps pulse into the silence before saying anything else. "Duke should be somewhere in the hospital."

Before any words continued Wesley's fist hit the small table at the bedside. It wasn't possible, his son couldn't walk or speak. Then the strange and ridiculous thought entered his mind. What if it was a dream....like the one he had. No, that was crazy...wasn't it? Never in his whole life had he had a dream like that one, and the vividness of it.

'...sorry, you don't dream...or sleep walk do you? Uhm...what I mean is that there is no possible way Ryan showed led you to me. Maybe you were dreaming or something....if something like that is even possible.'

Refusing to try to process anything like that he began trying to figure out why the Diner had blown up, then thought of Trixi.

'You don't think the diner was targeted because of our job gone wrong do you?'

A dream. Yes, perhaps it was a dream... but how could she possibly dream about a child she had never met before? There was no sense in pressing the matter further. Wesley could stay in denial all he wanted, but Bao was sure they were at the start of...

...a new awakening....

"You mean you think Austin had something to do with it? Do you think someone as petty as he blew it up?" Bao cleared her throat. Her voice had smoothed out for a moment, had suddenly become darker. Then she heard footsteps.

"Ausin?", reached out a voice, low, deep, confident. Followed by three men in suits, looking simple, yet, somewhat elegant, Erebus Smith (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=28963&page=18&p=1059294&viewfull=1#post1059294) and his two sturdy looking henchman reached to where both Bao and Wesley were sitting. In all due respect, the inspector never meant to eavesdrop, he was just in the area to see if any burnt body that had anything to do with the boy Austin, if not Austin's himself, might be around here, but the fact they uttered his name was more than enough to catch his interest, "Did you just say Austin?", his blue heavy gaze landed on them, capable of seeing should they lie.

Shit. She never should have spoken the name, but she could fix this one easy. Three suits standing in a row, and one with a bit too much curiosity in his eyes. "Haven't you heard? It's been all over the news. Rumor has it this whole thing is gang related." Bao sighed heavily and shook her head. "Can you believe it? Gangs running rampant, blowing up innocent people? I can't even feel safe in my own city anymore. If it weren't for this kind stranger, I'd be dead," Bao said, placing a hand on Wes's shoulder. "And please, sir," Bao looked Wes right in the eyes with a smile, "don't be modest."

'uhh...well just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Actually I had a run in with Austin and his crew before. Wanted to make an example or something to some old acquaintances. Question I am wondering though: is why are there feds here? Sure the diner thing was big but was it really big enough to bring you three here? Hell...I wonder if Trixi knows what is going on.'

Wes was always a firm believer in putting as much of the truth he could in with his lies, but he couldn't believe how confidently and quickly Bao shot her bit out at the three that had waltzed in.

"Trixi?", Erebus looked surprised, and somewhat a bit annoyed. He shook his head, "Was the last thing I wished to do right now, to be honest...", he narrowed his eyes quickly then and gave Wes a daring glare, the fact that he knew Trista's nickname was rather unpleasing to him, "Know the woman well I presume?", he asked.

'...I guess you could say so.'

Part of Wes' mouth curled upward unconsciously. However now wasn't really the time to get caught up into such things. Wes grabbed the phone at Ryan's bedside and began dialing Trixi's number.

'I'm just going to give her a call here. See what she knows about suits asking questions. I mean she is the local law enforcement and a good friend.'

Lifting the phone to his ear Wes waited to hear her voice. Truthfully he really wanted these guys out and away from Bao and himself but was also kinda worried about his friend. He hadn't heard anything since they split ways at the diner.

Bao smiled at the detective and crossed her arms. She wanted so badly to run away, find Duke, and leave, but knew full well that this would be suspicious. She strained her hearing in hopes that Wes's phone was loud enough to hear the conversation.

Trixi was in the parking lot of the hospital when her phone began to ring. It took her a moment to answer it due to the fact that the parking lot wasn't that bit and she thought she saw a somewhat vaguely familiar vehicle near the entrance that took her back for a moment.

"Deputy Nunrico here, oh speak of the devil I just got here and on my way to see you after checking in on your boy.." Her words were caught off short when he told her of his location. "Now? we'll great how's he doing?"

Stepping into the elevator, the woman started hitting the 3rd floor button repeatedly faster while listening to Wes very intently...

Wes had just informed Trixi that he was in Ryan's after finding out she was already in the building.

'....yeah and I'm not alone. A friend, and three suits are here. You know anything about them questioning about the diner and such? What's going on? Do they suspect it was something more?'

A strange bzzt came through loudly on Wes' end of the phone, so loud everyone in the room heard it. Wes called out Trixi's name three times before putting the phone down trying to figure out what just happened on her end.

[Storm]

Location: Su Lin Mok Residence
Time: Tuesday, 11:45 PM

Having made a soothing tea and talking girl talk for several hours; an odd feeling washes over Gail for a brief moment. With her smile intact, she relaxes in her chair while closing her eyes momentarily. As she reopens her eyes, Gail glances at her watch offering in a soft tone
“My, look at where the time has flown. I do believe I should be on my way so we both are not late to open tomorrow.” Her soft smile hiding the anguish she feels within.

Su Lin offers a giggle “No, that’s perfectly alright, I do enjoy our talks.” half expecting another taunt about Kant.

Gail rises and starts toward the door “You going to see me out?”

Su already setting the tea cups in the kitchen sink offers back “Why of course silly, I always do.”

The two women depart the house and Su locks her front door before starting down the walk toward Gail’s car. From the darkness a booming voice echoes through the calm night air
“About frekin time you two come out.”

Su reaches for a small dagger she always carries upon recognizing Jeff’s unmistakable voice however freezes as she hears the hammer drawn back on his 44 automag. Jeff lets out a laugh “Stupid bitch, you really bringing a knife to a gun fight? I crack myself up, I’ve always wanted to say that.” as Jeff steps out of the shadows, weapon trained on the two women.
“Have to love the law; I made bail before those freakin pigs were even done with their arrest report.”
Waiving his weapon in the direction of Gail’s car “Let’s go for a little ride shall we ladies?”

Having already had a vision of impending death, Gail looks unphased toward Jeff as Su Lin drops her dagger to the ground moving between he and Gail. Oddly Gail simply touches Su’s hand whispering “It’s going to be fine dear, it may be time now.” while offering in a motherly tone to Jeff
“Think of what you are doing while you can still stop destiny dear boy.”

Jeff extends his arm toward Gail lining up a shot while spitting out “Dear Boy! What in the hell are you on Bitch, I should do you right here. Just fuck me to tears; at least Kiki had the good sense to beg when I did her. Now get to the freaking car now!”

As the three continue to Gail’s car, she softly offers to Su “Just do as the young man says, remember, only he controls his own destiny hun.” before gazing softly to Jeff “I must ask you to carefully consider your actions dear child.” as they reach her car.

Opening the back door, Jeff simply laughs “I am considering my actions you crotchety old bitch, and that is to blow your ass away early the next time you call me child!” as Gail enters the driver side and Su Lin enters the passenger side of the car. Jeff slides in the back driver side and clicks his seat belt. “Just in case either of you bitches have any thought of doing that slam on the brakes to ram me into the seat thing. Now get this car moving to the highway, at mile marker 342, there is a dirt road, take it.”

Gail starts the engine remaining oddly calm as Jeff rests the barrel of the automag against the headrest next to her head. The three remain silent until they reach the highway in which Gail offers again softly and with no hint of fear “Please know you may discontinue this action at any time, death need not happen this night.”

Jeff almost hisses back “Oh you dumb bitch, death wants to and will happen, why don’t you beg like that lil bitch Kiki did while I was taking her for her last ride?”

Gail reaches her hand softly touching Su’s whispering in a motherly tone “My dear, it was eventually going to happen, it is not your fault dear”
“But I am so frightened … things … seem to …. happen ….”
“Dear, you are not to blame for tonight, you are not evil, he is.”

Jeff chimes in; his tone has some amusement to it “That is the first thing you have said tonight that made any sense bitch. Now take a left on the dirt road, follow it till we reach the lake.”

Gail slows and takes the left onto the dirt road and proceeds another 3 miles until the road ends. The cars lights shine toward a wide open lake with a light misty haze forming atop the water. Gail closes her eyes for a brief moment before opening them, offering “This is your final moment before destiny takes control, this needn’t happen young man.” at the same time touching Su’s hand softly while whispering “He had every chance, this is not your fault, just let what you feel happen my dear…”

The driver side door opens as Jeff grabs Gail by the hair effortlessly yanking her out of the driver side of the car and flinging her like a rag doll into the gravel of the road spitting out “I really wished you at least begged you little bitch…” while leveling the 44 automag down toward the elderly woman who was still looking up back at him almost with a sorrow in her eyes, she whispers “Dead boy, I fear it is too late….”

With a half laugh, Jeff offers “Yes, for you it is…” as the hammer of the automag crackles, the crackling continues along the base of the weapon as the icing continues to spread around his hand at the same time he involuntarily urinates himself as he screams out in agony, his hand crystallizes into solid ice. He just catches Su Lin out of the corner of his eye gasping through his screams of unimaginable pain “What the HELL are YOU!”

Su’s eyes are radiating a deep blue glow as she keeps her hand extended toward Jeff before focusing her attention upon the mist covering the lake, Gail’s words still drift in her mind … ‘just let what you feel happen’.

The mist upon the lake begins to swirl slowly at first before quickly swirling in almost a small contained cyclone, the water particles crackling at they form razor sharp shards of ice. She casts her view upon Jeff who is staggering backwards losing his footing falling backwards to the ground. Su Lin’s voice seems to echo through the sound of the cyclonic ice cloud “What the hell am I, as you speak of hell, so shall you go thou creature of evil…”

Su extends her hand toward Jeff as the cyclonic ice cloud moves toward and descends around him, muffled screams filter through the sound of the cyclonic storm as the razor sharp ice shards tear through flesh … even bone … until such time that nothing remains of Jeff as he is town apart blending in with the now slightly pinkish ice cyclone. Su moves her hand in the direction of the lake as cyclone drifts back over the lake. She lowers her hand as the cyclone slows till such time the particles gently drift back a top and into the lake.

As her eyes return to chocolate brown, Su Lin drops to her knees softly sobbing as Gail moves toward the young woman. Gail takes a tissue and softly wipes the tears from Su’s eyes and dabs the small trickle of blood from her nose. Choked up, Su finally softly manages to get out “This was like my dreams…” between soft sobs. “Gail, what am I?”

Sitting in front of Su, wipes the tears still flowing from her eyes, offers in a motherly tone “My dear, you are Su Lin, my dear friend and whom I consider to be like a daughter to me. I have been one with mother earth since I was but a child, there are forces of good and evil that exists in this world my dear. I have not all the answers you may seek however the one thing I can say is you have goodness within you. I saw this the moment I first noticed your aurora.” Gail softly takes Su’s hands helping her to her feet, walking her toward the car, Su still being wobbly. “Tonight was not your fault my dear, that boy had a vile aurora to him and would have continued causing pain, suffering and death were he to continue on. He had every chance to change tonight’s outcome. We will figure when you are from, for now, I need to get you home and make you some tea.”

The two women return to Gail’s car as Gail drives from the secluded lake. The darkness of night return to the lake and wood line, with only a light white mist settling back atop the lake, and two radiant red eyes from the crow which observed all as it stretched its wings and takes to the air.

[Mysteria]

It was late in the evening before Zack finally got off work, having to attend Grubby for an emergency bypass. It was now seven twenty and the sky was already dark. After washing up, he checked his cell and read a text Lina had sent him asking if everything was alright and that she would wait for him but no need to rush. He smiled a little, even her texts somehow had her wonderful personality. Not wanting to make her worry a second longer, he quickly responded to her text.

Just ot of surgry
goin hom 2 wash
B ther soon i hop
srry cant txt 4 sht

Zack shook his head as he closed his phone and went to his truck to drive home. When he got there, he quickly ran to the shower, despite being exhausted, and jumped in. He finished quickly, this time not taking the time to enjoy the shower like he usually did, and rushed to get change, puting on a pair of dark blue jeans and a navy blue button up shirt, dark brown leather shoes, and a brown leather coat. Then after taking half a minute to comb his hair, he grabbed his wallet and ran out the door. He was never one to speed, but for once he decided to go about a mile or two above the speed limit, which was still way slower than anyone else. He wanted to get there as fast and safe as possible.

He showed up at Lina's house around seven fifty, his hair still wet and spots on his shirt showing from not drying off completely after his shower. When she finally answered the door, a smiled, panting slightly. "Hi. Sorry for keeping you waiting. I got here as soon as I could."

Lina actually hadn’t minded that Zack was running late. Earlier that day she’d thrown some beef and vegetables into the crock pot to make a stew for dinner that evening or the next before she had known that she was going out for Chinese. Now, they could eat in and she could literally have Zack all to herself. While Lina sure wouldn’t mind being seen out and about on the handsome doctors arm, she adored the idea of alone time with him even more.

When the knock finally came on the door she’d run from the kitchen, still clad in the camisole style tank top from earlier in the day only now the ensemble was minus the boots and the over shirt that she’d had buttoned up while in the hospital. Her long hair fell about her shoulders loosely as she greeted her guest.

Lina chuckled when she saw he was still wet from his shower but invited him inside to be seated. “I hope you don’t mind if we don’t go out but I have dinner ready for us.” Before he could protest about her having cooked again she quickly would put his mind at rest by offering “I had it in the crock pot this morning before I knew we were to go for Chinese tonight so don’t fret over it okay?” She hugged him then before sitting down on the couch facing the street and the setting sun “And besides, this way I get you all to myself.” She grinned playfully “Not that I’m trying to be greedy or anything like that, I just happen to like spending time with you, alone.” Her words were the truth, she had come to adore spending time alone with Dr. Acerton.

Zack let out a happy sigh after smelling the stew from the kitchen and smiled appreciatively at Lina. "Well I can't say I'm disappointed," he said with a small chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her. "That's less driving I have to do. Heh. It smells good too." As he went inside, his fatigue showed as his legs seemed a little wobbly. "Sorry again for being so late. Today was a very taxing, to say the least. I hope your day wasn't half as hectic. I haven't worked this hard since that fire at the mall last year."

Lina lingered within his embrace for a few moments, then turned to lead him by the hand into the living room noting that he seemed very fatiqued. She also noted that even though he seemed tired, it hadn't affected how handsome he was when he smiled at her. She led him to the couch, seating herself and motioning for him to sit down.

Once he'd taken his seat her fingers grazed the back of his hand lightly. "You look tired tonight doc, how's about I bring dinner into you?" Lina had large dinner trays that would suffice and they could eat right from the coffee table while watching a movie. Picking up the remote the brunette handed it to the doctor, smiling "Why don't you find us a good movie while I get dinner ready for you?"

It took little time for the oven to heat so that she could toss some biscuits in to go with the stew, and as they baked she found the trays and settings, preparing the trays. She walked into the living room with two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot, handing them to Zack and smiling as she leaned down placing a kiss on his cheek. "Want to open this for me handsome?" she said and as she turned to go back into the kitchen from the corner of her eye movement on the now quiet street caught her eye. Her breath drew in sharp but she made no sound as she realized it was that same man that had been at her door the previous night, the same man who had asked her to remember them, the same man that she'd seen in her vision.

She moved to the window casually, staring out at him for the briefest of seconds before drawing the curtains shut and making some excuse about the street lights reflecting off of the television screen. When she would turn to face Zack again, her face would bear a broad smile "Be right back." she said then disappeared into the kitchen at the sound of the oven timer going off.

Zack let out a content sigh as Lina walked back into the kitchen. He was thought nothing of Lina drawing the curtains closed, since he did the same at night and figured she enjoyed her privacy as well. After he opened the wine and poured it into the glasses, he turned the TV on and flipped through the channels, finding a good action romance movie he thought they'd both enjoy. "Everyone loves Bruce Willis," he mumbled softly to himself. Still, he didn't pay much attention to the movie as he did to Lina, not wanting to take his eyes off as if she might vanish and all this turn out to be a dream.

When she finally came back with the food, his face lit up. "I don't deserve you," he said with a smile, thought at the same time there seemed to be a touch of sincerity in that statement. Zack had been with no few number of women dating back to his sophomore year in high school. He had always been a charmer and he knew it. But since he had met Lina, he had never known what it was to actually connect to a girl. He thought he did, when he was still young and naive, but he'd soon learn it was all just pheromones and testosterone, the mixture of the two components put a man's sex drive into overdrive, creating a temporary feeling of wistfulness and longing that would go away once all the energy was expended.

But it was different with Lina. Getting her into bed was actually one of the last things on his mind. He wanted to have her around forever, to make her smile and laugh, to take care of her and make her happy. "Anyone ever tell you that you have the most beautiful eyes? It's like you can peer right into my soul, makes me feel ashamed at some the....less proper thoughts I might have," he said with a chuckle, spots of color forming on his cheeks.

Lina had returned with the stew and biscuits on a tray for them each, setting it down upon the coffee table in front of them and noting that Zack's gaze seemed to follow her every move. She smiled when he said he didn't deserve her, but sat down beside him and took the wine glass in her hand that he had offered.

His comment about her eyes had made her blush slightly but when he commented about his improper thoughts she would set her glass down, leaving it untouched and press those soft pillowy lips to his neck softly and murmur "And just what improper thoughts might you have, Zachery Acerton?" she murmured rather teasingly. The truth was that there was no way that the handsome doctor had held any more improper thoughts than some of her own might have been.

Zack coughed at Lina's suggestive words and tone, some of the stew having gone down the wrong way. He then gave her a wry look. "That," he coughed again, his voice strained, "is not...ahem...fair." He then chuckled despite himself before taking a swallow of wine. "Ahh. Wow, that was embarrassing." He then shook a finger at her and smirked. "You're a fiery one behind that sweet, innocent face aren't ya?"

Lina was slightly amused at the doctors embarrassment but she simply smiled when he mentioned her being one of a fiery nature. Being playful with Zack was easy enough and it was a quality that she adored.

Rather playfully her lips would linger at his neck briefly as she murmured "if you want to know I guess you'll just have to find out, won't you?" Then she pulled away slightly, picking up her glass of wine and glancing at the screen. Bruce Willis. She loved his movies and decided Zack had good taste but a grin could be heard in her voice as she tacked onto her statement "Maybe later, after you're not hungry anymore."

Zack chuckled a little as he felt her lips on his neck. "Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to be putting on the moves here," he said playfully. He then took a sip of wine and put an arm around her. "You know, I really enjoy your company. I don't think I have ever had so much fun just sitting around and hanging out with anybody." He gave her a kiss on the head before leaning back in the couch.

After they finished eating, Zack let out a happy sigh. "That was really good. Thank you very much. I only wish I could cook for you, but then you'd probably press charges," he said with a laugh. "Well, I'm not hungry anymore. So if you're willing, I would mind finding out a little more about ya," he said with a grin and a wink as he kissed her again.

When he said he enjoyed her company, the brunette caught herself nodding her head but she agreed verbally too. "I know Zack, sometimes it feels like I've always known you and being around you is, well, as easy as breathing air!" she proclaimed rather softly.

Lina kissed Zack back, this time the kiss was more fervent than the last. When it finally ended her smile widened as long delicate fingers toyed with his hair. She leaned against his shoulder and playfully inquired "And just what would the good doctor like to know?"

Zack grinned at her, then, a playfully mischievous look in his eyes as he kissed her again. He then slid his hand under her shirt, rubbing her back as he enjoyed the feel of her silky-smooth skin. "Funny how when we first met, you said I asked too many questions. Now you're asking me too and I can't think of one. I wanna know everything about you, including the things words can't describe."

As he continued kissing her and rubbing her bare back under her tank top, his other hand gently rubbed her leg, moving up to her inner thigh slowly. "I"m in no rush though," he said while he still had a modicum of rational thought left. "I want you so much right now, but I am willing to wait if you're not ready....As much as it pains me." He then kissed her again, savoring the sweet taste of her lips, a new type of hunger now showing in his hazel-green eyes.

Even feeling Zack's touch upon her skin felt completely natural to her and she didn't shy away from it but instead leaned more towards him, returning his kiss before reluctantly pulling away when his lips left hers only long enough to state he wanted to know everything about her.

She murmured softly "I want you to know everything about me and I want to know everything about you too." His kiss came again, a rather heated kiss that she returned, her tongue slipping along his as she felt his hand rising upwards on her thigh. That heated kiss continued before finally Zack would break it only to tell her with a fiery look in his eye that he didn't want to rush her.

He'd find his answer when those fingers still twined in his hair would pull him back towards her that her mouth could once again find his to claim it, her tongue slipping past his lips and exploring, tasting him slowly with no rush to have it end any time soon.

As Zack became emerged in the moment, he quickly took off his shirt, exposing his muscular, well defined but not overly stocky frame. Like his face, his chest had a nice, even tan and was smooth to the touch, showing he took really good care of his skin. "I wanna know everything about you, too," he said, panting. He then put both hand under her shirt, rubbing her back before slowly lifting the shirt up.

Zack's warm hands caressed Lina's back before she finally felt him lifting her shirt upwards and her arms moved to help him relieve herself of the now pesky material leaving her ample bosom to be exposed, save the lace brassiere that remained to cover her.

Her fingertips trailed over his smooth skin, her lips moving across his neck and clavicle softly leaving a trail of we kisses as her body pressed tightly to him. Her pulse quickened at the thought of what was yet to come and although she'd only known him some short time she'd murmur with warm soft breath against his ear "This feels so right, Zack."

Her lips found his again, the kiss soft but hinting at a built up desire only to be broken again momentarily to inquire "Do you want to go to my room where we can be more comfortable?"

At that point they could have been on the carpeted floor and she'd have not cared but she wanted Zack to be as comfortable as he could be and hold no inhibitions with her.

At her question, Zack grinned at her and had a look in his eyes that could only be described as hunger. A primal, intense, yet at the same time gentle and caring expression. Without saying a word, he picked her up, his hands grasping her bottom as he carried her to the bedroom. His excitement now drowning out the fatigue of the day, he was now full of energy as if he kick-started a back-up battery. As he lay her on the bed, he placed several soft kisses on her neck, working his way down to the top of her breasts and further down to her belly.

He then methodically undid her britches and slowly eased them off, placing kisses on her inner thighs as he removed the now intrusive stitches of clothing. He took his time now, savoring the sweet scent of her body before finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he removed her pants completely and threw them on the floor. He took no time, though, removing his shoes and jeans, showing off his red and blue plaid boxers before finally climbing into the bed on top of her.

Lina savored every touch and kiss from Zack's skilled hands and mouth. His skills obviously went much further than just the operating room. She moaned lightly in anticipation of what was yet to come and her mouth would seek his out in a drawn out passionate kiss. Reluctantly breaking that kiss with her hips shifting lightly underneath him she murmured against his skin "Great hands Doc" as her fingers hooked into the waist of his boxers, tugging at them to relieve him of the pesky cloth now in the way.

Zack smiled as he kissed her back, enjoying the feel of her in his arms and against his chest, nothing separating them now. And as he kissed her, he closed his eyes and lost himself in the moment as the rest of the world went away and it was only them, intertwined in a passionate embrace.

[Storm]

Date: Tuesday-Wednesday
Time: Midnight
Location: Sue's House

"You are positive this is the right house?" Crow asked Caloc, who was positioned quietly on his shoulders. Crow smiled at his bird and walked up the paved sidewalk to the house, his feet muffled in the dead air. Clouds shifted and weaved overhead, blotting out stars while letting them shine all the same. He raised his hand and knocked thrice upon the door.

Standing by the oven, Gail glances toward Su Lin whom remains in an over stuffed chair in the living room. As the tea kettle begins to whistle, Gail closes her eyes offering a soft whisper escape her lips “So dark, so … unnatural…”

Su looks toward Gail briefly with a puzzled expression washing over her face. A strong pain grips at her stomach as her eyes glass over giving a crystal clear appearance. Looking to Gail, Su offers “I have never felt anything like this … but I this feels …familiar…”

Both women are startled as the knock seems to echo in the room. Removing the kettle from the flame, Gail moves toward the door grasping the handle which she slowly turns and slowly opens cautiously allowing her eyes to adjust to the visitor. Feeling an aurora such as never experienced before, Gail steps back … her tone growing with a slight snarl “What brings you to this place … beast?”

Crow chided back and reached out, patting Gail on the head while entering the house, caloc rustling his feathers. He smiled as he looked around the room, hands resting behind his back while his cloak ruffled slightly in the breeze. Crow's eyes alighted as he spotted the woman still resting in the rather large chair, seeming to be ..absent minded at the moment. His eyes drifted over to the sword that resided within the room, and then chose to sit down in the closest chair in between them and the blade.

"You treat me so kindly" Crow mentioned, his voice relaxed as he seemed to make himself at home. Caloc fluttered off his arm and rested on the sword hilt, red eyes staring outwards and his feathers puffing up some.

"It's truely a lovely place you have here, must cost quite the gold to keep this well maintained. I had a lovely place like this once, but I traded that in for a much better place. Not to cozy and inviting as this house, but it does well just the same." Crow spoke to the two, his light and airy voice seeming to make the room even more tense and chilled, despite his relaxed nature and easy going attitude.

Gail softly closes the door after Crow and Caloc enter and take a seat close to Su. For the first time, Su would hear a tone of fear come from Gail.
“The child has had a bad night good sir, I would offer you advice that you hasten what ever reason you visit this eve so she may obtain some much needed rest.”

As Crow enters and takes seat within another chair, Su Lin’s eyes emanate a radiant blue glow, her eyes narrow as she casts her sight upon the man and the crow now perched upon the hilt of her sword. As the atmosphere grown more tense, the radiance increases from Su’s eyes. Her tone starts soft, simply offering
“Do I know you? I have never seen you in town … why is it then that you do not seem a stranger?”

As Su speaks, the temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees. Gail by then has moved behind Su and lays a hand upon her shoulder leaning close to her head
“My dear, you have endured much this eve…” a reassuring gentle squeeze is given to Su “… trust in what I tell you … soon I will guide you to clarity.”
Gail now glances in Crow’s direction “There was another young man whom visited earlier, things could become uninviting quickly sir. Speak what you have come to say if you will … Good Sir.” Gail’s tone still shaky but becoming more assured being closer to Su, her eyes however betray the deathly fear Gail has for the man before the two women.

"Oh, I know much about the ... other man... that came here earlier. I was planning on .... asking him to join me. But... It seems that you have already disposed of the man. So.. I wish to extend an offering to join me in my ... mission. I assure you, with what I saw out there, you would do great." Crow said, the smile growing wider, barely noticing the chill that had crept into the room. He leaned forward, a slight rattling coming from his robe as he did so.

As Crow leans forward, Su Lin narrows her eyes and curls back her lips to the point her nose wrinkles as she almost hisses out
“Did YOU send Him?”

Immediately she looks toward her sword which Caloc still in perched upon. Her tone in an echo while pointing in Caloc’s direction
“You, off my sword now!”
With that, static electricity surrounding the sword intensifies and crackles about the blade and hilt sending mild electrical sparks dancing about the sword mainly intending to unperch the crow.

As a small trickle of blood starts to flow from Su Lin’s nose, Gail rests her hand softly on her shoulder while looking toward Crow, Gail’s tone with obvious fear
“You sir have a dark aurora about you. I believe you have evil within your heart. The child is not evil so I ask you to take your leave….” A rare coldness washes over Gail’s face, her tone grows cold and threatening “… while I still allow it.”


"DO NOT... test my patience" Crow spat at gail, his voice dropping almost immediately before he stood up. Motioning for Caloc to move, he picked up the hilt of the blade, smiling softly as the static electricity died almost instantly at his touch.

"Trust me, that man who came by earlier .. was not of my own design. I had no clue you truthfully were worth my time until that lovely trick at the lake, but that is all that it was... a trick. If you wish to see real power." Crow smiled, before pulling the blade out of the sheath. He whispered softly while running his finger down the blade, pressing just enough to draw even the tiniest drop of blood. He leaned back then, and the blade began to shake and rattle, before completely twisting out of place.

The lights dimmed some as the blade writhed and twisted in his hand, growing larger until it had turned into a full grown King cobra, pitch black scales reflecting what little lights were there, blood red eyes staring at Gail. It hissed

"Now, you say this 'child' is one of the light, but answer me this, why did she kill a man. And don't give me the response of it was to save your friend. Admit it... you liked that power, you wanted him dead, your subconscious even said so." Crow said, his voice dark and soothing, like poisoned honey.

Almost as though she had blanked Crow from her mind, Gail moves slowly toward Su Lin whose glowing eyes were now fixated upon the King Cobra. Gail crouches along Su as she dabs the blood trickling from her nose. Touching Su’s face, she could feel the tremble of the young woman; soothingly she whispers to Su in a motherly tone
“Trust me sweetie, I have always your interests at heart…” while sliding a hand into her pocket removing a small brown wad of paper. She tears the paper allowing a powder drift onto the tissue in her other hand. Gail dabs the tissue to absorb the tears welling up in Su Lin’s eyes as Su’s lips tremble, eyes still fixed upon Crow and the Cobra. As the natural sedative enters Su Lin’s tear ducts, the radiance of her eyes dull returning to their natural chocolate brown. Su Lin sinks into the chair drifting into a restless sleep.

Gail stands turning her attention to Crow. Her tone turns more business like.
“I realize you can strike me down with no effort. I am old and spent my life practicing white magic, natural healing and being one with nature. What I have received for my dedicated path is only age. The moment I saw this girl…” pointing to Su Lin “… I realized there was something special about her. I spent years growing close to her, bringing her to trust me, do what I suggest to her as was apparent this eve. Yes, you may strike me down with no effort … but I assure you in doing so, you will lose the girl. Reward me and I shall deliver the girl to you.” Gail starts toward Crow and kneels before him awaiting death or a deal.


"You are right ... I can strike you down where you stand." Crow said, annoyed at this woman. She had been an annoyance in this entire meeting, from defending the girl, to question him and trying to prove herself stronger than he. He raised his hand, the king cobra raising itself to attack the woman. He was about to lower his hand, ordering the cobra to strike when ...

Caloc crooned. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYALPB3Zz_k)

Crow paused as Caloc landed on the cobra's head, staring intently at crow. A silent moment passed as the two of them stared at each other, only for a smile to spread upon Crows face, twisting the dimensions of his face slowly until the grin had warped into smile of pure malice and twisted purpose.

"You ... love this girl, don't you. Love.. is a great emotion. It can topple civilizations, over throw kings, win wars, and ... can cause humans to commit the darkest of acts." Crow said, pulling the cobra back and leaning towards Gail. Drawing a thin dagger from his robe, he took Gails arm.

"I will allow you to live, but on a few conditions. You will swear your life to me, and you will not tell the girl of this deal. You will show her how to use her powers for dark and evil desires. You will not tell anyone, and when the time comes.. you will deliver her to me. If you don't ... I will make you watch as I torture the girl to death." Crow said, smiling wide as he began to make a mark on her arm, strong enough to draw blood, and left the mark. It was a bonding seal, which he then drew a drop of blood.

"Now, swear your loyalty to me, and don't try to lie, for I will tell it" Crow said, his aura pressing against hers, his smile unwavering.

Gail having been ready to cease this life feels the prick of the blade as her blood bonds her to Crow. She looks unwavering toward him, no deception in her words or soul
“I swear my life to you. The child shall be taught the darker crafts so she does not live her life as I have. When she is sought, I shall deliver her to you. She deserves the power I had not sought when I was at her age.” Gail looks over toward Su Lin much as a protective mother would her own child. “There is a youth which Su Lin has feelings for. I would ask that the young man be placed in danger. Such as I offer my life to you for her, she needs an emotional spark so I may guide her to a stronger power. Were I to place the young man in peril, I an certain she would see it in me. I simply ask that you endanger a boy by the name of Kant, the child could be found at World of Wonders.”

Again nearly blanking Crow out of her mind, Gail moves slowly toward where Su restlessly sleeps, her tone that of a protective Mother
“Forgive what I shall be doing on forward my dear, I do this only so you will be strong and never hurt again.” She turns toward Crow again “My life and unwavering service belongs to you. I shall grow the child strong then deliver her to you. Do the child harm, I will do everything in life and the afterlife to destroy you.”

Crow smiled wide, taping the cobra on the head. Reaching into it's eyes, he smiled at it, and began talking to the snake in a strange whisper. The cobra shivered as a large Z appeared on its back, then blinked.

"Zatro, you have your command, seek the boy, and ... do what you wish." Crow whispered out loud, then watched as it hissed before sliding out of the house, the darkened scales fading away into the darkness outside. Crow stood and picked up the sheath as Caloc fluttered over onto Crow's shoulders. He began to head to the door but paused before he left

"Make her love the darkness, love and thirst for power. As well ... don't make idle threats, they serve no good to fill empty air" Crow chuckled as he left the house, slamming the door shut hard as his chuckle echoed through the house.

[Setsa]

When: Tuesday Evening
Where: Hospital


By the time the phone was set down and not long after the always dreaded "erie silence"... Trixi was very slightly leaning against the door frame of the room, arms crossed, and a look on her face that was easy to read seeing the suits was not a good thing.

"Erebus always thinks it's something more...that's why he's here as a nosy. Disrespectful to the reigning law, son of a bitch investigator who needs to get the hell out of here ....Now..."

Moving through the opening that the subordinate suits made, to stand in almost a protective stance beside Wes, his lying son, and even Bao. The fact of the matter was still that this is Her town and They just stormed in to do as they wished with no afterthought of what anyone else have preferred otherwise. That definetly rubbed Trixi the wrong way... Then adding in her and Erebus's past into the mix, well, even those few good days long long ago couldn't out weight the current situation.

"Wes...always good to see you and your son. Bao" smiling a bit softer as it was in her nature. "Looks like your certainly seen something that got you excited..." Even with the pleasantries the ill-fated aura in the room was too much for her liking. "Erebus...may I have a word with you outside. Which involves you calling off your hounds here and give these good people some peace?"

Oh how she wished she brought her dogs along with so they could just be a pain in his ass...literally or worse..worse would have been the icing on the cake today without a doubt. Then to have Dr. Zack unable to perform surgery for a good while..surely based off the situation and little persuasion he would be glad to oblidge...

[Stryker]

Location: "World of wonder" book store.
Time: Tuesday, Early Evening


An hour passed since that weird call and Cherilyn found herself still shivering. She kept looking at the store's door, waiting for whatever monster that was calling her to appear at the front.

But no one came.

Not even customers for that matter.

Which was somewhat relieving, but not enough to make her relax completely. Even the music from the old radio was not enough to ease her mind. In the end, when she found the silence in the book store to be much of a bother, she decided to close early.

Making sure the alarm was working she twisted the keys after pressing the code to function the security system on and then she turned back and started to walk for the direction of her apartment.

Maybe she was so busy with her thoughts, or walked with her gaze down at the ground, either would explain why she hadn't noticed the person she bumped into. She flinched with a soft cry, ready to attack, before calming down once she noticed who the man was.

***********************

After the incident at the diner, Austin chose to keep a low profile in case his stunt afterwards attracted attention to any involved which there was a good chance of. He knew he should’ve waited to confront them but it was within the heat of the moment and his brain had switched to off before calling them out in front of so many people that heard what he told them and others that didn’t but knew his reputation, they would make their assumptions which would turn out to be worse.

“And why in the hell wasn’t I hurt more than I am?!” he thought to himself, wracking his brain for any sort of clues as to why all he received were a few scrapes, cuts and bruises while others were badly hurt or worse. “Doesn’t make any-“ he began before running into something, knocking him off balance.

************************

Austin was the lad’s name. He looked her age, but this whole punk look he had, gave him somewhat younger aura to him. She saw him around her store once or twice and even knew a bit about his background, but aside of that she didn't regard him as much of a threat.

She took a deep breath, calming down herself and her paranoid mind, trying to smile even when she apologized to him, "I'm sorry", she uttered while catching her breath, "Didn't see where I was walking... You okay?"

After regaining his balance he nodded towards her, “I’m fine…” he began before taking note of her appearance. She seemed disheveled and just overall exhausted a look of worry was written in her eyes as she glanced towards him.

“… but you don’t look too well.” He finished.

"Me?", taking by a surprise she tried her best to just change the subject, "Well", she chuckled, "Just one of those... Crazy days you know?".

Her response sounded a bit forced through a nervous laugh, he didn't really know whether she was nervous because of his presence or due to something else. Bottom line though, something was definitely on her mind even though she tried her best not to show it.

"Crazy day... right." he replied before looking at the newly-turned closed sign right next to another sign that showed closing hours, "I've never known this place to close up early."

"What-?!", she turned around and watched the door locked, "What this? this just... you know... slow day... better watch some T.V and get Pizza and cookies you know?", she gave another forced laugh, "Nothing too big or anything... yes yes..."

It was clear, she's hiding nervousness... or rather she's attempting to. The only question would be whether it's her nerves from meeting him face to face or something else, normally it'd be him but she'd locked up her bookstore before meeting him so now it was pretty clear that it was something else entirely.

"Listen, I don't normally stand around in the middle of the night and talk to people I don't know. The only reason I've done it this time is because I can clearly see something's wrong, but if you're going to keep telling me that nothing's bothering you then I'll just leave and let you deal with it alone, alright?" he explained rather bluntly before shoving both of his hands in his pockets and taking a step away, turning his side to her and taking a glance back towards her.

"Well, what's it going to be?"

Cherilyn sighed. Both taken aback by his persistent and the fact he was honest she found herself unable to lie or push him away. He was around and she knew that right now she wasn't ready to be left alone yet, "I think... I think some weirdo's trying to stalk me... I know it's crazy as hell... but...", she took a deep breath, "I have no idea what's going on, or who is that guy is, just happened today you know? I was walking back to the store... and felt like someone was on my tail... and then got this weird phone call...", she shook her head, "Feels like ever since that fire in the restaurant that things started to go really crazy you know?"

After hearing her explanation, he narrowed his eyes and looked away from her before giving off a long sigh and turning back to face her. It shocked him that what she was saying... he could fully relate to. He'd felt something was off around town ever since the explosion but he couldn't put his finger on it, whether it had something to do with that or the incident at the docks he'd had with Bao and her gruff friend.

"Honestly, I'd felt the same way all day... like something's in the air." he told her before folding his arms.

He then took a glance on his phone which had been silent for the last few hours meaning that nothing was going on worth worrying about. "So what happens now?"

"Well... Where are you heading next?", she dropped her gaze and played a bit with her feet before looking up at him, a crimson line all over her face, "See... I don't usually do that... Me acting mighty and rough you know? Probably since my stupid ex dumped me, I got the feelings that all the guys are bastards and a girl gotta take care of herself and stuff... and yeah, I'm too honest for my own good here", she chuckled, "But the thing is... I'm scared... so... like... you know... maybe walking a bit with someone will ease me?", she smiled, "I really want to hear more on what you're thinking about the whole 'something in the air' thing, if you don't mind", she shook her head, "Because... well... I get the feelings it will be something I can relate to... and dunno... talking helps... I guess?"

"Damnit..." he thought to himself once he heard her basically ask if he could escort her to her home. He knew he shouldn't but he also could tell that it took a lot for her to say what she did seeing as she had the reputation of being so strong-minded and not liking to rely on others.

"Well, let's go then, I don't have anything that I really need to do tonight." he replied before walking back to her and stopping about a foot from her.

"Thank you so much for this, I owe you big time!", she smiled while sending her arm for him to shake her hand, "The name is Cherilyn", she said, properly introducing herself.

Her smaller hand sat extended toward him as he continued to get a bad feeling that maybe this all wasn't a good idea... but it was too late for those thoughts now.

"I'm sure you know mine, Austin. " he replied before taking her hand in his and shaking it gently before shoving it back into his pants pocket to match his other one which had taken up residence just before it. "So where do you live?"

"Not far, just two blocks away", she nodded and they started walking. After few moments it was Cherilyn to speak again, "So... I get it you heard about the fire at Jackie's... Come to think of it I actually think I saw you there... or so..."

"Yeah, I was there though I'd say it was more of an explosion than just a fire." he told her as they walked along, not really making eye contact. "Seems like quite a few people were there actually."

"Indeed", Cherilyn smiled, "But who can blame them when Doc. Zac said all the drinks were his treat so...", she laughed before she paused in silence, "... You think there is more to it?... I mean... Maybe someone did set it up.... And come to think of it... there were indeed a lot of people...", she thought about the man who was lurking after her, "... Just weird you know..."

"Weird isn't the word I would've used for the current situation," he answered before messing around on his phone.

"Oh?", she wanted to ask but allowed him to take few steps ahead and call whoever that he needed to.

He didn't want her to know, but he'd called for three guys to watch them on their way home to make sure nobody was following them. The last thing he needed to happen was to get jumped with her and have to protect her as well as himself from the attacker(s).

"So...", once he closed his phone she looked at him and asked, "What kind of word would you have used for this situation and why?"

"Don't know exactly a specific word, but the whole situation seems... off... Like there's something going on that we're being caught up in just by chance." he explained before taking his left hand out of his pocket, "Too many things have been going on in my opinion lately for things to be just 'weird'."

Cherilyn hummed softly, "Maybe we are...". She stopped then suddenly looking around at a small house of five floors, "This is my stop... I thank you for the company, Austin. If you care... I would like to continue our talk...", she blushed, "I feel like... I feel like you are right... more than you think you are", she bite her lips hoping he wouldn't think of her words as some lame effort to hit on him, no matter how enjoyable was he to her that night. She really took interest in his words aside of his company.

"Geez..." he thought, masking his emotions. Truth be told he didn't really have anywhere else he needed to be and this would keep him off the street and out of trouble while keeping an eye on his phone in case something did decide to happen, so he didn't really have much issue with it aside from not wanting to get involved with something or someone.

"Nothing really else to do... So I guess." he replied with a nod of his head.

"Wonderful!", She said and he watched her as she dug into her bag, taking out her apartment keys and opening the door.

************************

Cherilyn's place was the usual small bachelor apartment, luckily the bedroom was separated, but the kitchen and the living room were still in same location, although the hall was long enough to pass through.

She waited for Austin to sit down as she poured him some cola in a huge red mug that usually was more fitting for beer. For some reason the place seemed like something he thought to see from someone like her. It wasn't exactly too tidy, but it wasn't THAT messy like either. It felt like a typical student place, with a bit more mother's touch to it. There were some pills of dishes in the sink, and the laundry machine was making horrible noises. Once she slammed the bathroom door and the noises were hushed somewhat, she sat down beside him, taking deep breath as she tried to think what to say next, "Look... Someone like me ain't the sort of person to look down at coincidences. If something's bothering me, it has to have some important meaning...".

"My friend Lina, told me the other day she felt like something was going off around the place, and Lina is far more rational than myself... but she has this... sight to her, you see... I'm always careful with her words...", Cherilyn took another deep breathes, "God... You probably think I'm weird... Well... weirder than what I think people normally think I am, that is", she chuckled before sending her hands around her neck and presenting to him the blue pendent that was hidden under her shirt, "I got this from my grandfather when I was born, but it shone brighter the day I took over his store of 'world of wonders'... that was like five years ago... Back then I broke up with my Ex, and I really needed the cash to have my own place and take my mind off things...".

She smiled softly and then shook her head, "I wish I hadn't taken over the store...", she sighed, "This going to sound so weird to you, and it's... You know... Something I didn't tell anyone... But I think these books in my store... are more than what they seem to be... I understood it the moment I realized some titles were presented in this town alone... And were... never printed elsewhere...", she looked into his eyes, "It's not a coincidence... There was these series of books that a young woman named Bao found fitting to her, the moment she found it in the store...", she got up and placed five different books near him, "This", she pointed at a torn book, "Explain the story about a princess and two knights from enemies kingdom that wanted her for themselves... I always figured this had something to do with my friend Lina", she started to shiver, "This... are poems of tactic and battle formations... I always felt like it had something to do with me...", she licked her lips as she slowly pushed two books at Austin's direction, "This one... explain the events of nameless brave solider...", she swallowed, "Don't ask me how or why... But I feel like this has something to do with you...", she quickly looked up at the clock in her wall, it was rather late, but she couldn't help not pushing another book at him, "I found this today... right after the silly stalker phone call...", the cover was of a snake rising from burning flames, "I couldn't help not thinking of the fire at Jackie's....", she looked up to him, "When you saw me so fearful... It was because of this...".

"So you think all of these books have something to do with people you've met in this town?" he asked, not really believing it but feeling like he'd been roped in too far to start an argument now when he could, just as easily, avoid it by going along with her. Truth be told he agreed that something fishy was going on... but this girl... she was beginning to think of all sorts of things that had never and would never cross Austin's mind, even in his wildest dreams.

"Yes", she licked her lips, "I don't even know why... or can give you reasonable ideas as to why...", she gently pushed the book for Austin direction, "Take it home, read it when you have time, and after you do...", she took a deep breath, "If you see some more visions... or ideas... or even dreams.... Let me know....", she shook her head and smiled, "You are the first person I ever talk to about this... I don't know why... but I trust you...", she pulled another book in her direction, "Remember that I told you that I felt this one was talking about myself? Well, in some chapters there is closeness and descriptions of tales that comes from the book I just gave to you... So maybe the fact that I trust you as a person has more to do with it.. who knows...", she laughed.

"Thank you for escorting me today, Austin", she nodded, "I really owe you for that."

"Don't worry about it, I would've felt like an asshole if I hadn't." he replied while picking up the book she was talking about.

"That only proves you are a wonderful person, Austin", she smiled, "Thank you".

"That's stretching it a bit but I appreciate it, thanks."

After responding he glanced at the book in his hands before taking a long sigh and looking up towards her once more, "So now what?"

"I don't know...", A silence took place before she pulled herself closer to him, "Tell me more about yourself, Austin"

With the question came a sigh that seemed to find a way through Austin's lips, he had hoped that she wouldn't start asking questions like this and that once she was home he could hopefully leave, but it was becoming more and more obvious that this was not the case at all.

"What would you like to know?"

"Well, I told you a little about myself. How about you? What can you tell me about yourself?", she smiled again.

"There's hardly anything to know about me that I'm sure you don't already know thanks to my reputation." he answered before motioning to his right bicep and the black armband that resided across it to signify his involvement with his gang.

"I lead the Dollars, the law isn't really a big fan of mine and I have no family as of three years ago." he stated rather bluntly.

She reached her hands over his arms, without waiting for him to approve, slowly gazing and exploring with her hands, without realizing it could have been counted as rude behavior from her side. But she was just too curious for her own good, "Well, I'm not found of rumors... I like to hear the tales directly...", she smiled, still gazing at the symbol, "I like it... Your own design?

"Where's this going, Cherilyn?" he asked bluntly.

Before tonight they hadn't known each other and now she was holding his arms and complimenting him on an armband, "Is this some kind of sting operation with the police or something because all of this is starting to feel really weird."

The woman just frowned. A bit insulted. She shook her head and answered simply, "No".

A moment pause for her to shift her eyes and looked away. Maybe it was her worst way to try and get to know someone, but he shouldn't have been that rude...

Then again, with a past like his...

"I'm sorry... I just... wanted to talk is all...", she smiled softly, "You are free to leave if you wish to..."

"Talking's fine, but this touching and feelings stuff goes to the back of the line in terms of interests with me." he explained. "If you still feel like that guy or whatever it is that's stalking you might follow you here then I'll stay, but if you feel safe enough on your own I'll head on out."

"I understand", she smiled, "I feel rather safe... So I'll let you go...", she smiled again, "But if the chances happen... let us talk again... maybe about this book I gave you too?"

He saw her smile and nodded back to her before rising to his feet and turning towards the front door, "We'll see where things take us when it comes to that, though I am curious about this.".

"Sounds good to me", she walked him to the door, "Good night, Austin."

"Night, Cherilyn" he responded before walking out the door and into the nighttime air, no sooner had he stepped foot on the sidewalk... His phone rang.

[Kris]

Location: Hospital
Time: Tuesday Evening



"Erebus...may I have a word with you outside. Which involves you calling off your hounds here and give these good people some peace?"

"Lead the way, Deputy".

It was a tuneless gesture as Erebus walked slowly for the edges of the room, but Trixi knew him long enough to know he was mocking her title and rank. Turning his back to her he led the way outside, nodding softly to his men that he wished to be alone and they glared back in return, knowing full well that they should stay inside and watch over Bao and Wes.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/images/p20-to-p21/p213-1-jpg.jpg

Once outside he turned to her again, waiting for her to talk.

[Setsa]

Location: Hospital, St. Patrick's Pub
Time: Tuesday Evening

Trixi looked at Erebus's expression, not pleased with it as just one more thing seemed to go into her "pissed off" pile.

"What the hell are you doing here Ereb?! This is my jurisdiction and you could have at least fucking informed me ahead of time, you're intent to come here!" The woman said in restrained tones of voice so no others could hear their conversation all too well.

Her eyes showed her emotions as her lips turned more red as blood filled the lushed lips more from increased blood pressure. Waiting for his response with some testosteroned empowered made up bull-shit that he probably devised on the way over.

"It's a special case, Trista", he hummed, clearly avoiding eye-contact. There was still some kind of tingling sensation when he was around her; He cared little if it was a sexual arousal or just a boiling anger, but the fact that she still had some strong effect on him put him in a very discomforting position which he tried to avoid. Disadvantage against her was not an option, "Trust me, I would have stayed clear of this town if I could have helped it".

When she gave him a look of doubt he just smiled, "Well, bluntly putting it, I would say your section is slacking... But that's not the reason I'm here". He shook his head, taking out a recent picture of Austin Vickers, "I'm here for this guy".

"Yea well minimum staffed does wonders Mr. High and Mighty" she said with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Then taking hold with her finger tips the wallet sized picture of a local resident. "Austin? What about him? Yea he causes trouble but nothing that should have brought your attention around here. What?.." Looking up into his eyes trying to read by his expressions what he may or may not be telling with words. "You think he has something to do with what happened at the Diner? Pretty sure he was there as a victim but it was crowded there that day."

Trixi was now trying to remember everything she had seen earlier that day at the diner, handing back the photo that most likely was zoomed in from a satellite view or something of the sort.

"There have been much of strange reports lately. I've been trying to hunt this kid for some time now. He's slippery and the crimes made by his names are just adding up, Trista, and not in a nice way. He is running a local gang, drugs deals, and a lot of strange events going on with his name. I don't care if he IS behind it, or not. I just want to take off the snake's head. That will be enough to handle his little gang and crimes... And I'm really doubtful he is just another victim like the-!"

"Excuse me sir".

Both Trixi and Erebus turned around and noticed one of his men standing by the door, "We're busy here, James".

"I know, sir", the policeman apologized, reaching out his cell-phone, "But it's rather urgent".

Grumbling, Erebus picked up the phone, "Yes... What is it...?". His eyes went out of focus for few moments before his eyebrows linked together in frustration, "When...?", he took a deep breath, listening to the conversation, "Yeah... Yeah... Okay, I'll be right there", Erebus hung up, handing the phone back to James, "I'm sorry Trista. I need to leave now".

"Hmm now how does this seem familiar..? You, me having an important conversation and you having to leave with no reason as to why. Hmmnh least I let you know why I had to go and made it up later." Shaking her head Trixi looked at him squared in the eyes, "do what you have to...but you report to the local authorities got it? Like - you're - suppose - too. Clear?"

Not even wanting him to answer something sly back the woman turned around and went back into her friend's room, only opening the door making the gesture for Wes to call her later before heading out. She needed a drink, or two....and though she rarely drank besides some wine or a good beer with dinner. This night would be the exception. Making her way out of the hospital; with very little conversation to those she passed. Soon getting into her suv and only minutes later opening the door to a local spot that had a sign above the door frame reading. "St. Patrick's Pub."

( A Setsa and Kris Co-op Creation )

[Wattz]

Time: Tuesday, Late Evening
Date: Hospital

Duke had thrown himself out of bed the moment the nurse left. He found his clothes next to his bedside and got dressed, wincing in pain with every movement, but he knew better than to stay here. He had no insurance, and was sure that they had already called his emergency contact.

The last thing he needed was to see Addie again.

He made his way into the hallway with care, being quick to move forward rather than waste time. Duke thought about finding Bao, but he remembered the look in her eyes, the nails digging into his skin, then wondered if it was really worth it at this point. He’d left her behind many times before, always winding up right next to her again. Duke didn’t know if he was willing to go through this psychotic breakdown with her. With any luck, the bullshit would pass within a few days.

But luck was not on his side, for right down the hallway he saw his ex-wife walking down the hallway with a nurse. Her fried-blonde hair and her stiff gait were impossible to miss. Duke turned abruptly with a group of people getting into an elevator. He kept to the back of the crowd, but didn’t realize the elevator was going up instead of down. Any distance was needed. Any distance at all.

It took all of his willpower to not push himself out to the front of the elevator, though his hands shook violently with the need to remove himself from the stuffy crowd. Had she seen him? Was her hand moving to point? Did she mouth his name? Duke’s paranoia left his heart beating strong in his chest, so much that he was sure he’d have a heart attack. Finally out of the elevator, he made his way down the hallway, searching for a sign marked with stairs. Instead, he heard the sound of three voices, one of which was familiar.

Looking around the corner, he saw Bao standing with three men in suits and that one guy from the docks….

Duke flung himself inside of a storage closet.

* * *

Bao had to stop herself from itching her arms. She had felt a furious pain in her arms again when she lied to that Erebus fellow, but luckily he’d left to go find that Trixi woman. Even now, she still felt the itch, remembering the strange spikes that came up out of her skin when she’d told her lies, but thankfully this seemed to have subsided for the moment. Itching right now would have made her look guilty in front of these three lackies of Erebus’s. Composure was everything in crafting a good lie.

But even more crucial at this moment was the fact that she saw Duke disappeared just as quickly as she'd seen him, a good long distance down the hallway. Hopefully no one else had seen him.

She smiled at the three men, shrugging her shoulders. She quickly rubbed her arms together to help relieve some of the itch. “Guess we’ll have to wait, then? How long do you think this will take?”

[Kris]

Date: Tuesday
Time: Evening
Location: hospital

"Probably your lucky day", Erebus taunted back, without a hint of a smile on his face, or even a slight amusement sounds in his voice. He glared at Wes, and then back at Bao, with cold icy glare, "I got my eyes on you", he announced.

Marking for the three officers to follow him, Bao realized that the Inspector was called elsewhere...


****************

Few Hours later

****************


Date: Wednesday
Time: 01:30 AM
Location: Outskirts of town, crime site


http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2009/10/29/1256812992855/Crime-scene-001.jpg



"So... what do we have here?"

Inspector Erebus Smith felt the rough cold of the night hitting against his sunken cheeks. He seemed to be much more bothered by it, than by the mark engraved on the floor, symbolizing the location of a found dead body, or by the heavy red and blue lights coming forth from the police's cars and the ambulances.

"... I was called just few hours ago to find an escapee by the name of Jefferson Wayles, and there you have him, dead body and all... How convenient... poor Jeff", The sarcasm in Erebus's voice was clear as day light, "What happened?"

"We got an eye-witness, saying she saw two women, one of them Asian looking, driving off with the guy...".

"That's not answering my question... What happened? I was sent to find a run-away, not a body... Speaking of which, where is the body"

"In the lab for an autopsy..."

"Well... you were quick about it... What? no need for formal files or anything of the like?", Erebus chuckled, "Not that I can blame his mother if she want to abuse his body after death... considering his records...-"

"Inspector..."

"-I heard he punchered her lung-.... What?"

"Okay, look, we know it's not the normal procedure to wrap things up so quickly but..."

"But...?"

The paramedic sighed, "The blood in the scene was unnatural..."

"Oh?"

"It was all over... As if he was torn to shards in several different places..."

"Yeah, murders tends to get messy..."

"NO!", the paramedic cried, and Erebus saw the terror in his eyes.

"Calm down! deep breaths!".

The paramedic sighed once again.

"What happened there, Thomas?".

There was a long pause before the paramedic spoke again, "It's a top classified issue, Inspector. I'm not sure they want you on this case or not...".

"Tell me!"

Another pause.

"Tell me now Thomas!", Erebus gripped the young's man shoulder tightly. There was a faint glow in the cold eyes that sought answers, "Tell me...".

Thomas dropped his hands to both sides, feeling the pressure under his shoulder, unable to look away from the Inspector's eyes, "The body... was intact...".

Erebus titled his head in a surprise, "What do you mean?"

"Just that... The body was found in a perfect shape... no cuts... nothing... As if he was sleeping...", another long pause, "Not just that... The blood doesn't match... yet... it is him... How the hell can another person look so much like him?!".

"So you are actually running a DNA test?"

The paramedic nodded.

Erebus let go of the young man, "Okay then... good job...", he turned around and started to walk for the dark road ahead, "Try to find those two women that were with him... Maybe they know something..."

"Hey! Where are you going?", cried Thomas after him, "Hey!".



***


This was very frustrating... All that Erebus could do was wonder around and try to set his thoughts back on track.

But there were just too many strange events going on...

Walking ahead, as if pulled by some magical force... the Inspector wandered into the night...

Maybe hoping to find some answers in the darkness?

[Koti~]

Location: A back road from the city
Time: 2 am
Crow seemed to materialize from out of nowhere, his smile set and demented. His clothes were still dark, silent as the night around him as though he had been cut from the inky black and given the face of a human. A pair of red eyes glowed as Caloc alighted on his shoulders, following the walking man as he pulled away from the grove of trees. A dagger slid out of his cloak and appeared in his hands and followed him

“Good morning… inspector.” Crow whispered as he had caught up with the man, his voice echoing oddly in the darkness. The man turned around, a quick flash of something crossing his face but remaining calm. Crow chuckled at this and backed up a bit, his smile still rather dark.

“Ah, a bit jumpy, aren’t you. It’s not like I had planned anything” Crow said, twirling the dagger in his hand. He chuckled some as the man’s hand traveled towards his belt

“State your name!” The man shouted out, drawing his pistol though keeping it pointed at the ground. Crow spoke not a word and advanced forward, seeming to glide across the ground.

“That isn’t needed sir, other than… you are something.. I need. But for now… sleep…” Crow said, speaking a few quick words as the mans eyes rolled back up into his head. Crow snickered and plucked the gun up and stored it into his pocket. Pulling a rope out of his pocket he tied the man up, chuckling some as he lifted him up. The duplicate body he had left at the lake had worked wonders.

“Come on Caloc… time to go. We have some work to do.” He chuckled as three corpse like bodies rose from the woods to carry off the man into the darkness, Crow following along with.


Location: An alleyway in the city
Time: Wednesday Morning 2:45 am

Heavy footsteps headed after him, and he did nothing to adjust his pace, keeping an easy gate. An arm grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him forcibly, though nothing came of it. The man glanced in fear at the pure black cobra now wrapping itself around his waist. Crow stepped out of the man’s reach carefully, keeping his free hand wrapped around the kids soulless body, his thin fingers holding the girl lightly by her shoulders.

“Ba…bastard! What did you do to her, and why do you want my Eileen!” The girl’s father bellowed in rage, the snake’s steel like flesh and scales keeping him from racing forward and slugging the old looking man in front of him. Crow smiled and bent down, whispering something into the girls ear, and sent her off with a reassuring pat on the head, still smilling as he advanced towards the man.

“Wait, Eileen, don’t lea-!” His voice stopped short as a dagger was now pressed against his jugglar, making him shake more. His arms bound by the rather large and unnatural snake and the strange man staring at him made him shake worse than a leaf in a thunderstorm

“Fear not good sir, your daughter… has been chosen for a very specific purpose. She will help bring a very important man to this place and time. She has. .. I mean, had a very bright soul, and she is still a virgin, which is rather hard to find now a-days. So as you can see, my pickings are quite”

“You sick fuck! What the hell do you plan to do to her you damn pedofile! I won’t let you get away with this! The cops will find and drag your ass off to!” Once again the man’s voice was silenced, but this time by the pressure of fangs against his neck. Crow just snickered at the man.

“You think your primitive police force will be able to do anything against me? I have done deeds that would make a grown man like you weak in the knees. And don’t worry, your daughter will be kept fine as I carve her body very carefully. Just be lucky you only had one child, or I might have taken them both.” Crow smiled at the man, watching as the man’s face twisted into a mix of white and red, from fear and rage. He began to struggle in vein against the snake holding him in place. Just before it struck, Crow held up a hand, causing the mutant snake to vanish back into a steel pipe, falling to the floor as the man charged forward.

“Zeual Ete Repizo levet!” Crow whispered as he made a small cut on his palm. The blood instantly boiled rapidly as shadows seemed to twist around it. The man, not even paying attention raised his fist to strike. He hurled what would be a near jaw breaking punch, was stopped mere inches from Crow’s nose, his entire body shaking as shadow like tendrils extended from his hand and entwined around the man, rendering him weak and sick as a two day old pup. Crow pulled out a dagger and a three vials from his pocket, smiling evilly.

“What….what are you!!” The man howled silently in pain as the dagger sunk into his flesh, a tunnel syphoning blood into a vial. Crow completed this three more times, filling the vials and leaving the dagger in for the third time, allowing the man’s blood to trickle out slowly onto the ground.

“I .. am what people fear most. As well, your blood will be quite useful to have around, so I’ll borrow some. And for you …. Well, it would be a shame to leave you just lying here. Eletenra Selvato Esuta” Crow whispered, twisting the dagger sharply while yanking it out of his body. The man fell backwards into a pile, blood pooling as his visage slowly changed to that of a man meant to be dead. Crow smiled at the near perfect image of Erebus, with three rather large stab wounds in his chest. Crow walked off, corking the vials and following after the girl.

Elsewhere-

A black king cobra slithered through the grass, the morning sun glinting off the rather odd Z on its back as it crept up to the house of Kant, it’s black eyes staring with the desire to main and infect, destroy and …

…FEED…

[Mysteria]

Wednesday Morning.
Lina's House.


With Zack now gone, Lina began her morning. She'd kissed the doctor goodbye and watched as he wheeled his car out of the drive. As she began to dress, first having poured a second cup of coffee, she flipped her phone on and saw the text message come in.

"Gotta see you, I'm worried about stuff" It was Cherri. Lina slipped her jeans on, and tossed a sweater over her head and with her blue tooth on dialed her best friends number, waiting for Cherri to answer. When she heard Cherri's voice she immediately grew concerned.

"Cherri, what's going on, what's wrong?"

"LINA!", was the first thing Cherilyn uttered when she heard her best friend. There was great pause of silence, before she continued, "You are well, right? No one...tried to hurt you or anything last night, right?", and before Lina could add something, Cherilyn said, "I got this... weird phone call the other day... And... dunno... It got me worried...."

"Cherri, calm down!" Lina exclaimed through the phone. "I'm fine." There was a pause as Lina tried to find the words to speak next. Cherri was obviously already upset, Lina would wait to tell her what all was happening when she saw her so she said in a very calm voice "Some stranger was bothering Zack and I, but it's okay." Her voice softened then as she flipped on the morning news.

"Now why don't you just calm down and we can meet up and talk about this, okay?"

Stranger was bothering Lina... Not good..

"Sure", Cherilyn said slowly, trying to hide her fear, "Listen, there's been strange report in the news, something about some even going on near your place, I dunno why, but I kinda want to go there.... maybe you'd like to snap some pictures there? I'll meet you up near the edges of town".

"Strange reports in the news?" Lina said, turning to mute button off so she might catch any breaking news. Just then a murder near her house was being talked about on the news.

"Sure Cherri, I'll meet you at the corner of Roswell and Vine in about thirty minutes."

Lina went into her bedroom, coffee cup in hand and flipped the tv on, still listening for the latest development as she brushed her hair out. She pulled a long skirt out of her closet and a warm sweater, dressing quickly and pulling on a pair of knee high leather boots.

Stopping only long enough to feed the animals as they rubbed around her ankles, then grab her camera she headed out the door pulling it shut behind her and making certain to lock it. As Roswell and Vine was only two blocks over, Lina decided to walk since it was nice out and see what she could capture on film. As she near the corner where the murder had happened she felt unusually odd as though someone or something were watching her. She even thought she heard the sound of a crow and she looked around half expecting to see the eerie red eyed crow she had seen before.

There was no crow yet Lina couldn't shake the feeling that she were being watched despite there were several people on the street, all apparently going to look at the same thing she was meeting Cherri for.

“Curse those fou *hic~*” Alex swore before he leaned against the wall, his head spinning as though the world had been turned on end. An angry scowl crossed his face as he pushed off the nearby wall and continued to stumble around. He had found a bar near his loves house, and learning that he could make a contract for repayment later, he had bribed the man into allowing a man by Zachary to repay the debt. He smirked at his supposed victory

“That’ll teach that sodden bastard~” Alex slurred while stumbling onwards, his goal to be Lina’s house. After that man had closed the curtains in the house, he had wandered off, unable to do anything as breaking in would scare the girl… his girl!

“Curse you to all damnations of the 7th hells!” Alex shouted into the air, startling a group out of their rather leisurely stroll. He looked at the couple with venom in his drunken stupor, his mind hazily recalling that day, the one where he…

“Lina!” Alex said loudly, though the woman barely had reacted. She was alone! No Zachary, or whatever that damn puppet of that bastard was named. To him, she seemed distracted and followed her at a pace, keeping her in sight while hiding behind nearby objects. He trailed her, his mind trying to think of ways to approach her. If he didn’t do something soon, he might lose her, and permanently lose her.

“No, I cannot`… Lina!” Alex lurched out into the open as they neared a corner, joining the flow of a rather large group. He lurched forward and soon closed the distance, using the flow of the crowd to get close to her.

“Rosaline, please don’t leave me!” Alex said, his hand grabbing her roughly by the shoulder as he stumbled, his mind heading back to the day he had promised his life to her.

…The Past…

“Alexander, please don’t return to that fight” Rosaline begged him, pulling on the sleeve of his tunic. Smiling, he pulled her into a reassign hug and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. He tousled her hair happily

“Don’t worry, I would never leave you. Please, my love. I shall retu…” His voice was silenced as Rosaline kissed him, a bit of worry in her eyes. He sighed and hugged her again, the cold of his metal pressing against her bosom as they held each other together. She was pleading again, and he held her, to let her whisper and beg.


“Shh, my sweet Rosa, I will return safe. I will make you a promise. When I come back, I will make you my bride. No matter where I go, I will always be in your heart.” Alexander said, kissing her gently on the lips as she smiled wide at him. He patted her head and adjusted his weapon on his side. With another kiss to the lips, he left her resting in bed, a smile on her face, and worry in her eyes



“Please, remember. I know you can” He forced out, pulling her closer, as one who pulls a lover in.
~~


“You may now kiss the bride” Alex happily followed suit, sweeping her into a full embraced kiss as the gathering cheered in this happy moment. He had finally returned from the war front, and was dressed in the best of finery they could afford, though Rosaline was a different story. Dressed in silk white, she was the picture of perfection to him. The soft pearls rested against the skin of her neckline, leading to a well hidden, yet still shown cleavage. He smiled as he sat her down, kissing her along the way as his hand lifted up the hem of her shirt; his rough and calloused fingers brushing along her skin as the others looked on in joy. He found the hem of her garter, then continued to run upwards to brush against the cottony undergarments, resulting in a chiding from her end. He pulled back his hand and slipped the garter off her legs and pulled it off. Pulling it down and showcased it to the cheering crowds of their close friends and family as they smiled happily.

He smiled at her, feeling like the happiest man alive.

~~
“I don’t want to lose you to him”
~~

“I won’t!” She screamed at him, tears crossing her face. She pounded against his armored chest, though he did nothing to stop it. He only comforted her.

“Please, you must know. I know you don’t want to, but…we have little chance of winning in the long run. With that bastard of a warlock Crow and that tormentor Zackary please, just go with this plan… I will find you again, and we will be together. Just.. stay safe.” He spoke softly with her, kissing her on the forehead as he led her to the bed before placing her on it. Kissing her softly, he left the room, closing and locking it as she tried to follow. He leaned against the door and listened to her sob, though he knew this was right. He loved her, and no one would harm her, even if it meant sending her to the future.
~~

“Please, remember…” Alex finished, pulling her in more.

Lina fidgeted her hands in front of her as she walked towards the designated spot where she was to meet Cherri. The feeling that she was being watched lingered and Lina would find out why when she neared the corner that she needed to turn down when she felt a hand wrapping around her shoulder and she spun to face the voice that had just called her name. When the man came into view Lina cowered back, recoiling from him but his grasp remained upon her.

Lina gasped as something she could only describe as a movie reel began to play out in front of her eyes. A movie reel where the stars appeared to be her and the stranger flitted in front of her eyes in black and white. And although the man was certainly a stranger to the petite young woman, his touch upon her skin did not feel strange. The reel seemed to play in slow motion in front of her eyes, each frame presenting itself and reaching into the deep recesses of her mind. The events that she saw felt familiar to her despite the fact that she'd never seen the man before the other day. They felt almost as familiar to her as his touch upon her shoulder did.

The brunette froze, her mouth had opened to scream but nothing came out. She stood staring at him, unable to move, to speak, to do anything but watch as visions of her and him flashed through her mind. Just like the last vision, once again she saw herself in his arms only this time she was crying and he appeared to be dressed in some strange clothing prepared for war. Lina took a step back but did not pull away from him. Her emerald eyes scanned him rather curiously. She didn't feel fear of him but she was so confused she didn't think that she could possibly be thinking straight either.

"Who are you?" Lina demanded of him rather strongly and then she remembered that this stranger had just used a name very similar to the doctor, and her lover, Zack. Her voice softened then as she tilted her head "I don't...." her voice faltered as she hesitated for the briefest of moments "You...how do I know you?" Lina hadn't said do I know you. She'd asked how she knew him because she was certain that at some level this man was someone that she should know, she just couldn't remember. She only knew that he was one of the few people who had come in contact with her ski, that hadn't made her feel ill. Her eyes darted back and forth "I...I don't understand."

“That’s right, you do know me. We were married, in the past. That is where you came from, our past. The war is over, but even now the enemy still moves on. Please, I cannot lose you. I know you can see our memories; you have the power to do so. It might have been pushed down since the warp, but still, you can remember. Please…. Maybe this will help.” With that, he pulled her close.

His lips pressed against hers as he pulled her in. Strong alcohol after taste was present at first, but soon passed by as he relaxed against her.

"Married..." Lina began to pull away from him as her mind flooded with the words he was saying. "Past...war...power...warp.." She wanted to scream at him to shut up. She needed time to think about what was happening but she did not receive that time. Instead the man who she now smelled alcohol on pulled her to him and his lips found hers. Despite the alcohol taste, something felt very familiar to her and for a split second she didn't resist then suddenly she pulled back away from him.

Her head began to shake back and forth as her body visibly began to tremble.

"I...I don't know you." Her words did little to convince herself that they were even true but she spat them out as she looked around the crowd for a friendly face but found none.

"Rosa" He'd called her Rosa. Her name was Rosaline, her friends called her Lina but even hearing him say the name Rosa had felt familiar to her. Too much about this stranger felt familiar to her and she began to become confused.

She started to plead with the stranger then "Please, just leave me alone..please.."

"HEY!", Cherilyn has popped up right from around the corner, seeing her friend looking so upset and unsettled was more than enough to make her realize that something was wrong. She gazed at Alex, "What's going on?"


Lina heard Cherri’s voice in a fog and felt herself being pulled away from the man. Lina’s eyes moved from Cherri back to the man and a lump rose in her throat in a moment of some type of recognition.

“Alexander?” Lina had barely said the word above a whisper, but it was enough that the stranger would realize that Lina was beginning to remember.

[Setsa]

Time: Wednesday Morning- 7am
Where: Trista's House


*Whine whine ...pant pant pant pant. Lick * Thor was laying on the right of Trixi in her bed trying to wake up his mistress. Maxum sniffing at her ear before lashing out a few wet licks of his own. "Mmmnh....nnnn.... Alright alright boys I'm up I'm up." The woman had a headache soon as she sat up with a fair but not great memory of having quite a few drinks at the pub last night and a good neighbor who happened to be there. Drive her home and hand her the keys to the suv after she go inside and went off to his own house. Thank god for good neighbors was all she could think about, making a mental note to bake up some banana nut bread for him and his sweet wife as a thank you.

Looking into the mirror at the site of herself with hair all over from tossing and turning. She pressed palm to temple letting out a small groan. "Erebus or not I'm not drinking like that again unless its worth celebrating with others." After letting the dogs outside to do their business and stepping into the steaming hot shower to get ready for a day at work. Her cell phone went unnoticed as the little red light continued to flash with a new voicemail stored inside. It wasn't until after she was fully dressed in uniform that she flipped open the phone and while taking some extra strength pain killers; seeing it was from Erebus's cellphone she listened to what she missed while sleeping the scotch off.

" Trixi?... It's... It's Su, oh god...I, I know this is the Inspector's phone... " There was a pause where all she could hear was whimpering. Something not like her at all which raised a high level of concern for the deputy. Su's voice was so high pitched and shaky she had to listen hard to make sure she caught every word.

"He....in the alley.. I was just walking on my own business I SWEAR! He came...he wouldn't stop! I kept screaming! Then..I had to Trixi! I took from...holster and...and..." The woman just sprayed out the last of her water all over her kitchen sink when the last few words were heard. "He's dead Trixi! Dead! Oh god p-leease help..help me! You know me... I wouldn't do such a thing!!"

.............click................"End of message if you would like to.."

Trixi closed her phone, her eyes as wide as a deer in headlights as she tried to make sense of what Su was saying. The inspector dead? Advancing at Su Lin without stopping?! Something was wrong...very wrong... Whistling sharply for the dogs as she fastened her on duty officer belt on. Her cellphone rang soon as she closed the back up with two very excited dogs inside. "Deputy here... Yes sir...is he really?.... Right I'm on my way.... No, no I'll talk to Su today...yea..bye." Flipping the sirens on the police suv Trixi floored the pedal as they raced off. Hoping as she made tight turns around corners that she'd get to least hit that dammed red eyed bird that been freaking people out. "This all just blew into high hell was all she could think of to describe the last 24 hours!!"

Speeding past the hospital she shaked her head back to sane-ville. Wanting to talk to Wes about all that just happened after this as he seemed the only one man that made her feel herself the past few days. By the time the vehicle pulled into her parking space at the Sheriff's office; the dogs were barking up a storm. Beco ming their own siren for those who may think of doing bad things within ear shot. Walking at a very brisk pace down to the south wing of the building where the crime lab and autopsy were at. There was still a glimmer of hope within her...if the past few days showed her anything. It was that she could somehow heal others if he was still alive...even a slivver...maybe..just maybe she could.

The doors quietly slid open to allow her inside after relaying a hand signal to her two best dogs to stay back. Not needing a liver going missing or dog hair to taint any evidence, this was one place they were rarely allowed. An older man, in his 50's with almost a full head of grey turned to notice who had just entered. Seeing her eyes somewhat still bloodshot, and rapid breathing from those lips and hair tie holding her tight braid not of regulation... He was one of details and knew that she was in a hurry this morning..and that she knew... "Trixi..." embracing her in a tight hug before letting go with a soft nod. "Erik....is he?'.." The older man gave another nod, taking her arm to link around his as he led her down to the autopsy room, waving his assistant to stay behind and keep to what they were doing before hand. A dear friend of her parents he was an uncle to her and treasured as such for his wisdom and compassion towards the woman.

Walking into the autopsy room there were several bodies covered in medical sheets. Going to the one furthest to the left the man took a deep breath before pulling back the covers. Revealing a man who appeared to be Erebus with three stab wounds to the chest. Dead. "Oh god....oh god...." Not wasting any time she touched his now cleaned up chest and closed her eyes for a moment finding that same feeling of warmth and powered glow that she had the past few times. Wanting to heal him she now searched for his body's heart beat...pulse..anything she could link too but...nothing... Dead, dark, cold to the bone was all she got back in return.

"Come on....fight dam you....give me something!!" Trixi said as her voice started to shake, tears welling up as she looked at the motionless body for any sign of life. "Trixi dear....he's dead...what are you trying to do hun?" "I....I can heal...I've done it several times the past few days.... I thought if he was still here by a strand maybe I could..." Her hands were glowing on his chest but nothing happened still, slowly the man beside her took her hands into his to stop it. Feeling the rush of warmth channeling from her to him briefly. "By the gods....Trixi you...its miraculous but..he's still..." "Yeah, yeah I know, but I just had to try." Understanding as he has seen many deaths laid out on this table before, far more than her with the lapse of age. "Come now...this isn't the end...you two ended years ago so its no more a loss than just a friend's yes?" Trixi gave a nod as they started walking out. "We'll get to the bottom of this, he was a good investigator no matter how much of an asshole he could be at times." Such made her smile and perk up a bit, by the time they were back at the crime lab sector her tears were gone and looking much more like herself.

The Dr's assistant was however confused by all means... "Dr. Erik?....It's not him....the blood is..it's not his..."

[Storm]

Location: Outside Kant's Residence
Time: Wednesday, Dawn

Having awakened Su and explaining altered details on what had transpired, waited for Su to change into a white one piece pleather jumpsuit which zips up front highlighting her tan complexion and drove to Kant's residence parking across the street.

Still making small talk, Su softly giggles "I so feel like a stalker, you know..."

Gail offers her a reassuring smile "I know hun, but this is a necessary stalking if what I fear may be true."

Suddenly Gail becomes attentive as Su's face winces in pain as her stomach knots up as the King Cobra slithers across Kant's lawn. Gail lets out a sorrowful sounding
"We may be too late.." her eyes focused on the Cobra "...it seems that snake may harm or kill young Kant before we can call for help."

With Gail's words drifting through Su, her eyes already radiate a deep blue while she calmly opens the passenger door, in a low growling almost hiss, Su Lin spits out
"The ... HELL it will!"

Immediately Su extends her hand in the direction of the Cobra, the dew upon the ground in the path of the snake crackling as the molecular structure of the dew forms into razor sharp shards of ice while also concentrating heavily upon the naturally occurring static electrical partials around the ice accelerating and intensifying the electrical charge about the ice shards.

Zetro had spent most of the morning hunting down the boy he had been sent to take out, the slowly rising sun glinting of the pitch black snake. Suddenly his tongue flicked out of his mouth at the taste of magic. Something had disturbed the air as black globs raised in the air in front of him, giving off a few sparks of white. He hissed a bit and raised up some, longer than most other snakes his own size. Zetro bared its ebony fangs while turning to face the woman who had halted its progress. It was perplexed as it remembered the girl. It was the woman who had been the one who had owned Zetro when it was a sword. Baring fangs and eyes narrowing to slits, it raised itself off the ground to a high range, coming just at the range of the woman's chest and venom dripping from its fangs

An ethereal hiss rippled out of its mouth as it slithered closer, body swaying hypnotically. Though ordered to hunt down and harm the boy, it had no orders on what to do when stopped or threaten, and it decided on the one course that was natural and instinctual.

Attack.

Lunging forward from its position, ready to strike the girl along the neck or any sensitive area it could strike.

"Su-Lin!", Kant screamed, watching the giant... monster snake like, aiming for the woman, "Look out!".

Su Lin focusing upon Zetro as it slithers extends her free hand toward the lethal serpent. The atmospheric conditions surrounding Zetro compress tightly so as to restrict or at least limit movement as the beast strikes, the venom dripping from its ivory fangs seem to crackle forming ice particles as the temperature surrounding it drops. Su's eyes radiating a brilliant blue remain focused upon the Cobra while moving her other hand where the swirling electrically charged razor sharp ice shards continue to grow in mass and intensity in the direction of the Cobra causing the electrified ice cyclone drift toward Zetro. A snarl escapes her lips as she spits out as a stream of blood trickles down her nose
"Bite this!"

Having taken sight of Kant, Gail had already exited the car and was moving quickly to place herself between Kant and Su while calling to him in an effort to have him focus more on her.
"Young Kant, take cover... I think that thing may be moving away..."
A combined expression of pleasure and sorrow on her face. The closest thing she has to a daughter is displaying more power than she could have imagined, but what price will Su pay if she guides her to that vile creature whom visited that eve.

Zetro’s head snapped to the side as Kant appeared and Gail had moved forward to protect the boy. The air pressed on him and turned frigid, which made him focus back on the woman who was fighting. Anger flooded its eyes as the girl trying to fight him. Raising to its full 6ft of height, it raised its head and its entire body began to shake. Letting out an unearthly howl, that seemed to turn the world silent, the wind and frost pressing on Zetro suddenly vanished. In a flash, it had closed the gap between it and Su, wrapping along her arm until its eyes were level with hers.

“What a brave girl, such… intent to kill… what if.. it were turned elsewhere?” Zetro spoke just to her, sounding like a series of guttural hisses to anyone else. It flexed its muscles and soon her arm began to slowly move, heading slowly towards Gail and Kant, the sound, and her magic, returning slowly as its pause spell had ended.

"What the hell is that?!", Kant said asking Gail, "And...", looking at Su he added, "How can she do that?"

As the sun continues to rise over the horizon casting a gentle light onto the new day, Su focuses upon the serpent inching itself and her closer toward Gail and .... Kant. Drained from expending so much energy, she drops to her knees, the brilliant blue radiance of her eyes dulling as she whispers in soft gasps to the Cobra while trying to catch her breath.
"Spare him .... and I shall belong to you...".

With her words spoken and the flow of blood increasing, her vision grays as she crumples to the ground, eyes returning to a soft chocolate brown.

As the Cobra continues toward Gail and Kant, she looks toward him speaking more for the Cobra's benefit
"Young Kant, there are many things around nature in plain sight yet not seen by others..." while removing a small piece of the sheath from the sword which Zetro formed from "... Su is one of those whom shall only grow stronger, she needs you, can you be strong for her?"

Still looking now more at the sheath fragment, she softly whispers to the sheath. Having practiced white magic her entire life, to understand white magic, she also knew of darkness. Gail continues to chant a black voodoo binding spell to the sheath being it was a part of how Zetro was formed on the premise that no matter the power the Cobra had, the binding spell should for the moment control the beast. As she completes the voodoo bind, she firmly looks upon the Cobra ordering
"Now release the girl and return to your master..."

Zetro snarled at the woman as it was held in place, if not only slightly. It was magic, and though weak, is was enough to stop. Realizing that with the girl passed out, and Gail protecting Kant. It would be a mess. Hissing again at Gail, zetro slithered off, coiling the length of his body before heading back into the tall grass, one sharp glance at the lot of them before he all but vanished in the undergrowth.

Kant fall on his knees beside Su. Truthfully, he just wanted to know what was going on... or more to say get the hell out of it. He wasn't sure he was going to stay for anyone sake but he still leaned down and pet the woman's face, "Are... Are you...", his hands shivered all over her cheeks, "Are... you... all right?", he kept panting, some part within him worried, the other paralyzed by fear.

As Kant was leaning over Su, Gail slowly replaced the small sheath piece back in the slit of her jacket focusing toward where the Cobra slithered off. In a motherly yet firm tone, she glances down upon Kant and Su
"She saved your life young Kant..."

Su's chocolate brown eyes slowly open gazing up toward Kant not quite processing Gail's words. His touch warm upon her chilled cheeks as a soft smile forms across her lips. The blood flow from her nose reduced to but a trickle as she softly gasps out
"You are okay? ... You are ... all ... that ... matt...." before slipping into a mild and restless unconsciousness.

As Su slips into a sleep, Gail continues in a soft and motherly tone
"I feel you may have a desire to flee young Kant. That you may, yet you shall only be fleeing into what destiny had originally in store for you. One can not hide from our fates, only change what it has written for you."

Gail takes a step back watching the youth upon the morning grass as the sun continues to rise into the new morning skyline. She will let the words entwine with the young man's mind.

"I have no idea what you are saying...", Kant shock his head not before raising the body of Su and carrying her up, "But I'll be damned before I will let anyone who tried to protect me to be kept like this".

Which was true to him in so many levels. He had little to no idea what was going hell. Fate?! what the hell what this crazy woman talking about? By lifting the body of the beautiful woman known as Su, Kant agreed to help, even if he knew deep inside he wasn't ready yet to anything else aside of that. He would at least do that.

"Let's carry her back...", he nodded, "You can update me once we are at her place".

With that said, Gail reaches on her pocket removing her keys and remotely unlocks the car.
"If you can lift her into me car young Kant"
all the while studying the young man for some small trinket she may be able to obtain from him. All her life she had sworn she would never dabble in the dark arts yet with the small taste of dark magic, she is filled with more of a sense of power she had ever felt. Her thoughts drift on how she could place young Kant under her spell so as to better control Su Lin. Gail opens the passenger side door waiting for Kant to place Su in the car so as to take the opportunity to remove a small possession while he focuses upon safely fastening Su's seat belt. Her tone soft and motherly
"Please do get in too, I shall fix us some tea when we arrive at Su's place, we do have much to discuss young Kant."

[Kris]

Date: Wednesday Morning.
Location: Around the corner from the crime scene.


"You okay, Lina?", Cherilyn asked, looking back and forth from her friend to the new guy. Cherilyn made sure there was a safe distance before she asked Lina again, "Do you know him?".

It looked like he wasn't familiar to her, but on the same time, did she happen to hear Lina calling him by his name? And did he so happen to turn around, even slightly, to approve this?

Lina looked from Cheri back to Alexander and then back to Cheri shaking her head slowly.

"I...I'm not..no...I...I'm not sure." Lina moved closer to Cheri and further away from the stranger but her gaze continued to fall upon him as she said the name again questioningly "Alexander?"

Lina felt rather light headed and grabbed onto Cheri to steady herself, almost becoming more light headed when she touched her friend. She was still staring at the man she saw in her vision "Do I..." She shook her head no firmly then adding "Who are you?"

Lina didn't know who this man was or how she knew him but undeniably his touch was familiar to her and she instinctively knew that she knew him despite not knowing how or even when.

"Let's go... Lina", Cherilyn said, trying to push her friend away from that man, whoever he was. Maybe some walking will do better for them both. Once she made sure the man was keeping his distance away from the two, they started to leave slowly.

"I'm sorry... about what happened", Cherilyn kept looking back, making sure they were not followed, "I hope you are alright?"

Lina began to walk away although she felt a slight bit of reluctance inside of herself to do so. She repeated the name "Alexander" one more time although she still wasn't certain what, if any signifigance the name held to her. Her gaze returned to Cheri's then "I'm fine I'm just..I don't know..." She said the words, giving her friends hand a squeeze but holding onto her arm for a minute.

As she did, she got an uneasy feeling in her stomach, not the same sick feeling as when she'd touched others before, but a slightly quezy feeling as a flash of a woman who she could have sworn was Cheri, only dressed differently in something that looked like what was it...Lina couldn't put her finger on it. A doctors coat, or lab coat or...something simliar but with a very different look to it. Not white like most coats were, but of a much heavier material and much darker.

Quickly withdrawing her hand she looked at Cheri again, certain that this was the same woman she'd just seen in her vision mere moments before, but she said nothing about it but rather instead offered "Cher, let's get there and get the photo's taken. Then maybe you can walk home with me for some coffee?" Her gaze lingered on her friends face then, her tone turning serious but her eyes having a very distant look in them as she finished "We need to talk..."

"Okay, let us go".


***


Date: Wednesday Morning.
Location: crime scene.


They arrived at the crime scene soon after. Not much was left aside of the "Keep back" yellow strips that the police have hanged around and some officers lurking around. Although it was a small town, Cherilyn was still surprised at the fact that a crime scene hadn't drawn much more attention to it.

Cherilyn told Lina almost everything about her stalker, aside of the fact that he mentioned Lina. Lina had much on her mind already, there was no need to make her even more worried.

"So this guy... for some reason or another... knows my name and this-", Cherilyn withdrew her necklace for Lina to gaze upon, before stuffing it under her shirt again, "Which was rather weird...". And scary... but better for Lina to not realize how scared Cherilyn really was. There was no need to make Lina more worried, especially after seeing that weird guy that grabbed her and wanted her to recall of his name.

She turned to look at Lina who snapped some shots as they talked, waiting for her to say more.

Lina worked through taking pictures that her editor possibly might need, but her mind continued to return to the stranger, Alexander, and to Cheri's story about this other male had suddenly burst into Cheri's life, rather unwanted as he was.

Lina hurried through the shots that she thought would serve their needs best, then said to Cheri again "We need to talk." She reached out and grabbed Cheri's arm, turning her away from the crime scene and back in the direction of her home. Lina appeared rather nervous, looking around and half expecting to see Alexander again.

"Cheri, let's just get back to my place, we can talk then okay? I don't have a good feeling about talking about it...here."

"Let us go back to your house, then", Cherilyn agreed.


***


Date: Wednesday Morning.
Location: Lina's place.


The two women spoke little as they quickly made their way back to Lina's house, Lina often looking over her shoulder half expecting to see someone following them. Things in Kingsport were getting stranger by the moment and Lina was happy to turn the key in the front door.

As soon as they entered the house, Lina offered "How's about I make some coffee first, and then we can go see what the film has captured, okay?" Lina could use digital photography and often times did, but she enjoyed the dark room and developing the pictures, sometimes finding things in the film quicker than she did while viewing pictures.

Moments later, Lina was pouring coffee for both women, taking a seat beside Cheri. "We have got a LOT to discuss."

[The Imposter]

Time: Tuesday, Evening
Location: Hospital

Bao kept her smile on until Erebus and his officers left. She slouched, then covered her face with one hand. "I can't believe our luck," she murmured to Wes. Before she could say anything else, a door burst open at the end of the hallway, and Duke came stumbling out.

They looked at each other for a full minute, an awkward silence filling the area. The silence was broke by Wes, who sighed heavily in relief as the whole sequence of events processed in his strained mind.

'Luck? Yeah, someone has a horseshoe up their arse for sure. Looks like Duke is alright...'

Wes motioned him inside before turning his attention back on his son. The boy had various wires running from his head monitoring the seizures that had become more prevalent as of late. The familiarity of the sight made it no less easy for Wes to take in, his hand slowly clenched his son as if by some chance he could give part of himself to help his son. With all the strange talk of things happening and Ryan's appearances in his dreams. He couldn't help but hope that perhaps such a wishful thought might come true. However in the brevity of the seconds that passed nothing changed. Wes cleared his throat and turned to Bao and Duke.

'So, we dodged a bullet there. Duke its good to see you alive....you don't really look well though. Something up?'

Duke didn't answer. His eyes were wide with his usual anger multiplied, and his fists were balled up at his sides. The only thing keeping him from yelling out loud was the child laying on the bed, hooked up to a motley of tubes. He looked from Bao, then to Wes, then back to Bao again. She was looking down at the floor, and she still had some of his blood beneath her nails.

Bao finally said something. "We should probably leave him alone--"

"We?" Duke cut in sharp with a hiss, trying hard not to yell. He thought about Bao attacking him, about her running away with a crazed glint in her eyes. And now here she was standing in her hospital gown, acting as if nothing had happened.

He turned to Wes. He didn't expect any straight answers from Bao. "What are you two doing here?"

Wes instantly felt the hostility coming off of Duke. Realizing he had missed some event in the last several hours. He rubbed his face trying to think of some wise way to disarm the situation that was building in his sons room. The few moments that passed seemed incredibly drawn out.

'ummmm...I've been here a lot since I got bruised up. Then Ryan here had a spell at school. Actually I had just gotten out for a nice bite of real food when the damn diner blew up. Guess I'm not getting out of here for awhile. You two though definitely have something to talk about. It's all over both your faces....and to be rather blunt I would rather you work it out in a different room away from my son.'

Bao and Duke had fought in the past, but he'd never seen such grief in his sunken. His blood had only been cleaned from her fingernails a few hours ago. She wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him alone. How many more lies could she make? Her wrists itched just thinking about it.

But Duke had made a decision. He turned around without a word, and began to walk away.

She sighed, then turned to Wes. "Good luck. To you and your son. maybe we'll see you later," she said, then began to follow Duke.

[Storm]

Location: Various
Time: Wednesday, Early Morning

A light mist covers a wide open field while a number of birds fly through the blue sky while the risen sun casts warmth upon the misty field, heavy mounted soldiers rumble across the gentle ground. The ground lightly rumbles under Su's sandaled feet who is wearing a silken white cloak highlighting her deep tan complexion while she steps out from a rich growth of trees on the opposite end of the field from the mounted soldiers.

As the commander of the thousand plus soldiers sets his eyes upon the lone woman entering the field rises a hand halting the advancing Calvary. The heavily armored leader starts in a full gallop halting yards from where Su stands alone. In a grizzly tone, the mounted soldier growls
"Do they send a mere lass to try stop us? Dear maiden, I shall bless you with a fast death, those whom sent you to die here shall curse their mothers for giving their births..."
while raising a spiked mace overhead.

Su merely lowers her hood focusing her blue radiant eyes upon the man upon the mount, her tone seemingly echoing through the calm morning air
"No m'lord, it twill not be I whom returns to the land tis morn, I only pray the souls whom mistakenly follow open eyes to what awaits..."

The armored man upon the mount's arm starts to crackle as his mace and arm freeze solid. The commanders screams of pain and terror fill the now silent air as he continues to crackle till such time he is but a solid block of ice. With a waive of her hand, air compresses around the frozen commander shattering him while small particles formerly the commander drift upon the field while his mount gallops off.

Focusing upon the thousands which seem hesitant to advance, she extends her hand in their direction encompassing the molecular structure of the mist covering the field as Gail stops in front of Su's house calling out "We're here.." stirring her from her dream.

Restlessly with her head upon Kant's chest, she gasps out "It is more clear than before" while subconsciously holding him close, her eyes a brilliant radiant blue which slowly fades as she looks around, a look on near confusion on her features realizing she is in Gail's car.

"Are you okay?", Kant asked, petting her hair. Her head was rested against his lap, and although he gazed down at her, he found it still somewhat difficult to look at her directly without feeling some kind of fear.

Gail opens the driver side door stepping out allowing the morning sun to shine fully inside the car as Su regains her realization as to where she is. As Kant's hand runs through her hair, her face blushes as she focuses her soft chocolate brown eyes upon him. All she could manage in an attempt to lighten the mood she is in and figuring Kant must be in, her tone soft "I am not a space alien..." comes out in almost a giggle recalling what the elders son had said days earlier.

Composing herself she continues in a more serious tone "I don't know anymore just what fine is. Are you freaked? I know I certainly am..."

Gail opening the back door interrupts "Let up go inside. There is much to discuss. Young Kant, I would ask you to place some faith in what I must speak to you and young Su Lin about." as she makes her way from the car expecting the two to follow.

"I will", Kant nodded.

There was a pause, deathly silence where he considered what to do next. Some part of him just wanted to get the hell out of there... forget... find... Cherilyn... and..-

His gaze have met that of Su and he swallowed hard, "I must be out of my mind", he chuckled at last before helping the girl out of the car, and then, by just urge of the moment, he lifted her up by his hands. She tried to protest, maybe out of shyness but he just hummed slowly to hush her, "Let me at least do that, I know you are not an alien... You are far greater than that", he smiled before looking at Gail, "Let's go inside, I want to hear everything".

Holding softly onto Kant's hands, Su softly closes her eyes momentarily leaning forward resting her face into his chest. As he offers her a smile, she looks up into his eyes as he offers to Gail
"Let's go inside, I want to hear everything"
while Su whispers softly
"I feel safe with you, I have a feeling I am going to need safety hearing what she has to say" as they start up the walk toward Su's house.

Gail already having opened the door, steps inside making her way toward the kitchen to put on a kettle of water. Not looking toward the door she offers in a motherly tone
"Please take a seat, young Kant... would you do what is required to see young Su grow and remain safe?" her tone trailing off somewhat eerily.

"Drop the attitude Gail", Kant said slowly, still standing and looking alerted, "I'm not prince charming or anything, I don't know how far am I willing to go, or what will be the right course for me, but for the sake of a woman who reached deep into my heart I'm willing to listen", he said as he took a deep breath, waiting for her to carry on.

Instinctly Su grasps Kant's hand leaning closer to him resting her head upon his chest. The woman who reached deep into his heart, could he be talking about her for she knows without a doubt this guy next to her makes her feel more than she has in the past. Her eyes slowly look up toward Gail who now is approaching from the kitchen. Su grips tight around Kant's hand while releasing a shocked gasp.
"Gail! What the...."

Gail continues from the kitchen with a large butcher knife, her tone low, almost ghostly
"Reached deep within your heart young Kant? You don't know how right you are young one, I promise I shant cause you pain, I shall make this quick."

Kant nodded, "Be quick then... Tell me the whole story".

Gail moves methodically toward Su and Kant whispering a soft chant to the blade of the butcher knife before casting her view upon Kant, her tone raspy
“My dear boy, there is much in this world you may not understand. The important thing now is you must allow your life to cease to that young Su may grow into what she once was from when she came.”

Su steps between Kant and Gail, her tone trembling, her eyes a radiant blue glow
“Please stop this Gail, you are frightening me, please…” while sub consciously extending her hand in Gail’s direction, bluish white arcs of static electricity snapping about Su’s hand.

"What do you mean by that?!", asked Kant, curious in his eyes. For a moment nothing stood in his way to get the answers he sought. Not even the pleading of Su.

Gail slows her pace as she lowers the blade, a soft motherly smile forms upon her lips as her tone resumes a more friendly nature
"Young Kant, know it or not, you may be the key to saving both Su and yourself."

As Gail lowers the blade, Su's eyes slowly fade back to a chocolate brown as she inquires somewhat puzzled
"Please, just what on earth are you talking about."

Already turned and heading back to the kitchen as the kettle starts to whistle, Gail speaks to the two
"Do have a seat while I prepare some tea. Young Kant, I shall explain some things though you may have more questions than I answers."

As Gail pours the boiling water into 3 fine bone china tea cups with a natural herbal tea blend, she continues
"And my dear Su, your dreams you have spoken to me of, I do not believe those are dreams but memories of a different time. The aura you have is different than those of this time. I have no explanation of how but I do not believe you are of this time. More so, I have experienced a presence that may seek your abilities for his own gain."

As she turns with the steaming cups, her tone grows softer
"Young Kant, I haven't all the answers you may seek. I do know that young Su is special and I sense she has a greater purpose in a shifting natural balance. You will either provide her strength to face what is before her..." her eyes focus straight into Kant's "...or you will be the cause of her death. If this is something you are not ready for, walk away now and forget young Su. The beast from this morning I fear is only the beginning."

Gail looks toward Su who has her arms folded across her chest and a look of utter confusion "...and my dear child, should the boy remain by your side, these powers descending upon this time will surely try and do harm to the boy so as to persuade you to their goal. The safe thing would be for you to leave town and not look back."

Gail sets the steaming cups on the table. Su looks toward Kant whispering, a tremble in her tone
"I am sorry if I have you involved in something, I don't know what she is completely talking about but what frightens me is what she said makes sense though I don't know why."

Kant found myself to be even more confused and frustrated. Gail was still making no sense and yet, "Okay... what you want me to do?"

Gail takes a seat at the front table while picking up one of the tea cups sipping delicately at the steaming tea before looking up toward Kant, her tone soft and motherly
"First young Kant, understand that I have spent my lifetime studying and practicing the natural art of white magic, some call it witch craft and I nor elders I have spoken to of this have any answers. I only ask you have an open mind." She looks toward Su who is inching closer to Kant reaching her hand to hold onto his. "When I first met Su, she had an aura about her which was not of this nature ... or if you would ... of this time. Something had drawn her to this existence. As I had gotten to know the young girl she spoke of dreams of a place of old, I could see in her eyes that what she mistook for dreams were in fact memories. There is a reason young Su is here today yet I do not know why." Gail pauses a moment to sip the herbal tea to allow her words to register. She continues shifting her eyes between Kant and Su.

"There has always been a sensation of goodness within Su. How you are associated with how she is going to grow I cannot answer that, I only know her strength increases when thinking upon you or around you. Know this though..." her tone suddenly growing colder "...there is another entity that has presented itself as of late. It has an evilness about it I have never experienced before. What reason this evil presence has I do not know however it seems to be from when Su is from. Now you ask what I want you to do? Simply understand that you seem to be a key to Su's strength. Don't ask me how, for I have been studying nature and white magic my entire life and I do not know how. All I can say with any certainty is that you seem to be a key to her strength ... or to her destruction." Gail darts her eyes between the two waiting for a response or reaction.

"You're saying there is someone after her? and that I may prove to be some sort of a key....", Kant said and a silence soon after. Su however knew what the answer was going to be by the hard squeeze of her hand given to her by the youth. He waited for her to look at him before winking and adding a soft smile, "I can't say for sure I won't run away like a coward should evil come... but I'm willing to try... Don't ask me why... I guess I'm just insane as you do Gail", he chuckled.

Su softly holds Kant's hand looking to him for a moment before casting a uncharacteristic stern gaze Gail's direction. Her tone inquisitive, almost accusatory
"This morning was not just a casual drive, was it? You KNEW that THING was there, didn't you? Be straight with me ... what on earth are you talking about!"

Gail sits across from Kant and Su, her tone unwavering and motherly
"My dears, I fear there is a power descending upon this existence no one has experienced before. Somehow I also believe you have a suppressed knowledge of what this power is. Yes, I needed to endanger the boy so as to shock your senses into drawing out what I know you are capable of. I know not how, yet I have an odd feeling that young Kant is more a key to your abilities that is apparent."

Gail commences in small talk as Su and Kant take in what she said.

[Kris]

Date: Wednesday Morning.
Location: Lina's place.


Sipping some of the coffee, with somewhat shaky hands, Cherilyn tried to find the right words to start off the conversation. She gazed around at the all so familiar house of her friend, considering what will be her next words.

"So... aside of the small fact we both have some fans knowing about us more than we do about them, and unimportant incident of murder, I believe we had a pretty usual week", Cherilyn grinned, trying to relive some of the heavy atmosphere of their coming discussion, "So... This Alex guy... who claims to know you... And this guy that called me by phone the other day... You think there may be a connection there?".

Lina rolled her eyes at her friends cynicism. "Yeah, real usual..." Lina laughed, taking a sip of her own coffee, then her tone becoming serious. "Cheri, I don't know what's going on. I don't understand, first I'm having a great week with Zach, then all of a sudden this guy shows up and the funny thing is.."

Lina forced more coffee down, giving herself time to find the words so her friend wouldn't think she had gone completely insane "The funny thing is..I feel like he's not a stranger but yet I can't quite put my finger on why. He's tried to warn me about Zach several times and I see these things. Things I don't quite understand." Lina said the words, cocking her head at her friend and not certain how to explain it.

"Could it be someone from your past? Maybe someone from high-school?", tried Cherilyn to suggest, "I mean... it could be someone that have changed his appearance or so?"

Lina gulped hard at her friends words. How could she make her see what she had seen? She didn't know how to describe it to her, and she didn't know how to tell Cheri that she'd seen visions of her too. For a long pause Lina said nothing, afraid that if she did Cheri would call the good doctor again. Lina frowned then, Zach having never answered her calls or texts since he'd left that morning and she began to wonder...

No, no this was Zack. She knew he was a playboy but they'd had a connection. Hadn't they? Lina quickly focused back on Cheri, things were already complicated enough without her dwelling on the what if's with Zach, at least not for now.

Instead she smiled at her friend. "Cheri, this is complicated, I'll tell you everything I...I know or have seen but you have to promise me that you won't think I'm crazy, and call our friend the doctor."

She grasped her friends hand, suddenly tired and filled with concern "Promise me, Cher...".

"All-right?", Cherilyn shoot a gaze back, somewhat suspicious, but at the same time willing. One way or another Lina was acting a bit too odd to turn her words down. Looking down at her friend's hands she said, "I promise".

Releasing Cheri's hands Lina took another long pull from her coffee then set it down. As she began to speak, she gathered her camera and beckoned for Cheri to follow her into the dark room "You can bring your coffee, I'll tell you all about it while I develop this film. Just give your eyes a moment to adjust when I turn off the lights."

As she stepped into the safe room and pulled the door shut behind them, she opened the dark room door "Let's see if we caught anything on the film, especially since everything's been so odd around here lately."

For a moment the room went dark while Lina began flipping on safe lights to work by and as soon as her eyes had adjusted she began unloading the camera as she talked.

"I'll start at the beginning" Lina offered quietly, and then began to fill Cheri in from the very beginning when she saw the red eyed crow, to how she had seen visions of people that appeared to be a different time and place, Cheri included among those people, how she was beginning to become ill when she touched other people and how, she had not become ill when the strange man named Alexander had touched her, even it feeling a familiar touch to her. She finished then "I feel like I should know him Cheri, like he should mean something to me." She laughed then, trying to shake it off "Maybe I've had amnesia all of this time and I'm really just remembering things from my real life!" She joked but nervousness was still in her voice as she waited to see if her friend would think she had lost her mind or not.

Cherilyn shook her head, realization hitting her just enough to make her lose some balance. She slowly landed her coffee cup at some desk and then she tried to catch herself before losing to the weight of Lina's words.

Were it not for the simple fact that things were pretty weird as they were lately, she might have dismissed it all.

And yet...

Even so, deep inside Cherilyn would know that Lina was on to something which was true and honest. She knew it. Her books knew it. Hell, those creeps that were after them knew it.

Cherilyn sighed before speaking, "I don't even know how to say it... but I believe you... I... I really... can't explain it either... I....-", she shook her head a few more times unable to think of what to say next. Her skin turned to Goosebumps and she felt some chills and shivers visible all over her body, "What does it all mean Lina?!", she asked with a sudden realization and fear. All this had more meaning and effect on them than what she previously thought to be and they had to know how to act accordingly.

Pressing himself against the wall near the door, he cursed his misfortune. Having run off after the two had walked off, he had the worst luck of running into Crow. Suffice it to say, their conversation had not gone well. While he had tried his best to keep his side and press Crow off the trail of Rosa, he had been cajoled into working with Crow… for the time. Since there was both his assistant, the girl who looked like she was about 5 minutes from losing her lunch, and the strange man in the suit, who was knocked out and surrounded by 5 dead zombie like people.

“Well, at least he allowed me to take her.” Alex said, giving a shudder. Crow had given him a rather large chuckle when he learned that Alex wanted to save her, instead of having her killed. He didn’t like that reaction one bit, but he would have to go with it, for now. Luckily enough, he had been able to pick up on their trail and follow them to Rosa’s home. Face contorted into a scowl at Crow and concern for Rosa, he quickly opened the door, getting both a startled bark from Rosa’s pets, which he sent scurrying with a draw of his sword.

“Rosa! Where are you?!” Alex shouted as he stalked into the house, eyes roving the field as his ears were on high alert.

Wishing to ease her friends fears despite that Lina knew Cheri was correct, she had begun to reply "It's okay Cheri, we will sort this out one way or another. I think part of the key is to unlock the mysteries of the visions I've been seeing. Maybe there's something wrong with me? Maybe Zack can run more tests."

Lina knew that although something physical was definitely happening to her when she touched other people, there was nothing wrong with her mind. The strange crow, the sudden odd occurrences around town, the fact that Cheri apparently had someone stalking her now too were all indications that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Lina's own mind as she had begun to fear at one point.

Just then Lina heard her the commotion of animals beginning to react furiously to something foreign to her home which was immediately followed by a yelp and then sudden voice ringing out loudly.

“Rosa! Where are you?!”

Lina had just clipped the last piece of film to dry on the line when all hell broke loose and her hands immediately moved to Cheri's, grasping them firmly as she began to shake. "It's that man..Alex..." the brunette whispered "Shhh..Cheri he doesn't know your here. Stay here" she gulped "Just in case...let me go try to reason with him. He knows me, maybe he just wants to talk." Lina knew that couldn't be true, she'd already requested him to stay away from her but he persisted and Lina had a sinking feeling in her stomach but if he truly were someone who she had shared something with before hopefully he would not hurt her.

With a final squeeze of her friends hands that had Lina's knuckles turning white, she pleaded with her "Cheri, hide in here and whatever happens, don't come out until you know it's safe."

"Lina!", Cherilyn felt how the grip of her hand matched with the grip of her heart, "What if something happens?!", she looked up to her, "God... If he tries anything I'll kill him! Mark my word!", She slowly let go of her friend's hands, but she sure wasn't happy about it, "I'll hide for you, but I'm coming out if anything bad happens!"

Lina nodded quietly and stepped from the dark room into the safe room. Before opening the door she took a deep breath. Quickly she opened the door and passed through, stepping into her hallway and grabbing the only thing that could remotely be used for a weapon that was present leaning in a corner was her own personal baseball bat.

Cautiously she stepped forward, and upon seeing Alex she drew the bat back, questioning him.

"Who do you think you are, bursting into my home like this after you were warned to stay away from me?!"

With the bat poised to strike at any moment despite she noticed that he had a sword, adrenaline rushed through her small frame.

"What is it that you want from me, why won't you leave me alone!"

“What do I want? There is so much that I want from you. But right now, all I want is you. So drop the bat and come with me, else things will get uncomfortable.” Alex said, steel in his voice yet a pain hidden underneath. Seeing Rosa standing there, bat aimed ready to strike, made his heart long. She was his world, and everything he fought for, and yet, there she was, ready to attack with terror and fear in her voice, masked with confusion. His heart nearly broke at the sight, but he would have to hold out. Taking her captive was the only way to protect her, less that vile man take her life.

“Please, just… drop the weapon.” Alex said, his knuckles tightening a bit on his sword, but still keeping it pointed towards the ground.

Not only was there something in Alex's voicee that brought Lina to a brief pause, there was something distant in his eyes. The way he almost appeared to be pleading with her. Despite that she was standing with her trusty favorite bat at the ready, he'd not yet raised his sword towards her which she found to be questionable.

He wanted her to come with him, and his only threat had been that things might get uncomfortable? Yet, it had been a thread all the same and Lina stood her ground, refusing to give up the only weapon that the small stature of a woman could possibly use against him to protect herself and Cheri as well.

Cheri..oh God..she couldn't let him find Cheri and her knuckles began to hurt as she gripped the back tighter, pulling it upwards.

"If you want me...and my weapon, you'll have to take it from me because I'm not going any damn place with you. I'll give you one last chance to get out of my house!" Lina's words came sharp and cuttingly but come hell or high water if he was serious about taking her and taking her weapon from her, he would have to find a way because she would not go willingly. Under her breath, Lina prayed for Cheri to remain quiet and hidden.

“Damnable woman and your stubborn will!” Alex swore loudly, tensing just the bit as his eyes narrowed in frustration. She was resisting, though it didn’t come much of a shock, but again that stubbornness was there. He had firsthand dealt with her stubborn streak, and the first time he had silenced her with a kiss. This time… he would have to do things differently.

“If you won’t come peacefully then…” Alex began, before placing both hands on his sword and rushing forward. Shifting his body, he brought the sword up and turned into her arms, to minimize her skill to swing that bat with any luck. His sword tip pressed against the hollow spot of her collar bone, cold steel resting against warm skin.

“I will make you. Now drop the club.” Alex finished, a cold edge covering his voice as he stared into Rosa’s eyes. It was just enough to make him lose it, the scent of the woman, her luminous chocolate brown eyes locked in fear, yet still beautiful. All subconscious thoughts told him to lower the blade, to turn away from threatening his whole world, but now was not the time. He was going to have to fight his world to protect it no matter what.

Lina gasped as she felt the cold touch of steel touching her neck and slowly she relinqueshed her grip on the bat, allowing it to fall to the floor. He could have killed her on the spot, but he'd chosen not to and the only way that Lina could think to protect her dear hidden friend was to allow him to take her now. Inside however, she had felt a sort of certain satisfaction that she'd not given into him without a fight, at least if nothing else, she had tried to thwart his attempts even if it had not produced the results she'd expected.

Even as she stared into her eyes she began to lose her ability to stand, her entire body feeling suddenly weak and as she realized that he was actually touching her a vision flashed through her mind once more of him and her lying together entwined and totally naked. It would be the last thing that Lina remembered as she heard him whispering her name in the vision "Rosa..my Rosa."

As Lina felt herself slumping against the stranger, a slight whisper could be heard escaping her lips "Alex" before everything went dark.

“I’m sorry Rosa. I never wished to raise my sword to you.” Alex spoke softly in her ear before grabbing her around the waist. He slid his sword back in place and picked her up, cradling her like a child as a tear welled in his eyes, his heart broken in twain. Pressing her against his chest, he headed out of the house, heading towards an unknown location after leaving the door swinging free.

Cherri, after hearing Alex’s footsteps leave the house, finally emerged from the dark room, her arms still shaking with fear. Looking at the bat on the ground and the open door, she stood in stunned silence for a few minutes before doing the only logical thing she could think of.

“I need to call Trixie”



~End of Chapter 2~