aAuthor's Note: First things first, I must apologise for the lack of, for want of a better word, finality my other fanfics were given, and for the fact they've also been removed now. I am restarting from now on, and shall DEFINITELY be finishing the current stories I write. Also, any reviews on my writing will be greatly appreciated, since I am always looking to improve, and write more entertaining fanfics for readers. Secondly, I'd like to say that all non-original characters in this fic I have tried to keep as close to realistic as possible. So, enjoy! ;)
Aiden ~

Going Solo

A Night to Remember

"Hurry up Kathryn! We're going to miss the timing otherwise!" Cried a boy running through a pitch black forest. Not far behind him was a girl of similar age, who had become distracted by something. At the boy's word, Kathryn hurried her pace and quickly caught up with the boy.

"Sorry, I thought I saw someone." She said between breaths. Both were breathing fast, they'd been running a long time.

"Well, we're nearly there now, so don't stop!" The boy seemed a little over-enthusiastic to Kathryn, but she paid it no heed. Quickly, a fortress wall rose up before the couple, nearly twenty feet high. The boy slowed to a halt, and Kathryn followed suit. "All right, this is it Kath!" And she didn't need to be told twice. Quickly she transformed into a black panther, rendering her almost invisible in the dark of night. She jumped at the wall, and proceeded to climb with increasing speed. The boy jumped up and down in anticipation. Suddenly, something hit him on the head, and he prepared to strike at it, before he realised it was a rope. He heaved a sigh of relief, and began to scale the wall. He took over twice as long as Kathryn had, but she didn't complain. When he reached the top, a human Kathryn greeted him, helping him up.

"Ok then, it's just the one thing you want me to get, yes?" She asked in a hushed voice. A light bobbed further down the wall.

"Yeah, and remember, straight to the rendezvous point when you've got it. I'll join you when I can." With a nod, she raced off, turning her back to the boy. In mid stride, she turned once again to the panther, and vanished from sight. The boy rushed off in the opposite direction.

Kathryn arrived at a well hidden campsite three hours after departing for the Black Fortress. Her return had been much slower, due to the enormous load she now carried with her. She entered carefully. When the coast was clear, she chucked her rucksack down and sat down with a huff. She sat there for what seemed like ages before she heard a rustle outside, and the boy she'd been with earlier pushed his way into the small camp. He was breathing heavily, and several cuts and scrapes on his arms.

"Oliver, what were you doing that took so long?" She asked. Oliver looked like he might not reply for a minute.

"I promised him I'd repay him. You know why. This is what I've been planning for a long time for him."

"Ah." Was all Kathryn could say. It was a bit awkward, since Oliver had owed this guy a debt for nearly ten years. Or so he had said. They sat together in silence for another painfully long time. Finally, Oliver began to leave, so Kathryn too, began to gather up her things… Not that there were many. She picked up the heavy rucksack, and chucked it over her shoulder. They set off at a brisk walk away from the camp. The sun was rising by the time they reached town.

Broadstairs was a small seaside town, often getting lots of tourism. But in the middle of winter, the town was pretty quiet. Oliver and Kathryn crept down alleyways and side roads, to avoid being spotted by anyone. Looming high above them skyscrapers stood proud, inside which, people would normally bustle about, doing this and that. Already, cars were floating above their heads however no one was walking on the streets below luckily. Oliver crossed a street, and produced a set of keys. He hastily inserted one into the lock and opened the door to a shabby looking bungalow, overshadowed by two, also murky, skyscrapers.

As soon as Kathryn was inside, he shut the door, and made his way through the small corridor to the living room. It was very dark inside, and dirty too. There was dust covering every available surface, and the place looked hardly lived in.

"I'm mostly away from here." Oliver spoke up, as if answering Kathryn's thoughts. "Sorry it's not much. But it'll do for now. We're only passing through after all." He put down his bag, and made his way to what looked like a bathroom. Kathryn sat on a couch, opened her bag and removed several bags from within. Each one contained a very generous amount of money. In total, there must have been enough for someone to have bought out New England. Not that that'll do us much good like this. Kathryn thought. As she pulled out another bag of money, something different dropped from her bag. As she picked it up, Kathryn saw that it was a book she had forgotten about. Five years ago, it had been given to her as a reminder of home. She opened the book, and a note fell out.

I don't know where you're going, what you'll be doing, but should you ever feel the need to drop in anytime, for anything, you're welcome at mine.

Aiden

Kathryn allowed herself to smile.

"You know he used to fancy you at school?" Oliver had crept up behind her, and scared her half to death. Kathryn shook her head slightly. She'd only ever considered Aiden a friend at best. The news was slightly shocking, and certainly explained a lot. Oliver laughed. "Well, he did. We're passing his way on the way back to London, if you want to visit him?" Kathryn didn't reply, she didn't know whether she wanted to or not. "Well, I am. He's been one of my best friends for a very long time, and from what I hear, he's been outcast. A little visit can't possibly hurt now can it?" And that settled the matter. As long as she was with Oliver it wouldn't be awkward. "Oh come on, he probably won't fancy you anymore! He hasn't seen you in five years." Oliver reassured Kathryn, noticing the look on her face.

That night, they set off, making their way to the edge of town. They had not gone long, before something hard hit Kathryn in the back of the head, and when Oliver turned around, he too got hit.

Kathryn woke up to a thumping feeling inside her head, and found her hands had been chained to a wall. Next to her, Oliver was likewise suspended.