Chapter 1

It's been about a year since Leah had seen Thrax, he was still in jail obviously from what she had heard from Carl, whom hadn't still the chance or time to come see them here in Frank City. Kayley had been far too busy with her duties as Carl explained, this was very understandable seeing as Kayley was the Mayor of Shane City. Speaking of city, Frank had made a dramatic change over the past year thanks to Tom Colonic, he was doing an excellent job as the new Mayor; much to the despair of Mayor Phlegmming who had no chance of taking back this position again, his job was cleaning duties in the Bowels - a permanent job to be exact. Everyone was grateful for the changes - having Tom Colonic as Mayor certainly was the best choice, everything was finally working out for the best. Frank finally took Shane's advice and is eating healthier - yes, everything was certainly going very well as far as anyone's concerned.

Ozzy rushed into the house that morning, beads of sweat running down his forehead, breathing heavily.

"Hey, guys - oh, Rex - where is everyone?" Ozzy asked, looking around the half-empty room.

"Oh you mean the girls? They're gone over to Beatrice's place - apparently they're all going out tonight," said Rex glumly. *Girls - they always leave us men alone."

"True, true... but that's what makes their gender so facinating - " said Ozzy.

"In what way?"

"They always get you thinking - women are very mysterious..."

"Ah yes - mysterious women."

Drix suddenly entered the room, carrying a bouquet of roses.

"What's with the roses, Drix?" Ozzy asked him.

"They're for Toxin - I thought because she's been so good with taking all the horrible comments from people and not losing her temper that she deserves something for her troubles." said Drix happily.

"Oh - that's very thoughtful of you, Drix. Though are you sure she's gonna like them?" said Rex uncertainly. Drix's smile faded.

"Oh dear - I hadn't thought of that! What if she hates it and finds this present an insult? What'll I do?" said Drix, panicking.

"Whoa, whoa - hold up Dirx, relax, she's probably gonna be happy with whatever you give her," said Ozzy reassuringly.

"I'm not quite sure about that."

"Then what else could you give her?" Rex asked him.

"What does she like?" said Drix.

"I honestly don't have a clue."

"Then keep the roses, Drix!" said Ozzy, getting a little frustrated.

"I know! I'll go buy some black roses!" said Drix, he rushed out of the office leaving Rex and Ozzy.

Rex hesitated. "What if she doesn't like any kind of rose?"

"Oh would you just shut up! Don't tell him anything!" said Ozzy angrily. "I'm sure she'll be happy with what he gives her!"

"Yeah, ok maybe you're right, I'm probably just thinking too much..." said Rex. Ozzy plumped himself down on the chair next to Rex, placing his feet up on top of the table. "Since the girls are out....what will we do now?" he asked, combing back his hair with his hand. Rex shrugged.

"I dunno... wanna just play a game of cards or something?" Rex suggested. Ozzy perked up.

"Egyptian War?!"

"Yup."

"You're goin' down then, Rex!"

"Per-lease - I'll so beat you like last time!" Rex got up off his seat and went to fetch the pack of cards he kept in the cupboard.

"We'll just see about that, Rexy boy," said Ozzy grinning.

"You're on." Rex set the pack down on the table in front of Ozzy and began taking the cards out.

~---~

"I've heard the story before - but I still can't get over how you managed to handle staying with that maniac!" said Beatrice, shaking her head at Leah and chuckling. Leah shrugged.

"I just did - but I still have to endure the horrible memories I have from that experience... Thrax isn't one you should mess with and I've certainly learned my lesson..." said Leah, shivering at the thought of the things she went through with him back in Shane City. Leah had cleverly and deliberately left out the part where she went to visit him. She felt that it was just confidential. Roxy clapped her hands together, grabbing their attention.

"All's well that ends well anyway - it's nicer if we forget about the past, right?" said Roxy, smiling at Leah.

Leah nodded. "Right. It's over and we'll push it aside and focus on now," she said in agreement.

"Agreed." said Beatrice, drinking her cup of coffee.

Toxin remained silent for a while. "His plans were amazing... so organized. Faking the common cold was just so brilliant... he could have easily succeeded back in Shane City if no one knew what he was up to." said Toxin, sounding impressed. Roxy made a choking noise.

"Somebody seems to like Mr. Thrax by the sounds of it..." she said teasingly.

"I wouldn't have minded to be honest, he is my type of guy..." said Toxin truthfully.

"Take him - I definitely don't want him. From what he did to me I've a complete image of him right now: Vicious and intimidating. That's pretty much all I can say." said Leah.

"Don't forget devillish - it's one word that I thought described him well." said Roxy. Beatrice nodded in agreement.

"That was my thought exactly." said Beatrice.

Roxy looked at the clock. "So... anyone wanna get goin'? Harry said to meet him at the club at eight so we'd be just on time if we left now," said Roxy. The others nodded.

"Sure. Let's get going," said Beatrice, getting up from her seat and picking up her handbag.

"I hope the guys won't get too lonely with us gone.." said Roxy worriedly.

"We've got their number so they can call us or vice versa," said Leah following Beatrice out the door.

"True. I should stop worrying about them, I'm sure they'll be just fine."

~---~

Harry was waiting for them at the entrance to the club, he waved enthusiastically when he spotted them. Gerry was with him too, wearing a warm beige jacket suitable for the cold weather they'd been getting lately.

"Hello ladies, we were wondering whether you were coming or not," said Harry, Beatrice smiled.

"Of course we'd come, silly. What made you think that?" she said, giggling.

Harry grinned. "I was just making sure is all." He shivered as the cold wind blew harshly, he rubbed his hands together. "Jeez - gettin' cold already eh?"

"Perfect weather for November." said Roxy.

"Good thing I wore this jacket then," grinned Gerry. "Rachel was the one that got me this for my birthday last year before she...died."

Harry's smile faded and the ones that knew Rachel remained silent, fading back on memories of her. Gerry cleared his throat. "Anyhoo - let's go in shall we?"

They all nodded eagerly and went inside. It was a small club, suitable for people that just wanted to have an easy night out - nothing too wild and crazy. They took their seats near the bar, feeling relaxed by the smooth atmosphere. Leah rubbed her hands together.

"Well...at least it's warmer in here." she said.

"I heard that they're re-constructing 'The Zit' after it got completey sabotaged by Ozzy and Drix last year," chuckled Gerry. Leah managed to laugh as she thought of it - the only thing that made the memory painful was that Thrax was there. And that's when she supposedly betrayed him as he said. Leah denied it all - she didn't betray him. He had gotten it all wrong.

"Leah?"

Harry interrupted her thoughts, she looked at him, a little startled. "Are you ok?" he asked her.

"Oh - yes, yes I'm fine!" she said quickly.

Harry, though unconvinced that she was fine, smiled at her. He cleared his throat. "Anyone want a drink or something? It's on me." he said, trying to revert the thought to something else.

"Oh yes, that'll be lovely!" said Beatrice, clapping her hands together and smiling sweetly at Harry. He smiled back, just as charmingly. Leah stared at Beatrice's beautiful face, her glowing cheeks, her sparkling brown eyes - so full of confidence. It made Leah feel low just looking at her.

If only I had her confidence right now... for God's sake! I just don't get it! What's wrong with me all of a sudden?

The sound of glasses being placed down on the table startled Leah, she looked up at the drink in front of her.

"I thought I'd just get us all orange juice instead of alcohol - nothing too heavy yet, I guess." laughed Harry, sitting down beside Beatrice; taking her hand in his. Leah saw something sparkle on Beatrice's finger.

"Hey - is that a ring?!" said Leah excitedly, suddenly forgetting about her worries. Beatrice blushed, her cheeks glowing redder; she tightened her grip on Harry's hand and giggled.

"Hmm - yes, it is - " she said, giggling. "I think it's 'bout time I let the cat out of the bag. Me and Harry - we're engaged."

"Oh my GOD! That's wonderful!" squealed Leah, taking hold of Beatrice's free hand.

"I knew you guys would end up together at long last!" said Roxy happily, grinning.

"Congratulations, you two!" said Toxin, smiling. She didn't know the two well enough to get into such a state over their engagement, but it was still wonderful all the same.

"Next you'll be telling us you're pregnant!" joked Leah, laughing along with Roxy.

"Hahahaha! Don't rush into that yet, Leah girl!" laughed Beatrice, blushing yet again as she glanced at Harry. Gerry beamed.

"This certainly is such a brilliant surprise! Congratulations Harry, Beatrice!" he said blissfully.

"Thanks so much you guys!" said Beatrice, a look of extreme happiness plastered on her flustered face.

Roxy raised her glass. "Let's make a toast! To the happy couple!"

"To the happy couple!" they all said simultaneously, gently banging their glasses together. It was all perfect - here she was having fun with her friends, nothing could spoil this moment, nothing at all.

The horrible material of the cloth was rubbing against her lips, she hated the feeling of it - but what she hated more was the hard thrusts from Thrax as he raped her. Leah shut her eyes tightly as she felt pain from it all, sweat was running from her forehead and she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she prayed for it all to end soon.

Let me die!

Just kill me now!!

DIE!!

DIE!!

DIE!!

"Don't fucking piss me off again baby... it'll only make matters a lot worse for you... raping you wouldn't be the only thing I'd do to you."

"Leah? Leah! Are you ok?"

It was Gerry's voice. Leah snapped out back to reality and stared blankly at him, she felt her whole body shaking uncontrollably. Sweat ran down her forehead along her cheek and she was having a hard time breathing. Thrax's words rang in her head - why did she decide to remember that event at a time like this?

"Leah?" Gerry asked again, worried.

"I'm fine!" said Leah hastily, trying to reassure him. He looked at her, his eyes filled with worry. Leah got up from her seat.

"Sorry can you excuse me for a bit - I just need to use the restroom." she said, walking away from them. She wiped the sweat away with the back of her hand, her legs felt like jelly as she walked further down towards the ladies' restroom. A couple of young he-viruses were leaning against the wall beside the entrance, Leah didn't take any notice of them and headed towards the entrance.

"Hey that's that girl right?" one of the germs said, staring at Leah.

"Yeah - the one that hung around with that so-called badass." the other answered.

"What's a wuss like her doin' with a virus anyways."

"I heard he failed to kill Frank and took this little bitch with him to Shane's body - like his little slave!"

"He failed to take down Shane too - heard he's in captivity now."

"Then what's she doin' back in Frank? Shouldn't she be in jail too?"

"She left her Master behind." one jeered, they all snickered, causing Leah to feel sick.

"Hey - maybe she's out looking for another Master."

"She's a slut."

"I'm not a slut!" Leah shouted, feeling herself tremble with anger. They all laughed as she said this.

"Did the slut just talk back?"

"She's tryin' to act tough - for a weak bitch like her."

"Maybe she's really tryin' to hook up with us, eh?"

They all sniggered once more, smiling mockingly at her.

"You want us, don't you baby?"

"As a replacement from your old Master."

"Which you left behind."

"What happened? He got too boring for you?"

"You probably wanted someone else when the fun ran out."

"Maybe more than one Master this time."

This caused them to laugh more, Leah swallowed, fighting back the tears. She wasn't a slut. They were all wrong.

They all walked in closer to Leah, causing her to step back away from them.

"Come with us then, slut."

"We wouldn't mind having a chick like you."

"You can be our little slave then..."

Two of the germs from the gang grabbed Leah's wrists, holding her as she fought frantically to break free from their grasp. The leader pushed open the door that led to a large room with many supplies left around in boxes or on shelves, they followed him inside and closed the door behind him. The leader pulled out a cloth from one of the boxes and succeeded in finding an old rope.

"Let's gag her and tie her up - there's nothing like a good old bondage to make things a little more interesting..." he grinned. The other viruses mumbled in agreement, he tossed the rope to one of the viruses and gagged Leah with the cloth. She struggled, the rope tied tightly around her wrists so she couldn't break free. The leader placed himself on top of her, his hands began removing her skirt-

NO! Stop it!

STOP IT!!

I DON'T WANT THIS!

STOP IT!!!

The door suddenly burst open, causing the viruses to turn around, startled. The leader pulled his hands away from her skirt, which had only gotten down as far as her knees. Leah felt relieved when she saw who it was.

It was Toxin.

"Who the hell are you, bitch?!" the leader snarled.

"Let her go," said Toxin, angrily. The leader grinned evilly.

"Try and make us, baby."

Toxin lunged at them, landing a swift kick in the virus's face, her sharp heels catching his nose and causing it to bleed. He fell over, clutching his bleeding nose.

"You fuckin' bitch! I'll teach you not to mess with me!" he yelled angrily, he sprang forwards off the ground, trying to punch Toxin. She dodged gracefully and swung her hand hard against the back of his neck, causing him to crash into a couple of supplies with such powerful force. His gang ran towards her, she turned around quickly and crushed her heels against them, giving them a powerful kick. They fell down, crashing into some more supplies and boxes, knocking them out cold. Toxin walked over to the injured leader, she stopped an inch away from him and gave him another strong kick in his side, causing him to choke with the pain. She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him up close to her face, her black hair tickling his cheeks.

"Don't mess with me, bastard. I'd have no trouble in killing you - got that?" said Toxin quietly, throwing him down into the messy pile of broken supplies and walking over to Leah. She pulled the cloth off and untied the rope around Leah's wrists, Leah quickly got up off the ground and yanked up her skirt, her face flustered.

"Thanks, Toxin... you saved me from almost getting raped for the second time..." said Leah, trying hard not to let the tears flow out freely. Toxin smiled at her.

"It's no problem..." she said, placing a hand on Leah's shoulder. "Let's go to the restroom and get you cleaned up, ok? Your face is a little dusty from being on the ground."

Leah nodded and followed Toxin out of the room and towards the restroom. Toxin ran some hot water in one of the sinks, she yanked off some paper and soaked it in the water; she then began gently scrubbing off the dirt on Leah's face and arms. Toxin noticed a tear roll down Leah's face.

"You ok?" she asked.

"Mm - yeah, I'm good." Leah answered, wiping the tear away furiously.

Stop it! Stop thinking about it! Stop crying and pull yourself together!!

"It's ok to talk... I'm here if you need to talk about anything, or even if you need a shoulder to cry on." said Toxin sympathetically. Leah smiled gratefully at her.

"No, it's ok - it's all stupid anyway," Leah murmured, feeling embarrassed.

"Whatever you say, Leah. If you don't feel comfortable that's fine - but like I said, if you ever need to talk; I'm here." said Toxin, wiping off the last of the dirt on her cheek.

"I will~ I promise." said Leah, though she didn't know how she'd ever pluck up the courage to tell Toxin these things.

Maybe it was best just to keep quiet and try to deal with her problems by herself.