Prologue

Simon Nelson-Cook, a.k.a. Cookie, had a secret. For two long years, after the necklace incident, he had kept that secret. It was a terrible burden, one that killed him every single day; he would be glad when he could be rid of it. But he couldn't. If the secret got out, everything Ned and Moze had just recently went through, would seem like a cake-walk compared to what lie ahead of the young fledgling couple. He couldn't believe he had made another mistake. It was a small miscalculation. But it's often the small things that you easily overlook, that can get you hurt. Or worse – killed.

Cookie was inside his lab. He was standing in front a cryogenic chamber – usually used for preserving bodies. The body inside was a familiar one. The occupant's face was friendly, beautiful, and serene. Underneath closed eyelids, lay big brown eyes. The face was innocent and tranquil.

Or so you would think. But Cookie knew what the occupant really was. A mistake – a freak of nature. Something that shouldn't be alive, but is.

How could it have all gone so wrong? Cookie couldn't believe it himself. The necklace had evolved past its original programming and had transformed itself into something that should only exist in supernatural fairytales. No, not fairytales-more like those stories people told kids around a campfire, when they're all alone in the wilderness. To scare them.

Impossible! Yet, here it was. This thing held a terrible power within it – a power that is almost supernatural or superhuman. Or for lack of a better word, inhuman.

Cookie could not let this . . . abomination exist. Yet, it was still alive. He could not kill it. It closely resembled a close friend of his, and he had to consider the moral weight of that action. He couldn't just kill it.

But if he didn't take action soon, then the occupant would escape. And it would be very angry. It was a miracle that Cookie had been able to keep it locked up this long. That was a feat of sheer genius.

Ned was in trouble. Deep trouble. The occupant seemed especially interested in him. Cookie had no idea why. But he would not let his friend be destroyed by his own creation – that had almost happened, not too long ago. He would not allow it to happen again. He would rather die, than let it happen again.

Cookie sighed and rubbed his eyes. He couldn't keep the secret much longer. He walked up to the cryogenic chamber, and wiped off a layer of frost that was obscuring the occupant's face.

The person (if that's what you could call it) slept peacefully inside.

Tomorrow, Cookie decided. Tomorrow, I'll tell them.

Cookie couldn't have known. And even if he did, there was nothing anybody could do to stop it.

Sixteen-year-old Ned Bigby awoke to find that he was sleeping on something soft and squishy. He wiggled around a bit thinking that it was a pillow, when the thing cried out in pain. He fell out of his bed and whirled around haphazardly to see what the object was.

It was sixteen-year-old Jennifer Ann Mosely, a.k.a. Moze, his best friend and girlfriend for as long as he could remember. He sighed with relief. Then he confronted the sleeping Moze – whom he noticed with a rapidly growing embarrassment, wasn't wearing her pajamas.

"Uh, Moze?" He poked her gently in the back (trying to ignore the fact that she was naked except for her bra and panties) attempting to awaken her. She just merely twitched, and fell back into sleep.

Ned rolled his eyes. This was the fifth time this week she had somehow sneaked into his room. She had been acting weird towards him lately – the kisses she gave were a little too long (he almost passed out from the lack of air); she was starting to touch him in strange places (a little too hard); and she was acting all fidgety whenever they went out. Something was up with her.

"Moze."

"Mm."

"Mosely." Ned said a little louder.

"Mm-hm."

Ned decided to try a different tactic. He stood over here, and moved himself close to her lips. He really didn't want to do this, but he had no choice.

He lowered his head and gave her a passionate kiss. A nice, deep, passionate, romantic kiss that girls can only dream about. He led her on, pulling his head further up. Moze began to rise with him. He kept pulling up until . . .

Moze stopped kissing and let her head fall down back onto the bed. The lack of oxygen should have awakened her. It did.

"Jeez, Ned! You're getting me so worked up so early in the morning. Can't a girl get her sleep?" She stopped for a moment then looked at Ned suspiciously. "What are you doing in my room?"

Ned grinned. "Moze, you're in MY room. Again."

"What are you talking – oh no." Her eyes widened and she glanced around for the first time. "NOT AGAIN!"

"Yup, again. This is what? The fifth time this week?" Ned was grinning broadly. He couldn't help himself.

Moze was beginning to panic. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Ned. I really don't know why I keep doing this." Her words came out in a rush. She stopped a minute to catch her breath. Then she noticed that she was semi-nude. "Why am I NAKED?!"

She grabbed Ned. "What did you do to me, Ned Bigby?" She began to throttle him.

Ned's grin widened even more. "Moze, YOU came here like that. I was asleep. You must have crawled up right next to me."

She paused. "I did?" She was really embarrassed now; her face was turning cherry red.

"Yeah, you did."

She let go of Ned and sat down on his bed and proceeded to cover herself up with his bed sheets. "I'm sorry, Ned. I don't know what's wrong with me lately."

Ned shrugged. "So you sleepwalk in the semi-nude. I don't mind." He paused. "Just let me know next time, so I'm more prepared."

She punched him lightly. "Not funny."

Mrs. Bigby walked in suddenly. Her eyes widened at the sight, and she backed out. "Oh, hello Jennifer." She left hurriedly. "I'll have to make an extra plate, then."

Ned couldn't help but smile even more. Moze, on the other hand, had disappeared under Ned's bed covers. "My parents are going to KILL me."

"Nah, I already told them about your problem."

"You did? What did they say?"

Ned shrugged casually, a little too casually. "They said I should have protection."

"WHAT?"

"Protection. You know for you."

Moze grabbed Ned, and proceeded to throttle him again. "What the HELL do they mean by protection?!"

Ned gasped, and Moze let go. "Protection for you! Sleepwalking at night in the semi-nude is not exactly a healthy thing to do at night. They said I should keep a weapon (like a bat) just in case some pervert comes looking."

Moze released Ned. "Oh."

Ned rubbed the spot where Moze had choked him. It was red. "Jeez, Moze. What is up with you? You've been acting . . . strange, lately. You've been more aggressive towards me. What's up?"

"Nothing's up with me! Just leave me alone, for a minute." Moze sat thinking. She noticed that Ned was wearing nothing but his boxers again.

A strange flush started from her face and began to go lower. It covered her entire body within seconds. She stared at Ned, her breathing hard and fast.

Ned was alarmed. "Moze? You're starting to freak me out."

She stared at Ned for several more seconds, and then snapped out of it. "Sorry."

Ned cocked his head at her, and then said "It's alright. Just don't do it again."

"Agreed." They shook on it.

Ned got up to get ready. It was a beautiful Saturday morning.

Moze stared at Ned's retreating back. The warm glow she had felt before had not disappeared with him. She shook her head clear of such forbidden (or were they really forbidden?) thoughts, and stretched herself luxuriously on the bed. Moze grabbed one of Ned's extra large shirts and put it on. She prepared to go downstairs, and greet her (once again) embarrassed parents. She took a quick peek outside the window.

Not a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect day. She headed downstairs.

Moze was wrong. If she had taken a closer look outside, she would have seen something growing in the distance . . .

A storm was coming. Again.

Moze headed downstairs and was greeted by two things:

1. A delicious smell of bacon and eggs

and

2. Her embarrassed parents, who were apologizing over and over again

"Once again, we thank you for keeping her safe, and we also apologize for her sleepwalking problem." Her father sounded grateful and embarrassed. Ever the gentleman.

She made her appearance in the kitchen wearing Ned's large shirt. Ned, who was drinking some orange juice, choked on it and stared. Mr. Bigby and Mrs. Bigby seemed amused; Moze's parents looked both amused and horrified. It was an interesting scene.

"Moze . . ." Ned gaped at her.

"Yes, Ned?"

"You look awesome." Moze's parents turned a high voltage glare on Ned. He looked chagrined, and added, "I guess I know who she gets her looks from, eh, Mrs. Mosely?"

Mrs. Mosely looked flattered. Mr. Mosely stared at Ned, and then chuckled. "Always, the flatterer, eh, Ned? First, you want my daughter; now you want my wife?"

All of the adults roared with laughter. Ned looked sheepish. Moze just shrugged (grinning at Ned's expense), and pulled up a chair next to Ned. He pulled a plate loaded with bacon and eggs towards Moze.

Ned's POV

I had to admit it; when Moze walked down those stairs not wearing anything but my own T-shirt, I felt as though an angel had fallen straight from heaven and into my kitchen. She looked so . . . beautiful. That comment I made about her, just blurted out, I swear. But what would you do in my position?

She had that morning glow around her; I know it was probably just the trick of the light on my eyes – but who cares? It was like the sun was shining on just her alone. Like wherever she walked she brought the sunlight with her. I'm not too far from reality in that last description; she just brightened up the room when she walked in (and helped relieve me from an awkward scene with her parents, when I tried to explain how she wound up in my bed semi-nude).

"Why so much?" Moze asked when Ned pulled the almost overloaded plate towards her. "I'm not that hungry."

Ned grinned. He knew he probably shouldn't crack a joke now, but he did anyway. "I figured you needed to regain your energy, you know, from last night. You must be tired after – you know." He gestured wildly, trying to make his point.

Moze choked on a piece of bacon. Her glare turned icy cold as she slowly turned her head towards a grinning Ned. Moze's parents looked embarrassed again – and slightly curious as well. Ned's parents were chuckling to themselves.

Moze looked murderous.

Moze's POV

IDIOT! What the hell is wrong with him?! As if this scene isn't more embarrassing as it is. Now he has to crack a joke about me having sex with him? Jeez!

When, I get my hands on him . . . I'll – I'll

Oh, what the hell. I don't know what I'll do with him.

Sigh. I really don't know what's been wrong with me lately. It's like every time I'm around him, I get all charged up with energy. What is with that? I don't know. I've just been feeling weird lately. I mean, is it just me, or is Ned suddenly irresistible? He's like an aphrodisiac to me.

I don't know what I want lately. I just feel like I'm waiting for something to happen. What do I want from Ned? It's like my body is telling me something . . .

Sex? Is that it? Maybe. Do I want to do it with Ned? I don't know. But that feeling I experienced back up in his room . . . I don't know. I need to talk to him about this.

Right after I smack that smug grin off his handsome face.

Moze punched Ned. Hard.

"Ow!" Ned exclaimed, rubbing the spot. It was already turning purplish black. "I was talking about you sleepwalking the middle of the night."

"Yeah, right, you knew exactly what you were talking about Ned Bigby." Moze said sarcastically. "Knock off the jokes, Ned, and let me eat breakfast in peace." She dug in her food.

Ned watched her carefully. Despite Moze's warnings he couldn't help but crack one last joke. He would probably regret it later, though.

"But you ARE hungry."

Moze nodded, grudgingly. Sleepwalking did take a lot out of you-

She got the joke. Ned got the punch. The morning continued, uneventfully.

After the events of that Saturday morning, Ned and Moze were finally dressed and ready to go out. It was a clear and pristine morning. Ned and Moze walked side by side, their sneakers pounding on the sidewalk. They had no particular plans for today. They walked side by side, a slight breeze keeping them cool in the morning sun.

"So, what do you want to do today, Ned?" Moze asked her best friend.

Ned shrugged. "Don't know, really. I figured that you had an idea of what we were going to do today." He glanced at Moze. She looked nervous and edgy about something.

"Okay, what's up?" Ned asked her.

"Nothing, Ned." Moze tried to change the subject, but Ned's blue eyes missed nothing. He knew Moze better than she knew herself – he knew when something was troubling her.

"Don't 'nothing, Ned' me, Jennifer. Something's been bothering you lately." Ned walked in front of her and stopped. He crossed his arms.

Moze bit on her lip, nervously. "Ned, really, it's nothing."

He bent forward until his face was only inches away from hers. "Really?" Moze didn't hear. His face was so close . . . and his lips were even closer . . .

Moze's POV

AHHHH! What the hell is wrong with me? I can't believe myself . . .

But his lips are so incredibly close . . . maybe just a little kiss will calm my nerves . . .

NO! Stop it, Jennifer. What is wrong with me?! Stop leaning in so freaking close, Ned!

Can't . . . stop . . . . So close . . .

Crap, my mind is on fruit salad mode again. I haven't felt like this since the 8th Grade Field Trip. What is up with me? I can't stop myself . . .

It's that feeling again . . .

Moze found herself getting closer to Ned. Her lips were only millimeters apart from Ned's . . .

Ned pulled back. Moze snapped out of it. "Nothing's wrong, huh?" he asked sarcastically.

"Okay, okay, something's wrong with me", Moze said hastily. The feeling that had just permeated her entire body was disappearing rapidly, leaving her with a rather light-headed feeling.

Ned shook his head. "Moze, there's nothing wrong with you."

"What?"

Ned sighed. "It's in the Guide, Moze. Remember adolescence? That doesn't end for another couple years. We're still going through it, you know?"

Ned could really be thick-headed at times, Moze thought. He doesn't know. She decided to tell after all. "Ned, have you ever though about . . . it?"

Ned's POV

It? What the hell was 'it'? It sounded like something out of Stephen King horror novel. What the heck was 'it'? Is she messing with me?

I have to admit, I'm a little worried. Look at her, though! So beautiful . . . so vulnerable. She's really serious about this.

But I'm just a guy! What the heck is 'it'?! I don't speak girl, no matter how much Loomer says I do.

Unless . . . she's talking about that. Whoa. But, she couldn't be! We're too young, right? Right?

Usually Moze is the sensible clear-headed one. But now she's suggesting that? What is up with that?

Am I doing something wrong? Do I offend? Is she not satisfied with the relationship?

Crap! My head is turning into coconut mush over this. She wants an answer. Looks, like I'll have to give her one.

"It, as in . . . 'it'?" Ned asked cautiously.

"Yeah."

Ned blew out some air he was holding in. "Moze . . . this is big."

"Yeah, I know."

Ned stared at her. "I don't know, Moze. Why would you be thinking about that?"

Moze threw her hands in the air. "I don't know! It's just that it's been on my mind a lot lately." She glanced at Ned pointedly. "So what do you think about it?"

Moze's POV

I could tell I really screwed up this time. Poor Ned. We were just walking around, and I decided to drop a bombshell on him out of the air. Real smooth, Jennifer. Not exactly one of my most clear-headed moves yet. But-

What was that? I just heard something . . .

BOOM.

"Ned!" cried out Moze.

Ned, who was shocked at Moze's reaction, hastily began to say, "Moze, I'm trying to think of an answer as fast as I can! I mean, this is big-"

Moze grabbed Ned, and whirled him around. "NED! LOOK!"

Ned saw the source of Moze's distress. It was a house on fire down the street. Near where they lived . . .

BOOM. A large chunk of fiery debris was vomited out of the house and flew toward Ned and Moze. CRAP.

"Moze, MOVE!" Ned grabbed Moze and threw her to the ground. The debris slammed into the ground, where only seconds before they had been standing. The debris just sat there and smoldered.

"You, okay?" Ned asked Moze. She nodded. Then her attention was once again riveted on the house. That house . . .

It hit her. She grabbed Ned's hand. He asked, "Moze, what's wrong?"

"That house . . ."

"What?" Ned looked at Moze, and then looked back at the burning house. Then realization struck him as well, and he dropped his cell phone. He began to sprint full speed towards the inferno. Moze ran after him, pausing only to pick up the cell phone.

The house was their best friend's – Simon Nelson-Cook.

And once again, they would find themselves fighting for their lives.

They didn't see the person standing off to the distance – staring at them with hate-filled dark eyes.

??? POV

Once again, events were in motion. I watched in contemplative silence as I saw Ned Bigby and Jennifer Ann Mosely running towards the ruins of their friend's, Simon Nelson-Cook's, house. They couldn't see me; not because I was hiding. I stood in plain view; they just didn't notice me.

Oh, yes. Retribution would be mine. I swore it upon them, two years ago. Ned Bigby – he was the one who scared me the most. He had proved himself a most intriguing adversary in our last encounter. Well, we'll see how he holds up this time. I have much planned for him.

Life is a tenacious and energetic ally – but you have to remember that its antithesis is just as powerful. The waves of the past will roll through this town and destroy all in its path.

I assure you – one of the three friends WILL be dead by my hands, by the time this is all over. But you're just in time to once again dance upon that dagger edge of oblivion.

This is how it all begins again.

Ah, yes, I have returned in full writing force! The plot of this story just exploded in front of my eyes. I really had no idea, though. I just wanted to do a nice simple story. But did I? NO. I couldn't help myself. All of you say that I have extraordinary writing skills, but I really envy those of you who can stick to a simple plot line and just write about it. Me? I make it complicated. And I assure you complicated it will get.

But the basic premise of the plot? I don't know. You'll just have to read the summary – which you probably did, which is why you're here. Huh. I wrote the story before I wrote the summary. Not such a wise move on my part. It's best to write the summary first – that way you know what you're writing about in the first place! So once again, just read and review, and if you want more give me a good review. I'll see you all in the next chapter. Thanks, again.

BlueRoyKaz

P.S. – To all of you who aren't sure; YES, this is a sequel to my previous story. Funny – I haven't even thought of a title for it yet. Huh. Another not-so-wise move on my part. Oh, well you learn. Oh, and by the way, I hope all of you understand the jokes Ned made (or rather I made) about Moze. If you don't then I'll straighten it out for you:

The joke Ned made was about 'protection' for Moze (a.k.a. a condom): it had a double-meaning to it. I hope all of you are mature enough to understand that. Sorry, if they're too obscure. If they are, just mention it in your review. I'll make it more obvious. Thanks, again.