CHAPTER 1

Everything was a baffling blur. Streaks of smoke and evidence of destruction everywhere. Debris from the fallen apartment buildings now served as barricades on some streets. Missiles, Napalm and Ricos flinging here, there, front, left, right, back and center. Where were these coming from? Friends? Foes? But definitely foes. No time to make friends when we try to do away with others. I didn't have time to care. There was less than a minute left, I suppose, before my battle-worn Volkswagen Off-road Buggy would submit to complete destruction which would lead to my sure ruin. I was speeding across the streets of some unfamiliar small town with Sweet Tooth hunting me down – his damaged ice cream truck tagging along my trail. I tried to shoot my last power missile at him but missed. That was the final and most lethal weapon in my arsenal. Now, the only choices I had left was: one; keep running, onwards, until there was no road, no fuel, no weapons or two; just surrender to the psychotic clown with a flaming head chasing me at my heels and welcome defeat with open arms. It took me time to deliberate... I really wanted that wish...but I was fighting for a cause that was long lost. The sound of the clown laughing maniacally echoed inside my head.

***

There was nothing else to do on a boring November afternoon so there I was sprawled across the floor on my stomach.

"SWEET TOOTH!!"

I woke up with a start that I forgot what my dream was all about. A heavy pressure set on my back woke me from my sleep. Turning my head around to see who sat on me, I asked with a voice thick from sleep, "What do you want, Liam?"

"Guess, my sweet Althea..." he replied, joking transparent on his voice

"I'm no fortuneteller. You know that and who says I'm yours? And I ain't sweet …OW GET OFF!!!"

"Humor me. You have been denying that since day one. Come on, admit it you know you love me, Tia"

"How thick could you possibly get Liam? I said GET OFF ME!!" I returned, sniggering a little as he started to tickle me.

"Admit it."

"Never."

"So you think you're tough, are you?"

I glanced at him and stuck my tongue out. "Yeah, I am...Bring it Liam"
Then without warning, he tackled me onto the plush carpet of the living room and tickled me like there was no tomorrow! I chortled aloud and started to roll in laughter then finally,

"Okay! Okay I'm your Althea! Stop now...You're killing me Liam.."

"Sorry doll face...you told me to bring it and so I did..." he tried to apologize, sarcasm colored his tone as he held out his hand to help me get up.

"Ha ha," I retorted as I took it trying to pull myself up in a sitting position. I don't feel like standing yet.

I folded my arms and pouted, still puzzling over my dream. All I remember was a loud cold nasty laugh and it was still resounding in my ears. Wait, doll face rings a bell.

"What is bothering you? Are you mad?" Liam went and sat beside me on the floor.

"Can't remember my dream. All your fault." I muttered and scowled at him.

"Aww...Don't do that...you know it kills me to see that crease on your forehead… right there..." he placed a finger between my eyebrows, pulled me in a tight embrace, and planted a kiss to where he pointed earlier. When I finally pulled away he said, "Why don't I make it up to you? How about you and I grab a snack at McDonald's? Sounds good?"

I gave a small curt nod but said, "But it still isn't enough to forgive you, Liam... still you sat on me!"

A look crossed his face, worry? Maybe concern? "Tia, you were like motionless on the floor. I thought you were dead or you fainted or something. Then I shook you so hard and shouted and everything. Man, you are a heavy sleeper. Anyway, I didn't know how else to catch your attention..." He smiled at me, melting away all the hate and calming the rage.

"It's cool..." I grinned, "You had me at the smile..." and I softly punched him on the arm

He held my hand with both of his, saying "You had me too," then placed my hand over his chest "you had this since I first laid eyes on that beautiful smile, Tia."

Damn, do you even hear yourself? Head over heels are you? What happened to you? I thought quite shocked; but then "Yeah right...Whatever you say," was all I could say shaking my head a little with a smirk that wasn't there before. Suddenly an idea came to me, "Liam, do you want to be completely forgiven? As in .. you know..like your record cleared and everything?"

"Of course," he answered.

"Ok, I'm asking just a small little thing."

"What do I have to do?" his eyes narrowed as he asked.

"Just one thing. Sing. "

His reply was very short and terse. "Never."

"Come on. Please? I was told that you had a very beautiful singing voice. I want to hear it. Just one short line of my favorite, our favorite, song." Trying to sway him with my most convincing tone.

"Nope. And if you are going try and change my mind, you have to be more persuasive than that. Be like me: Charming and Smooth. Sugar-coat your words, babe" he said winking at me.

"Nice... Everyone hears it except for the girlfriend. And, now you're giving me tips. Thanks anyway. I'll be sure to remember that." telling him in a mock show of admiration. I paced up the stairs to get my stuff. I crammed a pen, my wallet, my obsolete cell phone, my favorite round mirror into the black sling bag that I usually brought everywhere. I practically flew down the stairs because short-patience smooth-talker Liam was shouting, "What are you packing?! Your whole bedroom?! You can do that later…" Do that later? What did that mean? Were we going somewhere?