Okay, here it is, my wonderful slaves! Chapter two! WHHEE (does happy dance) Thank you SO much for all your awesome reviews! (gives cookies to all reviewers)

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Wiping the tears from his eyes, Johnny walked out of the park entrance gates, and into the downtown area. He shoved his hands into his pockets, staring down at the concrete path as he walked. Like the park, the place was seemingly empty, and, even though it added to his isolation, it was a slight comfort. He didn't want to be seen.

Another gust of wind blew. Johnny shivered violently, wrapping his arms around himself in a futile effort to get warm. Usually, the cold didn't bother him. But tonight, with his wet clothes and aching head, it was different. Sighing harshly, Johnny began walking in the direction of his house. He was about to turn the corner when he saw a shadow flicker in the corner of his eye. He came to a halt, turned his head, and raised a brow at what he saw.

Three men where creeping along the brick wall of a building. Their eyes glittered with cruel intent, and one of them was sniggering softly to the others. It was clear that they were stalking someone.

Curious, Johnny thought. Very curious…

Silent as a ghost, Johnny skulked behind them. He kept a far distance between them and himself, making sure he was completely undetected. The three strangers came to a stop, whispering to one another. Johnny ducked in a dark alley beside a nearby building, watching from afar. His dark eyes narrowed as he tried to catch a glimpse of who these men were following. He could see that it was a young woman, and she looked oddly familiar…

Johnny gasped, his eyes becoming huge with shock.

Oh God…Devi…

--

Devi sighed as she passed an old, ramshackle building. She was cold and tired, and wanted nothing more than to just go home and sleep. Quickening her pace, she continued to walk down the street.

The she heard a cold, ominous voice call out to her.

"Hey, lady? You got the time?"

Devi froze on the instant, turning slowly. Behind her, three shaped emerged from the shadowy alleyway. Three men stood before her. One had bleached blonde hair and a stocky body. The other was much taller, with light brown hair that reached past his shoulders. But it was the one in the middle that terrified Devi most of all. He was muscular, with dirty red hair and cunning, evil face. All three men had a glitter of cruelty in their eyes. In her terror, Devi couldn't find her voice.

"I said," the red-haired hissed, "do you have the time?"

Devi swallowed, and spoke, stuttering in fright. "N-no," she lied, pulling the sleeve of her coat over her watch. "I don't. Sorry."

She turned to leave, but a cold hand on her shoulder stopped her. Devi's body went ridged.

"Aww, too bad," the blonde man cooed. "Well, miss, maybe you could help us in a different way…"

They began to crowd around her, cornering her in the alley. Devi's eyes widened in pure horror. Too scared to think, too scared to run. She was completely trapped.

This is it… I'm gonna die…

--

"Oh, God… no!"

Johnny watched in horror, hate beginning to flow through his veins. At his sides, his hands tightened into fists, his fingernails digging painfully into his palms. He gritted his teeth in a snarl. This would not happen to her, not while he was there.

Breaking into a run, Johnny charged toward the scene as the rain began to pour down once again.

--

Devi gasped as the red-head pulled a small knife from his pocket. He flicked the blade up, smiling at it.

"I love this knife," he said, running his fingers along the blade. "Mmm, yes. Nice and sharp. Perfect for what we have to do, eh, boys?" He snickered to his companions, who laughed stupidly in response. Then, to Devi's horror, he held it over his head, preparing to strike.

"Ladies first…"

Devi shut her eyes tightly, waiting for the pain…

Then, out of nowhere, a hoarse voice sounded.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

Devi opened her eyes, glancing behind her attackers. A tall, horribly thin man stood there, shivering in the rain. His face was entirely in shadow, sealing his identity. His hair was disheveled, his clothes soaked in rainwater. He was dressed completely in black, with knee-high boots and a black trench coat.

"Oh," said the red-head. "You mean like this?" He flicked the blade lightly across Devi's face, drawing blood. Devi winced in pain.

The stranger stood still for a moment. Then, quick as a flash of lighting, reached into his coat, and pulled out a knife. It's long, silvery blade gleamed dully in the half-light. He held it at his side impatiently, as if restraining himself.

"Touch her again… and I'll tear you apart."

The shorter, blonde male scoffed. "Oohh, we're running home to our mothers," he said, sarcasm heavy in his words.

"Back off now, and I won't kill you."

The threesome glanced menacingly at Devi, and then turned back to the stranger. "Now, why would we do that?" the tallest said. "You couldn't even kill a cheerleader, you scrawny jackass!"

The stranger stepped forward, producing another blade from under his coat. "I'll ask you again, back off!"

The red-haired man rolled his eyes. "Here, you two take him." He tossed the knife to the brunette. "Finish him off. And make it good." He put one arm around Devi, holding her against the wall. "After all, I think Missy here would like to watch one last good show…"

--

As the two attackers began to rush toward him, Johnny sprinted forward, knives at the ready. In less than a second, he lashed out with the blades, cutting deep into the blonde's arm. The short man dropped the knife, shrieking in pain. Johnny was about to finish him off, when he heard the footsteps of the taller man coming up from behind. Johnny whirled around and, ducking down a bit, plunged the knife into the assailant's stomach. He fell backwards onto the pavement, blood pouring from his mouth.

Johnny stood over him, and looked him in the eye, glaring with hatred. Then, flashing a twisted smile, sliced into the brunette's throat. Blood sprayed from the wound, showering on the ground and mixing with the rain.

As Johnny turned to finish off the short blond, he felt a weak punch at his side. There in front of him was the stocky blonde. One arm hung limp and bleeding at his side, while he used the other to give a feeble attempt to defend himself. Sighing as if he were bored, Johnny knocked the short man to the ground.

As he hit the ground, the blonde glanced to his side and looked right into the face of his dead friend. He gasped, and tried to sit up, but what he saw next only pushed him down again.

Johnny stood over him, clasping the knives firmly in his grasp.

"So long," he breathed. "And goodnight."

--

"That little bitch!" The red-head had watched the stranger kill slice his friend's throat, making short work of him. Now he stood there, still holding Devi decisively against the wall, and watching his other companion being torn apart.

"I'll kill him…" He turned to Devi, his eyes burning with intimidation. "If you move from this spot for any reason, you'll die along with him." Releasing her, he started toward the stranger, picking up his knife from the blood covered ground. He began running toward the stranger, who had his back turned to the red-head as he continued to repeatedly stab the blonde.

Devi saw this, and shouted in an instant. "Hey! Look out! Behind you!"

--

"Behind you!"

The sound of Devi's frantic warning made Johnny turn away from his victim. He barely saw the red haired man lunging toward him when he received an excruciating punch to his eye. Dropping the knives, he reeled back in pain, clutching one side of his face with his hand. He recovered himself, and lunged toward his opponent. He aimed a swift kick, grunting in satisfaction as he felt his boot connect with the re-head's stomach.

Johnny watched as the assailant fell back to the ground, and then glanced around for his knives, but he couldn't see them in the darkness. Looking up again, he saw the red-haired man, who had regained his feet, standing over him with a knife, grinning coldly.

"Surprise."

In one fluid movement, he swung his weapon, forcing the blade into Johnny's arm. Crying out in pain, Johnny delivered a counter attack; a heavy blow to the head. But the man dodged the punch, and, acting swiftly, grabbed Johnny by is shirt and threw him into the wall of the alley.

Johnny roared with pain as he felt an agonizing pain as the back of his head connected with the brick wall. With is vision beginning to swim, he fell to the ground.

--

The red-head looked down at the stranger, who was now sprawled out in the alley. He circled the thin man, laughing sickeningly.

"Good try," he chuckled. "Good try. But I'm afraid, not good enough." With that, he kicked the stranger sharply in the ribs. A twisted smile appeared on his face as he heard the stranger cry out in suffering. Then he turned to Devi, still smiling shrewdly. She had been cowering there the entire time, and he laughed at her fear.

"Now, my dear," he said maliciously. "It's your turn."

He brought the knife up over his head, preparing to strike. Devi's eyes darted around for an escape route, but there was no way out this time. The red-head was poised to plunge the knife into Devi's flesh.

Then, gasping, he paused.

He stood stock still for a few seconds, shaking. The knife fell from his grasp. His eyes widened, and blood began to trickle from his mouth. Then, he fell, dead to the ground.

Devi looked up, and there, in front of her, panting heavily, stood the stranger. His face was still in shadow, and he carried a bloodied knife in each hand.

Suddenly, he stumbled backwards, groaning in pain. There was a metallic clanging sound as the knives slid from his grasp and hit the pavement below. He put a hand to his side, and continued to stagger backward until his back came into contact with the wall. He leaned against it, panting and coughing. His knees buckled, and he collapsed into a sitting position. Sighing, he bowed his head, and became still.

Devi forced herself onto her feet, and dashed to the stranger's side. She looked at him closely, and saw that he shivering and still breathing. But he made no other movements.

Kneeling in front of him, she addressed him softly. "H-hello? Can you hear me? Hello?"

He groaned in response. Devi slid her hand under his chin, and gently lifted his head. As she did, his face was exposed to the dim light.

What she saw made her reel back in terror.

The unconscious man in front of her was Johnny C.