Author's Note: Okay so this story has been discontinued, but I thought that you at least deserve to see what I've already wrote, considering today is the 23rd of December, the date this story takes place on. This chapter is not finished and probably never will be, as well as there are many grammatical errors. I apologize for any of you who actually liked this story, but I don't have any ideas left for it and everything I have is a jumbled mess. A bunch of you have read it somewhat recently, and I'm sorry that it won't be edited again. If, by any chance, it will be updated again, then this chapter will be deleted and posted again with the rest of the contents. I am, however, working on another story, so that may be posted at some point. Thank you.


Someone screamed, a high pitched noise that hurt John's ears and made him wince. Dave's eyes had trouble adjusting under the darkness from his shades, but he refused to remove them. He glanced around, finding Jade curled into a ball on the floor.

An arm found its way around Dave's arm as John clung onto him. Dave cracked a smile momentarily and he wrapped his arm around John's arm so they were linked. After a minute, John's eyes adjusted and he stood up.

Dave watched as John walked over and kneeled down next to Jade and placed a hand on her back. People were talking again, but it was hushed. The loudest noise was the wind howling outside.

Jade finally calmed down and excused herself, escaping to the small bathroom at the end of the hall. John stepped over to where Dave was sitting on the couch, but didn't sit down just yet. By then, Rufioh had lit candles and placed them in the living room and kitchen. He knocked on the bathroom door and handed Jade a candle and she thanked him politely.

John noticed that Dave sported his hat and scarf, and sadly, his shades. "Dave," John whined. "Take off your shades. It's almost pitch black in here."

Dave didn't respond, only pulled out his phone. He turned on the flashlight and pointed it at John's eyes. John squeaked and covered his eyes, spinning away from Dave. "Dude, you sounded like a groundhog that saw its shadow. Hide back in your hole, you furry demon, it's too early to be awake."

John sighed and turned to face Dave again. "Is that seriously the best insult you can come up with? Calling me a groundhog? Dude, I seriously thought you could do better than that."

Dave shrugged and turned off his flashlight. "Yeah, yeah. Do you know how creepy groundhogs look though? They look like a beaver and a mole cha chaed real smooth."

"Thanks, Dave. I seriously needed that mental image. Now can we please have a real conversation? This is kinda weird." John plopped down on the couch next to Dave and turned so he was facing him fully.

"Yeah, sure, bro. What would you like to talk about?" Dave realized that John might think he was making fun of his buck teeth, so he decided to go along with his plan of changing the topic. In all honesty, Dave thought John's teeth were the most adorable thing he's seen in years. Of course, he'd never tell him this.

"I dunno. Hey, why are you wearing your scarf and hat? Can't you at least take those off?" John picked up on of the ends of the scarf and tugged lightly on it.

"What, you can't wait to see my legendary Strider neck? Keep it in your pants, John." Dave smirked when he saw John's face flush.

"Strider?" John asked, deciding to ignore his comment. He shifted so he was sitting on his legs while still facing Dave.

"Can't you tell a last name from a first? Jeez, I didn't realize how stupid a dork could be." Dave jokingly shook his head back and forth.

"Oh. Oh! I guess I should tell you my last name then. It's Egbert, by the way." John laughed before shifting again so his legs were crossed in front of him.

"John Egbert, huh? Wow, your name matches your personality perfectly. You're a dork through and through," Dave muttered, shaking his head again.

"Yeah, and the name 'Dave Strider' sounds like it belongs to an asshole, so it's perfect for you," John shoots back.