Chapter 4: Johnny 13 & Kitty

Johnny Thurstein sighed as he was riding his bike through the vast desert expanse. He hadn't slept for two days, and he couldn't find any towns nearby. So he just kept riding along, just him and his shadow for company. A few hours later Johnny came across a small town called San Fantasma, and he gave a sigh of relief. Finally a place to rest up and maybe get something to eat. He pulled into the nearest motel and got off his bike. He went inside the main office and rang the bell at the front desk. Johnny waited a few minutes before an old fat woman came up to the desk and said. "What can I do for ya'?" Her voice was really raspy, almost man-like which caught Johnny off guard. "Uh, I'd like a room for the night, maybe two." The woman put on her glasses to get a better look at the young man in front of her. He was very pale and had shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes. He wore a black leather coat over a white shirt and black leather pants. Finally he had a pair of fingerless gloves and motorcycle boots. "That'll be $10.95 for tonight, we'll see about tomorrow. Is it just you?" She asked as Johnny fished around for his cash. "Yeah, it's just me. Say, you know any good places to eat around here?" He said as he handed her the money. "Try Sal's Diner down the street on the left, you can't miss It." said the woman as she handed Johnny his room key, number 13. "Thanks" Johnny then pocketed the key and got back on his bike and head off to get a bite to eat.


Katie Parker hated her life, she hated her school, she hated her militaristic father, she hated her job, she hated it all. All she wanted to do was escape the cage that was San Fantasma, but this wasn't some fairy tale. She wasn't a princess waiting to be rescued, and she highly doubted some valiant knight would sweep her off her feet. That was the sad truth, so all she could do was put on a fake smile like any good waitress and serve these chumps their food. With that in mind she finished washing her hands and looked in the bathroom mirror so she could brush a few rust colored locks of hair out of her green eyes, before straightening out her uniform and head back out into Sal's Diner. She headed up to the front desk to see Brenda. "Hey Brenda, got anyone who needs there order taken?" "Oh hey Kate. Uh looks like there's someone over in booth 13, try him." Katie looked over at the designated booth to see a head of blonde hair, and shrugged. "Alright, I'm on it."

Johnny sat in the booth waiting for his order to be taken. He had little money, but luckily the coffee he got came with free refills. As he thought out what he was going to do for money he heard a voice say "What can I getcha?" He turned to answer, but as soon as he saw the angel in front of him he was rendered speechless. When Katie didn't hear a response she looked up from her noted pad to ask again, but as soon as she did, she too was speechless. They just stared at each other, completely oblivious to the world around them. Then a voice cut through the air. "Hey Kate, you take that guy's order yet?" Brenda asked from the register. "Uh hang on a sec. So what can I getcha'?" Katie asked again, this time Johnny answered. "I'll take a burger with a side of fries. Um this might be a little forward but are you doing anything later? My names Johnny by the way." He asked nervously, which was odd because he was normally quite the ladies' man. Katie's heart skipped a beat, she knew her dad wouldn't approve of the boy, but she couldn't help herself. "I'm Katie, and I get off at 8:00 so maybe we could do something then." Johnny smiled. "Alright then, I'll see you later." "See ya'." Katie then when to hand in Johnny's order, looking forward to when she got off work more than ever.


Later that night when Katie got out of work Johnny was there leaning on his bike waiting for her. "Wow you have a motorcycle, that's awesome!" Katie shouted in excitement, much to Johnny's pleasure. "Yep she's all mine, good old 13, just like everything else in my life." He said with confidence as he patted the seat of his ride. "Well I guess that makes you Johnny 13." Katie said with a sly smile on her face. "Well if goin' around givin' nick names I'll just call you Kitty." Johnny half joked. "Hmm I like it, so I guess the joke's on you." Johnny just smiled back. "I never said I didn't like Johnny 13." He took a moment to see 'Kitty' in her casual clothes. She wore a red leather skirt and jacket with a black shirt, green stockings, and black boots. She was the most beautiful thing he had seen in his entire life. "So what are we gonna do tonight?" he asked. Kitty looked at his bike and said. "Maybe we can just ride around for a while, and figure something out then." Johnny smiled. "Sounds good to me." They both hopped on the bike, and took off like a bat outa hell.


Later when Johnny dropped Kitty off at home, her father was less than pleased. "Katherine Grace Parker, where have you been all night?!" He then saw Johnny outside and scowled. "Don't tell me you out with that greaser punk!" Kitty grew angry at the way her father talked about Johnny. "Don't talk about Johnny like that, I love him!" At this point her father nearly exploded. "Like hell you do, you're just a child!" At this Kitty grew even angrier. "I'm almost 18 Dad, I practically an adult! And I don't need to listen to you anymore!" She then ran out the door, but not before grabbing her favorite purple scarf. She ran down the road as fast as her feet would carry her, just as it started to rain. Luckily Johnny was not far off, as if he stopped to think for a moment. He looked surprised to see her and asked. "Kitty what happened?" Kitty hugged him and cried into his shoulder. "Oh Johnny, let's get out of here. I don't care where we go, as long as we're together." "Alright babe, hop on." With than said, the two jumped on the bike and drove off down the rainy road out of town. Johnny could barely see anything beyond the rain, but went with his gut. Just as they reached the bridge out of San Fantasm a pair of headlights came on right in front of them, forcing Johnny to violently turn off road and crash into the river. Both teens were in pretty bad shape, Kitty had cracked the back of her skull open, and Jonny had four broken ribs and was probably bleeding internally. To make matters worse, Johnny's bike was slowly pushing them under the water. All the two could do was look in each other's eyes as they went under, and hold hands as the air left their lungs.


Johnny woke up in The Ghost Zone with a start, "Kitty!" being his first word. "I gotta find her! Come on shadow old pal." To his surprise his shadow actually stood up and took on a ghoulish form. Johnny was afraid at first, but when Shadow helped pick up his bike, Johnny knew he was an ally. "Alright Shadow, let's go find Kitty." He got on his bike and drove off in search of Kitty with Shadow by his side. Luckily Kitty was nearby. "Johnny!" she shouted. "Kitty!" Johnny then jumped off his bike, and pulled her into a passionate embrace. Kitty looked at Johnny with her arms around his neck. "Looks like Death itself can't tear us apart." He stoked her cheek with his hand. "Looks like it." He pulled her into a passionate kiss. All while Johnny's shadow watched on so happy for the two of them.


Notes: And they "lived" happily ever after, for a while anyway. Anyway that's two birds with one stone. And in case it wasn't clear this took place in the 1950's. Next up is Technus.