Johnny remained crouched where ash had left him. Lowering his eyes from where they had been fixed on the wall, he started to pick up the fallen mug. He felt numb. Ash had never yelled at him, or any of them like that before. Yes, she could be loud, brass and almost rude sometimes, but that was part of what made Ash… well Ash. He finished clearing the pieces, rising slowly to his feet and heading towards to bin outside. Depositing the bit, he barely heard Rosita's soft 'are you ok?' He wasn't sure of the answer, so he didn't reply. Grabbing a rag from the cupboard, he returned to Ash's room and started mopping up the spilt coffee.

When the rag was dripping he left to ring in out before returning once more. Lost in thought, Johnny didn't notice the fact he was cleaning a now dry floor. He felt a hand on his arm, gently tugging him upright. Turning, he could see Miss Crawly, her one good eye shining with concern. He was lead to the kitchen and pushed into a seat. A warm cup was pushed into his hands, Rosita catching his gaze as she did so. Sitting across from him, he focused on her.

'It's alright Johnny. She's probably just stressed. I'm sure she didn't mean what she said.' The soft words made him frown. Shaking his head, he spoke.

'Somethings wrong. Really wrong.' The others exchanged a look, Miss Crawly delivering several cups of coffee to the table. Rosita sighed.

'We know Johnny, but if she doesn't tell us, we can't help.'

'But why won't she tell us?' Meena shuffled, then spoke up.

'I'm not sure why she won't tell us, but when I found her this morning, she looked like she was going to cry. As soon as she saw me though, it all went. She just looked angry then.'

'Why would Spikes be crying? She's no really the type. More likely to punch a dude in the face that cry.' Mikes statement was blunt as ever, but true all the same. Johnny's worry only increased. Ash, crying?! Why? Buster spoke up.

'I don't suppose something's spooked her? No one's threatening her or anything?'

Every person in the room froze. A low growl was beginning to echo off the walls. It was terrifying; low, deep and threatening. Promising pain to the listeners. Slowly all eyes turned to Johnny, widening upon landing on him. He would ask why, but he was frozen in terror. Partially the growling, mainly the thought of Ash in danger. Rosita approached him slowly, raising a shaking hand.

'Johnny?' Why did she seemed so scared?

That's when he felt it.

The lower rumbling vibration that originated from his chest. The feel of porcelain cracking under his fingers, lips strains where they were pulled back to bear his teeth. The sheer shock that such a sound could emanate from him brought it to an abrupt stop. Shaking, he prized his hand from the mug. The new found panic was crushing. Was he just a nasty thug like those in the world he was brought up in? He'd never wanted to harm anyone in his life, but now the urge to rip into anyone hurting Ash, was overwhelming. He gazed at the others. They looked as frightened as he felt. Rosita gently stepped forwards, hands held out in a placating manner.

He ran. Out of the kitchenette, out of the theatre, and towards home. He didn't even bother picking up his skateboard. He just kept running until he found himself in his room. He didn't even remember getting home, but that didn't matter. Grabbing his heavy chest of drawers, he shoved them in front of the door, collapsing against them. He cured into a ball, hands fisting into his hair. Blocking the door: to keep others out, or himself in, he didn't know.


Ash was curled up in her bed, determined to never leave. Her phone had been ringing none stop since she left the theatre, but she just turned it off. She didn't need telling that she hurt Johnny. She didn't need someone else to say stay away from him. The porcupine knew that she had ruined it all in her fear, merely making her predictions come true. She ruined everything. Lance was right, she was pathetic. She buried her face even further into her pillow. It was already stained with black mascara streaks, more tears didn't matter.

She had been crying for what felt like hours. Guilt practically drowned her. The sweetest, kindest, guy she knew, just had the full force of her disaster. She never knew how he stayed so optimistic about people, but she felt sure she would've wrecked that. The self-hate was overwhelming. God, she might throw up.

How long she spent wrapped in her own thoughts was indiscernible. Only a rapid knocking on her front door brought her back to earth. Lifting her heavy head, Ash could see her room was slowly darkening. Was it evening already? Another round of knocking sounded. It wouldn't be Lance, Ash knew her ex liked to visit in the dead of night. One paw scrubbed her damp eyes as she pattered towards the front door. Opening it, she felt the blood rush from her face. Meena and Rosita stood in the doorway, both with a look of determination on their faces. Shit. Ash automatically went to shut the door, only to find it blocked by a large grey hand. Before the porcupine could even think, the door was pushed open again, elephant and pig entering her home. Her spines flared slightly in panic, unsure of what her friends (could she even still call them that?) were going to say.

Trembling slightly, all that came out of her mouth was,

'Err, ok…. Would either of you like a coffee?' the sheer stark different in her tone from earlier seemed to shock her two guests. They exchanged a glance before Rosita replied.

'No thank you, we would just like to have a chat with you Ash, if that's ok?' the statement was polite enough, but Ash knew she had no choice in the matter. Sighing heavily, she gestured to them to follow. She flopped onto her couch, feeling exhausted. Half open eyes watched Rosita settle next to her whilst Meena sat cross legged on the floor. Even sat below them, Meena was still on eye level.

Surprising the elephant in question spoke first.

'Explain.' One word carried so much weight. How could Ash explain? Tell them she was a failure, and they were best off without her? That would only cause more questions.

'Explain what?' was her brilliant answer. Meena just frowned.

'Why you decided to lose it at your best friend.' Came back at her. Ash stared at the girl. The nervous, quiet elephant from before was gone. This was a woman on a mission. And for a moment, Ash considered telling her. Blabbing about Lance, her pathetic life, and all the hell that came with it. But her pride wouldn't let her. She had to maintain something, even if it meant losing her friends. So her silver tongue lashed out instead.

'Who the hell said I lost anything? And what do you mean 'best friend'? I barely know the guy.' The words were as sharp as they could be. Meena's eyes narrowed. Rosita decided to interrupt.

'Ash, we all heard you. And you and Johnny are as thick as thieves. We can all see how close you are. We don't mean to intrude, but we don't want to see you so upset, Hun. And we can't help if you don't talk to us.' Ash almost flinched. That damn word again. No one could help her.

'There's nothing to help. I'm not upset, and have no idea what you're on about.' Ok, that was a weak attempt at acting unaware, but Ash was fretting now. She just wanted to be alone. Meena's snort shocked her.

'Yeah, that's rubbish. You've been crying.' Ok, the flinch did happen that time. God, was she that obvious? She glanced between the two animals. Neither looked anywhere near giving up. So she did the only thing she could think of.

'Right, that's it. I've had enough of everyone poking their fucking nose in my business. There is nothing wrong, and I don't need your shitting help. Now get the hell out.' Wide eyes greeted her. But it was too late. Ash leapt of the couch, point towards the door. 'Go,' was growled out from her. A flicker of eyes was the only communication between the two animals before they rose. Just before the door shut behind them, Rosita turned to face her once more.

'Just remember, if you ever decide you need to talk, you know where to find us.' And with once last kind smile, she shut the door. Ash slumped to the floor. She felt as if she weighed a thousand tons. And she knew the feeling wasn't disappearing anytime soon.


A week and a half later found the porcupine in her bed. She had barely left over it since Rosita and Meena came over. Only food and bathroom breaks were deemed important enough. Several times knocking was heard at the door, her friends voices floating through. Mostly Meena, with blocks of Rosita. But the porcupine was sure she had heard Gunter and Buster at one point. Nights were no better, with Lance returning in various levels of drunkenness. His coercing went ignored, but any insult hurled her way just seemed to cut her deeper. Those times were spent crying silently into her pillow, praying for sleep that would never come.

Today she in the shower. The matting in her fur, and griminess of her face could no longer be ignored. Scrubbing herself harshly, she heard the knocking at the door. It once again went ignored. Ash had made it very clear she didn't want to talk, and she didn't know why they kept trying. Exiting the shower, the knocking came again. This time accompanied by an unfamiliar voice.

'Miss Breen? Are you in?' the voice was feminine yet authorative. Ash glanced down at her towel clad body, before calling back.

'Hold on, I'll be there in a minute!' tumbled forth as she dashed into her room. Grabbing one of the less wrinkled outfits from her floor, she threw it on. Hopping slighting, she yanked on her leggings as she made her way to the door. Opening it she was greeted by the sight of an alpaca. The woman peered down at Ash's slightly rumpled appearance, before clearing her throat.

'Miss Breen, I am here to ask if you would be willing to accompany myself down to St. Vincent's. One of the inmates has requested we track you down.' Ash gaped at the woman. Who the hell would be asking about her at a prison? Hell, the only person she knew that was in there was…. Shit. Johnny's dad. But he wouldn't ask about her, would he? She'd never even met the man. Too late, Ash realised the alpaca was speaking again.

'…of course we can't force you to come, but he was quite insistent upon us trying. We would be extremely grateful if you would be willing.' Ash blinked. If it was Johnny's father…. Was it worth the risk? She wasn't sure. The woman seemed to take her silence as a no, and began to turn away. Ash panicked.

'Wait!' spilt forth. Making a decision, Ash made eye contact. 'Lemme just grab my stuff.'