For those who asked- yes, Elly and Pepito had sex. They're technically married, and I needed to come up with an explanation for Xavier- you'll find out who he is soon. Don't talk to me about 'out of character'ness, okay? I know.

Also, I've found myself reverting back to my 'old' writing style, which is fine, I guess. But don't worry; we'll still have those small 'center peices' every now and then, okay? Okay. Now enjoy, and don't forget to comment.

"Do I have to go to school?"

"Yes. Now get in the fucking car and let me take you shopping for new clothes, okay? Don't be an ass."

"You have the most amazing vocabulary, Dad."

"I try my hardest."

Xavier Diablo, a tall boy with long black hair sighed, annoyed, and got in the dark blue car in the front seat along with his father. Pepito, the said father, started the car as soon as Xavier closed the door. They went to several stores, including Cimsoc, Goth Topic, Emo Boyz and Large Mart. Xavier was pretty happy that his father understood the fact that Xavier loved the color black, in fact almost needed it, due to the fact that Pepito himself was a goth when he was a teen (maybe still was) and, apparently, so was his mother.

Xavier had been homeschooled for the past fourteen years while they lived in New York, but now that they were in Vasquezville, he had to go to some school called Jhonen V. High or something stupid like that.

Xavier didn't much like people.

And so, on the first day of school, he wore a black shirt with long black and dark purple striped sleeves that said 'Dead!' in large white block letters, black jeans, a stud belt and black skate shoes. He brushed his hair into his usual style and left, carting everything in a dark red messenger bag. He grunted at his father's wave of goodbye and rode his skateboard to school. He slipped into class just as the bell rang, ignoring the stares. He chose the empty desk in the last row, next to a red haired kid. Maybe Pepito would change his mind and let him leave.

Robert hadn't known just what do say when a pregnant teenage girl had walked through the door of his small art shop, asking for a job. She had a definite serious look on her face, her bright green eyes narrowed and pale mouth tightened. She looked to be at least three months pregnant, her belly bulging slightly beneath her light green tanktop. She looked somewhat tough; in a bad way. Too serious, if you would. The strangest thing was her choppy black hair, covering one eye which, he had noticed once when she sneezed, was completely gone. It was just a big, black hole. When he had hesitated about the job, she had sighed. "Look, I need a job if I'm going to take care of this fucking baby. Just give it to me and I'll work as long and as much as you want me to. I need to get out of the house, anyway."

"Family troubles?"

She had looked at him, an eyebrow raised. "You could say that." she said mysteriously.

And now, two weeks later, she had stayed true to her word; she worked most hours, which was good because he had some free time- the first in years. Her nickname, though, was somewhat strange- Lly. He had had a girlfriend named Elly in college, but she went by El.

And now, as he sat in his office and peeked out the window, he saw her sitting at the counter reading a book. One thing was for sure; she didn't let anyone steal. The last time, he hadn't seen what had happened, but when he came back from his break he walked in on her scrubbing red stuff the wooden floor, and she had changed. Her other clothes were in a bag, the white sweater and jeans stained red as well.

When asked what happened, Lly had informed him that a man had come in carrying a cherry slushie and tried to rob it. She had punched him, he had spilled it everywhere and ran away.

He didn't question the rusty smell that followed for days afterward, nor the body in the dumpster found out back six days later.

Lly looked up briefly to look at a customer coming in. He asked her a question, and she directed him to the comedy section. Robert glanced at the clock, then opened the door. "Okay Lly, your shifts over. You can go home now."

"Do I have too?" she sighed. Robert nodded and informed her that they were closing up. She sighed again and grabbed her bag, starting to stand up. "See you Monday, Mr. Cencia."

"See you then, Lly." he waved, and she left.

Elly sighed, resting her hand over her large stomach and tapping it with one purple nailed finger. Tipan was a small town, and most people had seen her around, so the stares were lessened.

She stopped in front of a book store, staring at some of the books and doing the math in her head.

Let's see... she thought, if I make ten dollars a week, and five go to food... uh... wait... she cursed. Damn. I might need to get another job...

"Having fun, honey?"

"Since when have you followed me to work, Mayh-" she turned away to walk toward home, "AGWAAH!"

A twelve-year-old girl with long magenta hair in two pigtails on either side of her head stood in front of her, smirking. Her two pale arms were crossed against her small chest, clothed in a silky black dress that poofed out at the at the waist and reached her knees, which were covered in black tights and thick black high-heeled combat boots. "Helloooooo, Elly dear!" She giggled, lifting a hand and waggling her fingers.

"My GOD!" Elly stumbled back. "You have a freaking body! When the hell did you get that?"

"A bit after you left." Mayhem shrugged and ran a black gloved hand through her hair. "Man, I never thought having a body would be so... so... what do you humans say? Awesome?"

"Does this mean you'll leave me alone?" Elly sighed, rubbing her head to fend of a looming headache.

"Nooo, so sorry!" In fact, she didn't look sorry at all. "I'm bound to you. I would be begging Destiny, but..." She started to inspect her covered fingernails, looking bored. A moment later, she turned her face back up to Elly, her expression unchanged. "We all know what happened, no?"

"I don't like you." Elly replied flatly, pushing past her doll and walking faster. The fast clicks of heels followed her, signaling that Mayhem, alas, was going home with her.

"I know you don't like me, sweetie, but you have to understand that I'm here, whether you like it or not."

"I'd rather not think about that. And I'm not talking to you anymore."

"You are so stubborn!" Mayhem stopped and stomped her foot angrily. After a moment, she realized that Elly hadn't stopped, and rushed to follow her. "Wait!"

"Oh my god, Mayhem." Elly huffed, speeding up to try and avoid the girl chasing her. "If I was talking to you, I'd ask you why can't you just... go die or something?"

"I don't mean to burst your bubble, Lly," Agh! She had caught up! "But I'm kind of immortal. Stuff like that, hm?"

"Damn immortalness." Elly sighed. She was actually almost running now to keep Mayhem away, but no. She had to go and float. "I'm guessing I'm immortal too."

"Yep!" Mayhem said cheerily.

"I wasn't talking to you." her dark haired companion growled. "But if I was, I'd tell you to stop doing that floaty thing. People are staring."

Mayhem looked around at the people who were, indeed, staring at the creepy floating Gothic child. Sighing, she lowered herself and chased her Host on foot.

Elly decided to slow down at this point, simply fast walking. She pulled into a small clothing store, growling as the doll followed her. "Just. Leave. Me. Alone."

"I caaaaaaan't!" Mayhem whined, grasping on to her pale arm. "I'm like your little sister!"

"I knew I was right to be glad I was an only child." she murmured, walking into the childrens section. "We might as well get you some... normal... clothes."

"I like my clothes." Mayhem piped up as the teen dragged her into the pastel colors of the girls section.

Meanwhile, both were oblivious to the stares of the green haired girl watching them with wide gray eyes.

***WHAT WAS GOING ON IN DESTINY'S MIND***
Ohmigod that can't be Elly no way there's no way it's Elly
who's that girl with her she's creepy why is she dressed like that no
way why is Elly here what's going on? I have to ask that just might be Elly!

The color of the air turned a pale blue- the color of hope.

Destiny spent her time looking at baby clothes while she waited for the two girls to finish. After about thirty minutes, they bought their clothes and started for the door. The younger one, wearing a black Lolita-style dress and black Cinderella gloves noticed the older woman first. Her eyes, blood red and framed with long, jet black eyelashes widened. She stopped for a moment, then smiled widely, her two pointy eyeteeth showing.

"Hey! Look!" She quickly ran over to Destiny and pointed to her stomach. "This lady is pregnant too!"

The girl turned to look at her, her green eye suddenly widening.

***SECOND THOUGHTS***
She... she looks different. I don't think Elly would ever
cut her hair like that- it's so short. Of course, her eyes are the same color...
Does she have one eye as well?
Wait.
Oh god.
This can't be Lly.
She's pregnant.

While Destiny's thoughts whirled, the girl cracked a small smile and walked up, grasping the pale girls hand. Yes- this girl was paler than Destiny had ever thought possible. It was kind of creepy.

"Come on, May..." she said in a raspy voice. "We... we have to go. Mom's waiting."

"What's your name?"

"What?" she turned around and faced Destiny.

"Your name. What is it?"

She swallowed thickly, and shook her head. "My name is Devi. This is my little sister May. Why?"

"You just..." Destiny paused. "You look like someone I know."

"Sorry, I've never seen you in my life!" Devi's voice cracked as she pulled May out of the store. "Buh-bye!"

Destiny sighed, turning back to the baby clothes. So much for that adventure...

Dear Die-ary,

I feel like I've been running away. Running. And running. I have been running ever since we left Gotham. Running from the acid smell of the rusty blood that stained my walls. Running from the screams that have emmetated from my basement every night since I was two. Running from the burning flame that has been burning away my sanity for the past three years.

Running, running, ever running. Running still, running as this day nearly one thousand days later, always running.

You have heard it said that time heals all wounds, but I have found no succor in its inexorable march, no relief from the crushing burden of... everything. Everybody calls my name in the final fiery consummation, victim of a no less ravenous monster than insanity. Skewered in its scorching jaws, they cry out to me, Elly, Elly! Where are you?

And I answer: I am here, I am here, an old women whose body time in its mercy has ground down, whose memory time in its cruelty has left pristine.

I escaped; I am bound.

I ran; I remain.

I ran... I ran... I ran from...

What?

~Elly C.

Notes:
-Mayhem is different because once she got a body, she got, um, changed a bit. And stuff.

Any questions I will be glad to answer!

-Some info on Xavier, which will be more important in Nikki's story, but still.

-Xavier Diablo

-Age 14

-Birthday: October 31st

-Hair: Raven black, slightly wavy, goes to shoulders and covers most of eyes.

-Eyes: Bright green

-Likes black, cats, black cats, scary movies, old black and white movies (mainly cheesy), chasing kids and screaming, playing keyboard, photography and painting (usually on things he's not supposed to, like walls and doors, etc)

-Dislikes posers, spy movies, dancers, stereotypes, and people who always try to play with his hair, which happens a lot.

I think I might do a story with him mainly. Awesome, no?