When Darkness Falls

Part Six

Hours came and went before the sun began to rise again over the distant horizon. Colors of orange and red that painted the sky above the city as the sun continued its ascent into the sky. As the day grew brighter, small rays of sunlight began to shimmer in through the shaded window; casting the room with dim light.

Dib began to stir as he soon awoke. He soon opened his eyes. Looking around, he soon froze in shock. From where he was situated; which he realized was at the foot of his bed, he saw Zim resting against the wall across from him; looking as if he were asleep. Dib jumped up from shock; nearly falling over onto the floor. 'What's he doing here!' Dib screamed in his mind.

It was then that the memories started to come rushing back. That they had ran to his house after that weird creature came after them. They had made it inside and Dib had brought Zim to his room. Dib then glanced down to see that he was still in his regular clothes. He sighed annoyingly before continued thinking of what had happened.

Soon, he glanced down at his arm where the bandage was wrapped snug around the wound that he had obtained. 'That's right.' Dib thought suddenly. 'He saved me from that creature thing... Whatever it was.' He took another glance at the Irken resting against the wall. It began to confuse him as to why someone who had been out to destroy the human race would suddenly risk his life to save his enemy. 'Enemy...' Dib thought for a moment.

Over the time that he had known Zim, the Irken hadn't even come close to taking over Earth. So why did he still want to expose him? Dib tried to think it through to find the answer. 'Why wouldn't I?' Dib continued to ponder. 'Zim is an evil alien bent on world conquest... But...' He began to trail off. He then glanced over to see Gir's metallic body on the ground; unmoving. He then remembered the look of fear that was on Zim's face when he had come to Dib's rescue. He seemed really worried and scared.

"Is everything alright, Dib-Worm?" Zim'ssudden voice snapped Dib back to the present and he turned to see Zim looking back at him a bit confused.

"Yes, everything's fine!" Dib replied; a little harsher than he intended; which he realized as he saw Zim jerked back in surprise.

"Sorry." Dib said; a bit softer this time; looking at the floor.

"It's alright." Zim replied; a bit uncertain.

"I've just been thinking." Dib confessed finally.

Zim rose from his spot; walking over to Dib; causing the twelve-year-old to glance up.

"Well, we've made it another day," Zim stated; turning his attention toward the window; where the shadow had been previously the night before; only to find it was gone. "And that creature seems to have gone." Zim continued; turning toward Dib again.

"Yeah, but I can't help but feel like this won't be the last time we see it." Dib replied; frowning.

Just then, a voice rang out.

"Hurry up Dib! It's time to go!" Dib knew that it Gaz and he knew better than to make her upset.

"Well, we should get ready to for school." Dib said finally and began to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" Zim asked; causing Dib to stop and turn around.

"I'm going to change. I can't look like a hobo." With that, Dib left the room and Zim shook his head

"Worm-Babies and their stupid human habits." He murmured before realizing that he still had his disguise on from the night before.

Taking out another pair of disguised contacts and a new wig he soon replaced them. Turning around he saw Dib standing there. Dib then came in and got his jacket.

"Okay, c'mon," Dib said; putting on his jacket. "Gaz left already."

Zim nodded before getting his own coat from the chair, where he had left it; putting it on before running out of the room and following Dib down the steps. They went out the door and began their way down the street. As they did so, the duo soon realized that the days seemed to be getting colder. A gust of wind blew past them; causing them both to shiver.

"S-stupid infernal Earth weather!" Zim growled; his breath slightly misting in the chilled air.

"Oh s-stop complaining Zim," Dib replied; his breath doing the same. "You're so annoying."

"You dare insult Zim!" Zim demanded.

Dib rolled his eyes.

"C'mon, we're going to be late." Dib told him.

Zim scowled in reply but nonetheless followed behind Dib as they made their way down the road. The two remained silent as they continued on toward their destination. Before long, Dib spoke up.

"Zim?" He said at last.

"What is it, Dib-Stink?" Zim replied; a bit annoyed; but mostly surprised to hear Dib speaking.

Dib stopped walking; while Zim continued.

"I'm sorry." Dib replied; looking at the ground.

This caused Zim to stop walking and turn around; confused by what he heard his rival say.

"Why are you apologizing, Dib-Stink?"

Dib looked at him for a moment.

"I think it's the right thing to do." He replied finally. "I mean, you weren't the one behind the murders and I shouldn't have said those things to you." Dib added. "So I'm sorry."

Zim stared at him for a moment. Dib began to think about what he was saying. 'What am I doing?' He thought to himself. 'He's supposed to be my enemy.' his thoughts were cut short as Zim began to speak.

"Your request for forgiveness has been received." Zim replied; placing a hand on his shoulder.

Dib was shocked to hear this.

"So truce?" Dib asked.

Zim removed his hand from Dib's shoulder and looked at him for a moment. Dib began to regret telling Zim what he had said before. It had possibly shown Zim that he was weak; which could possibly lead him to his downfall. But to his surprise, Zim slowly held out his hand; as if trying to reconsider something. Dib looked at it for a moment before smiling and taking Zim's hand in his and they shook on it. Zim then grinned evilly and gripped Dib's hand really hard.

"OW!" Dib cried out; pulling his hand back in pain as Zim giggled evilly.

"You stink, Zim." Dib whimpered; massaging his hand while Zim continued laughing.

Scowling, Dib then punched Zim in the arm really hard; causing Zim to cry out in pain and Dib began to laugh. Zim scowled; rubbing his now really sore arm.

"C'mon, we've wasted enough time. We've gotta get to school." Dib stated after recovering from his laughing.

And so they began to their way down the road.

Sorry for the really long wait for such a short and kinda crappy chapter -_-; I had a really bad writer's block and had a few things that needed to be taken care of ^^; Anyways, I hope you're all still enjoying my story :D I'm working at this story now after such a long time away from it ^^; But anways, I hope they're not too OOC :( More will come hopefully soon :) So stay tuned :D PLEASE R&R! THANK! :D:D