Chapter 6
After being carried inside, Chescha was thoroughly embarrassed. "I could have walked myself you know." She huffed, pouting in a cute way. Since she was now sitting on a comfortable couch in the Strongholds living room, she began her story. "Okay, I know you're wondering why I transported you here. It's because when Richard gets pissed, you stay out of his way. The only problem with this is now I've disappeared on him again, and he won't stop looking for me until he has me in a death grip again. And he's totally convinced himself that I'm going to marry him someday. Someday really, really, soon. In fact it was apparently supposed to happen when I turned 16, but I managed to go into hiding, and then escape to a different country. Do you know where I was before I came here? I was in a Japan. Before that, Australia. Before that, turkey. There is nowhere for me to hide." Zack let out a "whoa. Like, why is that guy so obsessed with you? Why doesn't he give up?"
Sighing, Chescha turned to him and said "because. It's been foretold that I, a half human, half Cheshire cat will bring incredible power to whoever can capture me and brand me with the sacred collar. People have been searching for that collar for thousands of years. And as soon as a male found it, I would have to be found next. However, I haven't been born all those thousands of years ago. Not until now. And the male who happened to find the collar is Richard. And He, happened to know me through my... relatives." Will gave me a sympathetic look and said "Harsh." Shaking her head, Chescha told him "that's not even half of it. Once they collar me, I have to do whatever they want until the day either they or I die." Both Layla and Magenta winced and said "double harsh." Slamming her hand onto the coffee table, she shouted "exactly!" everyone jumped and the table cracked in half. It was silent for a second before Chescha scratched the back of her head in embarrassment and said "oops. Sorry. I'll pay for that."
The Commander strode in there right then and asked "You don't happen to have super strength too do you?" shrugging her shoulders, the cat-girl responded "maybe. I might get it later, but I'm pretty sure I don't have it now." "Oh. Okay." Was all the Commander said before he walked out to go make a sandwich for himself. Turning back to the group, Chescha put her head in her hands and told them "He just pisses me off so much! The first time I met Richard, he practically raped me with his eyes, and I just don't feel safe around him! It's not that he's totally dangerous, he's a total idiot! But he doesn't even care about how I feel; I'm just a piece of ass. Some prize to show off to all the other important members of his family, and to the world." Sighing, she flicked out a claw and started tracing invisible patterns onto her jeans. "Sorry guys. I shouldn't have gone off like that. You're probably pissed off at me for complaining so much." Standing up, she stretched and said "well, knowing Richard, he'll be here in a couple of minutes, or seconds, so I better get going." Going over to Warren, She gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. Whispering in his ear, she told him "thanks for protecting me." With that, she walked out the door leaving a red faced Warren standing there flabbergasted. Smiling coyly, Layla poked the poor pyro in the side and said "well well well, looky here! Warren was scoring some points with Chescha! Truthfully, you two make a really cute couple." Trying to cover his embarrassment with anger, Warren burned Layla's finger and said "shut up. It's not like that at all." And he quickly rushed out the door. Sucking on her finger, Layla smirked and said "riiiiiiight." Making everyone In the room laugh.
No one could see what was inside people. But if you could, you would clearly see the growing seeds of resentment growing in Will and Zack for their Pyro friend. It should have been me Chescha kissed on the cheek! Not him! I helped just as much as him! Was what the two boys thought. Meanwhile, Chescha was skipping her way towards her apartment and was quite surprised at herself. "Why did I kiss him? That isn't like me at all. But I guess he can't help being so tall, strong, handsome…" she trailed off, and sighed dreamily. Jerking her head up, she face palmed and scolded herself. "Chescha! You can't fall in love with anyone! You're doomed to servitude for the rest of your life if Richard succeeds! And now I'm talking to myself! Great. I think I need some therapy." As she reached her floor, she walked briskly towards her door. Stopping in front of it, she fished out her keys and stuck them in the lock. Stepping in, she dumped her bag next to the door. Making her way to the couch, she collapsed on it, and sighed. Letting her eyes close, she thought wow, all this really made me tired. Before falling asleep.
The sound of clinking woke her up about an hour later. Blinking and giving a little yawn, she looked up, to see Richard looming over her. Looking at his hands, a diamond studded collar was laying comfortably. "Oh no." was all she was able to say before it was slipped over her head.