It has been about 4 months since the whole Stingler attack. We were still trying to find a place that we could call a sanctuary. Not really all that easy considering most of every building we passed was about to fall down or wasn't holding together too well. This was all becoming a real bore actually, not so surprising it would though.

"I don't this apocalyptic world of ours," 14 said randomly. "There isn't a decent building. It all sucks, really."

She didn't really have to blurt that out. We already knew the obvious, but that's 14. Always pointing out the obvious, usually worsening every ones mood. But anyway, after leaving camp 4 months ago, I began to carry around the dual swords on a little leather made belt that hung on my hips. Now if I was ever unable to get my spear, I had two swords back me up. Another new thing was that I had lost my cloak that day. It blew away in the wind or something, I only know that it's gone. So, whenever we found a place to stay, I needed to find some cloth to make a new one.

Nothing much has changed about our group, except that 20 and 21 joined. We still know very little about 15 and 18, who are being careful to keep to themselves. 14 is getting all suspicious about them, and the Machine design on 15's side doesn't help at all either. Then there's 16, who is the most laid back and calm one, usually having a smile on his face. And the last two, 20 and 21, usually spend there time trying to talk to me. They never get much. Like now.

"What did you do before joining this group?" 20 asked. She was at my left.

"That's personal and confidential," I answered.

"Well, why is it confidential?" 21 questioned. He was at my right.

"Because it is," I was slowly getting annoyed by the constant questions.

"Why won't you tell us?" 20 asked another question.

"Because I don't want to," I said, anger starting to sound in my voice.

"Why not?" 21 repeated his younger sisters question.

"I am about to strangle you two," I growled, "you do realize that?"

The scooted away and rejoined each other about a foot behind me. They whispered amongst themselves before getting in there places right beside me.

"Do you mind if we ask one more question?" she didn't seem to realize that was a question.

"You just did, but go ahead," I sighed.

"How did you get that scar?" 21 asked.

I put my left hand over my scar, remembering how I got it. I finally spoke, "I don't feel like sharing that story."

Right as they were about to say something more, 16 popped up and pushed the two away. "Okay, you two. I think 13 has had enough with the questions for today."

They awed in disappointment before moving on away from me. 16 stayed at my side, having a concerned look on his face.

"Thanks, 16," I said.

He nodded. "Would you mind if I asked a few questions of my own?"

I sighed. "Go ahead."

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You seem more down than usual."

I sighed again. It was true, I was depressed. And for a good reason too. But I wasn't going to break down telling my whole life story. That would be very stupid to do.

I never responded, giving him my answer in a way. He knew I wasn't one to tell anyone if I had a problem. I still didn't trust any of them enough to tell them about my problems. But I was very close to doing so.

16 sighed before saying, "Even after all this time of knowing each other, you still don't trust me. That kinda hurts, 13." He began to smile at me. Multiple things about him reminded me of my brother, 12. That's another thing that made me depressed.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked him. He just nodded in return. I sighed before continuing '"We're close to one of my brothers graves."

He stared at me for a moment before looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"I know you didn't know. It's okay," I had interrupted him mid-sentence. "It's not to far from where we are now."

He was silent for a moment. "I'm still sorry, 13."

"You wanna know something very interesting?" My depressed mood began to lighten.

He put his hands behind his head, noticing me trying to lighten the mood. "That would depend whether it'll make you more depressed."

"Not so depressing," I smiled. "More or less a comparison."

He nodded. "Then go ahead."

I looked down slightly, trying to word everything correctly. "You... The way you act and everything... It reminds me of 12 in a way. Reason being why I mainly talk to you. You're kinda the one I trust the most, but still not enough to tell you everything."

He was silent for a moment, looking at me curiously. He looked up at the clouds which covered the sky. "This 12 guy must be pretty awesome then. Do you think we'd get along?"

High and Mighty much, 16?

"Most defiantly," my smile widened. "You're both very annoying and can read me like a book. Oh, and you're both very strange individuals. The only difference I can think of is that you don't smother me in hugs."

He laughed at me. He wrapped his left arm around my neck and pulled me down. "Has he ever done this?" He started to give me a noogie.

I dropped my spear trying to escape from 16 but failed. We were both laughing making the others, who were in front of us, look back. The others began to laugh at the scene. None of them had really seen me act like this, so it was a funny-strange change of character. 15 and 18 just quietly laughed to themselves while the others laughed a bit louder. 14 then pulled 20 and 21 to her side and started whispering to them. They nodded and started to run at me and 16. Us, being confused, just stayed still. Not a very good idea in the least. The three tackled us to the ground, kinda piled on top of us. I some how ended up on the bottom, feeling the weight of every one of them.

"Please get off," I struggled to say. They did as I said and got off slowly. As I stood up I said, "Lets find somewhere to settle for the day. The sun's almost down."

They all turned simultaneously, except 15 and 18, to see that the sun was indeed setting. They all, except 15 and 18, gave a disappointed sigh. I think you're starting to see a pattern here. We walked around more another minute or two before finding a small clearing. As we made it to the center, 16 began giving out orders.

"Alright, 20 and 21, go look for enough things to burn to make a small fire. 15, 18, go find stuff to make it burn. 14 and 13, scout ahead and around the area to make sure it's safe." With those orders, we set off to do as we were told.

Me and 14 began to walk in the original direction we were headed in. We didn't start talking until I decided to begin the conversation.

"So 14," I started, "how have you been lately?" Quite a random question for the moment if you ask me.

She didn't respond immediately I more less taking her time to answer. "Well, we haven't been attacked by any of those mechanical monsters, so that's good. Me in general, pretty good." She paused for a moment, thinking if something to say. "So, uh, how close are you to 16 now? I mean, uhm, you two seem to be getting very close."

I looked at her to see she was looking at the her feet as she continued walking. I slightly smiled, "Don't worry, 14. We're only close like a brother and a sister. There's no need to be jealous."

She snapped her head up and looked at me. I could tell she was both surprised and embarrassed by my comment. "I-I'm not jealous of you! I just-!"

I interrupted her. "No need to lie. I've made physical contact with you so I know most of everything about you. Such as the fact you like 16." She tried to say something but I interrupted her again. "Yes, I know that much just from a small touch. So you never know when I'm gathering information." She tried to say something again but ended up with the same result. "You're predictable, 14. Anymore questions you want me to answer before you ask it?"

She glared at me for only a moment before looking around the area. She stopped when she saw something that seem to spark her interest. "Shinyshinyshinyshinyshiny!," 14 quickly ran over to whatever seemed shiny.

"Strange, strange girl," I muttered to myself.

I followed her to see what she had found. She was sitting on her legs examining the little device she had picked up. She to me, looking like she was pouting. I put my hand out to her to give me. She did, gently putting it in my metal hand. I examined it, though I already knew the name for it. Music Box. Well, not really a box, more or less the part that makes the music. It's metal was still as shiny as I had remembered, and the little 13 perfectly etched into the side. Yep, it was mine, which meant this was 12's grave. But something kind of confused me. I left something else here, but it's not here.

"What is that, 13?" 14's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I just smiled and set the music box on the music box on the ground and sat down. I started to turn the handle on the side which made the music begin. Gears slowly turned, making the metal cylinder turn against the metal piano strip. A small melody slowly came out of the music box. I rocked side to side, swaying to the music, quietly humming it's tune. 14 just gave glances to me and the little music box. My smile slowly turned as I remembered everything about my 'family'.

As the beautiful, sad melody stopped, I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. If I had not been a coward, then they might still be alive. They could be with me. Stupid, weak, useless girl. You can't do anything right can you?

"13? What's wrong?" 14's voice was filled with worry. I turned to look at her, her face also showing a large amount of worry. Strange. She was so much like a human, show most of everything they felt by face expressions and the sound of their voice.

And just for a moment, a picture of 11 flashed in my head. That expression on her face reminded me so much of him, always concerned about the well being of others more than himself. I could help myself. I pulled her down into a hug, never wanting to let go. I wanted that image of 11 to stay in my head. I wanted him to be here more than anything, really. But he wasn't, and I had to live that. Live with the fact that it was my fault.

14 was in quite an awkward position. She has never hugged or been hugged by anyone before. Not really sure what to do, she just kept her hands at her sides.

"14," I whispered loud enough for her to hear. "If I am ever caught in a situation where I can't get out without one of you sacrificing yourselves, just run. My family died like that, I don't want it to happen again."

14 froze for a second, not so sure what was going on. But out of instinct she wrapped her burlap arms around me. She said, "It won't happen again. I promise." She had no idea what I was referring to but that's what comes with her simple mind. And the fact she was just going along with it and trying to comfort me.

We pulled away from each other and smiled awkwardly.

"Whole hugging scene stays here?" I asked.

14 nodded. "Never gonna leave here. Should we head back to camp?"

"Yeah," I stood up, leaving the music box on the ground. "We've done enough 'scouting' for today."

We didn't really wander too far from our camp site. So it wouldn't take to long to get there. There were barely any moments where we wouldn't be talking to each other. I guess that would come from being so much like 11(not the scary strength, though). She was growing on me, like a little sister, which meant she'd be more trouble if her life was on the line. But it was nice having a family again. Well, stitchpunks who were like family.

When we finally got back to camp, everything was already set up. The fire was burning very low. We don't really trust bigger campfires any more, though I guess we shouldn't have in the first place. 18 and 15 were the furthest away from the fire, not getting to close to anyone else. 18 was on the ground, carefully drawing on paper she had apparently found, along withsome ink bottles. 15 was sitting beside her making a brown cloth bag. Not necessarily a bag that you would fling over your shoulder, more one that would cling to your waist and hips. 16 was laying on the ground staring at the cloudy sky, having a distant look. 20 and 21 weren't anywhere in sight.

"BOO!" The two of them jumped up from behind us. I just sighed, figuring that much would happen. 14, on the other hand, jumped and nearly started to clobber them.

"YOU TWO ARE SUCH TROUBLEMAKERS!" 14 screamed at them.

They just smiled and started leaning on 14's shoulders. 20 on the right and 21 on the left. I just slowly scooted away, still in earshot.

"We know 14's little secret," 20 smiled.

"What secret?" She asked still obviously angry.

"14's got a crush," 21 smiled wider than his younger sister.

"N-no, I don't," 14 lied. She made it pretty obvious too.

"Don't lie," They said in unison, getting in front of her. They acted more like twins than anything else.

"I'm not lying!" She lied again. A little less obvious this time.

"Fine," 20 sighed, "but just so you know-"

"You brought this upon yourself," 21 finished her sentence.

14 looked at them strange. They both took a step back, turned around, and linked arms.

"14 and 16 sitting in a tree," They sang skipping around, "k-i-s-s-i-n-g!"

"SHUT UP!" She shouted at them. She started chasing after them when they continued.

"First comes love," 20 sang.

"Then comes marriage," her brother sang.

"Then comes the baby in the baby carriage," They finished.

They both stopped skipping and turned to 14, only to be tackled to the ground. The siblings laughed as they looked at 14's super embarassed face. I quietly laughed as I made my way to 16. He was sitting up, aware of what had just happened. He was now watching as 14 threatened to plow their heads into the ground if they continued to tease her. They, of course, continued and some how got away from 14 and ran around camp.

"What was that about?" he turned to me.

"Something about 14 having a crush on you," I smiled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," I started to walk away. I pretty sure he was in 'la la land' now, thinking about 14, cause he just went back to staring at the clouds in a daze. I walked over to 15 and 18 just to see why they were so far away.

Before I could say anything, 15 spoke, "14 doesn't trust us." She never looked up at me. She kept her on eyes on what she was making.

"What makes you say that?" I sat beside her setting my spear beside me(she was carrying it the whole time), my smile gone. I already knew the answer but...

"You already know. You've seen the way she glares at us." She held up the bag, examining every stitch, making sure it'd hold. "I guess it should be expected. We don't share much with any of you."

"Why don't you want to share anything with anyone?" I asked.

"Because..." she trailed off think of something to say. "Because none of you will understand."

I was quiet for a moment thinking about what she had said. I spoke up, "Well, you never know till you try."

She just sighed in response. 15 turned to 18, who was still drawing, and poked her. "18."

18 just turned to her friend then to me. She smiled at me and waved before turning back to her friend. 15 just handed to little bag to 18. She carefully took it, stood up, and started to put it on. When 18 was done fiddling with the strap, looked at it carefully, making sure it'd stay on. The cloth was a dark gray-teal type of color with black cloth in various other places. The bag was still a bit loose but hung onto 18 like it was glued. It looked quite good, really. 18 turned to us with a questioning look on her face, as if asking how it looked.

"It looks very good on you, 18," I smiled at her. She smiled back and turned to 15.

15 smiled slightly. "It does look good. Do you like it?"

18 silently giggled, no real sound of laughter ever coming out, just a slight clicks. She nodded at her friend and jumped on her hugging her. 15 was quite surprised by this action but, none the less, hugged her back. When they pulled back from each other, 18 flashed her eyes, telling 15 something that I couldn't understand.

"Are you sure, 18?" 15 questioned her friend. She just nodded and back away, going back to drawing. 15 watched her for a few more seconds before turning to me. "18 says we can trust you. I believe her but..." She trailed off again. "I'm afraid of what you'll think of us if we tell you."

"Like I said," I started, "'You never know till you try'."

She just looked down, thinking over what she was about to do. She looked up at me again. "You can everything about someone if you touch them, right?"

"More or less."

She put her hand out to me. I stared at her slightly confused before realizing she wanted me to touch her hand. I slowly did, thinking,this is so awkward. Is sure hope 16 isn't listening in on my thoughts.I held 15's hand softly, concentrating on find everything out about her and 18. When I finally found what I want to see, everything went black, as usual. But it was different than usual; it was more cold. Did I pass out?


Haaaa... Strangeness... Um, yeah, so.... UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER! Review please.

And I believe Maureen would be very excited about the next chapter that'll probably be up on Sunday. Curse you, Maureen for making me be use to updating so quickly! And curse my impatience!!!

I do not own 9, Shane Acker does. I only own the characters and some of the story line.