A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a long time, I've been getting caught up with school and whatnot, but I should be able to get at least another 2 or 3 chapters up this week, so enjoy!


Soulless


Chapter 9: Morning After


5:38 A.M.

Private lay comfortably on his bed, Skipper's arm still around him in a loving embrace. He didn't know what, but something had awoken him. Perhaps it was just the wind, or Skipper stirring in his sleep, but Private felt it was something else. He looked down to his leader, who was smiling contently in his slumber. He absolutely adored that smile.

The young penguin tried his hardest to leave the bed without waking Skipper, and was relieved to find it was relatively simple, despite his usually light sleeping. Private smiled, wondering if being with him had made the leader sleep better last night.

Ah, last night. It was certainly an odd one, but Private couldn't imagine it ending any other way. But there was still the question bouncing around in his mind. What was happening in this house? The little penguin sat on the side of the comforter, trying to decipher what had happened the previous night. He shook his head and decided now wasn't the best time to think about it. The young penguin slowly lifted himself up and off the bed, only to be met with a great pain. He had completely forgot about the injuries.

He sat there, wincing and trying not to make a great deal of noise, but, alas, it was no matter, as Skipper slowly rose from the sheets. Rubbing his eyes and seeing the pained penguin, he rushed over to him.

"Private!" He exclaimed, putting his flipper around him. "Are you alright?"

Private smiled. Just Skipper touching him gave him a better feeling all over. It was so nice.

"I am now.." He whispered, smiling. The leader smiled back and stared into the young penguin's eyes. Private could feel himself moving closer, and soon they were mere centimeters away.

Just as they closed in, An extremely loud noise shook the house.

Private jumped, Skipper glanced at him, the sort of 'We should go check it out' kind of glance. The young penguin's eyes widened.

"Um, Skippa?" He asked sheepishly as he saw the leader already getting ready to leave the room and investigate. "I-I don't think we should go out there.."

Skipper stopped and stared at the frightened penguin. He moved over and gently grabbed his flipper.

"It's okay, Private. Ill protect you." He reassured. The little penguin's blushed face let out a content smile.

Once they left the room, Skipper decided it was best to check out the main hall. After all, Kowalski and Rico could have already been awake and moving about the house, and that would be the best place to be. As they walked down the gloomy halls, Skipper never let go of Private's flipper. Private liked that. He remembered how nice it was, the feeling of his leader's flipper around his. Firm, but gentle at the same time, as if he was trying to show how much he cared, and how much he didn't want to let go.

Private kept his smile,but only for a short time, as the questions arose once again in his mind. He tried to forget them with the best of his abilities. After all, they were leaving today, it wouldn't even matter, everything would be better again.

The two arrived at the stairs descending to the main hall. The leader gave Private another reassuring glace before starting down the stairs. They looked around for any signs of there team-mates, but found nothing in the room or halls around them.

"Strange.." Skipper started, looking rather uncomfortable, which was unusual for him. "No one's even around."

"What could have made that noise then..?" The young penguin beside him asked, gripping Skipper's hand more firmly.

Skipper regained his composure and moved closer beside him. "They could be outside working on the car, let's check it out."

They turned around and headed for the door, but soon Skipper stopped abruptly. Private gave him a confused glance, but one look at his surroundings told him why Skipper did so.

The doors, the same exact doors they entered the mansion in, were gone. Completely vanished from existence.

And in its place, the walls were smeared in dark blood. And what was written with it were the words "Never Leave"


Sorry if this one's a little shorter, and the ending isn't quite as good, but as I said I should be getting at least 3 chapters in by the end of the week, so hopefully I wont disappoint :)