Kendrick tried to reach for my locket but I jumped back. Someone grabbed him by the shoulder pulling him back away from me. Daniel moved in between us as I shoved my locket down my shirt. Kendrick looked far too pleased that Daniel had arrived. But Daniel didn't give Kendrick a chance to make another witty remark. He landed a good punch across the face.

"That one is for the foul," Daniel said stretching his hand. Kendrick staggered back rubbing his jaw. Daniel reached out to me.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

Kendrick came forward to try and hit him. Daniel quickly turned his attention back on Kendrick.

"Daniel, no!""

He jumped back dodging Kendrick with ease and laid another perfect hit in the eye. I pulled Daniel back not wanting him to continue on. I moved forward putting as much space in between the two. Kendrick staggered once more to the ground clutching his face. I moved forward and quickly reaching for his time key on his wrist. He made a grab for my own wrist. On pure reflex, somehow, I ended up with his arm behind his back and my foot on his back.

I examined the watch on his wrist. It was definitely a time key and it was far out of my repair. The hands on the clock had stopped moving frozen in time. Who knows how long it would take for it to function properly? I unfastened it from his wrist and tossed it over to Daniel.

I moved my foot to yank Kendrick to his feet. I caught his other arm to prevent him from trying anything to escape. He half grunted, half laughed in my capture. I've had enough of him. I would not deal with him any longer. I let him go in the blink of an eye and snapped his neck with ease. Kendrick's body dropped to the grass, dead.

"I told you not to threaten me." I pulled out my locket and it soon began to hum. It burst open revealing the time warp inside. I pushed him over careful to not be pulled inside. His body flew in making a gurgle sound as if he were being placed in a garbage disposal. Once he was gone, the warp closed. I turned back to Daniel who looked at me uncertainly. But he snapped out if quickly enough and came forward.

"Did that guy hurt you?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Daniel, I'm fine."

He hesitated. "You figured out who he was. Was he a Snatcher?"

"Fortunately, no," I said. "He's just a greedy time traveler looking out for himself. He and I were friends at one point. He was even your friend. The important thing is he can't harm you or let a Snatcher know you're here." I paused diverting my eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see that." I gestured to where Kendrick's body used to be on the field.

I felt his hand on my shoulder. "You did what you had to do, Luce. I get it. I know it's not an easy job protecting me."

"It's not right for you to see that. He was our friend."

"No, he wasn't." Daniel handed me the broken time key.

I looked up at him now taking the key. He looked serious but not intimidated like he was a just a moment ago. Daniel softened tucking aside a strand of hair behind my ear. It was as if he was finally realizing of what I had to do to protect him. I had killed Kendrick for our survival, it was the only way so his large mouth would not get us into further trouble.

"Shall we go? Your friends must be waiting," I said taking a step back releasing myself from him. I shoved my hands in my pockets trying to smile a bit.

Daniel nodded. We got in his car and headed down town toward Ryo's where I'm sure everyone had gathered to celebrate. When Daniel and I entered, the place erupted into applause and rooting. I smiled sheepishly at all those who showed up. Daniel drifted off toward his friends.

Before I joined him, I pulled out my phone to see if I had received a call. I didn't expect anyone would contact me but now a days I suspected I would hear from the other protectors soon enough. As if on cue, Hogan's picture showed up soon vibrating in my hand. I slipped back out of the restaurant to avoid all the noise. I picked up as the door closed behind me.

I could see him just like last time except he looked tired.

"Hogan, is everything alright?" I asked.

"For the most part, listen, how are things in your end?" he asked. He sounded a little concerned.

"I just killed Kendrick not that long ago but no Snatchers," I reported.

"Listen Lucinda, I suspect Snatchers will appear soon enough heading right for you," Hogan warned. "We're being hunted as we speak even Gabriela so keep your eyes peeled. I want you to meet up with us."

"Luce?" Daniel had slid out of the restaurant the commotion in the background dying away.

I nodded. "I'll speak with him tonight and be on our way soon."

"Very well," Hogan said with a nod before disappearing. I hung up and pocketed my phone into my back pocket and straightened.

"Everything okay?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah, fine," I lied with a smile. "We'll talk about it later." We walked back inside escaping the chilly weather. Daniel grabbed me by the square of my elbow and yanked me to him so no one could hear. Goose bumps ran up and down my body.

"Sit with me," he muttered his breath tickling my ear. "The guys won't mind if you sit with us."

"What for?" I asked.

"You're making me look like an ass in front of my friends."

"Surely, you don't need my help for that," I said yanking away from his grip. "I'm not something to show off, Daniel." I strode over to a booth and he followed. I took a seat and he took a seat in front of me. I knew he was going to read too much into this; this is what I was afraid of.

"You know that's not what I meant," he protested.

"Then what did you mean?" I challenged.

"Fine," Daniel said coldly. "Forget it." He walked away leaving me to my own agony that I had pushed him away once more. I sighed heavily. Throughout the night, he didn't even give me a second glance. I didn't want to hurt him but if it kept him at a distance it would be worth it, no matter how much I hated hurting him.

"Looks like you and Danny boy are aren't on good terms again." I looked up to see Daniel's friend Ricky sitting across from me.

"I certainly know how to step on his toes," I agreed. "Why are you even sitting with me? I have the strong impression that you don't even like me." I rested my elbows on the table. It's true, ever since Ricky met me; he treated me like a nuisance.

"I don't," Ricky clarified. "But Danny likes you so I have to dislike you a tiny bit less." He indicated with his pointer and thumb making a small space in between them. I chewed my lip nervously. I knew he was trying to make me feel guilty and it was working. I hated doing this to him it just caused tension and difficulty.

I looked around searching for Daniel. I scanned every square inch of the place but he wasn't in any corner. I began to rise out of my seat to look for him thoroughly. He couldn't have gone far, I saw him just a few minutes ago. I shouldered my bag and hurried out the building.

As I stepped outside a giant gust of wind blew my hair into my face. I clutched my locket feeling for the impulse to direct me which way. It vibrated motioning he wasn't too far from here. I shoved my hair back and hurried over to the parking lot. Today it was jam packed with all the soccer players and supporting soccer fans. Every spot was taken.

I sighed in relief when I found Daniel laying on his car with a girl beside him as they talked. I felt a little relieved to know he hadn't wandered off to spite me. I walked over. I know he saw me approach but he didn't make a motion to acknowledge me.

"Can we talk?" I asked readjusting the strap on my bag.

"What for?" he shot back angrily. "You made things clear."

"Don't be so hard on me, Daniel," I said trying to reason with him. We've talked about this plenty of times, I don't know why he acted like this. I didn't know what to do when he was like this. He and the girl sat up. Daniel gestured for them to return back inside.

He tore back off to the restaurant with the girl. I watched him go leaning on his car shaking my head and crossed my arms. I wasn't going back in there if he was going to treat me like the enemy. I'm going to take my chances and leave him here for the night. It wasn't safe but I was so mad at this whole mess that maybe just for tonight it was for the best.

One fourth of my way home, I had received a handful of text messages from Daniel asking me where I was. I didn't respond. If he wanted to play the heart broke soul, I could play it too and even better. Daniel could be a jerk when he wanted to be but it was bad in this lifetime. Great trade off if you ask me.

Cars rushed back in forth as the sun began to set in the west. It got a little chillier but I could stand it, I've been through worse conditions. I wasn't worried about walking home alone Echo Valley was pretty quiet. And I'm sure if anyone dared to mess with me they'd think twice the second time around if they survived. A car honked loudly as I wrapped my arms around myself and kept moving forward.