You can love me, or you can hate me for this chapter. What evs. Personally, I think it's starting to get interesting. ;) I'm sorry if I bore you with endless explanations and stuff, but it is important information. So listen up, killjoys!


Chapter 9 – The Beginning of the End

The drive back to Dr D's shack was long and silent. The only sound was Candy's laboured, raspy breath. Ghoul was pretty sure she was dying and he kept a firm, yet comforting hold on her.

The van eventually came to a stop and Ghoul carried his broken child into the shack, setting her down on one of the mattresses. He sat with her, holding her hand as the others celebrated their victory. His blood began to boil. Could they not see Candy was ill? Possibly even close to death? He was about to jump up and scold them for their ignorance when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey…" the voice was soft and feminine. He turned his head to the blonde woman who sat beside him, sympathetically smiling. He stared in awe at the woman's pure and natural beauty, her green eyes engulfing his thoughts. "She means a lot to you, huh?" Her words snapped him back to a harsh reality.

"What? Oh, yeah, she does. Don't ask why. I have no idea…"

"I do." His head snapped back to her face.

"You…you do?"

"Yes. You see, Candy isn't your average nine year old girl. She's special, which I know you already believe to be the case, but you have no idea…This little girl has a gift. We aren't sure what it is in it's entirety yet, but we know partly what she is capable of. We know of her telepathy. She can reach out to those she feels closest to using only her mind." Ghoul's eyes were wide with shock.

"That explains the…" he trailed off and looked down at the sleeping child.

"You've experienced it?" She seemed just as shocked as him.

"Yeah, back in Battery City. I heard her calling for me. It's how I found her."

"She must think very highly of you then. But that's not the extent of her abilities. There's more to be discovered. I hate to say it, but she should be dead. The fact that she isn't proves a lot. The industries did this to her because they are scared of her."

"How could anyone be scared of her?"

"That's the unanswered question. No-one knows. Not even she knows. This undiscovered ability has to be powerful though." Ghoul nodded and looked back down at Candy.

"How do you know this?" he held his gaze as he spoke.

"Her mother was the same, as was her grandmother. It's hereditary. They never had the opportunity to be great though. Candy does. This became a war when we blew that building up. Now her ability has a purpose. Oh, I'm Diamond Dog, by the way. Nice to finally meet you." She held out a hand and Ghoul shook it. "Do you want me to leave you with her?"

"Actually, that'd be great. Thank you, Diamond."

"Please, call me Di." She smirked, cupped Ghoul's face with her hand and kissed his cheek before standing up and leaving.

"You like her..." Candy's voice echoed inside Ghoul's head.

"Shush, you." He whispered, smiling.

"She likes you too…" The voice sounded smug.

"How do you know?"

"I can hear her thoughts. That's something she doesn't know."

"Can you hear mine?"

"Yes…"

"Ah, shit." The voice chuckled.

"Yeah, I know, right? Now go and talk to her!" Ghoul laughed and nodded. He stood up and walked over to Di.

"Shit, what do I say?" he thought.

"Thank her for telling you about me." Candy guided.

"Hey, Di. Uh, thanks for telling me the truth about Candy."

"That's okay. You needed to know. After all, you're the one who's bonded to her."

"Kiss her, Ghoul! She wants you to! I can hear her!"

"Pipe down, Cand!" he thought.

"Do it, Ghoul!" He decided to try his luck, and bent down and kissed Di. She was taken aback at first, but began to kiss back shortly after. Their lips moulded together and moved in sync.

"DRACS! DRACS ON THE FUCKIGN HORIZON!" Kobra shouted, running into the shack. The two quickly broke apart, grabbed their masks and guns and headed out, leaving the sleeping child alone. Another stand off was imminent.

The killjoys watched as car after car full of Dracs came over the horizon. Too many for five people and a handicapped man to handle. This was the beginning of the end of the true lives of the fabulous killjoys.